Iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or Golden Gate Bridge might fill your camera roll, but sometimes, the true magic of travel lies in the unexpected beauty of a city’s streets. There is something about these spontaneous explorations that really helps you connect with the soul of a destination. We’ve curated a list of the most aesthetically pleasing streets across the globe that promise to steal your heart. Some are in the U.S., so you won’t have to travel too far to see them!

Aldama Street, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico

This historic street, known for its colorful buildings, is a must-see for travelers in this centrally located Mexican city. The vibrant facades and cobblestone pavement create a charming atmosphere. It’s also a gateway to the city’s rich cultural heritage and artistic scene.

Brunngasse, Breinz, Switzerland

Known for its 18th-century chalets adorned with intricate wood carvings, Brunngasse is the most famous street in the picturesque village of Breinz. Each chalet features beautifully decorated facades and window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers. This charming street embodies the traditional Swiss alpine aesthetic, making it a delight to explore.

Brooklyn, New York, USA

In Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood, the intersection of Washington and Water Street offers a dramatic view of the Manhattan Bridge framed by symmetrical buildings. This iconic view has become a favorite spot for photographers and Instagrammers. The cobblestone streets and industrial architecture add to the area’s charm.

Burano, Italy

Off the coast of Venice, Burano’s tiny islands are known for their multi-colored buildings and charming canals, making it a vibrant destination. Each house is painted in a different bright hue, creating a cheerful and picturesque scene. The island is also famous for its traditional lace-making.

Caminito, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The colorful Caminito in Buenos Aires’s La Boca neighborhood offers vibrant photo opportunities and a glimpse into the area’s 19th-century origins. This pedestrian street is a lively outdoor museum filled with brightly painted buildings, tango dancers, and street artists. It serves as a vibrant reminder of the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage.

Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

This iconic avenue combines unparalleled architecture with perfectly manicured greenery, making it ideal for a scenic stroll or a shopping spree. Stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, it’s lined with cinemas, cafes, and luxury shops. The Champs-Élysées is not just a street but a symbol of Parisian elegance and cultural significance.

Cherry Blossom Tunnel, Bonn, Germany

For a few weeks each spring, Bonn’s cherry blossom tunnel becomes a spectacular, petal-filled canopy, attracting visitors from around the globe. When the cherry trees are in full bloom, the picturesque street is transformed into a magical pink tunnel. It’s a short-lived but unforgettable natural phenomenon that draws photographers and nature lovers alike.

Jinli Street, Chengdu, China

Especially magical during the Chinese New Year, Jinli Street is lit up with ceremonial motifs, enhancing its year-round beauty. The street is known for its traditional Sichuan-style architecture and vibrant markets. Visitors can enjoy local snacks, crafts, and cultural performances.

Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria’s streets are adorned with blooming jacaranda trees from late September to November, creating a stunning purple canopy. The city is often called “Jacaranda City” due to the abundance of these trees. Walking or driving through these tree-lined avenues during the blooming season is a truly enchanting experience.

Recife, Brazil

Brightly lined with colorful buildings and tall palm trees, this historic street is home to the first synagogue built in the Americas. The Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, dating back to the 15th century, still stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural history. Rua do Bom Jesus is a vibrant blend of historical significance and tropical beauty.

Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Paris, France

Located in Montmartre, this charming route is known for its colorful buildings and ivy-covered walls, nestled behind the Sacré-Cœur. The street winds through one of Paris’s most picturesque neighborhoods, offering stunning views and a bohemian atmosphere. It captures the artistic spirit of Montmartre, once home to famous painters and writers.

Rue du Petit Champlain, Quebec City, Canada

This European-inspired street has unique boutiques and bistros, offering a year-round picturesque experience. The charming cobblestone street, with its historic buildings and festive lights, feels like stepping into a fairytale. It’s especially magical during winter when the street is covered in snow.

Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

This small town’s whitewashed houses are built into the surrounding rocky cliffs, creating a unique blend of architecture and natural beauty. The streets are shaded by massive rock overhangs, providing a cool retreat from the Andalusian sun. It’s a fascinating example of human adaptation to the natural environment.

Tetsugaku no michi, Kyoto, Japan

This cherry tree-lined street, best visited in April, runs parallel to a canal and past the Ginkaku-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Philosopher’s Path, as it’s also known, is a serene and scenic walk especially popular during cherry blossom season. It’s a peaceful retreat within the bustling city of Kyoto.

