What is the most dramatically beautiful place you have seen?

Soglio, Switzerland & surrounding Graubunden/Grisons - you can't really tell how much this is perched at the top of this huge valley from this angle. 

Oh wow there are so many it's hard to choose..

Machu Picchu was definietly breath taking, and not only the buildings but all the surrouding view was amazing.

The Iguazu Waterfalls are stunning and with all the rainbows and the huge amounts of water it is pretty dramatic(:

Puente del Inca was one of the highlights for me in Argentina, the colours are amazing and we were lucky enough to catch it at the beginning of the fall with some snow on it which really emphasized all the beautiful colours But the real highlight for me was Torres del Paine - the most beautiful park I've ever seen.. I wish I could go back there someday...

The waterfall at Skaftafell National Park is probably my favorite. The geometric pattern of the basalt columns is one of the most incredible natural occurrences I've ever seen.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Bear Tooth Pass Hwy (I don't have a picture that captures its beauty, but the landscape is unlike any other I've ever seen.)

Iguazú Falls

Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado

Cinque Terre

Table Mountain National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park

Sao Miguel in the Azores. Visiting Lagoa do Fogo offered an amazing view that contrasted "commercialized" Europe. The natural lakes and mountains created by volcanic activity remains relatively untouched. 

Positano, Italy--The locals, the lemons, the views!

Big Sur--Moody, coastal views and check out Henry Miller's library.

Marina Alta, Spain-- Relaxed, picturesque, coastal town.  Tasty food!

Paris

Always Paris. Every time I see the Eiffel Tower it's like I've never seen it before in my life. 

Most beautiful "man-made" would be the Taj Mahal and the most beautiful natural beauty would have many contenders. . . from the rocky coast of Maine to the wooded coast of British Columbia to the beaches of Fiji.  Many more that can be mentioned.

As already mentioned, the Grand Canyon National Park is awe inspiring as well as Copper Canyon in Mexico.  Have you ever seen Monument Valley at dawn? It too is spectacular. 

I'm a bit limited since I haven't been outside of the U.S. yet, but my favorite dramatic view is in Yellowstone National Park. Gazing into the depths of those colorful (and deadly) pools in the geyser basin is both breathe-taking and humbling.

Kaua'i by helicopter

I am not as well traveled as most on this board but I found Alaska to be breathtaking. Particularly Denali, we were lucky enough to see the mountain both days we were in the national park. 

Grand Canyon - awe inspiring, nuff said. 

Cape Tribulation in Australia, despite the jellyfish making a dip in the ocean off-limits the deserted tropical island vibe is striking

Also in Australia, the Otway Forest Park of giant tree ferns. Bonus if seen in thick fog

In the US, another vote for Kauai's Na'Pali Coast State Park and the north coast near Hanalei.
On the US mainland, California's Big Sur
In Europe, Norway's Sognefjord, bonus if seen in the sun!
Also in Europe, the Berner Oberland or Bernese Alps region of the Swiss Alps, to the eastern half of Lake Geneva
In the Mediterranean, Cap de Formentor on Mallorca, Spain 

In Asia, the island of Koh Samui in Thailand

This is how a traditional cantilevered bridge looks like in Bhutan

I've always enjoyed the perpetually misty mountains of Mount Huangshan in the great land of China It is also a  UNESCO world heritage site and Five-Star rated by the China Travel Agency.  But be warned you will have to have strong legs to tackle the thousands of steep steps going up and down some precarious trails and steps.  If you want a list of fantastic places to go for your next holiday look up the UNESCO web site.  Original photo is published here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonymaw/15936536920/

Paris, France in Late April/Early May

I'd put the north coast of Kauai up against most places. The lush shear mountains with waterfalls leaking down them. Hanalei Bay has the surfing, sea turtles and rainbows.

  Na'Pali Coast State Park for hiking and views.
This place has it all.

Plitvice Lakes National ParkStunning scenery combined with the waterfalls. 

Trolltunga, Norway. a ten hour hike (return). It is beautiful the entire way and when you get to the top, u get to sit on that edge. It was both scary and amazing. 

see my full trip photos here:

https://www.pebblar.com/Trips/index/312

It's tough to choose one so I'd have to go with three, Hoganakkal in India, Lake Tekapo in New Zealand and Love Valley in Turkey.

