1. MOSELLE RIVER VALLEY, WESTERN EUROPE
The Moselle River Valley can be taken in from one of the area’s many hillside vineyards.
2. BRUGES, BELGIUM
A walk along the canal in old town at dusk will turn the belfry tower and surroundings a breathtaking shade of gold.
3. ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND
The Storr is part of the Trotternish geologic formation in the northeast corner of the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The largest of the monoliths is called The Old Man of Storr. To the south are the Cuillins of southern Skye.
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4. MYKONOS, GREECE
On Mykonos you’ll find plenty of outdoor dining spots to watch the sunset in the Little Venice neighborhood.
5. THE FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE
Along the Côte d’Azur (the French Riviera), hillside towns, ornate bridges, and blue coasts are everyday views.
6. SAN SEBASTIÁN, SPAIN
Enjoy San Sebastián’s landscape from the top of Mount Ulia’s ridge.
7. YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA
At Black Dragon Pool Park, you can get front seats to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain views.
8. VENICE, ITALY
Canal views–and gondola visits–are abundant during dinner at Osteria Da Fiore.
9. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA
Aqua coves dot the shores of Big Sur, as seen from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
10. KERALA, INDIA
Houseboats along the Kerala backwaters are the height of comfortable cruising.
11. BHUTAN, SOUTH ASIA
Private dining can be arranged in the courtyard of COMO Uma Paro, catered by by Bukhari Restaurant.
12. WESTERN SLOVENIA, CENTRAL EUROPE
The Church of Assumption sits on the small island in Lake Bled.
13. HAMILTON ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Take in the panoramic views of Queensland from Hamilton Island at sunrise.
14. YUCATÁN PENINSULA, MEXICO
Cenote Ik-Kil, near Chichén Itzá, is just one of many sinkholes you can swim in around the peninsula.
15. NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE
Not far from Hessen–home turf of the Brothers Grimm–sits the landmark that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Neuschwanstein is the 19th-century home of Ludwig the Fairy Tale King, a famously reclusive dreamer.
16. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Take the cable car from Sugarloaf Mountain to Praia Vermelha, with a stop at Morro da Urca (722 feet up) in both directions.
17. JUKKASJÄRVI, SWEDEN
A small wooden church adds a shock of color to the stark white snow scene in Jukkasjärvi.
This feature originally appeared in National Geographic.
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