A NOTE FROM GREG GOODMAN: When I’m not traveling, I like to let my friends share their words on my blog. Here’s a new one from my friend Penny – featuring my photography from Bali and Thailand.

Whether you are a professional photographer who tells stories through images or an amateur who wants to preserve extraordinary moments, the planet is your playground, brimming with destinations that delight the eyes and capture the heart. 

But not all places are created equal when it comes to photography.  Some are naturally more stunning, colorful, and vibrant.  In these parts of the world, beauty collides flawlessly with adventure.  When the two are combined, photographic magic happens.  So, before you plan your next vacation, consider these five photogenic places that are perfect for adventurous couples.

 

Bali

Giant curling waves, terraced rice paddies, ancient stone temples, enthralling sunsets – Bali is every photographer’s dream.  Start off your photography excursion at the iconic sea temple of Tanah Lot.  Trek to the peak of Campuhan Ridge for the best vista of the verdant valley below.  Take snapshots of exotic Kecak fire dancers at Uluwatu Temple or pose with the grey long-tailed macaques roaming the complex.

Add a little romance to your adventure at the lake temple of Ulun Danu Beratan. Then, find hidden coves in the coastal village of Jimbaran for the perfect tropical paradise getaway. After a day of exploring, relax at a luxurious resort in Bali for an indulgent end to your adventure. Bali has it all.

Bali’s Pura Tanah Lot temple
Bali’s Pura Tanah Lot temple
Traditional architecture in a home in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Traditional architecture in a home in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Workers harvest onions in the fields below Mt. Batur in Bali, Indonesia
Workers harvest onions in the fields below Mt. Batur in Bali, Indonesia

Italy

You’ll never run out of Instagram worthy sites in Italy, from the captivating canals of Venice to the charming countryside of Tuscany to the colorful cliff houses of Cinque Terre.  But the country’s irresistible appeal goes beyond stunning sceneries and majestic landmarks.  We’re talking about its food culture.

A visit to Italy is incomplete without indulging in the sublime flavors of an authentic homemade Italian meal.  Better yet, embark on a culinary adventure of Italy, by taking a cooking class.  You will go home not only with a new set of culinary skills but also countless photos of mouthwatering goodness.

 

Norway

Charge us guilty of sweeping generalization. Every bit of Norway is mesmerizingly beautiful. Not just the fjords but everything. It is practically a sin not to immortalize every spot in a photo. Ideal for landscape photography, Norway’s scenery shifts dramatically from north to south, allowing you to marvel at diverse natural wonders as you traverse the country.

For adrenaline-pumping excursions, take the 10-hour hike to Trolltunga and strike a pose at the famous cliff edge or drive up the hairpin bends of the Trollstigen for fantastic photo opportunities. Want to see a real-life fairytale town? Visit the picturesque port village of Ålesund, famous for its elegant art nouveau architectural houses. Speaking of magical, travel to the city of Tromsø to catch a glimpse of the elusive northern lights.

 

Thailand

Escape from the noisy clamor of Bangkok and head to Thailand’s gorgeous beaches for an unforgettable picture-perfect holiday.  Take your pick from a wide array of choices: the palm-fringed shores of Koh Phi Phi, the exotic coast of Phuket, the white sand stretches of Krabi, or the lively resorts of Pattaya.

Thailand’s balmy turquoise blue waters are ideal for watersports like kayaking, snorkeling, diving, kite surfing, paddleboarding, even flyboarding, a relatively new extreme sport.  Before embarking on this thrilling adventure, be sure to get watersports insurance to cover your vacation activities.

Locals pray before the feet of the massive Buddha statue at Wat Si Chum in Sukhothai
Locals pray before the feet of the massive Buddha statue at Wat Si Chum in Sukhothai

A devotee is surrounded by 12,999 monks in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Driving through monsoon floods in Chiang Mai, Thailand
It was like this until November
We took our parents to the Elephant Nature Park during their visits to Chiang Mai
We took our parents to the Elephant Nature Park during their visits to Chiang Mai
A fisheye view of the Yi Peng celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand
A fisheye view of the Yi Peng celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thai Bhat - Money in Thailand
Thai Bhat – Money in Thailand

Jamaica

Jamaica encapsulates everything a paradise should be: beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, lush rainforests, and enchanting waterfalls.  Add to the mix a vibrant culture that produced sumptuous jerk dishes, the fastest sprinters in the world, the sought-after blue mountain coffee, and reggae, and you have a gem of a destination.  For a country that boasts of a laidback island vibe, Jamaica has a lot going on.

Capture your daring cliff jump at Island Gully Falls, or take a photo of the sun melting into the horizon at Rick’s Café. Get shots of the exotic wildlife in Martha River Bay as you cruise the glistening waters on a bamboo raft.  Pose with a bottle of cold Red Stripe beer in hand at Pelican Bar, the hippiest hangout in the Caribbean.  Wherever you go, do not be stingy with your snaps.  The charm of the island is worth taking back home, even if it is just in pictures.