Most Beautiful Places to Visit Around the World
Whether you are thinking of a quick trip here in the U.S. or somewhere international, I think you'll enjoy these incredible cities and towns, spectacular mountain ranges, sparkling emerald lakes, thundering waterfalls, and parks that attract people from all over the world. Here are the ones I recommend that I enjoyed four weeks at a time like a local, and I think you’ll love them too.
1. Soca River in Slovenia
I though that this town in Slovenia was one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world! Why? First off, Soca River in Slovenia absolutely took my breath away, with the emerald-green waters winding through limestone valleys like in my photo, its waters shifting from tranquil pools to wild, frothy rapids, all framed by the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps.
- Elevation: 1,476 feet (450 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Western Slovenia, flowing through the Julian Alps from near the Italian border down to the town of Nova Gorica
- Location Map
After arriving from Ljubljana on a 2-hour drive northwest via the A2 and local mountain roads, I spent two care-free weeks exploring the Soca Valley, basing myself in an Airbnb in the charming mountain town of Bovec, where we went on a white water rafting tour down the icy-clear waters, hiked to Boka Waterfall, and crossed old suspension bridges (including one you can actually drive on which was unreal!).
Did we try to cool off in one of the more tranquil pools near the shore while hiking in August at my son's insistence? Yes, I did dip my toes for a few minutes, but the water was so freezing that my skin prickled afterwards. On the plus side, the water is incredibly clean!
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was hiking along the river and snapping lots of photos of the emerald colors.
A downside? There was really no nightlife to speak of and only a few groceries and restaurants to choose from. It didn't bother me because we came for the outdoors, but I thought I'd mention it!
2. Mauna Lani, Hawaii: Quiet Beaches and Pink Sunsets
Chris and I moved to live near this Kohala Coast Hawaiian paradise which instantly captured my heart with its powdery white sand beaches framed by black lava rock.
We loved Mauna Lani's five tranquil bays perfect for snorkeling (three with white sand, one with incredible black sand, and one rocky!). I never got tired of swaying palm trees, and sunsets that turn the entire bay gold (sometimes with a rainbow as well!) — it felt like the very definition of island serenity!
We drove about 40 minutes north from Kona International Airport (KOA) to reach Mauna Lani, and once there I swam among colorful reef fish in the crystal-clear bays, walked (and jogged!) past the historic Kalahuipua‘a Fishponds shaded by kiawe trees, and even spotted sea turtles basking in the sun near the shoreline! There two amazing hotels to stay in this area Mauna Lani and Fairmont Orchid ($659), and even some affordable vacation rentals if you shop around in the off season!
- Elevation: 85 feet (26 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii, USA
- Location Map
What I loved best:
Snorkeling at Makaiwa Bay was always my favorite with its calm, clear waters teeming with marine life and coral gardens.
A downside? If you visit in the winter, water can be quite choppy for snorkeling because of the wind. But on the upside, in winter, you can watch humpback whales breaching right from the shore!
3. Nendaz, Switzerland
One of the most unspoiled Swiss mountain areas I’ve ever visited, this sun-drenched alpine village perched high above the Rhône Valley completely enchanted us with its sweeping mountain views. Nendaz was such a lovely family-friendly storybook escape in the heart of the Alps which I got to experience with my husband and son!
I arrived after a scenic 20-minute drive up from Sion, winding through vineyards and pine forests until the peaks opened up around me and we reached 4-star Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa where we stayed for the first night. Once in Nendaz we moved to a more affordable vacation rental for two weeks, the fresh mountain air and laid-back rhythm made me instantly slow down.
- Elevation: 1,476 feet (450 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Switzerland
- Location Map
We spent our time hiking along the famous bisses (historic irrigation trails) with panoramic views of the snow-capped Alps, relaxing at cozy mountain cafés with cheese fondue and Valais wine, and riding the gondola up to Tracouet for breathtaking vistas of the Dent de Nendaz and the shimmering lake at the summit.
What I loved best:
Back at Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa, I got a relaxing 60-minute massage (my favorite highlight!), followed by a relaxing time in the sauna and a delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant. Our Mountain View Suite was so cozy, decorated in Swiss chalet style with warm wood, a fireplace, double sink bathroom, nice seating area, and high ceilings.
4. Bassano del Grappa, Italy
This charming town at the foothills of the Venetian Alps instantly won me over with its cobblestone streets, elegant piazzas, pastel-hued buildings, and the iconic Ponte Vecchio (Ponte degli Alpini) stretching gracefully over the Brenta River (see my photos) — it felt like stepping into a watercolor painting!
- Elevation: 420 feet (129 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Veneto region, northern Italy
- Location Map
I took an easy, affordable day trip by train from Venice (about 1 hour), and from the moment I arrived, the relaxed, small-town atmosphere made me want to slow down and savor everything. I strolled across the historic wooden bridge designed by Palladio, watched locals enjoying aperitivo by the river, explored artisan shops selling ceramics and handmade leather goods, went on a tour (12 Euro) of the town’s famous grappa at a centuries-old Distilleria Nardini (founded in 1779, Italy's first distillery!).
