1Sintra, Portugal
Fraser Hall//Getty Images Sintra, Portugal, is an easy day trip from Lisbon if that's your main destination. It's a beautiful resort town filled with plenty of greenery and a few picturesque palaces you can visit, such as the Moorish-style Sintra National Palace and colorful Pena National Palace, seen here.
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2Oshino Hakkai, Oshino, Yamanashi, Japan
Kapook2981//Getty Images Near the base of Mount Fuji lies Oshino Hakkai, a series of eight springs fed by the snowmelt flowing down. The water is clean enough to drink straight from the source, and there are a number of restaurants, food vendors, shops, and even an open-air museum around the little lakes. While you enjoy those, you can take in the gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, whether you're there in time for fall foliage or cherry blossoms.
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3Kuang Si Falls, Laos
Ahmad Syukaery//Getty Images Set near the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the city of Luang Prabang is picture-perfect with its golden temples. Venture the 40-minute drive to Kuang Si Falls, and you'll find yourself in the midst of a vibrant jungle. The falls consist of three tiers, each with pools for taking in the view and wading in peace.
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4Lapland, Finland
Lingxiao Xie//Getty Images Take your love of stargazing to new heights by admiring the stars amid the Northern Lights in the northernmost region of Finland. In the cooler months, Lapland is blanketed with snow, so make sure you bring the right clothes to watch the lights in comfort. Seeing the neon bands in the sky is a surreal experience you can enjoy while sledding or sitting in front of your cabin.
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5The Pitons, St. Lucia
Wildroze//Getty Images As the most famous landmark in St. Lucia and a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Pitons' two dormant volcanic spires—Gros Piton and Petit Piton—are wonders to behold. The majestic peaks tower over the sea and hold the history of this Caribbean island. As a sightseeing bonus, the Pitons is also a great place to visit for unique flora and fauna.
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6Joshua Tree National Park, USA
JGalione//Getty Images Joshua Tree is an outdoor lover's delight, from nature trails to glorious sunsets overlooking the desert speckled with cacti. It's an easy trip from Palm Springs to this incredible landscape. Even if you're more of a glamper, you can enjoy the painted scenery from the window of your luxury AirBnB rental or resort.
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7Mù Cang Chải, Vietnam
FRAME STUDIO//Getty Images After you pick your up jaw off the ground, take in the magnificent scene of terraced mountains lined with rice paddies and streams of water in this rural region of Vietnam. Mù Cang Chải takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi (it's about six hours from the capital) and into the wavelike pattern of the mountains. It's truly a sight like no other.
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8Lake Como, Italy
Feng Wei Photography//Getty Images Whether you're curious to know why this dazzling lake is a summer go-to for celebrities or hoping to spot a few in person, the beauty of Lake Como speaks for itself. Surrounded by the foothills of the Italian Alps, this Y-shaped lake often receives guests on day trips from Milan. Head here to take in views of extravagant palaces, ornate villas, and all nature has to offer. We even have a designophile's guide to help you plan your trip, from where to stay to what to eat and do.
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9Hallstatt, Austria
Amy Luo//Getty Images 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. You can easily get to the town by train from Vienna—it'll be a memorable excursion you won't regret.
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10Las Coloradas, Mexico
Getty Images These pastel lagoons in Yucatán, Mexico, are what color palette dreams are made of. It's completely worth the road trip if you're staying in Tulum or Cancún. Just think of the photos you could post on your Instagram feed.
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11Bagan, Myanmar
Getty Images The ancient city of Bagan is a Unesco World Heritage Site with plenty of sacred structures to take in and learn about. Hot-air ballooning is one of the most famous and novel ways to see it, drawing in visitors from around the globe. Floating high above ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas might be the most convincing reason to forget about your fear of heights.
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12Barcelona, Spain
Pol Albarrán//Getty Images With incredible food, sprawling beaches, world-renowned architecture, and tons of museums, Barcelona is a feast for the senses. Architecture lovers can tour the works of Antoni Gaudí, including Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. From the historic Gothic Quarter to the Picasso museum, it's a mecca for creative inspiration.
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13Chamarel, Mauritius
Davide Seddio//Getty Images Though this East African island attracts visitors primarily with its pristine beaches, if you venture inland you'll see this brilliant geological formation that translates as "Seven Colored Earths."
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14Amalfi Coast, Italy
Cosmin Voinea / 500px//Getty Images Imagine gazing out over these sweeping views with a limoncello in your hand. Now that's amore. Beautiful sights aside, you'll also get to partake in plenty of outdoor activities and cultural experiences (Pompei! Vila Jovis!), whether you go island hopping to Ischia and Capri or stay on the Amalfi Coast in Positano, Sorrento, and Naples.
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15Tu Le Valley, Vietnam
117 Imagery//Getty Images The rainbow of golden and green terraced rice paddies in the Tu Le Valley creates an enchanting pattern. It's surrounded by mountain ranges and a sight to see year-round, though the best time to visit is during September when the rice is ripening.
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16Petra, Jordan
Westend61//Getty Images Want to know why it's called the Rose City? Wait until you see it glowing at sunset. Unesco describes Petra as "half-built, half-carved into the rock, and surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges." As one of the world's seven wonders, it definitely deserves a top spot on your bucket list.
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17Saturnia, Italy
Andrea Comi//Getty Images These aquamarine hot springs are a sight to see. You'll also get to enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside while soaking.
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18Palm Springs, California
Dane Deaner//Getty Images 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. To round out your itinerary, check out our Palm Springs travel guide.
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19Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador
Alessandra Taryn Bea//Getty Images Known as "Devil's Cauldron" in English, this remote hiking destination in the Ecuadorian rainforest is like something out of a fairy tale.
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20Jaipur, India
Chaiyun Damkaew//Getty Images 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's so much to see and do.
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