20 Awe-Inspiring Locations to Add to Your Bucket List

“Awe: An emotion variously combining veneration and wonder, that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime”

Sometimes when you travel, you arrive at a place and can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. You might even feel guilty for feeling that way.  Isn’t everything supposed to be exciting and wonderful when you travel?

Sometimes, unfortunately, that feeling is inevitable. Maybe something you built up in your mind ends up being disappointing. It happens to every traveler. 

However, some places in this world are so fantastic that it is nearly impossible for them to be a letdown. Here is a list of 20 awe-inspiring places that will definitely not disappoint!


Compiled from my personal travels, these are the places that made me truly feel the sensation of AWE. 

In no particular order… 


1. Arriving at the top of Machu Picchu, Peru covered in clouds

Machu Picchu, awe inspiring places


2. The view of Mount Vesuvius and surrounding Sorrento, Italy Positano, Italy, Sorrento


3. The island and centuries old Hindu temples of Bali, Indonesia

Hindu Temples, Bali, Indonesia


4. The Salt Flats of the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Salt Flats, Uyuni, Bolivia


5. The still-active Arenal and Poas Volcanoes in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, Poas, Arenal, Volcanoes


6. The view of the Alps from the top of Mount Rigi in Switzerland

mount rigi, rigi kulm, switzerland, alps


7. The “Eagles Nest” in Berchtesgaden, Germany

eagle's nest, berchtesgaden, germany, alps


8. The gaping interiors of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, USA

mammoth cave, kentucky


9. The Blue Grotto near the island of Capri, Italy

Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy, Amalfi


10. The Hagia Sofia Mosque/Museum in Istanbul, Turkey

hagia sofia, istanbul, mosque, turkey


11. The isolated ruins of Banteay Top near Sisophon, Cambodia

Banteay Top, Khmer, Cambodia, Temple


12. The wild Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

ngorongoro crater, serengeti, tanzania, safari


13. Gazing out over the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

cliffs of moher, munster, ireland


14. Standing alone on a portion of the Great Wall of China at Mu Tian Yu

great wall, china, beijing, mu tian yu


15. The hoodoo rock formations of Zion National Park in Utah, USA

Zion, Hoodoos, Utah, USA, Mighty Five


16. The colorful cliff-sides on the Greek Island of Santorini

Santorini, Greece, Oia


17. The majestic Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall in Iceland


18. The Great Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt


19. The walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia, Unesco


 20. The Arabic style palace-fortress of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Alhambra, Granada, Spain, Andalusia


2 Comments

  • Reply Peter August 17, 2017 at 11:50 am

    Great list! I’ve only been to one of these places and I’m coming up on 50 countries visited! Thanks for giving me even more wanderlust!

  • Reply Christine October 18, 2017 at 7:51 am

    I absolutely love getting that feeling of awe on my travels! ? What a great list if amazing places. I think seeing Machu Picchu and the Salt flats in Bolivia would definitely give anyone that feeling!

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