The 50 most beautiful places in the world

If traversing the canals with a be-striped gondolier sounds unbearably touristy, stick to the sidewalks and spectacular arched bridges to get your fill of this truly unique, wildly romantic floating city.

See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Venice here.

Head west from Melbourne on this coastal drive to see everything from the famous 12 Apostle rock formations to koalas in Great Otway National Park, as well as the charming seaside town of Lorne.

This World Heritage site is easily the most famous spot in Peru, and for good reason. The ancient terraced city’s astounding architecture and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains will leave you breathless (as might the nearly 8,000 foot elevation.)

Put every infinity pool you’ve ever seen to shame with these natural, snow-white hot springs overlooking the nearby city of Denizli. On top of the picturesque soak, Pamukkale is also home to the impressively preserved ruins of the ancient Roman spa-city Hierapolis where you can bathe like an emperor among the submerged centuries-old columns.

These two volcanic mountains are one of the most recognisable—not to mention beautiful—features on this Caribbean island. Happily, many of the best hotels in the region are built to ensure you can enjoy the view from your room. Consider Jade Mountain, an architectural wonder, where open-front rooms mean you can gaze at the natural landscape while lying in bed (or, while floating in your private infinity pool).

See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in St. Lucia here.

The jewel of Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi National Park, Maya Bay is known to many as The Beach: it’s the secret strip of land made famous in Danny Boyle’s cult Nineties film, starring Leonardo diCaprio.

The bay has been inaccessible to visitors for a few years, as part of a project to regenerate the land – but select tour operators are now able to steer you into the bay to take in the spectacular scenery.

See where to go in Thailand, according to the Bazaar team, here.

While Japan is beautiful year-round, the few weeks each spring when cherry trees across the country explode with blossoms is a particularly pretty time to visit.

See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Tokyo here.

Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh has changed little since the Middle Ages. You could spend days here wandering around maze-like alleyways discovering the city’s colorful souks, palaces and gardens.

See the Bazaar luxury guide to Marrakech here.

The former capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is a city truly steeped in history. Dive in with a tour of the National Parks (the largest, Doi Inthanon, is famed for its gleaming twin pagodas) or venture into the jungle to immerse yourself in hill tribe culture, before hitting the world-famous street-food markets back in the Old Town.

With turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and overwater bungalows, this small island in the South Pacific is basically heaven on Earth.

All of the Greek islands are undeniably beautiful, but head to the hillside town of Oia for some of the best views of the bright blue Aegean Sea.

See the Bazaar guide to the best Greek island hotels here.

Get off the beaten path in this rural district where the rice paddy-terraced mountains and twisting streams will make you feel like you’re living in a fairy tale.

Most travelers head to North India for its Mughal palaces and forts, but the Southern state of Tamil Nadu is where most of the country’s major Hindu temples are found, including the brightly-colored Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple seen here and the Meenakshi Temple Complex, which is so large it’s considered a mini-city.

If you’re looking to get off the grid, head to Chile’s Patagonia region for some of the most beautiful mountain views you’ll ever see.

Located in the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace of China’s emperors for five centuries and is one of the most beautifully preserved examples of ancient Chinese architecture.

Each year starting in the end of November and peaking in early December, fields of bright purple Russell Lupins bloom across New Zealand’s South Island. One of the most beautiful spots to go Lupin-spotting is in Fiordland National Park, home to the equally gorgeous Milford Sound.

This ancient city in central Myanmar is made up of thousands (yes, thousands) of Buddhist temples and pagodas. One of the prettiest views is from above—we recommend going for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.