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. You get to choose from spectacular mountain ranges, sparkling emerald lakes, thundering waterfalls, and parks that attract people from all over the world. Some of these are my personal hidden gems that I've finally decided to share.
Ultimately, what makes these spots truly unique to me is their variety: dramatic mountains, turquoise beaches, historic cities, colorful villages, and landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. Each one reminds me why travel is such a meaningful way to connect with the world. Here are the ones I recommend that I enjoyed one month at a time like a local, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Soca River Glow in Slovenia
This place absolutely took my breath away. The emerald-green ribbon of the Soca River winding through limestone valleys, its waters shifting from tranquil pools to wild, frothy rapids, all framed by the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps.
The contrast of colors and landscapes felt unreal, like stepping straight into a painting. We made this stop while traveling through western Slovenia. From Ljubljana, it was about a 2-hour drive northwest via the A2 and local mountain roads, a journey that itself felt like part of the adventure.
Basing myself for three days in the charming alpine town of Bovec, we packed in as much as possible: tackling white-water rafting in the upper Soca, hiking along the Soca Trail through mossy forests and hanging bridges, and exploring World War I history at the nearby Kobarid Museum. Every turn of the river revealed a new shade of turquoise.
2. Mauna Lani, Hawaii: Quiet Beaches and Pink Sunsets
Walking through Mauna Lani felt like stepping into a living postcard: wide lawns meeting the sea, fishponds where mullet darted beneath the surface, and the faint scent of plumeria on the wind. I thought, “This is where time unravels gently, not all at once.” The resort blended into the coastline as if it had always been part of the island’s rhythm.
We loved it so much here that we ended up renting a condo and moving to the Big Island full time for 6 years. I spent many evenings walking around the fishponds and catching a colorful Hawaiian sunset on the beach afterwards.
The preservation of these ponds are a way of sharing and honoring Hawaiian history and the deep connection the people have to the land.
3. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Hamilton Island had turquoise waters stretching to the horizon, lush green hills rising from the sea, and coral reefs teeming with life just a boat ride away. Hamilton Island is the kind of place where every view looks like a postcard, and the mix of adventure and pure relaxation was unreal.
We came here as part of our Australia trip, flying in from Brisbane directly onto the island’s tiny runway. Stepping off the plane felt like walking straight into paradise.
I spent my days lounging by Catseye Beach with a book in hand, hiking up Passage Peak for sweeping views over the Whitsundays, sailing to Whitehaven Beach, snorkeling the vibrant corals of the Great Barrier Reef, and spotting sea turtles in their natural habitat.
4. Garden of the Gods
This natural wonder truly amazed me, a dramatic landscape of towering red rock formations rising from the plains, framed by the majestic Pikes Peak. It felt both ancient and awe-inspiring, yet completely welcoming, with easy trails, open access, and a sense of connection to the land.
I loved how adventurous yet accessible it was, making it a perfect place for both casual strolls and more active exploration.
Leaving my former stop in Colorado Springs, I drove just 15 minutes to reach Garden of the Gods.
I spent an unforgettable day wandering through the park, walking the Perkins Central Garden Trail to get up close to the giant sandstone formations, marveling at iconic sights like Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels, learning about the region’s geology and Native American history at the Visitor & Nature Center, and even joining a guided nature walk. The blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and outdoor adventure made it a highlight of my trip.
5. Moraine Lake
This was both a breathtaking natural wonder and a cherished place long held sacred by the Stoney Nakoda and other Indigenous peoples of the Canadian Rockies.
I was completely awestruck by the lake’s impossibly vivid turquoise waters, cradled beneath towering peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. It felt serene, spiritual, and almost unreal.
Knowing that the striking color comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water made it all the more magical, as if nature itself had painted it.
From Banff, I drove about 45 minutes along the Icefields Parkway to Moraine Lake, where I based myself at the rustic Moraine Lake Lodge.
At sunrise and sunset, the lake took on an ethereal glow, a sight that will stay etched in my memory forever.
6. The Blue Ridge Mountains
Nestled along the spine of the Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a storybook blend of rolling ridgelines, misty horizons, and charming mountain towns that feel both timeless and alive.
With their layers of soft blue peaks stretching into the distance, the region is equal parts natural wonder and cultural heartland, where Appalachian music, farm-to-table cuisine, and artisan crafts flourish in small-town streets.
Founded in the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the towns here retain their colonial and early-American architecture: brick storefronts, clapboard houses, and historic courthouses set against leafy streets. Downtowns buzz with art galleries, breweries, and shops featuring handmade quilts, pottery, and fiddles.
In less than an hour’s drive from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, you can find yourself in places like Asheville or Blowing Rock. You can enjoy hiking to waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest, driving the Parkway’s overlooks at sunrise, tasting wines at hillside vineyards, or listening to bluegrass on a porch at dusk.
7. Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Tucked at the base of the Venetian Prealps, Bassano del Grappa feels like a storybook gateway between the mountains and the Veneto plain, a place where medieval charm, Renaissance architecture, and alpine air mingle along the banks of the Brenta River.
