The 20 Most Awe-Inspiring Places in the World • Roamaroo

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Livestrong.com.

If you want to be healthy, travel! While it’s not the usual advice you hear from your doctor, a 2015 study from UC Berkley found that being in awe can be beneficial to your well-being. Viewing wonders like the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong or a sunrise over volcanic Mt. Batur may boost the body’s defense system by reducing inflammation. “The things we do to experience these emotions — a walk in nature, losing oneself in music, beholding art — have a direct influence upon health and life expectancy,” says UC Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner. One of the best ways to experience awe is through travel, so here are 20 awe-inspiring destinations to point you in the right direction.

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway

They say nothing good comes easily, which is why you’ll have to take a steep 90-minute hike to get to the top of Preikestolen, or “Pulpit Rock,” in Norway for this incredible view. The top sits 600 meters above the majestic Nordic fjords. Pack a lunch and celebrate your efforts at the top with a celebratory sandwich. Swallow your fear and step out to the edge of Pulpit Rock for views that go on for miles. Knowing you hiked 600 meters to the top of the fjord makes the sight that much more rewarding.

2. Mt. Cook, New Zealand

New Zealand as a whole is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet, but there’s one place that provides a view so stunning it invokes an emotional response from its pure beauty. Located on its South Island, Mt. Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain. A hike on the Hooker Mountain trail takes you on a trek through glaciers. While the hike in general is stunning, the best view comes about 90 minutes in as you round a curve and the monolithic Mt. Cook is presented in all of its glory. Be prepared to pull over to the side, breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy this wonder of Mother Nature.

3. Cinque Terre, Italy

There are few places in the world that evoke childlike wonder, but colorful Cinque Terre, Italy, is definitely one of them. Best explored by boat or foot, Cinque Terre, or “five lands,” are a set of five towns on the rugged northwestern coastline of Liguria, Italy. Straight out of a painting, these colorful towns decorate the Italian coastline with shades of red, yellow, pink and orange on its extremely steep hills. This UNESCO World Heritage Site used to be a group of fishing villages that eventually became wine villages, but now finds most of its income from tourism.

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