Our planet is blessed with many amazing natural wonders that inspire awe, respect, and wonder in us all, but none more so than waterfalls with their thundering rapids, fine spray and majestic heights. Some  of the most magical places on earth can be found at waterfalls and their mystique and power continues to draw and capture the imaginations of millions of visitors all over the world. In this post I’ll take you on a whistle-stop tour of some of the best waterfall sites the world has to offer starting with arguably the most magical of them all:

Iguazu Waterfalls – Brazil/Argentina

One of the world’s most loved waterfalls, the Iguazu Waterfalls are situated on a stretch of border between Brazil and Argentina and their native name translates into “Big Water.” Described by some as “a masterpiece of nature,” Iguazu enthralls all who see the falls with its raw natural beauty and paradise-like surroundings. Set in a landscape populated by swaying palm trees and wildlife, highlights here include platforms that are built on the water surface for the closest of encounters with the falls and the Garganta del Diablo, or “Devil’s Throat” section of the falls.

Niagara Falls –Canada

Niagara Falls is one of the world’s best-known waterfalls and for good reason. Like Iguazu above, Niagara is a collection of three waterfalls in the Niagara Gorge between the Canadian province of Ontario and the American State of New York. The Niagara Falls boast a majestic vertical drop that spans more than 160 feet that creates a magical combination of fine water spray, awe-inspiring natural beauty, and a deafening roar. The falls are serviced well by leisure and accommodation options, some of which can be viewed at https://www.niagarafallsmarriott.com/. Highlights here include viewing the falls from the rear through caves and tunnels situated behind the falls as well as a nightly light show that illuminates the falls in a colorful display.

Gullfoss – Iceland

Gullfoss is known as one of the most magical areas on earth with a residence in the land of fire and ice, Iceland. The magical island and is home to some of the most enchanting landscapes. Many of which inspired Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Though he never traveled to Iceland, his aupairs did and shared great stories of their saga lands.

Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe/Zambia

Spread across the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is known as Mosi-a Tunya in the Tonga dialect, which translates to “the smoke that thunders”. This impressive monster of a waterfall has a width span of over a mile, making it the one of the longest single waterfalls in the world. The Victoria Falls drains the equally majestic Zambezi River and is set in a natural environment of irrepressible beauty.

Given their size, noise and awesome power, waterfalls will always inspire wonder and respect from those who view them from close quarters, and that is why some of the world’s most magical places feature waterfalls. Isn’t that all the more reason to include a trip to a waterfall on the itinerary for your next vacation?

Photos from Scott Duncan, Paul Green, Aneurysm9, Elvir K, Montgomery Lion, Stefan Krasowski, Steve Jurvetson, and ramonbaile under the Creative Commons License.