Our Top Scenery
Bhutan
Bhutan is still totally unspoiled and heartbreakingly beautiful. We won't attempt to summarize its splendors.
New Zealand
Bats are the only indigenous mammals in New Zealand, but what it lacks in wildlife, it amply makes up for in scenery. Don’t miss the fascinating geothermal sights on the North Island in addition to the majestic mountains and fjords on the South Island. Auckland is enchanting, and typically underrated in our view.
Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania offers an astonishing amount of scenic diversity for such a relatively small island: gorgeous beaches, craggy mountains, tranquil forests, and charming villages.
American Southwest
The four corners area of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado abound with sensational rock formations, gorges, national parks plus Native American ancient cliff dwellings and pueblos. Don’t miss Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Sedona, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion, and there is much, much more.
The Kimberly, Western Australia
The cities are pretty but the real excitement in Australia is the wild and wooly outback.
Namibia
Namibia is largely desert, but various kinds of desert, and nearly all stunningly beautiful. You’ll see many interesting animals too, such as desert adapted elephants and both white and black rhino, but the scenery is breathtaking.
Nepal
Kathmandu is among our least favorite cities in the world, but the scenery in the Himalayas is spectacular. If you’re hardy enough for extended hiking, you’re in for a major treat, but even if you prefer day hikes from comfortable lodges, you’ll be thrilled.
Iguassu/Iguacu Falls, Brazil and Argentina
A must for waterfall lovers and our favorite of the big three (Niagara, Victoria, Iguassu). The surrounding rainforest is filled with birds, animals, butterflies and flowers and the falls are breathtaking.
Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate, Argentina
We've seen lots of glaciers, but this Patagonian one stops our heart with its grandeur.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
One of the most superb terrains we've trodden, an unforgettable location.
Guilin, China
It's a not-to-be-missed experience peacefully floating down the Li River admiring a landscape that has inspired Chinese painting for millennia.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Fantastical tufa spires dot the scenic valleys. The Turkish coast is also gorgeous but Cappadocia is out of this world.
Bora Bora
The lushly vegetated, jagged volcanic peaks framing the crystalline lagoon are an exquisite sight to behold. There was only one, or maybe two, places to stay on Bora Bora when we visited; additional development since then might have marred its untouched beauty.