Top photography destinations and scenic landscapes

New York City

Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums

9.5

Skyscrapers of Manhattan crowd together in a dense skyline visible from several boroughs. The Empire State Building has served as a photography landmark since 1931. Visitors can photograph the skyline from Top of the Rock or a rooftop bar. The Staten Island Ferry offers a free water level view of the harbour.

Highlights:

• 🌃 Visit Times Square at night for unforgettable neon views
• 🎭 Watch a Broadway musical in the Theater District
• 🏙️ Admire skyline views from the Top of a skyscraper

Dubrovnik

The Pearl of the Adriatic

8.2

Thick stone walls wrap entirely around the old town of Dubrovnik on Croatia's coast. Builders raised most of these fortifications between the twelfth and seventeenth centuries. Visitors can photograph the red tiled rooftops from a walk along the top of the walls. A cable car also reaches a hillside viewpoint above the city.

Highlights:

• 🌇 Take the cable car to Mount Srđ for panoramic sunsets
• 🏛️ Explore the marble streets and baroque buildings of Old Town
• 🏰 Walk the ancient city walls for breathtaking Adriatic views

Bruges

Medieval Charm and Chocolate Bliss

8.6

Canals wind past stepped gable rooftops throughout the medieval centre of Bruges. Merchants built much of this trading town's architecture between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Visitors can photograph the Belfry tower reflected in the water near the Rozenhoedkaai. Horse drawn carriages still cross the square's old cobblestones.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Stroll across Markt Square and admire the colorful guildhouses
• 🏰 Climb the Belfry Tower for panoramic city views
• ⛵ Take a romantic canal cruise through Bruges’ medieval heart

Marrakech

A vibrant maze of colors and spices

8.0

Bright dyed textiles hang across the stalls of Marrakech's Jemaa el Fnaa square. Snake charmers and food vendors fill the square as evening approaches each day. Visitors can photograph the square from a rooftop cafe overlooking the crowds. The nearby Koutoubia Mosque minaret rises above the old city walls.

Highlights:

• 🧖‍♀️ Relax in a traditional hammam and experience Moroccan spa culture
• 🏛️ Wander through the serene courtyards of Bahia Palace
• 🕌 Lose yourself in the vibrant souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Cascading Waterfalls and Turquoise Lakes

8.2

Sixteen terraced lakes connect through waterfalls across Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park. Mineral deposits build natural dams that shift the park's landscape slowly over time. Visitors can photograph the lakes from wooden boardwalks that cross directly over the water. The lakes shift between shades of blue, green and grey.

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

Bled

Fairytale Lake and Alpine Beauty

8.2

A single church topped island sits at the centre of Slovenia's glacial Lake Bled. A cliffside medieval castle overlooks the lake from a rocky outcrop above the water. Visitors can photograph the island from a traditional wooden pletna boat. Ringing the church bell inside is said to bring good luck.

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

Grand Canyon National Park

Epic Vistas, Timeless Adventure

8.1

Toroweap Overlook drops straight down nearly 3,000 feet to the Colorado River below. Few visitors reach this remote viewpoint since it requires a rough unpaved road. Visitors can photograph the river from directly above without any guardrail in the way. The North Rim stays open only from May to October.

Highlights:

• 🏘️ Explore the historic Grand Canyon Village and lodges
• 🌅 Enjoy sunrise views at Mather Point overlook
• 🥾 Hike the iconic Bright Angel Trail into the canyon

Tromsø

Arctic Lights, Culture and Wild Beauty

7.7

The northern lights appear over Tromso on clear nights through much of the winter. This Norwegian city sits far enough north to see the midnight sun in summer. Visitors can photograph the aurora reflected in the fjord from a hillside above town. A cable car climbs to a viewpoint for a wider angle.

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

Banff

Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure

9.0

Turquoise rivers and snow capped peaks surround the mountain town of Banff in Alberta. Canada's first national park was established here in 1885 around a set of hot springs. Visitors can photograph the Bow River valley from the Banff Gondola's upper station. Wildlife like elk often wander through the town itself.

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

Cinque Terre

Colorful Cliffs and Coastal Charm

8.1

Five colourful fishing villages cling to steep cliffs above the sea in Cinque Terre. Terraced vineyards climb the slopes between towns connected by a narrow coastal trail. Visitors can photograph Manarola's stacked houses from the rocks above its small harbour. Boats and a local train also link the five villages.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Climb the tower at Doria Castle for panoramic views
• 🏖️ Swim in the crystal-clear waters at Monterosso beach
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Blue Trail connecting all five villages

Iguazu Falls

Breathtaking waterfalls spanning two countries

Water thunders over roughly 275 separate cascades along the border of Brazil and Argentina. Devil's Throat sends up a constant mist cloud visible from a distance. Visitors can photograph the full width of the falls from Brazil's wide overlook trail. Rainbows form in the spray on sunny afternoons.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Walk the forest trails and spot colorful toucans
• 🚤 Take a boat ride beneath the cascading falls
• 🌊 Stand before the roaring Devil’s Throat viewpoint

Mont Saint-Michel

A Medieval Island Rising from the Sea

8.8

A Benedictine abbey crowns the tidal island of Mont Saint Michel off Normandy's coast. Tides here can rise and fall dramatically, at times cutting the island off completely. Visitors can photograph the abbey reflected in wet sand at low tide. A single causeway connects the island to the mainland.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Cross the tidal bay with a guided walk
• 🚶‍♂️ Walk the cobbled streets of La Grande Rue
• ⛪ Tour the medieval Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

Kauai

Lush Landscapes and Secluded Beaches

8.9

Steep green cliffs called the Napali Coast rise straight from the ocean on Kauai. Erosion carved these ridges over millions of years on Hawaii's oldest main island. Visitors can photograph the coastline from a boat since no road reaches it directly. A helicopter tour offers a wider view of the valleys.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel at Poipu Beach with vibrant marine life
• 🚤 Take a boat tour along the Na Pali Coast
• 🌄 Hike the breathtaking trails of Waimea Canyon

Göreme National Park

Fairy chimneys and cave wonders

8.0

Cone shaped rock towers called fairy chimneys fill the valleys surrounding Goreme National Park. Wind and rain wore away soft volcanic ash, leaving harder caps balanced on top. Visitors can photograph the chimneys in Pasabag Valley, where some formations resemble mushrooms. Hiking trails wind past old cave dwellings carved into the rock.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike through the otherworldly landscapes of Love Valley
• 🕍 Explore the cave churches and frescoes of the Göreme Open-Air Museum
• 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys

Galapagos Islands

The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador

8.5

Blue footed boobies perform an odd shuffling dance across the Galapagos Islands' rocky shores. Charles Darwin studied finches here that helped shape his theory of evolution. Visitors can photograph marine iguanas basking just feet from giant tortoises. Each island in the chain hosts slightly different wildlife species.

Highlights:

• 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
• 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
• 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos

Český Krumlov

Fairytale Town with Rich History

8.1

A curve in the Vltava River wraps almost entirely around Cesky Krumlov's old town. A castle tower painted with faux marble panels overlooks the red rooftops below. Visitors can photograph the town from the castle's stone bridge at golden hour. Narrow lanes below connect to a small central square.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle a canoe through the winding river that circles the town
• 🌉 Stroll the cobbled streets of the old town by the Vltava River
• 🏰 Explore Český Krumlov Castle and climb its tower for views

Ayutthaya

Ancient Ruins and Timeless Temples

7.1

A stone Buddha head sits wrapped in tree roots at one of Ayutthaya's ruined temples. Burmese forces destroyed much of this former Thai capital in the eighteenth century. Visitors can photograph brick chedis scattered across the old city's grassy grounds. Bicycles are a common way to reach the scattered temple sites.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Cruise along the Chao Phraya River to view the city’s temple skyline
• 🏯 Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya’s grand royal temple complex
• 🪷 Explore the ancient ruins of Wat Mahathat and its iconic Buddha head in tree roots

Easter Island

Mysterious Moai and Volcanic Landscapes

8.1

Nearly 900 stone statues called moai stand facing inland across Easter Island's volcanic coastline. Islanders carved these figures between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries from local volcanic rock. Visitors can photograph the fifteen restored moai lined up at Ahu Tongariki around sunrise. Rano Raraku crater nearby holds dozens of unfinished statues.

