The Planet's Most Beautiful Places

Choosing the World's Most Beautiful Places

They are the places that stop you in your tracks, the views that etch themselves into your memory for a lifetime: mountain peaks, desert valleys, ocean reefs. Each has a home in our list of the 70 Most Beautiful Places in the World, as recommended by a panel of explorers, scientists and travel journalists who make it their mission to visit the far reaches of our home planet.

How many have you been to?

Palawan, Philippines

It doesn’t have the household name status (or visitor count) of the likes of Tahiti or the Maldives, but Palawan is truly one of Asia’s most serene tropical destinations. I’ve fond memories of the boat transfer from El Nido’s port to a private island resort named Cauayan, zipping past towering limestone karsts jutting from dazzling aquamarine water.

Travis Levius is a freelance travel journalist, speaker and travel writing instructor. He is a member of The Points Guy Advisory Panel and can be found criss-crossing continents with a pen and a pad for the most well-known brands in travel.

Chapman's Peak, South Africa

No matter how many times I take the winding, cliff-hugging route along Greater Cape Town-based Chapman’s Peak, my heartbeat skips. One glance at the honey-colored slopes running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean and it’s clear why it’s considered one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives.

Travis Levius is a freelance travel journalist, speaker and travel writing instructor. He is a member of The Points Guy Advisory Panel and can be found criss-crossing continents with a pen and a pad for the most well-known brands in travel.

Antarctic Peninsula

I took a voyage to the bottom tip of the Earth, and have yet to witness a destination more pristine, brutal, majestic and arresting than the Antarctic Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel in particular—with its corridor of snow-capped mountains plunging into the sea before giving way to an endless field of white ice patches on which seals sunbathe—is an incredible reward for intrepid travelers willing to explore the White Continent.

Travis Levius is a freelance travel journalist, speaker and travel writing instructor. He is a member of The Points Guy Advisory Panel and can be found criss-crossing continents with a pen and a pad for the most well-known brands in travel.

Ross Sea, Antarctica

Hanging out on the edge of sea ice waiting for a massive marine mammals like orcas to emerge or little Adélie penguins to slide past was singlehandedly the most surreal experience of my travels. Getting there is tricky for civilians outside of the Antarctic Science Programs, but if you can get creative and find a way there you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

J. J. Kelley is a director, explorer and photojournalist who has circumnavigated America in the back of a pickup truck, served as a kayak guide in Alaska, spent time on assignment in Antarctica and starred in shows like Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild.

Saint Helena Island

Islands don’t get much more remote than this. Reaching the distant island where they banished Napoleon is an endeavor that will take several days and careful planning, but your hard work could land you on a stunning volcanic outpost few get the chance to see. If you go in February you can time your trip to the migration of whale sharks. If you’ve never swum with these school bus size creatures, prepare to be dazzled.

J. J. Kelley is a director, explorer and photojournalist who has circumnavigated America in the back of a pickup truck, served as a kayak guide in Alaska, spent time on assignment in Antarctica and starred in shows like Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild.

The Rio Negro, Brazil

Deep into Amazonia is where life gets truly bizarre. It’s the landmass' profound precipitation that creates life in nearly countless forms. If you can find your way onto a riverboat adventure far up the mighty Amazon into the coffee-grounds-black waters of the Rio Negro, you’ll never be the same after.

J. J. Kelley is a director, explorer and photojournalist who has circumnavigated America in the back of a pickup truck, served as a kayak guide in Alaska, spent time on assignment in Antarctica and starred in shows like Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild.

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Ascending up the 9,800-foot plateau of the Simien Mountains was one of the most remarkable experiences I've had along my traverse across the Ethiopian Highlands. The Gelada Baboons are known to have lived here in isolation their entire lives and the waters coming from the mountain plunge into the rivers, creating the Blue River Nile which merges the River Nile supplying it with rich nutrients.

Mario Rigby spent two years walking and kayaking across Africa. He is a fellow at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society whose work focuses on bridging the gap between developed and developing nations.

Lake Malawi, Malawi

Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, goes along the length of the entire country of Malawi. One of the deepest and most biodiverse lakes in the world, it's a wonder to be around. Malawi is known as the darling nation of Africa due to the kind-natured culture of the local people. However, according to the World Bank, Malawi is also known as one of the poorest countries in the world. The evidence is certainly all around you as you traverse this beautiful country.

Mario Rigby spent two years walking and kayaking across Africa. He is a fellow at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society whose work focuses on bridging the gap between developed and developing nations.

Marsabit National Park, Kenya

Marsabit is a vast desert situated in northern Kenya. The main town is situated on an isolated extinct volcano. It can be incredibly inhospitable in these areas, a true testament to human survival. Massive-tusked, bull elephants roam across the land and seek refuge in Marsabit National Park.

Mario Rigby spent two years walking and kayaking across Africa. He is a fellow at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society whose work focuses on bridging the gap between developed and developing nations.

