"Surrounded by the majestic Alps and pristine Bavarian Forests, King Ludwig II's enchanting Neuschwanstein is the world's most picturesque castle," says photographer Sheri Vitullo. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fexplorations%2Fescape%2F15-most-romantic-castles-764475"><strong>15 of the best European castle hotels </strong></a>
Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany) —
"Surrounded by the majestic Alps and pristine Bavarian Forests, King Ludwig II's enchanting Neuschwanstein is the world's most picturesque castle," says photographer Sheri Vitullo. More: 15 of the best European castle hotels
Courtesy Bayern Tourismusmarketing gmbh
Diana's Baths are a series of small waterfalls on the edge of Bartlett, a town in New Hampshire. "Between the ledges, pools, and rock formations there's endless beauty for the curious mind and hungry eye," says photographer Shawn Brace. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2013%2F09%2F25%2Ftravel%2F10-things-u-s-does-better%2F"><strong>10 things the U.S. does better than anywhere else</strong></a>
Diana's Baths (United States) —
Diana's Baths are a series of small waterfalls on the edge of Bartlett, a town in New Hampshire. "Between the ledges, pools, and rock formations there's endless beauty for the curious mind and hungry eye," says photographer Shawn Brace. More: 10 things the U.S. does better than anywhere else
Courtesy Dan Houd/WGC photo
Jigokudani Yaen-koen has it all -- steaming hot springs, beautiful snow-covered landscapes and impossibly cute (and snow-covered) monkeys. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fgallery-latest-photographs-wild-snow-monkeys-hell-valley-844591"><strong>Gratuitous photos of monkeys in hot springs </strong></a>
Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Japan) —
Jigokudani Yaen-koen has it all -- steaming hot springs, beautiful snow-covered landscapes and impossibly cute (and snow-covered) monkeys. More: Gratuitous photos of monkeys in hot springs
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images
One of the most popular spots at Whitefish Mountain Resort is the summit. From here, the views of the jagged peaks of Glacier National Park are breathtaking, but it's the snow-covered trees -- known locally as snow ghosts -- that really stand out. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2012%2F12%2F12%2Ftravel%2Fski-hotels-united-states%2Findex.html%3Fhpt%3Dtr_c1"><strong>7 swanky U.S. ski hotels</strong></a>
Big Mountain, Whitefish, Montana (U.S.) —
One of the most popular spots at Whitefish Mountain Resort is the summit. From here, the views of the jagged peaks of Glacier National Park are breathtaking, but it's the snow-covered trees -- known locally as snow ghosts -- that really stand out. More: 7 swanky U.S. ski hotels
Brian Schott
With its narrow streets, medieval buildings and quaint Christmas markets, the city of Tallinn resembles a scene from a Christmas card. The Christmas market in the Town Hall Square is one of Europe's prettiest. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Feuropes-8-best-christmas-markets-671646"><strong>8 top Christmas markets in Europe </strong></a>
Tallinn (Estonia) —
With its narrow streets, medieval buildings and quaint Christmas markets, the city of Tallinn resembles a scene from a Christmas card. The Christmas market in the Town Hall Square is one of Europe's prettiest. More: 8 top Christmas markets in Europe
Courtesy Allan Alajaan
NASA experts believe solar activity will reach its peak in December, making this the best month to view Northern Lights. Visitors to Northern Norway stand the most chance of spotting them, thanks to lack of light pollution and dry weather. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2013%2F11%2F20%2Ftravel%2Fbest-northern-lights%2Findex.html"><strong>Spotlight on best Northern Light spots</strong></a>
Northern Lights (Norway) —
NASA experts believe solar activity will reach its peak in December, making this the best month to view Northern Lights. Visitors to Northern Norway stand the most chance of spotting them, thanks to lack of light pollution and dry weather. More: Spotlight on best Northern Light spots
Courtesy Innovasjon Norge
Aiguille du Midi translates as "needle of noon." The mountain gets its name from its tapered shape but also from the fact that if you view it from Chamonix, it's approximately noon when the sun passes over the summit. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2013%2F01%2F21%2Ftravel%2Feurope-budget-ski-resorts%2Findex.html"><strong>Europe's best budget ski resorts </strong></a>
Aiguille du Midi (France) —
Aiguille du Midi translates as "needle of noon." The mountain gets its name from its tapered shape but also from the fact that if you view it from Chamonix, it's approximately noon when the sun passes over the summit. More: Europe's best budget ski resorts
Courtesy Charmonix
The remote Yorkshire dales transform into a wonderland dotted with church spires, cozy, glowing pubs and the occasional sheep or pony. <strong>More: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fbritains-oldest-pub-which-inn-deserves-crown-740196"><strong>Britain's oldest pub -- who deserves the crown? </strong></a>
Yorkshire Dales (England) —
The remote Yorkshire dales transform into a wonderland dotted with church spires, cozy, glowing pubs and the occasional sheep or pony. More: Britain's oldest pub -- who deserves the crown?
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images