5. Glenorchy, New Zealand
This tiny outpost, nicknamed the "Gateway to Paradise", located in a remote corner of New Zealand, absolutely floored me on my first trip there, and honestly, I think it's one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world! Chris, our son and I returned two more times, trading the noise of Auckland for this Southern New Zealand island gem!
I loved the jagged peaks, shimmering glacial waters (yes, we swam int he lake - it was cold but fantastic!), and that wild, untouched energy that makes you feel like you’ve slipped into Middle-earth itself. In fact, many scenes from the The Lord of the Rings epic trilogy were filmed in Glenorchy so if you are a fan, you will find the scenery incredibly familiar!
We drove just 45 minutes north after landing in Queenstown, along the winding road that hugs Lake Wakatipu, every turn revealing new alpine drama, until I reached the little frontier town of Glenorchy where we stayed in an Airbnb for two care-free weeks.
Every day, we walked along the Glenorchy Lagoon Boardwalk for mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks, walked along the trail over the marshland, and lingered at the head of the lake for spectacular sunsets like in my phots.
- Elevation: 1,004 feet (306 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Otago region, South Island, New Zealand
- Location Map
In addition, I loved cruised along the scenic Glenorchy–Paradise road, where the scenery felt almost otherworldly and stopping often was absolutely a must! Everywhere I turned in Glenorchy, the combination of dramatic mountains, clear lakes, and raw solitude made it feel like stepping into an epic adventure, so I can't wait to go back.
Local tip: I loved landing at Queenstown Airport (ZQN) because it's incredibly well run with a friendly Avis car rental desk, and a convenient SIM card counter, but remember that they drive on the left in this country!
A downside? Be prepared for a rough landing because of air currents between the mountains in Queenstown! Once time our flight from Auckland was delayed for hours because of heavy winds!
6. Krk Island, Croatia
This Croatian island is a sun-soaked Adriatic island that instantly won me over with its golden beaches, ancient stone villages, olive groves, and sparkling turquoise coves (like in my photo!). To me, it felt like the perfect blend of Mediterranean charm and laid-back island life! My first trip to Krk was over four decades ago on a camping trip with my family while Croatia was still part of Yugoslavia and today it's just as amazing as 40 years ago!
On my trip last month, I reached Krk Island easily via the scenic Krk Bridge (originally the Tito Bridge when it was completed in 1980) from the mainland near Rijeka in 45 minutes. Once on the island, every turn seemed to reveal something new — from the historic walled town of Krk with its narrow lanes and seaside cafés to the crystal-clear waters of Baška Beach and the peaceful pine-scented trails around Punat Bay. We checked into 4-star Hotel Miramare (from $87) for a blissful week, and I swam in hidden coves, wandered through centuries-old streets, tasted local olive oil and Žlahtina wine, and even took a short boat trip to nearby islets dotted with secluded beaches.
- Elevation: 1,270 feet (390 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Northern Adriatic Sea, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia
- Location Map
What I loved best was all the amazing fresh (and affordable!) seafood right from the Adriatic Sea, especially grilled calamari at Konoba Mulic.
Local tip: The island is about 4 hours by car from Bovec and Soca River (#1 on my list of most beautiful places to visit) so you can easily visit both if you land at Ljubljana Airport (LJU) or Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) in Italy. I personally prefer landing in Ljubljana because it's a smaller airport, car rentals are more affordable, and the Avis car rental counter is staffed by very friendly people who speak fluent English and go above and beyond to provide great service.
7. Grand Teton National Park
I think that this is the best national park in the USA for a family vacation! Why? First off, the scenery is unbelievable with lakes (we swam in Jenny Lake which was amazing!), scenic hiking trails, and mountain peaks all around. Secondly, there are many great places to stay in nearby Jackson Hole or inside the park so it was easy to find what we needed to feel comfortable on vacation.
In addition, I love the wild American West magic here - we saw bison strolling on the side of the road, moose and bears in the distance, hawks and other unique birds and animals. Finally, it was such an easy drive to reach Yellowstone's geysers that we got to enjoy two amazing national parks in just a short time!
We based ourselves at the cozy Cowboy Village Resort ($143/night) in Teton Village where our log cabin for five amazing days surrounded by pine trees and fresh mountain air made the perfect home base after long days outdoors.
I hiked along the shores of Jenny Lake, took the scenic boat shuttle across the lake, and hiked to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point where the views were absolutely unforgettable as you can see in my photo. In the evening, we had great steaks at Mangy Moose Jackson Hole back in town.
- Elevation: 6,800 to 13,775 feet (2,070 to 4,199 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Northwestern Wyoming, United States
- Location Map
For me, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful places because it's scenic, exciting and unique!
Next day we drove to Yellowstone and enjoyed checking out all the amazing geysers along the way, although having done this I actually recommend staying at Old Faithful Lodge and making it a two- or three-day side adventure. If you want more Wyoming adventures, including lots of info about how to visit Yellowstone, check out my article here.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
