Of the many continents and countries in the world, there are so many locations that offer natural beauty. Starting from a row of mountains, blue oceans, to a beautiful urban atmosphere, you can certainly find it in various parts of the world. This time, Traveloka summarizes some of the most beautiful places in the world that deserve to be on the top list of your travel destinations.
Whether you want to relax on the beach, go hiking, to explore the city, the following ten destinations can fulfill your holiday wishes. In addition to presenting beautiful views, the following places will certainly add to your experience and knowledge. Come on, find out 10 locations!
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Have you ever seen a photo of houses in white and blue shades on a seafront cliff? That’s Oia, a small village on the island of Santorini, Kyklades Islands, Greece. The white buildings contrast with the clear blue sea water.
Only about 11 km from Fira, the capital city of Santorini, Oia has a much calmer and more comfortable atmosphere. Simply by walking in the village, you can already feel the comfortable atmosphere typical of this city. Here, you can also visit shops that sell various local art works.
In Oia, tourists will start to get crowded before the brunch moment, while the peak of the crowd occurs at sunset around 20:30. Not a few tourists from other cities who specifically visit Oia to enjoy the atmosphere of the sunset.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
In Chile, there is a national park called Torres del Paine in the Patagonia region. There are many natural objects that you can find here, from mountains, lakes, rivers, to glaciers. Torres del Paine National Park has been declared a nature reserve by UNESCO and was listed as the eighth wonder of the world in 2013.
With an area of 227,298 hectares, this national park consists of several areas. The main area that you must visit is the three granite pillars that stand as high as 2,800 meters. The granite pillars are flanked by the peak of Paine Grande (2,050 meters) and a sharp peak of black sediment known as Los Cuernos (the Horns).
In other areas, there are beautiful mountains whose peaks are covered with snow. Not to forget the rows of cypress trees that surround this national park. Reportedly, Torres del Paine National Park is also the habitat of about 106 species of birds, some of which are threatened with extinction such as the Coscoroba swandandarwin-nandu.
Appenzell, Switzerland
As far as the eye could see, in Appenzell only hills, trees and green mountains could be seen. The atmosphere is so cool and beautiful that anyone who comes here feels calm and comfortable. In addition to its natural beauty, Appenzell is also known as an area that always upholds local culture and traditions.
Here, you can hike with other tourists to see the beauty of Appenzell. For those who don’t like hiking, take it easy because there are adjustable cars that are ready to take you up and down the mountains to be able to enjoy the views of Appenzell from a height.
Not only hilly areas, the city area in Appenzell is also very interesting to visit. There are many destinations that you can explore, from art galleries to leather product shops that allow you to see the manufacturing process first hand.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Formerly, Machu Picchu was a residential complex for the family of King Pachacuti during the years 1438 – 1472. Carrying the Ancient Inca architectural style, the Machu Picchu building was made with polished stone walls. Over time, Machu Picchu began to be abandoned by its inhabitants and was “rediscovered” in 1911 by an archaeologist from Yale University Hiram Bingham III.
Since 1983, Machu Picchu has officially become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was included as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007. Located in a mountainous region at an altitude of about 2,350 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu seems to be a land above the clouds. This area is surrounded by mountains that provide exotic views.
Not far from Machu Picchu, there is a tourist attraction that is no less amazing, namely the salt pool in the Maras area. The distance is only about 1 hour by motorbike from Cusco, the initial post before heading to Machu Picchu. Here, you can find out how to make salt traditionally.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is a member of the French Polynesian Archipelago State, an archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by lagoons and coral reefs. Interestingly, the rock also serves as a protection for the islands from the waves.
In Bora Bora, there are two mountains that have almost the same height, namely Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia as high as approximately 728 meters above sea level. This mountain view will accompany you while swimming or snorkeling in the very clear Bora Bora Sea. In the afternoon, sit on the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunset view.
In addition, you can also explore various historical sites from World War II. There are also a number of art galleries and shops selling various Bora Bora souvenirs, one of which is jewelry made of black pearls.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
The main attraction of Fiordland National Park in New Zealand is the fjord, a valley in the form of melted glaciers forming the letter “U” filled with seawater. Along the side of the fjord, waterfalls fall incessantly, creating a view that will take your breath away.
One of the favorite activities that many tourists do in Fiordland National Park is hiking. There are several trails that are commonly taken, namely the Milford Track (which takes five days), the Kepler Track (a circular path that can be taken for four days), and the Routeburn which crosses the Park. Mount Aspiring National (takes three days to travel).
Zhangye Danxia Geopark, China
Zhangye Danxia Geopark has natural phenomena that will amaze you. Stretching along the northern slopes of Qilian Mountain in western China, Zhangye Danxia Geopark features colorful mountain folds resembling a rainbow. This 322 sq km area is also on National Geographic’s list of Top 10 Geographical Winders of the World.
The geological structure of the rainbow hills is formed from sandstone and limestone that has settled and accumulated over millions of years. Meanwhile, the color of the hills comes from groundwater deposits and trace minerals that flow between the sand and become solid when there are no more gaps that can be passed.
Due to climate change that erodes the top layer of the rock, the layer below is exposed to various minerals and chemicals, giving rise to a variety of beautiful colors. Take it easy, here is a pedestrian path so you don’t have to bother climbing to enjoy the natural beauty.