Darjeeling, India

This small city, literally hewn to the side of what would be a mountain on any other continent, is a place full of stairs, church bells, Buddhist prayer flags, bubbling cauldrons of chickpeas, fried dough, a lot of bacon (really) and fatty butter-filled teas. Walking from plaza to plaza along the switchback roads, you find yourself at a crossroads of Tibetan, Nepali, Bhutanese, Buddhist, Catholic and Hindu cultures from the iconography of the streets to the depth of the food. Then there's the scenery. It's just ... striking.

Zach Johnston is an American expat who has ridden the Transiberian railway, sailed from Thailand to Djibouti and trekked through the Congo. He is currently serving as the deputy editor of Uproxx. There, he writes about global cuisine, culture and spirits.

Ao Nang, Thailand

Have you truly lived if you haven't watched the sunset over a postcard-perfect tropical beach with a one-dollar bamboo plate full of pad Thai in one hand and a bottle of Thai rum from a 7-Eleven in the other? The sheer beauty of the place is awe-inspiring. Rock towers rise from crystal clear seas and white sand beaches into the sky like great skyscrapers of the gods, topped with rushes of green forest and dangling vines teasing you to climb them. Taking in the walls, towers and cheeky rhesus monkeys is a true wonder to behold — either from the beach or far out on a fishing boat, angling for one's dinner from the bath-water warm seas.

Zach Johnston is an American expat who has ridden the Transiberian railway, sailed from Thailand to Djibouti and trekked through the Congo. He is currently serving as the deputy editor of U proxx. There, he writes about global cuisine, culture and spirits.

Chianti, Italy

There's this pang you get in your heart when you enter Tuscany and see your first farmhouse perched on a distant hill, seemingly painted onto the rolling hills next to a row of cypress trees. It's a visage you've seen a hundred times in a movie that feels like it can't be real, yet there it is. While Tuscany is amazing as a region, the heart and soul of the area is Chianti. You can spend weeks wandering slowly from village to village, castle to castle, vineyard to vineyard, olive grove to olive grove and never get bored of the striking natural beauty of the place balanced with a lifestyle, architecture and vibe that blends so perfectly with natural beauty that it will pain you to leave.

Zach Johnston is an American expat who has ridden the Transiberian railway, sailed from Thailand to Djibouti and trekked through the Congo. He is currently serving as the deputy editor of Uproxx. There, he writes about global cuisine, culture and spirits.

Ipanema Beach, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is one of Earth’s lovelier places with beaches as melodically pleasing as bossa nova songs: Copacabana, Flamengo and Ipanema. My very first pilgrimage to Ipanema will be forever emblazoned in my mind, as it offered me a sunset with the Two Brothers Peak (Dois Irmãos), carefree strolls along the wavy Portuguese pavement and the incomparable magic of Rio Carnival.

Rosie Bell is a location-independent travel writer and author of Escape to Self. She has written for the world’s leading travel companies and appeared on ABC News, NBC News and the South China Morning Post.

Duna do Pôr do Sol, Brazil

I’ve enjoyed my fair share of beaches but Jericoacoara in the northeast of Brazil has some of the most soul-stirring scenery I’ve come across. Duna do Pôr Do Sol (Sunset Dune) is the heart and soul of “Jeri," and it’s a place I’ll never say no to. There’s a palpable air of excitement just before sundown when lucky locals and itinerant salespeople collectively ascend the dune with their carts and hopes of another brilliant emerald sunset.

Rosie Bell is a location-independent travel writer and author of Escape to Self. She has written for the world’s leading travel companies and appeared on ABC News, NBC News and the South China Morning Post.

Polvorilla Viaduct, Argentina

The Argentinian province of Salta is a delicious destination to sample dripping empanadas, otherworldly terrain, lively peñas, gaucho culture and to visit the cryogenically preserved Inca children at the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM). What brought me to Salta however, was the slithering high-altitude journey that is Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes). The crescendo of this journey is a visit to the Polvorilla Viaduct, which stands at 13,800 feet tall.

Rosie Bell is a location-independent travel writer and author of Escape to Self. She has written for the world’s leading travel companies and appeared on ABC News, NBC News and the South China Morning Post.

Zambia, Africa

Have you ever been to a place where the sun looks different, where the trees look greener and the air is more fragrant? Zambia, in central Africa, is such a place. At the risk of using cliches, it is magical. It seduces you in ways one never thinks possible before. I found myself walking around in a daze, mesmerized by what I was experiencing. It was, without a doubt, my favorite and most beautiful travel destination.

Yves Le Sieur holds court at Nobleman Magazine, where he writes about the world of luxury travel while pushing to break down the barriers between the first world and developing nations.

Montreal, Canada

Situated on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the epicenter of Canadian culture, Montreal remains a mystery. Part French, part English, part village, part metropolis, it charms visitors with its unique heritage. A visit to Montreal is at once a trip back in history, yet a superhighway jaunt to the future. Canada's second-largest city (after its archrival Toronto), you can't help but be captured by its old-world charm and sophistication. Some people call it Paris without the attitude; I call it home.

