Looking for the most exotic places to travel? Think blue lanes, towering rock formations and lagoons with mountains rising behind them.
If you want a trip that looks a little different from your usual getaway, these pictures give you plenty to dream about.
You can start with a beach escape or lean into desert landscapes and historic sites. Some landmarks are recognizable, while other photos are best treated as inspiration rather than a confirmed location.
Save your favorites, then check current travel advice and access before planning.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Day Trips in Ohio, From Waterfalls to Small-Town Stops
Beautiful places and travel views worth saving
an umbrella-shaped tree above the sea
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous coastal view. I love the tree’s wide green crown and all those branching shapes underneath.
The pale rocks and deep blue water make it even more striking.
Read also: 20 Weekend Getaways in California for Coastlines, Wine Country and Mountain Views
This dragon-tree landscape brings Socotra to mind, though the photo alone doesn't confirm the island. Treat it as inspiration, not a ready-to-book itinerary.
pink flowers and a mountain lagoon
How pretty is this beach entrance? Pink flowers line the sand, palm leaves hang overhead and a bungalow sits out over turquoise water.
Then you have those jagged mountains in the background!
If you love this look, start exploring French Polynesia. Just verify the actual property and its views rather than assuming this picture identifies a particular stay.
salt patterns and a snowy peak
I am obsessed with the blue reflections in this landscape. Thin white ridges divide the foreground into huge shapes, with a snow-capped peak catching golden light beyond them.
Save this for salt-flat trip inspiration. If reflections are the part you love most, check seasonal surface conditions before choosing your dates.
Petra’s rock-cut Monastery
If you are looking for architecture with an incredible setting, this one is for you. Petra’s Monastery sits within a huge rock face, with columns and a rounded central feature carved into its facade.
The people below give you a little sense of the scale. Leave room in your plans to appreciate the surrounding landscape too, rather than treating the building as a quick photo stop.
island huts and turquoise shallows
This island view may just be one of my favorites here. I love the little peaked roofs along the sand and the dense green hillside behind them.
The darker patches beneath the water are just as eye-catching.
If you’re comparing island stays, look for clear information about boat transfers and shoreline access. A beautiful aerial photo only tells you part of the story.
balloons over Cappadocia
How gorgeous is this Cappadocia view? Balloons fill a pink-and-orange sky above the buildings and pointed rock formations.
The striped cushions in the foreground make this terrace especially inviting.
You don't have to be in a balloon to enjoy the scene. A terrace viewpoint is another option, though flights and sightings depend on weather.
a sharp ridge above the Atlantic
Don’t want a tropical beach and want something a little wilder? This Faroe Islands view gives you green slopes, dark cliffs and a narrow pointed ridge surrounded by water.
I especially love the rock arch off to the right. Research approved viewpoints and local access rules before choosing where to explore.
rock towers reflected in water
The towering formations are beautiful on their own, but those reflections make this view a favorite. Greenery climbs the rock faces and fills the spaces between them.
Read also: 20 Places to Visit in Georgia and Pretty Stops to Inspire Your Trip
This is the kind of scenery associated with China’s Zhangjiajie region. If you’re drawn to the lower waterside view here, check specific routes rather than planning only around the famous high viewpoints.
Deadvlei’s trees and orange dunes
If you love bold colors, this Namibia landscape is worth saving. A dark, bare tree stands against orange dunes and a bright blue sky, with pale cracked ground underneath.
There isn't much extra in the frame, which is exactly what I love about it. Plan around local conditions and follow the designated visitor routes.
a road between baobabs
Look at those enormous trunks! Madagascar’s baobab landscapes are such a lovely change from the usual beach inspiration.
Here, green crowns spread above a dirt road bordered by bright grass.
The person on the road makes the trees look even taller. If you’re taking photos during your visit, ask permission before making local people the subject.
a giant tortoise encounter
This giant tortoise deserves a section of its own. I love the raised neck and the close view of its broad shell and sturdy legs.
For a wildlife-focused trip, the Galápagos Islands are one place to research. This image doesn't establish where the animal was photographed, so use it as inspiration and keep your own encounters at a respectful distance.
Tiger’s Nest against the cliffs
Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest monastery has such a striking setting. The white buildings and red-and-gold roofs sit right against a steep rock face, with forest filling the drop below.
I especially love the little white flowers framing this view. Check current visitor requirements and the demands of the walking route before adding it to your plans.
red cabins beneath a mountain
I am obsessed with this Lofoten-style coastal scene. The red cabins look so pretty beside the white houses, dark water and huge mountain rising behind them.
If you want this kind of Norway trip, give yourself time for the small coastal villages too. It doesn't all have to be about reaching a summit.
a desert camp around the fire
Don’t want every stop to be a big sightseeing day? This desert camp scene is lovely inspiration for a slower evening.
Red striped cushions surround a fire, with little tables and dark striped tents nearby.
For a Wadi Rum trip, compare the actual camp photos and location before booking. Keep this seating setup on your wish list.
a beach framed by a cave
How beautiful is this opening onto the water? The dark cave edges frame pale sand, turquoise shallows and green-topped cliffs.
I love the little palm leaning into the view.
Read also: 20 Tropical Vacation Destinations and Dreamy Views to Inspire Your Next Trip
The exact beach isn't identifiable from this image. If you find a similar coastal excursion, check tide restrictions and permitted access rather than assuming every cave is open to visitors.
rapa nui’s moai
These moai on Rapa Nui are striking, especially with the grassy hillside and blue sky behind them. The nearest figure dominates the right side of the frame, with two others farther back on the slope.
Make room for the history behind the view. Choose an authorized visit and follow site rules without touching or climbing the figures.
Huacachina beneath the dunes
This is another desert view, but it’s a little different from the camp above. Huacachina’s lagoon sits among palms and buildings, with huge dunes rising around it.
I love the lights around the water beneath those orange clouds. If the elevated view is what you want, ask locally about appropriate routes and conditions.
a Komodo dragon by the shore
The Komodo dragon is clearly the star here, but that turquoise water is pretty gorgeous too. A boat sits offshore with dry, rugged hills in the distance.
For a visit to Indonesia’s Komodo region, follow ranger guidance and keep your distance. This is one photo idea you shouldn't try to recreate by approaching the animal.
Pamukkale’s pale blue terraces
I love these pale blue pools with their curved white edges. Pamukkale’s terraces look almost like a staircase across the hillside, with dark trees lining the upper slope.
If this is on your list for Türkiye, check which areas visitors can access. Follow marked routes rather than assuming every pool in the picture is somewhere you can walk.
Chefchaouen’s blue lanes
Last but definitely not least, we have this beautiful blue lane in Chefchaouen. I am in love with the turquoise doors!
The little steps and curved doorway give you so many details to notice.
Leave time to wander permitted public streets without rushing between photo spots. Be mindful of doorways and residents while you enjoy all that blue.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily
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