Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport. From the East of the world to the West, the North to the South, these 23 beautiful locations showcase the beauty of the world and its people, and provide the perfect addition to any travel bucket list.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
2. Reykjavík, Iceland
This capital of the North combines colorful buildings, eye-popping design and lively nightlife with snow-topped mountains, churning seas and clear air into one beautiful city that is sure to make you fall in love. The town provides something for everyone, from relaxing on one of its beautiful black-sand beaches to perusing through its many museums. In the winter time, Reykjavík is the ideal location to enjoy the beauty of Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights; on clear nights, the lights twirl gently in shades of milky green or blaze in a multi-colored dance across the night sky.
3. Cappadocia, Turkey
Many travelers say that visiting Cappadocia is "like landing on another planet." With its rolling hills and colorful topography, the town seems as though it was plucked out of a fairy tale and nestled into the Anatolian plains. The area is known for its rock-cut churches and the beautiful underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, and modern troglodyte-living in one of Cappadocia's cave hotels is always a visitor's delight. However, Cappadocia is most famous for its idyllic hot air balloon rides; the spectacular landscapes and excellent flying conditions allow the balloons to gently drift over fairy chimneys, orchards, vineyards and colorful rock formations.
4. San Alfonso Del Mar, Chile
If you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on energy drinks before giving this one a try. The beautiful San Alfonso Del Mar Resort in Algarrobo, Chile is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres and holds 66 million gallons of water. Visitors to this man-made saltwater lagoon can enjoy speedboat rides, sailboat adventures, water trampolines and, of course, swimming in water so clear that the bottom is visible even from the 115-foot deep-end. Relaxing at the ends of the pool where the resort meets the Pacific Ocean offers a perfect view of the stunning Chilean beaches.
5. Salar de Uyini, Bolivia
Known as "the border between heaven and Earth," the blinding white Salar de Uyuni salt flat stretches for more than 4,500 square miles. At approximately 12,000 feet above sea-level, the Salar dazzles and optically-illudes visitors with hexagonal piles of salt that seem to go on forever. During the summer, the Salar becomes one enormous puddle, and the reflection of sky and clouds seems to reflect the heavens themselves; people walking across the flats appear to be floating in the clouds.
6. Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
The Haiku Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, has one of the most notoriously illegal and breathtaking views on the planet. Located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, this World War Two-era staircase reaches a peak of 3,000 feet and is forbidden to climb by the Hawaiian government due to liability issues. But even with all the restrictions, the 4,000-stair climb which even includes a ladder vertically up a mountain, has never stopped thrill-seekers and the incredible view has been deemed "worth the risk of being arrested."
7. Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
Under the rolling hills of Waitomo lie a labyrinth of caves and underwater rivers, which are a must-see for any New Zealand traveler. The caves have beautiful views of stalactites growing down from the ceiling and stalagmites growing up from the cave floor, but they are most well known for the galaxies of native glow worms decorating their ancient walls. Visitors to the Waitomo Caves can enjoy the world-famous boat ride through one of New Zealand's black rivers while gazing silently at the galaxy of glow worms that light the way.
8. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Set in the heart of the country, the Blue Lagoon is one of the most iconic places to experience in Iceland. The lagoon is a natural body of water located in the middle of a field of lava rock, and it is heated and transformed into a spa by the lava underneath it pushing up from the center of the earth. The beautiful blue water is not a photographic trick, but a product of the geothermal energy. Swimming in the lagoon also has numerous health benefits; the water is enriched with silica, blue green algae and mineral salts, which help clean, exfoliate, nourish and soften the skin while visitors relax in the heavely water.
9. Penguin Island, Australia
Penguin Island is a one-of-a-kind nature reserve that is Western Australia’s largest colony of Little Penguins- the smallest species of penguin in the world; approximately 1200 Little Penguins inhabit the island, and the location provides a perfect opportunity for visitors to safely interact with and learn about these beautiful animals. Locals and visitors from all over the world can get up close to the wildlife, explore nature trails, swim, surf and snorkel. In addition to penguins, travelers can also get a glimpse of wild dolphins, rare Australian sea lions, pelicans, ospreys, kings skinks and over 50 species of sea birds on and around this beautiful island.
10. Colmar, France
The picturesque city of Colmar in France, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, looks like it was picked straight out of a fairy tale. This tiny town in Alsace is famous not only for its colorful old-town atmosphere, but also for its sunny climate that is perfect for wine-growing. With its pretty canals and fountains, colorful homes and cobblestone streets, "Little Venice" is still reminiscent of its 13th century lifestyle; it is not hard to picture the center for art and learning buzzing with butchers, tanners and fishmongers on Quai de la Poissonnerie.
11. Wisteria Tunnel, Japan
It is practically impossible to walk through the passage of Wisteria flowers in Kitakyushu without imagining an elegant fairy princess and her one-horned white steed prancing alongside you. Wisteria is an ornamental vine, wildly popular in both Eastern and Western gardens for its graceful hanging flowers and its ornate branches, and it is the namesake of the beautiful tunnel in Japan in which cascades of long, lavender flowers are visible as far as the eye can see.
12. La Casa Del Arbol, Ecuador
Deep in the Ecuadorian wilderness is a seismic monitoring monitoring station in a tree known as Casa del Arbol. Its purpose is observe Mt. Tungurahua, the nearby active volcano, from its precarious perch. While thousands hike up to view the beautiful scenery and unique Ecuadorian wildlife from this spot, its real attraction is the "swing at the end of the world," a crude wooden swing hanging from one of the tree's skinny branches. With no harness or safety feature of any sorts, this plank held up by two ropes propels riders over the air of the canyon for the view of a lifetime.