Tohid Tunnel, Tehran, Iran

Framed by the Alborz Mountains and the Milad Tower, this street features residential buildings and the impressive Tohid Tunnel. The tunnel, one of the longest in the Middle East, seamlessly connects various parts of the city. The scenic backdrop of the mountains adds to its appeal.

Umbrella Sky Project, Águeda, Portugal

During summer, Águeda’s narrow streets are covered with vibrant umbrella canopies, providing both shade and a whimsical atmosphere. The colorful umbrellas create a striking visual effect that has become a popular subject for photographers. This annual installation brings a touch of magic to the city’s everyday life.

Washington Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA

In Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood, the intersection of Washington and Water Street offers a dramatic view of the Manhattan Bridge framed by symmetrical buildings. This iconic view has become a favorite spot for photographers and Instagrammers. The cobblestone streets and industrial architecture add to the area’s charm.

Once upon a time, our weekend escapes were to places where the only gates were the ones we imagined in the stars. Those places now have actual gates, shiny mailboxes, and homeowner association (HOA) meetings. Let’s revisit those cherished campsites, now transformed into bustling gated communities, and explore how the echoes of our laughter have been replaced by the sound of doorbells.

Lakeview Retreat

There’s something ironic about Lakeview Retreat’s transformation. The lake in East Texas, where kids once splashed around freely, is now bordered by exclusive waterfront properties. Can you imagine catching a million-dollar view where you once caught tadpoles?

Pine Grove Estates

Gone are the days when Pine Grove’s soil was pressed down by the feet of festival-goers. Now, the DeRidder Louisiana grounds host serene villas and offer full hookup RV camping for short- and long-term stays. It’s quieter, sure, but sometimes we miss the strum of banjos in the air.

Summit Peaks Place

At Summit Peaks Place, the altitude might be the same, but the attitude sure has changed. Where once hikers sought the thrill of the summit, now residents discuss property values. High elevation, high cost—some things don’t change.

Riverbend Ranch

Our old splashing grounds, Riverbend Ranch in Pegram, Tennessee, now mirror a luxury spa resort. The river still flows, but it’s mostly admired from balconies instead of its banks. There’s no denying it’s beautiful, but it’s a different kind of beauty.

Maplewood Commons

Maplewood Commons once challenged our sense of direction with its maze-like trails. It’s laid out with neat streets and even neater garden edges. Remember getting lost and finding your way back before dinner? Now, you’d just use an app.

Starlight Terrace

Where we used to count shooting stars, residents of Starlight Terrace in Nevada now count thread count in their luxury linens. It’s still a magical place, just with a touch more silk and a little less starlight.

Echo Valley Village

Echo Valley, with its once-resounding canyon calls, now boasts quiet cul-de-sacs. The echoes of nature have been replaced with the echoes of remote control clicks. Located in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, it is still a valley, but the echoes are less lively.

Cedar Hill Highs

Cedar Hill’s infamous climb near downtown Dallas is now a sculpted staircase in a high-end gym. You can still get a workout, but you’ll miss the fresh air and the panoramic views at the top. Some might say it’s an improvement, but we’re unsure.

Golden Meadows Manor

Golden Meadows, where wildflowers once bloomed unchecked, now showcases carefully planned landscaping. The wild spontaneity is gone, but the flowers bloom just the same. Sometimes, we wonder if they miss the wildness.

Blue Lake District

The Blue Lake District in California has traded swimming lessons for golf lessons. The lake is still there, but it’s more for viewing than diving. It’s a change, but the green is perfectly manicured, so there’s that.

Sandy Shorelines

Sandy Shorelines, our once beloved rustic beach camp in Blaine County, San Andreas, now flaunts smooth stone pathways and not a grain of sand in sight. It’s chic and sleek, but boy, do we miss the sand castles.

Whispering Pines Circle

Whispering Pines Circle, situated between Albany and Lake George, has turned its soft whispers into high-speed Wi-Fi signals. The trees still whisper, but now it’s mostly to high-tech security cameras. It’s safer, they say, but we miss the simple rustle of leaves.