Highlights:

• ⛏️ Explore the Rano Raraku volcanic quarry of moai
• 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Anakena Beach
• 🗿 Visit the massive moai statues at Ahu Tongariki

Amalfi Coast

Italy's Coastal Gem

8.1

Pastel houses stack up steep cliffs along the Amalfi Coast's winding coastal road. Lemon groves terrace the hillsides between towns like Positano and Ravello above the sea. Visitors can photograph the coastline from a boat for the clearest view of the cliffs. Ferries connect the towns for travellers skipping the narrow roads.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Visit Amalfi Cathedral's stunning medieval architecture
• 🏖️ Relax on Positano’s colorful cliffside beaches
• 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Path of the Gods trail

Meteora

Monasteries Suspended in the Sky

8.2

Six monasteries in Meteora sit perched atop sandstone pillars formed millions of years ago. Monks once reached these cliffs only by climbing rope ladders or nets. Visitors can photograph the monasteries against the sky from several roadside viewpoints. Holy Trinity Monastery appeared in a well known 1981 film scene.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Explore the stunning Agia Triada Monastery and surroundings
• 🏛️ Visit the Great Meteoron, Meteora’s largest monastery
• 🥾 Hike the scenic path connecting Meteora’s monasteries

Colmar

A Fairytale Town in Alsace

8.3

Timber framed houses painted in pastel colours line the canals of Colmar's Little Venice district. Builders raised many of these homes in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries for local tanners. Visitors can photograph the flower boxed windows reflected in the narrow canal below. Christmas markets fill the same streets each December.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Take a boat tour along Colmar’s picturesque canals
• 🖼️ Admire masterpieces at the Unterlinden Museum
• 🌈 Wander through the fairytale streets of Little Venice

Ko Phi Phi

Tropical Paradise Awaits You

7.7

Limestone cliffs frame Maya Bay's white sand beach on Ko Phi Phi's smaller island. A well known film brought international attention to this cove in the late 1990s. Visitors can photograph the bay from Viewpoint 2 for a full aerial angle. Longtail boats ferry visitors between the two Phi Phi islands.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Swim and snorkel around Bamboo and Mosquito Islands
• 🚤 Take a boat tour to Maya Bay and Pi Leh Lagoon
• 🌄 Hike to the stunning Phi Phi Viewpoint for panoramic views

Death Valley National Park

Otherworldly Extremes and Silent Beauty

6.4

Salt flats stretch below sea level across the floor of California's Death Valley. Temperatures here have reached some of the highest ever recorded on Earth. Visitors can photograph the cracked salt pattern at Badwater Basin in early morning light. Zabriskie Point nearby offers a wide view of eroded golden badlands.

Highlights:

• 🎨 Explore colorful rock formations at Artists Palette
• 🦶 Walk across the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from panoramic Zabriskie Point

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Witness the Great Migration

7.0

Over a million wildebeest cross the Mara River each year during the great migration. Crocodiles wait in the water as herds gather nervously along the riverbank. Visitors can photograph the crossing from a vehicle parked along the migration route. Big cats often follow the herds closely through the reserve.

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

Jagged peaks of the Teton Range rise sharply without any foothills in front of them. Oxbow Bend on the Snake River reflects the mountains on calm mornings. Visitors can photograph moose wading through the river shallows near dawn. Aspens along the valley turn bright yellow each September.

Highlights:

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

El Chalten

Hiking Capital of Argentina

7.7

Jagged granite spires rise sharply above the small trekking town of El Chalten in Patagonia. Locals call this village Argentina's hiking capital for its trails leading straight from town. Visitors can photograph Mount Fitz Roy glowing pink at sunrise from Laguna de los Tres. Sudden weather changes here can hide the peak within minutes.

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

Agra

Home of the Majestic Taj Mahal

6.9

The Taj Mahal's white marble dome changes shade with the light throughout the day. Emperor Shah Jahan built the tomb in the 1600s for his late wife. Visitors can photograph the monument reflected in its long garden pool near sunrise. Agra Fort nearby offers a distant view across the river.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Stroll through Mehtab Bagh for picturesque Taj views
• 🏰 Explore Agra Fort and its impressive Mughal architecture
• 🌅 Visit the iconic Taj Mahal at sunrise for stunning views

Hallstatt

A Fairytale Village by the Lake

8.6

Wooden houses stack along the shore of Lake Hallstatt beneath a steep limestone cliff. Salt mining here dates back more than 7,000 years, among the oldest in the world. Visitors can photograph the village reflected in the still lake from across the water. A funicular climbs partway up the mountain for a higher viewpoint.

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

Annecy

Fairytale town by a crystal lake

8.2

Canals lined with flower boxes run through Annecy's old town below the French Alps. Locals call the lake here one of Europe's cleanest, with water clear enough to see the bottom. Visitors can photograph the mountains reflected in the lake from a paddleboat. Cobbled streets and arcades connect the canal side cafes.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore the historic Château d’Annecy and its museum
• 🚤 Cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy
• 🏘️ Stroll through Annecy Old Town’s charming cobbled streets

Ha Long Bay

Vietnam’s Otherworldly Seascape

Nearly 2,000 limestone islands rise straight out of the emerald water in Ha Long Bay. Legend says a dragon dropped jewels into the sea to form these islands. Visitors can photograph the karsts from a traditional junk boat at sunset. Caves hidden inside several islands hold stalactites open to tours.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Kayak through quiet lagoons and hidden beaches
• 🕳️ Explore spectacular caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung
• 🚤 Cruise among Ha Long Bay’s iconic limestone karsts

Canyonlands National Park

Epic Canyons and Untamed Wilderness

8.3

Canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers split Utah's Canyonlands into three separate districts. Mesa Arch frames a wide canyon view from a narrow sandstone ledge. Visitors can photograph sunrise light glowing beneath the arch each morning. The park's Island in the Sky district offers the easiest access.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the easy trail to Grand View Point overlook
• 🚗 Drive scenic Grand View Point Road and stops
• 🌅 Watch sunrise at Mesa Arch for breathtaking views

Chichen Itza

Unravel the Mysteries of the Maya

A stepped pyramid called El Castillo dominates the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula. Maya builders aligned it so a serpent shadow crawls down its staircase at the equinox. Visitors can photograph the pyramid against a clear blue sky from the open plaza. A sacred cenote sits just north of the main structures.

Highlights:

• 🔭 Visit the Observatory (El Caracol) for ancient astronomy insights
• 🏟️ Explore the Great Ball Court and ancient Mayan ruins
• 🪜 Climb El Castillo pyramid and witness equinox serpent shadow

Giza

Timeless Pyramids on Cairo’s Edge

7.1

Three ancient pyramids rise directly from the desert on the edge of Cairo at Giza. Workers built the Great Pyramid around 2560 BC as a tomb for Khufu. Visitors can photograph the Sphinx with the pyramids lined up behind it. Camel rides across the plateau offer a wider angle of the site.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Explore the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum’s treasures
• 🦁 Visit the iconic Great Sphinx near the pyramid complex
• 🗿 Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient wonders

Bryce Canyon National Park

Hoodoo Wonderland and Starry Nights

8.2

Thousands of orange rock spires called hoodoos fill Utah's Bryce Canyon amphitheatre. Frost and rain slowly carved these formations from a plateau over millions of years. Visitors can photograph the spires glowing red at sunrise from Sunrise Point. Clear, dark skies here also draw stargazers after dusk.

