There are locations that are so otherworldly that a single picture is enough to convey their essence, where history and nature come together to create vistas so stunning that they resemble a painting, offering views that stay with you long after you’ve left. Such lovely places are perfect for people who love to keep their vacations on camera.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Hidden in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular sights in the world. The Incan city, surrounded by green mountains and often blanketed in fog, offers a scene from a fantasy novel. For the best pictures, visit at sunrise when golden light throws dramatic shadows over the ruins. Bravest travelers can hike up Huayna Picchu for a panormic vista of the entire site, taking in the full glory of this UNESCO World Heritage marvel.
2. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
A place of utter magic, Ha Long Bay features thousands of limestone karsts rising out of jade-green waters. This stunning Vietnamese destination is a painting come to life.The best way to capture Ha Long Bay is by boat. Cruises at sunrise and sunset offer dramatic light, and a seaplane tour provides opportunities for breathtaking aerial photography. Secret caves, floating villages, and misty islands ensure that every shot of this bay is a masterpiece.
3. Amalfi Coast, Italy
There are few destinations worldwide that blend natural scenery and architectural allure as seamlessly as Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Colorful towns perched on cliff sides, winding coastal roads, and deep blue seas that seem to stretch on forever mean that around every corner is a picture-perfect scene. Moreover, Positano, a town of pastel houses and stunning beachfront, is one of the most photographed spots in Italy. For a panoramic shot, travel to Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone, where the “Terrace of Infinity” presents an unmatched view of the Mediterranean. This iconic shoreline is also rightfully one of the wonders of the modern world.
4. Banff National Park, Canada
Canada’s Banff National Park is one destination you should not miss. Home to glacial lakes and mountain peaks, the park seems to be a natural portal to paradise. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are the most famous spots, with their mirror-like lakes mirroring the mountains around them. Go in autumn for flame-colored leaves or winter for frozen waterfalls and snow-dusted forests. Banff’s beauty is different in every season, so there’s always something new and perfect spots to discover.
5. Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia looks like a scene from another planet with its weird rock formations and a sky full of hot air balloons. This Turkish wonder is among the most beautiful places to be seen and captured. The most beautiful moments are during sunrise when hundreds of brightly colored balloons fly over the fairy chimneys. Goreme’s monasteries and underground cities carved into rock add to this already surreal place.
6. Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan, at the center of Myanmar, is a kingdom of temples, pagodas, and stupas that originated in the 11th century. Bagan, which used to be the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, is located across an expansive archaeological complex over plains that provide a breathtaking scenery against the hills of rolling fog-covered mountains and the Irrawaddy River. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to view the city, with golden warmth embracing the temples. Hot air balloons flying over the ruins at dawn add to the authenic beauty of the city. Bagan’s rich and spiritual atmosphere and its historical depth make it a serene and ethereal environment for creating beautiful memories.
The globe is full of destinations that seem tailor-made for being captured, where each new corned hides another masterpiece. These places promise memories in the form of amazing photographs that will for sure leave you—and anyone who sees them—in awe.
Photo by Charlie Costello on Unsplash
