If you are looking for ideas for your next holiday then check out our list of 26 beautiful world vacations spots to visit. From the Bahamas to Canada there is a world vacations spot here for everybody.
1. Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe – California, USA
Kicking off our world vacations list is the Emerald Bay which is a state park of California and is National Natural Landmark. Park features include Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. The park contains the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island.
Emerald Bay is one of the first underwater parks of its type in the state, protecting the various wrecks and other items on the bay’s bottom.
2. Yosemite National Park – California, USA
Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. One of the most spectacular features of the park is the Horsetail Falls and should definitely be on your world vacations list.
Horsetail Fall is a seasonal waterfall that flows in the winter and early spring. The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan and if the weather conditions are just right, the setting sun illuminates the waterfall, making it glow orange and red. This natural phenomenon is often referred to as the “Firefall,” a name that pays homage to the manmade Firefall that once took place in Yosemite.
3. Dog Island – San Blas, Panama
The San Blas Islands is a group of islands which are located just off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama and makes for an amazing world vacations trip. The San Blas offers a large array of sights. Starting with the fascinating people, incredible seascapes, colorful reefs and islands, to the abundant sea life in its waters and wildlife on the mainland.
If you time your world vacations trip here just right you will get to join in with the festivals and gatherings occurring at villages and get a glimpse of the culture.
If you like snorkeling, you will find a great variety of tropical fish in the shallow warm waters.
4. Calo des Moro Beach – Mallorca, Spain
Calo des Moro is situated six kilometers from Santanyi in the south-easten part of Mallorca and is a spectacular world vacations spot. It has a fantastic beach and high cliffs populated by pines on both sides of the sandy beach. The water is crystal clear and the beautiful surroundings makes it perfect for a swim.
5. Aogashima, Volcanic Japanese Island
A couple of hundred miles to the south of Tokyo in the Philippine Sea lies the island of Aogashima. This island is known for having a volcanic caldera within a larger caldera, which makes the island’s unique shape resemble a tropical scene from the set of Jurassic Park or Lost. If you are planning on making this one of your world vacations trip then be warned, getting to the island is an adventure akin to a James Bond mission, which is likely why not many ever make the journey.
These remote islands are truly a great place to relax. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park system which encompasses many of the islands in the area, so a trip would definitely require a bit of island hopping to take in all of the surrounding beauty.
On Aogashima there isn’t much to do, but the serenity is probably one of the biggest attractions on a visit and the alien landscape is something you will never forget.
6. Perhentian Islands – Malaysia
The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 19 km off the northeastern coast of West Malaysia. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (“Big Perhentian”) and Perhentian Kecil (“Small Perhentian”). Nature tourism provides the economic base for the islands.
Both the islands have palm-fringed white coral sand beaches and turquoise blue sea. Popular tourist activities include scuba-diving, snorkeling, and swimming. On most beaches, the water is shallow with many rays, cuttlefish, sea turtles and parrotfish in the waters. There are dozens of dive sites and other activities like camping, canoeing, fishing, jungle trekking, and banana boat riding.
7. Exuma – Bahamas
Exuma is a district of the Bahamas, consisting of over 360 islands. With sapphire-blue water everywhere, the Exumas are an exotic collection of dream destinations. Footprint-free beaches and ultra exclusive resorts and islands fit for celebrities make this tropical paradise an absolute gem. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape.
The islands are a popular spot for yachting, sailing, diving, and coral reef and cave exploring. Many of the unnamed beaches and coves of the islands, including extensive offshore reef areas, are included in the protected Exuma National Land and Sea Park of the Bahamas National Trust.
8. Whitsunday Island – Australia
Whitsunday ise made up of 74 Island Wonders, on the beautiful tropical coast of Queensland, Australia. Right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, a visit to the Whitsundays is a feast for the senses. The stunning natural landscapes of coast and islands are dotted with secluded beaches and friendly towns.
Explore the incredible diversity of the sea and islands from the bow of a sailboat. Cruise through the islands and drop anchor for a quick snorkel or scuba dive. Spend a fun day splashing in the clear shallow waters of world famous Whitehaven Beach. Pick an island, or enjoy the spoils of a mainland resort with Coral Sea views at Airlie Beach. Get off the beaten track amongst the hillside national park trails on foot or mountain bike.
9. Navagio beach – Zakynthos, Greece
Navagio beach is a cove on the southwest shore and is isolated by high cliffs and accessible only by boat. The beach and sea floor are made of white pebbles, and surrounded by turquoise waters. It is named after a shipwreck which sunk on the shore around 1980. The ridge area from Anafonitria has a small observation deck which overlooks the shipwreck, and there is a monastery nearby.
