Top rural retreat destinations and countryside getaways

Iquitos

Amazon’s gateway to jungle adventures

8.4

Iquitos sits deep in the Amazon, reachable only by boat or plane. Rubber wealth built the city's ornate buildings during a boom in the late 1800s. Visitors can take a boat from town into the surrounding rainforest. Nearby lodges offer nighttime tours to spot caimans along the riverbanks.

Highlights:

• 🍴 Stroll through San Pedro Market, taste quinoa empanadas
• 🗿 Explore Sacsayhuamán ruins, trace Inca stonework
• 🏔️ Climb Machu Picchu sunrise, capture the misty peaks

Gunung Leuser National Park

Breathtaking peaks and ancient rainforests

8.5

Gunung Leuser shelters one of the last places where orangutans still live wild in Sumatra. Researchers have tracked the park's population since long before it gained UNESCO recognition. Visitors can trek through the rainforest with guides trained to spot the apes. Nearby rivers offer tubing trips beneath a dense jungle canopy.

Highlights:

• 🚣‍♂️ Kayak through limestone karst caves along rivers
• 🐒 Spot orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat
• 🌄 Hike to the summit of Gunung Leuser for sunrise

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Pristine lakes, untouched wilderness paradise

8.4

Over a thousand lakes link together across the Boundary Waters' canoe routes. Paddlers portage between them along trails first used by Ojibwe traders. Visitors can canoe for days without crossing a single road. Nearby forests stay quiet enough at night to hear wolves howling in the distance.

Highlights:

• 💧 Discover waterfalls like Devil’s Cascade and Johnson Falls
• 🥾 Hike to Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point
• 🛶 Go on an overnight canoe camping trip through lakes

Raja Ampat

Vibrant coral reefs and lush tropical islands

8.9

Coral reefs around Raja Ampat hold some of the highest marine biodiversity on Earth. Scientists have recorded more fish species here than almost anywhere else in the ocean. Visitors can dive or snorkel reefs largely untouched by mass tourism. Nearby limestone islands rise from turquoise water in scattered clusters.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore Tofua volcano crater for panoramic sea views
• 🚤 Kayak through crystal lagoons surrounding the hidden islands
• 🐠 Snorkel at Manta Point, witness majestic manta rays

Greenland

Arctic wilderness with ice landscapes

8.8

Icebergs calved from glaciers drift slowly past the town of Ilulissat each summer. UNESCO recognised the nearby icefjord for the sheer volume of ice it produces. Visitors can hike along the fjord's edge to watch the ice break apart. Nearby fishing villages still depend on the same cold waters for their catch.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Experience the magic of the midnight sun on a boat cruise
• 🥾 Hike the rugged terrain of Kangerlussuaq and visit the Arctic Tundra
• ❄️ Marvel at the floating icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord, UNESCO World Heritage site

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Remote volcanic islands with history

7.4

Napoleon spent his final years exiled on the remote island of Saint Helena. Ships once took months to reach the island before an airport finally opened in 2017. Visitors can tour the house where the emperor lived out his last days. Nearby cliffs shelter a colony of rare land birds found only on the island.

Highlights:

• 👑 Visit Napoleon's former residences and tomb sites
• 🪜 Climb the historic 699 steps of Jacob's Ladder
• 🦈 Swim with whale sharks in crystal-clear waters

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Remote polar wilderness with wildlife

8.4

King penguin colonies on South Georgia number in the hundreds of thousands during breeding season. Explorer Ernest Shackleton is buried on the island after his famous Antarctic expedition. Visitors can walk among dense penguin colonies along the island's beaches. Nearby glaciers spill down mountains rising directly from the sea.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike scenic trails to Mount Paget summit
• 🏚️ Visit historic Grytviken whaling station and church
• 🐧 Observe king penguins at stunning St. Andrews Bay

Etosha National Park

Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary

7.7

A vast salt pan dominates Etosha, visible even from space during the dry season. Wildlife gathers at waterholes around its edges when little other water remains. Visitors can watch elephants and lions arrive at the same waterhole within hours of each other. Nearby camps light waterholes at night for after-dark viewing.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Drive the Etosha Pan’s vast salt flats at sunrise
• 🦁 Join a guided safari to spot lions and rhinos
• 🐘 Watch elephants gathering at the Okaukuejo waterhole

Denali National Park

Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife

8.8

Denali's summit stands as the tallest peak in North America. Climbers have attempted the mountain since the early 1900s, when few reached the top. Visitors can spot grizzlies and caribou from a single road that crosses the park. Nearby, a single bus route offers most travellers their only access inside.

Highlights:

• 🛩️ Take a flightseeing tour above Denali’s snowy peak
• 🥾 Hike the Savage River Trail for rugged alpine views
• 🐻 Spot grizzly bears and moose in their wild habitat

Reine

Lofoten’s Iconic Fjord Village

8.8

Fishing cabins on stilts line the harbour of Reine, a small village in the Lofoten Islands. Fishermen have based cod operations from this same harbour for generations. Visitors can photograph the village against jagged peaks rising straight from the sea. Nearby racks still dry fish in the open air each winter.

Highlights:

• 📸 Photograph iconic red rorbuer on Hamnøy Island
• 🛶 Kayak through the calm waters of Reinefjord
• 🥾 Hike steep Reinebringen for panoramic fjord views

Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica’s Wildest Rainforest Frontier

8.2

Corcovado protects one of the last stretches of Pacific lowland rainforest in Central America. Biologists consider it among the most biodiverse places on Earth per square mile. Visitors can spot tapirs and scarlet macaws along trails deep in the jungle. Nearby beaches stay accessible only by boat or a long hike.

Highlights:

• 🐢 Watch endangered sea turtles nesting on remote beaches
• 🌌 Camp under the stars at La Sirena Ranger Station
• 🥾 Hike Corcovado’s diverse trails through rainforest and coastline

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest

8.3

Bwindi shelters roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Rangers lead small groups on treks that track habituated gorilla families through dense forest. Visitors can spend an hour observing a group from just meters away. Nearby ridges stay wrapped in mist through much of the year.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Birdwatch over 350 species including rare Albertine endemics
• 🥾 Join guided nature walks on scenic forest hiking trails
• 🦍 Trek with endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat

Fiordland National Park

New Zealand’s Wildest Water World

8.7

Milford Sound cuts deep into Fiordland's coastline, framed by cliffs rising straight from the water. Rain falls here on most days, feeding waterfalls that pour down the rock face. Visitors can cruise the sound and pass close beneath the falling water. Nearby, Doubtful Sound offers a quieter, less-visited version of the same scenery.

Highlights:

• 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
• 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
• 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Endless Dunes and Desert Drama

8.2

Towering red dunes at Sossusvlei rank among the tallest in the world. Dead, blackened trees stand in a nearby clay pan that dried out centuries ago. Visitors can climb the dunes at sunrise for long shadows across the sand. Nearby, the Namib's fog-fed ecosystem supports plants and insects found nowhere else.

Highlights:

• 🧗 Hike Sesriem Canyon’s narrow rock walls and riverbed
• 🌵 Explore the eerie Dead Vlei clay pan and ancient trees
• 🌅 Climb Big Daddy dune for sunrise and desert views

Socotra

Alien Landscapes, Untouched Adventure

7.9

Dragon's blood trees with umbrella-shaped canopies grow only on the isolated island of Socotra. Millions of years of separation from the mainland let unique plant species evolve here. Visitors can hike among the strange trees scattered across rocky highland plateaus. Nearby beaches sit backed by towering sand dunes and limestone caves.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Hike to the ancient Hoq Cave’s stunning stalactites
• 🏞️ Swim in the pristine natural infinity pool at Homhil
• 🌳 Explore the surreal Dragon Blood Tree forest

Canaima National Park

Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder

7.7

Angel Falls drops from a flat-topped mountain deep inside Canaima National Park. Water plunges nearly a kilometre, making it the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall. Visitors can reach it by canoe along rivers that wind through the jungle. Nearby tabletop mountains, tepuis, rise sharply above the surrounding forest.

Highlights:

• 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
• ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
• 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall

Okavango Delta

Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness

8.0

The Okavango River spreads into a vast inland delta instead of reaching the sea. Seasonal floods each year transform dry land into channels rich with wildlife. Visitors can explore the delta by traditional mokoro canoe, poled silently through reeds. Nearby islands support elephants, lions and a wide range of birdlife.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
• 🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
• 🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Amazon wilderness teeming with life

8.1

Blackwater rivers wind through Cuyabeno's flooded Amazon forest for much of the year. Guides paddle canoes silently at night searching for caimans along the banks. Visitors can spot pink river dolphins surfacing near the boat. Nearby indigenous communities still fish these waters using traditional methods.

Highlights:

• 🐬 Spot pink dolphins swimming in the lagoons
• 🛶 Take a canoe ride on serene waterways
• 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with expert guides

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

Ancient Maya Ruins in Pristine Jungle

7.7

Maya pyramids rise above the jungle canopy within the remote Calakmul reserve. Archaeologists have uncovered one of the largest ancient Maya cities here, long swallowed by forest. Visitors can climb temples for views over an unbroken sea of treetops. Nearby forest still shelters jaguars and scarlet macaws.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Join birdwatching tours for over 300 species
• 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with diverse wildlife sightings
• 🗿 Climb ancient Mayan pyramids in Calakmul ruins

Katmai National Park

Bears, salmon and volcanic wonders

7.2

Katmai's Brooks Falls draws brown bears each July to catch salmon leaping upstream. Rangers have run a live bear camera from the falls for online viewers since 2012. Visitors can watch from platforms as bears fish just below the falls. Nearby, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes still steams from a 1912 eruption.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions
• 🚁 Fly over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
• 🐻 Watch brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Where predators rule the Kalahari

6.9

Red dunes stretch across Kgalagadi, a park that spans the border of South Africa and Botswana. Predators here, including black-maned lions, have adapted to one of the driest environments on the continent. Visitors can watch lions rest in the shade near dry riverbeds. Nearby waterholes draw wildlife from miles around during dry months.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture dramatic desert landscapes bursting with life after rain
• 🦌 Spot springboks and gemsboks on sunset game drives
• 🦁 Watch black-maned lions roam the red dunes at sunrise

Simien National Park

Jagged peaks of ancient wilderness

7.4

Gelada baboons graze in large troops across Simien's high volcanic plateau. Sheer cliffs drop thousands of feet from the plateau's edge into the valleys below. Visitors can trek along the escarpment with baboon troops grazing close by. Nearby peaks rank among the tallest in Africa outside the Rift Valley volcanoes.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Witness breathtaking sunrise views over the escarpments
• 🐒 Spot Gelada monkeys grazing on the mountain plateaus
• 🥾 Hike to the dramatic cliffs and peaks of Ras Dashen

Kaieteur National Park

World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall

7.7

Kaieteur Falls drops in a single sheer plunge nearly five times the height of Niagara. Few roads reach this remote part of Guyana, so most visitors arrive by small plane. Visitors can stand at the edge of the gorge as the water thunders below. Nearby rainforest remains largely untouched by logging or development.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Spot rare Guianan cock-of-the-rock bird nearby
• 🥾 Hike rainforest trails to panoramic waterfall viewpoints
• 🌊 Witness the majestic Kaieteur Falls, tallest single-drop

Mentawai Islands

Surfer's paradise with tribal culture

8.1

Consistent swells break along the Mentawai Islands' reefs, drawing surfers from around the world. Indigenous Mentawai communities have lived in the surrounding rainforest for centuries. Visitors can surf reef breaks accessible mainly by boat from small camps. Nearby jungle villages still practice traditional tattooing passed down through generations.

Highlights:

• ⛵ Join a boat expedition to remote outer islands
• 🌊 Stay in an overwater bungalow surrounded by turquoise lagoons
• 🏄‍♂️ Surf world-class waves at Lance’s Right and Hollow Trees

Pamir Mountains

The Remote Roof of the World

6.6

The Pamir Highway winds through some of the highest inhabited terrain in Central Asia. Traders once moved goods along this route as part of the historic Silk Road. Visitors can drive past remote villages perched at extreme altitude. Nearby glaciers feed rivers that cut through the region's deep valleys.

Highlights:

• 🏡 Stay with a local family in a remote Pamiri village
• 🥾 Trek through the Wakhan Valley with views of Afghanistan’s peaks
• 🚙 Drive the rugged Pamir Highway, one of the world's highest roads

Transylvania

Mysterious castles and misty mountain vistas

8.4

Fortified churches dot Transylvania's countryside, built by Saxon settlers centuries ago to withstand raids. Villagers once stored grain and hid inside these thick stone walls during attacks. Visitors can tour several of the churches scattered through rural Romanian villages. Nearby forests still shelter one of Europe's largest brown bear populations.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Visit Maramureș fortified churches, admire medieval architecture
• 🚗 Drive Transfăgărășan Highway, enjoy breathtaking views
• 🏰 Explore Bran Castle, legend of Dracula

Zanskar

Hidden Himalayan Buddhist wilderness frontier

7.8

Frozen rivers in Zanskar once formed a walking trail known as the Chadar trek. Villagers used the icy path as their only winter route between remote valleys. Visitors can trek the frozen river or explore monasteries perched on cliffs above. Nearby passes remain snowbound for much of the year.

Highlights:

• 🗻 Explore the stunning Drang Drung Glacier up close
• 🕉️ Visit the ancient cave monastery at Phugtal Gompa
• ❄️ Trek the famous Chadar frozen river trail in winter

Danakil Depression

Earth's Hottest, Most Alien Landscape

6.1

Sulphur springs colour the ground in bright yellows and greens across the Danakil Depression. Temperatures here rank among the hottest recorded anywhere on Earth. Visitors can walk near bubbling mineral pools and an active lava lake. Nearby salt flats are still mined by camel caravans as they have been for generations.

Highlights:

• 🧂 Explore vast white salt flats at Karum Salt Lake
• 🌋 Trek to the glowing lava lake of Erta Ale volcano
• 🌈 Witness surreal colors at the Dallol sulfur springs

Alaska

Land of superlatives and adventure

8.9

Brown bears gather each summer at Brooks Falls to catch leaping salmon. Katmai's rangers have tracked the same bears returning to the falls for decades. Visitors can watch from raised platforms just above the churning water. Nearby, the Kenai Peninsula's rivers draw anglers chasing the same salmon runs.

Highlights:

• 🐻 See wild bears fishing for salmon in Katmai
• 🛳️ Cruise through glacier-filled waters in Glacier Bay National Park
• 🌌 Watch the northern lights dance above Fairbanks

Falkland Islands

Untouched wilderness with abundant wildlife

8.6

Five species of penguin nest along the Falkland Islands' windswept coastline. Colonies here number in the hundreds of thousands during breeding season. Visitors can walk close to rockhopper and king penguin colonies on open beaches. Nearby cliffs host albatross that nest within sight of grazing sheep.

Highlights:

• ⚓ Stroll along Stanley Harbour and visit the museum
• 🎖️ Take a battlefield tour of the 1982 conflict sites
• 🐧 Watch king penguins at Volunteer Point

Mongolia

Land of endless steppes

7.7

Nomadic families still move their round felt gers across Mongolia's open steppe each season. Herders have followed this seasonal pattern with livestock for thousands of years. Visitors can stay in a ger camp and ride horses across the grassland. Nearby, the Gobi Desert stretches south into dunes and rocky plains.

Highlights:

• 🛕 Visit the Gandan Monastery and observe morning prayers
• 🌌 Stay overnight in a traditional ger under starry skies
• 🐎 Ride a horse across the vast Mongolian steppe

Svalbard

Arctic wilderness at Earth's edge

8.3

Polar bears outnumber people across much of the Svalbard archipelago. Visitors must carry firearms or hire an armed guide when travelling outside the main settlement. Travellers can join a boat trip to spot bears, walrus and arctic foxes. Nearby glaciers calve directly into fjords that stay frozen much of the year.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike across the dramatic tundra and rugged landscapes
• 🛥️ Explore glaciers and fjords on guided boat tours
• 🐻‍❄️ Observe Arctic wildlife including elusive polar bears safely

Iya Valley

Vine bridges, deep gorges and mountain hot springs

7.8

Vine bridges still cross the Iya Valley's gorge, rebuilt every few years using local materials. Legend holds that defeated warriors once hid in this remote valley centuries ago. Visitors can cross the swaying bridge above the rushing river below. Nearby hot spring baths sit perched on cliffs overlooking the valley.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in the soothing hot springs of Oboke
• ⛰️ Hike Mount Tsurugi, Shikoku’s second highest peak
• 🌉 Cross the historic vine bridges swaying above river

Serengeti National Park

The Ultimate Safari Adventure

7.9

Over a million wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti's plains in an endless annual cycle. Maasai herders once shared these grasslands with the same migrating herds for generations. Visitors can watch massive river crossings during the migration's most dramatic moments. Nearby kopjes, rocky outcrops, offer resting spots for lions surveying the plains.

Highlights:

• 🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
• 🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
• 🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle

Olympic National Park

Untamed Wilderness, All in One

8.5

Rainforest, mountains and coastline all meet within Olympic National Park's boundaries. Some valleys here receive over twelve feet of rain annually, among the wettest in the country. Visitors can hike through moss-draped forest before reaching wild Pacific beaches. Nearby glaciers cap peaks rising just miles from the shoreline.

Highlights:

• 💧 Visit Sol Duc Falls and enjoy the tranquil waterfall
• 🌲 Explore the lush trails of the Hoh Rainforest
• 🏞️ Hike to Hurricane Hill for breathtaking panoramic views

Faroe Islands

Dramatic cliffs meet misty landscapes

8.9

Grass-covered turf roofs still top many farmhouses across the Faroe Islands. Builders once layered turf over wood for insulation against the harsh North Atlantic wind. Visitors can see the style preserved at the village of Saksun. Nearby cliffs drop straight into the sea beneath circling seabirds.