End of Awa'awapuhi Trail Trail on Kaua'i. If you dare to walk to the total end on a few feet wide ridge, you will end up with a few hundred meters drop on both side, beautiful walleyes of Na Pali Coast all around and ocean in front of you. Stunning and unforgettable!



Barcelona Spain took my breath away at almost every turn. The city, with its incredible architecture, plus the beach area close to the city had me wanting to stay much longer than the few days I was there.

A view from The Sagrada Família. Photo © Andrew Darlow/imagingbuffet.com

In 1985 I drove the narrow two lane road from Tolmezzo to Cortina d'Ampezzo in the north of Italy.  There is now a broader road which does not follow the contour of the land, but instead goes through tunnels and over bridges that straighten the route. The old road was dramatic in every way.  It hung to a sheer rock face and gave barely enough room to meet another car.  It was an area of alpine splendor...albeit with moments of high anxiety.  Looking up, you would see massive Dolomite peaks above the timberline.  Looking down, you would see lush deep green valleys dotted with charming chalets and ending in whitewater streams racing through the chasms.  I would advise anyone with the time to do it, to take off the modern road and take to the old narrow one for views that are incredible.  I have seen many incredible sights since, but none has surpassed the Dolomiti Alps of Italy!

The most breathtaking and dramatically beautiful place I have been is Machu Picchu in Peru. I think the setting of the ancient Inca city is amazing, hidden among mountain peaks and with incredible views of the winding Urubamba River below. The city was built on a kind of plateau, using the beautiful formal stonework construction of the Inca, as befitted their royalty. The rocks were smoothed and fitted perfectly next to each other, without the use of mortar or cement. Machu Picchu is believed to have been a refuge and agricultural outpost for the Inca royalty. It was unknown to most of the world until its discovery in 1911 by British explorer Hiram Bingham.

The second day we were there, we arrived very early to see the sun rise as we climbed up to the Sun Gate. This is a fair distance from Machu Picchu itself and quite a climb, and I took so many pictures as I ascended the path, as the city grew smaller and smaller.  I later realized that I had taken pictures of the same view several times, because each view was so spectacular and its majesty never lessened.

Machu Picchu, in spite of all the tourists, is a magical place, where you can find tremendous serenity and peace, if you take the time to stop, and just watch and listen.  It is not a place to rush through. Take a guided tour first, to get oriented about the place, then go exploring. Take time to notice your feelings and your senses.  We met llamas on the long stairways, and saw condors (a rare sight) soaring over the valley below the city.

Another dramatically beautiful place is Iguazú Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina.  This is not just one waterfall. It is a series of falls that cascade over cliffs dividing the Iguazu into the upper and lower sections of the river. Besides the sound and smell of the rushing water, take note of the tropical vegetation and birds that thrive in that area.

The falls offer many views as you walk down a wooden path, wearing your rain poncho because there is a constant spray from the waterfalls. It is best to see the falls from both sides of the border - Argentina's side and Brazil's side.  Most people think the views from Argentina are more spectacular. The entire experience was unforgettable to me.

I suggest that both Machu Picchu and Iguazu Falls, both in South America, be on every traveler's must see list.

Taroko National Park in east of Taiwan. 

Sunrise over the Blue Lakes in the San Juan Mountains on Colorado.  I backpacked up there when I was 13.  Of course I have long sense lost the pictures I tok with my Kodak 110, but it is still very vivid in my mind.

On top of the Sarasota Bridge. There is a wide walkway on either side. People jog or walk and ride bikes over it. The Herons are friendly. The sailboats float by. It's great exercise.

Tough one between Petra and Palmyra (Syria)

Have to go with Palmyra due to the less-discovered nature of it!

I was totally blown away by the scenery we passed driving between Niksic and Trebinje, right along the Montenegro / Bosnia border.  We actually had to pull over in the no man's land between the border crossings to take some photos and take in the view.

Although we've seen them plenty, I still can't get over the beauty of the Rockies. We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of Canada, every time we go for a hike or a day trip there is something new to see, something new to be in awe of. 

Lake Agnes in Banff National ParkLake Agnes from the Beehive Trail

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail in Banff National Park

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park

Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park

Dauphin Island, Alabama. Audubon Bird Sanctuary is there. The birds from North and South America migrate there. It is a sacred, spiritual place. Full of quiet charm. Great fishing.