Highlights:

• 🧱 Explore Bryce Amphitheater for stunning rock formations
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from inspiring viewpoints at Inspiration Point
• 🥾 Hike the iconic Navajo Loop Trail among hoodoos

Lauterbrunnen

Valley of 72 waterfalls

9.1

Seventy two waterfalls drop from sheer cliffs into Lauterbrunnen's narrow Swiss valley. Staubbach Falls plunges nearly 1,000 feet directly behind the small village. Visitors can photograph the valley's cliffs from a cable car climbing towards Murren. Cows grazing on high meadows are often visible from the valley floor.

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

Gullfoss Falls

Majestic golden cascade in Iceland

Water drops in two staggered stages into a deep canyon at Iceland's Gullfoss Falls. Early conservationists fought to stop a hydroelectric project that would have flooded the falls. Visitors can photograph rainbows forming in the spray on sunny afternoons. A path along the rim leads close to the edge of both drops.

Highlights:

• ☕ Relax and dine at the cozy Gullfoss Visitor Center café
• 🥾 Explore walking trails around Gullfoss canyon rim
• 🌊 View the powerful two-tiered cascade from multiple platforms

Arches National Park

A Desert Wonderland of Stone Arches

8.2

Over 2,000 sandstone arches stand across Utah's Arches National Park near Moab. Wind and water carved these formations from red rock over millions of years. Visitors can photograph Delicate Arch silhouetted against the La Sal Mountains at sunset. A short but steep trail leads up to the arch's base.

Highlights:

• 🌉 Visit Double Arch and climb beneath its massive spans
• 🥾 Explore Devils Garden Trail with multiple arches
• 🧗‍♂️ Hike to Delicate Arch, the park’s iconic symbol

Chefchaouen

Blue Medina, Mountain Views, Calm Vibes

6.8

Blue painted walls cover nearly every building in Chefchaouen's hillside medina in northern Morocco. Some residents say the colour was first adopted by Jewish refugees who settled here in the 1930s. Visitors can photograph the narrow blue alleyways in the soft light of early morning. Cats often nap undisturbed along the painted steps.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore the historic Kasbah and its lush gardens
• 🌅 Climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views
• 💙 Wander the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen Medina

Ha Long

Mystical limestone islands and emerald seas

7.5

Sung Sot Cave hides a chamber of stalactites deep inside one of Ha Long's limestone islands. Local fishermen once used this cave as shelter from passing storms. Visitors can photograph the cave's chambers lit up along a marked walking path. Kayaks can paddle through nearby lagoons hidden between the karst islands.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Watch sunrise from the deck of an overnight cruise
• 🛶 Kayak into hidden lagoons and explore sea caves
• ⛵ Cruise through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts and emerald waters

Fira

Clifftop views and island energy

7.8

Whitewashed buildings with blue domed roofs cling to Fira's cliffside above Santorini's caldera. A volcanic eruption thousands of years ago carved out the bay these towns now overlook. Visitors can photograph the sunset from Fira's cliffside path as the sky turns orange. Donkeys and a cable car both carry visitors up from the old port.

Highlights:

• 🚠 Take the cable car down to the Old Port
• 🌅 Stroll along the Caldera walkway with stunning views
• 🔔 Visit the iconic Three Bells of Fira for photos

Guilin

Karst Mountains and Serene Rivers

7.2

Limestone karst peaks rise abruptly from the flat farmland surrounding Guilin, China. The Li River winds between these peaks for about 50 miles towards Yangshuo. Visitors can photograph the peaks reflected in the river from a bamboo raft. Fishermen still use trained cormorant birds to catch fish on the river.

Highlights:

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

Denali National Park

Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife

8.8

North America's tallest peak rises over 20,000 feet above Alaska's Denali National Park. Clouds hide the summit on most days, leaving only brief windows for a clear view. Visitors can photograph the mountain from the park road along with moose and caribou. A single unpaved road provides vehicle access into the park.

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

Lake Louise

Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies

8.9

Glacier fed water gives Lake Louise its bright turquoise colour each summer. Victoria Glacier sits visible at the far end of the lake above a stone chateau. Visitors can photograph canoes crossing the still water in the early morning light. The lake often freezes solid enough to walk on by midwinter.

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

Reine

Lofoten’s Iconic Fjord Village

8.8

Red fishing cabins called rorbuer line the harbour beneath sharp peaks in Reine, Norway. Fishermen have used this small Lofoten village as a base for cod fishing for generations. Visitors can photograph the village from atop Reinebringen after a steep hourlong climb. Midnight sun keeps the sky lit through much of the summer.

Highlights:

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

Faroe Islands

Dramatic cliffs meet misty landscapes

8.9

Grass roofed cottages sit scattered across steep green cliffs throughout the Faroe Islands. Sheep outnumber people on these islands, grazing right up to the edges of tall sea cliffs. Visitors can photograph waterfalls dropping straight into the ocean at Mulafossur. Weather here can shift from sun to fog within the same hour.

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

Chornobyl

Haunting Ruins and Nature’s Comeback

4.6

An abandoned Ferris wheel stands frozen inside Pripyat's overgrown amusement park near Chornobyl. Workers evacuated the city within days after the 1986 nuclear disaster. Visitors can photograph nature reclaiming apartment blocks on guided tours through the exclusion zone. Radiation levels are checked regularly along the approved walking routes.

Highlights:

• 🏭 See the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor No. 4
• 🏚️ Visit the haunting remains of the abandoned city of Pripyat
• ☢️ Join a guided tour of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Lofoten

Dramatic Peaks and Northern Lights

8.4

Sharp granite peaks rise directly from the sea along Norway's Lofoten Islands. Fishing villages here have hung cod to dry on wooden racks for centuries. Visitors can photograph the red cabins of Reine against the mountains behind them. The northern lights are often visible over the islands in winter.

Highlights:

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

Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

Twin Lakes and Volcanic Wonders

8.1

Two crater lakes sit side by side at Sete Cidades, one blue and one green. Local legend explains the colours as the tears of a princess and a shepherd. Visitors can photograph both lakes together from the Vista do Rei viewpoint. Green hillsides and grazing cattle surround the volcanic crater year round.

Highlights:

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

Bora Bora

Turquoise Lagoons, Overwater Dreams

8.4

A single extinct volcano rises above Bora Bora's ring of coral reef and lagoon. Water here shifts between shades of turquoise depending on the depth below. Visitors can photograph overwater bungalows from the lagoon with Mount Otemanu behind them. Snorkelling trips reach the reef in only a few minutes by boat.

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

Bohol

Beaches, Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers

7.4

Over a thousand cone shaped mounds cover the countryside at Bohol's Chocolate Hills. The grass covering these hills turns brown in the dry season, giving them their name. Visitors can photograph the hills from a viewpoint that catches dozens of mounds at once. Tarsiers, among the world's smallest primates, live in forests nearby.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Cruise the scenic Loboc River with floating restaurants
• 🐒 Spot tiny Philippine tarsiers in the conservation sanctuary
• ⛰️ Marvel at the unique Chocolate Hills geological formations

Alberobello

The fairytale town of trulli

7.1

Hundreds of cone roofed trulli houses cluster along Alberobello's narrow whitewashed streets. Builders stacked these limestone homes without mortar so they could be dismantled to dodge taxes. Visitors can photograph the rooftops from a hillside terrace above the old town. Some trulli now operate as small guesthouses and shops.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♀️ Walk through the peaceful Rione Aia Piccola district
• 🏰 Visit Trullo Sovrano, the largest two-story trullo
• 🏠 Explore the unique trulli houses in Rione Monti

Vatnajökull National Park

Glaciers, Volcanoes and Ice Caves

8.3

Blue ice caves form each winter beneath Europe's largest glacier inside Vatnajokull National Park. Meltwater carves these tunnels fresh every year, so no two seasons look alike. Visitors can photograph the glacier's blue interior on a guided ice cave tour. Nearby, icebergs drift through the Jokulsarlon lagoon towards the sea.

