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50 most beautiful landscapes in the world

U.S. News & World Report

April 27, 2018, 12:00 PM

Whether you’re ready to hike in or Instagram the moment, odds are you’ll enjoy experiencing the scenery at a new destination, especially if it’s different from back home. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, these 50 places are bound to take your breath away with their awe-inspiring settings.

RHOSSILI, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 3: People enjoy the sea view at Worm's Head near Rhossili on the Gower Peninsula on April 3, 2008 in Wales, United Kingdom. A draft Marine Bill published today sets out radical plans for a new network of marine conservation zones around Britain's coast with nature reserves having objectives to protect habitats and species of national importance, ensuring that some types of fishing, dredging or other forms of development do not damage them. Also included are proposals by the Environment Secretary to allow walkers access to the entirety of the coastal shoreline. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Gower Peninsula: Swansea, Wales Crabbing, surfing, bicycling, walking and bird-watching are favorite pastimes on the beaches of the Gower Peninsula, one of Great Britain’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rhossili Bay’s white sand, saltwater and freshwater marshes, towering cliffs and sparkling blue water attract summer visitors in droves. Come at sunset to hear the gulls, blackcaps, warblers and goldcrests, and stay to watch the stars rise over the quiet beach. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Vestrahorn Region Iceland
Vestrahorn: Iceland Nearly 1,500 feet tall, Vestrahorn mountain towers above a lagoon and black sand beach so dramatically that some travelers refer to it as Batman Mountain. Remoteness is one of the sight’s greatest assets, so expect to walk after driving to the Stokksnes peninsula to get the most stunning views. On sunny days, reflections in the water lapping on the black sand shore accentuate the unusual peaks.  (Thinkstock)
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Image of Petit Pitons, and Gros Pitons of St. Lucia, Caribbean Island
The Pitons: Soufriere, St. Lucia These lush twin peaks rising straight from the Caribbean Sea are St. Lucia‘s most famous sights. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons Management Area, the Pitons feature fumaroles, hot springs, petroglyphs and ample wildlife-viewing opportunities. At 2,619 feet, Gros Piton is the taller and easier of the two to climb, though Petit Piton looks nearly identical in height when seen from the north. (Thinkstock)
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In this photo taken Aug. 26, 2016, sightseeing buses and tourists are seen at a pullout popular for taking in views of North America's tallest peak, Denali, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 renamed the peak to its Athabascan name in a nod to Alaska Natives. As a It's not yet clear whether Trump, now the presicandidate for president, Donald Trump tweeted a vow to change the mountain's name back to Mount McKinley.dent-elect, will act. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Denali National Park & Preserve: Alaska It’s hard to miss this national park’s centerpiece and namesake, which stands 20,310 feet above sea level and is North America’s tallest peak. Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali attracts approximately 1,100 permitted climbers each season, though it’s just as beautiful to admire from the ground. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
AP Photo/Becky Bohrer
A boat passes through Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, about 100 kilometer ( 62 miles) from Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. Tam Coc, which means three caves, is also referred to as Halong Bay on Land. Tourists often used boats to explore the caves on the river. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
Halong Bay: Vietnam While many agree that Halong Bay’s (also Ha Long Bay) more than 1,600 monsoon-eroded islands are beautiful and deserving of a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, others warn that six million annual cruisers are ruining the environment and ambiance. The best way to view the area’s upright karst formations is on a licensed three-day cruise. These excursions include time to explore the bay and some of its more remote islands before and after visitors from Hanoi arrive. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki
village de Menerbes, luberon, france
Luberon Regional Nature Park: Ménerbes, France Though Provence features a variety of stunning landscapes, few are as breathtaking as the Luberon Regional Nature Park. Visit between the end of June and early August and you’ll see (and smell) acres of blooming lavender plants. The herb’s oil, which is known for its medicinal qualities, is pressed in local distilleries and workshops that welcome travelers, but for more insight about the plant, head to the Lavender Museum in Coustellet. (Thinkstock)
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Dunn's River Fall, in Ocho Rios Jamaica, Waterfall
Laughing Waters: Jamaica This gold-hued shore east of Dunn’s River Falls & Park is where Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) famously rose from the waves to greet James Bond (Sean Connery) in “Dr. No.” Today, the beach is home to a private wedding venue with fern covered cliffs, small waterfalls and shallow surf, but it can be seen during select boat tours or by invitation from the St. Ann Development Company, its protector. (Thinkstock)
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FILE - This Aug. 31, 2015 file photo shows Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest mountain and the proposed construction site for a giant $1.4 billion telescope project, as seen from Hilo, Hawaii. On Friday, April 13, 2018, officials with the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory have delayed a decision whether to continue efforts to construct it at its preferred site in Hawaii or at an alternate site in Spain's Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)
Mauna Kea Observatories: Hilo, Hawaii Rising 33,000 feet above the sea floor, the sacred mountain of Mauna Kea supports deep space observatories that take advantage of the Big Island‘s arid climate for celestial viewing. Go at sunrise or sunset to see the spectacular dark sky showcase millions of stars, or hike down the summit for miles of dusty black and red rolling hills, which are said to so closely resemble the surface of the moon that plans are underway to build a moon base research prototype on-site. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)
AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File
Footbridge over turquoise ocean on an Maldivian island
Laamu Atoll: Maldives Travelers flock to Laamu Atoll to surf its world-renowned Yin Yang wave and look for abundant coral, tropical fish and green sea turtles while snorkeling in its transparent waters. Having the island of Gan represent the mythical planet Scarif in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” brought more attention to this tropical paradise, yet its location five degrees north of the equator is remote enough to keep away the crowds. (Thinkstock)
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FILE - In this May 20, 2012, file photo, the new moon crosses in front of the sun creating an annular eclipse over West Mitten, left, and East Mitten buttes in Monument Valley, Ariz. Destinations are hosting festivals, hotels are selling out and travelers are planning trips for the total solar eclipse that will be visible coast to coast on Aug. 21, 2017. A narrow path of the United States 60 to 70 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina will experience total darkness, also known as totality. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: Arizona and Utah The red desert sands of Monument Valley, where sandstone rock formations tower above valleys and mesas, have been featured in films by John Ford and other legendary Western directors for years. You can explore it by car on a 17-mile scenic road, or have a local Navajo guide take you through the spectacular terrain on horseback, by foot or by Jeep. (AP)
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View from airplane over Great Barrier Reef where tidal channel separates Hardy and Hook Reef.
