There is beauty everywhere, both hidden and obvious, in this amazing world.
However, beauty is also personal. Although it would be impossible to agree on the world’s most beautiful locations, we think this list is a good place to start when planning your travels.
CNN Travel has compiled a list of the very best.
The following are our picks for the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful locations: lush African forests, vast Latin American deserts, watery Balkan paradises, and ancient Middle Eastern cities
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Thick, lavish and extraordinary, Bwindi Invulnerable Woodland is one of the last redoubts of the mountain gorilla. A few hundred call this UNESCO-safeguarded public park home, with the opportunity for guests to trip to and meet adjusted gatherings.
Its biodiversity reaches out a long ways past its most popular occupants, nonetheless; very nearly 350 bird species and around 220 butterfly species can be tracked down inside its 331-square-kilometer spread.
Samburu, Kenya
Samburu is a haven for some of the most captivating wildlife in Africa due to its relative inaccessibility in the middle of Kenya.
The pioneering Elephant Watch Camp is located in the national reserve’s grassland and acacia-dotted landscapes, where the endangered reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra live.
Mount Toubkal, Morocco
With a height of 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), Mount Toubkal is known as “the roof of North Africa.”
The path to its summit winds through desolate valleys, past holy sites, and up steep snowfields before reaching a ridge that gradually disappears, offering climbers unparalleled views of the Atlas Mountains. It is a tranquil world away from Marrakech, which is nearby.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, China’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its impressive sandstone pillars.
Best investigated by walking, its back trails make for a simple method for getting away from the groups and track down the best perspectives. It’s easy to see why this region has long served as a source of inspiration for traditional Chinese paintings as the mists fall.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
One of Southeast Asia’s most popular natural attractions and one of Vietnam’s most stunning locations is Ha Long Bay.
This is a place where time stands still, with 1,969 limestone islets and deep, green waters that are home to numerous floating villages.
Get lost in the quieter parts of this vast and fascinating region of the South China Sea by sailing on a junk boat or renting a kayak.
El Nido, Philippines
El Nido, located at the northernmost tip of Palawan, a Philippine island, is an excellent starting point for a diving trip. The best place to start is Bacuit Bay, which is to the west. There, lagoons and shallow bays house an incredible variety of marine life.
The beaches there are also not bad: Nacpan Beach is a piece of heaven on earth; Sibaltan, a tranquil town in the east, offers tropical relaxation in a setting that feels impossible to beat, while the azure waters and pristine white sand satisfy even the most discerning beach bums.
Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua is New Zealand’s crowning glory due to its otherworldly landscapes and close ties to Maori culture.
The geothermal-heated waters of Hot Water Beach, which is located on the shores of Lake Tarawara, are ideal for a swim. In Whakarewarewa Forest, you can hike through California redwoods that are 60 meters (197 feet) tall and see the lakes in the area. When you take everything in, it feels like there will never be another view like it.
Kata Tjuta, Australia
One of the most sacred places in Aboriginal culture is Kata Tjuta, which was formerly known as the Olgas and is located in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre.
The land is managed jointly by Australian park authorities and the Anangu people, who have lived here for more than 22,000 years. The stone domes at the site are best explored at sunrise and sunset when the light changes; Anangu-led guided tours explain the significance of the “Many Heads” and their place in their traditional myths, known as Dreamtime tales.
The Maldives
The sand of its 1,200 islands is more or less white, the water a dark blue that places any remaining oceans in the shade. There is a reason why the Maldives, a country in the Indian Ocean, has become the premier tropical hotspot in the world.
The best part is that there are over 100 private resorts and warm, affordable guesthouses around the Male and Ari atolls, giving you plenty of beach to choose from. Take a swim, a dive, or a cocktail to some of the world’s best coral reefs, where schools of fish sweep and sharks hide in the depths.
Petra, Jordan
The famous Treasury, or Al Khazna, can be found in Petra, an exquisitely preserved ancient Nabatean city. The Siq is a narrow passage that leads to the Treasury.
Take a camel ride through its temples, tombs, and alleyways, or put on some walking shoes and walk the walkways for a truly mesmerizing experience.
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert in Chile is the ultimate location for stargazing because it has the world’s clearest skies. Because it is the driest desert on Earth, there is no cloud cover, so even without a telescope, you will see the night sky in a way that will take your breath away.
The scene is shocking, as well, with profound pits and seething volcanoes apparent not too far off as the sun goes down.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
Covered in close to long-lasting cloud, the Monteverde Cloud Timberland Save in Costa Rica is the most enchanted corner of this little, biodiverse country.
It is a haven for a remarkable variety of birds, big cats, and insects due to its humid, muggy environment. One of the most stunning birds on Earth is the quetzal, so keep an eye out for it. It’s also easy to explore thanks to the winding trails that wind through lush vegetation.
Ciudad Perdida, Colombia
One of the most fascinating ancient sites on Earth is Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), which can only be reached on foot. The city’s terraces and statues attract far fewer visitors, making it much less crowded to explore, and it is thought to be older than Peru’s Machu Picchu by as much as 650 years.
One of the best hikes in the world is the hike to Ciudad Perdida itself, a multiday adventure through lush rainforest that is both memorable and challenging.