Highlights:

• 🏡 Walk through the colorful turf-roofed village of Saksun
• ⛵ Sail between the towering sea cliffs of Vestmanna
• 💦 Hike to the breathtaking Múlafossur Waterfall in Gásadalur

Merzouga

Sahara Dunes, Starry Nights

6.9

Erg Chebbi's dunes near Merzouga rise among the tallest in Morocco's Sahara. Berber guides have led camel caravans across this sand sea for generations. Visitors can ride a camel out to a desert camp for the night. Nearby dunes turn shades of orange and pink at sunrise and sunset.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Watch stunning Sahara sunsets over golden sand
• ⛺ Spend a magical night in a Berber desert camp
• 🐪 Ride camels across the towering Erg Chebbi dunes

Kangaroo Island

Wildlife, Wonders and Rugged Coast

8.6

Sea lions haul out on Kangaroo Island's beaches in colonies protected from disturbance. Rangers have monitored the same breeding colony at Seal Bay for decades. Visitors can walk close to the animals with a guide on the sand. Nearby cliffs shelter koalas and echidnas in coastal scrub.

Highlights:

• 🦭 Swim with playful sea lions at Seal Bay
• 🪨 Marvel at the Remarkable Rocks and their surreal formations
• 🦘 See wild kangaroos and koalas roaming freely at Flinders Chase

Slovak Paradise National Park

Ladders, Gorges and Wild Waterfalls

7.7

Wooden ladders and chains help hikers climb through Slovak Paradise's narrow river gorges. Streams here have carved deep ravines through the limestone plateau over thousands of years. Visitors can wade and climb directly through waterfalls along marked trails. Nearby caves hold ice formations that persist through much of the year.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Traverse the Tomášovský výhľad cliff for epic valley views
• 💦 Marvel at waterfalls cascading through rocky canyons
• 🥾 Hike through the iconic Suchá Belá gorge with ladders and chains

Tarangire National Park

Elephant Paradise with Baobab Backdrops

8.0

Ancient baobab trees tower over Tarangire's grasslands, some estimated at centuries old. Large elephant herds gather here during the dry season, drawn by the Tarangire River. Visitors can watch elephants bathe and drink along the riverbanks. Nearby swamps attract a wide variety of birds even during drier months.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Watch baobab trees glow under golden evening light
• 🦁 Take a guided safari to witness the Big Five
• 🐘 Spot herds of majestic elephants near the Tarangire River

Hwange National Park

Elephant Herds and Wild Horizons

7.6

Hwange holds one of Africa's largest populations of elephants within a single park. Waterholes pumped by solar power keep wildlife nearby even during the region's dry season. Visitors can watch large herds gather at pumped waterholes just past sunset. Nearby camps let guests sleep close enough to hear elephants at night.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Watch elephants gather at the popular waterholes
• 🚶‍♂️ Join guided walking safaris for close wildlife encounters
• 🚙 Go on thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five

Shiretoko National Park

Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido

8.3

Brown bears roam freely across Shiretoko's remote coastal wilderness in eastern Hokkaido. Sea ice drifts down from Siberia each winter, coating the shoreline in thick pack ice. Visitors can cruise the coast to spot bears and eagles from the water. Nearby hot springs sit tucked into forest rarely reached by roads.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Hike to Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and soak feet
• 🛥️ Take a wildlife boat cruise to see bears
• 🌲 Walk the scenic Shiretoko Five Lakes boardwalk

Wadi Rum

Valley of the moon's timeless magic

8.1

Towering red sandstone cliffs rise from the desert floor across Wadi Rum. Bedouin communities have guided travellers through this valley for generations. Visitors can ride a jeep or camel between rock formations carved by ancient wind and water. Nearby camps offer a night under some of the desert's darkest skies.

Highlights:

• 🏕️ Spend a night in a traditional Bedouin desert camp
• 🏂 Sandboard down giant red sand dunes for adrenaline rush
• 🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 jeep tour through vast desert landscapes

Daisetsuzan National Park

Japan's largest national park, in Hokkaido

8.3

Daisetsuzan's peaks turn red each September before anywhere else in Japan. Locals call the park the roof of Hokkaido for its high volcanic terrain. Visitors can hike alpine trails as the frost line creeps down the slopes. Nearby hot springs offer a warm soak after a day on the mountain.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Asahidake Onsen
• ⛰️ Hike to Mt. Asahi summit, Hokkaido's highest peak
• 🚠 Ride Asahidake Ropeway to scenic Sugatami Plateau

Great Basin National Park

Ancient trees, caves and starry skies

7.8

Bristlecone pines growing in Great Basin rank among the oldest living trees on Earth. Some of these gnarled trees have survived more than four thousand years in harsh mountain conditions. Visitors can hike a trail through a grove of the ancient pines. Nearby caves hold formations that took thousands of years to grow.

Highlights:

• 🌌 Stargaze under one of America’s darkest skies
• 🕳️ Explore the stunning Lehman Caves with a guided tour
• 🥾 Hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak

Jotunheimen

Home of giants and glaciers

8.5

Norway's tallest peaks rise within Jotunheimen, a name that translates to home of the giants. Hikers have climbed these mountains since organised ascents began in the 1800s. Visitors can hike the narrow ridge of Besseggen between two differently coloured lakes. Nearby glaciers feed rivers that cut through the surrounding valleys.

Highlights:

• ⛺ Camp under the stars beside Gjende Lake
• 🏔️ Summit Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, for sweeping views
• 🥾 Hike the majestic Besseggen Ridge between turquoise lakes

Manú National Park

Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland

7.3

Manu spans a range of elevations from high Andean peaks down to Amazon lowland. Biologists consider it among the most biodiverse protected areas on the planet. Visitors can spot macaws gathering at a riverside clay lick each morning. Nearby, remote sections of the park remain closed to protect isolated communities.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
• 🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
• 🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest

Voyageurs National Park

Watery wilderness of northern Minnesota

8.0

Water covers roughly a third of Voyageurs National Park, best explored by boat. French-Canadian fur traders once paddled these same interconnected lakes centuries ago. Visitors can canoe past rocky islands or spot loons calling across the water. Nearby forests offer some of the clearest night skies in the Midwest.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle a canoe through the peaceful waterways and explore wildlife
• 🌌 Witness the breathtaking northern lights over pristine lakes
• 🚣‍♂️ Explore hidden islands by boat and camp overnight

Tanjung Puting National Park

Orangutan paradise in Borneo jungle

7.3

Orangutans roam freely through Tanjung Puting's swamp forest along Borneo's rivers. Rehabilitation centres here have released rescued orangutans back into the wild for decades. Visitors can cruise the river by traditional houseboat to spot the apes. Nearby feeding platforms let visitors watch orangutans up close.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore the lush rainforest on guided jungle treks
• 🛶 Take a traditional klotok boat tour along Sekonyer River
• 🦧 Observe wild orangutans at Camp Leakey feeding stations

Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Volcanic wonders in pristine rainforest

8.0

A boiling lake fed by volcanic heat sits deep within this Dominican rainforest park. Hikers cross a valley of steaming vents to reach the lake's edge. Visitors can trek through dense jungle past hot springs and waterfalls. Nearby, the park became the Caribbean's first UNESCO natural World Heritage site.

Highlights:

• 💦 Explore the twin Trafalgar Falls and natural hot springs
• 🏞️ Swim beneath the 50-foot cascading Emerald Pool waterfall
• 🌋 Hike the challenging trail to the Boiling Lake

Lakshadweep

Pristine coral paradise off India

8.3

Coral atolls make up nearly all of Lakshadweep, India's smallest union territory. Strict permit rules have kept development and tourist numbers low across the islands. Visitors can snorkel lagoons that remain largely undisturbed by mass tourism. Nearby reefs shelter turtles and reef fish in clear shallow water.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Enjoy a lagoon cruise through the Lakshadweep atolls
• 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Agatti Beach
• 🤿 Dive into the coral reefs around Kadmat Island

Namib

Endless dunes whisper ancient desert secrets

8.9

Fog rolling in from the cold Atlantic sustains life across the otherwise arid Namib Desert. Some of the world's tallest sand dunes rise from this ancient coastal desert. Visitors can climb dunes at Sossusvlei or track wildlife adapted to the fog belt. Nearby, an old shipwreck sits rusting along the aptly named Skeleton Coast.

Highlights:

• 🪨 Stroll along Skeleton Coast's dramatic cliffs
• 🐘 Hunt wildlife across Etosha National Park savannahs
• 🏜️ Stand atop Sossusvlei's towering red dunes

Alentejo

Rolling hills, historic villages, soulful cuisine

9.0

Cork oak groves cover much of Alentejo, supplying a large share of the world's cork. Farmers harvest the bark by hand once every nine years without harming the tree. Visitors can walk trails through the orchards between whitewashed hilltop towns. Nearby wineries pour reds grown in the same red clay soil.

Highlights:

• 🚲 Ride a vintage tricycle along the Alqueva reservoir
• 🍷 Sample local wines at a traditional alentejo winery
• 🏛️ Stroll through Évora's Roman Temple ruins

Lapland

Northern lights and midnight sun

8.9

The aurora borealis appears over Finnish Lapland on many clear winter nights. Indigenous Sami communities have tracked reindeer herds across this land for generations. Visitors can sleep in glass-roofed cabins built for watching the lights overhead. Nearby husky farms offer sled rides across the snow-covered forest.

Highlights:

• 🦌 Experience a traditional reindeer sleigh ride safari
• 🐕 Go on a husky sledding adventure through snowy forests
• 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights on clear Arctic nights

Ladakh

Himalayan Cold Desert of Contrasts

8.5

Ladakh's high-altitude lakes turn a deep blue against a backdrop of barren mountains. Buddhist monasteries perched on cliffs here have stood for centuries above the valleys. Visitors can drive along Pangong Lake as its colour shifts through the day. Nearby passes rank among the highest motorable roads on Earth.

Highlights:

• ⛺ Camp overnight beside the Tso Moriri Lake under stars
• 🌊 Admire the surreal blue waters of Pangong Lake
• 🏍️ Ride through the world’s highest motorable pass at Khardung La

Landmannalaugar

Colorful mountains and natural pools

8.6

Rhyolite mountains around Landmannalaugar shift colour across shades of red, pink and gold. Geothermal activity beneath the highlands also heats natural pools near the campsite. Visitors can soak in warm water after hiking trails through the colourful hills. Nearby lava fields spread out where an eruption once reshaped the landscape.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Photograph the striking lava fields and steaming vents
• ♨️ Soak in the natural geothermal hot springs after a trek
• 🥾 Hike the colorful rhyolite mountains on the Laugavegur Trail

Ningaloo Coast

Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland

9.1

Whale sharks gather along the Ningaloo Coast each year to feed on plankton blooms. The reef here sits close enough to shore to reach by swimming from the beach. Visitors can snorkel alongside whale sharks during their seasonal visit. Nearby waters also draw manta rays and migrating humpback whales.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
• 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
• 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast

Bhutan

Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails

8.5

Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery, clings to a cliff face above the valley. Monks built it around a cave where a legendary figure is said to have meditated. Visitors can hike a steep trail to reach the monastery's terraces. Nearby villages still measure prosperity partly through the country's gross national happiness index.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Admire Himalayan panoramas from Dochula Pass’ 108 chortens
• 🎉 Join a colorful Buddhist festival at Punakha Dzong
• 🏔️ Hike to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro

French Polynesia

Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons

8.9

Coral atolls scattered across French Polynesia enclose lagoons calmer than the open ocean. Islanders have navigated between them using traditional star and wave reading for centuries. Visitors can snorkel shallow reefs teeming with reef fish and rays. Nearby islands offer overwater bungalows built directly above the lagoon.

Highlights:

• 🐠 Snorkel the coral gardens of Moorea’s turquoise lagoon
• 🤿 Dive with sharks and manta rays in Rangiroa
• 🏝️ Stay in an overwater bungalow above the Bora Bora lagoon

Gabon

Pristine rainforests with diverse wildlife

7.1

Loango National Park is one of the few places where elephants and hippos wander onto open beaches. Researchers have documented surfing hippos along this stretch of Gabon's coast. Visitors can spot forest elephants against a backdrop of Atlantic surf. Nearby rainforest runs almost unbroken from the coastline into the interior.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Experience the spectacular cascading Kongou Falls in Ivindo
• 🌳 Explore the lush rainforests at Minkébé National Park
• 🦁 Visit Loango National Park for iconic wildlife safaris

Guyana

South America's pristine rainforest gem

6.9

Kaieteur Falls drops in a single sheer plunge nearly five times the height of Niagara. Few roads reach the falls, so most visitors arrive by small aircraft. Visitors can stand at the edge of the gorge as the water crashes below. Nearby rainforest remains largely unlogged and rarely visited.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Explore the lush Iwokrama Rainforest, home to diverse wildlife
• ⛰️ Hike Mount Roraima, the ancient tabletop mountain
• 🌊 Visit Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfalls

Montana

Wild Beauty & Vast Big Skies

8.4

Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs through some of Montana's most dramatic peaks. Engineers built the road in the 1930s, carving it directly into the mountainside. Visitors can drive over Logan Pass or hike trails past alpine lakes. Nearby ranches still work cattle across the state's wide open plains.

Highlights:

• 🐎 Go horseback riding through wide open Big Sky Country
• 🦬 Spot wildlife and geysers in Yellowstone’s rugged wilderness
• 🏞️ Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

Palau

Pristine paradise with underwater wonders

8.3

Jellyfish Lake on one of Palau's islands holds jellyfish that have lost their sting over time. Isolation from the ocean allowed the species to evolve without predators over thousands of years. Visitors can snorkel among thousands of the harmless jellyfish drifting near the surface. Nearby limestone islands rise from the lagoon like scattered green mushrooms.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle a kayak through Palau’s turquoise Rock Islands
• 🤿 Dive into the stunning Blue Corner reef
• 🌊 Swim among harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake

Papua New Guinea

Last paradise of South Pacific

5.7

Hundreds of distinct languages are spoken across Papua New Guinea's rugged highlands. Isolated valleys here kept many communities separate from each other for centuries. Visitors can attend a highland sing-sing featuring elaborate traditional dress. Nearby rainforest remains largely unmapped outside a handful of established trekking routes.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Trek the historic Kokoda Track through dense rainforest
• 🎭 Meet the colorful tribes at the Mount Hagen Festival
• 🤿 Dive among WWII wrecks in Rabaul’s volcanic waters

São Tomé and Príncipe

Equatorial paradise with volcanic landscapes

7.5

Cacao once made Sao Tome one of the world's largest producers of cocoa. Old plantation estates called rocas still dot the islands' lush volcanic interior. Visitors can tour a working cacao farm and taste chocolate made on site. Nearby rainforest shelters birds found nowhere else on Earth.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Explore diverse wildlife at Obo National Park
• 🏖️ Relax on Praia Banana's pristine golden sands
• 🌋 Hike to the peak of Pico Cao Grande volcano

Tonga

Tropical paradise with volcanic islands

7.8

Humpback whales migrate to Tonga's warm waters each year to breed and calve. Regulations here allow visitors to swim alongside the whales under close supervision. Travellers can snorkel near a mother and calf resting in shallow water. Nearby coral reefs remain relatively undisturbed by large-scale tourism.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Discover blowholes at Mapu'a 'a Vaea coast
• 🗿 Explore the ancient Ha'amonga 'a Maui Trilithon
• 🐋 Swim with humpback whales in Ha'apai waters

Wyoming

Wild West landscapes and natural wonders

8.5

Wyoming's Wind River Range holds some of the largest glaciers in the American Rockies. Ranchers and outfitters have guided visitors through this remote wilderness for generations. Visitors can rucksack for days without crossing a paved road. Nearby geyser basins and hot springs sit just a drive away in Yellowstone.

Highlights:

• 🗻 Climb Devils Tower, America's first national monument
• 🥾 Hike scenic trails in Grand Teton National Park
• 🌋 Witness Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone National Park

Kruger National Park

Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free

7.6

Kruger protects one of Africa's largest populations of the Big Five game species. Rangers have managed the park's wildlife corridors since the reserve was established in 1898. Visitors can spot lions, elephants and rhinos from self-drive routes through the bush. Nearby rest camps let travellers sleep surrounded by the sounds of the savanna.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Experience a sunset safari and watch wildlife at dusk
• 🌿 Take a guided bush walk and learn about the ecosystem
• 🦁 Spot Africa’s Big Five on classic game drives

Longyearbyen

The Edge of the Arctic Wild

7.3

Longyearbyen ranks among the northernmost permanent settlements in the world. Polar bear warnings post at the town's edge, since bears can wander in from the surrounding wilderness. Visitors can join a guided snowmobile trip across the surrounding glaciers. Nearby fjords stay frozen through much of the long polar winter.

Highlights:

• 🐻‍❄️ See polar bears safely with expert guides
• ⛏️ Explore Gruve 3 coal mine on a guided tour
• 🧊 Visit the Svalbard Museum for Arctic history

Torres del Paine National Park

Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness

8.1

Granite towers rise sharply above Torres del Paine's turquoise glacial lakes. Strong Patagonian winds sweep across the park almost constantly, shaping the sparse vegetation. Visitors can trek the multi-day circuit past glaciers and windswept valleys. Nearby herds of guanaco graze across the open Patagonian steppe year-round.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
• 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
• 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint

Bohinjska Bistrica

Gateway to Slovenia’s Alpine Wonders

7.3

Lake Bohinj sits within Triglav National Park, quieter than nearby Lake Bled. Farmers in the surrounding valley still graze cattle on high alpine pastures each summer. Visitors can swim in the lake or hike towards a nearby waterfall. Nearby cable cars climb to viewpoints over the surrounding mountains.

