The transition from summer to winter is truly spectacular! Termed as ‘Autumn’ or ‘Fall’, this season is generally characterized by colour change in leaves and harvest. Also, the temperature dips…
From stunning landscapes to breathtaking ancient ruins, it’s fair to say our planet boasts an embarrassment of riches for photographers when it comes to selecting a camera-inspired holiday. However, with so much choice, settling on where to go next can be tough.
In this guide, Away Holidays highlights a few of our very favourite destinations for photographers. Avoiding the obvious tourist hotspots, we have tried to select locations you may never have heard of, but ones that are guaranteed to transform your next getaway into a truly unique photographer’s paradise.
So what are you waiting for? Whether you fancy photo-journaling your way through Asia or you’d love to capture the beauty of the USA’s most famous National Parks on film, carry on reading.
Most scenic places in Asia
Pulau Ubin – Singapore
A beautiful small island off the northeast coast of Singapore, Pulau Ubin boasts plenty of irresistible vistas for anyone with a camera, plus an array of outdoor activities, such as cycling through forests and villages, hiking the rocky Puaka Hill and climbing the Jejawi Tower. The island also offers a glimpse into the country’s past with historic sites like House No. 1, a restored Chinese kampong house, and the Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple.
Keoladeo National Park – India
This bird sanctuary is a must-see attraction for bird watchers and photographers alike. Home to over 360 species of birds and spread over 29 sq km, this world heritage site is one of the most important bird breeding and feeding grounds in India. Enjoy a stroll through the park or rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding area’s natural beauty. You and your camera will not regret it.
Ha Long Bay – Vietnam
When you picture Vietnam in your mind’s eye, the chances are you’re seeing somewhere that resembles Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this iconic stretch of coastline is renowned for its gleaming emerald waters and unique towering limestone pillars topped by rainforest foliage. Whether you stick to land and take snaps of the picturesque traditional fishing villages or opt for a boat trip to photograph the spectacular karsts and stalactite caves in closer quarters, you’re guaranteed to capture the true natural majesty of this unique country through your camera lens.
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall – Bali
If you’re looking for a peaceful, serene atmosphere to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in outdoor photography, the secluded Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall should be top of your travel list. It’s located in the Wanagiri area of north Bali and visitors can hike forest trails, swim in the clear, refreshing waters, or simply relax and take in the natural beauty of Bali.
Most scenic places in North America
Joshua Tree National Park – USA
Joshua Tree National Park in California has a range of activities for everyone. However, it should certainly be on the bucket list of all passionate photographers. Whether you’re hoping to capture a roadrunner, mockingbird or cactus wren or snap the perfect night sky image, you won’t be disappointed. This unique and beautiful destination has plenty of experiences to keep you and your trusty camera occupied.
Yosemite National Park – USA
One of the many reasons to take a trip to Yosemite is to see its giant sequoias, which are some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. They grow to over 250 feet tall and live for thousands of years. There are plenty of waterfalls to enjoy too, including Yosemite Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Yosemite is also home to a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, black bears and mule deer. If wildlife photography is your thing, you can’t beat the variety Yosemite has to offer.
Berg Lake, Canada
Berg Lake is located within Mount Robson Provincial Park and sits right next to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The lake is truly breathtaking, and the 42 km hike along it will provide you with spectacular opportunities to capture breathtaking images of the surrounding mountains, the Berg Glacier and the majestic Emperor Falls.
Most scenic places in Africa
Robberg Nature Reserve – South Africa
This South African visitor spot is a popular destination among hikers and nature photographers looking to explore its variety of scenic trails and take in the breathtaking views of the ocean and rugged, picturesque cliffs. Visitors can also experience other fun activities such as whale watching throughout the breeding months from June to November, and thrillseekers can even abseil down the beautiful cliffs of Robberg.
Dendera Temple Complex – Egypt
This magnificent temple in Dendera is dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. It features carvings, paintings and hieroglyphics depicting the different Egyptian gods and goddesses. For shutterbugs who are passionate about Egyptian history, it doesn’t get much better than this. Visitors can explore the temple complex and learn about the history of various Egyptian periods, and stop by the Sanatorium – a smaller temple within the Dendera which many believe was used for healing purposes.
Most scenic places in Europe
Cappadocia – Turkey
With breathtaking landscapes made up of surreal cave dwellings and the world famous ‘fairy chimneys’ – unique cone-shaped rock formations made by prehistoric volcanic eruptions – the historical region of Cappadocia truly is a photographer’s haven. Nestled just beyond Istanbul, this beautiful location is also famous for its hot air balloons. So, whether you’re looking for a serene airborne adventure or simply want to take some stunning photographs of the otherworldly landscape below, this is a part of Turkey no photographer should miss.
Pragser Wildsee – Italy
The exquisite Pragser Wildsee Lake is located in the Dolomites of Italy and provides the perfect backdrop for a hiking trail and adventure photography. The trail offers gorgeous views of the water and surrounding mountains, with many visitors stopping to take photographs of the lake and the famous boat house. Rent a rowing boat for an alternative way to soak up the scenery, and there are several picnic areas for people to stop and enjoy a lakeside picnic.
As Catedrais Beach – Spain
One of the most famous beaches in Galicia and declared a natural monument, As Catedrais (The Cathedrals) beach is known worldwide for its rocky formations. When the tide is out, its huge caves are exposed, allowing you to walk underneath and explore the arches. And when the tide is high you can enjoy the beach from the top of the cliff and walk along the coastline. A unique Spanish destination that truly is a photographer’s dream.
If the locations mentioned in this article have got you excited about future plans and given you the travel itch, we’d love to hear from you. Or if you have visited some of the destinations on the list, why not share your thoughts and experiences?
