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21 Most Beautiful Places In The

World To Visit
Trevor Nace
Senior Contributor
Explore More
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Nov 27, 2015,05:53pm EST
This article is more than 8 years old.

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Collage of the most beautiful places in the world

Let your mind drift to the most beautiful places in the world. Explore stunning
architectural feats, a tropical paradise, and a small Scandinavian town. The 21
places below will likely fill your bucket list for many years to come and you can
count yourself lucky if you are able to visit even a third of these amazing
places.

The beautiful places below are organized into tropical/warm, arctic/cold, and
architectural. No matter where you live in the world, there are incredible
places to visit and architectural sights to see. To be honest, there are
thousands of places that could have made this list but hopefully, this list
provides some justice to those that were left off.
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out
eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. - Eleanor Roosevelt

PROMOTED

Most Beautiful Tropical/Warm Places In The World

Kauai, Hawaii (Credit: Trip Advisor)

Kauai, Hawaii owns the medal of the rainiest place on earth, allowing for a
tropical paradise. Hike, swim, bike, and dive.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Credit: St. Regis Bora Bora)
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Bora Bora is an island that once was a volcano, which has subsequently
subsided and formed a barrier reef. The reef ecosystem allows for pristine
clear blue water and reefs limit waves, providing a protected sanctuary.
Rice terrace fields of Longsheng, China (Credit: Wikipedia)

Longsheng is named after Longji, which translates to dragon's backbone. The

terrace resembles dragon scales as rice fields snake through the mountains.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe (Credit: springbokatlas.com)

Victoria Falls that border Zambia and Zimbabwe is the largest waterfall in the
world by total area. The falls transport an astonishing 1,088 cubic meters per
second of water down an ~350-foot cliff.
Amazon River, Brazil (Credit: Dailybackgrounds.com)

The Amazon River is the artery for the largest rainforest in the world. It is the
largest river in the world by discharge and one of the largest by length. The
surrounding rainforest represents over half of the world's remaining
rainforest.
Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, China (Credit: Huffington
Post

The Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, China show off weathering and
erosion at its most beautiful. The dramatic colors throughout the mountain
are a result of trace minerals associated within the sandstone, coloring the
sand in reds, greens, and yellows.
Railay, Thailand (Credit: magic4walls.com)

Railay, Thailand is a magical place only accessible by boat on a small

Thai peninsula . Spend your days rock climbing the limestone cliffs, exploring
vast cave systems, or swimming to nearby islands.

Most Beautiful Arctic/Cold Places In The World

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany (Credit:
unikwallpaper.blogspot.com)

Neuschwanstein, a nineteenth-century castle in southern Germany is the

inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. This German retreat is
visited regularly during summer months as a symbol of refuge and peace.
Northern Lights, Iceland (Credit: Icelandonline.com)

The natural display of varying color within the arctic sky is one of Iceland's
biggest tourist sights. Unfortunately, it's rather unpredictable so make sure
you leave enough time to try a few times.

Antarctica (Credit: visitworldplaces.com)

Antarctica is on average the coldest, windiest, driest, and highest of the
7 continents. This desert continent is, however, home to millions of
penguins of different species.

Bison of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the US and likely the
world. Drive through the park and encounter an array of wildlife 10's of feet
away from you.
Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska (Credit: Jack Moskovita)

Fjords are created by the slow erosion of mountain valleys as glaciers move
down toward the sea. Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska is home to Orcas and a
rapidly disappearing environment.
Torres Del Paine Patagonia, Chile (Credit: Wikipedia)

Torres Del Paine in southern Patagonia is a national park that boasts beautiful
mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Take the trip to southern Patagonia and
you can hike the partial or full circuit around the stunning granite peaks in
the backdrop of the photo above.
Svalbard, Norway (Credit: nordnorge.com)

The incredibly cold island of Svalbard is located within the Arctic Ocean, north
of mainland Europe. Svalbard is the northernmost settlement with a
permanent population in the world. Trekking through Svalbard it's not
uncommon to see polar bears, reindeer, and perhaps an Arctic fox.