Great Barrier Reef: Australia With 1,430 miles of reef to explore, the Great Barrier Reef is the ultimate destination for divers, snorkelers and fans of marine life. Fly into Cairns or Hamilton Island before joining a sailing excursion or a flightseeing tour to the reef. Despite suffering from two coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017, you still have the chance to see colorful fish and coral during your visit. (Thinkstock)
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In this April 24, 2018 photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from right, visits the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower project, on the Yangtze River near Yichang in central China's Hubei Province. Xi was on an inspection tour of Hubei Province, according to Chinese state media. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP)
Three Gorges: China Three Gorges Dam brought the world’s attention to this scenic area of the Yangtze River, which was threatened with flooding before the dam’s completion in 2012. While not as dramatically steep as others, the sheer faces of the Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges are just as impressive and beautiful. Boats ply the calm water between Chongqing and Yichang year-round during multiday cruises. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP)
Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP
Cindy Archbell photographs the landscape of Acadia National Park in Maine from the summit of Cadillac Mountain at sunset, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Archbell, of Culpepper, Va., is spending a week in the park pursuing her photographic hobby. "The first day I was here I spent 10 hours shooting," she said. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Mount Desert Island: Maine Although the 2 million-acre Acadia National Park has hundreds of places to hike, bike, snowshoe, boat, swim and horseback ride, crowds can make it hard to fully appreciate the park, so consider taking a break from the area to explore Mount Desert Island’s Cadillac Mountain. From this impressive natural wonder, which stands above the charming port town of Bar Harbor, you’ll enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean, glacier-carved cliffs, granite hills, forests and Somes Sound, a 7-mile-long fjard. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
This April 18, 2012 photo shows a view from Li River near Guilin, China. A search for iconic China often takes tourists to the Great Wall in the north and the archaeological pits of the terra-cotta warriors in the nation's midsection. But for a glimpse of China's natural beauty, take the trip south to the city of Guilin, and board a boat for a four-hour cruise down the Li River to the picturesque city of Yangshuo, nestled amid the limestone karst hills known as the gumdrop mountains. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb)
Li River: Guilin, China The winding jade green Li River originates from Mao’er Mountain in Xing’an County and flows south to Guilin, a major tourist hub. The unusual jagged karst formations, in vivid contrast to the verdant hills and rice paddies, have been a favorite subject of Chinese poetry and paintings for centuries. To appreciate the river’s timeless beauty, take a guided cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb)
AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb
A fisherman's boat floats in Phang-Nga Bay in southern Thailand in 1997. Kayak tours to sea caves along the bay were meant to be a model of eco-tourism for Asia. But today, boats jam the narrow passages, tourists snap off stalactites for souvenirs, and their bellowing scares away gibbons, hornbills and other wildlife. (AP Photo/John Everingham)
James Bond Island: Thailand “The Man with the Golden Gun” transformed Khao Phing Kan into James Bond Island seemingly overnight after its 1974 release. While the sheer limestone rocks and cliffs rising from the turquoise Phang Nga Bay are still there, the view can be marred by hundreds of long boats bearing selfie-hunting tourists. Opt instead for a full-day excursion that includes a quiet afternoon of kayaking closer to shore through the island’s karsts. (AP Photo/John Everingham)
AP Photo/John Everingham
This May 28, 2012 photo shows a view of the Skellig Islands off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Ireland is about 300 miles from north to south and a driving trip in the country's western region takes you along hilly, narrow roads with spectacular views ranging from seaside cliffs to verdant farmland. (AP Photo/Jake Coyle)
Skellig Michael: Ireland Even before “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” put Luke Skywalker’s forbidding cliffside hideaway on travelers’ bucket lists, the Skellig Islands were packed with sights worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage List designation. Each of the 180 visitors who arrive daily by boat can climb Skellig Michael’s 618 slippery stone steps to a monastery where breathtaking vistas are available in every direction. (AP Photo/Jake Coyle)
