Those artistic elitists might tend to steer away their camera lens from objects or places that are deemed as “the most photographed.”  They even have names for it–which have been somewhat transformed into derogatory terms—such as picturesque, and postcard-ish.  While these common subjects for photography would be sneered at within elite circles, some of us who are simply looking for beautiful places will definitely find these destinations inspiring.  After all, they wouldn’t have been called “the most photographed” if they weren’t exactly sights to behold.

While the problem of having an insufficient travel budget may arise, rest assured that there are countless way to travel these places practically for free.  Anyone who enjoys a good and memorable vacation should have the right to go to these wonderful places.

Table Mountain:
In 75 years over 16 million people have climbed, toured, and gawked at the famous table mountain located at Cape Town, South Africa.  Especially during sunsets, the almost perfect plateau captivates tourists the world over.  The mountain is also surrounded by other tourist destinations, such as beaches and fine hotels, making it accessible to just about anyone.

Parthenon:
Having survived centuries upon centuries, the famous Parthenon in Greece—originally erected I honor of the Goddess Athena—the majestic structure is one of the first things which usually comes into mind whenever travelling to Greece is mentioned.  Just traversing the same steps that Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle must have passed through is enough to bring goosebumps down one’s back.

The Golden Gate Bridge:
The massive bridge located in San Francisco may be a bit of a salmon red—far from golden, we can tell you that—but it certainly offers a golden photo opportunity.  And the best part is, there are lot more places worth looking into whenever you get the chance to visit the city.

Abbey Road:
For those of you who still have no clue why this isn’t one of the most photographed places in the world, you have either been locked away in a dungeon for the last half century, or you have just grown accustomed to listening to music—thus, you probably only have emo bands in your playlist.  Even without John, Paul, George, and Ringo, Abbey Road—located at St. Johns Wood, London—is considered as the most photographed street in the world.

Niagara Falls:
Experiencing the awesome power of nature first hand should be on everyone’s bucket list.  Straddling the international border between the U.S. and Canada, this massive water fall reminds us humans that we are mortals truly vulnerable from obscurity and insignificance.

The wildlife is always inviting. And a thrill-seeking traveler is always allured by the breathtaking pictures of untouched landscape and genuine wildlife. Who would not be tempted to take a dip in the ocean with the world’s most colorful marine life? Or who would not want to see the elegant felines in a safari? It would be great to experience the grandeur of nature in these wildlife trips, but as beautiful as these may appear, these spots are also as perilous. Here are a few of the world’s most beautiful but also most dangerous.

Alaska. Almost everyone hugged a teddy bear when they were kids, but real bears will kill you if they hug you. If you’re a backpacker, camper, traveling photographer or even just a nature-lover, Alaska will not disappoint you with its variety of bears. Aside from the famous Grizzly bear, Black and Polar bears also roam Alaskan ground. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, taking the bear viewing tours of Alaska will give you the right rush of excitement. These beautiful giants can be viewed in their natural habitat doing their usual daily routine, like fishing. Yes, viewing them will surely be a subliminal experience. But you cannot deny that there is also danger in going to these trips. Once you get separated from your tour group and unknowingly did something to anger a bear, you might just be attacked. Even trainers get attacked so it’s still important to be cautious when meeting a bear.

Africa. Africa offers a lot to tourists. There are beaches, gardens and falls. But none would give the same thrill as going on an African Safari. As with the bear-watching in Alaska, Africa also gives a view of various creatures in the wild. This time, prides of felines will amaze you. There are no cages to block a swift and possibly fatal attack of a tiger. There are also elephants and hippos that can crush you in one move. But of course these tours are well managed, organized and prepared for the safety of travelers. But then again, a wrong move might anger a hiding lioness and you might just be surprised with an attack.

Australia. Australia may be the most dangerous place of all mentioned, making it the most exciting. Not only may the creatures be unsuspectingly fierce, but the weather may be unbearable for others. Firstly, they have the beautiful but wild land. Crocodiles, snakes and other reptiles are undoubtedly scary. But animals as cute and sweet-looking as a kangaroo may also give you some blows. The famous Great Barrier Reef is not an exception. The wide biodiversity of Australia’s marine life is so beautiful and colorful. But because it’s so diverse, tourists are not always familiar with the sea creatures and their fatal attacks. Various kinds of sea snakes, jellyfish, octopus and stingrays may bring you to your last breath.

This is not to discourage you from traveling and exploring the wildlife. As I have stressed, seeing these creatures in their natural habitat may give you the most subliminal moments of your life. The point is to be cautious and not to be naïve. Some people feel too safe because they paid big bucks to join a wildlife tour. But the truth is a bear is always a bear and snakes will most likely have venom. You will never know what goes on in their heads and you will never know what simple act may aggregate them. So listen well to your guide. Sometimes, beauty can literally be fatal.

Again, this is not to discourage tours to the wildlife. Click here to get a $750 Airline Gift Card! Have a safe, worry-free travel!