The unique and stunning visuals of the location are a favorite for BASE jumpers, and each year a major event in the BASE calendar is held at Navagio, around the end of August.
10. Amangiri Resort, Canyon Point – Utah, USA
Located in Southern Utah close to the Arizona boarder, Amangiri is surrounded by the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Staircase – Escalante, and Bryce and Zion National Parks. The desert literally comes up to the door of your room. The views from the resort are stunning with many large windows from which to view them
11. Ubud Hanging Gardens – Bali, Indonesia
Nestled deep in the heart of Ubud’s rich rainforest preserve, this enchanting five star boutique hotel, designed in complete harmony with nature, has 38 private suites and individual villas, each enhanced by its own luxurious heated granite infinity pool, rippling into the jungle below.
The hotel, with its stunning and much-lauded twin-level cascading pools, overlooks lush jungle landscapes where monkeys chatter in the coconut palms and the fast-flowing Ayung River courses over splendid waterfalls, while facing an ancient Hindu temple across the spectacular plunging gorge.
12. Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc – France
The Villa Soleil was built in 1869 for writers seeking inspiration. In 1887, Italian hotelier Antoine Sella bought the property, and opened the Grand Hôtel du Cap in 1889.
In 2011, the hotel underwent a $67 million renovation. Within the complex there are two clay tennis courts, a spa, fitness center, shopping, hair dresser and nine acres of lush greenery. The swimming pool is a heated salt water pool, cut into the edge of the cliff in 1914. Thirty-three cabanas are located in the rock facing the sea.
13. Pelican Hill Resort – California
From the moment of arrival, you’ll experience a place that feels much further away than it really is with its graceful Italian architecture, panoramic ocean views, lush Mediterranean landscape, a 136′ circular Coliseum Pool and freshly made pastas.
The hotel features the Pelican Hill Golf Club, 22 Spas and the amazing Coliseum Pool.
14. One & Only Reethi Rah North Male Atolli – Maldives
Supreme and private luxury amid nature’s tropical magic, One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives resort is a jewel among a string of coral atolls, lagoons, and white sands. The experience is privacy, warmth and moments of magic – a promise of utter contentment fulfilled.
One&Only Reethi Rah offers 130 private resort villas well separated along the shore, either on the beach secluded by lush tropical greenery, or set above the clear, protected waters of the lagoon.
15. Qasr Al Sarab Resort – Abu Dhabi
At number 15 on our world vacations list is the Qasr Al Sarab Resort. Experience unparalleled luxury and comfort amid the mystic desert charm of Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter. Ride on a camel over sun soaked dunes as this foreboding landscape unwinds eternally in front of you. Soak in the freeform swimming pool while desert wildlife grazes in the shade below.
Located in the legendary Liwa Desert, one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara embraces the epic adventures of this evocative landscape by providing a luxury oasis for discerning travelers. Recline by the plunge pool outside your own private villa, or stretch out on a sumptuous day bed surrounded by rich Middle Eastern fabrics and local artifacts.
16. Dubai
Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai’s lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2010, Dubai was the 7th most visited city of the world with 7.6 million visitors a year.
Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping malls, including the world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall. The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
Dubai is also currently the home of the famous former Cunard ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth 2. The ship was bought by developers in 2007 for US$100m and has become a regular sight for travelers arriving into Dubai International Airport as the flight path takes aircraft over the port.
17. Tasmania Island – Australia
Tasmania is an island located 240 kilometers to the south of Australia. Almost 45% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites. The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy, and City of Clarence, while the satellite town of Kingston (part of the Municipality of Kingborough) is generally included in the Greater Hobart area.
The northernmost terrestrial point of the state of Tasmania is Boundary Islet, a nature reserve in Bass Strait which, due to a quirk of history, is shared with the state of Victoria.
The subantarctic Macquarie Island and its surrounding islands are also under the administration of Tasmania as a nature reserve and part of the Huon Valley Council local government area. The Bishop and Clerk Islets, about 37 km south of Macquarie Island, are the southernmost terrestrial point of the state of Tasmania, and the southernmost internationally recognized land in Australia.
18. Heaven Lake – North Korea and China borde
Situated in the Heavenly Mountain range is one of the nicest spots in all of China. The huge clear water lake, the pine trees covering the hillsides and the snow capped mountains in the background make this a spectacular sight.
