by Christian James

Created on: January 21, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

I have been fortunate to have visited some places on earth of stunning natural and indeed man made beauty. From Prague's architectural elegance to Australia's Blue Mountains; Mongolia's vast plains to Singapore's skyscrapers, I am in love with travel and the intoxication of the freedom it brings courses through my veins.

The Geographical scope of this article is defined by my having not touched on Africa or South America. Europe offers great cities and Eastern Europe particularly has exciting and picturesque cityscapes. Budapest and Prague stand out, yet Paris and Venice earn their reputations for cities of love partly from the atmosphere that goes with skilfully crafted, ornate buildings dating from centuries past. All offer exquisite cuisine, great cultural depth and irresistible intrigue. While the European plains offer wonderful vistas of verdant countryside they are eclipsed by the sprawling, unchecked nature of Ukraine fields of Sunflowers so large, it may be half an hour of driving on the road before a dividing line of tress presents itself; breaking vast swathes of the earth, given over to producing rich yellow sunflowers. Even the arid desert of Kazakhstan further east has a surreal beauty in an unexpected, unconventional way but it lacks the dunes of the Middle East to be truly spectacular.

In terms of natural beauty however, mountains present the most awe inspiring spectacle. Switzerland has the financial capacity to make the stunning Alps accessible, in summer or winter. Sydney's Blue Mountains are famed for the haze which hangs over them on a clear day providing their affectionate name. From a high point on the edge, the view inland is simply spectacular. Being surrounded by flocks of Eagles in Kashmir at the foothills of the world's greatest Mountain range, The Himalayas was beautiful and humbling. However, Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia possesses perhaps the most stunning scenery of all. Beneath an azure blue sky, at a road 3500m above sea level, there are huge turquoise lakes, like enticing giant Jacuzzi's all around.

South East Asia is home to perhaps the greatest concentration of wondrous natural landscapes I have seen. The unprecedented beauty of coral reefs in the Philippines is like nothing else I have dived in Asia or the Pacific. An eminent marine Biologist catalogued, in 2005, more species of coral in a single Filipino bay than are known in the entire Caribbean. The verdant colours of coral and sponges, sharks and rare fish make the area a truly rewarding experience. Even Tonga in the South Pacific is eclipsed in terms of underwater beauty. However, the most remote of Tonga's islands above the water level present the picture postcard image every office worker day-dreams of; a white coral beach, shallow blue water, palms and a beach hut with a well stocked bar.

Closer to home, I find the architectural wonders of London and other European cities captivating; Barcelona, Bilbao, Ljubljana to name but a few. The Medieval city of Prague is superseded only by Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges for mystical intrigue, stunning views over the river and a visit India's holiest city provides the closest thing to time travel yet. The saffron robes of devotees and garlands bring colour to the narrow, tall streets of this still medieval city.

These are some of the most beautiful places I have seen. Beauty is of course, a truly subjective concept and all one can suggest, is that you visit these places yourself to discover if I am to be believed.

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