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

Fujikawaguchiko

Lake town with Mount Fuji views and onsen

8.1

Lavender fields bloom each summer along Lake Kawaguchiko's shore in Fujikawaguchiko. Oishi Park frames Mount Fuji behind rows of purple flowers from June to July. Visitors can photograph the lake, lavender and mountain together from the park's walking paths. Swan boats cross the lake within the same view during summer months.

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

Geiranger

Majestic Fjords and Dramatic Waterfalls

8.3

The Seven Sisters waterfall drops in seven separate streams into Geiranger's narrow fjord. Steep cliffs rise nearly 5,000 feet straight up from the dark water below. Visitors can photograph the fjord from a ferry as it winds beneath the falls. A winding road called the Eagle Bend offers a high overlook nearby.

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

Isle of Skye

Dramatic Landscapes and Ancient Legends

7.9

Jagged peaks called the Cuillin ridge dominate the skyline across Scotland's Isle of Skye. The Old Man of Storr, a rock pinnacle, formed from an ancient landslide. Visitors can photograph the Fairy Pools where waterfalls drop into clear blue water. Sheep often wander freely across the island's open moorland.

Highlights:

• 💧 Visit the enchanting Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle
• ⛰️ Marvel at the Old Man of Storr rock pinnacle
• 🥾 Hike the dramatic landscapes of the Quiraing

Göreme

Fairy Chimneys and Cave Dwellings

7.8

Goreme's open air museum holds rock cut churches painted with faded Byzantine frescoes. Monks carved these chapels directly into the town's soft volcanic cones centuries ago. Visitors can photograph hundreds of hot air balloons rising over the town at dawn. Cave hotels built into the rock line Goreme's narrow streets.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike through the colorful Red and Rose Valleys
• 🏛️ Explore the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum
• 🎈 Take an early morning hot air balloon ride over Göreme

Glacier National Park

Crown of the Continent

8.9

Going to the Sun Road climbs through Montana's Glacier National Park past jagged peaks and alpine lakes. Engineers built this road in the 1930s across some of the park's steepest terrain. Visitors can photograph mountain goats along the road's high alpine sections in summer. Snow often closes the highest stretch of road until mid June.

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

Dolomites National Park

Towering peaks and pristine wilderness

8.4

Pale limestone peaks turn pink and orange at sunset across Italy's Dolomites. Geologists say ancient coral reefs formed the rock that now makes up these mountains. Visitors can photograph Lake Braies with the jagged peaks reflected in its still water. Hiking trails connect a network of mountain huts through the range.

Highlights:

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

Dinant

Cliffs, Saxophones and River Views

7.3

A citadel and church tower rise directly above the Meuse River in Dinant, Belgium. Composer Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born in this riverside town. Visitors can photograph the cliffside buildings from a boat cruising along the river. A cable car carries visitors up to the citadel's ramparts.

Highlights:

• 🎷 Discover the life of Adolphe Sax at the Sax Museum
• ⛪ Visit the gothic Collegiate Church of Our Lady
• 🏰 Explore the medieval Citadel of Dinant for stunning views

Petra

Ancient city carved into rose-red stone

A narrow canyon called the Siq opens suddenly onto Petra's carved Treasury facade. Nabataean workers cut this building directly into pink sandstone over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can photograph the Treasury lit by candles during the evening Petra by Night event. Camels and horses wait near the entrance for hire.

Highlights:

• 🏺 Explore the ancient Royal Tombs carved into cliffs
• 🏛️ Climb 800 steps to the impressive Monastery (Al-Deir)
• 🛤️ Walk through the narrow Siq gorge to the Treasury

Aït-Benhaddou

Ancient Moroccan Desert Fortress

6.6

Mud brick towers rise in tight clusters along Ait Benhaddou's fortified hillside village. Caravans once passed through this Sahara trade post on the route between Marrakesh and the desert. Visitors can photograph the kasbah's earthen walls glowing orange at sunset. Several film productions have used the site as a backdrop.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Watch a spectacular sunset over the Atlas Mountains
• 🏠 Explore narrow alleys lined with traditional mudbrick houses
• 🏰 Climb to the top of the ancient kasbah for views

Fujiyoshida

Fuji's sacred trailhead with the pagoda view

8.1

A five story pagoda frames Mount Fuji in one of Japan's most photographed views. Chureito Pagoda sits on a hillside above Fujiyoshida, reached by a long stone staircase. Visitors can photograph the pagoda and mountain together during cherry blossom season each spring. Autumn maple leaves offer a second bright framing later in the year.

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

Bellagio

Pearl of Lake Como’s Shores

7.6

Bellagio sits on a narrow point where Lake Como splits into two separate arms. Steep staircase streets climb between pastel buildings above the waterfront promenade. Visitors can photograph the lake and surrounding mountains from the town's hillside gardens. Ferries connect Bellagio to villages on both shores.

Highlights:

• ⛴️ Take a boat across Lake Como to explore nearby towns
• 🌸 Visit Villa Melzi Gardens for sculptures and blooming terraces
• 🌅 Stroll along Bellagio’s lakefront promenade and admire Como’s views

Abu Simbel

Majestic Temples by the Nile

7.0

Four seated statues of Ramesses the Second guard the entrance to Abu Simbel's rock temple. Engineers relocated the entire site block by block in the 1960s to escape flooding. Visitors can photograph sunlight reaching deep into the inner sanctuary twice each year. The alignment falls close to the pharaoh's coronation and birth dates.

Highlights:

• ☀️ Watch the temple alignment during the Sun Festival
• 🏛️ Explore the interior chambers of Abu Simbel Temple
• 🌅 Marvel at the colossal statues of Ramses II at sunrise

Huangshan

Mystical Peaks and Ancient Villages

7.6

Twisted pine trees grow straight out of granite cliffs across Huangshan's famous peaks. Painters and poets have used these mountains as subjects for over a thousand years. Visitors can photograph the peaks rising through a sea of clouds at sunrise. Cable cars carry visitors up to several main viewpoints.

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

Cappadocia

A surreal land of fairy chimneys

8.0

Cone shaped rock towers called fairy chimneys cover the valleys around Cappadocia, Turkey. Soft volcanic rock here eroded unevenly, leaving harder caps balanced on narrower stems. Visitors can photograph dozens of hot air balloons drifting over the valley at sunrise. Many of the rock formations hide old cave dwellings and churches inside.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Climb Uçhisar Castle for panoramic Cappadocia views
• ⛪ Explore the rock-cut churches at Göreme Open-Air Museum
• 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest

8.3

Roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in Uganda's dense Bwindi forest. Trackers guide small groups through steep, tangled terrain to reach a habituated family. Visitors can photograph gorillas at close range once trackers locate the group. Permits limit each group to a single hour with the animals.

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

Lake Tekapo

The Glacial Gem of the South Island

8.6

Bright blue water fills Lake Tekapo, coloured by glacial rock flour from nearby peaks. A small stone church sits alone on the lake's shore beneath the Southern Alps. Visitors can photograph the Milky Way over the lake thanks to strict local lighting rules. Lupins bloom in shades of purple and pink each December.

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

Zhangjiajie

Avatar's Floating Mountains Come Alive

7.3

Thousands of thin sandstone pillars rise through mist across Zhangjiajie's forested valleys. These towering columns inspired the floating mountains in a well known animated film. Visitors can photograph the pillars from a glass walkway built along a cliff edge. A cable car climbs to Tianzi Mountain for a wider overview.