Yves Le Sieur holds court at Nobleman Magazine, where he writes about the world of luxury travel while pushing to break down the barriers between the first world and developing nations.

Mexico City, Mexico

When Californians think of Mexico, they tend to think about Tijuana, right across the border, a couple of hours south of Los Angeles. One forgets that Mexico is a vast and diverse country, and its true jewel is Mexico City. One of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, it is … big. Everything comes right at you in this city; the colors, the food, the culture, the various dialects and most of all, its people. Like Mexico itself, they are beautiful, friendly, quick to smile and welcome you to experience their vibrant city.

Yves Le Sieur holds court at Nobleman Magazine, where he writes about the world of luxury travel while pushing to break down the barriers between the first world and developing nations.

The Abandoned Great Wall of China

Beyond the cohort of the thousands of tourists who visit the Great Wall everyday, there is a far less accessible path hidden between Badaling and Simatai, to the north of Beijing. It is well worth the effort to be found. Surrounded by green mountains and occasional villages, the not-yet-renovated 50-mile long stretch of the Great Wall offers a step into history, and options to wild camp in its historic towers beneath sunsets and sunrises with hardly anyone around ... a very rare option in today's China.

Damien Leloup is a maritime archaeologist and explorer who helped curate the first green museum in China, the Liaoning Fossil and Geology Park. Leloup is a former board member at The Explorers Club and a former crew member of Jacques Cousteau.

Baobab Alley, Madagascar

Baobob Alley offers one of the most picturesque African views — along with the Kilimanjaro —but it is nowhere near as visited as the latter. The alley is a precious, unpaved red ochre road surrounded by massive baobab trees. Some of the gentle giants are 2,800 years old, the remnants of a dense tropical forest that once covered the entire island.

Damien Leloup is a maritime archaeologist and explorer who helped curate the first green museum in China, the Liaoning Fossil and Geology Park. Leloup is a former board member at The Explorers Club and a former crew member of Jacques Cousteau.

The Smuggler's Path, Cap d'Antibes

Once an exclusive private coastal shoreline to local billionaires, the Smuggler's Path is now open to the public and not yet that well known, nor developed. It is a sometimes narrow path that goes from the northern side of the Cap d'Antibes — carrying endless views of the Italian Alps, Nice and the old Antibes, along with Billionaire's Bay to the south and onto Cannes and the even more enigmatic Lerins Islands to the west.

Damien Leloup is a maritime archaeologist and explorer who helped curate the first green museum in China, the Liaoning Fossil and Geology Park. Leloup is a former board member at The Explorers Club and a former crew member of Jacques Cousteau.

Galibi Nature Reserve, Suriname

Treading the line between French Guiana and Suriname in a korjaal, a Surinamese dugout canoe, you arrive on sacred shores where the deep, clear Atlantic meets the shallow mud of the Marowijne River. This is where half of the entire leatherback sea turtle population returns every year to lay their eggs. Galibi Nature Reserve is outlined with coconut trees and has a sweet mango tree center, just how the island's busy crabs like it.

Alannah Vellacott is a marine ecologist, diver and conservationist based in the Bahamas. There, she researches coral behavior and adaptation to Earth’s warming oceans.

Playa Negra, Costa Rica

Playa Negra is the opposite of what you would expect from a tropical beach. Not only is it empty and quiet, but its sand absorbs all the colors Costa Rica reflects. Smooth and soft like chocolate, fine and glistening like silk, the black sands of Playa Negra whisper to those who listen. The ocean slowly creeps up the shore, remaining shallow and calm for a few hundred meters, revealing natural treasures half buried in the sand that will make you come back to see what else she'll offer you tomorrow.

Alannah Vellacott is a marine ecologist, diver and conservationist based in the Bahamas. There, she researches coral behavior and adaptation to Earth’s warming oceans.

Pirate's Cove, Turks and Caicos

Teetering off the southwestern point of Providenciales and hidden beneath prickly brush, a ladder leads you down into the belly of Split Rock and reveals a secret cave and private ocean paddling pool. The water is shallow and warm, the bottom is sandy and soft and the cave that cradles it is the perfect place to share an unforgettable afternoon with those who can keep a secret. Pirate's Cove is truly one of the best kept secrets of the Turks and Caicos islands.

Alannah Vellacott is a marine ecologist, diver and conservationist based in the Bahamas. There, she researches coral behavior and adaptation to Earth’s warming oceans.

Bisti Badlands, New Mexico

The Bisti Badlands in the De-Na-Zin Wilderness is located in northwest New Mexico. Rarely visited and largely unknown, the Bisti is a 4,000-acre area with some of the most unusual erosion formations on Earth. With extremely unusual shapes, the tall hoodoos can reveal striking color in the evening or early morning light, and give a sense of a beautiful alien landscape.

Brian Weed is a videographer and filmmaker for Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown and Expedition X. Weed has traveled to and documented some of the world’s most remote and most bizarre destinations.