Most Beautiful Architectural Places In The World

Temples of Bagan, Burma (Myanmar) (Credit: Quinn Ryan Mattingly)

The Temples of Bagan sit within central Burma (Myanmar) and was built as
the capital of ancient Myanmar. The temples are the largest concentration of
Buddhist temples, most of which dating back to the 12th and 11th centuries.
Petra, Jordan (Credit: Dave Bouskill)

The ancient city of Petra, Jordan is an architectural masterpiece. Built into the
side of a rock cliff, Petra was carved as early as 312 BC. Petra was named a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and was unknown to the western world until
1812.
Machu Picchu, Peru (Credit: Mypetyak on Flickr)

Hike up the Peruvian mountain ridge where Machu Picchu sits and you will
see the peak of Inca civilization. This beautiful place was built in 1450 and was
only occupied for ~100 years until the Spanish Conquest.
Venice, Italy (Credit: Findpik.com)

Venice, the city on water, is built on 118 small islands that are separated by a
vast network of canals. The city was built on the Venetian Lagoon and is unlike
any other city in the world.
Giza Pyramids, Egypt (Credit: Dale Johnson, 500px)

The Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, located
in El Giza, Egypt. The pyramid was built as a tomb in 2560 BC for the
Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu.
Ta Prohm, Cambodia (Credit: sovanady.com)

The ancient temple of Ta Prohm was built as a Buddhist monastery and

university. The temple was largely left as is, with spung (Tetrameles
nudiflora) trees and moss growing throughout the architecture.

Taj Mahal, India (Credit: Nedim Chaabene on Flickr)

The Taj Mahal in northern India is a beautiful white marble mausoleum. The
Taj Mahal is regarded as the jewel of Muslim art in India and is an often
sought after location for worship and tourism.

So step away from your iPhone, quit checking Facebook, and book
your next adventure!
Follow me on Twitter.

Trevor Nace
Follow
I am a geologist passionate about sharing Earth's intricacies with you. I received my PhD from
Duke University where I studied the geology and climate of the
... Read More

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VETTEDTECH & ELECTRONICS

The Best Digital Picture Frames To

Showcase Your Favorite Photos
Jason R. Rich
Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
Melissa Perenson
Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
Nov 22, 2023,01:51pm EST

Unlike a traditional photo frame that requires you to have a paper-based print
made from your favorite image before you can display it, a digital picture
frame allows you to transfer digital photos directly from your mobile device,
digital camera, a computer, or the internet and then display them—either one
at a time or as part of an animated slideshow. Digital picture frames
(alternately referred to as digital photo frames) come in a wide range of sizes
and connect directly to your home’s Wi-Fi for easy photo transfers and
sharing.
The best digital picture frames can help you stay connected to long-
distance family members.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS

The best digital picture frames—including the Aura Walden Digital Photo
Frame (our pick for best digital frame overall)—offer an easy way to showcase
your favorite photos. These frames make a great gift. They’re especially
suitable for the non-tech-savvy people or older people, who want to see the
latest photos of family and friends without needing to be active on social
media. Here are our top picks for the best digital photo frames you can buy
today.

• Best Digital Picture Frame Overall: Aura Walden

• Best Budget Digital Picture Frame: Atatat Digital

Photo Frame

• Best Digital Picture Frame For

Grandparents: Skylight 10-Inch Digital Frame
 • Best Photo Frame For Displaying Video: Nixplay
10.1-Inch Touchscreen Photo Frame

• Best Google Digital Picture Frame: Google Nest

Hub (2nd Gen)

• Best Amazon Digital Picture Frame: Amazon

Echo Show 15

• Best Large Digital Picture Frame: Samsung 32-

Inch The Frame TV

Best Digital Picture Frame Overall

Elegant Design, Sharp Display

MOST POPULAR
REBECCA ISAACS FOR FORBES

Aura Walden

$250$300SAVE $50 (17%)

Buy From Aura
Frame display size: 15-inch | Display resolution: 1600 x 1200 pixels
| Cloud service compatibility: Aura
Best for: Showcasing your photos in an elegantly designed frame.
The Aura Walden digital photo frame has a timeless design and a crisp 2K, 15-
inch display. Like other Aura frames, the Walden has no internal storage or
memory card slot. Instead, the frame uses Aura’s unlimited and free cloud
storage. Simply select the photos you want to display using the Aura mobile
app and transfer them to your frame’s cloud account. You can also invite
others to share both photos and video clips, making it great for families who
want to enjoy moments from afar. Because it’s all cloud-based, there’s no limit
to the number of photos or video clips you can add to a slideshow that runs
continuously on the frame.
The app lets you adjust the speed photos cycle through as well as whether to
show photos in chronological or random order. For video clips, the frame has
a built-in speaker so you can hear audio from the video clips if you want, but
you can also mute if you just want photos. Best of all, you can mount this
frame and get a crisp, gorgeous picture, no matter the time of day.
What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs tested the Aura Walden
frame and loved how vibrant photos looked on-screen. She says, “The Walden
frame gave me a crisp picture and a wide viewing angle, making it great for
large living spaces. I also loved how I could easily add photos via the app.
Another perk is that if I didn’t like how a photo looked on-screen, I could go in
and adjust the crop to my preference. The classic design makes it great for any
living space, too.”
Pros:

• Elegant and timeless design

• Sharp, 2K display

• Free and unlimited cloud storage

Cons:

• No memory card storage or internal storage

Best Budget Digital Picture Frame

Display Your Favorite Photos For Less Than $75
AMAZON

Atatat Digital Photo Frame

$51$69SAVE $18 (26%)

Buy From Amazon
Frame display size: 8-inch | Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
|Memory card slot: USB port, SD card slot
Best for: Displaying digital images stored on a USB flash drive or on an SD
memory card.
The Atatat Digital Photo Frame offers a 1080p display at a bargain price.
Thus, it makes photos look detailed and vibrant. The frame has a variety of
slideshow modes, so you can select your favorite transition effect, for example.
And it has a remote control you can use to adjust the screen’s brightness. One
great feature: You can add your favorite tunes to the memory card with your
images, and then use those tunes to play in the background with slideshows.
This affordable digital picture frame can stand on a flat surface, or it can hang
on a wall. In addition to showcasing photos, the frame can serve as an alarm
clock, digital clock and display upcoming events from your calendar. It can
also turn itself on or off at specific times.
Pros:

• 8-inch 1080p display

• Extremely affordable

• Uncommon features

Cons:

• All images must be stored on an SD memory card or USB

drive

• No internet connectivity

Best Digital Picture Frame For Grandparents

Email Images To This Frame And They’ll Display Almost Instantly

EDITOR’S PICK
AMAZON

Skylight 10-Inch Digital Photo Frame

$120$160SAVE $40 (25%)

$120 At Amazon$120 At Skylight$186 At Walmart
Frame display size: 10-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 1280 x
800 pixels | Storage capacity: 8GB | Cloud service compatibility:
Skylight
Best for: Emailing images to the frame from anywhere, so they can
automatically be displayed as a slideshow.
The 10-inch Skylight Frame is very easy to operate. Simply plug it into any
electrical outlet and link it with your home’s Wi-Fi. Then, using the frame’s
own unique email address, start sending it photos and short video clips to
display as an animated slideshow from your own computers and mobile
devices. You can share its email address friends and family, so they can also
send pictures to the frame.
This approach is great if you have an elderly parent or grandparent who isn’t
tech-savvy nor active on social media. Just set up the Skylight frame in their
home and then send photos to it from anywhere via email. The Skylight
mobile app lets you customize how the frame displays images and remotely
manage the up to 8GB of images stored onboard. Plus, it’s offered in a 15-inch
frame now for those that want a larger screen to showcase their photos.
What the writers say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs tested the 15-inch version
of this frame and says, “Once it was set up, I loved how easy it was to email
photos to the frame. Once they were sent, they would display moments later.
During my testing, I felt it was a great option for grandparents who still
wanted to see photos of grandchildren but weren’t connected to social media,
as they could see photos essentially in real time.”
Pros:

• A great gift for non-tech savvy people

• 10-inch touchscreen display

• Very quick and easy setup

Cons:

• Designed to be placed on a flat surface in landscape mode

• Display lacks the higher resolution of competitors

Best Digital Picture Frame For Displaying Video

A 10.1-Inch Frame With A Touchscreen

AMAZON

Nixplay 10.1-Inch Touchscreen Photo Frame

$150$190SAVE $40 (21%)

$150 At Nixplay$136 At Amazon$160 At Best Buy
Frame display size: 10.1-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,280 x
800 pixels | Storage capacity: 8GB | Cloud service compatibility: 10GB
Nixplay cloud storage, Google Photos, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox
Best for: Displaying images stored online or within the frame via a
customizable slideshow.
The Nixplay 10.1-Inch Touchscreen Photo Frame can display still images as a
slideshow and mix them with video clips (up to 15 seconds long). The frame
has two built-in speakers for use with video clips. You can customize the
slideshow experience and rotate the frame between landscape and portrait
mode. The Nixplay frame adjusts the images accordingly, a handy
convenience.
Nixplay has six frame finish options, including black, wood, white and
polished steel. And while you can store thousands of images within the frame’s
internal storage, you can also store images on either Nixplay’s own cloud
service or on popular services like Google Photos, Facebook, Instagram or
Dropbox. This is a versatile frame that's offered at an attractive price. The
Nixplay mobile app makes it easy to set up and manage the frame and its
contents. For an optional monthly fee of $5, you can enable extra features like
the ability to display videos up to two minutes long.
What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs purchased this in 2022
for her parents and says, “The Nixplay is super easy to operate. I love how I
could adjust display times and add images with just a few taps in the mobile
app. I also really enjoyed being able to open the app and create special photo
playlists for my parents, whether it’s of my nephew or of my cats.”
Pros:

