Cool places to travel around the world

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The power of wanderlust is real. Catch a glimpse of the most gorgeous destinations across the globe, and you'll feel a surge of inspiration and awe wash over you. Even when you can't pack your bags to experience the delights of travel in person, sometimes experiencing dreamy destinations from afar can satisfy your wanderlust and get you excited to see new places in the future. So we put together a virtual tour of some of the most beautiful destinations in the world—so beautiful, in fact, they're almost otherworldly. From bustling medieval cities to remote landscapes and foreign national parks that look like they were plucked right out of a museum-worthy landscape painting, you'll want to add these breathtaking places to your travel bucket list. So without further ado, click through the most beautiful places in the world.

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Chamarel, Mauritius

Though this East African island attracts visitors primarily with its gorgeous, pristine beaches, if you venture inland you'll see this brilliant geological formation that translates to "Seven Colored Earths."

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Hallstatt, Austria

Get your cameras ready—this lakeside town is known as the "most photographed place in Europe." Spend your vacation wandering the 16th century alpine houses, exploring an ancient salt mine, or even visiting a glacier garden.

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Las Coloradas, Mexico

These pastel lagoons in Yucatán, Mexico, are what color palette dreams are made of. It's one hundred percent worth the road trip if you're staying in Tulum or Cancún.

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Banff National Park, Canada

The best time to see the Marvel Lake's vibrant turquoise hue—created by sunlight reflecting off the rock floor—is July and August. But Banff is also home to three world-class ski resorts and is lovely during the winter.

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Palm Springs, California

The Southern California desert is a favorite destination among design lovers and sun-chasers. Surrounded by mountains and studded by Palm Trees, bougainvillea, and citrus trees, the natural landscape lends itself to unforgettable sunrise hikes and sunset cocktails by the pool. There's also plenty of great shopping, dining, and other activities, like golfing and rock climbing.

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Jaipur, India

Jaipur, Rajasthan, is full of visual inspiration everywhere you look. From this incredible structure known as Hawa Mahal to the Chad Baori (an ancient stepwell), there is so much to see and do.

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Saturnia, Italy

These aquamarine hot springs are a sight to see. And you'll also get to enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside while soaking.

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Provence, France

French Country addicts, listen up: Not only can you marvel at all the stone-clad wood-beamed buildings and blue-and-white decor your heart could desire, but you can also admire lavender fields and sip rosé at sunset (with a fresh baguette and cheese, bien sur).

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Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador

Known as "Devil's Cauldron" in English, this remote hiking destination in the Ecuadorian rainforest is like something out of a fairytale.

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Namib Desert, Namibia

Namibia's Namib Desert was the inspiration behind some of Salvador Dalí's most celebrated works. It's also one of the world's most unique coastal deserts, as well as the oldest (it's at least 55 million years old).

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Valletta, Malta

The capital city of Malta, Valletta is right at the edge of the country's largest island. Awash in a sea of white, the walled city dates back to the 1500s. Now you won't have to choose between unwinding on island time and touring Baroque landmarks. History buffs and sun worshippers, Valletta is what travel dreams are made of.

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White Sands, New Mexico

If you're thinking there's no way this gorgeous place could possibly exist on earth, we're right there with you. Deep in New Mexico, the White Sands National Monument is easily one of the country's most breathtaking national parks.

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Seychelles

This string of islands dots the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Kenya and boasts some of the clearest water in the world.

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Hamnøy, Norway

Why lounge on the beach when you can see the Northern Lights? The remote Lofoten Islands of Norway are full of one-of-a-kind experiences, especially when it comes to striking views, charming fishing towns, and tall peaks for hiking. Hamnøy is seriously picturesque, and it's connected to the mainland by bridge, so you'll be able to access it by car.

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Tu Le Valley, Vietnam

The rainbow of golden and green rice paddies in Tu Le Valley create an enchanting pattern.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

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Cappadocia, Turkey

Even without all the candy-colored hot air balloons dotting the skyline, Cappadocia is a beautiful sight to see. Those ancient rock formations used to be dwellings, which makes it a particularly great place for history buffs to explore.

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Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil

At first glance, it's hard to tell what you're looking at... These sweeping white sand dunes punctuated by vivid blue rainwater lagoons stretch out forever, and up close, the sharp contrast between the vibrant blue water and pristine white sand is a whole other experience.

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Mostar, Bosnia

It only takes a quick glance to see that Mostar, Bosnia is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But beauty aside, it also has a rich—albeit painful—history. And while it looks like it dates back to the medieval ages, it was actually only erected in 2004 as a reconstruction of the original, which was 400 years old when it was destroyed in the 1990s during the Croat-Bosniak War.

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Patagonia, Argentina and Chile

On the Argentine side, you'll find steppes, grasslands, and deserts, while the Chilean side holds glacial fjords and a rainforest. Whether you ski, hike, or just want to behold the incredible beauty, boundless adventure awaits. It's home to several forms of rare wildlife, as well as iconic sites like Cuernos del Paine.

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Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos has it all. From a buzzing night life scene to sun-soaked beaches, iconic architecture, and unparalleled Greek food, what more could you want out of a European island vacation? There's a reason it's one of the most popular destinations in the world. It's got a party-hard reputation, but the Greek island is also home to some of the most charming buildings around, including a famous row of 16th-century windmills.

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Maui, Hawaii

Can't decide which Hawaiian island to visit? Maui's home to some of the state's most amazing outdoor adventures, such as kayaking past whales in Makena Bay, hiking or biking Haleakala National Park, and of course plenty of water sports like surfing and snorkeling. We'll be dreaming of pineapples and coconuts.

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Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

When a prehistoric lake dried up, it left behind these awe-inspiring salt flats. Bright white salt formations make you feel almost as if you're walking on clouds.

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Amalfi Coast, Italy

Imagine gazing out over these sweeping views with a limoncello in your hand. Now that's amore.

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Kyoto, Japan

The Daigo-Ji Temple in Kyoto attracts crowds during cherry-blossom season, but the fall foliage provide an equally-stunning backdrop for the complex's historic buildings. One pagoda dates all the way back to 951.

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Igazu Falls, Brazil

No wonder this was named one of the new natural seven wonders of the world—Igazu Falls is the world's largest waterfall system, so there's definitely no shortage of views here. With 275 different drops, it's awe-inspiring from every vantage point.

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia

If you love the beauty of abandoned places, you need to know about this ancient Buddhist monastery. Ta Prohm temple became part of the jungle once the Khmer Empire fell in the 15th century.

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Paris, France

It's rare that we'd consider an urban area as beautiful as anything found in nature, but if any city gets our vote, it's Paris. From the Seine to the pastel sunsets behind the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Élysées all lit up at night—Paris, je t'aime.

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Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit, but fall is particularly breathtaking thanks to its namesake, the Aspen trees. Their golden glow is truly magical. And fun fact: They're the largest living organisms on earth! It's also home to some of the best ski slopes (and luxury shopping) in the world!

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Hvar, Croatia

Hvar is situated on the Adriatic Sea and boasts both vacation vibes and city adventure. From crystal clear waters and secluded beaches to incredible local wine and an endlessly rich cultural history, there's so much to experience in Hvar.

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