Highlights:

• 🏔️ Ride the Vogel cable car for panoramic mountain views
• 💧 Hike to Savica Waterfall hidden in the alpine forest
• 🛶 Take a boat ride across the stunning Lake Bohinj

Khao Sok National Park

Ancient Jungle and Emerald Lake Paradise

7.8

Limestone karsts rise straight from the water at Khao Sok's Cheow Lan Lake. Engineers created the lake by damming a river in the 1980s, flooding the valley floor. Visitors can stay in floating bamboo rafts anchored beneath the cliffs. Nearby rainforest holds some of Thailand's oldest evergreen forest.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Trek into the jungle to spot wild elephants and gibbons
• 🛶 Kayak through emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs
• 🏞️ Stay overnight in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake

Tortuguero National Park

Wildlife and Waterways Adventure

7.8

Sea turtles nest along Tortuguero's protected beaches in some of the largest numbers in the Caribbean. Rangers and researchers patrol the shore each night during peak nesting season. Visitors can watch hatchlings emerge and crawl towards the surf. Nearby canals let boats glide past sloths and caimans in the rainforest.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot monkeys and toucans in the dense jungle canopy
• 🛶 Glide through rainforest canals on a guided canoe tour
• 🐢 Watch green sea turtles nest on the beach at night

Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

Twin Lakes and Volcanic Wonders

8.1

Twin crater lakes at Sete Cidades sit side by side in shades of blue and green. Legend explains the different colours through a story of forbidden love between a princess and shepherd. Visitors can hike the crater rim for views over both lakes at once. Nearby villages sit tucked into the surrounding volcanic caldera.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore Sete Cidades village and lake shore
• 🥾 Hike trails around the volcanic crater rim
• 🌄 Admire dual-colored lakes from Vista do Rei viewpoint

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wild Irish Peaks and Ancient Valleys

7.8

Glacial valleys carved the landscape now protected within Wicklow Mountains National Park. Monks founded a monastery at Glendalough within these valleys over a thousand years ago. Visitors can hike past lakes and ancient round towers built by early Christian settlers. Nearby forests and moorland fill much of the park's quiet interior.

Highlights:

• 🚶🏻 Walk peaceful Miners' Road alongside Upper Lake
• ⛪ Explore historic monastic ruins at Glendalough
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Glendalough Spinc trail

Tasmania

Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts

8.7

Old-growth rainforest covers much of Tasmania's rugged, sparsely populated wilderness. Convict-built roads and buildings from the 1800s still stand in several rural towns. Visitors can hike multi-day trails through forest rarely touched by development. Nearby coastlines shelter penguins and seals along quiet, largely undeveloped beaches.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Tour the convict ruins at Port Arthur Historic Site
• ⛰️ Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park trails
• 🏖️ Hike to Wineglass Bay and marvel at its white sand

Kakadu National Park

Ancient Rock Art and Wild Wetlands

8.3

Aboriginal rock art at Kakadu spans tens of thousands of years of continuous history. Traditional owners still manage much of the park alongside the government today. Visitors can view galleries of ancient paintings at sites like Ubirr. Nearby wetlands fill with crocodiles and waterbirds during the wet season.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Take a challenging hike to Jim Jim Falls gorge
• 🦅 Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong for crocs and birdlife
• 🌄 Watch the sunset over Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr

Snowdonia National Park

Mythic Peaks and Wild Welsh Beauty

8.1

Snowdon, Wales's tallest peak, rises above a national park shaped by ancient glaciers. A mountain railway has carried visitors to the summit since the late 1800s. Visitors can hike one of several routes or ride the train to the top. Nearby lakes and slate villages fill the surrounding valleys.

Highlights:

• 💧 Discover stunning Aber Falls waterfall on gentle hike
• 🚂 Experience scenic ride on Snowdon Mountain Railway
• ⛰️ Climb Snowdon, highest peak in Wales

Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

Mist, Wildlife and Cloudy Magic

8.4

Thick mist blankets Monteverde's cloud forest for much of the year, feeding an unusually dense canopy. Quaker settlers established the reserve here in the 1950s to protect the surrounding watershed. Visitors can cross suspension bridges strung high above the forest floor. Nearby trails offer some of Costa Rica's best chances to spot a resplendent quetzal.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot rare resplendent quetzals among misty trees
• 🌉 Walk the hanging bridges for canopy views
• 🥾 Hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest's biodiversity-rich trails

Glacier National Park

Crown of the Continent

8.9

Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts through some of Glacier National Park's most dramatic alpine scenery. Engineers built the road in the 1930s, blasting sections directly into the mountainside. Visitors can drive over Logan Pass or hike trails past turquoise glacial lakes. Nearby valleys still shelter grizzly bears and mountain goats.

Highlights:

• 🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
• 🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
• 🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes

Komodo National Park

Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty

7.3

Komodo dragons, the world's largest living lizards, roam freely across this island park. Rangers guide visitors at a careful distance to observe the animals safely. Visitors can hike marked trails where dragons bask in the open. Nearby pink-sand beaches sit just a short boat ride from the dragon habitat.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
• ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
• 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island

Serra da Estrela Natural Park

Portugal’s High Peaks and Wild Beauty

7.9

Sheep graze across Serra da Estrela, home to mainland Portugal's highest peak. Shepherds here have produced a soft, creamy cheese using the same recipe for centuries. Visitors can hike alpine trails or ski the park's modest slopes in winter. Nearby villages still sell the region's famous cheese from small family farms.

Highlights:

• 💧 Explore the mysterious waterfall hole at Covão dos Conchos
• 🏞️ Climb to Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal
• ⛷️ Ski on Portugal's only ski slopes in Serra da Estrela

Tofino

Wild Pacific, Rainforest, Endless Waves

8.1

Storm watching draws visitors to Tofino's coast during the region's wild winter swells. Surfers have also gathered here for decades to ride some of Canada's most consistent waves. Visitors can surf, storm-watch or hike through old-growth rainforest nearby. Nearby beaches stretch for miles along Vancouver Island's rugged western edge.

Highlights:

• 🐋 Go whale watching in Clayoquot Sound waters
• 🥾 Explore Pacific Rim National Park Reserve trails
• 🏄‍♂️ Surf the waves at famous Chesterman Beach

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Portugal's Only National Park Paradise

7.5

Wild Garrano ponies still roam freely across Peneda-Geres, Portugal's only national park. Stone granaries built on stilts dot villages that have farmed these valleys for centuries. Visitors can hike between waterfalls and old stone bridges built by Roman engineers. Nearby villages still herd cattle along the same mountain paths.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture breathtaking vistas from Miradouro da Pedra Bela
• 💦 Experience the thrill of canyoning through waterfalls and ravines
• 🥾 Hike the lush trails of Peneda-Gerês and explore hidden lagoons

Redwood National Park

Home of the World’s Tallest Trees

8.3

Coast redwoods in this park include some of the tallest trees ever measured on Earth. These giants can live well over a thousand years in the region's foggy, wet climate. Visitors can walk trails dwarfed by trunks wider than a car. Nearby fern-filled canyons stay cool and shaded even in summer.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Walk the scenic Karl Knapp Trail near Big Tree Wayside
• 🍃 Explore Fern Canyon’s prehistoric fern-covered walls
• 🌲 Hike the Tall Trees Grove, home to towering redwoods

Durmitor National Park

Montenegro’s Wild Peaks and Deep Canyons

7.6

Glacial lakes known locally as mountain eyes dot Durmitor's high alpine terrain. The Tara River Canyon nearby ranks among the deepest gorges in Europe. Visitors can hike past lakes or raft the canyon's fast-moving rapids. Nearby peaks stay snow-capped well into the summer months most years.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore glacial Black Lake and its serene mountain surroundings
• 🌄 Walk the edge of Tara River Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge
• ⛰️ Hike to Bobotov Kuk, Durmitor's highest peak

Scottish Highlands

Rugged Beauty and Ancient Legends

8.1

Lochs and glens fill much of the Highlands, shaped by glaciers thousands of years ago. Clans once controlled these valleys, leaving castles scattered across the landscape. Visitors can drive the North Coast 500 past lochs, mountains and rugged coastline. Nearby distilleries produce whisky using water drawn straight from Highland streams.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive the legendary North Coast 500 scenic route
• 🛥️ Cruise across mysterious Loch Ness and spot Urquhart Castle
• 🥾 Hike through the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe Valley

Madagascar

Unique biodiversity meets diverse landscapes

6.5

Baobab trees line a dirt road near Morondava, some estimated at over eight hundred years old. Farmers cleared the surrounding forest long ago, leaving the ancient trees standing alone. Visitors can walk the avenue at sunset as the sky turns orange behind the trunks. Nearby forests still shelter lemurs found nowhere else on Earth.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Dive the coral reefs of Nosy Be Island
• 🦎 Spot lemurs and chameleons in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
• 🌳 Walk the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset

Addo Elephant National Park

Big Five Safari in Malaria-Free Wilds

7.1

Addo protects one of Africa's densest elephant populations, descended from just eleven survivors. Rangers established the park in 1931 to save the herd from extinction. Visitors can watch elephants gather at waterholes just yards from the road. Nearby dung beetles, also protected here, cross the paths in large numbers.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore hiking trails with panoramic views of the park
• 🐘 Observe the famous large elephant herds roaming freely
• 🦁 Go on guided game drives to see the Big Five

Kittilä

Lapland’s Arctic Playground Year-Round

8.0

Reindeer herds still cross the roads around Kittila in Finnish Lapland. Sami herders have managed these migratory routes across the region for generations. Visitors can join a sled ride pulled by reindeer through snow-covered forest. Nearby fells offer some of the clearest views of the northern lights.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike scenic trails in the beautiful Levi ski region
• 🐕 Experience exhilarating husky and reindeer sledding tours
• ❄️ Spend a magical night in the SnowVillage ice hotel

El Yunque National Forest

Tropical rainforest paradise in Caribbean

7.7

El Yunque is a rare tropical rainforest managed directly by the U.S. Forest Service. Rain falls on the mountains here on most days of the year. Visitors can hike to waterfalls beneath a dense canopy of ferns and palms. Nearby, a rare coqui frog's call can be heard through the trees at dusk.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore El Yunque Peak trail, a challenging rainforest hike
• 🌄 Climb Mt. Britton Tower for panoramic rainforest views
• 🌊 Hike to the stunning La Mina Falls and swim

Pirin National Park

Alpine Peaks, Glacial Lakes, Wild Beauty

7.8

Glacial lakes dot Pirin's high peaks, carved by ice that retreated thousands of years ago. Ancient pine trees in the park include specimens believed to be over a thousand years old. Visitors can hike between lakes with views of the Rila and Rhodope ranges beyond. Nearby caves cut through marble formed deep within the mountains.

Highlights:

• 💧 Relax beside crystal-clear glacial lakes like Bezbog
• 🥾 Hike the thrilling Koncheto Ridge with spectacular views
• ⛰️ Conquer Vihren Peak, Bulgaria’s second-highest mountain

Amboseli National Park

Elephants Against Kilimanjaro's Backdrop

7.9

Amboseli's plains offer some of Africa's clearest views of elephants against Kilimanjaro's peak. Researchers have studied the same elephant families here since the 1970s. Visitors can watch herds cross dried lakebeds with the mountain rising behind them. Nearby swamps stay green year-round, drawing wildlife even in dry seasons.

Highlights:

• 📸 Photograph flamingos and pelicans at Amboseli’s shimmering lakes
• 🌅 Take a sunrise safari and spot lions, zebras, and giraffes
• 🐘 Watch herds of elephants roam with Mount Kilimanjaro as backdrop

Kaziranga National Park

Land of Rhinos and Wild Grasslands

7.5

Kaziranga shelters roughly two thirds of the world's greater one-horned rhinos. Conservation efforts here rebuilt the population from a small remnant group a century ago. Visitors can spot rhinos grazing in tall grass from the back of an elephant. Nearby wetlands also support tigers, elephants and swamp deer.

Highlights:

• 🚙 Join a jeep safari to explore the diverse wildlife
• 🦏 Spot the majestic one-horned rhinoceros in its natural habitat
• 🐘 Embark on an exhilarating elephant safari in Kaziranga

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida's wild swamp wilderness experience

7.5

Big Cypress protects a swamp forest where Florida panthers still roam freely. Rangers have tracked the elusive cats through the preserve's cypress domes for decades. Visitors can spot wading birds and alligators along the Tamiami Trail boardwalks. Nearby, the preserve borders the Everglades' vast sawgrass marshes.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle through mangrove tunnels on a guided kayak trip
• 🐊 Spot alligators and wading birds along the Loop Road
• 🛻 Take a swamp buggy tour through the cypress landscape

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Barrier of spears touching sky

7.7

San rock art found in Drakensberg caves dates back thousands of years. These paintings record hunting scenes created by some of southern Africa's earliest inhabitants. Visitors can hike to view galleries of ancient art within the cliffs. Nearby peaks rank among the tallest in southern Africa.

Highlights:

• 🦅 Spot eland and bearded vultures soaring above valleys
• 🖼️ Explore ancient San rock art at Giants Castle Reserve
• 🥾 Hike the Giants Cup Trail through breathtaking mountain scenery

Bandhavgarh National Park

Tiger territory in ancient forests

7.2

Bandhavgarh holds one of India's highest densities of wild tigers. Rangers have tracked individual tigers across the park's forest since the 1960s. Visitors can spot them from open jeeps along winding forest trails. Nearby ruins of an old fort sit atop a hill within the park.

Highlights:

• 🦚 Spot leopards, deer, and exotic birds at sunrise
• 🏰 Climb to Bandhavgarh Fort and explore ancient ruins
• 🐅 Go on a tiger safari through the Tala zone

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Where volcanoes meet ancient traditions

6.5

Mount Bromo's crater still sends thin smoke rising over a vast sea of volcanic sand. Local Tenggerese communities toss offerings into the crater during an annual festival. Visitors can watch sunrise from a nearby viewpoint as the smoke drifts upward. Nearby, Mount Semeru remains one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes.

Highlights:

• 🐎 Explore the vast Sea of Sand and ride across it on horseback
• ⛰️ Climb Mount Semeru, Java's highest peak, on an adventurous trek
• 🌅 Witness the sunrise from Penanjakan Hill for breathtaking views

Chapada Diamantina National Park

Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History

7.7

Miners once combed Chapada Diamantina's rivers for diamonds during a boom in the 1800s. The same rugged terrain now draws hikers instead of prospectors. Visitors can swim in the Poco Encantado cave, where sunlight turns the water an intense blue. Nearby waterfalls drop from plateaus carved over millions of years.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore the vast Lapa Doce Cave with guided tours
• 💧 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poço Azul
• ⛰️ Hike to the top of Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic views

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Otherworldly volcanic landscape on Earth

7.7

Lava fields at Craters of the Moon formed during eruptions that ended only a few thousand years ago. Astronauts once trained here because the terrain resembled the lunar surface. Visitors can walk through lava tubes and across fields of hardened black rock. Nearby cinder cones offer views across the wider volcanic plain.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive and stop along the 7-mile scenic Loop Road
• 🦇 Explore lava tube caves with a free permit
• ⛰️ Hike to the top of Inferno Cone for panoramic views

Kanha National Park

Tiger paradise in magical wilderness

7.6

Kanha's sal forests are said to have inspired the setting of The Jungle Book. Rudyard Kipling never visited, but the landscape closely matches his descriptions. Visitors can spot tigers and barasingha deer from open safari vehicles. Nearby meadows support one of India's last populations of the rare deer.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Join a guided birdwatching tour through the sal forest
• 🦌 Observe barasingha deer grazing in open meadows
• 🐅 Spot Bengal tigers on an early morning jungle safari

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons

6.9

Rainwater collects in blue and green pools among Lencois Maranhenses' rolling white dunes. Rain falls heavily enough each year to fill the lagoons between the sand ridges. Visitors can swim in the pools during the wetter months of the year. Nearby dunes shift constantly, reshaped by strong coastal winds.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Watch the sunrise reflect on the mesmerizing lagoons
• 🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 ride across the vast dunes
• 💧 Swim in the turquoise lagoons after a hot dune trek

Los Glaciares National Park

Where glaciers meet towering peaks

8.4

Perito Moreno Glacier within this park remains one of the few glaciers still advancing worldwide. Ice regularly calves from its face into the lake below with a loud crack. Visitors can walk boardwalks positioned close to the glacier's edge. Nearby, Mount Fitz Roy draws climbers to its sharp granite spire.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
• 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
• 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks

Pantanal Matogrossense National Park

World's largest tropical wetland paradise

7.6

The Pantanal floods each year, creating the world's largest tropical wetland. Ranchers here have long grazed cattle alongside jaguars and giant otters. Visitors can spot jaguars from boats along rivers more easily than almost anywhere else. Nearby lodges offer horseback trips through the flooded grassland.

Highlights:

• 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
• 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
• 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park

Where two nations preserve wilderness

8.9

Canada and the United States jointly manage this park, the world's first international peace park. Officials created it in 1932 to mark friendship between the two countries. Visitors can hike trails that cross freely between both nations' sides. Nearby lakes sit ringed by peaks shared across the border.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Canoe or kayak on serene Waterton Lake
• 🚗 Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road
• 🥾 Hike the challenging Crypt Lake Trail with stunning views

Riksgränsen

Arctic skiing under midnight sun

7.7

The midnight sun stays visible over Riksgransen through much of the summer season. Skiers can ride lifts under full daylight even late into the evening hours. Visitors can ski beneath the midnight sun or watch the northern lights in winter. Nearby lakes and fells fill the surrounding Swedish Lapland countryside.