• Displays both pictures and video clips

• 10.1-inch touchscreen display

• Multiple frame finish options

Cons:

• No memory card slots

• Nixplay cloud storage is just 10GB (unless you pay an extra

fee)
Best Google Digital Picture Frame
Responds To Commands And Displays Photos

GOOD VALUE

BEST BUY

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

$50 At Best Buy$50 At Walmart$50 At Target

Frame display size: 7-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,024 x 600
pixels | Cloud service compatibility: Google Photos
Best for: A multipurpose smart display that shows photos.
The Google Nest Hub is a versatile smart home assistant with a 7-inch
touchscreen display and built-in Google Assistant. You can ask the Nest Hub
questions, control your smart home, have the hub display steaming video
content, stream music on-demand plus handle a wide range of other tasks.
The Nest Hub can also display your favorite photos when you’re not using it
for other tasks. You can set up the screensaver to display a slideshow of your
favorite photos stored in a Google Photos folder.
What the writers say: “We love having a slideshow of photos appear on our
Google hub,” says contributor Melissa Perenson. “It’s easy to share a Google
Photos folder via the Google Home app.”
Pros:

• Works with Google Photos to acquire and display images

• Supports Google Assistant

• Can also stream music and video content

Cons:

• No internal storage

• Only works with Google Photos for images

• Requires Google account

Best Amazon Digital Picture Frame

Hang This Large Echo On A Wall To Showcase Photos And More
AMAZON

Amazon Echo Show 15

$280
$280 At Amazon$280 At Best Buy
Frame size: 15.6-inch touchscreen | Display resolution: 1920 x 1080
pixels | Cloud service compatibility: Amazon Photos, Facebook
Best for: Using a large Alexa smart displays a slideshow of your favorite
images.
The Amazon Echo Show 15 is a versatile smart home hub with a stunning 15.6-
inch touchscreen display. It can stand horizontally or vertically, and it can
hang on a wall as well. It has a 5-megapixel camera for video calls, and two
one-inch speakers and a three-inch subwoofer for audio. The Echo Show
supports streaming video (including TV shows and movies) and music from a
wide range of sources.
You can also use the Echo Show 15 as an interactive calendar and scheduling
tool for the entire family. Of course, it also responds to Amazon Alexa verbal
commands and questions. When the screen is not otherwise in use, it can
display your favorite collection of digital photos as an animated slideshow.
The Amazon Echo Show pulls images from your online Amazon Photos
albums or Facebook; if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, you get unlimited
online storage for your photos. Amazon sells the handheld remote separately,
though. And for the Echo Show 15 to work, you need to stay connected to the
internet.
Pros:

• Stunning, roomy 1080p

• Supports a variety of content streaming services

• Works for video calls

Cons:

• Handheld remote control sold separately

• Must remain connected to Wi-Fi

• Table mount sold separately

Best Large Digital Picture Frame

Doubles As A Smart TV
SAMSUNG

Samsung 32-Inch The Frame TV

$550$600SAVE $50 (8%)

$550 At Samsung$550 At Best Buy
Frame display size: 32-inch | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels
| Cloud service compatibility: Yes |
Best for: Transforming the smart TV that hangs on a wall into a digital frame
that can display your photos or famous works of art in high resolution.
Unlike other smart TVs, The Frame has a 1-inch thin chassis that’s optimized
for hanging on a wall. Its design resembles a picture frame, so it looks like any
other picture frame in your home. Whenever you’re not watching your favorite
shows or movies, the TV transforms into a high-resolution digital picture
frame that displays either your own digital photos and video clips, or famous
works of art (it comes with 100 art images onboard, additional images cost
extra via the Samsung Art Store). The Frame uses a mobile app to transfer
photos and art to the TV via the cloud. Out of the many sizes The Frame comes
in, the 32-inch 1080p QLED TV was the first to get refreshed for 2023.
This smart TV has a matte display, so there’s no screen reflection even in the
presence of bright light. And to match the decor of your home, you can choose
from several outer bezel (frame) colors and designs. There’s even a motion
sensor that will turn on the TV and showcase your photos or artwork only
when people are in the room. It will then automatically turn off when the room
is empty. The smart TV aspect of The Frame uses the Tizen OS, so it’s ready to
stream content from all of your favorite services.
Pros:

• 32-inch matte display with an ultra-thin bezel (just 1 inch

thick)

• Utilize as a smart TV or digital photo frame

• Photos are transferred to the TV via the cloud and managed

by a mobile app

Cons:

• Samsung Art Store subscription costs extra

Forbes Vetted01:12
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What To Look For In A Digital Picture Frame

The newest digital photo frames come in a wide variety of styles, at varying
prices. Here are important points to consider.
When choosing the best digital picture frame for your home, you'll
want to consider a few features ... [+]
SKYLIGHT

Resolution

This display’s number of pixels determines how much detail you see within
each image. Plus, the resolution can affect the clarity and vibrancy of each
photo’s colors. Much as you find with a monitor, tablet or laptop screen, the
higher the resolution the more pixels on the display—and the better the image
can appear.

