qualia Great Barrier Reef

Our jetset friends dive into their favorites.

Mother Nature is astonishing, to say the least. No artist or architect could compete with the flora, fauna and formations she’s dreamt up, so fittingly an alternative list to the classic, human-centric Seven Wonders of the World was created. From sky-high Mount Everest to the undersea Great Barrier Reef, herein are the best ways to see our blue and green globe’s most notable natural wonders.

As 2016 draws to a close, there’s no better time of year for indulging in a little nostalgia. December is known for many things, but its the annual “best of” lists that make the month so enjoyable. It was a year in which some lesser known gems finally received widespread acclaim, while a smattering of old favorites came roaring back into vogue. Herein, 11 of 2016’s hottest vacation destinations, and some of the hotels that helped make them special.