AP Photo/Jake Coyle
This April 12, 2014 photo shows the iconic Mitre Peak in the Fiordland National Park in Milford Sound, New Zealand. Visitors can get an up-close view of the entire fiord on a day/overnight cruise or kayak tour. (AP Photo/Carey J. Williams)
Milford Sound: Fiordland National Park, New Zealand The navy blue water of this South Island fjord is framed by steep, glacier-cut cliffs, which are covered in greenery and hundreds of shimmering waterfalls. Book an overnight cruise that allows you to kayak and absorb this habitat without the crowds, and keep an eye out for New Zealand fur seals and rare Fiordland crested penguins swimming or resting on the shore. (AP Photo/Carey J. Williams)
AP Photo/Carey J. Williams
This Sept. 21, 2009 photo shows a view of Oia village on the island of Santorini, Greece. The Greek island of Santorini offers seaside tavernas, cliffside paths, black volcanic rocks and of course, sunshine and the Aegean. (AP Photo/Michael Virtanen)
Santorini Caldera: Santorini, Greece While Santorini‘s cliff-hanging, whitewashed villas juxtaposed against the brilliant Aegean Sea make it one of Greece’s most popular islands, its caldera — which some scientists believe was formed by a volcanic eruption in the 15th century — is really special. Spend sunset in Oia at the high fortress ruins of Kastro to sense the caldera’s ring underwater and how it connects Santorini to the nearby island of Thirasia (or Therasia). (AP Photo/Michael Virtanen)
AP Photo/Michael Virtanen
FILE -This Jan. 8, 2012 file photo shows Mount Rainier taking on a rosy glow near sunset as viewed from Eatonville, Wash. Mount Rainier National Park managers will try to maintain daily access to the park’s most popular winter destination. There is a sledding area, snowshoeing, snow camping, skiing and snowboarding and a visitor center at Paradise. People visiting Paradise should leave no later than 4:30 p.m. PST to give themselves enough time to safely drive down to Longmire, and sooner if road conditions are not optimal. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Mount Rainier National Park: Washington With a snow-clad peak ascending 14,410 feet, the iconic Mount Rainier demands respect. It is both the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states and an active volcano, and this diverse national park has alpine and subalpine ecosystems with mountains, forests and meadows. Most beautiful in winter, visitors can borrow gear for ranger-led snowshoe walks or bring their own for sledding, backcountry skiing and snowboarding. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File
OLUDENIZ, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 05: A luxury boat is seen in Butterfly Valley on September 5, 2017 in Oludeniz, Turkey. Turkey's tourism industry spiraled into crisis in 2016 after a year of terrorist attacks, diplomatic rows and political uncertainty. Since then the tourism industry has struggled with foreign tourist numbers plummeting. However recent government figures for May 2017, show a 16per cent rise in numbers on the previous year, bringing hope to local businesses and tour operators. Despite the return of Russian and European charter tour flights to Turkey and the overall increase in tourist numbers the industry is burdened with a 17bn debt and with the current political crisis between Turkey and Germany continuing to deepen recovery continues to be slow. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Ölüdeniz: Turkey Offering some of southern Turkey’s most stunning white sand beaches, Ölüdeniz is a prime spot for yachting and tandem paragliding. The destination fills with tourists every summer, making it necessary to climb higher or go farther for more elbow room. But if you don’t mind the added effort, you’ll be rewarded with unobstructed views of the region’s crystal clear water, sunsets and far-off Greek islands. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
ZHANGJIAJIE, CHINA - OCTOBER 22: (CHINA OUT) Tourists sail in the Baofeng Lake in the Zhangjiajie scenic area on October 22, 2008 in Zhangjiajie City of Hunan Province, China. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a unique national forest located in Zhangjiajie City in northern Hunan Province. In Zhangjiajie city, there live more than 20 minority groups, like Tujia, Bai, Hui, Miao. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Zhangjiajie, China A model for the suspended mountains of “Pandora — The World of Avatar” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Zhangjiajie protects ornately eroded sandstone columns — some draped in greenery — that tower above an ecosystem of small streams and indigenous wildlife. Popular for hiking and photography, the park is packed with must-see sights, including Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (a traveler favorite), the mist-shrouded Tianzi Mountain and the undeveloped Laowuchang region. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
Photo by China Photos/Getty Images
Whitehaven Beach is stretch along Whitsunday Island, Australia.
