Have you ever longed to climb up the clouds, view the world in a never fading panorama of the golden hour? What if you could actually do that, witness the greatest, glorious beauty of earth for real without needing to time travel? When there are so many beautiful places all across the world, who needs a fantasy!
#Riomaggiore, Italy
The village of Riomaggiore is located in the La Spezia Province In Italy’s Liguria region’s small valley.
This beautiful little village is as old as the early thirteenth century is largely famous for its delicious and high quality wine. With a beautifully extended shoreline along the Gulf of Genoa on the Mediterranean, Riomaggiore is a perfect quaint Italian getaway. The small beach and the tower houses give it a special panoramic appearance and via Colombo, the main street, is also full off a number of restaurants and bars where visitors indulge in dining and shopping. The village is not as exploited by visitors as other parts of Italy and has most of its mountainside declared as the national parks. If the allure of the fine wine and beautiful tones of the tower houses don’t attract then the paintings of Telemaco Signorini who was largely inspired from this beautiful town sure would.
#Montana Magica Lodge, Los Rios Chile
Have bizarre hotels always attracted your interests? Even if they haven’t, Montana Magica Lodge sure would.
Imagine staying in a hotel that is built in the middle of sprawling nature spanning 300,000 acre, and the hotel actually looks like a shrub covered volcano erupting water like a miraculous fountain in heaven instead of lava! That’s what Montana Magica Lodge of Los Rios Chile is all about. The hotel doesn’t only woo nature lovers but adventurers and romantics from all across the world. With only 13 rooms, the hotel is actually decked with all the necessities and luxurious to make the guests’ stay lavish and serene. If you are still not amazed then you should know that the entrance to this extraordinary hotel is through a swinging rope bridge.
#Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam
Situated in the Yen Bai province’s rural district, Mu Cang Chai is known for its beautiful steep hills and astonishing rice fields. It is located in Vietnam’s northeast region and the district highlands are visible while travelers are still on route. The mountainside view of the grand Hoang Lien is just stellar and if that’s not sufficient to satiate your love for nature then the view of the beautiful village down the green valley and Khau Pha Pass sure will. Cultivated terraces in the la pan tan are what bring people from across oceans to view this beautiful view.
What’s more interesting about this place is that the terraced fields are not your traditional rice field and are cultivated through a unique method for farming that includes information on Ethnic Mongolian regarding their history as well as culture. In fact, the famed Golden Raspberry hilltop is the result of the craft and farming of the Ethnic Mongolian of Mu Cang Chai.
#Bagan, Myanmar
An Ancient city, Bagan was formerly called Pagan and is one of Myanmar’s jewels. The city was Pagan Kingdom’s capital during the 9-13 centuries which was the first kingdom to have laid the foundation of unified regions that are now the modern Myanmar. During Pagan Kingdom’s height, more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, monasteries along with Pagodas were built of which 2200 temples-pagodas are still there.
The city has a Bagan Archaeological Zone which is one of the most renowned global tourists locations. Ironically, most people still haven’t discovered this marvel. The Bagan Plains flaunt their beauty in full bloom during the golden hour and taking a hot air balloon ride over these at dawn is something that any traveler just can’t skip out on.
#Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
This nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival Castle served as inspiration for the Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom and is, indeed, the ultimate fairytale castle.
Famously referred to as the New Swanstone Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the nineteenth-century, over the Hohenschwangau village around the famous tourist site of Füssen in Germany’s southwest Bavarian region. Paid for through the personal fortune of Ludwig II of Bavaria, this medieval style built castle was actually built as a homage to the reputed composer Richard Wagner. Located amidst the alps, the Castle was intended to be Ludwig II’s refuge as the king was said to be reclusive.
Nevertheless, paying visitors began to visit the castle right after the king’s death in 1886. One of the most famous Castles, Neuschwanstein Castle is undisputedly one of the must visit places and if you fancy castles and hills, then this is your paradise.
#Yosemite Valley, USA
The glacial Yosemite Valley of the first park, Yosemite National Park, is one of the most cherishing and awe-inspiring locations in USA. Located in the western region of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California, Yosemite valley stretches up to 8 miles in length and is almost a mile deep with numerous high granite summits like the Half Dome, etc surrounding it. Dense Pines cover the valley and draining is provided by the Merced River and numerous streams and waterfalls like the Illilouette, Bridalveil Creeks, Yosemite, etc.
The highest waterfall in all of North America, Yosemite Waterfall, is a huge attraction and those looking for charming and unspoiled natural beauty should definitely make their way to this valley.
#Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
Zhangye Danxia (Landform) Geopark in China’s northwestern Gansu province. Spread over 510 sq. km, this scenic area is one of China’s most beautiful natural locations.
The unusual beauty of numerous colors of the rocks of Zhangye Danxia attracts not only nature lovers but also photographers, filmmakers! Rising up to numerous hundred meters in height, the rocks have sandstone and other mineral deposits that has accumulated over 24 million years. The phenomenon called the layer cake (associated the tectonic plates responsible for some of Himalayan Mountains) have been stated to be responsible for creation of these beautiful multi-toned rocks.
The multi-colored sandstones have indeed turned out to be the art masterpiece of Nature.
#Athabasca Falls, Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Popularly referred as one of the most beautiful gems of the Jasper National Park, the Athabasca Falls is spread over 30 kilometers.
