Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany.
As a way to seek refuge and withdraw from public life, Ludwig II of
Bavaria built this extravagant castle in 1868. Seven weeks after his
death in 1886, the structure was opened to the paying public and has
since become one of the most visited castles in Europe. Neuschwanstein
is also the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland, so
it’s clearly magical!
Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.
This specific spot in the Waitomo Caves is known as the Glowworm Grotto,
a place where glowworms ignite a starry scenery on the ceilings and
walls. This species is exclusively found in New Zealand and is around
the size of a mosquito.
Colmar, France.
One of the most enchanting towns of France, Colmar is reminiscent of the
provincial town of Beauty and the Beast, but better. In addition to
being a quaint, charming place to visit, Colmar is also home to Musée
Animé du Jouet et des Petits Trains, the Animated Museum of Toys and
Modeled Trains.
Batu Caves, Malaysia.
The Batu Caves are a series of chambers beneath limestone hills and date
back to as many as 400 million years ago. At the base of the caves lies
a giant 140-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war,
victory, wisdom, and love. Visitors reach the caves by stairs, a total
of 272 steps, and enter an area filled with Hindu shrines where
worshippers pay their respects.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Russia.
The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, located in Moscow, was formally a
church but is now a museum. The spectacular range of bright colors and
quirky architecture make it a whimsical must-see spot.
Wisteria Tunnel, Japan.
This breathtaking scenery of gorgeous flowers can be found at the
Kawachi Fuji Garden in Kitakyushu, Japan. The best time to walk through
the tunnel is late April to mid-May. If a stroll through here doesn’t
make you feel like you’re in a Disney movie, nothing will.
Paro Taktsang, Bhutan.
Known as the Tiger’s Nest, Taktsang Palphug Monastery is a prominent
Himalayan Buddhist sacred site perched upon the cliffside of the Upper
Paro Valley. Its unique location is alarming but captivating, making it
worthy of a visit.
Cave of the Crystals, Mexico.
Located 980 feet below the Chihuahua Desert, this giant cave of crystals
is home to the largest crystals discovered on Earth, the biggest being
39 feet long and 55 tons in weight. The cave is relatively unexplored,
since the conditions of the atmosphere are tolerable for only 10 minutes
or so (without proper equipment and protection).
Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
Angkor Wat, or “City of Temples,” is a significant religious center in
Southeast Asia and is often thought of as a symbol of Cambodia. Beyond
its architecture, the mossy residue and overgrown vines give it an
ancient appeal, hiding centuries of historical memories.
Angel Falls, Venezuela.
With a plunge 15 times the height of Niagara Falls, Angel Falls streams
from the tabletop mountain called Auyantepui. The site was named after
Jimmy Angel, a U.S. aviator who was the first known person to fly over
the falls. His ashes were scattered there in 1960. In addition to its
undeniable beauty, you may notice that the area is similar to Paradise
Falls from Disney’s Up, a clear inspiration for the movie.
Petra, Jordan.
More than 2,000 years ago, the Nabataeans built the town of Petra into
the mountains, now the most-visited tourist attraction of Jordan. Petra
is also known as the Rose City due to the color of the stone from which
it was carved. This significant example of ancient civilization shows
just how astonishing the world can be.
Zhangye Danxia Landform, China.
What looks like a canvas of extraordinary color is a range of mountains
in China. The rainbow formation is the result of red sandstone and
mineral deposits being laid down for over 24 million years.
Mont Saint-Michel, France.
An island commune in Normandy, France, Mont Saint-Michel is known as the
“Wonder of the West” and attracts 3 million visitors per year. The
Kingdom of Corona from Disney’s Tangled was modeled after Mont
Saint-Michel and is just as magical as the real thing.
Pamukkale, Turkey.
Pamukkale, or “Cotton Castle,” is a natural site in southwestern Turkey
that is home to hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate
minerals left by the flowing water. People can relax in the small
turquoise pools of bliss, but the terraces themselves are restricted to
preserve the site.
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland.
This 21-arch single-track viaduct is a railway in Scotland that was
built in 1898. Harry Potter fans may recognize the structure, as it was
used in three HP films when the Hogwarts Express carried wizards and
witches to Hogwarts.
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam.
Also known as “Descending Dragon Bay,” Hạ Long is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and popular tourist destination in Quảng Ninh, Vietnam.
This natural wonder features turquoise waters, limestone karts, and
isles of all shapes and sizes.
Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia.
Built between 1916 and 1949, this wondrous basilica church stands on a
canyon in southern Colombia. This gorgeous structure surrounded by a
pool of green is both striking and mystical.
Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Island, Maldives.
What appears as a mirror image of the stars above, the bioluminescence
in the water is actually due to marine microbes called phytoplankton.
The effect it has on the shore is absolutely breathtaking and it
encapsulates everything you’d imagine to be in a fairy tale. You can
also experience this magical effect in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Sintra, Portugal.
The charming town of Sintra is often recognized for its 19th-century
Romantic architecture and the royal estates and castles. The Pena
National Palace (pictured on the right) sits on top of a hill above the
city and can be seen from Lisbon on a clear day.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar.
This alley of towering baobab trees lines the dirt road in the Menabe
region of Madagascar and has become one of the most popular spots for
tourists in the area.
Peleș Castle, Romania.
This Neo-Renaissance castle is located in the Carpathian Mountains,
built between 1873 and 1914. The Peleş Castle was built at the
initiative of King Charles I, with the purpose of serving as a summer
home. The outside of the castle has a charming feel to it, but the
inside is very royal-esque.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China.
In ancient times, this forest was deemed remote and inaccessible, but it
has since become a must-see destination in Hunan, China. The unique
mountains are often compared to the floating mountains of Pandora from
the movie Avatar.
Taj Mahal, India.
This white marble mausoleum of Agra, India, is considered the jewel of
Muslim art and was also the inspiration for the Sultan’s Palace in
Disney’s Aladdin. The Taj Mahal was built between 1632–1653 by the
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, and has since
become a universally admired masterpiece of the world’s heritage.
Dark Hedges, Ireland.
A fantasy-like avenue of beech trees, the Dark Hedges was planted in the
18th century by the Stuart family to impress visitors upon the entrance
of their home. The road is known to be haunted by the Grey Lady, who
appears at dusk. The HBO show Game of Thrones has also made a special
appearance here.
Palace of Versailles, France.
This royal château in France has a whopping 2,300 rooms, 67 staircases,
and 5,210 pieces of furniture. The palace is famous for its hall of
mirrors and the gardens, the latter of which took 40 years to complete.
Skagit Valley Tulip Fields, United States.
Located in Washington state, the fields are visited by hundreds of
thousands who come here between April 1–30 to see these gorgeous flowers
in bloom. The festival is designed as a driving tour since there is no
one designated “site.”
