Finding the most beautiful islands in the world

Dubai is a coastal city on the Persian Gulf. It grew from a fishing settlement into a massive trade hub. Most of the population consists of expatriates. Visit between November and March for the best weather. Summer months are extremely hot and limit outdoor activity. Allow at least four days to see the city. It is very expensive to visit.

The moai are stone figures created by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500. They are located on Easter Island in Polynesia. Nearly half of the statues remain at the Rano Raraku quarry. Others stand on stone platforms around the coast. Plan for a trip between October and March. The island is remote and requires significant travel time to reach.

Taipei 101 is a 508-meter skyscraper in Taiwan. It held the record for the world's tallest building until 2009. High-speed elevators transport visitors from the 5th to the 89th floor in 37 seconds. It remains the tallest building in Taiwan. October through December offers the best conditions for visiting. The city can be crowded during holidays.

The Maldives is an archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean. It consists of 26 atolls spread across a large area of sea. It is the smallest country in Asia by land area. The islands are located southwest of India and Sri Lanka. Visit between November and April to avoid the rainy season. Logistics between islands can be costly.

The Giza complex includes the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx. These were built during the Fourth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. The site sits on the edge of the desert near Cairo. It contains temples and cemeteries alongside the pyramids. October to March is the best time to visit to avoid extreme heat. The area is very busy with tourists.

The Atacama is a desert plateau in northern Chile. It is the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Mountain ranges on both sides block moisture from the ocean. This creates a permanent rain shadow over the region. Visit in March, April, May, September, October, or November. The temperature changes drastically between day and night.

Marrakesh is a major city in Morocco founded in 1070. It sits near the Atlas Mountains. The city is known as the Ochre City due to its red sandstone buildings. It has served as a cultural hub for centuries. Visit in March, April, October, or November. Summer temperatures are often too high for comfortable walking.

This is an archipelago of 21 islands located off the coast of Brazil. Only the main island is inhabited. It is a protected area and requires an environmental fee for entry. The islands are remote and limited in capacity. August through November is the best time for clear water. Access is strictly controlled to protect the environment.

The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. It covers much of North Africa. The region excludes the Mediterranean coast and the Nile Valley. It is an immense landscape of sand and rock. Plan your visit for October, November, March, or April. Daytime heat is dangerous outside of these months.

The Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River. It sits on the border of Nevada and Arizona. Construction began during the Great Depression and finished in 1936. It is a major center for water management. March, April, October, and November are the best months to visit. Summer heat is severe in this area.