Swapping the classroom for the great outdoors, former teacher Aaron Sparkes travels the world looking for the most beautiful and bountiful destinations to write about and photograph.
Whether he’s exploring hiking country in North America or taking in the art and beauty on offer in a European capital city, there are very few places Aaron hasn’t yet visited, so we asked him to share his expertise.
Aaron is always on the lookout for the best places to travel to and, here he shares with us his take on five of the most beautiful destinations to visit across the globe.
Where are the most beautiful destinations in the world?
It’s always possible to find something beautiful in any place you visit. Whether it’s the beauty of city centre architecture, the surrounding countryside, a stunning waterfall in the middle of nowhere or just an appreciation for the historical context of the environment, beauty truly is everywhere.
As a keen traveller, I’m always on the look out for new destinations that elevate my mood and allow me to appreciate something beautiful. Coming up with a shortlist of the most beautiful destinations is tricky, but I’ve chosen five places to visit if you’re thinking about taking the holiday of a lifetime.
To an extent, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so perhaps you may not agree with all of my choices. But I promise that they have something beautiful to offer everyone – take a trip and see for yourself!
Top five most beautiful holiday destinations you should visit
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is one of the most important discoveries the world has ever seen, representing the ancient Incas. Nestled in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is an awe-inspiring sight with a truly impressive citadel presiding over a number of other structures.
The whole site is around five miles squared and experts believe it’s the last surviving remnant of a much bigger place. It’s likely that it’s part of an Incan royal estate or perhaps a religious meeting place for the Empire.
While it’s not exactly an easy walk up to Macchu Pichu – you will need to hike a fair way at a decently high elevation – it is more than worth it. This is a site that everyone should see at least once in their lifetimes. Not much beats it for majesty and a sense of ancient history.
Marrakech, Morocco
A totally different kind of beauty can be found in Marrakech, it’s a feast for the senses – all of them! You can spend hours, if not days, wandering around the palaces, colourful surroundings, hectic souks and alleyways of Marrakech.
Start at the historic and fascinating Medina and take in the architecture that reflects hundreds of years of history. The markets have been a symbol of this city for centuries and are a wonderfully immersive experience for first time visitors.
Head to the outskirts of the city to find amazing art galleries, exciting restaurants with experimental cuisine, gorgeously lush gardens and you’ll soon understand the creative resurgence the city is going through, thanks to its young and ambitious community keen to show off everything that’s beautiful about Marrakech.
Jaipur, India
Known as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is a popular destination for the rich and famous, for fashionistas and designers. This is likely down to the extremely elaborate and exquisite palaces that light up the surroundings in a magical way.
Most of the most ornate structures within the walled city of Jaipur were built throughout the 18th century. This includes the most famous – the Rajmahal Palace and the Hawa Mahal. However, the famous pink colour didn’t appear on the buildings until 1876 in preparation for a visit from Prince Albert himself.
If you have any time left over after taking in the sights of the ornate and stunningly beautiful Hindu Rajput architecture, then make sure you visit the textile markets. They’re also a delight for the eyes – you are guaranteed to find textiles here that exist nowhere else in the world.
Positano, Italy
There are so many beautiful places to visit throughout Italy – from the lush Tuscan hills to the extraordinary art in Florence and Rome. Italy offers something beautiful for every taste. While I’d recommend a tour around the entire country, I’ve settled on Positano as a must-visit.
Packed full of the kinds of hotels that attract the most discerning visitors, Positano is also a stunningly beautiful place. Its pastel buildings give it a fairy tale vibe, and it’s one of the most gorgeous villages on the entire Amalfi Coast.
Visit the shops along the cliff for some truly fabulous craftmanship from textile designers, artists and ceramicists. It’s a magical place and when you’re done exploring, you can stop for some rest at any café or hotel and take in the most majestic views of the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Banff National Park, Canada
For my final pick, I want you to head to the sparklingly blue waters in Banff National Park. The Canadian landmark is one of the most stunning in the world, with glacial lakes surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains and acres of evergreen trees.
This is perhaps one of the most idyllic places you can visit. You should definitely head for the main attraction, which is Lake Louise, but there is so much else to explore in this national park – Canada’s first, in fact.
Explore the wildlife on an exclusive tour or enjoy a gondola ride through scenery that is so beautiful it almost doesn’t seem real.
About Aaron Sparkes
Aaron loves to share his travelling experiences with people who may not know just how amazing some of these destinations are. Aaron regularly blogs on places he’s visited, hoping to spark joy in fellow travellers or those curious about going to new destinations.