Whitehaven Beach: Whitsunday Islands, Australia Within the Whitsundays lies Whitehaven Beach, voted the No. 3 beach in the South Pacific in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Traveler’s Choice Awards. Other than admire the blinding white sand and aquamarine sea, there’s not much to do but go for a swim. However, getting there is part of the fun: You can sail to or fly over it and the Great Barrier Reef by catamaran, helicopter or seaplane from Hamilton Island or mainland Australia. (Thinkstock)
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Road to Hana Coast, Hawaii
Road to Hana: Haiku, Hawaii This scenic highway is so packed with canyons, beaches, waterfalls and other natural attractions that you need to devote a day to driving its length to do it justice. Be sure to save time for Wai’anapanapa State Park, a turnoff at mile marker No. 32 that’s home to a black sand beach, an offshore lava arch, freshwater caves, ancient Hawaiian pictographs and a campground with picturesque vistas, especially at sunrise. (Thinkstock)
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In this photo taken June 21, 2013, tourists walk across a bridge in the national park Plitvice, central Croatia. On Monday July 1, 2013, Croatia will become the 28th EU member, the bloc's first addition since Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. Croatia's membership marks a historic turning point for the small country, which went through carnage after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Croatia When Walt Disney Imagineering chose this region as the visual inspiration for the waterfalls at “Pandora — The World of Avatar” in Orlando, Florida, it put this Croatian national park on the tourist map. Already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Plitvice’s otherworldly travertine formations, lush forests, gushing waterfalls and serene mountain lakes draw nature lovers in droves. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
AP Photo/Darko Bandic
Beautiful beach on Anguilla island, Caribbean
Grace Bay Beach: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands A consistent winner in Best Caribbean Beach polls, this 3-mile-long white sand beach is made of pulverized coral. It overlooks the crystal clear waters of Grace Bay, which is protected from Atlantic seaweed and debris by a barrier reef a mile offshore. Plus, Grace Bay Beach’s proximity to Providenciales’ expensive resorts means this stretch of sand is less crowded than other similarly beautiful beaches on more affordable Caribbean islands. (Thinkstock)
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Scala dei Turchi is a massive limestone cliff on the Mediterranean coast in the Sicilian region of Agrigento.
Scala dei Turchi: Agrigento, Sicily This unusual terraced cliff of marble and sandstone gets its name, which means “Stairs of the Turks” in English, from the marauding Ottoman pirates who used to shelter behind it. The bright white formation separates two beach coves in Agrigento and contrasts strikingly with the marine blue sea. To fully explore its ever-shifting steps without crowds, be sure to arrive early. Also, keep an eye out for young daredevils diving off its peak. (Thinkstock)
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Peter Jack holds the Olympic torch aloft at the Giant's Causeway in county Antrim, Northern Ireland, Monday, June 4, 2012. The Olympic Torch is continuing its relay journey around the country, and is scheduled to arrive at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Giant’s Causeway: Bushmills, Ireland Whether you believe this unusually geometric rock formation that juts into the Atlantic Ocean was caused by volcanic activity 60 million years ago or by a local trying to defeat an invading Scottish giant, Giant’s Causeway is a must-see. Go early to catch the first guided tour — you’ll want to learn about the sight’s tales before you set out to explore its 40,000 basalt columns on your own. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
AP Photo/Peter Morrison
heading down from sunwapta pass, on the icefield parkway, banff national park, alberta, canada.
Sunwapta Valley: Jasper National Park, Alberta Icefields Parkway is just one of several can’t-miss sights in Jasper National Park’s Sunwapta Valley. Traversing North America’s largest ice mass south of the Arctic Circle, this famous highway offers a front-row seat to beautiful (but rapidly receding) glaciers. Go now and stop at the Glacier Skywalk, a cantilevered glass overlook that features stunning glacier vistas from 918 feet above ground. (Thinkstock)
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The Wings, bizarre rock formations in Bisti Badlands, New Mexico, USA
Bisti Badlands/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area: Bloomfield, New Mexico Once a swamp that’s now an otherworldly desert landscape, this protected area beckons to photographers and campers. The eastern part features smooth eroded rocks with an array of colors, while the rest of the park is marked by hoodoos and sculpted rock spires that mimic the moon’s surface. Pack plenty of water, layers of outerwear and binoculars to use for observing the region’s golden eagles, ferruginous hawks and prairie falcons. (Thinkstock)
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WADI RUM, JORDAN- DECEMBER 14: Beduins children ride their camels during the annual camel race in the desert of Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan December 14, 2007, where competitors from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan race for 9km in the traditional beduins' sport. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images)
Wadi Rum Protected Area: Wadi Rum Village, Jordan A 278-square-mile red rock desert occupied for thousands of years by Bedouins, the undulating dunes of Wadi Rum caught the West’s attention a century ago when T. E. Lawrence (better known as Lawrence of Arabia) fought occupying forces during World War I. Today, locals welcome tourists to their goat-hair tents and lead camel rides to see the area’s desert sunsets, mile-high sandstone pillars and ancient petroglyphs, sharing their culture along the way. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images)
Photo by Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images