Greenland Coast

Greenland, looking toward the glacial interior from its coastal peaks, is an unforgettable sight to behold. Most of the interior of Greenland is uncharted glacier with no settlements or access of any kind. Standing from one of the coastal mountains, you can look toward the interior and see the rivers of glacier ice that will eventually become oceanic icebergs and it gives a humbling sense of time and scale.

Brian Weed is a videographer and filmmaker for Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown and Expedition X. Weed has traveled to and documented some of the world’s most remote and most bizarre destinations.

Pondoland, South Africa

Waterfall Bluff is in Pondoland on the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa. It's a striking view of one of the few waterfalls that fall directly into the ocean from steep cliffs on the eastern cape of South Africa. The rocky cliffs are near vertical and layered with bright green foliage that has an otherworldly feel in the mist from the roiling ocean.

Brian Weed is a videographer and filmmaker for Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown and Expedition X. Weed has traveled to and documented some of the world’s most remote and most bizarre destinations.

The Cycladic Islands, Greece

Even if you want to, it seems impossible to stop taking photos of these unique, breathtaking islands’ quirky and extraordinary beauty. From whitewashed buildings winding their way along volcanic cliff faces to nonchalant cats strolling the stone streets and splashes of vibrant color offered by bouganvillea, blue trim and handprinted signs, the Cycladic Islands can only be matched in beauty by the endless clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.

Denéa Buckingham is a filmmaker, anthropologist and explorer who has been circumnavigating the globe documenting remote cultures via the Discover Humanity project. For the past half decade, she has been uncovering one of the largest concentration of ancient shipwrecks on the planet in Fourni, Greece.

Banff, Canada

Driving a thin road cut out of the rock with a cliff on one side and a thousand foot drop over the cliff beside you winds your way up the Highway to the Sun in Banff. A skier's dream in the winter and a hiking heaven in the summer, the little town of Banff is a friendly place with tasty restaurants that whisper at the history of an area that ski bums have worshipped for decades.

Denéa Buckingham is a filmmaker, anthropologist and explorer who has been circumnavigating the globe documenting remote cultures via the Discover Humanity project. For the past half decade, she has been uncovering one of the largest ancient shipwrecks on the planet in Fourni, Greece.

Champagne-Ardenne, France

Rows of the world’s most prized grapes roll across fields surrounded by gentle mountains, punctuated by elegantly aging chateaus covered in vines and steeped with history. Little towns with winding cobblestone streets and buildings that feel like even their hinges have a story to tell. Only two things can make France’s Champagne-Ardenne region even better: taking a horseback ride through the vineyards, and finishing your day watching the sunset over the vines while sipping a glass of the world’s favorite bubbly.

Denéa Buckingham is a filmmaker, anthropologist and explorer who has been circumnavigating the globe documenting remote cultures via the Discover Humanity project. For the past half decade, she has been uncovering one of the largest ancient shipwrecks on the planet in Fourni, Greece.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan

Riding under soaring stalks of bamboo in Kyoto's bamboo forest, I never got tired of looking up. It's one of those moments that made me feel so simultaneously small and large all at once. It remains the most peaceful moment of my life, and I will never forget the first sight of those towering green leaves swaying above me.

Kristin Braswell is a writer and entrepreneur dedicated to changing the world through travel. She encourages her readers to discover new worlds with reverence and open eyes through her travel brand, Crush Global.

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

On the southwest part of this Caribbean island, the view from Jade Mountain Resort's Celestial Terrace is like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park, minus the threat of any danger. There are unobstructed views of the Piton mountains, two volcanic masses jutting from the ocean that are a sight to behold. At sunset, a few sips of rum punch only make the view more magical.

Kristin Braswell is a writer and entrepreneur dedicated to changing the world through travel. She encourages her readers to discover new worlds with reverence and open eyes through her travel brand, Crush Global.

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia

In less than an hour, a series of glaciers, lakes, mountains and rivers flashed before me in Torres del Paine. Pehoe means “hidden lake” in the language of the Tehuelche indigenous people who once inhabited the region, and the water at this lookout is a glassy turquoise color that often offers a reflection on its surface of Los Cuernos and Paine Grande mountains.

Kristin Braswell is a writer and entrepreneur dedicated to changing the world through travel. She encourages her readers to discover new worlds with reverence and open eyes through her travel brand, Crush Global.

Eze, France

Climbing the cobblestone stairs in this medieval hilltop village in southwest France is worth every step once you get to the top. Chateau Eze's bar offers jaw dropping, panoramic views of the French Riviera's sunkissed ocean. It's a great day trip to take if Nice or Monaco is your base, or check into the Chateau to get a dose of those views more than once.

Kristin Braswell is a writer and entrepreneur dedicated to changing the world through travel. She encourages her readers to discover new worlds with reverence and open eyes through her travel brand, Crush Global.

Geographic North Pole

The North Pole is a cold, lunar landscape showcasing the vulnerability of our planet. When I arrived at the pole in 2012 — on my own — I expected to experience a true sense of complete isolation. Instead, I found myself gatecrashing the wedding of Norwegian polar legend Borg Ousland, who was getting married. I probably did the first and maybe last gate crash of a wedding at the North Pole. Expect the unexpected.