The most awe-struck I have ever been is in Kaokoland in Northwest Namibia near the Angolan border (staying at the Okahirongo Elephant Lodge).  The open valley surrounded by towering sand dunes is so vast and so desolate, it's almost maddening, triggering an emotional combo of both wonder and agoraphobia.  You get an appreciation for how far our eyes can actually see when not obstructed by anything.  When you climb up to the top of the dunes, you feel like the only person left on Earth.  Now try that during a sunset while sipping a gin and tonic.   Magic. 

Yosemite National ParkTruly breathtaking - get the view from Glacier Point.  You can just sit and absorb the moment.  Many different places to see and hike.  Try to stay in the park - several options available but don't wait until last minute.

Ko Phi Phi LeHave to take a boat from neighboring Ko Phi Phi in Thailand as you cannot stay on island.   Take the cheaper boat where you get to swim in from the backside of the island and crawl through a hole/cave to get to the beach side.

Big Sur Relatively easy to get to - couple hours drive south of San Francisco.  Park in state park lot on east side of PCH (Hwy 1) and walk under road.  But cannot get down to the beach.

Iguazu Falls, Lake Bled or the Swiss Mountains. 

2 places - The valley of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River (aka Mon Hot Springs, and Spider Meadow in the Entiats, Washington State.  SPider Meadow is a glacier carved 3 sided "bathtub" with cascades falling off 3 sides, and a creek running through it.  In the summer, it is waist deep in wildflowers.  

Machu Picchu - and EVERY part of the trek getting there. It is what I think 'Heaven' would be like!!

Thingvellir National Park in Iceland.  Not a single tree grows here, but the waterfalls, streams and rock formations are breathtaking.

These I think are my top of the list ones:

Bled

Moorea

Nikko Not only the temples but the National Park itself during autumm it is just amazing

Cappadocia Wake up early and watch the airballoons at sunrise!

Siwa Desert: Go for a night at the desert!!

Of the few places I have been on this planet Grand Teton National Park has to rank up there.  Every time I looked up I couldn't believe what I was looking at.  Its hard to take a bad picture up there, these were taken with my phone.  It was definitively a take your breath away type of place.   

Victoria Falls was pretty spectacular, especially from the air!

The rice terrace of the Philippines Cordillera, Batad Rice Terraces , Luzon island, Philippines.

Angthong National Marine Park, Thailand

Borobudur Temple, Central Java, Indonesia

I've only really travelled or lived in North America & Europe. But probably the most awe inspiring thing I had seen in my experiences....... Was the sky in the Ukraine. It was so blue and beautiful. I don't know if it is the cold, pollution or what makes it so amazing. But it really caught my attention when I was around the Capitol Kiev one fall a few years back. I've been to about every country in Europe, multiple times. The castles are great, I love the landscape and architecture. But that sky still stays with me. Pictures didn't do it justice.

Nepal is one of the most stunning natural landscapes I've ever seen, however the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar is the most stunning man made structure. 

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. The colour of the small volcanic lakes is just unreal. 

The Scotland highlands are breath-taking and so are the Alps in northern Italy.

As for cities, I can't even begin to explain the beauty of seeing a sunset in Manhattan from the top of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center.

Off the top of my head, these 3 locations I mentioned have blew mind mind and I would love to visit all 3 places again sometime in the near future.

Beau Rivage Biloxi, MS 

Beautiful Coastline. Designed by Mrs. Steve Wynn. Exquisite interior. Best Spa Experience. Best Bang for the Buck. 

Siesta Beach in Florida. #1 Beach in the World. Unsurpassed beach experience. 

Ruby Falls the 2nd largest cave waterfall. In the early 1900's an explorer found this crystal mountain and bought it and named it after his wife Ruby!!!! 

Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Has one of the largest Native American Artifact Museums in the USA. True Spiritual experience.

This is a difficult question as there are so many breathtaking places to see in the world. Some can be right outside our homes if we look close enough. A few examples: Río de Janeiro http://bit.ly/13MsQcZ Lavaux Vineyards, Switzerland http://bit.ly/1zKrqxq Bernese Alps http://bit.ly/1BgCob8 and of course, Meteora http://bit.ly/1AWzbQ1

Big Sur, California!

The Italian Lake District, near the Swiss border is breathtaking. Lake Lucerne in Switzerland has a lift that takes you high in the Alps looking over dramatic mountain and beautiful blue lakes. Jackson (Wyoming) is the best scenery I've seen of the Rocky Mountains. Helicopter rides over Hawaiian lush peaks paired with the endless blue water goes on forever it seems.