Highlights:

• ⛷️ Explore off-piste slopes like Uffe’s Wall and Rimfors
• 🚁 Take a heli-skiing adventure on untouched powder
• 🎿 Ski or snowboard under the midnight sun in spring

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Crystal waters and pristine wilderness

8.1

Reefs around the Andaman Islands shelter coral rarely seen elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. Isolation from the mainland has kept much of the marine life undisturbed. Visitors can snorkel over the reefs just off Havelock Island's beaches. Nearby forests still shelter tribes that have limited contact with outsiders.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel at Elephant Beach’s vibrant coral reefs
• 🏰 Explore Cellular Jail, a historic colonial prison
• 🏖️ Relax on Radhanagar Beach, Asia's best beach

Borneo

Wild rainforests meet unique wildlife

7.9

Rainforests across Borneo shelter some of the last wild orangutans on Earth. Conservation centres have rehabilitated orphaned orangutans here since the 1960s. Visitors can watch them swing through the canopy at feeding platforms. Nearby rivers wind through jungle that logging roads have almost never reached.

Highlights:

• 🦇 Explore unique limestone caves in Gunung Mulu National Park
• 🦧 See orangutans up close at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
• 🏔️ Climb Mount Kinabalu for unforgettable summit views

Fernando de Noronha

World's Best Beaches and Dolphins

8.5

Spinner dolphins gather by the hundreds each morning in Fernando de Noronha's bay. Researchers have studied the same pod's daily pattern for decades. Visitors can watch from the shore as the dolphins circle just offshore. Nearby beaches limit daily visitor numbers to protect the surrounding marine park.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Take a boat tour to spot dolphins and sea turtles
• ⛰️ Hike to the Morro Dois Irmãos viewpoint for stunning vistas
• 🤿 Snorkel vibrant reefs at Baía do Sancho, world’s top beach

Rhodope Mountains

Ancient mystical Balkan wilderness

7.5

Traditional bagpipe music has been passed down through villages across the Rhodope Mountains for generations. Shepherds in this range still graze sheep on remote hillside pastures. Visitors can hike between villages that maintain centuries-old folk traditions. Nearby caves hold formations that took thousands of years to form.

Highlights:

• 🏡 Visit traditional villages like Shiroka Laka and enjoy folklore
• 🏰 Explore medieval Asen’s Fortress near Asenovgrad
• 🧗‍♂️ Hike through the breathtaking Trigrad Gorge and Devil’s Throat

Azores

Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders

8.5

Hot springs heat the water at Furnas, where locals still cook stew buried in volcanic ground. Cooks bury pots each morning and dig them up hours later fully cooked. Visitors can taste the dish, cozido, straight from the earth oven. Nearby crater lakes fill old volcanic calderas with strikingly blue and green water.

Highlights:

• 🍵 Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation at Gorreana
• ♨️ Relax in the thermal waters of Caldeira Velha
• 🥾 Hike through the volcanic landscapes of Sete Cidades

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wild heart of Central Africa

5.9

Virunga National Park shelters mountain gorillas within dense rainforest near an active volcano. Rangers have protected the park's gorilla families despite decades of regional conflict. Visitors can trek through the forest to observe a habituated troop up close. Nearby, Mount Nyiragongo's crater holds one of the world's largest lava lakes.

Highlights:

• 🐒 Visit the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary near Kinshasa
• 🦍 Go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
• 🌋 Trek the active lava lake at Mount Nyiragongo

Dominica

Nature island with pristine rainforests

8.1

Boiling Lake sits inside Dominica's rainforest, its water kept near boiling by volcanic heat below. Hikers reach it on a demanding trail that crosses a valley of steaming vents. Visitors can view the lake's grey water from a ridge above the basin. Nearby rivers wind through forest still largely untouched by development.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel at Champagne Reef, bubbling volcanic waters
• 🌋 Hike to Boiling Lake, one of the world's largest boiling lakes
• 🌊 Visit Trafalgar Falls, the iconic twin waterfalls

East Timor

Coral reefs, mountain trails and quiet beaches

6.7

Coral reefs off East Timor's coast remain largely untouched by mass tourism. Divers have only recently begun exploring waters long closed off by decades of conflict. Visitors can snorkel reefs that rank among the least disturbed in Southeast Asia. Nearby mountain villages still farm coffee on slopes planted by Portuguese settlers.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel in the vibrant reefs of Atauro Island
• ✝️ Visit Cristo Rei statue overlooking Dili Bay
• ⛰️ Climb Mount Ramelau for breathtaking sunrise views

Kyrgyzstan

Untouched mountain wilderness awaits explorers

7.5

Nomadic herders still move between mountain pastures across Kyrgyzstan each summer. Families set up yurts near Song Kol Lake much as their ancestors did generations ago. Visitors can ride horses between camps and sleep in a traditional yurt. Nearby glaciers feed rivers that cut through the Tian Shan range.

Highlights:

• 🌌 Sleep in a traditional yurt under the starry sky
• ⛰️ Hike to the waterfall in the red canyons of Jeti-Ögüz
• 🏞️ Ride horseback through the alpine meadows around Lake Issyk-Kul

Lake Baikal

World's deepest lake, Siberia's jewel

7.9

Lake Baikal holds more fresh water than any other lake on the planet. Its depth and age have allowed unique species found nowhere else to evolve here. Visitors can walk across its frozen surface in winter or swim in its cold water in summer. Nearby forests shelter brown bears along largely untouched shorelines.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Swim in the icy, crystal-clear waters of Baikal
• 🚂 Ride the Circum-Baikal Railway for breathtaking views
• 🥾 Take a winter trek across the frozen lake surface

Rwanda

Land of a thousand hills

7.7

Volcanoes National Park shelters mountain gorillas in dense forest along Rwanda's northern border. Conservationists brought the species back from the brink after decades of dedicated protection work. Visitors can trek through bamboo forest to observe a habituated gorilla family. Nearby volcanic peaks rise steeply above surrounding tea plantations.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Relax on the beaches of scenic Lake Kivu
• 🌳 Explore Nyungwe Forest and walk the canopy trail
• 🦍 Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Yosemite National Park

Nature's Grand Cathedral

8.5

Granite cliffs at Yosemite include El Capitan, a wall rising over three thousand feet. Rock climbers have attempted routes on the sheer face since the mid twentieth century. Visitors can watch climbers from the valley floor or hike towards waterfalls nearby. Nearby giant sequoias grow in groves scattered through the park.

Highlights:

• 💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
• 🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
• 🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Cascading Waterfalls and Turquoise Lakes

8.2

Sixteen terraced lakes connect through Plitvice's waterfalls, their colour shifting with mineral content. Natural travertine barriers built up over centuries divide the lakes from one another. Visitors can walk wooden boardwalks suspended just above the clear water. Nearby forest trails climb through beech woods surrounding the lake system.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Take a boat ride across pristine Lake Kozjak
• 💦 See the breathtaking Veliki Slap, Croatia’s tallest waterfall
• 🌊 Walk the wooden footbridges among turquoise lakes and falls

San Pedro de Atacama

Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights

7.5

The Atacama Desert around San Pedro ranks among the driest places on Earth. Astronomers built major observatories nearby to take advantage of the region's exceptionally clear skies. Visitors can stargaze at night or explore salt flats and geysers by day. Nearby lagoons attract flocks of flamingos feeding in shallow, mineral-rich water.

Highlights:

• 🌕 Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna
• 🧂 Float effortlessly in the salt-rich Laguna Cejar
• 🌅 Witness sunrise at the geysers of El Tatio

Maui

Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity

8.8

The Road to Hana winds past waterfalls along Maui's rugged northeastern coast. Engineers carved the narrow road through dense rainforest in the early twentieth century. Visitors can stop at black sand beaches and swim beneath roadside falls. Nearby Haleakala's summit offers sunrise views above the clouds.

Highlights:

• 🐢 Snorkel with turtles at Molokini Crater reef
• 🚗 Drive the scenic and winding Road to Hana
• 🌄 Watch sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano summit

Mount Rainier National Park

A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty

8.2

Mount Rainier holds more glacial ice than any other peak in the contiguous United States. Wildflower meadows bloom briefly each summer once the deep winter snowpack finally melts. Visitors can hike trails circling the mountain's base with views of its glaciers. Nearby old-growth forest shelters some of the park's oldest trees.

Highlights:

• 🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
• 🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
• 🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Witness the Great Migration

7.0

Over a million wildebeest cross the Maasai Mara each year during the Great Migration. Maasai communities have coexisted with this wildlife on these plains for generations. Visitors can watch herds cross the Mara River, often chased by waiting crocodiles. Nearby conservancies offer quieter game drives away from the main crowds.

Highlights:

• 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the savannah
• 🐃 Witness the Great Migration crossing at Mara River
• 🦁 Embark on twice-daily game drives to spot the Big Five

Grand Teton National Park

Stunning Peaks and Wildlife Wonders

8.6

The Teton Range rises abruptly from the valley floor with no foothills in between. Geologists date the fault that lifted these peaks to roughly nine million years ago. Visitors can canoe on Jenny Lake with the jagged range reflected in the water. Nearby meadows fill with elk during the autumn rutting season.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Trek through Cascade Canyon for breathtaking views
• 💧 Explore Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point nearby
• 🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop Trail

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Home of the Giant Sequoias

8.0

General Sherman, the world's largest tree by volume, grows within Sequoia National Park. These giant sequoias can live for well over two thousand years in the Sierra Nevada's climate. Visitors can walk among trunks wide enough to drive a car through. Nearby Kings Canyon cuts one of the deepest gorges in the country.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore Crystal Cave on a guided tour
• 🧗‍♂️ Climb Moro Rock for breathtaking panoramic views
• 🌲 Visit the General Sherman Tree, largest on Earth

El Calafate

Gateway to Patagonia’s Glaciers

6.6

Perito Moreno Glacier advances towards the shore even as most glaciers worldwide retreat. Chunks of ice regularly calve off the face with a thunderous crack. Visitors can watch from walkways built just across the water from the glacier. Nearby boats cruise close enough to feel the cold air coming off the ice.

Highlights:

• 🧊 Tour Glaciarium Museum to learn about Patagonian ice
• 🐦 Explore Laguna Nimez birdwatching nature reserve
• ❄️ Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and watch ice calving

Vík í Mýrdal

Black Sands, Puffins and Volcano Views

8.1

Black sand stretches along Vik's coastline, framed by dramatic basalt sea stacks. Legend holds the stacks were once trolls turned to stone by the rising sun. Visitors can walk the beach and view the rock formations up close. Nearby cliffs host one of Iceland's largest puffin colonies each summer.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Visit the Víkurkirkja church overlooking the village and coast
• 🌊 See the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean
• 🏖️ Admire the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach and basalt cliffs

Rocky Mountain National Park

Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness

8.7

Trail Ridge Road climbs above the treeline to become the highest paved through-road in the country. Elk gather in large herds in the park's meadows each autumn during the rut. Visitors can drive the road or hike alpine tundra above eleven thousand feet. Nearby valleys shelter moose along slower-moving mountain streams.

Highlights:

• 💧 Explore Alberta Falls, a short and beautiful hiking route
• 🏞️ Climb to Sky Pond for dramatic mountain and waterfall views
• 🥾 Hike to Emerald Lake via scenic Bear Lake Trail

Åland

Nordic Sun, Archipelago Calm, Maritime Charm

7.7

Thousands of small granite islands make up the Aland archipelago between Sweden and Finland. Ferries link the islands along routes sailors have used for centuries. Visitors can cycle between islands on quiet roads bordered by red wooden cottages. Nearby waters stay calm enough for sea kayaking most of the summer.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Stroll the charming streets of Mariehamn town center
• ⛵ Visit the award-winning Maritime Museum and sailing ship Pommern
• 🏰 Explore the historic Kastelholm Castle and open-air museum

Juneau

Glaciers, whales and wild Alaska

8.3

Mendenhall Glacier flows down from an icefield just outside downtown Juneau. Visitors have watched the glacier's slow retreat from nearby viewpoints for decades. Travellers can hike to ice caves carved into the glacier's face. Nearby fjords draw whales that feed close to the shoreline each summer.

Highlights:

• 🐋 Go whale watching to see humpbacks in natural habitat
• 🚠 Take the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway for views
• 🧊 Visit the stunning Mendenhall Glacier and Visitor Center

Krka National Park

Waterfalls and Pristine Nature

7.6

Travertine waterfalls cascade through Krka National Park's forested river valley. Centuries of mineral deposits have built up the terraces seen along the river today. Visitors can walk boardwalks past cascades and swim in designated river pools. Nearby, an old watermill still sits beside one of the falls.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Walk the wooden boardwalk trail through scenic river canyons
• 🏊‍♀️ Swim in crystal-clear pools surrounded by lush forest
• 💦 Marvel at Skradinski Buk’s cascading turquoise waterfalls

Jasper National Park

Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies

8.8

Jasper's Columbia Icefield feeds glaciers that stretch across the Canadian Rockies. Visitors have ridden specialised vehicles onto the ice since the mid twentieth century. Travellers can walk directly on the glacier's surface with guides. Nearby, Maligne Lake turns a deep blue fed by glacial meltwater.

Highlights:

• 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
• 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
• 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island

Blue Mountains National Park

Majestic Views and Untamed Nature

7.7

Three sandstone pillars known as the Three Sisters rise above the park's forested valleys. Aboriginal legend explains the rock formation through a story passed down for generations. Visitors can view them from a lookout or hike down into the valley below. Nearby, a steep railway once used for mining now carries tourists downhill.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the Wentworth Falls track for breathtaking views
• 🚞 Ride the Scenic Railway through the stunning Jamison Valley
• ⛰️ Admire the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point

Curonian Spit National Park

Dunes, Forests and Baltic Magic

6.9

Shifting sand dunes along the Curonian Spit rank among the tallest in Europe. Wind has slowly buried entire villages beneath these dunes over past centuries. Visitors can climb the dunes for views across the Baltic Sea and lagoon. Nearby forests were planted to help stabilise the shifting sand.

Highlights:

• 🌾 Wander Nagliai Nature Reserve’s haunting Dead Dunes
• 🪓 Explore the mystical Hill of Witches sculpture park
• 🏖️ Climb Parnidis Dune for panoramic Baltic Sea views

Picos de Europa National Park

Jagged Peaks, Deep Gorges, Wild Spain

8.1

Jagged limestone peaks rise sharply within the Picos de Europa, Spain's oldest national park. Shepherds still move flocks through these mountains along paths used for centuries. Visitors can hike towards glacial lakes or ride a cable car up steep terrain. Nearby villages produce a strong blue cheese aged in mountain caves.

Highlights:

• 🦅 Spot wild chamois, griffon vultures, and Cantabrian brown bears
• ⛰️ Reach the summit of Torre de Cerredo, Spain’s highest peak in the Cantabrians
• 🥾 Hike the rugged Cares Gorge trail through towering cliffs

Sierra Nevada National Park

Spain’s Rooftop of Sun and Snow

8.1

Snow-capped peaks in Spain's Sierra Nevada rise close enough to the coast to see the Mediterranean. Skiers and beachgoers can reach both within the same short day. Visitors can hike alpine trails or ski some of Europe's southernmost slopes. Nearby villages in the Alpujarras still farm terraces built centuries ago.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Explore whitewashed villages of Las Alpujarras
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Los Cahorros gorge with suspended bridges
• ⛰️ Climb Mulhacén, mainland Spain's highest peak

Lofoten

Dramatic Peaks and Northern Lights

8.4

Fishing villages across Lofoten still hang cod on wooden racks to dry in the open air. Fishermen have used this same drying method here for over a thousand years. Visitors can walk among the racks in villages built on stilts over the water. Nearby peaks rise steeply enough to catch the midnight sun in summer.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Kvalvika Beach
• ⚔️ Explore the Viking history at Lofotr Viking Museum
• 🥾 Hike the steep trail up Reinebringen for views

Hokkaido

Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood

9.3

Wild red-crowned cranes gather each winter in the marshes of eastern Hokkaido. Conservationists once feared the species extinct before a small population was rediscovered in the 1920s. Visitors can watch the cranes perform mating dances in the snow. Nearby hot springs let visitors soak while snow falls around the pools.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
• 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
• 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond

Seydisfjordur

Colorful Fjord Village of the East

7.9

A colourful painted path leads from Seydisfjordur's main street to its blue church. Local artists redesigned the street's pavement as part of a community art project. Visitors can walk the rainbow road before exploring the surrounding fjord on foot. Nearby waterfalls drop from mountains that ring the narrow inlet.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Visit Gufufoss waterfall, easily accessible by road
• 🎵 Hike to Tvísöngur, the interactive sound sculpture
• ⛪ Take a photo at the iconic Blue Church and Rainbow Street

Sevan National Park

Armenia’s Blue Pearl and Peaks

7.6

Lake Sevan sits high in Armenia's mountains, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. A peninsula monastery here dates back over a thousand years. Visitors can swim in the lake or hike up to the ancient stone church. Nearby villages still fish these waters much as they have for generations.

