These are the most beautiful places in the world

The world is full of beautiful places, from wild landscapes and dreamy islands to magnificent cathedrals and holy sites from long ago. Even for well-traveled people , the planet still holds plenty of surprises and unknown corners . With so many beautiful places to choose from, choosing your next destination isn't easy.

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The writers of "Time Out" magazine have tried to make the selection easier and published their 44 top spots, which they have chosen as the most beautiful places in the world.

Pink beaches, Komodo dragons, and colorful corals: All of this can be discovered in Komodo National Park. The national park consists of the three Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, as well as many other smaller islets.

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A highlight of Komodo National Park is the pink beach of Pantai Merah on Komodo Island. The pink color is caused by dead coral remnants. A trip to the Padar Island Viewpoint on Padar Island is also a must. Those who climb the many steps will be rewarded with panoramic views of the island and its stunning bays.

Just as impressive as the landscape above water is the underwater landscape: Numerous colorful corals and fish swim around the islands. The underwater world is best explored on a boat tour.

Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

The view of Padar Island in Komodo National Park is spectacular.

Source: imago images/imagebroker

The spectacular Victoria Falls are located in the middle of the Zambezi River, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are over 100 meters high and approximately 1,700 meters wide, making them among the widest continuous waterfalls in the world.

The rushing water masses create a mist of water droplets that rises several meters into the air. The thunderous sound of the falls can be heard from 40 kilometers away. This is why locals call Victoria Falls "the smoke that thunders."

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If you want to see the falls in all their glory, it's best to travel at the end of the rainy season, which runs from November to the end of April. In October and November, at the end of the dry season, the water level at Victoria Falls is correspondingly lower. Tours depart from the cities of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia.

Victoria Falls is one of the main attractions in Zambia on the border with Zimbabwe.

Source: imago images/Christian Offenberg

The Punakha Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. It is located in the small country of Bhutan in South Asia. Bhutan is one of the highest countries in the world, and the Punakha Valley also lies at a proud elevation of 1,300 meters. Fed by the Mochu and Pochu rivers, the landscape is particularly fertile. The Punakha Valley is characterized by its densely vegetated hills and numerous rice fields.

Also worth a visit is the Punakha Dzong, a complex of 21 temples dating back to 1637. Dzongs represent a religious and administrative center in Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong was renovated in 2008 and is therefore one of the best-preserved dzongs in the country.

The Punakha Valley is also part of the famous Trans Bhutan Trail . The 403-kilometer-long hiking trail runs from western Bhutan to the east of the country, across the Himalayas.

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The Punakha Valley in Bhutan is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world.

Source: IMAGO/Christian Offenberg

It's not always nature that takes our breath away; cathedrals can also be beautiful. St. John's Co-Cathedral in Malta's capital, Valletta , proves this. The cathedral's archways are gilded, and there are murals by the Italian artist Mattia Preti, marble tombstones, and hand-carved sculptures.

Anyone strolling through the cathedral should also take a look at the floor. This consists of over 400 gravestones belonging to the Knights of St. John. The exterior of the cathedral is also impressive, with an imposing facade, two bell towers, and Corinthian columns.

A few hours by ferry from the Greenlandic coastal town of Ilulissat lies Disko Island. Its Greenlandic name is Qeqertarsuaq, which translates as "the largest island." With an area roughly ten times the size of Berlin, it is indeed the largest island in Greenland.

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The island is of volcanic origin, and its landscape is characterized by basalt mountains, hot springs , and arctic flora. With a little luck , humpback, minke, and fin whales can be observed from the mountains from spring to autumn. The coast is covered with black sand, and large and small icebergs drift in the sea.

The island's capital is also called Qeqertarsuaq, and is home to just over 800 locals. The town's church is a particular eye-catcher. Due to its distinctive shape, the locals call it "Our Lord's Inkwell."

Colorful houses, green meadows, impressive icebergs: Disko Island in Greenland.

Source: imago images/imagebroker

The Brecon Beacons, also known as Bannau Brycheiniog, are a mountain range and national park in Wales , about 50 kilometers from Cardiff. The national park features waterfalls, rolling hills, steep peaks, and lush valleys.

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View of the thatched roof of the thatched house on the Flussbad Campus Berlin, in front of it a glass walkway

Time magazine ranking

The mountain range includes Pen y Fan, Corn Du, Cribyn, and Fan y Bîg. The highest of these is Pen y Fan at 886 meters. If you want to hike surrounded by untouched nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the Brecon Beacons are the perfect place to go.

The rolling landscape of the Brecon Beacons in Wales, England.

Perfect for a hike through nature: The Brecon Beacons in Wales.

Source: imago images/robertharding

Looking for a top-notch open-air concert? Then head to the Red Rocks Amphitheater in the US state of Colorado . This open-air amphitheater is considered one of the most beautiful venues for open-air concerts in the world. It seats approximately 9,500 people.

This special place is located about 20 minutes from Denver, in the heart of Red Rocks National Park. The amphitheater was formed by nature; two approximately 90-meter-high monoliths form a breathtaking backdrop. It is the only naturally formed amphitheater in the world with perfect acoustics.

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World stars like Sting, the Beatles, and U2 have performed here. Even without concert tickets, you can visit the spectacular amphitheater and learn all about its history on a guided tour.

The Inca site of Choquequirao is also known as Machu Picchu 's little sister. It is at least as spectacular, but with the advantage of being significantly less crowded.

The site is located in the heart of the Peruvian jungle, about 30 kilometers as the crow flies from Machu Picchu. Those who want to see the magnificent view of the ancient ruins, the canyon, and the surrounding mountains will have to make a bit of an effort: Access is only possible on foot via a two-day hike.

Choquequirao is one of the best preserved Inca sites in Peru.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

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The New Forest National Park in southern England is one of Europe's most important nature reserves. It combines wetlands and marshes with open heathland and woodland, home to some of England's oldest trees. The area also contains more than 1,000 ponds and a dozen rivers and streams.

This mix of habitats makes the New Forest home to numerous wildlife species, including various reptile and bird species. In addition, there are approximately 5,000 wild horses that graze peacefully in the meadows. It's a perfect destination for anyone who loves untouched natural landscapes.

A wild horse in the New Forest National Park, England.

There are lots of wild horses living in the New Forest National Park.

Source: imago images/Joana Kruse

Hà Giang is the northernmost province in Vietnam . The landscape is characterized by rice fields, winding mountain passes, and spectacular gorges. Over 43 different ethnic groups call this region home, with most people living in remote villages.

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If you enjoy adventurous road trips, Hà Giang is the perfect place. Several passes wind through the mountainous landscape, including the Tham Ma Pass with six consecutive hairpin bends and the Mi Pa Leng Pass, which overlooks the Nho Que River 900 meters below.

The so-called "Hà Giang Loop" is both famous and infamous among motorcyclists. It is a 350-kilometer-long, winding route through breathtaking gorges and mountain passes.