SitkaKimberley

Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Port Isaac Kimberley

Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Port Isaac Kimberley

Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Port Isaac KimberleySitka

Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Port Isaac KimberleySitka

I think this really depends on the actual experience that you're living. For me it was Cerro Torre in Patagonia...I had a chance to spend an hour, completely alone, in front of this steady, almost disturbing lagoon, just below the marvellous peak. It was by far the most astonishing contact with nature that I've ever had.

Most places on the east coast of Australia are pretty spectacular, whether you're at the beach or in the bush! 

And Plitvice Lakes National Park is incredible! 

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away). Both of these places are truly something special.

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

For me, it stands between Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

For me, it stands between
Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy (so beautiful that it feel out of this world, photographs can't capture the beauty of it) and Kaua'i in Hawaii, USA. Especially the hike along the Na'Pali Coast State Park was mesmerizing (even though many aspects of Kauai took my breath away).

It's pretty hard to beat Bryce Canyon National Park either at dawn or sunset. And Arches National Park at Sunset is surreal....

Hard to beat Lauterbrunnen drop dead gorgeous and dramatically framed by waterfalls and mountains

The South Island of New Zealand.

I love this picture so much that I had it enlarged into a canvas print. I'm no photographer so I'm sure I've not captured it perfectly or done it justice

Arthur's Pass

Yosemite National Park  in February. Gets me everytime. All waterfalls are full and roaring. And, at sunset you get the 'Firefall' effect on Horsetail Fall along with the most beautiful orange color on the face of Half Dome.

Torres de Paine, Chile.  Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina.  The Islands of Tahiti.  Napali Coastline, Kaua'i, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island. 

Without a doubt, the Fern Grotto on the island of Kaua'i.

Glacier Point

After seeing all of the other pictures posted I think I'm going to have to add these destinations to my travel list. Then post some pictures of the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The picture of Iguazu falls is amazing by the way. Thanks for sharing!   

First, Ijen, the view from the top and the blue crater itself got me stunned. It was so so beautiful.

Second, Kelimutu, the three colors crater lakes. I was up there to catch the sunrise and it was quite foggy that morning. I was waiting for the sun to come out and somehow the wind blew the clouds aways and the scene was like opening gate to welcome the sun. Me and my friends who saw that all were amazed and said, "Waaaaaaa......" at the same time. :D

Third, Flores Island, the scenery and the sunset caught along the way from Ruteng to Labuan Bajo. :)

Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Mayan Ruins. For a sacrificial experience, it ranks at the top. The free roaming iguanas, the turquoise water, the Mayan ruins, the guides are all breath taking.

It's difficult to pick! The Città Alta clouded in mist and viewed from San Vigilio in Bergamo, Italy is very beautiful. So is The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains National Park, Australia, as is Royal Alcázar of Seville but, with the right weather and early morning light, the drive across The Conor Pass through the Kerry mountains into Dingle is stunning.

The Island of Kaua'i preferably from the air by helicopter tour.

For me, Hong Kong is one of the most exquisite places I have visited so far. It is a city of such stunningly beautiful contrast. I love the idea that no matter where you turn, there is something spectacular awaiting you.

Check out my travel blog www.travarella.com for more of my Hong Kong photography: ♚Click Here♚

Victoria Peak

Stanley

Kowloon

Gosh, I've been lucky to see so many! Here are a few favorites:

1. I love the view across from the Dell'Acqua Paola Fountain in Gianicolo, Rome - I was lucky enough to be there during spring, when showers gave way to a rainbow over the center of the city.
2. I also love Big Sur, California - the California coast is incredible. Catching a sunset at Pfeiffer State Beach or morning light over the waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a special experience.
3. Another California favorite, the view of water at Kings Beach and Crystal Bay in Lake Tahoe will stay with me forever. We used our paddeboards to get from the beach to the bay, and the perfectly clear water allowed us to see everything we were gliding over: rocks, fish, etc. So amazing.
4. Last, I love Hana in Maui, Hawaii. The way the clouds hung over the mountains took my breath away! Molokini crater (snorkeling inside) was also something I will remember forever.

This was a really great question...can't wait to see what others share. Travel is such a special experience!

Li River in Guilin, China and Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. Most amazing sceneries I've ever seen so far.

The Grand Canyon National Park, from the Colorado River.

Unfortunately, it's in a country that has gone from chaotic to truly not-worth-risking-it dangerous. But Jos in northern Nigeria has some stunning views.