Mark Wood is a polar explorer who has trekked alone to both the North and South Poles. He is the chair of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter of The Explorers Club and a member of the Royal Geographic Society. He currently serves as an Explorer in Residence for the University of Warwick.

Resolute Bay, Canada

They say Resolute Bay is not the end of the world, but you can see it from there. I began my own polar career from this small, Inuit settlement in the high Arctic. This area of Northern Canada along the Northwest Passage has always felt like home — maybe it's because this remote, surreal region changed my whole perspective not only on exploration, but also my own life's adventure.

Mark Wood is a polar explorer who has trekked alone to both the North and South Poles. He is the chair of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter of The Explorers Club and a member of the Royal Geographic Society. He currently serves as an Explorer in Residence for the University of Warwick.

Ellesmere Island, Canada

I once guided a small team over a remote peninsula here that faced the west coast line of Greenland. As we reached the top of a frozen ice fall we found ourselves pulling through a field of white furry lumps — hundreds of Arctic hare sat in the warmth of the sun grazing. Our sledges pulled through slowly and none of the hares were spooked. When animals don't experience what humans are capable of, they don't react in the same way.

Mark Wood is a polar explorer who has trekked alone to both the North and South Poles. He is the chair of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter of The Explorers Club and a member of the Royal Geographic Society. He currently serves as an Explorer in Residence for the University of Warwick.

Big Sur, California

Where rugged coast meets mountains with unsurpassed views of rolling hills and whale spouts. Spectacular off-grid camping spots abound for those who know how to find them and one of the most scenic drives in the world winds its way along the Pacific.

Kinga Philipps is a producer, journalist and diver who has delved into the heart of some of the world’s most fascinating missing persons cases on Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild, shined a light on shark conservation issues in the South Pacific and helped document historic shipwrecks around the globe.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

On the banks of the Zambezi River hippos, cape buffalo, zebra and elephants graze in such great numbers it appears surreal. Termite mounds dot the landscape like lone sentinels and lions sleep among the tall grasses waiting for the quintessential African sunsets.

Kinga Philipps is a producer, journalist and diver who has delved into the heart of some of the world’s most fascinating missing persons cases on Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild, shined a light on shark conservation issues in the South Pacific and helped document historic shipwrecks around the globe.

Tikehau, French Polynesia

Crystal clear, warm waters surround this palm-dotted atoll, home to an abundance of marine life ... from sharks to mantas to striking reefs. Sit with your feet in the sand or peruse for shells while palm trees frame fins cutting through the shallows.

Kinga Philipps is a producer, journalist and diver who has delved into the heart of some of the world’s most fascinating missing persons cases on Travel Channel’s Lost in the Wild, shined a light on shark conservation issues in the South Pacific and helped document historic shipwrecks around the globe.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

While living in South Italy, I often spent weekends wandering the many walkways and stone staircases winding through Amalfi, Ravello and Positano. There is a path, Il Sentiero Degli Dei, that climbs high above the tourist crowds and takes you all along the beautiful coastline. I'll never forget watching sunsets from up there in total solitude, and then climbing down to the lively town squares for dinner by the sea.

Christian Schaffer is an outdoor adventure, lifestyle and travel photographer based in the Pacific Northwest. Christian travels the country full-time, chasing sunrises and sunsets while living out of her customized Dodge van.

Cascade Range, Washington

Summer in the Cascade Range is truly a magical experience. Some of my favorite memories are of waking up before dawn, somewhere high up in the range and wandering out into the morning light wrapped up in my sleeping bag, mountain peaks all around. There's nothing quite like a summit sunrise.

Christian Schaffer is an outdoor adventure, lifestyle and travel photographer based in the Pacific Northwest. Christian travels the country full-time, chasing sunrises and sunsets while living out of her customized Dodge van.

Yosemite Valley, California

Whatever the season, the wild air and massive granite walls of Yosemite ground me every time. I'll never forget watching fog pour into the valley after a thunderstorm in late fall, just before the first snow.

Christian Schaffer is an outdoor adventure, lifestyle and travel photographer based in the Pacific Northwest. Christian travels the country full-time, chasing sunrises and sunsets while living out of her customized Dodge van.

Bahia Honda Key, Florida

Bahia Honda State Park is one of the best beaches in Florida, which is saying a lot in a state with more than 600 miles of beaches. The stretch of beach has warm, clear waters, and the short hike up the beach trail offers panoramic views of the park.

Mariette Williams covers travel and culture for HGTV. She’s chronicled the journey of transracial adoptees as a co-author of Black Anthology: Adult Adoptees Claim Their Space and her writing has built a global audience with bylines in some of the world’s top outlets.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Arenal is one of Costa Rica's most popular and most recognizable landmarks. Because it's still active, the volcano releases gas daily, giving it a smoky appearance. Some of the best views of the volcano can come from nearby hiking trails like Los Coladas.

