7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit Around the World
Whether you are thinking of a quick trip here in the U.S. or somewhere international, these are my favorite destinations that I hope you'll love too.
Most Beautiful Places to Visit on a European Road Trip
Here are my favorite stops in Europe which you can visit on one long road trip or a couple of shorter trips.
Soca River in Slovenia
The very first time we visited as a part of a longer European road trip, I though that this part of Europe was one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world! Why? First off, Soca River in Slovenia absolutely took my breath away. We found emerald-green river like in my photos, lush forests, old bridges and plenty of peace.
Secondly, I love that this spot in the heart of Europe is still very much off-the-beaten-path...no highways or crowded tourist buses here!
- Elevation: 1,476 feet (450 meters) above sea level.
- Google Maps Pin
We drove from Ljubljana Airport for about two hours. I have to warn you that the last hour of the drive is on local mountain roads where you have to be super careful because of bikers. Also, winter is not a good time to go because the mountain roads close when there is a lot of snow.
But once we arrived it was absolutely magical. We spent two care-free weeks exploring the Soca Valley from an Airbnb near Bovec. It was warm in August so we went on a white water rafting tour , hiked a lot, 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 river colors like you can see here.
A downside? There are only a few grocery stores and restaurants, and they close early, so you have to plan ahead.
Krk Island, Croatia
This Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea instantly won me over with its beaches, ancient stone villages, olive groves, and turquoise coves (like in my photo!).
We drove to Krk right after our stay on Soca River and this part of our road trip took about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
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 our European road trip, we reached Krk Island easily via the scenic Krk Bridge (originally the Tito Bridge when it was completed in 1980). You can reach the bridge from the mainland near Rijeka in 45 minutes.
Once on the island, you can visit the historic walled town of Krk with its seaside cafés, swim and relax on Baska Beach, and hike around Punat Bay. You can also taste local olive oil and wine, and enjoy a boat trip to an even more secluded island nearby. We checked into 4-star Hotel Miramare (from $87) for a blissful week.
- Elevation: 1,270 feet (390 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Northern Adriatic Sea, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia
- Google Maps Pin
What I loved best was all the amazing fresh (and affordable!) seafood right from the Adriatic Sea. Especially grilled calamari at Konoba Mulic.
Bassano del Grappa, Italy
This small Italian town at the foothills of the Venetian Alps instantly won me over. You'll find a central piazza, cobblestone streets, great bakeries, and the iconic Ponte Vecchio (Ponte degli Alpini) over the Brenta River (see my photos). Honestly, it felt like stepping into a watercolor painting and it instantly became one of my favorite places. From our last stop on Krk Island, we drove 4 hours on our road trip to Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
- Elevation: 420 feet (129 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Veneto region, northern Italy
- Location Map
I have to warn you, though, that parking can be a challenge! Instead of driving, you can land at Venice Marco Polo Airport and take a one-hour train ride which takes you close to the center of Bassano del Grappa. The town is compact and walkable so you don't need a car to enjoy it.
You can stroll across the historic wooden bridge designed by Palladio, have dinner with a view of the river, explore artisan shops selling handmade leather goods, and go on a tour with a local guide (just 12 Euro) of the town’s famous grappa at a centuries-old Distilleria Nardini (founded in 1779, Italy's first distillery!).
Nendaz, Switzerland
I expected the Swiss mountains to be beautiful but I was still amazed by the unspoiled nature we found in Nendaz. This little town rises high above the Rhône Valley so it was perfect for escaping summer heat in August.
We reached Nendaz in about 6 hours from Bassano del Grappa, the longest stretch on our European road trip but totally doable in a day!
We arrived after a scenic 20-minute drive up from Sion, winding through vineyards and pine forests until the peaks opened up around us. We reached 4-star Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa where we stayed for the first night. The fresh mountain air and laid-back rhythm made me instantly slow down. Once we got acclimated in Nendaz, we moved to a more affordable vacation rental for two weeks.
- Elevation: 1,476 feet (450 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Switzerland
- Google Maps Pin
We spent our time hiking along the famous bisses (historic irrigation trails) with panoramic views of the snow-capped Alps that you see in my photos. My son loved riding the gondola up to Tracouet for vistas of the Dent de Nendaz. You'll find a lovely lake at the summit too. Nendaz has a well stocked grocery store, a few shops, restaurants and cafés. You can easily head down to Sion for more shopping, indoor climbing and other activities.