Lake Louise panorama, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise: Banff National Park, Alberta In the heart of Banff National Park lies Lake Louise, a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by towering evergreens and snowclad summits. During the summer months, hike its trails and visit its classic teahouses. And in winter, bundle up and join the crowds to ice skate on the lake or hit the slopes at Lake Louise Ski Resort. (Thinkstock)
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In this Oct. 13, 2011 photo, Funafuti, the main island nation state Tuvalu, is seen from a Royal New Zealand airforce C130 aircraft as it approaches at Funafuti, Tuvalu, South Pacific. Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu, a group of atolls situated north of Fiji and northwest of Samoa, in the South Pacific ocean. The atolls are suffering a severe drought and water shortage, coupled with contaminated ground water due to rising sea levels. The governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States are providing desalination plants to alleviate the critical water shortage for some 10,000 islanders. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Funafuti Atoll: Tuvalu Home to Tuvalu’s capital, Funafuti’s profile — a skinny atoll composed of 30 islets — is best appreciated by drone. However, the views are just as impressive from the ground; you’ll be surrounded by sea, coral and sand as you walk around the 66- to 1,300-foot-wide atoll. The islet of Fongafale on the eastern side is the most developed, with a small airstrip, a deep-sea wharf and a causeway built by Americans during World War II. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant
The morning sun illuminates the Grand Tetons in Grand Teton National Park, north of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Friday, Aug 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Grand Teton National Park: Wyoming A neighbor to Yellowstone but much less crowded, this northwestern Wyoming park is easy to reach from Jackson and the popular Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In addition to featuring towering evergreens and snow-capped mountains year-round, Grand Teton bursts with golden foliage, wildflowers and herds of elk every autumn. In fact, little has changed since Lewis and Clark trekked through this land as they headed west. Get a sample of what the iconic explorers saw while biking, canoeing and hiking with a ranger. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
The coal fired steam ship Earnslaw turns on Lake Wakatipu as she comes into dock at Queenstown, New Zealand, Thursday, Sept., 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Queenstown: New Zealand Surrounded by The Remarkables mountain range, this lakefront resort town attracts active adventurers from around the world. Queenstown is the birthplace of bungee jumping, which was first tested at Kawarau Bridge in 1988, but adrenaline junkies can also go zip lining, jet boating, skydiving and more. For those who prefer less extreme activities, Queenstown offers guided tours to historic Arrowtown and nearby vineyards, plus hiking trails, ski slopes and sightseeing cruises. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant
Beautiful road through mountain range in Newfoundland, Canada
Terra Nova National Park: Traytown, Newfoundland and Labrador This lesser-known gem on the island of Newfoundland boasts high cliffs and steep canyons, where hikers can get a bird’s-eye view of boreal forests and sea kayakers paddling Atlantic inlets. Book a Happy Adventure Tours excursion at the Terra Nova National Park Visitor Centre to see whales, icebergs and puffins. (Thinkstock)
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A family of ducks swims along the shore of South Lake Tahoe near the site of the 21st Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The summit is a gathering of federal, state and local leaders to discuss the restoration and to sustain Lake Tahoe.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Lake Tahoe: California and Nevada Although the emerald-green Lake Tahoe was carved 2 million years ago by shifting tectonic plates, only its past 10,000 years of erosion shaped the stunning recreational area into what’s on display today. The four-season playground is home to trails, a pool, the Olympic Museum and more at High Camp, an area of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows resort that sits 8,200 feet above sea level. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
The sun rises over Uluru, Australia, Tuesday, April 22, 2014. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Uluru Tuesday during their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand, the first official trip overseas with their son, Prince George. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Uluru: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia Uluru is the indigenous name given to this sacred sandstone tabletop formation. Nestled within the UNESCO-designated Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this natural wonder’s isolation and striking palette of reds and oranges are most photogenic during sunrise and sunset hours. To avoid crowds, base yourself in Alice Springs and experience its singular beauty at other times of the day via a guided hike, camel ride, parachuting adventure, Segway tour, overnight trek or hot air balloon ride. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
AP Photo/Rob Griffith
Rangiroa atoll, Tuamotu islands, French Polynesia.
Rangiroa Atoll: Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia Rangiroa comprises 240 motu (islets) arranged in a loose ring across 110-plus miles. The second largest atoll in the world, it attracts honeymooners and scuba divers keen on enjoying breathtaking scenery and exploring diverse marine environments. The primary lagoon is home to multicolored butterfly fish and turtles, while the open ocean is a prime spot for diving with whales, manta rays, dolphins and sharks. Look for accommodations, guides and gear on Avatoru and Tiputa, two of the motu that encircle the lagoon. (Thinkstock)