Mariette Williams covers travel and culture for HGTV. She’s chronicled the journey of transracial adoptees as a co-author of Black Anthology: Adult Adoptees Claim Their Space and her writing has built a global audience with bylines in some of the world’s top outlets.

Bassin Bleu, Haiti

Located in the mountains of Jacmel, Bassin Bleu is the site of natural waterfalls that flow into swimming holes. Getting here requires a little patience — the waterfalls can only be reached by hiking and then rappelling down a cliff — but the views are worth it.

Mariette Williams covers travel and culture for HGTV. She’s chronicled the journey of transracial adoptees as a co-author of Black Anthology: Adult Adoptees Claim Their Space and her writing has built a global audience with bylines in some of the world’s top outlets.

West Fjords, Iceland

The first time I visited Iceland I was blown away by the sloping, green mountains in the West Fjords. Sure, the glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls around Iceland are amazing, but something about the way the dozens of fjords cut into the hills and the adorable colorful houses dotted the landscape has stuck with me.

Rebecca Holland is a travel journalist who has lived abroad in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. There, she journeyed to some of the most storied sites in human history and some of the most hostile desert environments on Earth.

Ponte Ciolo, Salento, Italy

This swimming hole in is what Italian summer dreams are made of. It feels straight out of a movie. Craggy cliffs meet stunningly blue water and passersby stop their cars on the ancient-looking bridge for a quick picnic and swim. Lounging on the beach here it's hard not to feel you're living la dolce vita.

Rebecca Holland is a travel journalist who has lived abroad in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. There, she journeyed to some of the most storied sites in human history and some of the most hostile desert environments on Earth.

Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi

It's hard not to be awed by the Empty Quarter's rolling sand dunes stretching miles and miles. The largest uninterrupted desert in the world is best seen during sunrise or sunset, when the sand shimmers in the light. I drove far into the desert last summer while the world was on lockdown, and there was something eerie and beautiful about being the only person in this incredible vista.

Rebecca Holland is a travel journalist who has lived abroad in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. There, she journeyed to some of the most storied sites in human history and some of the most hostile desert environments on Earth.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

This national park tends to get overlooked for its more famous cousins — Bryce, Zion, Arches — but maybe that's for the best, because you'll likely have most of the place to yourself. This park exposes layers of geological history so old that it boggles the mind, and it does it all in vivid vermillions, deep oranges and rich ochres. The rippling cliff sides astound at every turn.

Bailey Freeman is a guidebook author, travel writer and aerialist specializing in outdoor adventure. She has solo-camped across America and traveled to far-flung destinations around the globe.

Cordillera Blanca, Peru

The sheer magnitude of this incredible mountain range defies everything you think you know about scale, everything you think you know about what the planet is capable of. Honestly, when you look at it, your eyes struggle to focus — there's too much to take in. It humbles you, of course, but it also makes you feel extremely grateful that you get to see such a wonder.

Bailey Freeman is guidebook author, travel writer and aerialist specializing in outdoor adventure. She has solo-camped across America and traveled to far-flung destinations around the globe.

Fimmvörðuháls Trail, Iceland

Most people head to the famous Skógafoss waterfall and leave after a few pictures, but this is a grave error. Make the ascent to the top of the waterfall and follow the trail past a whopping 26 more waterfalls, each one more magical than the last. If you're in it for the long haul rather than just a short day hike, you can continue on across volcanic plateaus and into the stunning "Land of the Gods." Iceland at its absolute best.

Bailey Freeman is guidebook author, travel writer and aerialist specializing in outdoor adventure. She has solo-camped across America and traveled to far-flung destinations around the globe.

Mendoza, Argentina

This bustling, beautiful old city sits in the most renowned wine region of Argentina. It's packed full of lovely tiled, plazas, treelined streets, Spanish Colonial architecture, artists and artisans, and the busy hum of local life. A day trip to the city outskirts drops you right amongst a world of vineyards, wineries and the vista of the Andean cordillera in the distance.

Brigid Mander is alpine skier and journalist who has traversed the planet in search of its most breathtaking slopes. She is a regular contributor at The Wall Street Journal and Backcountry Magazine.

The Sagebrush Sea

The rolling, vast expanse of the sagebrush sea in states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and around the region is a wild, heartbreakingly beautiful sight. Fragrant, pale green Wyoming tall and low sage covers the landscape as far as one can see, the scene dotted here and there with red dirt and otherworldly rock formations laid out under an expansive sky. If you stop, listen and observe quietly, the sage is a thriving habitat for trilling songbirds, badgers, coyotes and home to iconic native-to-the-western-states big game species like pronghorn and mule deer.

Brigid Mander is alpine skier and journalist who has traversed the planet in search of its most breathtaking slopes. She is a regular contributor at The Wall Street Journal and Backcountry Magazine.

Úbeda, Spain

An ancient city set on a hilltop, this Renaissance town in Spain has lovely cobbled streets, rich history and strong local culture. Nooks and crannies and artisan shops are everywhere. And when you have the chance to look out on the surrounding landscape, neat rows of olive trees and small farms mark the hillsides descending from the city.

