Massive glaciers, staggering mountains, plains dotted with wild animals: Our planet sure is incredible. In fact, when looking at the most beautiful places in the world, it can feel impossible to decide where to visit next. The islands of Southeast Asia? The deserts of the Middle East? How about the countless travel-worthy sites right here in the United States?
While pinpointing all of Mother Nature’s greatest hits could take a lifetime, we think these 5
1 staggering landscapes and awe-inspiring wonders—from Antarctica to Zimbabwe—need to move to the very top of your travel list. Whether you’re looking for beaches, forests, or national parks, you’re sure to find your new favorite destination below.Most Beautiful Places in the World
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The Amazon
Covering roughly 40 percent of South America, including parts of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, the Amazon is the largest rainforest on the planet, and home to more than 40,000 plant species and 1,300 bird species alone. But be sure to visit the winding rivers and diverse wildlife while you can—climate change (along with man-made fires) is increasingly whittling away the habitat every day.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Most Beautiful Places in the World
Venezuela overflows with natural wonders, including the world’s highest waterfall: the 3,212-foot cascades (that’s 19 times higher than Niagara Falls) of Angel Falls, located in the UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park. Bonus: Pixar animators used the location as inspiration for Paradise Falls in Up—so you know it’s good.
Antarctica
That’s right, we put an entire continent on here. Although 99 percent of Antarctica is covered with ice, the landscape still manages to be stunningly diverse—surreal blue glaciers, active volcanoes, the rough waterways of the Drake Passage, and 360-degree views of untouched snow. And those views are made even better when an emperor penguin or humpback whale makes an appearance.