From lush rainforests to vast deserts, the earth is home to awe-inspiring landscapes and vistas, many of which have to be experienced first-hand to truly understand how incredible they are. However, with so many outstanding areas of natural beauty to behold around the globe, it can be a challenge deciding where to explore first. Do you opt for hiking the world’s highest peaks, or do you jump in the sea to discover the underwater world? Fortunately, to help you decide, we look at three of the most beautiful places you simply must see at least once.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
One for the avid hikers and adventurers, Mount Kilimanjaro is certainly a favorite spot for those looking for something a little different on their next getaway. This beautiful peak is located in Tanzania, and while it’s not the trickiest mountain to conquer, it does test your endurance, so training beforehand is crucial. What makes Mount Kilimanjaro one of the most beautiful places on earth is that it’s the highest free-standing mountain, meaning the view you experience once you reach the top is unlike any other in the world. What’s more, you will pass through a tropical forest, moorland, and alpine desert before reaching the summit. For those wishing to tackle this challenge for themselves, choosing to travel with experts in this type of getaway is vital. Tanzania Odyssey is one such dedicated company which can help you plan your expedition with ease.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Niagara Falls may come to mind first when thinking of beautiful waterfalls, but it’s Angel Falls which holds the record for being the world’s highest waterfall. Located in the UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park, Venezuela, this natural wonder features a breathtaking cascade of 3,211-feet into a canyon known as ‘Devil’s Canyon.’ This means Angel Falls is, in fact, 19 times higher than its sister site, Niagara Falls. While Angel Falls is without a doubt a beautiful marvel to behold, Canaima National Park shouldn’t merely be a through route to it. The national park is home to a vast variety of exotic wildlife and stunning vistas; the wildlife you may see (although it’s not guaranteed you will) includes giant otters, ocelots, jaguar, giant anteater, and giant armadillo. Each of these is now an endangered species, and the park works tirelessly to protect them.
Disko Bay, Greenland
Moving from exotic, lush forest to vast ice marvels, Disko Bay, Greenland, is a must-see to understand quite how diverse our planet is. This bay is an untouched island, which is naturally one of the most beautiful places on earth. It features towering icebergs which pictures don’t do justice, as well as the chance to witness humpback whales breaching the water. When exploring Disko Bay, the principal town of Ilulissat (which literally means iceberg) should be on your list. This is due to its neighbor, Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO site you can’t miss. Ilulissat Icefjord is home to the Jakobshavn Isbræ glacier, the most productive iceberg in the Northern Hemisphere, flowing at an outstanding rate of 20–35 m (66–115 ft) per day. This productivity results in around 20 billion tons of iceberg calved off and passing out of the fjord every year, which truly is a marvel to see.