Falcon Crest

Falcon Crest’s rugged trails have been paved over for jogging paths. It’s easier on the knees, but the falcons are harder to spot. These birds are remarkably swift and adept predators, achieving velocities exceeding 240 miles per hour while expertly snagging their prey during flight.

Twilight Hollow

Twilight Hollow, once famous for its ghost stories and eerie atmosphere, now features state-of-the-art security systems. The only ghosts you’ll find here are the ones in the virtual reality games played in expansive living rooms. Spooky in a different way, isn’t it?

Misty Creek Country

At Southwest Florida’s Misty Creek Country, the mist still rolls in, but now it’s viewed from behind the safety of storm windows rather than the flaps of a tent. It’s warm and cozy, but some mornings, we really miss the chill and the thrill of the outdoors.

While we grapple with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the very real threat of climate catastrophe, some continue to indulge in a brand of luxury that spews pollution into the atmosphere at an alarming rate. Private jets are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and their impact is magnified when considering the unnecessary short trips many billionaires take. Trips that could be done by car, train, or even bicycle are instead taken in private jets, leaving a trail of environmental destruction in their wake. Here are some outrageous examples of ultra-short private jet flights taken by billionaires. Newsflash: the disconnect between exorbitant wealth and ecological responsibility is shockingly vast:

Kim Kardashian

It is a 17-minute flight from Van Nuys, California, to Burbank, California, a distance of just 12 miles (19 km) that could have easily been covered by car.

Floyd Mayweather

A 10-minute flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, a mere 200-mile (322 km) trip achievable by car or high-speed rail in a fraction of the time.

Alex Rodriguez

A 20-minute flight from Miami to the Bahamas, a 186-mile (300 km) journey that could have been completed by ferry or commercial airline with minimal environmental impact.

Steven Spielberg

A brief 15-minute hop from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, California, a distance of only 80 miles (129 km), readily doable by car.

Mark Wahlberg

A quick 17-minute private jet flight from Los Angeles to San Diego, a 120-mile (193 km) trip that wouldn’t take much longer by car.

Richard Branson

A leisurely 25-minute flight from his private Necker Island to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, a mere 10 miles (16 km) apart, easily accessible by boat.

Oprah Winfrey

A 15-minute private jet flight from Chicago to St. Louis, a 290-mile (467 km) distance readily served by commercial airlines.

Travis Barker

A needless 12-minute private jet flight from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, a distance of just 80 miles (129 km) easily covered by car.

Kylie Jenner

A short 12-minute private jet flight from Van Nuys, California, to Palm Springs, California, a 100-mile (161 km) trip accessible by car.

Jay-Z

A quick 15-minute flight from Teterboro, New Jersey to the Hamptons in New York, a distance of only 70 miles (113 km) readily doable by car or train.

Leonardo DiCaprio

A brief 20-minute private jet flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Nantucket, Massachusetts, a 186-mile (300 km) trip commercially available by plane or accessible by train and ferry.

Paris Hilton

A frivolous 10-minute private jet flight from Burbank, California, to Las Vegas, a 200-mile (322 km) distance easily covered by car or high-speed rail.

Tom Cruise

A quick 15-minute private jet flight from Burbank, California, to Santa Monica, California, a mere 20 miles (32 km), readily achievable by car or public transportation.

Jeff Bezos

A leisurely 20-minute private jet flight from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada, a 130-mile (209 km) trip readily served by commercial airlines, or even a scenic ferry ride.

Elon Musk

A reported 15-minute flight from San Jose to Sacramento, California, a distance of just 120 miles (193 km), easily covered by car or high-speed rail.

Donald Trump

Multiple reports of short private jet flights between his properties in Florida and New Jersey, ranging from 90 to 180 miles (145 to 290 km) – trips achievable by car or commercial airlines.

The Saudi Royal Family

Known for their extravagant use of private jets, including instances of short flights within Saudi Arabia itself, highlighting the unnecessary nature of such travel.

Marc Cuban

While specific details are limited, reports suggest Cuban has taken short private jet flights within Texas, a state with a well-developed highway system.

Peter Thiel

Similar to Marc Cuban, reports suggest Thiel has taken short private jet flights within California, a state with extensive car and high-speed rail options.

Mukesh Ambani

The richest man in India, Ambani, has been linked to short private jet flights within India despite a growing domestic airline network.