Highlights:

• 🪦 Explore ancient khachkars at Noratus Cemetery
• 🏖️ Relax on the sandy beaches of Lake Sevan
• ⛪ Visit the hilltop Sevanavank Monastery with lake views

Inishmore

Stone Forts, Cliffs and Celtic Spirit

7.9

Stone walls divide nearly every field across Inishmore, built from cleared rock over generations. Farmers stacked the walls by hand to make the island's thin soil usable for grazing. Visitors can cycle narrow lanes between the walls towards ancient cliffside forts. Nearby cliffs drop sharply into the Atlantic along the island's western edge.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Discover ancient ruins of the Seven Churches
• 🌊 Explore the natural pool at Poll na bPeist (Wormhole)
• 🏰 Visit Dun Aonghasa, dramatic cliffside prehistoric fort

Vatnajökull National Park

Glaciers, Volcanoes and Ice Caves

8.3

Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume, covers much of this Icelandic park. Meltwater from the glacier feeds rivers that carve constantly shifting canyons below. Visitors can hike into ice caves that form fresh each winter. Nearby volcanoes beneath the ice occasionally trigger sudden floods.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Explore blue ice caves sculpted within the glacier
• 🥾 Join a guided glacier walk on Vatnajökull ice cap
• 🌊 Hike to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns

Connemara National Park

Wild Bogs, Peaks and Ponies

7.6

Wild Connemara ponies still roam freely across the boglands of this Irish park. Farmers have kept the hardy native breed here for centuries despite the harsh terrain. Visitors can hike peaks like Diamond Hill for views over the surrounding bogs. Nearby lakes and stone-walled fields fill the quiet countryside.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore the native woodland and bogs on the Tree Trail
• 📚 Visit the Connemara Visitor Centre to learn about landscape history
• 🌄 Hike up Diamond Hill for breathtaking panoramic views

Geiranger

Majestic Fjords and Dramatic Waterfalls

8.3

Waterfalls with names like the Seven Sisters cascade down the cliffs above Geirangerfjord. Farms once clung to ledges on these same cliffs, reachable only by rope or boat. Visitors can cruise beneath the falls on a boat tour through the fjord. Nearby switchback roads climb to viewpoints looking down on the water.

Highlights:

• 🦅 Drive the Eagle Road for breathtaking fjord views
• 🥾 Hike the Fosseråsa Trail to Storsæter waterfall's base
• 🚤 Take a scenic boat tour of UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord

Harz National Park

Brocken peak, steam trains and wild forests

7.8

Dense spruce forest covers much of the Harz, Germany's northernmost low mountain range. Folklore across the region ties the Brocken peak to old tales of witches gathering. Visitors can ride a steam train to the summit or hike forest trails below. Nearby villages preserve half-timbered architecture from centuries past.

Highlights:

• 🪨 Explore mystical rock formations in the Bode Gorge
• 🚂 Ride the scenic Brocken Railway through mountain forests
• 🥾 Hike to the Brocken summit, the park’s highest peak

Mount Cook National Park

New Zealand’s alpine wonderland

8.8

Aoraki, New Zealand's tallest peak, rises straight from glacial valleys within the park. Climbers have used the mountain as a training ground since the early 1900s. Visitors can hike to Hooker Lake and watch icebergs drift near its face. Nearby, the park holds some of the darkest skies for stargazing in the country.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
• 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
• 🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Nature's Untamed Sanctuary

7.1

Ngorongoro Crater formed when an ancient volcano collapsed inward on itself. Wildlife stays within the crater's walls year-round due to its steep, contained terrain. Visitors can spot lions, rhinos and elephants concentrated within a single caldera. Nearby Maasai communities still graze cattle on the surrounding highland slopes.

Highlights:

• 🛖 Visit a Maasai village and learn their traditions
• 🐘 Spot the Big Five in one morning safari
• 🦁 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive

Huangshan

Mystical Peaks and Ancient Villages

7.6

Twisted pine trees cling to Huangshan's granite peaks, some clinging on for centuries. Painters have used the mountain's misty scenery as a subject since at least the Ming dynasty. Visitors can hike between peaks on stone steps carved into the cliffside. Nearby hot springs offer a soak after the steep climb.

Highlights:

• 🪨 Admire the oddly shaped granite rocks and ancient pines
• 🌲 Walk the steep stone paths through pine-covered peaks
• 🌄 Climb to the summit for sunrise above the sea of clouds

Tongariro National Park

Volcanic landscapes and epic hikes

8.1

Three active volcanoes rise within Tongariro, New Zealand's oldest national park. Maori tribes gifted the sacred peaks to the government in 1887 to protect them from development. Visitors can hike the Alpine Crossing past craters and turquoise volcanic lakes. Nearby ski fields open on the same slopes each winter.

Highlights:

• 💧 Relax by the vibrant Emerald Lakes along the trail
• ⛰️ Climb to Red Crater for stunning panoramic views
• 🥾 Hike the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing and witness volcanic craters

Acadia National Park

Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty

8.4

Cadillac Mountain's granite summit is known as an early spot to see sunrise in the U.S. Early risers have hiked up before dawn since the park opened in 1919. Visitors can watch the light spread over Frenchman Bay from the bare rock top. Nearby, carriage roads built by Rockefeller wind through quiet spruce forest.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive the Park Loop Road for coastal and forest views
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Jordan Pond Path surrounded by nature
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain

Yakushima

Ancient cedars, mossy forest and waterfalls

8.8

Cedar trees on Yakushima include specimens believed to be over a thousand years old. Moss-covered forests here are said to have inspired scenes in an animated film. Visitors can hike trails deep into the misty, ancient woodland. Nearby waterfalls drop through dense subtropical rainforest near the coast.

Highlights:

• 🐒 Spot Yakushima macaques and deer along forest trails
• 🌳 See Jomon Sugi, Japan’s legendary 7,000-year-old cedar tree
• 🌲 Hike through the ancient cedar forests of Shiratani Unsuikyo

Patagonia

Untamed Beauty at the End of the World

8.3

Glaciers and jagged granite peaks define much of Patagonia's remote southern landscape. Sheep ranching has shaped the region's economy since settlers arrived in the late 1800s. Visitors can trek past ice fields or drive long, empty roads between mountain towns. Nearby fjords and lakes fill the region's sparsely populated interior.

Highlights:

• 🐧 Explore the diverse wildlife on Peninsula Valdés
• ❄️ Witness the massive Perito Moreno Glacier up close
• 🥾 Hike the legendary trails of Torres del Paine National Park

Giethoorn

Venice of the North, Without Roads

7.6

Canals replace roads through much of Giethoorn, a village built on drained peat bogs. Residents still travel between farmhouses by flat-bottomed boat rather than by car. Visitors can hire a boat or walk over small arched bridges connecting the islands. Nearby thatched-roof farmhouses date back over a century.

Highlights:

• 🍽️ Dine at a waterfront terrace overlooking the canals
• 🌸 Admire thatched cottages and flowered bridges along the waterways
• 🛶 Glide through Giethoorn’s canals on a whisper boat

Vermont

Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm

8.4

Maple syrup production has shaped rural Vermont's economy for generations. Sugar shacks across the state still boil sap each spring using methods passed down for years. Visitors can tour a working sugarhouse during the harvest season. Nearby covered bridges and dairy farms fill the surrounding countryside.

Highlights:

• 🎿 Ski the snowy slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort
• 🍦 Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
• 🍂 Admire fall foliage on Vermont’s scenic byways

Clarens

Art, Adventure and Mountain Calm

7.4

Sandstone cliffs surround the small town of Clarens in South Africa's eastern highlands. Farmers settled the area in the early 1900s, drawn by the fertile mountain valley. Visitors can hike nearby trails or browse galleries filled with local art. Nearby caves hold San rock paintings estimated at centuries old.

Highlights:

• 🎨 Visit the local art galleries and craft shops
• 🌊 Go white water rafting along the Ash River
• 🧗‍♂️ Explore Golden Gate Highlands National Park's sandstone cliffs

Wulingyuan nature reserve

Misty Peaks of Avatar Fame

7.5

Thousands of quartz-sandstone pillars rise from the forest across Wulingyuan. These narrow peaks are said to have inspired the floating mountains in a well-known film. Visitors can ride a glass lift up a cliff face for sweeping views. Nearby bridges cross gorges suspended high above the valley floor.

Highlights:

• 🦇 Explore the mystical Yellow Dragon Cave with its formations
• 🥾 Hike the Golden Whip Stream through sandstone peaks
• 🚡 Ride the world's highest Bailong Elevator at Yuanjiajie

Cairngorms National Park

Scotland’s Wild Heart of Adventure

8.1

Ancient Caledonian pine forest still covers parts of the Cairngorms' high plateau. Scotland's largest national park protects some of the country's last old-growth woodland. Visitors can spot red deer and golden eagles along quiet mountain trails. Nearby distilleries draw on the same water that feeds the park's rivers.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore historic Balmoral Castle and royal estate
• 🐾 Visit Highland Wildlife Park for rare Scottish animals
• 🏞️ Hike to Loch an Eilein with its 13th-century castle

Shikoku

Pilgrimage trail, gorges and hot springs

8.1

A pilgrimage route across Shikoku links eighty-eight Buddhist temples founded over a thousand years ago. Pilgrims traditionally walk the full circuit, a journey covering over seven hundred miles. Visitors can walk sections of the route between rural temples and rice paddies. Nearby gorges and rivers wind through the island's mountainous interior.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in Dōgo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring
• 🌊 Admire the whirlpools of Naruto Strait from the Ōnaruto Bridge
• ⛩️ Complete the 88 Temple Pilgrimage across Shikoku

Kiawah Island

Wildlife, Beaches and Luxe Retreats

7.4

Loggerhead turtles nest along Kiawah Island's beaches through the warmer months. Volunteers have monitored the nests here for decades to protect hatchlings reaching the sea. Visitors can walk the shoreline at dawn to spot fresh turtle tracks. Nearby maritime forest shelters deer and a wide range of birdlife.

Highlights:

• 🚴‍♀️ Cycle along the peaceful island trails through maritime forests
• 🌅 Watch sunset from the pristine Kiawah Beachwalker Park
• ⛳ Play a round of golf at the Ocean Course

Amakusa

Hidden Christian sites and wild dolphins

7.5

Dolphins have lived year-round in the waters off Amakusa for generations. Local boat operators track pods that rarely leave the surrounding channels. Visitors can watch them surface just meters from small tour boats. Nearby bridges link the islands, once a refuge for hidden Christian communities.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in the seaside hot springs of Amakusa Onsen
• ⛪ Visit Sakitsu Village and its historic Catholic church
• 🐬 Spot wild dolphins on a cruise around Amakusa’s waters

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve

Colorful lakes in Tibetan mountains

7.8

Mineral-rich lakes across Jiuzhaigou hold water so clear that submerged trees remain visible below. Tibetan communities have lived among these valleys for centuries, naming many of the lakes. Visitors can walk boardwalks past pools that shift shades of blue and green. Nearby waterfalls tumble over travertine terraces built up over time.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture perfect reflections at Mirror Lake early morning
• 💧 Walk the boardwalk above Pearl Shoal Waterfall
• 🌈 Admire the vibrant hues at Five Flower Lake

Mammoth Cave National Park

World's Longest Known Cave System

7.6

Mammoth Cave forms the longest known cave system in the world. Explorers have mapped well over three hundred miles of passages since surveys began in the 1800s. Visitors can join guided tours deep beneath the surrounding Kentucky hills. Nearby, the Green River winds through forest above the hidden passages.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle the Green River through forested limestone valleys
• 🕯️ Take a guided lantern tour through historic cave routes
• 🕳️ Explore the vast underground chambers of Mammoth Cave

North York Moors

Heather moorlands meet rugged coastline

8.1

Heather blankets the North York Moors in purple across late summer. Shepherds have grazed sheep on these open moorlands for centuries. Visitors can hike trails past ancient stone crosses marking old travel routes. Nearby steam railways carry passengers through the surrounding countryside on restored heritage lines.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Walk the scenic Cleveland Way coastal trail
• 🏰 Explore the ancient ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
• 🚂 Ride the historic steam train from Pickering to Whitby

Kerama Shoto National Park

Kerama blue seas, coral and whales

8.4

Coral reefs around the Kerama Islands hold water so clear it is nicknamed Kerama blue. Whales pass through these waters each winter on their migration route. Visitors can snorkel or dive reefs just a short boat ride from Okinawa's main island. Nearby beaches stay far quieter than the busier resorts nearby.

Highlights:

• 🐢 Spot sea turtles while diving around Tokashiki Island
• 🛶 Take a scenic glass-bottom boat tour over turquoise waters
• 🤿 Snorkel among vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish

Lech and Zürs am Arlberg

Alpine luxury meets skiing heritage

8.2

Heavy snowfall around Lech and Zurs has drawn skiers to the Arlberg region since the early 1900s. Farming families in the valley once relied on the same slopes for summer grazing. Visitors can ski deep powder by day and relax at mountain huts by evening. Nearby trails switch to hiking routes once the snow melts.

Highlights:

• 🚠 Ride the Rüfikopf gondola for panoramic alpine views
• 🚶‍♂️ Hike or bike the scenic Green Ring art trail
• 🎿 Ski the famous White Ring circuit in winter

Moustiers Sainte Marie

Gateway to the Verdon Gorge

7.4

A star hangs on a chain strung between two cliffs above Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Legend traces it to a knight who hung it there after returning from a crusade. Visitors can climb a steep path up to a chapel beneath the star. Nearby, the Gorges du Verdon cut a turquoise canyon through the countryside.

Highlights:

• ⭐ Admire the golden star suspended high between cliffs
• 🏺 Wander cobbled streets lined with artisan pottery workshops
• ⛪ Climb to the Chapel Notre-Dame de Beauvoir above the village

Takachiho

Rowboat gorge and shrines of Japanese myth

7.1

A deep gorge cuts through Takachiho, its cliffs formed by ancient volcanic activity. Local legend holds that Japan's sun goddess once hid in a cave near this valley. Visitors can rent a rowboat to paddle beneath the gorge's waterfall. Nearby shrines host traditional dances performed much as they were centuries ago.

Highlights:

• ⛩️ Visit Amano Iwato Shrine, said to be the cave of the sun goddess
• 🛶 Walk through the mystical Takachiho Gorge and row a boat on its river
• 🕺🏻 Watch the Takachiho Kagura night dance performance at Takachiho Shrine

Pyrenees

Where France meets Spain majestically

8.7

Shepherds still move flocks along ancient paths through the Spanish Pyrenees each summer. Stone villages tucked into these valleys have farmed the same slopes for generations. Visitors can hike between peaks with views stretching into both Spain and France. Nearby glacial lakes stay ice-cold even in the height of summer.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Explore the medieval village of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
• 🏔️ Climb Pic du Midi for panoramic mountain and valley views
• 🥾 Hike to the stunning Cirque de Gavarnie waterfall amphitheater

Annapurna

Legendary Trekking in Himalayan Diversity

8.0

Trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit pass through villages growing apples and buckwheat on terraced slopes. The route climbs from subtropical valleys to high mountain passes over several days. Hikers can stop at teahouses run by the same families for generations. Nearby, prayer flags mark passes above five thousand metres.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from Poon Hill’s panoramic viewpoint
• 🥾 Trek the iconic Annapurna Circuit with varied landscapes

Bay of Fundy

Home to world's highest tides

7.6

The Bay of Fundy sees the highest tides recorded anywhere on Earth. Water levels here can shift by more than fifteen meters between low and high tide. Visitors can walk the ocean floor at low tide, then return by kayak at high tide. Nearby cliffs hold fossils exposed by centuries of the same tidal action.

Highlights:

• 🦴 Discover fossils and cliffs along Fundy National Park trails
• 🛶 Kayak among towering sea stacks during low tide
• 🌊 Watch the world’s highest tides at Hopewell Rocks

Carinthia

Land of Lakes and Alpine Beauty

8.4

Lake Worthersee's water stays warm enough for swimming through much of the Alpine summer. Sheltered valleys around Carinthia trap heat that keeps the lake milder than nearby peaks suggest. Visitors can swim or sail with mountains rising steeply from the shoreline. Nearby villages host lakeside markets selling fruit grown in the valley.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore the underground Obir Stalactite Caves
• 🏞️ Relax at Lake Wörthersee, Austria's warmest alpine lake
• 🏰 Climb Hochosterwitz Castle and walk through 14 gates

County Mayo

Wild Atlantic beauty and sacred peaks

7.5

Croagh Patrick has drawn pilgrims up its steep slopes for well over a thousand years. Climbers still make the trek each July on a day known as Reek Sunday. Visitors can hike the same path for sweeping views over Clew Bay. Nearby cliffs at Downpatrick Head rise sharply above the Atlantic.

Highlights:

• 🍺 Visit Westport’s quaint streets and colorful pubs
• 🌊 Explore Achill Island’s dramatic cliffs and beaches
• ⛰️ Climb Croagh Patrick for stunning Atlantic views

Dordogne

Charming vineyards and medieval castles

9.2

Cro-Magnon paintings cover the walls of Lascaux, a cave discovered in the Dordogne in 1940. Teenagers stumbled on the cave while searching for a lost dog. Visitors can view a detailed replica built after the original closed to protect the art. Nearby, medieval villages sit perched above the winding Dordogne River.

