photo of the most beautiful places

Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

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The Inspiration: "It is not really rest or even leisure we chase. We strain to renew our capacity for wonder, to shock ourselves into astonishment once again." — Shana Alexander

The Place: Petra, Jordan

The Reason to Go: This ancient city was built straight into the sandstone at the edge of the Arabian desert and was "lost" to the Western world until 1812. Today, still much of the city lies underground and has yet to be discovered. But for now, the rock-cut architecture, rose-colored cliffs and vast desert views are enough to be completely enamored by.