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.
Practical Tips for This European Road Trip: You can fly to Ljubljana Airport (LJU) or Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) in Italy.
I personally prefer landing in Ljubljana because it's a smaller airport, and car rentals are more affordable with quality cars (landing in Venice has been more crowded and chaotic in my experience over the last 30 years). Moreover, the Avis car rental counter at Ljubljana Airport is staffed by very friendly people who speak fluent English and go above and beyond to provide great service.
When you pick up your rental at Ljubljana Airport, be sure mention the list of countries you'll be visiting on your road trip so that the car rental company can provide you with all the highway toll stickers you'll need along the way. Each European country has their own way of paying for tolls!
Also keep in mind that Slovenia, Croatia and Italy use the Euro, but in Switzerland you'll pay with Swiss Francs.
More Beautiful Places to See Around the World
These places around the world absolutely wowed me!
Glenorchy, New Zealand
We found this tiny outpost located in a remote corner of New Zealand. Instantly I thought that it was appropriately nicknamed the "Gateway to Paradise". The beauty of this place absolutely floored me on our first road trip here. Honestly, I think it's one of the most beautiful places to vacation in the world! Chris, our son and I have returned two more times already since our first visit. We love Auckland but getting on a two hour flight to this Southern New Zealand island gem added so much to our trip! It's one of my favorite vacation ideas in New Zealand!
I loved the jagged peaks, glacial waters (yes, we swam in the lake - it was cold but fantastic!), and that untouched energy. 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 around an hour after landing in Queenstown, along the winding road along Lake Wakatipu. By the time we reached the little frontier town of Glenorchy, I was convinced that this was the most scenic road trip we've ever taken. We stayed in an Airbnb for two care-free weeks that went by too quickly.
Every day, we walked along the Glenorchy Lagoon Boardwalk, over the marshland, and waited at the lake for spectacular sunsets you can see in my phots.
- Elevation: 1,004 feet (306 meters) above sea level.
- Google Maps Pin
Glenorchy was the ultimate New Zealand hidden gem!. It's just a few houses, a retro gas station, a couple of restaurants (fair warning: they close very early!) and a small hotel.
Local tip: I loved landing at Queenstown Airport (ZQN) because it's incredibly well run with a friendly car rental desk, and a convenient SIM card counter, but remember that they drive on the left in New Zealand which can be confusing!
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, followed by the most turbulent landing ever.
Mauna Lani, the Big Island of Hawaii
We absolutely love Mauna Lani, and we lived here for 6 years. Chris and I moved to live near this Kohala Coast Hawaiian spot with sandy beaches and lava rock fields.
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 palm trees, and sunsets that turn the entire bay gold (sometimes with a rainbow as well!).
It takes about 40 minutes north from Kona International Airport (KOA) to reach Mauna Lani. Once there, you can swim, snorkel, and go for walks around the historic Kalahuipua‘a Fishponds. Don't forget to look for seals and sea turtles near the shoreline!
There a couple of 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.
- Google Maps Pin
What I loved best:
Snorkeling at Makaiwa Bay was always my favorite. You you get an early start before the wind picks up, the water is super clear and there is so much marine life and coral. I also loved Mauna Lani's location which was perfect for a mini road trip up and down the sunny west coast.
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!
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!), heaps of scenic hiking trails, and mountain peaks like you can see in my photos. 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. You'll see 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 from Grand Teton National Park to reach Yellowstone's geysers that we got to enjoy two amazing national parks in just a short time!
You can also along the shores of Jenny Lake, take the scenic boat shuttle across the lake, and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. 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.
We based ourselves at the cozy Cowboy Village Resort ($143/night) in Teton Village. Our log cabin for five amazing days was surrounded by pine trees and made the perfect home base after long days outdoors.
- Elevation: 6,800 to 13,775 feet (2,070 to 4,199 meters) above sea level.
- Location: Northwestern Wyoming, United States
What I loved best:
For me, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit because it's exciting and unique!
Next day we drove to Yellowstone on a road trip 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 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, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