Highlights:

• 🦴 Visit the prehistoric Lascaux caves replica
• 🚤 Cruise the Dordogne River on a vintage boat
• 🏰 Explore the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda

Finger Lakes

Waterfalls, wine and pristine lakes

8.0

Eleven narrow lakes carved by glaciers give the Finger Lakes region its name. Vineyards now line many of the slopes above the deep, cold water. Visitors can taste Rieslings at wineries perched over the lakeshores. Nearby waterfalls drop through gorges cut into the surrounding hillsides.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Visit Taughannock Falls, one of the tallest in the East
• 🖼️ Tour the Corning Museum of Glass and watch live demos
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park

Salzkammergut

Alpine lakes meet imperial heritage

8.3

Salt mining built the wealth of towns scattered across the Salzkammergut region for centuries. Miners once floated timber down mountain rivers to fuel the region's salt furnaces. Visitors can tour old salt mines and ride slides once used to move workers underground. Nearby lakes reflect the surrounding peaks in clear alpine water.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Explore the Dachstein Ice Caves and Five Fingers viewpoint
• 🚂 Ride the historic Schafbergbahn steam cog railway
• 🏘️ Visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt

Tyrol

Alpine paradise in all seasons

8.9

Alpine farms across Tyrol still produce cheese using methods passed down for generations. Cable cars now carry skiers up slopes once used only for summer grazing. Visitors can hike high mountain trails or ski deep snow depending on the season. Nearby valleys host traditional festivals celebrating the region's farming heritage.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore medieval castles like Ambras and Tratzberg
• ✨ Visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds for glittering art installations
• 🥾 Hike the Adlerweg trail for stunning mountain views

Aomori

Apples, giant lantern floats and beech forests

7.9

Orchards across Aomori grow more apples than anywhere else in Japan. Farmers have refined the region's varieties since apple trees arrived in the 1870s. Visitors can pick fruit straight from the trees each autumn. Nearby forests turn deep red as the same harvest season begins.

Highlights:

• 🍎 Taste fresh apples and local seafood at Aomori markets
• ♨️ Relax in a hot spring overlooking snow-capped mountains
• 🎆 Experience the vibrant Nebuta Matsuri summer festival floats

Lesotho

Mountain kingdom in the sky

6.1

Lesotho sits entirely above one thousand metres, earning it the nickname Kingdom in the Sky. Basotho herders still travel these highlands on horseback, wrapped in traditional wool blankets. Visitors can ride a pony trek between remote mountain villages. Nearby waterfalls drop from cliffs across the Maloti Mountains.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Discover Thaba Bosiu, the birthplace of the Basotho nation
• 🐎 Ride a Basotho pony through mountain villages and valleys
• 💦 Visit the majestic Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong

Maine

Lobsters, Lighthouses and Lush Landscapes

8.0

Rocky shoreline and dense spruce forest define much of coastal and inland Maine. Lighthouses built along the coast have guided fishing boats since the 1700s. Visitors can hike Acadia's granite peaks or paddle the state's inland lakes. Nearby small towns still run working lobster boats out of quiet harbours.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Visit the Portland Head Light, Maine’s iconic lighthouse
• 🦞 Eat a freshly steamed lobster at a coastal shack
• 🌄 Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park

New Hampshire

Mountains, lakes and coastal charm

8.3

The White Mountains fill much of northern New Hampshire with dense forest and granite peaks. A cog railway has carried visitors up Mount Washington's summit since 1869. Visitors can ride the train or hike trails known for sudden, severe weather. Nearby covered bridges cross rivers throughout the surrounding countryside.

Highlights:

• ⛷️ Ski the snow-covered slopes of Bretton Woods
• 🏔️ Climb Mount Washington and experience powerful summit winds
• 🍁 Drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway through fall foliage

Samoa

Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains

7.8

To-Sua Ocean Trench forms a giant swimming hole connected to the sea by an underwater channel. A ladder descends nearly a hundred feet into the garden-ringed pool below. Visitors can swim in the trench's calm, clear water surrounded by tropical plants. Nearby villages still follow traditional Samoan customs known as fa'a Samoa.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore the lush jungle on the Canopy Walk
• 💦 Slide down natural waterfalls at Papase’ea
• 🌊 Swim in the stunning To Sua Ocean Trench

Yellowstone National Park

Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness

8.8

Yellowstone holds more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on Earth. Old Faithful has erupted predictably enough to draw crowds since the park opened in 1872. Visitors can watch the geyser or spot bison grazing across open valleys. Nearby canyons reveal colourful mineral deposits carved by the Yellowstone River.

Highlights:

• 🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
• 🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
• 🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone

Tromsø

Arctic Lights, Culture and Wild Beauty

7.7

The aurora borealis appears frequently over Tromso, positioned well within the northern lights zone. Fishing and trading built the town's economy long before tourism arrived in recent decades. Visitors can join a boat trip to watch the lights reflect off Arctic fjords. Nearby mountains offer skiing lit by the midnight sun each summer.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Visit the Arctic Cathedral and admire its striking design
• 🛳️ Take a fjord cruise and marvel at frozen landscapes
• 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights across the Arctic night sky

San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland

7.4

Swiss and German settlers shaped Bariloche's alpine-style architecture in the early twentieth century. The town sits on the edge of a large lake ringed by forested mountains. Visitors can ski nearby slopes in winter or hike lakeside trails in summer. Nearby chocolate shops carry on a tradition brought by early European immigrants.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
• 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
• 🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views

Banff National Park

Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes

9.2

Glacial melt gives Moraine Lake its intense turquoise colour each summer. The lake sits inside a valley once nicknamed the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Visitors can canoe across the water with the surrounding peaks reflected on its surface. Nearby trails climb towards glaciers that feed the lake below.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
• 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
• 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views

Ushuaia

End of the World Adventures

7.0

Ushuaia sits at the southern tip of South America, often called the end of the world. Ships bound for Antarctica depart from the town's harbour each summer season. Visitors can hike Tierra del Fuego's forests or cruise the Beagle Channel. Nearby glaciers and peaks rise sharply above the surrounding coastline.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike to Laguna Esmeralda surrounded by snow-capped peaks
• 🚂 Take the End of the World Train to Tierra del Fuego National Park
• 🚢 Cruise through the Beagle Channel and spot sea lions

El Chalten

Hiking Capital of Argentina

7.7

El Chalten grew up as a trekking base beneath the jagged peak of Fitz Roy. Argentina founded the town in 1985 partly to settle a border dispute with Chile. Visitors can hike to a glacial lake with the peak reflected in the water. Nearby trails lead towards other granite spires favoured by climbers.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Climb steep trail sections for breathtaking mountain panoramas
• 🌊 Explore Laguna Capri’s peaceful turquoise waters
• 🏞️ Hike to Laguna de Los Tres for Mount Fitz Roy views

Arenal Volcano National Park

Lava Trails, Rainforest and Epic Views

8.4

Arenal's near-perfect cone rises above rainforest and pasture in northern Costa Rica. The volcano stayed continuously active for decades before quieting in recent years. Visitors can hike lava fields formed by past eruptions and soak in nearby hot springs. Nearby lakes offer views of the cone reflected in still water.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Enjoy spectacular volcano views from multiple lookout points
• 🌿 Explore rainforest biodiversity on the El Ceibo circuit
• 🌋 Hike the Las Coladas trail over old lava flows

Lauterbrunnen

Valley of 72 waterfalls

9.1

Seventy-two waterfalls drop from cliffs lining the Lauterbrunnen valley. Staubbach Falls, the tallest of them, was said to have inspired part of a Goethe poem. Visitors can walk the valley floor beneath the falls with the Jungfrau peak in view. Nearby cable cars climb towards alpine meadows above the valley walls.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the scenic Valley of 72 Waterfalls trail
• 🌊 Explore the glacier-fed Trümmelbach Falls inside a mountain
• 💦 Admire the towering Staubbach Falls cascading nearby

Þingvellir National Park

Where History Meets Nature’s Power

7.9

Thingvellir sits in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates slowly pull apart. Iceland's parliament met here in the open air starting in the year 930. Visitors can walk through the widening crack between the two tectonic plates. Nearby, clear glacial water at Silfra draws divers from around the world.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear Silfra fissure
• 💧 Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall in the Almannagjá gorge
• 🌍 Walk through the rift valley between tectonic plates

Manuel Antonio National Park

Jungle, Wildlife and Stunning Beaches

7.2

Manuel Antonio packs rainforest, beaches and coral reef into one of Costa Rica's smallest parks. Sloths and white-faced monkeys move through the canopy just above the main trails. Visitors can swim at a beach bordered directly by jungle. Nearby lookout points offer views over the Pacific coastline.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds
• 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Playa Manuel Antonio
• 🐒 Hike jungle trails filled with monkeys and sloths

Palawan

Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs

8.2

An underground river flows through a cave system beneath Palawan's coastal cliffs. Paddlers can travel over five miles into the mountain along this navigable waterway. Visitors can take a boat tour through chambers filled with stalactites. Nearby lagoons at El Nido sit ringed by dramatic limestone karst.

Highlights:

• 🏝️ Go island hopping around the turquoise waters of Coron Bay
• 🛶 Explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• ⛵ Sail through the limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido

Triglav National Park

Slovenia’s Natural Beauty

7.9

Triglav, Slovenia's tallest peak, gives its name to the country's only national park. Climbing the mountain is considered by many locals a rite of passage. Visitors can hike towards alpine lakes fed by meltwater from the surrounding glaciers. Nearby gorges cut through limestone shaped by rivers over thousands of years.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore the emerald waters of Lake Bohinj
• 💧 Discover the stunning Peričnik Waterfall
• 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Vintgar Gorge

Dingle

Wild Atlantic Views, Music & Craic

8.1

A resident dolphin named Fungie lived in Dingle's harbour for decades, drawing visitors to the town. Fishermen there have long shared the waters with dolphins passing through the bay. Visitors can take a boat trip out to look for dolphins in the harbour. Nearby cliffs along the Dingle Peninsula offer sweeping Atlantic views.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore Dunbeg Promontory Fort and coastal cliffs
• ⛪ Visit the ancient Gallarus Oratory stone chapel
• 🚗 Drive the scenic Slea Head Loop with coastal views

Réunion

An Island of Adventure and Beauty

8.3

Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes, dominates southern Reunion. Lava flows here regularly reshape the surrounding black rock landscape. Visitors can hike across recent flows to the edge of the crater. Nearby cirques ringed by cliffs shelter villages reachable mainly on foot.

Highlights:

• 🚁 Explore the Cirque de Mafate by air or on foot
• 🏖️ Swim in turquoise waters at L’Ermitage Beach lagoon
• 🌋 Hike the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano crater

Selfoss

Gateway to Iceland’s South Coast

7.5

Rivers and waterfalls crisscross the farmland surrounding Selfoss in southern Iceland. Farmers here raise much of the country's livestock on the fertile volcanic plain. Visitors can stop at nearby Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall walkable from behind. Nearby geothermal areas send steam rising from fields just outside town.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ See restored buildings in Selfoss New Old Town plaza
• 🌉 Stroll along the Ölfusá River and view suspension bridge
• 🏠 Visit the Icelandic Turf House museum village

Sintra-Cascais Nature Park

Where Europe meets the Atlantic

8.2

Misty forest surrounds Sintra's hilltop palaces, built as summer retreats for Portuguese royalty. Cooler mountain air drew nobles away from Lisbon's summer heat for centuries. Visitors can tour colourful palaces or hike trails through the surrounding woods. Nearby cliffs along the coast offer dramatic Atlantic views.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Visit Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe
• 🌿 Explore enchanting Quinta da Regaleira gardens and wells
• 🥾 Hike scenic trails to Pena Palace and Moorish Castle

San Martin de los Andes

Patagonian Paradise by Lake Lácar

7.1

Forested mountains and clear lakes surround the small town of San Martin de los Andes. Loggers and ranchers first settled the area before tourism became the main draw. Visitors can drive the Seven Lakes Route through some of Patagonia's most scenic terrain. Nearby trails lead into national parks bordering the Chilean frontier.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Relax and swim at Playa Quila Quina beach
• ⛷️ Ski or snowboard at Cerro Chapelco Resort
• 🛣️ Drive the scenic Route of the Seven Lakes

Dolomites National Park

Towering peaks and pristine wilderness

8.4

Jagged limestone peaks in the Dolomites turn pink at sunset in a glow known locally as enrosadira. Farming families still run mountain huts that have served hikers for generations. Visitors can hike between huts with views of sheer rock towers overhead. Nearby valleys blend Italian and Austrian culture in food and language.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
• 🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
• 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail

Wanaka

Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity

8.6

A lone willow tree stands partly submerged in the clear water of Lake Wanaka. Photographers have made the tree one of New Zealand's most recognised natural landmarks. Visitors can walk the lakeside path for views of the tree and surrounding peaks. Nearby orchards grow stone fruit across the sunny Central Otago valley.

Highlights:

• 🧗‍♂️ Climb the world's highest waterfall via ferrata at Wildwire
• 🌳 Snap photos of the iconic Wanaka Tree by the lake
• 🥾 Hike Roys Peak for breathtaking lake and mountain views

Low Tatras National Park

Slovakia’s Wild Ridges and Hidden Caves

7.9

Karst caves beneath the Low Tatras hold some of Slovakia's largest known cave systems. Ice formations inside several caves persist even through warmer months of the year. Visitors can tour caverns filled with stalactites and frozen waterfalls. Nearby peaks offer hiking in summer and skiing once the snow arrives.

Highlights:

• 🎿 Ski or snowboard at Jasná, Slovakia’s top alpine resort
• ❄️ Explore the Demänovská Cave of Liberty with its stunning ice formations
• 🏔️ Hike to the summit of Ďumbier for panoramic mountain views

Kranjska Gora

Alpine Adventure at Slovenia’s Edge

7.8

Slovenia's highest peak, Triglav, rises visibly above the village of Kranjska Gora. Farmers in this valley have grazed livestock on the same alpine meadows for generations. Visitors can hike towards the Vrsic Pass for sweeping views of the Julian Alps. Nearby lakes reflect the surrounding peaks in still morning water.

Highlights:

• 🎿 Ski the slopes at Kranjska Gora in winter
• 🏔️ Take in mountain views from Vršič Pass’s winding road
• 🌿 Hike to the emerald waters of Lake Jasna

Nizwa

Ancient Capital with Mountain Charm

7.5

A centuries-old fort anchors Nizwa, once a key trading hub in Oman's interior. Farmers still irrigate date palm groves nearby using an ancient underground channel system. Visitors can walk the fort's tower for views over the surrounding oasis. Nearby markets sell goats and produce much as they have for generations.

Highlights:

• 🐐 Visit the lively Friday livestock market for unique experience
• 🛍️ Shop traditional crafts and spices at Nizwa Souq
• 🏰 Explore the massive historic Nizwa Fort and towers

Villa la Angostura

Patagonia's Hidden Gem

7.5

Ancient arrayan trees with cinnamon-coloured bark grow in a forest unique to this region. A single grove near Villa La Angostura is said to have inspired part of a Disney film. Visitors can hike or take a boat to walk among the unusual trees. Nearby lakes reflect forested mountains typical of the Argentine Lake District.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Relax along the tranquil shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi
• ⛷️ Admire panoramic views from the Cerro Bayo ski resort
• 🌲 Hike the enchanting trails of Los Arrayanes National Park

Lake Tekapo

The Glacial Gem of the South Island

8.6

Lake Tekapo sits within one of the largest official dark sky reserves on Earth. Strict lighting rules around the town keep the night sky free of light pollution. Visitors can stargaze from the lakeshore or join a tour at a nearby observatory. Nearby lupins bloom in bright colours along the water's edge each summer.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax and soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools
• 🌌 Stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
• ⛪ Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd

Revelstoke

Big Mountain Adventure, Small Town Soul

8.0

Deep snowfall in the mountains around Revelstoke draws some of the heaviest annual totals in Canada. Railway workers first settled the town during construction of the transcontinental line. Visitors can ski powder by day and soak in nearby hot springs after. Nearby glaciers feed rivers that cut through the surrounding valleys.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the alpine trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park
• 🚠 Ride the gondola for sweeping Columbia Valley views
• 🎿 Ski deep powder slopes at Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Furano

Lavender fields and powder snow in Hokkaido

8.1

Lavender fields blanket Furano's hills in deep purple each July. Farmers here began growing the crop commercially after founding one of Japan's first lavender farms. Visitors can walk between rows of blooming lavender with mountains in the background. Nearby farms also grow fields of sunflowers and other flowers through summer.

Highlights:

• 🎿 Ski on Furano’s world-class powder snow slopes
• 🏡 Stroll through charming Ningle Terrace craft village
• 💜 Visit vibrant lavender fields at Farm Tomita

Åre

Sweden’s Alpine Playground, Year-Round

8.5

Are grew from a small farming village into Sweden's best-known ski destination. Mountain trails once used to move cattle now double as summer hiking routes. Visitors can ride a chairlift up for views over Are Lake and the surrounding hills. Nearby farms still sell cheese made using generations-old recipes.

Highlights:

• 🌲 Experience thrilling ziplining through boreal forests
• 🥾 Hike Åreskutan mountain and enjoy panoramic views
• 🎿 Ski or snowboard on Scandinavia's largest slopes

Trevelin

A Welsh haven in Patagonia

6.6

Welsh settlers founded Trevelin in the late 1800s. Their descendants still bake traditional tea cakes. Farmers in the valley grow wheat using techniques the original settlers brought with them. Visitors can stop at a Welsh teahouse for scones and jam. Nearby waterfalls and forest trails wind through the surrounding Patagonian countryside.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike in nearby Los Alerces National Park trails
• 🌷 Explore colorful tulip fields in springtime bloom
• 🏛️ Visit the historic Nant Fach flour mill museum

Arrowtown

Gold Rush History Amid Mountain Beauty

7.8

Gold miners built Arrowtown's main street during a rush that began in 1862. Many of the original stone cottages still line the road today. Visitors can walk the same street beneath rows of century-old trees turning gold each autumn. Nearby creeks still let visitors pan for leftover flecks of gold.

