The vertiginous stone pillars of Bastei, in Germany’s Saxon Switzerland National Park, look almost as if they were custom-made to support this sandstone bridge. It’s all pure coincidence, of course, as the bridge was built in 1851 while the rocks have stood proud for thousands of years. Regardless, the enchanting rocky landscape, surrounded by dense forests and overlooking the River Elbe, is a sight to behold.

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The tiny Umbrian village of Castelluccio di Norcia, with a population of less than 100, wouldn’t appear on most tourists’ radars. But once a year (between May and July) it’s painted with a magical array of colours by a natural event, known as “Fiorita” or “Fioritura” (meaning “flowering”). It’d be easy to assume this is a man-made affair. In fact, the wildflowers grow naturally alongside the region’s world-renowned Castelluccio lentils, and they continue to thrive thanks to the absence of pesticides. 

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Dramatic Arctic landscapes abound in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. A far-flung archipelago in the Norwegian Sea, the most recognisable place on the islands is probably the fishing village of Hamnøy, pictured, whose red-painted houses perch daintily on the rocks. Yet there’s stunning scenery to be found at every turn, from steep fjords to rugged beaches. It’s also one of the best places in the world to catch the Northern Lights. 

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A patchwork of 16 jewel-toned lakes linked by gushing waterfalls and surrounded by forest, there’s a lot to take in at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located in central Croatia, roughly halfway between Zagreb and Zadar, the 30,000-hectare national park is a haven for wildlife: bears, wolves, deer and many rare bird species can be seen here. 

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Nowhere on Earth is quite like the Giant’s Causeway. With 40,000 interlocking, polygonal columns of black basalt rock which look like stepping stones, this unique natural wonder was created by volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. Or, if you’re privy to legends, the Irish giant Finn McCool built the causeway to flee his enemy, Scottish giant Benandonner. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts visitors from all over the world, looking to tread in the footsteps of giants and take in the beauty of Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast.

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France’s Atlantic Coast is home to the largest sand dune in Europe, the Dune of Pilat. At more than 328 feet (100m) high and 9,500 feet (2,900m) long, the enormous mound also offers an ideal location for gazing out at stunning views. On one side, you’ll find a thick pine forest while on the other, the Atlantic Ocean and the glimmering headland of Le Cap-Ferret meet the eye. However, it’s shrinking: between 2017 and 2020, the dune retreated by 13 feet (3.9m) due to heavy winds. 

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Many hikers and mountaineers long to trek up Snowdonia, the tallest mountain in Wales at 3,560 feet (1,085m). Offering remarkable panoramic views as far as the Lake District, Pembrokeshire and even Ireland on clear days, it’s certainly worth the challenging hike. But there are plenty of gorgeous sights all around the national park, including the dramatic landscapes of Cwm Idwal and plenty of cutesy villages around: Betws y Coed, Portmeirion, Dolgellau, Barmouth, Beddgelert. 

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Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull covers a large part of Iceland’s southeastern coast. The frozen landscape is a world of its own, encompassing deep blue caves, canyons, glacial rivers and lagoons filled with icebergs. There’s even Iceland’s tallest peak, the 7,218-foot (2,200m) Hvannadalshnjúkur, as well as myriad active volcanoes, concealed beneath the ice.