This Community Shares The Most Beautiful Things In The World, Here Are 50 Of The Most Breathtaking (New Pics)

Bored Panda was lucky enough to get in touch with travel bloggers and photographers Chris Oberman and Karol Kru, as well as Airbnb and travel photographer William Zimmermann, and chat with them about all things travel, starting with what they enjoy most about it and how they managed to turn their passion into a career.

What Chris loves most about traveling is that it can change a certain view one has of countries or places. "Everyone, myself included, has a certain view of countries or places, but real life often turns out to be much different. Having that view shattered is just the best, in my opinion. That is what I love most about traveling. When I moved to China, for instance, my friends thought I was crazy, and I myself had a certain view of the country. But, I honestly had the time of my life there, and everything I thought I knew was wrong," he shares.

"I've been traveling all over the world when I was a DJ. Traveling was the main reason I wanted to become a DJ actually; I wanted to make a living and travel at the same time. But, there was never enough time to really explore and connect with locals. In 2019, our journey of moving abroad started. My wife got an offer for a job in Beijing. Should we go? Hell yes! And so we did. It was a huge change, but along the way, I was able to find ways to generate income by working remotely, like selling music or doing shows as a DJ locally. Later on, I was able to get income through my travel blog, which is my main focus now," Chris tells us.

Similarly, Karol enjoys traveling because it can reset a person's perspective. "Being in a new environment forces you to slow down, notice details, and appreciate moments in a deeper way. That sense of discovery is addictive," he says.

"I managed to turn it into a career by combining my passion for photography with storytelling. Over the years, I built a community through social media, launched digital products like travel guides and presets, and started working with brands on campaigns that align with my style and values."

Meanwhile, William loves to travel because it's a great learning opportunity. "Traveling for me is all about learning; about the world, the people in it, and about yourself. There are a million ways to make a career out of it; that's not to say it's easy," he tells us.

"In fact, I think it makes it harder—there's no one path or major in school or certificate that can prepare you for a life of photography. It's about trying as many things as you can and doing as much research as you're able, all while staying intentional yet nimble. For me, I now make the majority of my living shooting hospitality images for short-term rentals (i.e, Airbnb hosts), hotels, and other tourist destinations in the places I visit."

While these travelers and photographers explored the world, some places impressed them with their beauty more than others. What stands out to Chris the most are several places in Iraq, China, and Oman.

"While living in Iraq, I visited an area called Choman, near the border with Iran. We discovered snow-peaked mountains with glaciers (in June!), waterfalls, and actual nomads living at the foot of the mountain! They herd sheep and goats for milk and meat, use the glacier water for drinking (I had a sip myself, fresh water!), and wash their clothes. Witnessing this way of life was truly incredible. I never expected to see something like this in Iraq or the Middle East," he shares.

"Another incredible place is Zhangjiajie, also known as the Avatar Mountains, in China. There are valleys filled with gigantic pillars just like in the movie, beautiful nature, monkeys, rivers, and temples built on cliffs. This is one of the most beautiful places I've been to in China. Lastly, Wahiba Sands desert in Oman. Being there all alone, surrounded by sand and complete silence is an epic experience. Spending the night in a rooftop tent on a 4WD is something I can highly recommend."

The places William finds the most breathtaking are the recently visited (with his 97-year-old grandma!) Iceland, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

"As a photographer, there's nowhere you'll shoot as unique a series of landscapes as you will in Iceland. As a tourist, Iceland felt like the ultimate build-your-own adventure. There's one main ring road that navigates the island nation. Just from the road or a short walk from it, you can see some of the most incredible geological marvels; epic waterfalls, expansive glaciers and volcanic tundra as far as the horizon," he says.

"Then this year, we flew into Amsterdam and spent a week traveling around the region, crossing for a few days into Belgium. Whereas Iceland was a geological wonder, the towns we visited here were historic spectacles. The rich, ancient architecture and vibrant European culture existing in and around the many canals and idyllic countryside of the region made for picturesque scenes around every corner."

As for Karol, Madeira will always have a special place in his heart. "It’s where I currently live, and its landscapes are incredibly diverse and dramatic. The Dolomites in Italy are another favorite; there’s just something magical about those jagged peaks, especially at sunrise. Vietnam surprised me with its cultural richness and raw beauty—every turn was a new story. What makes these places special isn’t just the views but the feeling they leave you with."

What helps them capture beautiful pictures in these places is preparation and catching the right lighting at the right time.

"Light is everything. I always plan my shoots around golden hour—sunrise or sunset—for that soft, flattering light. I also try to find unique angles or include human elements for scale and emotion. And I scout locations beforehand, either by visiting in advance or using tools like Google Earth and photo-sharing platforms," Karol tells us.

"I try to shoot most photos after 4 pm when the sun is over its highest point. It doesn't always have to be golden hour! But when you have the sunlight coming in from the side, you can do a lot more with shadows and editing to enhance the incoming light. I'm not really a morning person… but when it's too crowded, I'll get up early to beat the crowds and get nice incoming sun rays. I feel that the incoming light is important because it gives a 'sense of time' to the photo and, thus, more depth," adds Chris.

"Be prepared, know your targets, reference existing images you like, familiarize yourself with the conditions of your travel destination (the characteristics of the different seasons, what time the sun rises and sets, etc.) but lastly, be prepared to ignore ALL OF THAT," notes William.

"Many of my favorite travel photos have been a result of meticulous planning while so many others have come where I least expected them -- in midday sun, on a random tourist-filled street. Do the work, but trust your eye and have fun!"

Lastly, we couldn't let the photographers go without asking for some recommendations for those who might have no inspiration as to where to travel this summer.

"I’d recommend Madeira for sure—it’s still a hidden gem for many travelers, with mountains, waterfalls, volcanic beaches, and a vibrant local culture. For something completely different, the Lofoten Islands in Norway offer surreal summer light and peaceful isolation, perfect for a reset. And for those wanting a mix of nature and culture, Slovenia is incredible and often overlooked," Karol says.

"Think of places that are often misunderstood or overlooked. You might be surprised by how different reality is, and it's those trips that stay with you the longest! Go to China, take a train trip to Beijing and Chongqing!" suggests Chris.

"For those looking for some adventure, Oman is a great destination. It will be a bit too hot during the summer, but from September on, it's perfect. What I personally find so cool about Oman is that the landscape is incredibly diverse, and everything is very easy to reach. Roads are superb (except when you go off-road, of course), and within two hours of driving, you can go from a moon-like landscape into the mountains onto the desert. Rent a 4WD with a rooftop tent (saves you money from hotels as well), and go explore!"

"If you're not sure where to go, don't be afraid to start small," notes William. "If you don't have the time, resources or inclination to make a huge trip, look around your own backyard. If you're a photographer, join facebook groups or follow fellow local photographers. Look to them for scenes and subjects that interest you and go add your own spin. Building your portfolio and skills will make you more effective and efficient so when you're finally ready to punch your passport, you'll be ready and able to create the type of images you always dreamed of. This is how I started!"