Mountain summits, lakeside forests, sculptural desert rock forms, luminous lagoons… the world is full of wonders to nourish the eye. But where to start? You could form a whole separate bucket list of the most beautiful places in the world, before you begin to break that beauty down by scenery, nature, manmade forms and wildlife. Some landscapes are just pleasing to the eye, and must be protected at all costs; tread lightly when visiting these exceptionally beautiful spots across the globe.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Famously up there with the most beautiful places in the world, the world’s largest coral reef system gleams a neon turquoise. Sailing around and landing on its islands, you’ll see white sand beaches and spot turtles, clownfish and giant clams on snorkels. Visit on Luxury Gold’s Inspiring Australia tour.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Machu Picchu, Peru
Set 7,972 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, this mysterious citadel is not just one of the most beautiful places in the world, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Reached at the end of an epic hike – or a scenic train ride – the classic view of the city is from the Guardian’s House. Take the train option on Luxury Gold’s Treasures of the Incas tour.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Pamukkale, Turkey
This western Turkish town is famous for its natural white travertine terraces, their scoops of natural pools filled by nourishing hot springs. Their gleaming white frame makes the pools an exquisite, luminous ice-blue. Visit on a day-trip from Marmaris or Dalaman on the coast.
Pamukkale’s travertine terraces, Turkey
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Enormous and pillar-like, there’s something uncanny about these vast baobab trees, some of which are over 800 years old and over 98ft tall. Often photographed silhouetted against a fiery Madagascan sunset, they’re found on the road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand
Another country that pops up on list of the most beautiful places in the world is New Zealand. Peaceful, uninterrupted nature sprawls across much of its South Island, but most famous is Milford Sound, a shimmering fiord backed by peaks and waterfalls in the Fiordland region. On Luxury Gold’s tour, you’ll visit lesser-known but just as ravishing neighbour, Doubtful Sound, on an overnight cruise.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Bagan, Myanmar
This ancient city and Unesco World Heritage Site is an arresting mix of stupa-topped temples and dense forest, often seen in magical mists. There are more than 3,500 temples and pagodas here, some dating back 800 years and many eerily overgrown with mossy foliage.
Temples in Bagan, Myanmar
Redwood National and State Parks, California, USA
California’s towering redwood trees are one for the bucket list: this west coast state’s hiking trails and national parks are some of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone in North America. Home to the world’s tallest trees – some more than 370ft high – these forest dwarf their visitors and emphasize the sheer force of nature.
Redwood National and State Parks, California