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In this Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 photo, lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean in Volcanoes National Park near Kalapana, Hawaii. The current lava flow erupted from a vent on the volcano in May and made its way to the sea in late July. Visitors can hike about 10 miles round trip to see the lava, or take a boat or helicopter tour to see the flow. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Hawaii Most visitors turn onto Crater Rim Drive to circle Kilauea Volcano, but Chain of Craters Road, which travels past Makaopuhi Crater to the coast at Kalapana, showcases more of this park’s remarkable volcanic activity and biodiversity. If you only have a half day, hike the Halema’uma’u Trail to see smooth pahoehoe (lava) and Kilauea’s caldera. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
AP Photo/Caleb Jones
power of nature, small person on big cliff
Pulpit Rock: Songesand, Norway More than 300,000 visitors flock to Lysefjorden in Songesand to see its flat-topped Pulpit Rock. Measuring only 82 square feet, this natural granite lookout is cantilevered nearly 2,000 feet above the fjord, affording vistas for miles. To take in the view without hordes of tourists, hike up before dawn and watch the sun rise. Guided hikes and sightseeing cruises are also available (for a fee) between April and October. (Thinkstock)
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FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2013, file photo, the Grand Canyon National Park is covered in the morning sunlight as seen from a helicopter near Tusayan, Ariz. Arizona officials on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, guaranteed that the Grand Canyon National Park will remain in full operation if Congress fails to pass a budget and a government shutdown ensues. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Grand Canyon National Park: Arizona As its name suggests, this natural wonder is impressive, measuring 277 river miles long by as much as 18 miles wide by up to 1 mile deep. To avoid crowds of tourists, skip the South Rim and head to the North Rim. But keep in mind that this area only permits backcountry hikers in winter. For the grandest thrills, join a licensed river rafting tour or visit Skywalk, the Hualapai Tribe’s vertigo-inducing, glass-floored attraction that projects 70 feet from Grand Canyon West’s rim. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) (AP/Julie Jacobson)
AP/Julie Jacobson
Victoria Falls, Zambia-Zimbabwe border
Victoria Falls: Zambia and Zimbabwe Nestled between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls — which also goes by Mosi-oa-Tunya (or “The Smoke that Thunders”) in Lozi, the local language — can be heard nearly 25 miles away. Considered the largest waterfall in the world at more than 328 feet tall, it remained relatively unknown until Scottish explorer David Livingstone spotted it in 1855. The waterfall is risky to explore, but if you’re up for the challenge, head to Knife-edge Bridge for breathtaking panoramas. (Thinkstock)
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This July 30, 2014 photo shows Margerie Glacier, one of many glaciers that make up Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park. With melting glaciers and rising seas as his backdrop, President Barack Obama will visit Alaska next week to press for urgent global action to combat climate change, even as he carefully calibrates his message in a state heavily dependent on oil. (AP Photo/Kathy Matheson)
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve: Alaska Both a UNESCO Biosphere and World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay is a picturesque landscape that boasts glaciers shaped by snow melt from the surrounding mountains, evergreen forests full of wildlife and a marine habitat where sea life flourishes. Whether you’re on the deck of a cruise ship, in a helicopter or paddling a sea kayak, you’ll enjoy taking in the park’s gorgeous scenery. (AP Photo/Kathy Matheson)
AP Photo/Kathy Matheson
View of K2 from Concordia plateau.
K2 Base Camp and Concordia: Pakistan Accessible only a few months of the year, the trek to the base camp of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, is one of the most rewarding routes available to hikers. From Skardu on the Karakoram Highway, travelers set out with guides on a monthlong journey across hills, gorges, roaring rivers and the Baltoro Glacier, catching glimpses of the peaks of Trango Towers, Masherbrum, K2 and Broad Peak as they go. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Fog enshrouds part of the Waimea Canyon on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai in June 2006. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Waimea Canyon State Park: Waimea, Hawaii Plunging as much as 3,600 feet below its walking path, the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. But unlike its cousin to the east, Waimea features jagged lava peaks that are often blanketed in lush ferns and trees. Get a closer view at two scenic lookouts — Pu’u ka Pele and Pu’u Hinahina — or during a guided downhill mountain bike adventure. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
AP Photo/Jim Mone
Mount Pilatus behind the lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Mount Pilatus: Alpnach, Switzerland While the entire lakefront city of Lucerne is incredibly picturesque, once you reach the 7,000-foot peak of nearby Mount Pilatus, the view of 73 Alpine peaks will take your breath away. To ascend, take a scenic cruise from Lucerne to Alpnachstad and, if you’re hardy, start hiking. You can also reach the top via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway or an aerial cable car. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Kirkjufell is a beautifully shaped and a symmetric, free standing mountain in Iceland
Kirkjufell: Iceland If you recognize Kirkjufell from “Game of Thrones,” you’ll understand why this unusually steep, conical mountain in West Iceland is one of the country’s most photographed natural wonders. Formed by layers of sedimentary rock pressed tight between ancient glaciers, it’s best seen from the black sand beach below or from the walking path that circles its base. Hikers should hire a guide in the nearby town of Grundarfjördu, where multiple apartment rentals are available. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
An aerial view of the barrier reef along Turneffe Atoll in Belize reveals spur and groove channels that exist near shore. This type of reef often develops on windward sides of islands.