Highlights:

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

Fiordland National Park

New Zealand’s Wildest Water World

8.7

Steep cliffs and waterfalls line Milford Sound inside New Zealand's Fiordland National Park. Glaciers carved this fjord over thousands of years, leaving walls that rise straight from the water. Visitors can photograph the sound from a boat as mist drifts off the peaks. Rainfall here is among the heaviest recorded anywhere in the country.

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 rise above a dry white clay pan at Namib Naukluft. Dead camel thorn trees stand blackened but preserved in the cracked earth below. Visitors can photograph the dunes against the pale pan at sunrise for sharp contrast. Dune 45 is one of the most climbed dunes in the park.

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

Dunhuang

Desert Wonders and Ancient Art

7.1

Sand dunes over 1,600 feet tall rise just outside the oasis town of Dunhuang. A small crescent shaped lake sits tucked between the dunes and a cluster of palm trees. Visitors can photograph camel caravans crossing the ridgelines at sunset. Nearby caves hold Buddhist murals painted over a thousand years ago.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Visit the serene Crescent Moon Lake oasis
• 🐪 Ride camels and hike the dunes at Mingsha Mountain
• 🕌 Explore the ancient Buddhist art in Mogao Caves

Furano

Lavender fields and powder snow in Hokkaido

8.1

Rows of purple lavender stretch across Furano's hillside farms each July in Hokkaido. Farmers first planted the crop here in the 1950s to supply the perfume industry. Visitors can photograph the striped rainbow fields at Farm Tomita during peak bloom. Snow covers the same slopes in ski season each winter.

Highlights:

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

Canaima National Park

Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder

7.7

Angel Falls drops nearly 3,200 feet from a flat topped mountain inside Canaima National Park. Water here falls so far that much of it turns to mist before reaching the ground. Visitors can photograph the falls from a boat trip up the Carrao River. Tepui plateaus throughout the park rise straight out of the jungle.

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

Amboseli National Park

Elephants Against Kilimanjaro's Backdrop

7.9

Elephant herds cross Amboseli's open plains with Mount Kilimanjaro rising sharply behind them. Clear skies here give photographers one of Africa's most reliable views of the peak. Visitors can photograph wildlife against the snow capped mountain most mornings before clouds build. Swamps in the park draw large herds through the dry season.

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

Mount Fuji

Japan's highest peak and sacred volcano

Japan's tallest peak rises in a near perfect cone above the surrounding lakes and forest. Snow covers the summit most of the year except for a short summer window. Visitors can photograph the mountain reflected in Lake Kawaguchiko on clear mornings. Cherry blossoms frame the peak at several spots each spring.

Highlights:

• 🚣‍♀️ Explore Lake Kawaguchi with stunning views of Mount Fuji
• 🚠 Take a scenic ride on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
• 🌄 Climb to the summit for sunrise views and achievement

Boulders Beach

Swim with wild African penguins

A colony of African penguins nests among the granite boulders on this beach near Simon's Town. Numbers here grew from just two breeding pairs in the 1980s to thousands today. Visitors can photograph the penguins from a raised boardwalk without disturbing the colony. Swimming is allowed in a separate roped off section of the bay.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Walk the boardwalks for stunning penguin colony views
• 🏊‍♀️ Swim in protected waters surrounded by granite boulders
• 🐧 Watch African penguins up close on sandy shores

Huanglong National Park

China's Colorful Terraced Wonderland

7.0

Terraced pools of turquoise and green water stretch across Huanglong's mineral rich valley. Calcium deposits build up the pool edges, giving them a scaly dragon like pattern. Visitors can photograph the pools against a backdrop of snow capped peaks. A boardwalk climbs alongside the terraces for over three miles.

Highlights:

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

Central Park

Nature’s Heart in NYC

Each autumn, joggers and photographers fill Central Park's paths as maple and oak leaves turn deep red. Bow Bridge and the Mall are favourite spots for catching the colour against the skyline. Visitors can rent a rowboat on the lake for a lower angle view. The park covers over 800 acres of Manhattan.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore Belvedere Castle for stunning park views
• ⛲ Visit the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
• 🚣 Row a boat on Central Park’s scenic lake

Gardens by the Bay

Futuristic Garden Oasis in Singapore

Eighteen Supertree structures light up in changing colours each evening at Gardens by the Bay. Some trees rise as tall as a sixteen story building above the park. Visitors can walk an elevated skywalk strung between the tallest trees. Two glass domes nearby hold cloud forest and desert plants.

Highlights:

• 🌸 Wander the Flower Dome’s vibrant themed floral displays
• 🌳 Stroll among colossal Supertrees and catch Garden Rhapsody
• 🌿 Explore the Cloud Forest’s indoor waterfall and trails

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve

Colorful lakes in Tibetan mountains

7.8

Mineral rich water gives Jiuzhaigou's lakes shades of turquoise, green and deep blue. Fallen trees sit visibly preserved beneath the clear surface of several lakes. Visitors can photograph the colour shifting water along wooden boardwalks through the valley. Waterfalls connect a chain of lakes throughout the reserve.

Highlights:

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

Wadi Rum

Valley of the moon's timeless magic

8.1

Red sandstone cliffs rise sharply from the desert floor across Jordan's Wadi Rum valley. Filmmakers have used this stark landscape as a stand in for Mars in several movies. Visitors can photograph the rock formations from atop a dune at sunset. Bedouin guides lead jeep tours through the valley's hidden canyons.

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

Ashikaga Flower Park

Giant wisteria trellis and winter light show

Purple wisteria vines drape over a long tunnel walkway at Ashikaga Flower Park. One wisteria tree here has grown for more than 150 years across a huge trellis. Visitors can photograph the blossoms lit up during an evening illumination event. Peak bloom usually falls in late April to early May.

Highlights:

• 🌟 Enjoy evening illuminations highlighting blossoms
• 📸 Photograph vibrant seasonal flowers across the park
• 🌸 Walk beneath the stunning wisteria tunnel in bloom

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons

6.9

Rainwater collects in blue and green pools between white sand dunes at Lencois Maranhenses. These lagoons form each year during the rainy season between roughly June and September. Visitors can photograph the pools from atop a dune ridge at sunset. Some lagoons dry up completely by late in the year.

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 calves massive chunks of ice into Argentina's Lake Argentino. This glacier remains one of the few in Patagonia that is still growing. Visitors can photograph the ice face from walkways built directly across the water. Occasional cracks send blocks of ice crashing into the lake.

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

Sossusvlei

Towering red dunes meet white clay

7.5

Deep red dunes rise above a white clay pan dotted with dead trees at Sossusvlei. Some of these dunes rank among the tallest in the world at over 1,000 feet. Visitors can photograph the contrast between the orange sand and pale cracked earth. Sunrise gives the steepest dune faces their sharpest shadow lines.

Highlights:

• 🏜️ Marvel at the red dunes contrasting the deep blue sky
• 📸 Visit Deadvlei and photograph the ancient camelthorn trees
• 🌅 Climb Dune 45 at sunrise for breathtaking desert views

Iguazú National Park and Reserve

Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest

7.9

Argentina's side of Iguazu National Park brings visitors within feet of the Devil's Throat platform. Metal walkways stretch directly over the river to the edge of the main cascade. Visitors can photograph the falls from a boat that motors close beneath the spray. Coatis, a raccoon relative, often wander the park's trails.

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

Zhangye Danxia National Geopark

Vibrant rock layers paint a surreal landscape

8.6

Striped layers of red, yellow and orange rock cover the hills at Zhangye Danxia. Mineral deposits built up over millions of years to create the banded colours. Visitors can photograph the rainbow ridges from a series of wooden viewing platforms. Colours appear most vivid in the hours just after rainfall.