Buddhists visit this spot to praise the God of Mercy, Kazakh families set up camp here between May and September, and tourists visit the area in their hundreds. All this, surprisingly enough, does not spoil the area. One of the most pleasant aspects about exploring here is just being able to wander the lake and mountains at your own pace.
A gargantuan glacier, 100 meters thick and 500 meters wide lies at the peaks of the Tianshan mountain range, surrounded by ice caves and valleys. This is the source of the Urumqi River, and although it is too COLD up here for many travelers, this area is one of the most important in the world in terms of research and development.
19. Rio Secreto’s underground river in Riviera Maya – Mexico
Río Secreto could very well be one of the great wonders of the world. When you visit this stunning underground river with thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, it’s like stepping back in time to witness something mysterious and truly spectacular.
In this surreal locale near Playa del Carmen, you can observe natural history dating back millions of years as you hike and swim through a 600-meter route full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Go deep inside an underground cave, where you’ll experience true silence among some of the most dramatic mineral formations in the world.
20. Tosua Pool – Samoa
Tosua actually means a “Gigantic Swimming Hole” and it is believed that lava field blow holes made thees tide pools. This pool is about 30 meters down from the ground level and one must climb down a long ladder to there but once there it is something spectacular. The pool is situated close to Lotofaga, which is a village on the south coast of Upolu island in Samoa.
21. Niagara Falls – Border Between Canada and United States
Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States.
From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls lie on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the American side, separated by Goat Island. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the other waterfalls by Luna Island.
The combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, with a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide.
The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century.
22. Frozen Lake Baikal – Siberia, Russia
If you fancy going to a world vacations spot with a difference then check the Lake Baikal Meaning “nature lake”, this is a rift lake in the south of the Russian region of Siberia. It is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the world, containing roughly 20% of the world’s unfrozen surface fresh water and at 1,642 m (5,387 ft), it is also the deepest. Lake Baikal is also among the clearest of all lakes, and thought to be the world’s oldest at 25 million years. It is the 7th largest lake in the world by surface area.
23. Isle of sky – Scotland
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island’s peninsulas radiate from a mountainous center dominated by rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.
The abundant wildlife includes the golden eagle, red deer and Atlantic salmon. The local flora is dominated by heather moor, and there are nationally important invertebrate populations on the surrounding sea bed. Skye has provided the locations for various novels and feature films such as Stardust and Prometheus.
Tall, rocky mountains tower over a small lake, beyond which a waterfall cascades down from the heights. Brown and black cattle stand by the lakes margins, lit by wan sunlight that streams through the clouds.
24. Iguazu Falls – Brazil
Iguazu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River which forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil and one of the most amazing world vacations spots on our list. Iguazu Falls was announced as one of the seven winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.
Both sides of the park are well served with foot trails. On the Argentine side of the park there’s a small train leaving about every half an hour from near the entrance going all the way to the beginning of the trail to the Garganta del Diablo. On the Brazilian side, there’s a bus service connecting the falls with other activities.
The Iguaçu Falls are an awesome sight as tonnes of water throw themselves over cliffs and the mist rises into the jungle. They are taller than Niagara Falls, and twice as wide, for which Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed on her first sight of the Falls: “Poor Niagara!”
It is well worth spending a day on each side of the falls, especially if you plan to do any of the boat rides or other activities offered.
Don’t just rush past the main viewpoints and leave. It’s important to get a good perspective on the park overall to appreciate this awesome sight.
Whilst the majority of the falls are in Argentina, a better overview is had from the Brazilian side.
25. Big Island – Hawaii
Big Island is home to the most active volcano in the world, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as well as the largest mountain in the world in volume (Mauna Loa) and the tallest mountain in the world as measured from its base on the sea floor to its peak (Mauna Kea).
There are many activities available on Big Island such as biking, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, horse riding and if you are feeling adventurous you can take a Helicopter tour over the Kilauea volcano (the only erupting volcano in Hawaii).
26. Frigate Island – Seychelles
Looking for a world vacations trip that is secluded and relaxing then check out the Frigate Island which is a private island and is part of the Seychelles. It is only 2.19 square kilometers (0.85 sq mi) and is primarily known as a secluded, private luxury resort and its Anse Victorin beach was voted “The World’s Best Beach” by The Times.
The island is covered with takamaka, cashew and Indian almond trees and is home to the rare Seychelles Magpie Robin as well as several relocated Aldabra Giant Tortoises. It also has endemic species, including the flightless Frégate Island giant tenebrionid beetle and some species of millipedes.
