One way to rank a place is based on its natural beauty and landscape. Across my travels, I’ve found these six places to be the most beautiful.
And, according to data from the Global Tourism Organization, none of these places are or are in the most visited countries this year — so you might avoid some crowds by checking them out this summer.
If I had to name one city that stands out, it would be Cape Town in South Africa.Anyone visiting Cape Town would be impressed by its natural beauty. Its landscape features forests, beaches, mountains, and the majestic Table Mountain that looms over the city and bay.You can reach the top of Table Mountain by hiking or taking the far less strenuous cable car. Despite being fit, I chose the latter option, which allowed me to spend more time at the top. The views overlooking the ocean are an Instagrammer’s dream. For those who prefer to get a bird’ s-eye view of Table Mountain, climbing the nearby Lions Head Mountain is also possible, though there is no cable-car option.
Slovenia is often overlooked by visitors to Europe.It’s a shame more folks don’t visit Slovenia, as it borders Italy and can be added to any Italian itinerary.Although the postcard-perfect capital of Ljubljana is beautiful, a trip to Lake Bled shouldn’t be missed. Set in the Julian Alps — only about 30 miles from the capital — the lake is the prettiest I have seen.Standing on the north shore of the lake is the medieval Bled Castle, which makes the perfect backdrop for the lake. Photographers can utilize the lake’s reflection to create an artistic masterpiece.
There’s nothing like arriving in Paro, the capital of Bhutan.There is no more spectacular arrival to a country than that into Paro. Paro’s airport has one of the toughest runways in the world. It’s in a valley surrounded by 18,000 mountains. Because it’s a complicated place to land, fewer than 30 pilots worldwide can land there.A few minutes before I landed there, the pilot asked us to look out the window and said we were passing Mount Everest. This allowed me to tick off a bucket-list item without climbing to the peak!Devoid of busloads of tourists, Bhutan has a peaceful serenity that makes it even more beautiful. Although I didn’t climb Everest, I did a five-hour hike to see the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Also known as Paro Taktsang, this temple complex was built in the late 17th century and hangs on the edge of a cliff over 10,000 feet above sea level. My demanding hike started in Paro Valley and took me past serene temples adorned by colorful prayer flags — and my beautiful final destination made the journey well worth it.
If you like water, then you must visit Iceland.Iceland has waterfalls, thermal lagoons, glaciers, and geysers.I was fortunate to visit Iceland during summer when the sun never seemed to set, and I even wore sunglasses at midnight. The extra-long days allowed plenty of time to travel this small country and marvel at its natural attractions.I broke records for the number of photos I posted on social media- earning lots of comments from jealous friends, but none can do the place justice.Watching nature’s fury shoot water hundreds of feet up (geysers) or hundreds of feet down (waterfalls) was mesmerizing and a reminder of our precious earth. After a long day of exploring, there’s nothing better place than a warm thermal bath in the famous Blue Lagoon.
El Salvador pleasantly surprised me with its beauty.El Salvador is small, but it has a lot to see, from volcanoes to beaches to ancient Mayan ruins.I loved peacefully starting my days there by sipping fresh Salvadoran coffee while watching the sunrise over volcanoes. I also did a couple of volcano hikes, including the amazing Santa Ana, which offered majestic views over a bright-green crater lake.I was fortunate to spend a night overlooking Lake Coatepeque, which can change from deep blue to glowing turquoise.
As an Australian, it would be remiss not to include my home country.Australia has no shortage of natural attractions, from coral reefs to rainforests to the culturally important Uluru Rock.My favorite, however, is the Great Ocean Road along the Victorian coastline. It is an easy day trip from my hometown of Melbourne, and although I have driven this road many times, I have never tired of it.The drive is one of the most stunning in the world, as the road clings to the coastline, offering panoramic views. Its highlight is the Twelve Apostles, a natural rock formation caused by thousands of years of erosion.
