If lockdown has put your travelling expeditions on hold, then we are here to help fuel your wanderlust and maybe even give you some inspiration as to where your next trip will take you. With our list of the most beautiful places on Earth, you can imagine what it would be like to be stood in some of the most awe-inspiring spots in the world.
Your personal travel guide to the most beautiful places on Earth
When you think of the most beautiful places on Earth, places like the Great Barrier Reef, Niagara Falls or The Grand Canyon may come to mind. However, we want to take you on a virtual journey of some of the most picturesque locations across the world that you may not have heard of before. Of course, there are thousands of stunning places across the world that are all worthy of being on our list, but we have managed to narrow it down to just a few of our favourites. Thanks to our airport transfers in Buckingham, explorers that travel with us all reach their desired location on time and get their dream holiday off to the perfect start. So if any of the places detailed below catch your eye and tempt you to take a visit, don’t forget to contact us for any travel needs you may have.
Banff National Park, Canada
If you have ever considered a trip to Canada, then a visit to the Banff National Park is an absolute must. While in the park, you can soak up the overwhelming views of majestic mountains, an abundance of pristine lakes and regular casts of local wildlife. It is at the park where you can see animals such as black and grizzly bears, wolves, deer, bald eagles and many other mammals and bird species. Moreover, as Canada’s first national park and the world’s third, the rich heritage of this location attracts around 4 million annual visitors, who are easily tempted to participate in many of the outdoor adventures available. You can choose to get stuck in with some water activities like canoeing or kayaking in one of the stunningly scenic lakes or journey into the Canadian wilderness on horseback.
Boulders Beach, South Africa
Every year, 60,000 visitors make their way along the coast to visit one of the most spectacular beaches in Cape Town, Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach is no ordinary stretch of sand because, in the 1980s, a colony of African penguins settled there. After decades have passed, the penguin population on the beach has grown to around 3,000! Unlike seeing penguins at your local zoo, at Boulders Beach, you can get up-close with the cute creatures and be just metres away – a perfect photo opportunity to show friends and family back home. This is all thanks to the Table Mountain National Park as they built numerous boardwalks and viewing points at Foxy Beach. Although the beach is a remarkable all-year-round destination, the best time to visit is from February to May. This period of time brings in a beach full of penguins as it is the peak of the breeding season. Your time at Boulders Beach is all the more enjoyable knowing that it is a marine protected area, meaning the beach will always be clean and safe. Moreover, if you have young children with you, then the beautiful location is ideal as the ancient granite boulders which surround the beach protect it from the wind and large waves. The stunning rock pools are also a must-see and a great way to keep the kids entertained.
Lake Baikal, Russia
If you want to take a trip to see the oldest existing freshwater lake on Earth, as well as the deepest continental body of water, then you need to visit Lake Baikal in south-central Siberia. The area of natural beauty is not far from the Mongolian border and is surrounded by an abundance of mountains, forests and wild rivers. The picturesque lake is famously nicknamed the Pearl of Siberia and impressively holds about 20% of the world’s fresh surface water. However, it’s exceptional size isn’t the only feature which attracts so many tourists each year as the lake and surrounding forests and mountains is also home to more than 2,000 species of plants and animals. In fact, two-thirds of the wildlife cannot be found anywhere else in the world, making it a truly unique experience. Here are some other interesting facts about the lake that we think you should know:
- More than 330 rivers flow into the lake but only one, the Angara, flows out
- The lake is estimated to be 25 million years old
- The area of Lake Baikal is about equal to the area of the whole country of Belgium
- The water of Lake Baikal is the most transparent of all freshwater lakes
Reynisfjara, Iceland
Once appearing in the top ten list of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, Reynisfjara Beach is a place to behold the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean while soaking up its atmosphere of dramatic beauty. The famous black sand which covers the beach and effortlessly creates a unique backdrop for any Instagram picture is actually more of a mix of small black stones. These stones were created as a result of lava colliding with the Atlantic Ocean, making each stone cold, smooth and a little bit shiny. As a result, sunsets at Reynisfjara are breathtaking as the black sand twinkles in the warm light. As well as the beautiful black sand, the beach also features unique basalt rocks. The 340-meter mountain with hexagonal-shaped basalt columns is very similar to those at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, but with a little some cute local residents. Puffins routinely nest on the basalt rocks and are just another aspect of the beach to marvel at during your trip. Moreover, if you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you can make the iconic fantasies written by JRR Tolkien come to life at Reynisfjara. While at the beach you won’t be able to miss the sea stacks protruding out of the ocean at around 66 metres tall! According to Reynisfjara folklore, the two sea stacks were once trolls attempting to snatch a large ship from the ocean. However, dawn came too quickly and turned the trolls into stone. The similarities of this story to The Hobbit are clear and this is because JRR Tolkien studied Icelandic folklore and language, using it as inspiration for many of his novels.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Unlike traditional deserts, which have sand in abundance, the Salar de Uyuni features vast expanses of glistening white salt. Like most places, the weather conditions at Salar de Uyuni vary depending on the time of day and time of year you visit. During the day, temperatures are around the mid-twenties and drop to about zero at night. From April to October, the weather is generally sunny and dry, and from November to March, you can expect to experience its rainy season. One thing we love most about Salar de Uyuni is how its beauty is only emphasized during the rainy season. Between January and February, the area gets flooded with around 1-2 cm of water, which causes the so-called Bolivia mirror lake or Bolivia sky mirror. During this time, the sky is reflected in the water, and you can’t tell where the horizon is. It is here where you can take incredible photos that look like you’re walking in the sky.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
For all animal lovers, the perfect getaway should definitely include a trip to the Serengeti National Park. Many travellers are drawn to the park as it harbours the largest remaining unaltered annual migration called the wildebeest migration. The national park is also renowned for hosting the largest number of predators not only in Africa, but worldwide. Animals you may be able to catch a glimpse off while at the park include:
- Elephants
- Giraffes
- Hippos
- Buffalos
- Zebras
- Black Rhinos
- Lions – Lions are almost everywhere at the park
- Leopards – Often found lazing in one of the big trees along the Seronera River
- Cheetahs – You can easily find cheetahs on the south-east plains of the park
- Hyenas
As well as the plethora of animals listed above, the park also boasts an array of over 500 bird species! Some birds are permanent residents of the park while others are migrants from both Asia and Europe. A combination of the park’s ecosystem and its two-season weather attracts immigrant birds in specific months which come to breed, especially in April and November. However, no matter what time of year you visit Serengeti National Park, it is guaranteed to make you feel like Simba exploring the Pride Lands.
Trolltunga, Norway
If you have ever followed travel posts on Instagram or Pinterest, then the chances are you have seen many travellers take a picture of themselves standing on the iconic ‘Devil’s Tongue’. The unique cliff, called Trolltunga and situated in the Scandinavian paradise of Norway, extends out horizontally from the mountain into free air about 700 metres above a sapphire blue lake. The view from Trolltunga is undeniably breathtaking as it overlooks the valleys of the Hardanger region and surrounding mountains. Hiking is the best way to take in the views Trolltunga has to offer and give you the ultimate authentic Norwegian experience. If you find the perfect guided hike, you will also be able to make small detours which most hikers walk by, like a beautiful located waterfall where you can have a scenic lunch.
Unleash your inner explorer
We hope our virtual tour of the most beautiful places in the world has helped you discover some magnificent locations that are definitely worth visiting. No matter when or where you decide to go, we are always here to help make your experience as enjoyable as possible. So, if you are looking for comfortable and punctual travel to or from the airport, why not take a look at some of our services which include airport transfers in Milton Keynes and long distance taxis in Towcester?