The extraordinarily beautiful waterfall paints a picture of a powerful, scenic and a splendid waterfall that is only 23 meters tall. It is not the height but the amount of water that falls in to the gorge through the waterfall which it is famous for.
With several walking trails surrounding the falls, those with a penchant for adventure and beauty should definitely take a trip to Jasper!
To satiate the wanderlust and adrenaline rush, travelers can even indulge in some rafting from down the falls at Athabasca River to Jasper.
#Li River, China
Flowing from Guilin to Yangshou, the river Li is a subtle gem amidst the lofty Karst mountains. Situated in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Li River is famous among tourists for its stellar cruises.
#The Swing At The “End Of The World”, Baños, Ecuador
Everyone swings in the playground but have you had the pleasure of swinging on Ecuadorian mountainside?
The End of the world Swing is a blend of daunting and eerily beautiful site surrounded by the sciaenid beauty of Ecuador. This seismic monitoring station is situated in Ecuadorian wilderness in the form of a small tree house on the mountain side.
Located near the Mt. Tungurahua, the volcano, the mountainside swing over the canyon is what you would call an ultimate rush!
#Colmar, France
As old as the 9th century, the French town of Colmar is located along Alsatian Wine Route and is widely referred to as the Alsatian Wine capital.
If amazing Alsatian wine’s not sufficient to entice you then Imagine being in a beautiful French town with every house and balcony looking straight out of the postcard. Isn’t that gorgeous?
#Bled, Slovenia
An Alpine town located nearby the glacial Lake Bled in Slovenia, the snow clad town of Bled is a masterpiece in its own sense. And, you haven’t really been anywhere unless you have been to Bled.
#Surajtal Lake, India
Popularly called the Lake Of Sun God, Suraj Tal has immense cultural and religious value in India. Tucked in the middle of snow clad mountains, the lake remains frozen for most time during the winter. Situated nearby the Baralacha la pass, Suraj Tal is actually India’s third highest lake and offers a grand glacier view with serenity that you only read about in fantasy novels!
#Reine, Norway
A fishing village in Moskenes (Nordland county) in Norway, the fabulous Reine is situated on Moskenesøya Island.
Spanning over 72-acre, the village is scarcely populated and the perfect remote holiday location for those who love a blend of gigantic mountains and glowing beaches.
#Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, Bali
There is something about the soothing waves of the sapphire and topaz like water and citrine like beaches that keeps us from moving on from the beach holidays.
Nusa Lembongan is popularly referred to as the slower version of Bali and it indeed proves to be. The island offers amazing accommodation, low traffic and zero hustle bustle and is home to some of the greatest postcard beaches and gleaming aquamarine water that you dreamt about last weekend.
Following the rickety bridge from Nusa Lembongan, travelers can reach Nusa Ceningan, another one of Bali’s best kept secrets. The quaint beaches of Nusa Ceningan have turquoise sea water tapping on the shores in a nonchalant melody yet adventure lovers will enjoy the cliff jumping point of the island.
#Nubra Valley, India
Eeryone has heard about the Pangong lake and Ladakh but the Nubra Valley offers much more!
Situated almost at a distance of 150 km from Leh, the Nubra Valley is rightfully the valley of flowers. Valley’s rugged terrain, soaring mountains and the lively spirit of the valley culture is what sets it apart. And, the best news is that most people who visit Leh seldom visit the valley so it is still an unspoiled and unconventional paradisiacal location.
#Metéora, Greece
Featured in numerous Hollywood classics like For Your Eyes Only, World War Z, etc, Metéora is one of Greece’s most spectacular sties. with famous phrases for names like middle of the sky, suspended in the air, etc Metéora is Greece’s one of the most important Orthodoxmonasteries complexes that is second to none but the majestic Mount Athos.
Built on the sandstone rock pillars, the site actually lies at Plain of Thessaly’s northwestern edge. The site of the Monasteries is truly captivating and with its grand ancient architecture, the existence on the edge seems incredibly daunting, yet so remarkable.
#Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
Spread over a section of the county road 64 that is 8.3 km long, the Atlantic ocean road is one of Norway’s greatest modern marvels. The road passes by Hustadvika which one of the unsheltered part of the Norwegian sea and connects with the Averøy island and with mainland along with the Romsdalshalvøya peninsula.
Built on a number of small islands connected through different causeways, eight bridges, etc, the route of Atlantic ocean road was originally a 20th century proposed railway line. Finally, after some serious planning and numerous mishaps during construction, the road was first opened in 1989. Now preserved as a major Norwegian cultural heritage site, the Atlantic ocean road has been the favorite for many automotive commercials.
#Illuminated Caves, Okinawa, Japan
The Illuminated Gyokusendo Cave of Okinawa, Japan is actually the second largest caves series of the country. Spanning over 5 kilometers of limestone, the 890 meters area of the caves can be easily accessed by travelers. What makes the caves special is the well-lit gorgeous blue water. On the top are the Stalactites that grow around a millimeter every year. Stated to be almost 300,000 years old, the cave also is also home to stalagmite in monstrous sizes and numerous Small streams, waterfalls.
In simpler words, imagine yourself travelling through a maze of beautiful cave lit with underwater blue lights and assortment of marine culture.. Isn’t that otherworldly?