Highlights:

• 🪨 Explore the Red Stone Garden rock formations
• 🏞️ Stroll the scenic Liwan Gorge trail, capture vivid strata
• 🌄 Climb Zhangye Danxia's rainbow cliffs for sunrise

Florence Cathedral

Renaissance Masterpiece with a View

Brunelleschi's dome tops Florence Cathedral without a single nail holding its brick shell together. Pink, white and green marble cover the exterior in a striped geometric pattern. Visitors can climb over 400 steps to the dome's base for a rooftop view of the city. The cathedral took nearly 140 years to finish.

Highlights:

• 🔔 Visit Giotto’s Bell Tower and soak in skyline vistas
• 🎨 Admire frescoes of the Last Judgment inside the dome
• 🏰 Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome for panoramic city views

Eiffel Tower

Paris Icon with Stunning Views

The Eiffel Tower sparkles with thousands of small lights for five minutes every hour after dark. Gustave Eiffel built the tower for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Visitors can climb to the second floor for a closer view of the ironwork. Trocadero Gardens across the river offers the widest angle shot.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Explore the history exhibits on the first floor
• 🍽️ Dine at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant
• 🌆 Ascend to the summit for breathtaking Paris views

Cristo Redentor

Iconic guardian of Rio's skyline

Christ the Redeemer's outstretched arms stand 98 feet tall above Rio de Janeiro's Corcovado peak. Workers finished the reinforced concrete statue in 1931 after nine years of construction. Visitors can photograph the full city and harbour spread out below the summit. Clouds sometimes roll in and hide the statue's head entirely.

Highlights:

• ✝️ Admire the iconic statue's immense 28-metre arm span
• 🌆 Enjoy panoramic views of Rio from Corcovado summit
• 🚋 Take the cogwheel train through lush Tijuca Forest

Fisherman's Bastion

Panoramic Views in Fairytale Setting

Seven white towers along Fisherman's Bastion represent the seven tribes that founded Hungary. Fishermen from a nearby market once defended this stretch of the castle wall. Visitors can photograph the Danube and Parliament building through the terrace's stone arches. The neo Gothic lookout was completed in 1902.

Highlights:

• 👑 Visit the statue of St. Stephen nearby
• 🏰 Explore the seven towers symbolizing Magyar tribes
• 🌆 Capture panoramic views of Budapest from the terraces

Taj Mahal

Radiant marble echoing timeless love

The Taj Mahal's white marble dome shifts shade with the changing light throughout the day. Emperor Shah Jahan built the mausoleum in the 1600s for his late wife. Visitors can photograph the monument reflected in its long garden pool near sunrise. A red sandstone gate frames the view upon entry.

Highlights:

• 🛍️ Shop local marble souvenirs near the monument
• 🌆 Explore Mehtab Bagh for twilight Taj views
• 🕌 Admire Taj Mahal's sunrise reflection from Agra Fort

Copacabana Beach

Lively iconic Rio shoreline

Black and white wave patterns run the full length of Copacabana Beach's wide promenade. Rio's New Year fireworks draw crowds of over a million along this same stretch of sand. Visitors can photograph the curve of the bay from the Arpoador rocks at sunset. Sugarloaf Mountain rises in the distance beyond the shoreline.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Watch the vibrant sunset from the famous boardwalk
• 🏐 Play beach volleyball with lively local enthusiasts
• 🏖️ Relax on the iconic crescent-shaped sandy beach

Great Barrier Reef

World's largest living coral wonder

Heart Reef forms a natural coral heart shape visible only from the air above the Whitsundays. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 1,400 miles along Australia's northeast coast. Visitors can photograph the reef's colours through a scenic flight or a glass bottom boat. Snorkellers can reach shallow coral gardens just off several island beaches.

Highlights:

• 🚁 Fly over the reef to spot the Heart Reef
• 🤿 Take a scuba dive at the outer reef
• 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish

Basilica Cistern

Mystical Underground Byzantine Wonder

Rows of columns rise from shallow water inside Istanbul's underground Basilica Cistern. Byzantine engineers built the reservoir in the sixth century to supply the old palace. Visitors can photograph two carved Medusa heads used as column bases in a far corner. Soft red lighting reflects off the still water throughout the hall.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Enjoy the cistern’s peaceful, cool atmosphere underground
• 🧟‍♀️ See the mysterious Medusa head sculptures
• 🏛️ Walk among 336 illuminated ancient columns

Glacier Point

Breathtaking Views of Yosemite Valley

Glacier Point sits over 3,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor on a paved overlook. Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada peaks fill the horizon from this single spot. Visitors can watch alpenglow colour the granite walls at sunset. A winding road closes each winter once snow blocks the route.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the Four Mile Trail down to Yosemite Valley floor
• 🚶‍♂️ Walk the accessible trail to the Glacier Point overlook
• 🌅 Watch the sunset paint Half Dome and Yosemite Valley

Seljalandsfoss

Majestic cascade framed by misty cliffs

A hidden path circles completely behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland. Water drops about 200 feet from a cliff that once formed the country's coastline. Visitors can photograph the falls from inside the rock alcove behind the water. Waterproof gear helps keep cameras dry from the constant spray.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Discover Gljúfrabúi hidden waterfall inside a canyon
• 🏞️ Hike the 2 km trail to Skógafoss, spray in your hair
• 🌅 Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, capturing sunrise reflections

Skógafoss

Majestic cascade plunges into emerald canyon

Rainbows form almost daily in the spray at the base of Skogafoss waterfall. Local folklore tells of a hidden treasure chest buried behind the falls by early settlers. Visitors can photograph the falls from a staircase that climbs to a clifftop platform. The Skoga River continues past the falls towards the coast.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore the hidden basalt columns nearby
• 🚤 Take a boat tour to see the glacier lagoon
• 🌊 Stand beneath Skógafoss waterfall, feel mist

Shirakawa-go

Thatched gassho farmhouses in the Hida mountains

7.6

Steep thatched roofs cover the farmhouses of Shirakawa-go in Japan's mountain valleys. Builders designed these roofs at a sharp angle to shed heavy winter snowfall. Visitors can photograph the village lit up during a limited winter illumination event. A hillside viewpoint overlooks the full village and surrounding rice fields.

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

El Capitan

Yosemite's Iconic Vertical Giant

Early climbers first scaled El Capitan's sheer granite face in 1958 after weeks on the wall. The route since drew free solo climbers seeking a faster, ropeless ascent. Visitors can watch tiny headlamps flicker on the rock after dark during spring season. Meadows below offer a clear view of the full 3,000 foot wall.

Highlights:

• 🎤 Attend a ranger-led talk to learn climbing history
• 🌄 Explore the El Capitan Meadow for mountain views
• 🧗‍♂️ Watch expert climbers ascend the iconic granite face

Half Dome

Iconic Granite Challenge Peak

Morning light turns Half Dome's sheer granite face a deep orange before the sun clears the ridge. Its rounded shape looks sliced clean down one side by ancient glaciers. Hikers can climb steel cables near the summit for wide valley views. Permits are required for the final steep pitch each day.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Catch sunrise views from the top of Half Dome
• 🧗‍♀️ Use cables to climb the steep rock face safely
• 🥾 Hike the challenging trail to Half Dome summit

Miyajima

Torii in the sea, deer and Mount Misen

8.6

Itsukushima Shrine's vermilion gate appears to float when the tide rises around it. At low tide, visitors can walk across the exposed sea floor to touch the gate. Photographers can capture the torii glowing at sunset from the shoreline promenade. Deer wander freely along the paths leading to the shrine.