Silk Caye: Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, Belize Among the thousands of sandy cayes off the coast of Belize, Silk Caye is one of the easiest to reach. Local tour operators provide scuba or snorkel gear, plus a picnic lunch for daylong excursions. Even before you suit up, you may spot a whale shark or loggerhead turtle casting its shadow on the shallow sea floor. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Scenery from Atlas Mountains near Toubkal
Mount Toubkal: Atlas Mountains, Morocco The route to Mount Toubkal is one of the Atlas Mountains’ most challenging walks, yet its summit in Toubkal National Park showcases the rugged, golden beauty of North Africa’s tallest peak. Instead of staying in Marrakech, about 50 miles away, sample the local Berber culture at the rustic Kasbah du Toubkal, an inn in the village of Imlil. The property was used as the Tibetan monastery the Dalai Lama fled to in Martin Scorsese’s “Kundun.” (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Beautiful landscape of Penzi la pass in summer, Zanskar valley, Leh, India, Asia
Valley of Flowers National Park: Uttarakhand, India India’s famous high-altitude Valley of Flowers is only open from July to October, with peak bloom for its multicolored flowers occurring in August or September. From several vantage points in the 34-square-mile valley of the Chamoli District, visitors will see rare varieties of lilies, orchids and mountain wildlife framed by the Zanskar Range and the Eastern and Western Himalayas, which meet here in snow-capped glory. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Skazzjy)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/Skazzjy
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RHOSSILI, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 3: People enjoy the sea view at Worm's Head near Rhossili on the Gower Peninsula on April 3, 2008 in Wales, United Kingdom. A draft Marine Bill published today sets out radical plans for a new network of marine conservation zones around Britain's coast with nature reserves having objectives to protect habitats and species of national importance, ensuring that some types of fishing, dredging or other forms of development do not damage them. Also included are proposals by the Environment Secretary to allow walkers access to the entirety of the coastal shoreline. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Vestrahorn Region Iceland
Image of Petit Pitons, and Gros Pitons of St. Lucia, Caribbean Island
In this photo taken Aug. 26, 2016, sightseeing buses and tourists are seen at a pullout popular for taking in views of North America's tallest peak, Denali, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 renamed the peak to its Athabascan name in a nod to Alaska Natives. As a It's not yet clear whether Trump, now the presicandidate for president, Donald Trump tweeted a vow to change the mountain's name back to Mount McKinley.dent-elect, will act. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
A boat passes through Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, about 100 kilometer ( 62 miles) from Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. Tam Coc, which means three caves, is also referred to as Halong Bay on Land. Tourists often used boats to explore the caves on the river. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
village de Menerbes, luberon, france
Dunn's River Fall, in Ocho Rios Jamaica, Waterfall
FILE - This Aug. 31, 2015 file photo shows Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest mountain and the proposed construction site for a giant $1.4 billion telescope project, as seen from Hilo, Hawaii. On Friday, April 13, 2018, officials with the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory have delayed a decision whether to continue efforts to construct it at its preferred site in Hawaii or at an alternate site in Spain's Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)
Footbridge over turquoise ocean on an Maldivian island
FILE - In this May 20, 2012, file photo, the new moon crosses in front of the sun creating an annular eclipse over West Mitten, left, and East Mitten buttes in Monument Valley, Ariz. Destinations are hosting festivals, hotels are selling out and travelers are planning trips for the total solar eclipse that will be visible coast to coast on Aug. 21, 2017. A narrow path of the United States 60 to 70 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina will experience total darkness, also known as totality. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
View from airplane over Great Barrier Reef where tidal channel separates Hardy and Hook Reef.
In this April 24, 2018 photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from right, visits the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower project, on the Yangtze River near Yichang in central China's Hubei Province. Xi was on an inspection tour of Hubei Province, according to Chinese state media. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP)
Cindy Archbell photographs the landscape of Acadia National Park in Maine from the summit of Cadillac Mountain at sunset, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Archbell, of Culpepper, Va., is spending a week in the park pursuing her photographic hobby. "The first day I was here I spent 10 hours shooting," she said. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
This April 18, 2012 photo shows a view from Li River near Guilin, China. A search for iconic China often takes tourists to the Great Wall in the north and the archaeological pits of the terra-cotta warriors in the nation's midsection. But for a glimpse of China's natural beauty, take the trip south to the city of Guilin, and board a boat for a four-hour cruise down the Li River to the picturesque city of Yangshuo, nestled amid the limestone karst hills known as the gumdrop mountains. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb)
A fisherman's boat floats in Phang-Nga Bay in southern Thailand in 1997. Kayak tours to sea caves along the bay were meant to be a model of eco-tourism for Asia. But today, boats jam the narrow passages, tourists snap off stalactites for souvenirs, and their bellowing scares away gibbons, hornbills and other wildlife. (AP Photo/John Everingham)
This May 28, 2012 photo shows a view of the Skellig Islands off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Ireland is about 300 miles from north to south and a driving trip in the country's western region takes you along hilly, narrow roads with spectacular views ranging from seaside cliffs to verdant farmland. (AP Photo/Jake Coyle)
This April 12, 2014 photo shows the iconic Mitre Peak in the Fiordland National Park in Milford Sound, New Zealand. Visitors can get an up-close view of the entire fiord on a day/overnight cruise or kayak tour. (AP Photo/Carey J. Williams)
This Sept. 21, 2009 photo shows a view of Oia village on the island of Santorini, Greece. The Greek island of Santorini offers seaside tavernas, cliffside paths, black volcanic rocks and of course, sunshine and the Aegean. (AP Photo/Michael Virtanen)
FILE -This Jan. 8, 2012 file photo shows Mount Rainier taking on a rosy glow near sunset as viewed from Eatonville, Wash. Mount Rainier National Park managers will try to maintain daily access to the park’s most popular winter destination. There is a sledding area, snowshoeing, snow camping, skiing and snowboarding and a visitor center at Paradise. People visiting Paradise should leave no later than 4:30 p.m. PST to give themselves enough time to safely drive down to Longmire, and sooner if road conditions are not optimal. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
OLUDENIZ, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 05: A luxury boat is seen in Butterfly Valley on September 5, 2017 in Oludeniz, Turkey. Turkey's tourism industry spiraled into crisis in 2016 after a year of terrorist attacks, diplomatic rows and political uncertainty. Since then the tourism industry has struggled with foreign tourist numbers plummeting. However recent government figures for May 2017, show a 16per cent rise in numbers on the previous year, bringing hope to local businesses and tour operators. Despite the return of Russian and European charter tour flights to Turkey and the overall increase in tourist numbers the industry is burdened with a 17bn debt and with the current political crisis between Turkey and Germany continuing to deepen recovery continues to be slow. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
ZHANGJIAJIE, CHINA - OCTOBER 22: (CHINA OUT) Tourists sail in the Baofeng Lake in the Zhangjiajie scenic area on October 22, 2008 in Zhangjiajie City of Hunan Province, China. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a unique national forest located in Zhangjiajie City in northern Hunan Province. In Zhangjiajie city, there live more than 20 minority groups, like Tujia, Bai, Hui, Miao. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
Whitehaven Beach is stretch along Whitsunday Island, Australia.
