If you want the most beautiful Instagram photos this year, your best bet is to travel to one of the world’s most breathtaking places. Of course, there are many picture-perfect destinations and a list of the most beautiful ones would naturally be very subjective, but these 20 places will definitely fill you with awe.
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1. Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is a collection of colourful fishing villages built on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean on the Italian Riviera. It’s not only gorgeous to look at, but with its fresh seafood, pesto, and wines, it’s a foodie destination too.
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If you're visiting, why not check out the most gorgeous small towns in Italy?

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2. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Located on Whitsunday Island off the Queensland coast, Whitehaven Beach is made up of 98% pure silica sand, which is why it’s such a brilliant white. The powdery soft sand doesn’t retain heat so you can comfortably go barefoot. However, sunglasses to protect your eyes against the glare are recommended.
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Looking for a quiet beach getaway, away from the crowds? Here are 20 secluded beach gems you need to know.

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3. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
In the 1980s romantic fantasy The Princess Bride they were called the Cliffs of Insanity and the Cliffs of Moher really are insanely beautiful. They’re one of Ireland’s most popular attractions, so if you want to avoid the crowds, go outside of the summer season.
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Before you head to Ireland, you might want to brush up on these Irish phrases Canadians might not understand.

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4. Milford Sound, New Zealand
With its dramatic forest-covered peaks and waterfalls, Milford Sound could easily be in Middle Earth. Then again, it is located in Fiordland National Park, one of the filming locations for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

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5. Quebec City
Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City effortlessly blends grand colonial buildings with modern architecture. To see it at its fairytale best, go in the winter. But summer is pretty delightful, too.
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6. Canaima National Park, Venezuela
Canaima National Park is known for two things: Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, and the plateau-like formations known as tepuis. The most spectacular of these is Mount Roraima, which has steep cliffs on three sides and lies on the borders between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.

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7. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Located in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon is the world’s most photographed slot canyon. Note that you can only visit with an authorized tour guide.
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8. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
The Atlantic Ocean Road connects several islands off Norway’s west coast through a series of causeways, viaducts, and bridges. Driving along this tourist route is not for the fainthearted, but it is one of the most spectacular road trips you can go on.
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Too adventurous for you? Check out these 20 hot new holiday spots for 2018 instead.

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9. Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan and between the 11th and 13th centuries, more than 4,000 temples, pagodas, and monasteries were built here. Over half of these can still be seen today and Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia.

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10. Namib Desert, Namibia
The Namib is one of the world’s oldest deserts and also one of the best places to go stargazing. It’s home to the Skeleton Coast with its rusting shipwrecks, a fascinating array of animals, high dunes and the sand-covered ghost town of Kolmanskop.
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11. Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
Because of their remoteness, the Marquesas have remained untamed. Their lush mountains and scenic valleys, waterfalls and quiet coves and Polynesian beauties inspired French painter Paul Gauguin and Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, both of whom spent their final years in this paradise.

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12. Hvitserkur, Iceland
Legend has it that Hvitserkur, a rock formation jutting from the sea in the north of Iceland, is actually a troll that turned to stone when it was caught in daylight. You can spot seals here, and if you go during the colder months, you might be lucky enough to see the rock against the backdrop of the Northern Lights in one of the world's top spots.

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13. Santorini, Greece
Rich in history and a cornucopia of Mediterranean treats like wine, cherry tomatoes, eggplant and goat’s cheese, Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands. With its whitewashed houses overlooking the blue Mediterranean, it’s one of the most picturesque too.

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14. Zhangye Danxia, China
The Zhangye National Geopark is known for the Zhangye Danxia landform, a series of rocky mountains. What makes these mountains so special is that mineral deposits have caused the rocks to boast strata in different colours, almost like a layer cake.

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15. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
There are many castles fit for a fairytale princess, but the one that they all aspire to be is Neuschwanstein. This castle, built in the late 1800s for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland.
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If you're visiting the real Disneyland, here are 13 tips to help you survive a Disney vacation.

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16. Marble Caves, Chile
On the border between Chile and Argentina, in the stunning Patagonia region, lies a lake known as Lake General Carrera if you’re on the Chilean side and Lake Buenos Aires if you’re on the Argentinean side. You’ll find beautiful marble caves and amazing rock formations that you can explore by kayak.
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17. Valley of the Ten Peaks, Alberta
Banff National Park is home to some truly breathtaking spots. One of these is the Valley of the Ten Peaks, where the mirror-like surface of Moraine Lake reflects the blue of the sky, the white and dark brown of the mountains and the dark green of the coniferous forests.
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18. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone was the world’s first national park and is famous for its geysers. The combination of mountains, forests, waterfalls and wildlife can easily make you forget that you’re actually in a huge volcanic caldera.

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19. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is an inland delta that forms a vast oasis of green in what is otherwise a very dry region. In summer, the abundance of water and food attracts animals such as giraffe, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, zebra and many species of antelope. The best way to explore is in a mokoro, a type of dugout canoe.
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Looking for more trips like this? Check out the best travel destinations for animal lovers.

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20. Havana, Cuba
There can be incredible beauty in ruin and if there’s one city that proves this, it’s the Cuban capital. Its grand but dilapidated buildings and classic cars lend Havana a nostalgic air but you’ll need to visit soon, before things change too much following Fidel Castro’s death.
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