Brigid Mander is alpine skier and journalist who has traversed the planet in search of its most breathtaking slopes. She is a regular contributor at The Wall Street Journal and Backcountry Magazine.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Located on the southwest coast of Africa, Namibia is known for its iconic and fascinating Skeleton Coast, mountainous red sand dunes of Sossusvlei (the highest in the world) and bald granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. The landscape of Etosha National Park is unique, home to a wide variety of desert-adapted wildlife such as the lion, elephant, giraffe and many more. A visit to Namibia is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Visitors will practically be guaranteed spectacular African sunsets followed by exceptional star-gazing.

Philippe Kjellgren is the author of seven travel books and the founder of PK's List, a luxury travel club built on first-hand experiences and subjective travel intelligence.

The Seychelles

Comprising of about 115 islands, the Seychelles — also referred to as the Paradise Islands — is situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean with verdant tropical vegetation, white sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters. Its unique and unspoilt natural beauty is second to none featuring huge granite rock formations that are millions of years old. The island is teaming with endemic species of birds, marine life and the very rare Aldabra giant tortoise.

Philippe Kjellgren is the author of seven travel books and the founder of PK's List, a luxury travel club built on first-hand experiences and subjective travel intelligence.

Salara de Uvuni, Bolivia

Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. At over 6,000 square miles, it is considered to be one of the most otherworldly and extreme vistas on Earth. The flat was made by a prehistoric lake that went dry, leaving behind a desert-like landscape of bright white salt, rock formations and cacti-studded islands. During the wet season after a rainfall or when nearby lakes overflow, a thin layer of water transforms the flats into mesmerising reflections of the sky.

Philippe Kjellgren is the author of seven travel books and the founder of PK's List, a luxury travel club built on first-hand experiences and subjective travel intelligence.

Ra’s al-Jinz, Oman

This beach is the easternmost point of the Arabian peninsula. If you arrive early enough, you’ll be treated to an amazing sunrise and you may even get the chance to see some baby sea turtles hatching. The area was once home to Neolithic and Early Bronze Age settlements so watch where you step — you may just wander onto an archaeological site!

Raven Todd Da Silva is an archaeologist and ancient history expert. She hosts Dig it With Raven, a YouTube channel dedicated to archaelogy, art conservation and relics of days gone by.

Aswan, Egypt

Climb a sand dune on Elephantine Island and you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the city where Agatha Christie penned Death on the Nile. White sails of feluccas dot the river, reminding you to stop and smell the roses now that you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of Cairo. Don’t forget to wander the island afterwards and take advantage of the exceptional Nubian hospitality if you’re offered it.

Raven Todd Da Silva is an archaeologist and ancient history expert. She hosts Dig it With Raven, a YouTube channel dedicated to archaelogy, art conservation and relics of days gone by.

The Transfăgărășan, Romania

Beyond crumbling Cold War monuments to deposed Romanian ruler Nicolae Ceaușescu lies an astonishing highway called the Transfăgărășan. This alpine road snakes around crystalline lakes and roaring waterfalls. It even abuts a former fortress of Vlad Dracula. In summer months, the path is open for anyone adventurous enough to follow it over the Carpathian Mountains in rural Romania.

Joe Sills is a writer, explorer and photojournalist. He hosts The Get Lost Podcast, an award-winning podcast dedicated to experiencing the world’s far-flung destinations through the ancient art of storytelling.

Yorkshire Dales, England

Escaping to the English countryside is a simple pleasure often overlooked by Americans eager to sightsee in London, but the Yorkshire Dales are worth a hop across the pond on their own merit. This labyrinth of lush, rolling hills is home to ribbons of narrow pavement that carry travelers past babbling brooks and fluffy sheep that glow in the country’s soft, afternoon night.

Joe Sills is a writer, explorer and photojournalist. He hosts The Get Lost Podcast, an award-winning podcast dedicated to experiencing the world’s far-flung destinations through the ancient art of storytelling.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

To wake up on a boat in Ha Long Bay is to greet the day to a mirror of green glass. Here, amidst a maze of limestone islands, it’s easy to imagine the sky and sea trading places in your mind’s eye. The bewildering visuals are made all the more surreal by the puttering soundtrack of fishing boats bound for floating villages hidden somewhere inside.

Joe Sills is a writer, explorer and photojournalist. He hosts The Get Lost Podcast, an award-winning podcast dedicated to experiencing the world’s far-flung destinations through the ancient art of storytelling.

Byron Bay, Australia

Warm surf rolling in over the shallow bay, whales spouting saltwater offshore and sherbet sunsets over distant peaks make Byron Bay one of the most magical places to spend an evening in Australia. Though this once quiet surf town has grown raucous due to international fame, it still offers tranquil surf, friendly locals and an incredible array of international foods crafted by transplants who’ve all come for the waves.

Joe Sills is a writer, explorer and photojournalist. He hosts The Get Lost Podcast, an award-winning podcast dedicated to experiencing the world’s far-flung destinations through the ancient art of storytelling.

