Monasteries on rock pillars, once accessible only by frayed ropes.

A 1950s eccentric's vision of Eden preserved as a hiking trail.

Submerged trees jut ghost-like out of an idyllic turquoise mountain lake.

A chain of 16 wondrous lakes formed as a result of the gradual dissolution of soluble layers of bedrock.

Castle and secret tunnel withstood a siege until its owner was killed by the Holy Roman Empire, while sitting on the toilet.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

A snapshot of the city's fascinating voodoo culture.

Named for the DeFoe novel inspired by a stranded sailor, this island is known for its rare plants and extreme beauty.

Queen of the waterlilies, so big and strong it can support the weight of a human.

In paradise, feral pigs have claimed an island all to themselves.

These azure waters were thought to lead to the Mayan Underworld.

The Uros people live on floating reed islands in lake Titicaca.

A set of ancient drawings in the desert of Peru that are so massive, many of them can only be fully seen from the sky.

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

Snow-capped peaks, colorful waterfalls and stunning vistas on the edge of the Himalayas.

Intensely colorful calcite pools in Southern China.

Everything from a plane to your own two feet are needed to reach this jungle resort.

A lush desert oasis in the shape of a narrow crescent.

Perfectly preserved ancient monastery in an impossibly dramatic location on a rocky island in the Atlantic.