With its historic wooden bridge designed by Palladio, arcaded piazzas, and streets lined with cafés and artisan workshops, Bassano exudes both intimacy and history.
Founded in Roman times and flourishing through the Middle Ages, the town still shows off its fortified towers, frescoed palaces, and cobbled lanes. Downtown is lively but relaxed, with gelaterias, grappa distilleries, and boutique shops spilling into the piazzas, and mountain views never far from sight.
In less than an hour after descending from the Asiago Plateau, you roll into Bassano and feel its rhythm: crossing the Ponte Vecchio at sunset with the Alps glowing in the distance, lingering over cicchetti and spritz in Piazza Libertà, exploring the civic museums and the ceramics tradition for which Bassano is known, and walking riverside paths that catch the evening breeze.
I spent two unforgettable days here celebrating my birthday.
8. Glenorchy, New Zealand
This remote and enchanting corner of New Zealand absolutely floored me, framed by jagged peaks, shimmering glacial waters, and that wild, untouched energy that makes you feel like you’ve slipped into Middle-earth itself.
We drove just 45 minutes north from Queenstown along the winding road that hugs Lake Wakatipu, every turn revealing new alpine drama, until I reached the little frontier town of Glenorchy.
From here, the wilderness seemed to open wide , the kind of place where the mountains meet the water in pure cinematic scale. I stayed for a couple of days at a cozy lakeside lodge and set out to explore.
I walked the Glenorchy Lagoon Boardwalk for mirror-like reflections of snow-capped peaks, hiked part of the Routeburn Track into beech forests and high alpine valleys, and lingered at the head of the lake where braided rivers weave through meadows.
We also cruised along the scenic Glenorchy–Paradise road, where the scenery felt almost otherworldly.
Everywhere I turned, the combination of dramatic mountains, clear lakes, and raw solitude made it feel like stepping into an epic adventure.
9. Krk Island, Croatia
“The sea was so clear I could count the pebbles beneath my toes.” Standing at the edge of a cove near Baška, the Adriatic shimmered in shifting shades of blue and green, and limestone cliffs rose behind me like quiet guardians. The island carried both energy and calm. I saw stone villages with narrow alleys, lavender-scented breezes, and harbors where fishing boats rocked gently against the piers. I felt as though every corner invited me to linger just a little longer.
What I Loved Most: Wandering around the Old Town, its cobbled streets opening onto tiny squares, the rhythm of church bells marking time as the sun dropped lower over the sea.
My highlights? Dinner at a seaside konoba in Vrbnik. I ordered grilled calamari, tender with a smoky char, dressed simply with olive oil and lemon. A side of homemade pasta, šurlice, came with a rich lamb sauce that smelled of rosemary and slow cooking. For dessert, a slice of fig cake carried the sweetness of late summer and the warmth of the island’s soil.
Plan your Krk Island day trip:
- Drive Time from Rijeka: ~45 minutes (via bridge)
- Vibe: Coastal, historic, sun-washed
- Highlights: Baška beach, Krk old town, Vrbnik wine cellars, Punat marina
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early autumn for warm seas without peak crowds
- Cost: Beaches free; meals €10–25; wine tastings from €5–10
- Hours: Beaches open daily; restaurants typically 11am–11pm
10. Grand Canyon
This world wonder didn’t fail to overwhelm me, with its colossal cliffs, rainbow-hued rock layers, and endless horizons, it felt like nature’s cathedral carved over millions of years.
It was about a 4-hour drive north from Phoenix to the South Rim, where I based myself for three days at the cozy, historic El Tovar Hotel perched right on the rim.
From there, I packed in hikes along the Bright Angel Trail and Rim Trail, caught sunrise at Mather Point, joined a rafting excursion on the Colorado River, and marveled at the pastel glow of sunset from Hopi Point.
11. Maroon Bells, Aspen
I took the Maroon Bells Shuttle from Aspen Highlands ($16 fare for adults, $10 for kids) to reach one of the most stunning lakes in the world.
I admired the solemn bell-shaped Colorado peaks rising above a still mountain lake. The air was clean, carrying the scent of pine trees. “This is the kind of beauty you don’t just see....you feel it,” I thought.
When I went back for a second time, I got an early morning start. I bought the Day Visit pass for my car ($10) and drove in well before 8 am when the road closes for traffic. I had to spend the day there before the road reopened at 4:30 so I brought a picnic lunch.
The mountain reflection in Maroon Lake was nearly perfect. There were wildflowers on the Scenic Loop Trail in the spring
Next time? I plan to go for an evening visit with the "Midnight to Midnight" parking pass that lets you arrive before 8 pm and depart before Midnight. I can't wait to see the night sky there!
I spent the night at St Moritz Lodge ($325 in the summer).
Conclusion
From quiet mountain lakes to cliffside villages, from red-rock canyons to turquoise reefs, the world offers beauty in countless forms. Some places dazzle with grandeur, others with the smallest details, a sunrise’s shifting colors, the scent of a local meal, the sound of water or wind. Each stop on this journey leaves a piece of itself with you, a reminder that beauty isn’t just something to see...it’s something to feel, to breathe, and to carry home.
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.