13. Cinque Terre, Italy
The beautiful town of Cinque Terre in Italy is "pastel-hued perfection." A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, Cinque Terre is comprised of five coastal fishing villages along the stunning Italian coast, with the earliest of the villages dating back as far as 643 AD. Aside from spending hours walking along the coast and reveling in its gorgeous architecture and scenery, visitors to Cinque Terre enjoy lounging by the gorgeous beaches in Monterosso, Manarola and Riomaggiore, usually with a bottle of wine in one hand and a delicious slice of fresh pizza in the other.
14. Kuekenhof Garden, Holland
Although the Netherlands is considered to be relatively small in country size, it is home to the world's largest flower garden. Kuekenhof Garden combines nature's beauty with human design to create 79 acres of tulip field that, along with narcissi, daffodils, hyacinths, bluebells and many others, blossom perfectly together.
15. Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Turkey
The surreal, brilliant white terraces and pools of Pamukkale are the heart of Turkey's picturesque Southwest. Truly spectacular in its own right, the geological phenomenon that is Pamukkale, literally "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, is also the site of the remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. With such a unique combination of natural and man-made wonders it is little wonder that Pamukkale-Hierapolis has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors to the site can bathe in its warm pools and gaze upon breathtaking views of Turkey as they walk along its sparkling mineral terraces.
16. Lucerne, Switzerland
If Lucerne, Switzerland was to be described in two words, they would be "perfectly stunning." This "city of light's" perfectly preserved Old Town, waterfront views, covered bridges and candy-colored houses are the perfect combination for a town that is so beautiful it was the destination-of-choice for royalty such as Queen Victoria in the 19th century. One of the most idyllic locations in Lucerne is the city's symbol, Chapel Bridge, which is a wooden footbridge spanning diagonally across the Reuss River; the bridge is not only known for its beauty, but also for the 17th century paintings housed within.
17. Santorini, Greece
With its towering cliffs, inky waters and whitewashed villages, Santorini, "the gem of the Aegean," is the travel destination of pure perfection. Santorini has a rich natural history, and it was once the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the world; today there remains is a submerged volcano and a caldera. Beautiful villages have been constructed on the edge of this caldera, with Cycladic architecture and breathtaking view of the sea. Aside from its caldera, Santorini Greece is also famous for its romantic sunset, volcano and luxurious resorts.
18. Mendenhall Ice Caves of Juneau, United States
You've heard of going out for nights on the town, but have you ever been to the glacier behind the town? The Mendenhall Ice Caves in Juneau, Alaska where water runs over rocks under blue ceilings inside a partially hollow glacier, are one of the only places in the world where you can experience all the stages of the water cycle at once. Rising global temperatures have caused the glacier to start melting—it has receded by about two miles since 1958. Water has carved caves into the interior, creating turquoise-toned worlds whose shapes are ever changing. Visitors to the caves can experience hiking on top of the massive bodies of ice, kayaking through them or taking a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the scenery.
19. Victoria Falls, Zambia
Victoria presents a spectacular sight on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, over a width of nearly two kilometers, into a gorge below. Vantage points at the falls such as the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree provide beautiful panoramic views across the falls. For those that are feeling particularly adventurous, Devil's Pool is a rock pool on the edge of the falls, pushing fearless swimmers to the edge of the falls' 100 meter drop.
20. Palawan Island, Philippines
One look at Palawan Island in the Philippines, and it is hard to imagine that something so beautiful exists. Recently named The Best Island In The World, Palawan is the site of clear blue water mixed with emerald green, tree-topped mountains and a panoramic horizon dotted with multi-colored, petite fishing villages. Described as "the last frontier," Palawan has artifacts that date back 50,000 years. Visitors to the island enjoy lounging on its white-sand beaches, venturing to Puerto Princesca for its culinary delights and staying in one of its many luxury hotels.
21. Hirosaki Castle Park, Japan
During springtime in Japan, Hirosaki Castle Park is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the world-famous Japanese cherry blossoms. The center of this park hosts a castle, which was constructed by the Tsugaru family who once ruled the area. For the perfect picture experience, walk along the castle's western moat to capture the bright red Shunyo Bridge, castle tower, pale pink cherry blossoms, and snow-crested Mt. Iwaki.
22. Goa, India
Goa, a gem of India, is sun, sand and spices, all perfectly combined into one idyllic location; it is a blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand and seafood. Although small, the state is among India's richest, largely thanks to tourism. Its big attraction is more than 80 miles of coastline, and the wealth of over 30 beautiful beaches lining its shores. Goa is also known for its temples and world heritage architecture, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. The delicious Goan seafood is an important point of interest and a favorite aspect of the travelers who visit its shores.
23. Vaadhoo Beach, Maldives
The Vadhoo Islands in the Maldives attract vacationers from all over the world to spend an unforgettable time there; its idyllic nature and beautiful beach resorts makes it a perfect place for relaxation. But the beach on Vadhoo Island is famous in its own right for a rare natural phenomena: glowing tides that rinse the shores at night. Bioluminescent phytoplankton emanate a soft, blue glow, creating what is considered to be the most beautiful and romantic lighting in the world.
