Most beautiful place on earth you've seen, if you're a regular person?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to and an agree with many of these including the Grand Canyon, Sedona, RMNP, and several beaches in the Caribbean (Anguilla, Eagle Beach Aruba, Grace Bay T&C and much of the BVI including Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke.)

But I also just really enjoy many casual waterfront views like soundfront in the Outer Banks, Smith Mountain Lake, and this tiny lake where DH’s family lives in Maine. Nature is so majestic and I feel a peace there that I don’t really get elsewhere in life.

[Anonymous]

Sunrise over the Taj

[Anonymous]

In the US:
Kalalua Valley in Kauai
Grand Tetons from Jackson Lake
GNP from a kayak on Lake McDonnell
San Juan on a ski boat in Lake Powell
Vermont in the fall
Back county skiing in the Rockies
Salmon River, Idaho
Bryce Canyon at first snow
Hungry horse reservoir
Whitefish, Montana in the summer
Yellowstone on snowshoes and cross country skis

[Anonymous]

Southwest coast of England (Devon & Cornwall)
Isle of Skye and environs
Oregon coast
Mendocino, CA and environs
Alaska - Road along White Pass & Yukon Route (we drove, but many people do it by train, which I'm sure is also amazing)

and a little out there - Jerusalem. While it's obviously different from the above, I found the old city beautiful just in its feeling and atmosphere. I'm not religious, but it's the only place I've been where I could feel the history and weight of its importance for others. I found it magical.

[Anonymous]

Sedona. Just breathtaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mandala’s prison cell Robben Island.

It is a stirring experience to see his cell, especially if your tour was led by another former prisoner.

But it is not beautiful.

Capetown is, from Robbin Island.

[Anonymous]

Glazier National Park
Rhonda, Spain
Big Sur
Rocky Mountain National Park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but apparently I have a very different view of "normal person" than most people here.

Yeah when it starts with the Sahara, the bar is set high. Fwiw, I did that helicopter trip in kaui for almost free by sitting through a 3 hour time share pitch on m honeymoon. Worth it!

But there are many really beautiful things close to home — skyline drive when the e leaves change, or tidal basin with peak cherry blossoms, or the view at Great Falls!

There are loads of beautiful places right here in DMV but OP asked whats the most beautiful place on Earth you have seen”
right here including worldwide.

I listed some special memories earlier, but I have to say that Spring in this area is unbelievably gorgeous. I grew up in a semi-arid region and to see cherry blossoms on the trees, drifting through the air, and eventually covering the ground, azaleas providing intense bursts of color, and the dogwoods blooming (my favorites are the pink ones). Every year I am overwhelmed by the stunning beauty.

[Anonymous]

Oia, Santorini
Bora Bora
Maui

Grand Canyon was the most stunning but for me, not the most beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the PP who mentioned the road to Valdez, do you think it would be worth doing if we could only do half of it? It would be a day trip from Anchorage and my kids will kill me if I make them spend much more than 7 hours in a car.

I'm the PP. Unfortunately, Valdez is not a day trip from Anchorage. It's 5.5 hours, one way. I wouldn't bother doing half of it because the best parts are when you get closer and closer to Valdez. Not sure what you have planned but if you're looking for a day trip from Anch, try the doing part of the Seward Highway - it's beautiful as well (well, we had horrid weather - drenching rains, so we didn't get to really enjoy it). Or make a trip up to Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine - very beautiful up there too, and an easy day trip!

[Anonymous]

Standing at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro

It was humbling, in a way

[Anonymous]

Some of the most beautiful spots I've seen have been in the US - Alaska, Crater lake, Bryce, Zion... I love our national parks!

I also hiked to Machu Picchu, drove all over Iceland and Ireland, a couple of Greek Islands...all spectacular and beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Cow Wreck Beach in Anegada in the Virgin Islands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe more powerful than beautiful, but an image that always sticks with me is standing at the base of the Eiffel Tower and looking up, and being struck by the enormity of the structure and the heavy, strong metal beams. You see the Eiffel Tower represented so much in literature and in media while you are growing up, and then, when you are standing right there under it, it is just breathtaking.

At least it is in my opinion. I’ve been there 3 times, and got the same feeling every time.

I agree. I know it makes Parisians cringe but when the tower sparkles at night, it looks so pretty to me.
Also loved the Grand Canyon. It was the first time that a place actually took my breath away.
Hawaii--all of it. Everywhere you look is just amazing. Same with a lot of Idaho--it's so underrated.
Montana--I never understood what big sky country meant until I went there. The sky just never seems to end.
I don't know about most beautiful but Honduras was the greenest place I've ever seen. Just so lush.

[Anonymous]

Grand Canyon - we were there for just one night. Didn't get to go hiking or do much beyond walk along the cliffside. But wow. Just wow. Never seen anything like it in all my life.

Yap - got to dive with the giant mantas at Yap. It wasn't just beautiful but one of those experiences that feels like a spiritual awakening. Diving anywhere in Micronesia is special - and that was one of the most special experiences I've ever had.