Imposing mountain ranges, meter-high waterfalls or coral reefs in all imaginable colors - on our earth there are a multitude of destinations and landscapes that are so beautiful that they take your breath away. Almost everyone has a very personal bucket list with places that they absolutely want to see at least once in their life. In this article, we share an excerpt of our list of the most beautiful places in the world, where nature has outdone itself. But beware: these destinations are guaranteed to trigger wanderlust!

Dreamy beaches in shades of blue and turquoise: the Whitsunday Islands

If you look at the so-called Whitsunday Islands from above, they look like a painting with colour gradients in shades of blue and turquoise. The Australian archipelago, which consists of around 74 tropical islands with white, palm-fringed beaches, is particularly famous for Whitehaven Beach or the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. The reef protects the islands from heavy seas and creates the ideal conditions for diving and snorkelling trips or for sailing. In the region around the Whitsunday Islands, travellers will find some luxurious hotels such as the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort,that offer relaxation and unforgettable moments in the middle of paradise. And if you've already taken the long way to Australia, you should definitely take the opportunity to drive the Great Ocean Road and enjoy breathtaking views of the Twelve Apostles or visit Philip Island and experience dwarf penguins, koalas and kangaroos up close.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, an IHG Hotel
haymanisland.intercontinental.com/
Hayman Island Whitsunday Islands Hayman Island, QLD 4801
+617 4940 1234

Balloon ride in fairytale Cappadocia

Often you don't have to travel far at all, as many of the most beautiful places in the world are not that far from us. In the heart of Turkey, in the Cappadocia region, holidaymakers will find vast, barren landscapes with cone-shaped rock formations commonly known as 'fairy chimneys'. The area looks particularly spectacular when hundreds and hundreds of hot air balloons take off, giving visitors a panoramic view of the magical landscape from above. Anyone visiting Cappadocia should not miss the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride or have breakfast on one of the many rooftop terraces as the balloons soar all around you. Cappadocia is also home to many excellent hotels such as the Seraphim Cave Hotel, which welcomes their guests with Turkish hospitality and extensive wellness treatments.

Seraphim Cave Hotel
seraphimcavehotel.com/
Davutlu Mevkii, Çınar Sk. No:10
50420 Mustafapaşa/Ürgüp/Nevşehir, Turkey
+ 90 384 353 53 73

Wonder of the world at around 2,300 meters: The Machu Picchu in Peru

One of the most visited tourist attractions in the world is the ruined city of Machu Picchu, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Those who conquer the ascent to the village once built by the Incas in the Peruvian Andes at around 2,300 metres will be rewarded with unforgettable moments. For this archaeological site, which is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built on the ridge and is located between the peaks of Huayna Picchu and the eponymous Machu Picchu and consists of a complex of 216 nested buildings, over 3,000 steep staircases, stone escapes and paths, all dating back to the 15th century. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hoteloffers a good starting point for the expedition into the Andes, welcoming its guests with traditional alpaca blankets, relaxing spa treatments and a great country breakfast.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
inkaterra.com/inkaterra/inkaterra-machu-picchu-pueblo-hotel/the-experience/
Andalucía 174, Miraflores 15074, Lima, Perú
+51 1 610 0400

Marvel at Victoria Falls and Safari in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's rugged and largely untouched terrain definitely makes it one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Far off the beaten track, travellers can experience the wilderness up close and authentically with the help of excellent guides, going in search of rhinos, lions, giraffes and co. The Mana Pools, Gonarezhou and Hwange National Parks are predestined for this. On the border to Zambia you will also find the widest waterfall in the world, which is also called "thundering smoke" by the locals: Victoria Falls. The name doesn't come from just anywhere, because the water spray that rises from the gigantic waterfalls can even be seen from 30 kilometres away. The water masses of the Zambezi River, which plunge hundreds of metres into the depths here, have also been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1989. Those who set off on a journey to this spectacular natural spectacle are best advised to spend the night in one of the many lodge hotels such as the Ilala Lodge Hotel, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the Vicotria Falls and has a beautiful garden from which you can observe elephants and wild boars.

Ilala Lodge Hotel
ilalalodge.com/en-victoria-falls/
A8, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
+ (263) 83 2844737/8/9

Petra, Jordan

No other place in Jordan is as famous as the ancient rock city of Petra. Because this former capital of the kingdom of the Nabataeans, which is located near the Siq Gorge, is today, like Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Especially famous is the treasure house "Al Khazneh", whose facade is carved directly into the red rocks and which looks like a huge work of art. All the tombs and temples located there, in the gorge, date back to around 300 BC and are absolutely amazing. In the immediate vicinity, travelers will find the Petra Marriott Hotel , also a top accommodation, where guests can relax after an eventful day in the Turkish Hamam.

Petra Marriott Hotel
marriott.com/hotels/travel/mpqmc-petra-marriott-hotel/
Queen Rania Al Abdallah Street, Wadi Mousa, Jordan
+962 3 215 6407

Watching natural spectacles in Iceland

A trip to Iceland is absolutely trendy, and not for nothing: glaciers, geysers, hot springs and of course the Northern Lights are just some of the good reasons to visit Iceland. While you can only see the Northern Lights at a certain time of the year and only under the right weather conditions, Iceland comes up with another sight that provides unforgettable moments all year round: the famous Seljalandsfoss. In this waterfall, where the Seljalandsá River plunges 66 meters into the depths, the moss shimmers in intense green and the view of the flood plain Markarfljót makes the heart of every nature lover beat a little faster. However, the real highlight of the waterfall is in the hidden cave behind it, where visitors can watch the spectacle behind the thundering curtain. For an overnight stay we recommend the Umi Hotel, which is located at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and offers its guests sea view rooms surrounded by idyllic nature.

Umi Hotel
hotelumi.is/
Leirnavegur road nr. 243, 861, Hvolsvöllur, Iceland
+354 518 4001

A temple complex like something out of a movie: Angkor Wat, Cambodia

It looks like a movie set, as you know it from famous movies and series like Game of Thrones, the Jungle Book or the Lord of the Rings: Angkor Wat. Spread over around 350 square kilometres, Angkor Wat is home to around a thousand historic sites and temples built by the Khmer people around 1,000 AD, which together form the largest temple city in the world. The interplay between the architecture and the jungle, which is constantly trying to reclaim the site, provide a breathtaking atmosphere and is an absolute must-see. The temples are still in admirable condition today and the magnificent decorations in the form of dancing Shivas, smiling Buddhas and other Hindu deities are still clearly visible. If you like traditional Khmer design, you'll find the Montra Nivesha Residence to be the perfect accommodation. It is surrounded by tropical gardens and an outdoor pool, and offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and vernacular design.

Montra Nivesha - Luxury Boutique Hotel
montranivesha.com/
#5, Krom 2, Phoum Mondol 3, Krong Siem Reap, 17251
+855 (0) 77 681 787