The world offers a feast for all five of our senses, from eye-opening man-made marvels that celebrate human creativity and ingenuity, to natural wonders like the scent of a sun-kissed Provençal lavender field. Our sense of sight is often the first to be awakened by something new or wonderful, whether it’s a landscape that stretches into infinity, an architectural masterpiece, or the infinite colours of nature. These are our ten of our favourite sight-based (and oh-so-Instagrammable) experiences from around the world.
Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this incredible natural light show represents Mother Nature at her most whimsical. The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, but you don’t have to be a physicist to appreciate the resulting ribbons of colour that dance across the night sky. The northern winter (December to February) is best time of year to see this spectacle, and north of the Arctic Circle (in Scandinavia, Canada or Alaska) is the most reliable location.
For a light spectacle of a man-made variety, head to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to experience its world-famous Light Festival. Held every February for the past fourteen years, the city becomes a glowing, twinkling celebration of creativity, art and science, with the façades of its landmarks, mosques, and cultural institutions providing a blank canvas for innovative illuminated images and animations.
This ancient temple complex has stood as a symbol of devotion and resilience for more than eight centuries. Every morning, people flock from all over the world to watch the first light of day peeking above the iconic lotus-shaped towers, and the shared sense of serenity and wonder makes it worth the early start. The gates open at 5:00 am, and it’s worth being there right away to secure a good viewing spot. The reflecting pools in front of Angkor Wat are the most popular choice, but if you’re looking for a quieter experience, there are some excellent spots along the nearby library ponds.
The island’s famous clifftop villages are a tumble of whitewashed houses – each one topped with a cobalt dome that perfectly sets off the deeper sapphire waters of the Aegean beyond. Although spectacular at any time of day, at dusk the setting sun’s rays paint the walls, sky and stark hillsides in countless shades of rose and gold. Oia is the most famous and most photographed of Santorini’s villages, but you will also find plenty of other magical spots where you can witness this nightly spectacle, from the summit of Mt Profitas to Akrotiri Lighthouse at the southwestern tip of the island.
The Rose City of Petra is one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a captivating monument to ancient ingenuity and artistry. From the moment you emerge from between the winding, red sandstone canyon known as Siq to be greeted by the breathtaking façade of Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), your eyes will be falling out of your head as you try to absorb the combination of natural beauty and skilled craftsmanship. By night, the historic site becomes even more magical, with thousands of flickering candles, Bedouin music and an immersive light show.
The surreal landscape of Türkiye’s Central Anatolia region seems more like the backdrop from a fantasy movie than the combined efforts of Mother Nature and human innovation. At its heart, Göreme Historical National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonderland where fairy chimneys tower over carefully carved cave houses and monasteries. The region is one of the world’s great hot-air ballooning destinations, and a sunrise flight is our favourite perspective for watching the white stone structures transform to gold, then rose, then back to white.
Tucked away in Italy’s Southern Tyrol region amidst the dramatic scenery of the Dolomites, this enchanting lake (also known as Pragser Wildsee, or Lake Prags) is renowned for its mirror-like waters, which change from deep emerald to bright turquoise depending on the light. You are not allowed to swim in the pristine waters of the lake, but given that the water temperature never gets above a chilly fourteen degrees, renting a handmade wooden rowboat and spending a few hours lazily drifting about is a much more enjoyable option anyway.
A short boat ride from Bali’s Sanur Harbour will deliver you to Nusa Penida, which is fast becoming one of Indonesia’s most sought-after locations for an island escape. You can hire a scooter for the day to explore the island’s most striking natural formations, from Kelingking Beach (“T-Rex Headland”), Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, to the unspoiled white sands of Crystal Bay and Atuh Beach. The island’s pristine interior is home to a wide variety of unique birdlife, monkeys and monitor lizards, while the turquoise waters are teeming with marine life including manta rays and mola mola (sunfish).
The western United States is blessed with an abundance of breathtaking canyon landscapes, from the tall hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the jaw-dropping expanses of the Grand Canyon. However, the combination of outstanding geological formations and deep spiritual and cultural significance makes Antelope Canyon an utterly unique place to visit. Ethereal beams of sunlight slant between sandstone walls that have been carved over centuries by wind and water, and whose intricate strata resemble the most decadently of layered honey cakes. The canyon stands on traditional Navajo lands, and we recommend joining a tour with a local Navajo guide if you want to enjoy a truly meaningful and multi-faceted experience.
An immense expanse of otherworldly landscapes, the Atacama Desert may be the driest desert on Earth, but what it lacks in moisture, it more than makes up for in jaw-dropping scenery. Vast salt flats, rugged volcanoes, dramatic canyons and mineral-rich lagoons are set against the extraordinary peaks of the Andes, which stretch away far into the distance. Don’t be fooled by its desert designation though – you’ll find plenty of incredible wildlife here, from immense flocks of rose-hued flamingos that crowd the saltpans and lagoons to soaring Andean condors riding the wind currents far above. Even the woolly vicuñas rival their alpaca cousins for adorable, doe-eyed cuteness.
Our world is filled with countless destinations that hold the power to awaken our senses, fill us with awe and invite us to slow down, look closer. Pack your binoculars, your camera and your sense of wonder, and talk to your personal travel manager about how you can make your next holiday into a visual symphony.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
