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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

10 amazing travel photos to inspire you for holidays including Thailand and Italy

Get ready to be inspired for your next holidays, as spectacular images from a new photography competition have been revealed for 2023.

The early entries in the CEWE Photo Award are offering up major wanderlust with snaps across Thailand, Italy, Peru and more hotspots.

The competition is open to everyone – from keen amateur photographers to established professionals - and entries are being taken until the end of 2023 under the theme ‘Our World is Beautiful’.

A spokesperson for the judging panel said: “We all like to have something in our calendars to look forward to, and holiday plans are certainly ideal to beat the winter blues.

"Travelling sparks a sense of adventure in all of us and allows us to create moments that become memories we’ll treasure forever.

“No matter where you go, there’s always the desire to capture the beautiful scenery and breath-taking moments around you – from beautiful beaches and family shots, to delicious food and stunning sunsets. We hope that these photos inspire you to think ahead to your 2023 travel plans, and take yourself on an adventure.”

Check out the top 10 below...

1. Krabi, Thailand

Krabi has plenty of stunning beaches (baba-gurr/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Island life: A birds-eye view over paradise, taken by Olcay Gür in Thailand, Krabi

Krabi is famous for its scenic views, breathtaking beaches and chains of small islands.

Its coral reef vistas are also one of the world’s most beautiful and provide a perfect spot for coral diving, as the hot springs, wildlife sanctuary, sea caves and limestone cliff are primed for adventures.

The island paradises of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are protected national parks that are bathed in the stunning light of the sunset each evening.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Lights bounce off the water in Prague (Dusan Gejdos/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Night-time rainbow: the water reflects the colourful light in the dark, taken by Dušan Gejdoš in Czechia, Prague

Prague is built on the banks of the Vltava, the longest river in Czechia which runs southeast along the Bohemian Forest and then north across Bohemia into the Capital.

It is known as the National River, taking in as it does much of the country within its basin and being spanned by several impressive stone bridges once in Prague.

At night the city lights bounce off its surface as swans and ducks paddle along.

3. Catania, Italy

Catania is still standing despite much geographic adversity (Miroszyma/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Shortcut through the side-streets: shadows fall over a picturesque alleyway, taken by Mirosław Szymański in Italy, Catania.

Sicily's second city remains beautiful and captivating to this day, despite its long and challenging history.

Catania was founded in the 8th century BC by Chalcidian Greeks and weathered multiple geologic catastrophes over the next two thousand years.

It was almost completely destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 1169 before a major eruption and lava flow from nearby Mount Etna nearly swamped the city in 1669.

Despite suffering more devastation in the 1693 Sicily earthquake, Catania is still standing today.

4. Bern, Switzerland

Bern backs onto towering mountains (Tom Jordi/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

In the valley: Beautiful, snowy mountains surround the city of Bern, taken by Thomas Jordi in Switzerland, Bern.

Bern is not just the answer to the pub quiz question "What is the capital of Switzerland?" but a gorgeous place to visit thanks to its location right by the Aare river and verdant countryside.

It is also an enchanting town which backs onto mountains and has an historic centre deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

5. Kedah, Malaysia

Kedah has tracts of verdant countryside (Sitiaris/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Relaxing on the river: a kayaker takes a break to soak up the scenery, taken by Siti Aris in Malaysia, Baling, Kedah

The state of Kedah in Northwest Malaysia is ripe with tropical plants, large insects and wide rivers perfect for kayaking.

A visit there would not be complete without a stop at the Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk – the longest canopy walk in the world at 950m-long - or the world's only 24 hour hot spring, Ulu Legong.

6. Viterbo, Italy

On top of the world: A walled city atop a hill looking over the world, taken by György Piszker in Italy, Viterbo

Sometimes travelling around Italy can feel like entering into an ancient world, such is the embarrassment of its historical riches.

The centre of Viterbo is surrounded by medieval walls, still intact, built during the 11th and 12th centuries, and accessed via ancient gates.

The settlement is not for the overly faint of heart or those worried about rock slips, given its seemingly precarious position at the top of a cliff.

7. Siófok, Hungary

Siófok is a big draw for Hungarian holiday makers (Lacitot/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Golden glow: A man takes a break on his boat and soaks up the sun, taken by László Tóth in Hungary, Siófok

While not as well known to a British audience as the likes of Costa del Sol, Siófok is Hungary's second most popular holiday destination right after Budapest.

Each year its attracts thousands of people with its 11 miles of coast along the lake, over 1,000 hotels, and plenty of bars, restaurants and night clubs.

It sits on Lake Balaton, the largest in Central Europe which leads onto a great wine region to the north.

8. Venice, Italy

A gondola ride through Venice (Marine Tab/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Float on: A couple take a romantic gondola ride, taken by Marine Tabatabaï in Italy, Venice

Many places can be made to look beautiful with a little bit of creative photography, yet feel a little dull and unimpressive in comparison when visited in real life.

As stunning as the centuries of Venetian landscape painting and photography is, nothing can prepare you for what the Queen of the Adriatic is truly like.

It is ordered and sleek, yet chaotic and scruffy at the same time, in a way that only Italian cities can be.

Turn off the main streets and you'll find yourself in a deserted square or vacated boathouse, lit up by dancing sunlight bouncing off the canals.

9. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu looks even more impressive from above (Dima_ges/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Misty Machu: A magical mist descends over the site of Machu Picchu, taken by Geshengorin Dmytro in Andes Mountains in Peru

Peru is full of incredible places to visit, but Machu Picchu remains the ultimate bucket-list destination in the country.

The 15th century Incan citadel comprises of heaps of ruins which offer a glimpse into just how the Incans lived, and it's long been the source of mystery as archaeologists and historians have long speculated as to its former use.

10. Jesolo, Italy

The boardwalk in Jesolo (Anita_S/CEWE Photo Award 2023)

Wish you were here: a boardwalk drawing the eye to the sea, taken by Anita Smolka in Italy, Jesolo

Once you've tired of gondoling down the canals and Venice and have had your fill of stunning domos, Jesolo is a great place to visit.

The seaside town is situated just across the bay and is a huge draw among the Italian population thanks to its sweeping beaches and bar culture.

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