Ride the waves at the Banzai Pipeline Strand, Oahu or defy gravity at the Banzai Pipeline. The powerful Banzai Pipeline at the North Shore of Oahu is famous for its legendary surf, and any other attempts to grasp the essence of its offerings are sure to meet with utter failure. This is not the kind of island you visit. It is the kind you live on.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Few sights in Europe are as recognisable as the Eiffel Tower. The competition, open to over 100 competitors, conceived the 984ft (300m) tower, with many of the leading luminaries in Paris at the time criticizing the winning entry, an open-lattice wrought-iron structure, who felt the monument would be a blot on the city's landscape. Well, not in this incredible photograph where the tower's incredible symmetry reflects in the surrounding Jardins du Trocadero in the glowing evening light.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Spectacular waters. Plitvice Lakes National Park, situated between the Croatian cities of Zagreb and Zadar, showcases an extraordinary combination of azure blue and emerald lakes - 16 in total - connected by a number of cascading waterfalls. Rolling beneath a forest of dark, rich green trees, the falls are not super tall - the tallest reaches 255 feet (77m) - but they are gorgeous.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Now to a different piece of history, the Flavian dynasty constructed the Colosseum from AD 72 to 80. This iconic Roman arena, which today is one of the most recognizable historic sites in the city, escaped destruction from looters, earthquakes and bombings during the second world war to stand tall today.
Swiss Alps, Switzerland
You can't help but drool at the sight of the imposing Swiss Alps (the inspiration for The Sound of Music), shown here in all their glory, bathed in early-morning light and crowned by nearby fog. To the south of Bern and Lucerne, and east of Lake Geneva, the mountain range offers sweeping vistas of soaring mountains, tranquil lakes and dramatic, steep valleys.
Santorini, Greece
You can't help but drool at the sight of the imposing Swiss Alps (the inspiration for The Sound of Music), shown here in all their glory, bathed in early-morning light and crowned by nearby fog. To the south of Bern and Lucerne, and east of Lake Geneva, the mountain range offers sweeping vistas of soaring mountains, tranquil lakes and dramatic, steep valleys.
Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary
Hungarian Capital and Gardens: The bunkered thick ramparts of Budapest's Buda Castle form a 13th-century fortress and pyramid at the top of Castle Hill above the convergence of the Danube and Pest on Budapest's eastern bank. The castle dominated over the former fortress until the reign of Maria Theresa in the mid-18th century, when it transformed into a massive Baroque palace (later to be severely damaged and repeatedly reconstructed in war-torn Budapest). Still, something about this illuminating nocturnal image seems quite peaceful.
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Looming Architecturally in the French capital is the Louvre, opened in 1793. They extended and refurbished it from time to time over the years, and they added the contemporary glass pyramid in 1989. The photographer shot the pyramid at night, symbolizing the modern structure by Night along with the old museums is an amazing sight to behold.
Land’s End, Cornwall, England, UK
One of the best-known landmarks in England, Land's End is the most southwesterly point of mainland Britain. Located on the southwestern tip of Penwith Peninsula, the rugged and jagged headland is also famous for its signpost dating from the 1950s when a local business put it up, displaying the distance to a number of other important places, such as New York (3,147 miles, 5,065km away) and John O'Groats (874 miles, 1,407km away), the most northerly point in Britain.
Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Located on the south Adriatic coast, the UNESCO-listed Old City of Dubrovnik ensconces itself in a fortress of ancient walls, which stretch a cumulative 6,365 feet (1,940m) in length, each side protected by rugged limestone cliffs and the stunning waters of the Adriatic. Home to a number of historic churches, mansions and monasteries, this meticulously maintained old town has served as the setting for numerous TV shows and movies, including the Star Wars sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Lapland, Finland and Sweden
A Christmas visit to Lapland is every child's dream – and rightly so. This vast region comprises the northernmost parts of Finland and Sweden (and some parts of Norway and Russia), and it is a land of snow-laden wonderlands – imagine trinkets of tiny, brightly coloured Nordic houses between spindly Arctic pines, all shaken up by a thick covering of snow. And people also regard it as one of the best locations in the world to catch the Northern Lights.
FAQ's
What are the top must-visit tourist attractions in Europe?
The most iconic destinations include the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Louvre Museum, and the Acropolis in Athens.
When is the best time of year to visit Europe?
The shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and lower prices compared to the peak summer months.
Do I need a visa to travel across European countries?
Many European countries belong to the Schengen Area, meaning visitors from eligible countries can travel freely across participating nations with a single Schengen visa.
How should I get around between different European countries?
Europe has an extensive and efficient high-speed train network like Eurail, alongside budget airlines and scenic driving routes, making multi-country travel seamless.
How far in advance should I book tickets for major landmarks?
Popular attractions like the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Vatican Museums sell out weeks or months in advance, so booking online ahead of time is essential.