Wine Glass Bay, Tasmania

From the top of Mt. Amos Summit you can see views of Wineglass Bay, a gorgeous combination of white sand beach, vibrant turquoise waters and lush, green vegetation. To get to the viewpoint of the bay, you take a relatively easy hike through pink granite boulders, Oyster Bay pines and more flora, not to mention you're more than likely to stumble upon adorable wallabies looking to make friends (and eat your food!).

Chelsea Davis is a San Francisco-based journalist covering food, wine and travel for some of the world's premiere luxury travel publications. She's dog sledded across Canada's Great Divide and learned to weave in remote villages in Peru.

Genbikei Gorge, Japan

Genbikei Gorge is home to not only the famous flying dango mochi, but also Lego-like boulders, rushing waterfalls and the most vibrant fall foliage you'll ever see. The sense of peace and tranquility you feel as you take in the views of the rushing Iwai River (which flows through the gorge) is second to none!

Chelsea Davis is a San Francisco-based journalist covering food, wine and travel for some of the world's premiere luxury travel publications. She's dog sledded across Canada's Great Divide and learned to weave in remote villages in Peru.

Emerald Bay, California

The vista of Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, California, offers an absolutely stunning view complete with vibrant greens and blues against an epic mountain backdrop. Emerald Bay is home to the lake's only island and offers some of the most sprawling, all-encompassing views of one of the country's most famous bodies of water.

Chelsea Davis is a San Francisco-based journalist covering food, wine and travel for some of the world's premiere luxury travel publications. She's dog sledded across Canada's Great Divide and learned to weave in remote villages in Peru.

The Azores, Portugal

I know of no other place on Earth where humanity and nature seem to flow back and forth so effortlessly. Beauty lies around every corner, and both above and below the waves from volcanic peaks to the hydrothermal vents a few thousand meters below.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux is the first human to explore the Earth from Pole-to-Pole, orbital space and its deepest depths. He is the current president of The Explorers Club.

The Antarctic Interior

It's hard to imagine that a place filled with only ice, rock and air could be so profoundly beautiful, but the interior of Antarctica is just that. The array of shapes sculpted by the sun, wind and refreezing of water is astounding. Beyond that, the very laws of physics seem to change around you. Sound carries along the ice sheet floor, making it impossible to tell if things are near or far. The true silence means you can gain super hearing after the ringing in your ears fades.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux is the first human to explore the Earth from Pole-to-Pole, orbital space and its deepest depths. He is the current president of The Explorers Club.

Space

Seeing the cradle of our existence from orbit is a life-changing experience. It is far more than the mere beauty. The sight feels like the fire-hose of truth about the reality of our tiny planet is pouring into your mind, as you stare enraptured out the window. Weather formation and movement, tectonic plate seams, crater impacts, fires, pollution, roads, farming in deserts, clearcutting of forests, all laid out before you. You feel newly and deeply connected to the small fragile planet.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux is the first human to explore the Earth from Pole-to-Pole, orbital space and its deepest depths. He is the current president of The Explorers Club.

The 70 Most Beautiful Places in the World

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Choosing the World's Most Beautiful Places

Palawan, Philippines

Chapman's Peak, South Africa

Antarctic Peninsula

Ross Sea, Antarctica

Saint Helena Island

The Rio Negro, Brazil

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Lake Malawi, Malawi

Marsabit National Park, Kenya

Darjeeling, India

Ao Nang, Thailand

Chianti, Italy

Ipanema Beach, Brazil

Duna do Pôr do Sol, Brazil

Polvorilla Viaduct, Argentina

Zambia, Africa

Montreal, Canada

Mexico City, Mexico

The Abandoned Great Wall of China

Baobab Alley, Madagascar

The Smuggler's Path, Cap d'Antibes

Galibi Nature Reserve, Suriname

Playa Negra, Costa Rica

Pirate's Cove, Turks and Caicos

Bisti Badlands, New Mexico

Greenland Coast

Pondoland, South Africa

The Cycladic Islands, Greece

Banff, Canada

Champagne-Ardenne, France

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia

Eze, France

Geographic North Pole

Resolute Bay, Canada

Ellesmere Island, Canada

Big Sur, California

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Tikehau, French Polynesia

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Cascade Range, Washington

Yosemite Valley, California

Bahia Honda Key, Florida

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Bassin Bleu, Haiti

West Fjords, Iceland

Ponte Ciolo, Salento, Italy

Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Fimmvörðuháls Trail, Iceland

Mendoza, Argentina

The Sagebrush Sea

Úbeda, Spain

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

The Seychelles

Salara de Uvuni, Bolivia

Ra’s al-Jinz, Oman

Aswan, Egypt

The Transfăgărășan, Romania

Yorkshire Dales, England

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Byron Bay, Australia

Wine Glass Bay, Tasmania

Genbikei Gorge, Japan

Emerald Bay, California

The Azores, Portugal

The Antarctic Interior

Space

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