7 Breathtaking Landscapes in the World
Forget crowded cities and tourist attractions, escape the crowds and seek out the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. Although there are only a handful of official natural wonders across the globe, our planet is full of stunning scenery, lush nature, and intriguing sights.
Where can you find some of the most breathtaking landscapes?
These natural beauties come in all shapes and scales from the thundering Angel Falls of Venezuela to the meditative charms of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Japan. Be inspired and transported by these amazing seven natural wonders in the world to plan your next best nature getaway.
- Angel Falls, Venezuela
- The Azores, Portugal
- Banff National Park, Canada
- Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Cappadocia, Turkey
- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
1. Angel Falls - Venezuela
While Venezuela can lay claim to some of the best nature in the world, among the most photogenic by far is the Angel Falls in the Canaima National Park, a UNESCO-Protected site. Picture Niagara Falls and then imagine something nearly 20 times higher and you'll have some idea of the scale of the Angel Falls. The Falls cascades majestically over the edge of the Auyán-Tepuí mountain and is, in fact, the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. View this spectacle and you'll never doubt Mother Nature's power again.
2. The Azores - Portugal
Although part of Portugal, the Azores actually lie some 900 miles away in the North Atlantic. This archipelago is the dream destination for escaping the crowds. Dotted among its lush green valleys, steep vineyard-covered slopes, ancient forests, waterfalls and beautiful wildflowers are fields of crops, ancient windmills and tiny hamlets full of charming houses. Plentiful family-friendly beaches can be found along the coastline. Make a boat trip the highlight of your visit. This is one of the best places in the world for whale watching.
3. Banff National Park - Canada
Many people think Banff is just a winter ski resort, but this corner of Alberta rewards all year round. Winter weather is crisp, cold and perfect for skiing, but the warmer summer months deliver plenty of solitude along with beautiful scenery of snow-tipped Canadian Rockies, turquoise glacial lakes, wildflowers and abundant wildlife. Book a wildlife tour and you might be lucky enough to spot elk, mountain sheep, eagles and maybe even a wolf or bear in the distance.
4. Isle of Skye - Scotland
Legends, fairy pools and weird rock formations. Scotland's Isle of Skye is definitely a place where magic meets nature. There is something out of time the isle. It's a place where every day reveals more beauty. Hike through Glen Brittle to enjoy a day of enchantment at the Fairy Pools or explore the legend of the Old Man of Storr. This brutal, but unforgettable landmark is said to be the exposed thumb of a buried giant!
5. Cappadocia - Turkey
There is something incredibly otherworldly about Cappadocia in Turkey where whole settlements have been carved out of the soft Anatolian rock. This region is perfect for hot air ballooning and when these colourful giants glide overhead, Cappadocia's mystic becomes unsurpassable. For centuries, humans have taken advantage of the soft rock, using it to create a honeycomb of homes. Many are now abandoned and with their frescoes have become natural beauties in their own right.
6. Plitvice Lakes National Park - Croatia
The Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is a stunning natural landscape which has, at its heart, 16 terraced lakes joined by dramatic waterfalls. The waterfalls end up in an awe-inspiringly deep limestone canyon. By a quirk of nature, each lake takes on a different shade of blue, creating an imagination-defying landscape. Surrounding the lakes is a dense ancient forest which is still home to some of Europe's bears and wolves.
7. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - Japan
While the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto is not on the magnitude of other natural beauties, it wins for sheer atmosphere. This grove of tall bamboo is totally ethereal not only to the eyes, but to the ears. In 1996, Arashiyama was designated as one of the top '100 Soundscapes of Japan'. If you stand quietly amid the bamboo, the sound of the rustling leaves and creaking wood is guaranteed to heal your soul. For further soul-cleansing, spend some time in the Tenryu-ji Temple before you leave the grove.
Plan your visit to the most breathtaking landscapes in the world
If our short guide to some of the world's best natural landscapes has whetted your love for nature and travel appetite, then visit Vayama.ie, add these destinations to your travel bucketlist and start planning your visit to these natural beauties.