Highlights:

• 🍂 Admire dazzling autumn colors in the surrounding hills
• ⛏️ Pan for gold in the Arrow River like early settlers
• 🏡 Stroll the historic gold rush-era streets and heritage cottages

Margaret River

Coastal charm meets world‑class wineries

8.8

Vineyards across Margaret River grow grapes on soil shaped by an ancient coastline. Winemakers began planting seriously here only in the 1960s and 70s. Visitors can taste Cabernet and Chardonnay at cellar doors set among the vines. Nearby caves cut into limestone hold formations that took millennia to form.

Highlights:

• 🎨 Discover ancient rock art at Wave Rock
• 🦭 Spot humpback whales during migration season
• 🐠 Explore Ningaloo Reef's vibrant coral gardens

Chichibu

UNESCO float festival and mountain shrines

7.4

Chichibu's shrine holds a festival each December featuring elaborate wooden floats pulled through town. Families have maintained the ornate wooden floats since they were built generations ago. Visitors can watch fireworks light up the night sky above the procession. Nearby valleys turn bright red with maple leaves each autumn.

Highlights:

• 🎉 Experience the vibrant Chichibu Night Festival in December
• 🌸 Stroll through colourful shibazakura at Hitsujiyama Park
• ⛩️ Visit the historic Mitsumine Shrine with wolf statues

Kyushu

Volcanoes, onsen and tonkotsu ramen

8.4

Mount Aso's crater ranks among the largest active volcanic calderas in the world. Farmers graze cattle on the surrounding grasslands formed by centuries of eruptions. Visitors can drive to the rim and look down into the smoking crater. Nearby hot spring towns draw on the same volcanic heat below.

Highlights:

• 🕊️ Explore historic Nagasaki Peace Park memorial
• 🥾 Hike scenic trails at Mount Aso volcanic caldera
• ♨️ Relax in Beppu’s famous hot spring baths

Huanglong National Park

China's Colorful Terraced Wonderland

7.0

Mineral-rich water fills Huanglong's terraced pools in shades of turquoise, gold and green. Centuries of calcium deposits built up the natural travertine terraces seen today. Visitors can walk boardwalks past pools that shift colour with the light. Nearby, snow-capped peaks frame the valley through much of the year.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Admire Huanglong Temple set amid alpine landscapes
• 🥾 Walk the scenic boardwalk to Wucai Pond viewpoint
• 🏞️ Marvel at the colorful travertine pools terrace formations

Tayrona National Park

Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean

7.5

Jungle-covered hills meet white sand beaches within Tayrona National Park on Colombia's coast. Indigenous Kogi communities still consider parts of this land sacred and off-limits to visitors. Travellers can hike through forest to reach secluded coves along the shoreline. Nearby ruins hint at settlements that predate the arrival of Europeans.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot howler monkeys and exotic birds along forest paths
• 🌴 Swim in crystal-clear Caribbean waters surrounded by palm trees
• 🏝️ Hike through jungle trails to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach

Aso-Kuju National Park

Giant caldera, active volcano and highlands

8.1

Mount Aso's crater ranks among the largest active volcanic calderas in the world. Farmers still graze cattle on grasslands formed by centuries of past eruptions. Visitors can drive to the rim and look down into the smoking crater below. Nearby hot spring towns draw on the same volcanic heat underground.

Highlights:

• 🐎 Ride horseback across the grasslands of Kusasenri Plateau
• 🥾 Hike the Kuju Mountains for sweeping views of lush valleys
• 🌋 Peer into Mount Aso’s active volcanic crater and feel the heat

Esperance

Australia's Whitest Beaches and Turquoise Waters

8.6

Lucky Bay's sand stays bright white against water so clear it looks tropical. Kangaroos regularly rest on the beach here, a sight rare anywhere else. Visitors can walk the shoreline and often find one dozing near the dunes. Nearby national parks protect a coastline largely free of development.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore Cape Le Grand National Park’s rugged trails and beaches
• ⛰️ Hike to Frenchman Peak for panoramic coastal views
• 🏖️ Visit the stunning pink sands and turquoise waters of Lucky Bay

Mammoth Lakes

Alpine Paradise in Eastern Sierra

8.1

Volcanic activity beneath Mammoth Lakes still heats natural hot springs scattered through the area. Scientists monitor the dormant volcanic system for occasional small earthquakes. Visitors can soak in undeveloped hot springs with mountain views in every direction. Nearby lakes offer fishing and hiking through alpine forest each summer.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in the natural Hot Creek geothermal springs
• 🪨 Hike to Devils Postpile National Monument
• 🎿 Ski the famous slopes of Mammoth Mountain

Morzine

Alpine charm meets year-round adventure

7.9

Alpine chalets built for farming now house skiers across the mountains around Morzine. Herders once moved cattle up to these same high pastures each summer. Visitors can ski deep snow in winter or hike wildflower meadows once it melts. Nearby lakes offer swimming with views back towards the peaks.

Highlights:

• 🏔️ Explore Morzine’s charming wooden chalets and mountain cafés
• 🚠 Ride the Pleney cable car for breathtaking Alpine views
• 🎿 Ski or snowboard the vast slopes of Portes du Soleil

Kefalonia

Wild Beauty of the Ionian Sea

8.6

Melissani Cave holds an underground lake lit by sunlight through a collapsed roof. Legend ties the cave to the nymph Melissani, said to have drowned herself there. Visitors can row a small boat across the strikingly blue water inside. Nearby beaches sit tucked beneath steep limestone cliffs.

Highlights:

• 🍷 Taste local Robola wine at a mountain winery
• 🛶 Sail to Melissani Cave and see the blue-lit lake
• 🏖️ Swim in the turquoise waters of Myrtos Beach

Nusa Penida

Bali's rugged island paradise

7.2

Cliffs on Nusa Penida drop straight into turquoise water at coves like Kelingking Beach. Fishing communities on the island have long lived apart from Bali's busier tourist areas. Visitors can hike down steep paths for views of the coastline below. Nearby reefs draw divers hoping to spot manta rays.

Highlights:

• 🛵 Take a scenic motorbike ride along the island’s coastal roads
• 🤿 Snorkel with manta rays at Manta Bay
• 🏝️ Marvel at the stunning cliffside view from Kelingking Beach

Gatlinburg

Gateway to the Smoky Mountains

7.5

The Great Smoky Mountains rise directly behind Gatlinburg, their ridges often wrapped in blue haze. Cherokee communities lived in these mountains long before the town grew around tourism. Visitors can hike into old-growth forest just minutes from downtown. Nearby cabins look out over some of the park's quietest coves.

Highlights:

• 🐠 Tour Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
• 🌲 Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park gateway trails
• 🌉 Ride the Gatlinburg SkyLift and walk the SkyBridge

Val d'Orcia

Rolling vineyards cradle historic hilltop charm

9.3

Cypress-lined roads wind through Val d'Orcia's rolling Tuscan farmland. Renaissance-era planning shaped much of this countryside into the postcard scenery seen today. Visitors can drive between hilltop towns surrounded by vineyards and wheat fields. Nearby farms produce Pecorino cheese using methods passed down over centuries.

Highlights:

• 🍷 Taste Brunello di Montalcino wine at a local winery
• 🚗 Ride a vintage car in Val d'Orcia landscapes
• 🏰 Stroll through medieval streets of Siena

Cotswolds National Landscape

Honey-Colored Villages and Rolling Hills

8.3

Honey-coloured limestone built the Cotswolds' villages, quarried from the hills for centuries. Wool wealth funded many of the grand churches scattered through the countryside. Visitors can walk between villages along footpaths lined with dry stone walls. Nearby market towns still hold weekly markets much as they did generations ago.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the scenic Cotswold Way trail
• ☕ Enjoy afternoon tea in a charming village tearoom
• 🏘️ Wander through the honey-stone streets of Bibury

Styria

Green Heart of Alpine Austria

8.1

Pumpkin seed oil production has made Styria a distinct part of Austria's culinary map. Farmers here press the dark green oil from seeds grown across rolling hillside fields. Visitors can tour a family-run press and taste the oil drizzled over local dishes. Nearby vineyards produce wine along Styria's warmer southern slopes.

Highlights:

• 🍷 Sample local wines in the lush vineyards around Graz
• 🏰 Visit the Baroque Eggenberg Palace and its ornate gardens
• 🌄 Explore the stunning Schlossberg hill and enjoy panoramic views

Andorra

Mountain paradise between France and Spain

7.6

Thermal baths at Caldea draw on natural hot springs found beneath the Pyrenees. The spa complex channels water that has warmed underground for centuries. Visitors can soak in outdoor pools while looking out at snow-capped peaks. Nearby mountain trails connect small stone villages tucked into the valleys.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike mountain trails through the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
• 💧 Relax in thermal waters at Caldea Spa
• 🎿 Ski the Pyrenees slopes at Grandvalira resort

Colorado

Rocky mountains and red rocks

9.2

Hot springs heat the pools at Glenwood Springs, among the largest in the world. Native tribes used the springs long before settlers built a resort around them in the 1880s. Visitors can soak outdoors with the Rocky Mountains rising in every direction. Nearby caves cut into the cliffs stay cool even in summer.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive along the scenic Trail Ridge Road
• 🎿 Ski the world-class slopes of Aspen or Vail
• 🏞️ Hike through Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine trails

Michigan

Great Lakes State of Wonder

7.9

Sand dunes along Lake Michigan's shore rise among the largest freshwater dunes in the world. Wind off the lake has shaped and reshaped these dunes over thousands of years. Visitors can climb to the top of Sleeping Bear Dunes for views over the water. Nearby forests and orchards fill much of the surrounding countryside.

Highlights:

• 🍁 Drive the scenic M-22 coastal highway in autumn
• 🎶 Explore Detroit’s revitalized downtown and Motown Museum
• 🏞️ Admire the Great Lakes views from Sleeping Bear Dunes

Uganda

Pearl of Africa's diverse landscapes

7.1

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest shelters roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Rangers here have tracked habituated gorilla families through dense vegetation for decades. Visitors can trek through the forest to observe a family up close. Nearby crater lakes dot the surrounding volcanic countryside near the park's edge.

Highlights:

• 🦓 Take a safari across the vast savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park
• 🐘 Watch hippos and elephants along the Kazinga Channel
• 🦍 Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to meet mountain gorillas

Banff

Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure

9.0

Banff grew up around hot springs discovered by railway workers in 1883. The discovery led Canada to establish its first national park around the site. Visitors can soak in the same mineral pools with mountains rising overhead. Nearby, Lake Louise turns a striking turquoise from glacial silt each summer.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs with mountain views
• 🥾 Hike Johnston Canyon and explore breathtaking waterfalls
• 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic Sulphur Mountain views

Queenstown

Adventure capital with alpine beauty

8.5

Bungee jumping as a commercial activity began at a bridge just outside Queenstown in 1988. Steep gorges and fast rivers around the town made it a natural fit for adventure sports. Visitors can jump from the same bridge or raft the nearby Shotover River. Nearby vineyards produce Pinot Noir grown on the surrounding hillsides.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw
• ⚡ Zipline through the pine trees at Bob's Peak
• 🚡 Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views

Nikko

Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs

8.6

Ornate shrines at Nikko honour a shogun who unified Japan in the early 1600s. Craftsmen spent over a decade building the elaborate carvings and gold leaf details. Visitors can walk beneath ancient cedar trees lining the approach to the shrines. Nearby waterfalls and lakes sit within surrounding mountain forest.

Highlights:

• 💦 Admire the majestic Kegon Falls viewpoint
• 🌉 Cross the striking vermilion Shinkyo Bridge
• ⛩️ Visit the ornate Nikko Toshogu Shrine complex

Vysoké Tatry

Slovakia’s Majestic Alpine Playground

7.4

Jagged granite peaks rise sharply within Vysoke Tatry, Slovakia's highest mountain range. Cable cars and chairlifts carry hikers up slopes once reachable only on foot. Visitors can hike alpine trails past glacial lakes tucked beneath the peaks. Nearby spa towns offer a soak after a day on the mountain.

Highlights:

• 🌲 Explore Tatras National Park and its diverse wildlife
• 🌊 Relax and stroll around the picturesque Štrbské Pleso lake
• 🏔️ Hike to Lomnický Peak for unforgettable alpine views

Zakopane

Poland’s Tatra Mountain Adventure Hub

7.1

Wooden highland architecture defines much of Zakopane, a town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Craftsmen here developed a distinct regional style using carved timber and steep roofs. Visitors can hike into the Tatras or browse markets selling smoked highland cheese. Nearby trails lead to alpine lakes tucked into the mountains.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Explore the Tatra Museum for local culture and history
• 🚡 Ride the Kasprowy Wierch cable car for Alpine views
• 🚶‍♂️ Stroll lively Krupówki Street, Zakopane's main promenade

Ninh Binh

Vietnam’s Hidden Inland Halong Bay

7.5

Limestone karsts rise from flooded rice paddies across Ninh Binh's countryside. Boatmen row visitors through caves cut beneath the cliffs by ancient rivers. Visitors can glide past farmers working paddies flanked by towering rock formations. Nearby temples sit tucked into caves within the surrounding hills.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Explore the ancient temples of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital
• 🏞️ Climb to Hang Mua Peak for panoramic karst views
• 🛶 Take a rowboat through the serene caves of Tam Coc

Killarney

Ireland’s Adventure Gateway Town

8.0

Ireland's only wild herd of red deer roams the hills around Killarney National Park. Descendants of deer present since the last ice age still graze here today. Visitors can spot them from trails around the Lakes of Killarney. Nearby, a horse-drawn jaunting car still carries visitors through the old estate.

Highlights:

• ⛵ Take a boat trip to Innisfallen Island and see ancient ruins
• 🏡 Visit historic Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms
• 🌲 Explore Killarney National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Flåm

Fjord Dreams and Railway Magic

8.4

A steep railway climbs from Flam's fjord up into the mountains above. Engineers built the line in the early 1900s along one of the steepest standard-gauge routes in the world. Visitors can ride past waterfalls that drop close to the tracks. Nearby, ferries continue along the Naeroyfjord, one of Norway's narrowest fjords.

Highlights:

• 🧗‍♂️ Explore Flåm Zipline for thrilling views over fjord
• 🛥️ Cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord fjord landscapes
• 🚂 Ride the Flåm Railway, famous scenic mountain descent

Bora Bora

Turquoise Lagoons, Overwater Dreams

8.4

A coral reef encircles Bora Bora's lagoon, creating calm, shallow turquoise water. The barrier reef shelters the island from the open Pacific's stronger swells. Visitors can snorkel among reef sharks and rays in waist-deep water. Nearby overwater bungalows sit just steps from the same lagoon.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Take a private boat tour around Mount Otemanu
• 🏝️ Stay overnight in a classic overwater bungalow
• 🐠 Snorkel crystal-clear lagoon with rays and tropical fish

Berchtesgaden

Alpine town by Königssee and the Watzmann

8.1

Lake Konigssee's clear water sits inside steep alpine walls near Berchtesgaden. Electric boats have carried visitors across the lake since noise disturbs its famous echo. Visitors can hear a trumpeter play a note that bounces off the surrounding cliffs. Nearby trails climb towards salt mines once worked for centuries.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike to the crystal-clear Obersee and waterfall
• 🦅 Admire breathtaking alpine views from the Eagle’s Nest
• 🚤 Take the scenic boat across Königssee to St. Bartholomä

Puerto Iguazú

Gateway to Iguazú’s Thundering Falls

8.3

Iguazu Falls spans nearly two miles of cascades along the Argentina-Brazil border. A horseshoe-shaped section called the Devil's Throat produces the loudest, heaviest spray. Visitors can walk catwalks that lead directly over the roaring water. Nearby rainforest trails offer sightings of toucans, coatis and dozens of butterfly species.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Walk the Upper and Lower Trails through tropical forest paths
• 🚤 Take a jungle boat ride under the waterfalls’ spray
• 🌊 Stand before the roaring Iguazú Falls at Devil’s Throat viewpoint

Pucon

Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss

7.6

Villarrica Volcano looms over Pucon, its crater glowing faintly with lava at night. Climbers have summited the active cone regularly since guided ascents began decades ago. Visitors can hike to the rim or soak afterwards in nearby thermal pools. Nearby lakes and forest offer kayaking beneath the volcano's slopes.

Highlights:

• 🚣‍♂️ Kayak on Lake Villarrica to private, serene beaches
• ♨️ Soak in the soothing waters of Termas Geometricas hot springs
• 🌋 Climb the active Villarrica Volcano and enjoy crater views

Karuizawa

Cool highland resort at the foot of Asama

7.5

Wealthy families and missionaries built summer cottages in Karuizawa starting in the 1880s. Cooler mountain air drew them away from Tokyo's humid summers each year. Visitors can walk shaded lanes past old stone churches and villas. Nearby waterfalls and hiking trails wind through surrounding volcanic hills.

Highlights:

• 💧 Visit Shiraito Falls and admire its delicate cascades
• 🛍️ Shop at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza’s upscale outlets
• 🚴‍♀️ Cycle through the forested paths of the Kyu-Karuizawa area

Izu

Shuzenji hot springs, wasabi and Amagi hikes

8.1

Volcanic activity shaped the Izu Peninsula's rugged coastline and many hot spring towns. Onsen inns here have drawn travellers from Tokyo for day trips since the 1800s. Visitors can soak in seaside baths with views out over the Pacific. Nearby cliffs and coves make for scenic coastal hiking trails.

Highlights:

• 🌸 Walk the Path of Bamboo along Shuzenji's river
• 💧 Hike to the stunning Joren Waterfall
• ♨️ Relax in the healing waters of Shuzenji Onsen

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands

8.8

Hakone's hot springs draw on volcanic activity from a caldera formed long ago. Onsen inns here have hosted travellers along an old mountain trade route for centuries. Visitors can soak outdoors with views towards Mount Fuji on clear days. Nearby, a pirate-style boat crosses Lake Ashi past the mountain scenery.