Storage
Some frames store your photos locally, some rely on external storage and
some access your images from cloud services. If the frame uses internal
storage, how much do you get? Keep in mind, 8GB of internal storage is
enough to hold thousands of JPEG digital images or hundreds of brief video
clips. A frame with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage will hold considerably
more content. If the frame does not have its own internal storage, it may have
a USB port for a flash drive, or a built-in memory card slot for an SD card.
Either option allows you to bring images to the frame by copying them
external media.

If the frame connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, it can stream images from a cloud
service such as Google Photos, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox or the frame’s
own cloud service. Look for frames that support the cloud services you already
subscribe to, or for frames that have a free cloud service (as the Aura digital
photo frames do).

Appearance

Consider the frame’s appearance. Determine if it will look good within your
home or office. Some frames come in a variety of color options, while others
stick to a generic black or silver frame with a simplistic but modern design.

Price

Pricing for digital photo frames continues to drop as the technology improves,
so for between $50 and $200, you can be confident that you’ll be able to
purchase a really good quality digital photo frame, from a recognizable brand,
that will make your favorite photos look great.

Display Size And Orientation

Consider the size of the display and whether it fits where you intend to place
it. Some digital frames can hang on a wall. Others include stands and software
so you can position the frame in either portrait or landscape mode—and the
frame adjusts your images accordingly.

Some digital picture frames, like the Aura Walden, feature a removable
stand so you can display it ... [+]
REBECCA ISAACS FOR FORBES

Mobile App

While you manage some digital photo frames directly from the frame itself,
most frames have a mobile app for your phone or tablet that allows you to
manage which images you display on the frame. The app also lets you adjust
settings like how long each image is on screen and which animation the frame
uses to transition between images.

Ease Of Use

Especially if you’re purchasing the frame as a gift for a non-tech savvy person,
ease of use and the ability to control the frame remotely (via the internet) are
key features to look for.

Frames like the Skylight Digital Photo Frame have their own, unique email
address you can set up remotely. The person you gift the frame to simply
needs to plug it in and connect the frame to their home’s Wi-Fi. All setup—
including sending images to the frame (immediately and over time)—then gets
handled remotely. You can invite friends and family members to send images
to the frame’s email address directly from their phone or computer.

Additional Features

Some photo frames serve as a smart home hub and speaker with a built-in
digital voice assistant. The Google Nest Hubs offer the Google Assistant, while
the Amazon Echo Show frames offer direct access to Amazon Alexa, for
example.

Other convenient features to look for include whether the frame adjust its
brightness based on your room’s ambient light, or if the frame automatically
dims (or turns off) your frame at night.

How We Chose The Best Digital Picture Frames

We combined research with hands-on testing and experience, and we spoke
with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the products
that made the cut. We carefully evaluated each digital picture frame’s design,
display size, resolution and more. We also paid attention to what sets each
digital picture frame apart from its competition.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things digital, having written
articles and in the category (a couple of staffers, including Dave Johnson, our
deputy editor, have even authored books). The tech section is overseen by
Consumer Tech & Electronics Editor Rebecca Isaacs, an industry veteran who
has been covering consumer technology for over four years.

This story was written by Jason Rich, an accomplished writer, journalist,

photographer and experienced product tester. Over his career, he has
accumulated hours of in-depth product research and has conducted firsthand
testing, including for the writing of this story.

We know tech tends to become quickly outdated. To keep this piece fresh and
accurate, it’s regularly updated; its current iteration was published in
November 2023.

Other Articles You Might Like

Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then
reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories. Here are
some other articles you might enjoy reading:

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Jason R. Rich
I am an accomplished author, journalist, and photographer who specializes in consumer
technologies. Please visit my website at www.JasonRich.com and check out
... Read More
Melissa Perenson
I'm an avid consumer of the tech gear I write about, and I look for products that inspire me. I’ve
worked as an editor at Forbes Vetted, PCWorld and PCMag, and as
... Read More

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