Views that stole my heart! my top scenic travel spots
Have you ever visited a destination that left you in awe, making you question whether it was even real? When I reflect on such places, that’s exactly what comes to mind. These are the locations that transport me back to their stunning beauty, and I find myself dreaming of returning one day. I often claim there's too much to explore to revisit old favorites, but I might need to reconsider that rule for these breathtaking scenic spots.
What are your top five scenic spots! In the spirit of adventure, I'm excited to share my own top five breathtaking locations that I've had the pleasure of visiting. Hopefully, they will inspire your next travel plans. Each of these places is so stunning that even photographs can't capture their true beauty—you really have to experience them in person!
here are my top five most beautiful scenic places i have seen, along with the reasons why:
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Sacre Coeur
Monument Valley
Cadillac Mountain
Manarola
Julia pfeiffer Burns state park:
I have a truly amusing story to share about our visit to Julia Pfeiffer State Park. We had spent the day exploring the Monterey Bay area, marking day three of our week-long vacation in Northern California. Exhaustion was setting in, as we were adjusting to the West Coast time zone from our East Coast home. My husband was eager to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, with Julia Pfeiffer State Park being his primary motivation. I had always wanted to experience this scenic route myself, having heard countless people rave about its beauty—and they were absolutely right! However, we were unprepared for the hours of traffic we would be in. I'm not sure if it was just that particular day or if traffic is typically heavy, but wildfires in the area may have contributed to the congestion. As you can imagine, we spent a lot of time arguing on our way to the park LOL!
Once we finally arrived, though, wow, was it worth the long, traffic-filled journey and our little disagreements…plus I looked at my husband and said you were right and wow was he ever right! This place was truly out of a dream. I snapped countless photos, but none can truly capture the park's breathtaking beauty. The state park extends from the Big Sur coastline to nearby 3,000-foot ridges, encompassing a 1,680-acre underwater reserve that safeguards a variety of marine life. There are multiple hiking trails, and they frequently host special events within the park.
McWay Falls was our main destination since our time was limited, and let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it to stop and witness this stunning 80-foot waterfall cascading into the vibrant blue waters of the Pacific Ocean! To reach it, you’ll need to pull off Highway 1 and find a parking spot. You’ll see many others making their way along the short trail to catch an incredible view of the falls.
McWay Falls-Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Sacre Coeur- Montmartre Paris:
Sacré-Cœur was absolutely at the top of my list of must-see destinations in Paris. visiting This city has been a lifelong dream for me, and it truly exceeded my expectations—perhaps even more than I had imagined. Sacré-Cœur is a stunning Catholic basilica dedicated to the Heart of Jesus. While we didn’t have the opportunity to explore the inside of the basilica, we did enjoy the breathtaking view of Paris from the church steps.
To reach the church and soak in the incredible views, you will need to climb 222 steps, but it is absolutely worth it! We woke up early and arrived just at sunrise, well before the crowds. From the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Paris below.
If you have the chance, make sure to explore the Montmartre neighborhood afterward—it's my favorite area in Paris and is truly enchanting!
Sacre Coeur 360 degree view of paris
monument valley:
Monument Valley is truly one of those extraordinary places that makes you feel like you're stepping onto another planet! This breathtaking red desert region straddles the Arizona-Utah border and is renowned for its majestic sandstone buttes. The valley features a scenic 17-mile route, perfect for sightseeing.
Must-See Highlights
Some of the most popular spots include:
Mitten Buttes
Merrick Butte
John Ford’s Point
Totem Pole
Honestly, every corner of Monument Valley offers stunning views, with the vibrant red desert contrasting beautifully against the blue skies. One of my favorite photos was taken right from our balcony, capturing the sheer beauty of this incredible landscape.
Monument Valley-view from our hotel room!
Cadillac Mountain:
Experiencing the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is one of the most stunning sights I have ever seen! As the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the glaciated coastal and island landscapes. From October 7th to March 6th, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the country to witness the sun rise!
To enjoy this unbelievable experience, you will need a ticket, which is free but can be challenging to obtain. I suggest having the link ready on the day tickets become available for your visit. Be sure to arrive early and refresh the page repeatedly. Our ticket allowed us to reach the summit just in time for the sunrise, though I wish we could have secured an earlier ticket to enjoy the entire experience.
I plan to return someday to experience this incredible view again. *A Suggestion for Your Adventure:
I recommend starting your journey at Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. This way, you can enjoy the breathtaking sunrise, and then easily navigate the rest of the park as you explore.
Acadia National park-cadillac mountain
Manarola italy:
Manarola is a quaint fishing village that is part of Cinque Terre—a collection of five picturesque fishing towns nestled along the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. These charming towns are conveniently located just five minutes apart by train, and I found Manarola to be the most beautiful of them all.
Upon exiting the train in Manarola, you stroll through an enchanting Italian village that leads you to the waterfront. The village is filled with delightful shops and authentic Italian eateries. As you reach the water, you are greeted by stunning blue waters, and what truly captivated me was the sight of the sparkling blue sea with the vibrant village backdrop.
Cinque Terre italy-manarola
I hope this blog has sparked your imagination and provided you with ideas for your next adventure! Each of these destinations have absolutely stunning scenery, and they will forever remain etched in my mind and heart!
We have blogs featuring most of these beautiful locations, along with travel itineraries (stay tuned for the Italy itinerary). Below are the links if you’re interested in exploring more or if you’d like to collaborate with me to create your dream trip itinerary.
happy travels!
mandy