Road to Hana Coast, Hawaii
In this photo taken June 21, 2013, tourists walk across a bridge in the national park Plitvice, central Croatia. On Monday July 1, 2013, Croatia will become the 28th EU member, the bloc's first addition since Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. Croatia's membership marks a historic turning point for the small country, which went through carnage after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Beautiful beach on Anguilla island, Caribbean
Scala dei Turchi is a massive limestone cliff on the Mediterranean coast in the Sicilian region of Agrigento.
Peter Jack holds the Olympic torch aloft at the Giant's Causeway in county Antrim, Northern Ireland, Monday, June 4, 2012. The Olympic Torch is continuing its relay journey around the country, and is scheduled to arrive at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
heading down from sunwapta pass, on the icefield parkway, banff national park, alberta, canada.
The Wings, bizarre rock formations in Bisti Badlands, New Mexico, USA
WADI RUM, JORDAN- DECEMBER 14: Beduins children ride their camels during the annual camel race in the desert of Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan December 14, 2007, where competitors from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan race for 9km in the traditional beduins' sport. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images)
Lake Louise panorama, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
In this Oct. 13, 2011 photo, Funafuti, the main island nation state Tuvalu, is seen from a Royal New Zealand airforce C130 aircraft as it approaches at Funafuti, Tuvalu, South Pacific. Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu, a group of atolls situated north of Fiji and northwest of Samoa, in the South Pacific ocean. The atolls are suffering a severe drought and water shortage, coupled with contaminated ground water due to rising sea levels. The governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States are providing desalination plants to alleviate the critical water shortage for some 10,000 islanders. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The morning sun illuminates the Grand Tetons in Grand Teton National Park, north of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Friday, Aug 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
The coal fired steam ship Earnslaw turns on Lake Wakatipu as she comes into dock at Queenstown, New Zealand, Thursday, Sept., 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Beautiful road through mountain range in Newfoundland, Canada
A family of ducks swims along the shore of South Lake Tahoe near the site of the 21st Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The summit is a gathering of federal, state and local leaders to discuss the restoration and to sustain Lake Tahoe.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The sun rises over Uluru, Australia, Tuesday, April 22, 2014. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Uluru Tuesday during their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand, the first official trip overseas with their son, Prince George. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Rangiroa atoll, Tuamotu islands, French Polynesia.
In this Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 photo, lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean in Volcanoes National Park near Kalapana, Hawaii. The current lava flow erupted from a vent on the volcano in May and made its way to the sea in late July. Visitors can hike about 10 miles round trip to see the lava, or take a boat or helicopter tour to see the flow. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
power of nature, small person on big cliff
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2013, file photo, the Grand Canyon National Park is covered in the morning sunlight as seen from a helicopter near Tusayan, Ariz. Arizona officials on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, guaranteed that the Grand Canyon National Park will remain in full operation if Congress fails to pass a budget and a government shutdown ensues. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Victoria Falls, Zambia-Zimbabwe border
This July 30, 2014 photo shows Margerie Glacier, one of many glaciers that make up Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park. With melting glaciers and rising seas as his backdrop, President Barack Obama will visit Alaska next week to press for urgent global action to combat climate change, even as he carefully calibrates his message in a state heavily dependent on oil. (AP Photo/Kathy Matheson)
View of K2 from Concordia plateau.
Fog enshrouds part of the Waimea Canyon on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai in June 2006. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Mount Pilatus behind the lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Kirkjufell is a beautifully shaped and a symmetric, free standing mountain in Iceland
An aerial view of the barrier reef along Turneffe Atoll in Belize reveals spur and groove channels that exist near shore. This type of reef often develops on windward sides of islands.
Scenery from Atlas Mountains near Toubkal
Beautiful landscape of Penzi la pass in summer, Zanskar valley, Leh, India, Asia

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