Highlights:

• 🍁 Stroll through Momijidani Park’s maple trees in autumn
• 🏔️ Climb Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea
• ⛩️ Admire the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine at high tide

Hungarian Parliament Building

Budapest’s Neo-Gothic Masterpiece

Gothic spires and a central dome make the Hungarian Parliament one of Europe's largest government buildings. Workers finished the riverside structure in 1904 after nearly two decades of construction. Visitors can photograph its reflection in the Danube from the Buda side at dusk. Interior tours pass beneath a dome covered in gold leaf.

Highlights:

• 👑 See the Hungarian Crown Jewels in the central hall
• 🏛️ Marvel at the ornate Grand Staircase and Dome Hall
• 🎧 Join a 45-minute guided tour of the Parliament interior

Fanal forest

Mystical Laurel Forest in Madeira

Ancient laurel trees twist into strange shapes across Madeira's fog covered Fanal Forest. Some of these trees have stood for centuries, sheltered in a UNESCO protected zone. Visitors can photograph the trees rising through low cloud most mornings before the fog lifts. Trails through the forest connect to wider laurisilva woodland nearby.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Relax at picnic spots surrounded by serene forest atmosphere
• 🌫️ Experience mystical fog and twisted centuries-old tree shapes
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Vereda do Fanal trail through ancient laurel trees

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Kyoto's famous bamboo lane in Arashiyama

Tall bamboo stalks lean overhead along the path through Kyoto's Arashiyama Grove. Wind passing through the stalks creates a sound once named among Japan's cherished acoustic scenes. Visitors can photograph the green corridor early in the morning before crowds arrive. A nearby monkey park offers a hillside view over the city.

Highlights:

• 🚣‍♂️ Drift along the Katsura River with Arashiyama's hills as backdrop, avoiding the crowds
• 🐒 Meet wild monkeys at Iwatayama Monkey Park above Arashiyama
• 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning

Grand Canal

Venice's Flowing Architectural Marvel

Gondolas and vaporetto boats share the Grand Canal as it winds through the centre of Venice. Marble palaces built by merchant families line both banks of the waterway. Visitors can photograph the Rialto Bridge from a boat as the sun sets behind it. Morning light casts a warm glow on the canal's pastel facades.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Cruise the canal by vaporetto and spot historic landmarks
• 🌅 Admire sunset views of Venice’s palaces from Rialto Bridge
• 🛶 Take a romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal

Cliffs of Moher

Dramatic cliffs on Atlantic's edge

Sea cliffs rise more than 700 feet straight up from the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher. Workers built O'Brien's Tower in 1835 as a viewing point for tourists. Visitors can photograph the cliffs stretching south along a marked coastal path. Puffins nest on the lower ledges during the spring breeding season.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Spot nesting seabirds like puffins on cliffs
• 🏰 Visit O’Brien’s Tower for panoramic views
• 🚶‍♀️ Walk the paved paths along the dramatic cliffs

Brooklyn Bridge

Historic icon with stunning views

Sunrise lines up almost perfectly with the Brooklyn Bridge's Manhattan tower on certain spring mornings. Stone arches and steel cables have crossed the East River since 1883. Photographers can catch the skyline framed through the bridge's Gothic arches at dawn. Foot and bike lanes share the wooden promenade above traffic.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park with playgrounds and trails
• 📸 Snap photos of Manhattan skyline from the bridge
• 🌉 Walk the iconic Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path

Charles Bridge

Prague's Timeless Medieval Icon

Thirty stone statues of saints line Charles Bridge as it crosses the Vltava River in Prague. Construction began in 1357 under King Charles the Fourth's direct order. Visitors can photograph Prague Castle framed above the bridge's Gothic towers at dawn. Street musicians and artists set up along the walkway most mornings.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Climb Old Town and Lesser Town Bridge Towers
• 🍀 Rub the statue of [translate:Sv. Jan Nepomucký] for luck
• 🚶‍♂️ Stroll the bridge early to avoid crowds

Golden Gate Bridge

Iconic Art Deco Engineering Marvel

Fog often rolls beneath the Golden Gate Bridge's towers before burning off by midday. Engineers finished the bridge in 1937 after four years of construction over the strait. Visitors can photograph the bridge from Battery Spencer for a wide angle across the water. Bike paths cross the bridge for a closer view of the cables.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Visit the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center exhibits
• 🌅 Capture sunrise views from Marin Headlands
• 🚴‍♂️ Walk or bike across the iconic red bridge

Grand Place

Brussels’ Stunning Historic Square

Gabled guildhalls topped with gold trim surround Brussels' Grand Place on all four sides. Victor Hugo once called the square one of the most beautiful in Europe. Visitors can photograph the ornate facades lit up after sunset each evening. A flower carpet covers the square's cobblestones every other August.

Highlights:

• 🏺 Visit the City Museum inside the King’s House
• 🏰 Take a guided tour of the stunning Town Hall interiors
• 🏛️ Admire the ornate guildhalls surrounding the square

Grand Canyon

Majestic chasm carved by time

Layers of red and orange rock stack up over a mile deep at the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River carved this gorge over roughly six million years. Visitors can photograph the canyon glowing at sunrise from Mather Point on the South Rim. Condors can sometimes be seen soaring along the canyon's rim.

Highlights:

• 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter flight over the rim
• 🥾 Hike the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon
• 🌅 Watch the sunrise from Mather Point overlook

Mount Everest

World's highest peak, ultimate challenge

Earth's tallest peak rises over 29,000 feet above the Himalayas on Nepal's border with Tibet. Climbers have attempted the summit since the early twentieth century with mixed success. Visitors can photograph the peak from Kala Patthar without attempting the climb itself. Prayer flags mark the trail through base camp villages below.

Highlights:

• 🚁 Fly over Mount Everest on a scenic helicopter tour
• 🥾 Trek through the Khumbu Valley and visit Namche Bazaar
• 🏔️ Reach Everest Base Camp and gaze at the towering peak

Vestrahorn

Majestic peaks framed by volcanic glaciers

Sharp peaks of Vestrahorn rise directly behind a black sand beach on Iceland's southeast coast. Tidal pools reflect the jagged mountain when the water sits calm at low tide. Visitors can photograph the peaks framed by grassy dunes near an old Viking film set. Sunrise often lights the ridge in shades of pink.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Stroll along the shoreline, chasing waves on basalt rocks
• 📸 Photograph dramatic black sand dunes and sea cliffs
• 🌄 Climb the jagged peaks of Vestrahorn at sunrise

Angkor Wat

Timeless stone guardians echo ancient devotion

Angkor Wat's five towers rise above a moat that mirrors them at sunrise. Khmer kings built this temple complex in the early twelfth century as a Hindu shrine. Visitors can photograph the silhouette forming over the reflecting pool before dawn breaks. Vines and roots still grip the walls at nearby Ta Prohm temple.

Highlights:

• 🍜 Sample street food in Siem Reap night market
• 🏞️ Hike through Ta Prohm ruins, embrace mossy architecture
• 🌅 Explore sunrise at Angkor Wat's main temple

Blue Mosque

Ottoman Masterpiece in Istanbul

Istanbul's Blue Mosque earned its name from the thousands of blue tiles lining its interior. Six slender minarets rise around its central dome, a rare number for a mosque. Visitors can photograph the courtyard fountain framed by the mosque's cascading domes. Prayer times briefly close the interior to sightseers.

Highlights:

• 🌸 Enter the serene courtyard with its intricate fountains and Ottoman architecture
• 🕌 Stand beneath the towering six minarets and marvel at the skyline
• 🎨 Admire the stunning interior filled with over 20,000 blue Iznik tiles

Grand Palace

Majestic Heart of Thai Royalty

Gold spires and mosaic tile cover nearly every surface of Bangkok's Grand Palace complex. Built in 1782, it served as the residence of Thai kings for over a century. Visitors can photograph the emerald Buddha temple through the palace's ornate gates. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required to enter.