Highlights:

• 🥚 Explore volcanic vents and black eggs at Owakudani
• ♨️ Relax in Hakone’s renowned hot spring baths
• 🗻 Climb iconic Mount Fuji for sunrise views

North Island

Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture

8.6

Geothermal fields around Rotorua send steam rising from bubbling mud pools. Maori communities have lived alongside this volcanic activity for centuries. Visitors can walk boardwalks past hissing vents and colourful mineral terraces. Nearby forests and lakes fill much of the North Island's quieter rural interior.

Highlights:

• 🌃 Walk along Auckland’s Sky Tower observation deck
• 🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton and stroll through the Shire movie set
• 🔥 Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua’s hot springs and geysers

Kamikochi

Clear river valley beneath the Hotaka Range

8.5

Kamikochi's valley sits ringed by jagged peaks within the Japanese Alps. Only buses and taxis may enter the valley, keeping the area free of private cars. Visitors can walk flat trails along the Azusa River with mountains rising on both sides. Nearby lodges have hosted climbers here since the early twentieth century.

Highlights:

• 🍂 Admire autumn foliage along Kamikochi’s forest trails
• 🗻 Hike to Myojin Pond surrounded by sacred mountains
• 🌉 Walk the scenic Kappa Bridge overlooking the Azusa River

Chūbu-Sangaku National Park

Northern Alps peaks, snow walls and onsen

8.5

The Japanese Alps rise sharply within Chubu Sangaku, home to some of the country's tallest peaks. Climbers have used mountain huts scattered across these ridges for over a century. Visitors can hike multi-day routes between huts perched high above the valleys. Nearby hot springs offer a soak after a long day on the trail.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery
• 🏔️ Climb Mount Hotaka or Mount Yari for panoramic views
• 🥾 Hike through the dramatic alpine landscapes of Kamikōchi Valley

Canary Islands

Spain's volcanic paradise year-round

9.0

Volcanic peaks on Tenerife rise high enough to occasionally catch winter snow. Mount Teide, Spain's tallest mountain, anchors a national park protecting the surrounding lava fields. Visitors can ride a cable car partway up for sweeping views over the island. Nearby pine forests give way to black volcanic sand beaches below.

Highlights:

• 🐬 Explore the marine life at Loro Parque, Tenerife
• 🌋 Visit Timanfaya National Park’s volcanic landscape in Lanzarote
• ⛰️ Hike to the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak

Marlborough

Wine Country Meets Stunning Coastal Sounds

8.7

Sauvignon Blanc vineyards spread across Marlborough's sunny river valleys. Winemakers transformed the region into New Zealand's largest wine area starting in the 1970s. Visitors can taste crisp whites at wineries surrounded by mountains. Nearby sounds offer kayaking through quiet, forested inlets carved by ancient river valleys.

Highlights:

• 🚴‍♀️ Cycle the scenic Marlborough Wine Trail through rolling hills
• 🚤 Cruise through the stunning Marlborough Sounds by boat
• 🍷 Savor world-class Sauvignon Blanc wines in local vineyards

South Tyrol

Alpine culture where worlds collide

9.4

Vineyards and apple orchards cover the valley floors beneath South Tyrol's jagged Dolomite peaks. German and Italian influence blends throughout the region's food, language and architecture. Visitors can hike alpine trails by day and taste local wine at farmhouses by evening. Nearby mountain huts serve traditional meals to hikers passing through.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore the charming old town and castles of Bolzano
• 🍷 Savor local wines along the South Tyrol Wine Road
• 🥾 Hike through the Dolomites and admire the alpine peaks

Bohemia

Fairytale castles and pristine wilderness

8.5

Spa towns across Bohemia have drawn visitors to their mineral springs for centuries. European royalty once travelled here specifically to drink and bathe in the waters. Visitors can sip spring water from colonnades built around the original springs. Nearby forests and castles fill much of the surrounding countryside.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Discover medieval charm in Český Krumlov town
• 🌉 Walk across the iconic Charles Bridge in Prague
• 🏰 Explore the historic Prague Castle complex

Pokhara

Lakeside Calm, Himalayan Adventure Gateway

7.8

The Annapurna range rises sharply behind Pokhara, reflected in nearby Phewa Lake on calm mornings. Trekkers use the town as a base before heading into the surrounding mountains. Visitors can paddle across the lake with the peaks visible in the distance. Nearby caves and waterfalls sit tucked into the hills above town.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore the mysterious Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave nearby
• 🌄 Hike to Sarangkot for stunning Annapurna sunrise views
• 🚣‍♂️ Boat across serene Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple

La Fortuna

Volcano Views, Hot Springs, Adventure

7.5

Arenal Volcano's near-perfect cone rises above the town of La Fortuna. Hot springs heated by the volcano feed pools scattered through the surrounding jungle. Visitors can soak in warm water with a view of the cone overhead. Nearby trails wind through rainforest to waterfalls fed by mountain streams.

Highlights:

• 🌉 Walk the hanging bridges at Mistico Park
• ♨️ Relax in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano
• 🌊 Hike to the breathtaking La Fortuna Waterfall

Akureyri

Northern Lights, Fjord Views, Arctic Vibe

7.5

A small heart-shaped set of red lights hangs over Akureyri's main street each winter. Locals installed them to lift spirits during the town's darkest months. Visitors can stroll below the lights before soaking in a nearby geothermal pool. A short drive away, whale-watching boats head out into Eyjafjordur.

Highlights:

• 🎨 Discover Icelandic art at the Akureyri Art Museum
• 🌿 Explore the northernmost botanical garden in the world
• ⛪ Visit the iconic Akureyri Church with stunning stained glass

Taupō

Volcanic Lake, Adventure and Hot Springs

8.2

Lake Taupo fills a massive volcanic crater formed by one of history's largest eruptions. Geothermal activity beneath the region still powers hot springs scattered around the lake. Visitors can soak in natural pools or view thermal terraces nearby. Nearby rivers offer some of New Zealand's best trout fishing.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore the geothermal wonders of Craters of the Moon
• 🛶 Kayak to the famous Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay
• 🌊 Witness the thunderous power of Huka Falls

Ålesund

Art Nouveau Gem by the Fjords

7.8

Fire destroyed most of Alesund in 1904, prompting a full rebuild in Art Nouveau style. German architects and craftsmen helped design the stone buildings with their distinctive turrets. Visitors can climb a nearby staircase for a view over the harbour and fjords. Nearby islands offer trails with views back towards the colourful town.

Highlights:

• 🐠 Visit Atlantic Sea-Park, Northern Europe's largest aquarium
• 🏛️ Explore the Art Nouveau Center and unique architecture
• 🌄 Climb 418 steps to Mount Aksla viewpoint for panoramic views

Lake Louise

Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies

8.9

Glacial silt gives Lake Louise its striking turquoise colour each summer. A historic chateau built beside the water has hosted travellers since the 1890s. Visitors can canoe across the lake with a glacier visible at the far end. Nearby trails climb towards teahouses reachable only on foot.

Highlights:

• 🚡 Ride the Lake Louise Gondola for panoramic alpine scenery
• 🥾 Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning mountain views
• 🛶 Canoe on the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise

Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

Iconic Cliffs and Wild Ocean Wonders

7.9

Limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles rise from the sea along Victoria's coast. Erosion continues to reshape the formations, with some stacks having collapsed in recent decades. Visitors can view the stacks from clifftop platforms along the Great Ocean Road. Nearby beaches sit beneath towering sandstone cliffs.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Walk along the elevated boardwalks at Gibson Steps
• 🚁 Take a helicopter tour to see the Twelve Apostles from above
• 🪨 View the iconic limestone stacks from the Great Ocean Road

Hakone

Onsen town with Fuji views and lake cruises

8.6

Sulphur vents still steam at Owakudani, a volcanic valley formed thousands of years ago. Vendors there boil eggs in the hot spring water until the shells turn black. Visitors can eat one, said locally to add years to your life. Nearby cable cars cross the valley with views towards Mount Fuji.

Highlights:

• 🚠 Take a scenic ride on the Hakone Ropeway
• 🖼️ Explore stunning sculptures at Hakone Open-Air Museum
• ♨️ Soak in relaxing waters of Hakone Onsen hot springs

Thun

Medieval Charm Meets Alpine Beauty

8.3

Lake Thun stretches beneath snow-capped peaks just outside the town of Thun. A castle overlooking the water has stood above the town since medieval times. Visitors can cruise the lake or cycle along shoreline paths with mountain views. Nearby vineyards climb the sunny slopes above the lake.

Highlights:

• ⛴️ Cruise across Lake Thun to Spiez or Interlaken
• 🏰 Explore Thun Castle and climb its medieval towers
• 🏞️ Stroll along Lake Thun’s promenade and enjoy alpine views

Zhangjiajie

Avatar's Floating Mountains Come Alive

7.3

Towering sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie inspired the floating mountains of a popular film. Erosion over millions of years carved these narrow peaks from a former plateau. Visitors can ride a glass-bottomed bridge suspended between two cliffs. Nearby caves and gorges wind through the surrounding forest park.

Highlights:

• 🚡 Ride the Bailong Elevator to cliff-top views
• 🌉 Walk the thrilling Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
• 🏞️ Explore the Avatar-inspired Hallelujah Mountain

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Alpine town below Germany's highest peak

8.3

Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, rises directly above Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A cogwheel train first reached the summit in 1930, opening it to regular visitors. Travellers can ride the train or cable car up for views across four countries. Nearby valleys host traditional Bavarian farms still growing hay by hand.

Highlights:

• ⛷️ Visit the iconic Olympic Ski Jump used in winter sports
• 🌊 Hike through the stunning Partnachklamm Gorge
• 🏔️ Ascend Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, for breathtaking views

Yufuin Onsen

Lakeside onsen town below Mount Yufu

8.4

Steam rises from hot spring inns scattered across the valley town of Yufuin. Mount Yufu looms over the town, its slopes visible from many of the outdoor baths. Visitors can soak in an open-air onsen with mountain views close by. Nearby lakes and craft shops fill the quiet streets below the hills.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Take a morning walk around tranquil Lake Kinrin
• 🛍️ Stroll along Yufuin’s picturesque Yunotsubo Kaido shopping street
• 🛀 Bathe in a private open-air onsen with mountain views

Neusiedl am See

Lakeside Charm and Panonnian Wines

8.2

Reed beds ring much of Lake Neusiedl, a shallow steppe lake on the edge of the Alps. Farmers and vintners in the surrounding lowlands have grown grapes here for centuries. Visitors can cycle flat paths between vineyards and the reed-lined shore. Nearby wetlands draw large numbers of migratory birds each year.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Visit the historic Ruine Tabor ruins site
• ♨️ Relax at St. Martins Therme & Lodge spa
• 🚴‍♂️ Cycle around Lake Neusiedl on scenic bike paths

Iguazú National Park and Reserve

Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest

7.9

Nearly three hundred waterfalls make up the Iguazu system on the Argentine side of the border. A horseshoe-shaped section called the Devil's Throat sends up a constant cloud of spray. Visitors can walk catwalks leading right to the edge of the roaring falls. Nearby subtropical forest still shelters toucans, coatis and elusive jaguars.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Walk the Upper Circuit trail to view multiple cascading waterfalls
• 🛶 Take a jungle boat ride through the mist of the falls
• 🌊 Stand before the breathtaking Iguazú Falls at Devil’s Throat

Shirakawa-go

Thatched gassho farmhouses in the Hida mountains

7.6

Steep thatched roofs define the farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, built to shed heavy mountain snow. Villagers have maintained these gassho-zukuri houses using the same construction techniques for centuries. Visitors can tour a farmhouse interior or view the village lit up on winter evenings. Nearby rice fields surround the settlement on all sides.

Highlights:

• 🏺 Visit the open-air museum to explore preserved houses
• 📸 Capture winter scenery with snow-covered village rooftops
• 🏡 Admire the traditional gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses

Münsterland

Moated castles and flat cycling country

7.4

Hundreds of moated castles dot the countryside across Munsterland. Noble families built many of these manors surrounded by water for defence centuries ago. Visitors can cycle a signed route linking dozens of the castles and estates. Nearby farmland stays flat and ideal for long, easy bike rides.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Admire the romantic moated castles of Nordkirchen and Vischering
• 🏛️ Visit Münster’s historic Prinzipalmarkt square and its Gothic town hall
• 🚴‍♂️ Cycle along the famous 100 Castles Route through the countryside

Bled

Fairytale Lake and Alpine Beauty

8.2

A small island church sits at the centre of Lake Bled, reachable only by traditional wooden boats. Legend holds that ringing the church bell there grants a wish. Visitors can row across and climb ninety-nine steps to reach the entrance. Nearby, a cliffside castle looks down over the lake from above.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore medieval Bled Castle perched above the lake
• 🥾 Hike to Mala Osojnica for a postcard-perfect lake view
• 🛶 Take a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island

Foz do Iguaçu

Where three nations meet waterfalls

7.7

Nearly three hundred waterfalls make up the Iguacu Falls system along the Brazil-Argentina border. Water plunges into a gorge known locally as the Devil's Throat. Visitors can walk catwalks that lead right to the edge of the roaring falls. Nearby rainforest still shelters toucans and coatis close to the walking trails.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Take a thrilling Macuco Safari boat ride near the falls
• 🦜 Explore Parque das Aves, Latin America’s largest bird park
• 🌊 Visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls and Devil’s Throat

Hallstatt

A Fairytale Village by the Lake

8.6

Salt mining shaped Hallstatt for millennia, giving a prehistoric culture its name. Archaeologists have found tools and graves in mountain tunnels above the village. Visitors can tour the mine and slide down an old chute once used by miners. Nearby, lakefront houses appear to rise straight out of the water.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Explore the World Heritage Museum and local history
• 🌄 Admire panoramic views from the Hallstatt Skywalk
• ⛏️ Visit the Hallstatt Salt Mine and ride the funicular

Guilin

Karst Mountains and Serene Rivers

7.2

Limestone karst peaks rise sharply from the flat farmland surrounding Guilin. Centuries of erosion carved these towers from what was once an ancient seabed. Visitors can cruise the Li River past peaks that inspired classical Chinese paintings. Nearby rice terraces at Longji wind up the surrounding hillsides.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Climb Xianggong Mountain for sunrise views
• 🦩 Explore the colorful Reed Flute Cave’s limestone formations
• 🛶 Cruise the scenic Li River through karst peaks

Schwangau

Fairytale castles below the Alps

8.2

Neuschwanstein Castle rises above Schwangau, built by a Bavarian king in the 1800s. The fairy-tale design later inspired a well-known theme park castle. Visitors can tour the interior or hike to a bridge for the classic overlook photo. Nearby lakes reflect the castle and surrounding alpine peaks.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore Hohenschwangau Castle, childhood home of King Ludwig II
• 🌉 Walk across Marienbrücke for breathtaking castle views
• 🏰 Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic fairy-tale fortress

Fujikawaguchiko

Lake town with Mount Fuji views and onsen

8.1

Lake Kawaguchi offers some of the clearest reflections of Mount Fuji among the surrounding lakes. Photographers gather along the shore especially during cherry blossom season each spring. Visitors can walk the lakeside path for shifting views of the mountain. Nearby hot spring inns look directly across the water towards Fuji.

Highlights:

• 🚠 Ride the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for stunning views
• 🏘️ Explore traditional thatched houses at Iyashi-no-Sato
• 🏞️ Admire Mount Fuji from scenic Lake Kawaguchiko

Fujiyoshida

Fuji's sacred trailhead with the pagoda view

8.1

Mount Fuji rises directly behind Fujiyoshida, framed by a historic pagoda nearby. Pilgrims once began their climb up the mountain from shrines within this town. Visitors can photograph the pagoda with Fuji in the background during cherry blossom season. Nearby lakes offer additional views of the mountain's snow-capped peak.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in an onsen while admiring views of Mount Fuji
• 🎢 Visit Fuji-Q Highland and ride its record-breaking roller coasters
• 🗻 Photograph Mount Fuji framed by the red Chureito Pagoda

Fuji

Mountain views, paper mills and fresh shirasu

7.7

Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone has drawn climbers and pilgrims for centuries. Official climbing season runs only through the summer months when trails stay clear of ice. Visitors can hike overnight to reach the summit in time for sunrise. Nearby lakes reflect the mountain's outline on calm, clear mornings.

Highlights:

• 🌸 Enjoy plum blossoms and Fuji views in Iwamotoyama Park
• 🏞️ Take a relaxed walk along the Fuji River
• 🏮 Explore the historic Tokaido post town of Yoshiwara

Guatape

Colorful Streets and Lakeside Views

7.6

A giant granite rock called El Penol rises sharply beside the town of Guatape. Climbers built a staircase of over seven hundred steps into a crack in the stone. Visitors can climb to the top for views over a maze of turquoise reservoirs. Nearby, the rock's steps remain the site's main draw for day-trippers.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Take a boat tour on Guatapé Reservoir
• 🎨 Explore colorful streets with vibrant zócalos
• 🧗‍♂️ Climb the iconic La Piedra del Peñol rock

Lake Kawaguchi

Mirror-like lake with the best Fuji views

Lake Kawaguchi offers one of the clearest reflections of Mount Fuji among the Fuji Five Lakes. Photographers gather along its shore especially during cherry blossom season each spring. Visitors can walk the lakeside path for shifting views of the mountain. Nearby hot spring inns look directly across the water towards Fuji.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax in an onsen overlooking Mount Fuji
• 🛶 Cruise across Lake Kawaguchi for mountain views
• 📸 Capture Mount Fuji’s perfect reflection on the lake