Eric Stoen of Travel Babbo has photographed in more than 80 countries. He’s seen his fair share of stunning views. So, we asked him which landscapes completely took his breath away. Here are his top 15 from around the world.
Mount Besseggen, Norway
Norway is full of amazing scenery, from the fjords to the Lofoten Islands and the Arctic Circle. Mount Bessegen is inland, roughly four hours from Oslo, and is one of the most popular hikes in the country. The view makes the seven-hour hike worth it!
The view from Mount Besseggen, Norway
Maasai Mara, Kenya
The Maasai Mara is stunning anyway, but add lions at sunset and it takes your breath away. One of my favorite moments from several weeks in Kenya and Tanzania.
Lions on the hunt in the Maasai Mara
Xingping, Guangxi, China
Sunrise is the best time to appreciate the spectacular natural beauty of the Lijiang River in southern China. The photo shows a cormorant fisherman with his birds.
The Lijiang River near Xingping
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAE
The windblown sands of the desert always draw me in, from India to the Sahara to this spot outside Dubai. Sunrise is the best time to visit – it’s still cool, and the light near the horizon beautifully highlights the waves of sand.
In the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Popular with tourists? Yes. Stunning nevertheless? Absolutely. Plitvice Lakes contains 16 turquoise-colored lakes, linked with waterfalls and wooden walkways. The view constantly changes as you walk around the park, but it’s always spectacular.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Antarctica
Sailing around Antarctica, there’s no shortage of breathtaking views, especially since it never gets dark. This was one of my favorites – mountains and icebergs with perfect reflections, covered by low clouds.
Icebergs in Antarctica
Easter Island, Chile
The Moai of Easter Island are iconic, but they’re usually photographed from the same angles. I thought the view was much better from behind the line of Moai at Ahu Tongariki. The horse was a bonus!
Easter Island
Bagan, Myanmar
One of my favorite sunrises ever, sitting on top of Shwesandaw Pagoda. Note that government officials in Myanmar have talked about banning climbing on the temples, so you may not be able to watch the sunrise or sunset here for much longer.
Sunrise in Bagan
Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is gorgeous, filled with lush national parks and forest reserves. My favorite view was from this spot in the Knuckles Mountain Range not far from Kandy. I don’t recommend going to the edge!
The Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka
Blue Grotto, Malta
Malta‘s famous Azure Window collapsed in March 2017, but its Blue Grotto sea cavern remains solid. Take a boat under the arch into the cavern, or simply appreciate its beauty from above.
The Blue Grotto in Malta
The Saihoji Temple (Saihō-Ji) Moss Garden, Kyoto, Japan
Not every amazing view has to stretch into the distance. Saihoji Temple in Japan, with its moss gardens, lakes and temples, is stunning…and compact. You don’t need more than 90 minutes to see the entire site. They’re 90 amazing minutes though! And the gardens are even more beautiful in the fall, with the changing colors of the leaves.
The Saihoji Temple (Saihō-Ji) Moss Garden
Atacama Desert, Chile
The driest spot in the world, Chile’s Atacama Desert doesn’t have sand dunes that stretch forever, but it makes up for that with the volcanos of the Andes and a rainbow of colors in the landscape. I loved this spot in Death Valley with oranges, reds, purples and blues as far as you can see.
In Chile’s Atacama Desert
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, east of Hanoi, contains thousands of limestone islands. Spend the night on a junk, but make sure you climb to the top of an island for the breathtaking views!
Ha Long Bay from Titov Island
Musandam Peninsula, Oman
Oman’s Musandam Peninsula is on the tourist map because of the Six Senses Zighy Bay. But head up into the mountains – a landscape utterly devoid of color, yet beautiful with it’s rocky canyons. One of my favorite sunsets ever.
Musandam Peninsula, Oman
Torres del Paine, Chile
I hadn’t intended to include three spots in Chile, but it’s a stunning, diverse country, and its southern Patagonia region is probably the prettiest place I’ve been anywhere. And I’m including my kids in this photo as a reminder that virtually everywhere in the world is kid-friendly!
Torres del Paines, Patagonia, Chile
Eric Stoen
Latest posts by Eric Stoen (see all)
- 5 simple ways to be a better tourist - August 29, 2019
- Travel Tips: How to Entertain Your Kids on Really Hot Days - July 3, 2019
- A Perfect Trip to Singapore - May 23, 2019
Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
The Atacama was one of the most spectacular sites I have seen. The sunsets there are simply unmatched. Easter Island is a dream, and I’m excited to be heading to Sri Lanka and the Knuckles mountain range next year with my kids! There are so many incredible views around the world. Although no Canada in here? You’re missing out! 🙂