Highlights:

• 🎨 Stroll through the Royal Grounds and capture the ornate murals
• 🙏 Visit Wat Phra Kaew to see the Emerald Buddha statue
• 🏯 Admire the golden spires of the Grand Palace complex

Forbidden City

Ancient Imperial Majesty Center

Nearly a thousand buildings fill the Forbidden City, home to Chinese emperors for five centuries. Red walls and golden roof tiles were reserved for imperial use alone. Visitors can photograph the empty courtyards from the Meridian Gate at opening time. Jingshan Park just north offers a wide rooftop view.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Climb the Gate of Divine Might for sweeping palace views
• 🐉 Explore the ornate halls and admire the intricate dragon motifs
• 🚪 Walk through the grand Meridian Gate into imperial history

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Thousands of torii gates up a Kyoto mountain

Thousands of vermilion torii gates form a tunnel up the hillside at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Merchants and worshippers have donated these gates since the Edo period. Visitors can photograph the gates from the lower path before the incline grows steep. Small fox statues along the way represent messengers of the harvest god.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike to mountain summit for serene shrine views
• 🦊 Visit fox statues, messengers of the Inari deity
• ⛩️ Walk through the iconic vermillion Senbon Torii gates tunnel

Annapurna

Legendary Trekking in Himalayan Diversity

8.0

Snow covered peaks over 26,000 feet high ring the Annapurna range in central Nepal. Trekkers on the circuit pass through changing scenery from rice terraces to alpine desert. Visitors can photograph the peaks lit pink and orange at sunrise from Poon Hill. Prayer flags mark high passes along the trail.

Highlights:

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

Antelope Valley

Desert poppies and high skies

6.9

California poppies blanket Antelope Valley's hillsides in bright orange during a brief spring bloom. Wildflower season here depends heavily on winter rainfall and can vary year to year. Visitors can photograph the fields against snow capped mountains on clear March mornings. A state reserve protects the poppy fields from foot traffic.

Highlights:

• 🦌 Spot pronghorns and desert wildlife in the springtime
• 🚙 Drive through the Mojave Desert and capture the vast landscapes
• 🌼 See the stunning California poppy bloom at Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

Bagan

Ancient Temples and Timeless Sunsets

7.6

More than 2,000 Buddhist temples and stupas rise from the plains of Bagan. Kings built most of these structures between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. Visitors can photograph hot air balloons drifting over the temples at sunrise. A few pagodas still allow climbing for a wider view of the plain.

Highlights:

• 🎈 Take a hot air balloon ride for aerial views
• 🕌 Explore the stunning Ananda Temple’s architecture
• 🌅 Watch sunrise over thousands of ancient pagodas

Douro Valley

World's oldest wine wonderland

7.4

Terraced vineyards climb steep hillsides above the Douro River in northern Portugal. Farmers have grown grapes for port wine on these slopes since Roman times. Visitors can photograph the river bending between rows of vines from a hilltop viewpoint. Small boats still cruise the valley past old stone wine estates.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Hike to São Leonardo da Galafura viewpoint for panoramas
• 🍷 Tour historic port wine estates and enjoy tastings
• 🚤 Cruise the scenic Douro River on a traditional rabelo boat

Danakil Depression

Earth's Hottest, Most Alien Landscape

6.1

Bright yellow sulphur pools bubble across the volcanic floor of Ethiopia's Danakil Depression. This basin sits over 300 feet below sea level, among the hottest places on Earth. Visitors can photograph the Dallol formations glowing in shades of green and orange. Camel caravans still cross the nearby salt flats each day.

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

Moraine Lake

Turquoise jewel of the Rockies

Ten jagged peaks rise directly behind Moraine Lake's turquoise water in Banff National Park. Glacial rock flour gives the lake its bright blue green colour each summer. Visitors can hike the Rockpile Trail for the classic postcard view. The lake usually freezes over and drains out by October.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture iconic photos with the Valley of the Ten Peaks
• 🛶 Take a canoe out on the crystal-clear lake waters
• 🥾 Hike around the vibrant turquoise Moraine Lake shoreline

Batlló House

Gaudí's Whimsical Modernist Masterpiece

Antoni Gaudi covered Casa Batllo's facade in broken tile that shifts colour as the light changes. Locals nicknamed the building the House of Bones for its curved, skeletal balconies. Visitors can photograph the wavy rooftop, said to resemble a dragon's spine. The building sits along Barcelona's busy Passeig de Gracia.

Highlights:

• 🏠 Discover the flowing wooden interiors and stained glass windows
• 🐉 Walk up to the surreal rooftop with dragon-inspired chimneys
• 🎨 Explore the stunning colorful facade with mosaic tiles

Marina Bay Sands

Iconic Luxury Resort & SkyPark

Three towers hold up Marina Bay Sands' curved rooftop park, shaped like a giant surfboard. The infinity pool on top appears to spill straight into the city skyline below. Visitors can photograph the Gardens by the Bay light show from the observation deck. The whole complex opened to the public in 2010.

Highlights:

• 🍽️ Dine at iconic rooftop restaurants like CE LA VI
• 🌆 Visit the SkyPark Observation Deck for panoramic views
• 🏊‍♂️ Swim in the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool

Great Wall of China

Ancient Marvel Spanning Centuries

Stone watchtowers line the Great Wall as it climbs steep ridgelines north of Beijing. Construction on different sections spanned more than two thousand years under several dynasties. Visitors can photograph the wall snaking over the hills at Jinshanling with fewer crowds than Badaling. Mist often settles over the ridges at sunrise.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Enjoy panoramic mountain views from elevated Wall paths
• 🏯 Explore ancient watchtowers and fortresses along the Wall
• 🥾 Hike the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section

Bhutan

Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails

8.5

Tiger's Nest Monastery clings to a cliff face 3,000 feet above Bhutan's Paro valley. Monks built the temple complex in the 1600s around a cave used for meditation. Visitors can photograph the monastery through pine trees during the steep hike up. Prayer flags strung along mountain ridges mark the trail throughout the country.

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

Greenland

Arctic wilderness with ice landscapes

8.8

Massive icebergs calve from the Ilulissat glacier and drift through Greenland's Icefjord. This glacier produces more ice than almost any other in the Northern Hemisphere. Visitors can photograph the icebergs from a boat as the midnight sun stays low. Ice floes here can tower taller than a ten story building.

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

Lake Baikal

World's deepest lake, Siberia's jewel

7.9

Clear blue ice cracks into jagged patterns across frozen Lake Baikal each winter. This Siberian lake holds more fresh water than any other lake on Earth. Visitors can photograph the ice formations near Olkhon Island when the surface is clear. The lake stays frozen from around January to May.

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

Salar de Uyuni

World's largest surreal salt mirror

A thin layer of rainwater turns Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni into a giant mirror. This salt flat covers over 4,000 square miles, the largest of its kind on Earth. Visitors can photograph the sky reflected perfectly across the flat white surface. Cactus covered Incahuasi Island rises from the salt near the centre.

Highlights:

• 🚂 Explore the eerie Train Cemetery near Uyuni town
• 🌵 Visit Incahuasi Island and climb among giant cacti
• 📸 Take surreal photos with salt flat perspective illusions

The Wave

Stunning sandstone arches carved by wind and time

Swirling red and yellow stripes cover the sandstone at Arizona's rock formation called the Wave. Wind and water carved these ripples into Navajo sandstone over millions of years. Visitors can photograph the striped rock only with a permit limited to a small daily quota. The nearest trailhead sits along a remote dirt road.

Highlights:

• 🗣️ Attend a ranger talk on desert ecology
• 🌅 Capture sunrise over the sandstone arches
• 🥾 Hike to The Wave in Coyote Buttes