WORLDVIEWCAPTURE

 
Las Ventanas Al Paraiso, Mexico

Facing the Sea of Cortez, this palatial hotel provides private hot tubs and infinity pools bordered by cacti
Las Ventanas Al Paraiso is a palatial hotel set in the Los Cabos region at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, right on a beach of powder-fine white sand. Each suite is decked out in Mexican artisanry like mosaiced headboards and carved cedar wood screens. Feast on a Mexican breakfast spread on your private garden terrace, visit the state-of-the-art spa and be spoiled by the flawless service, with staff bringing you iced water, fresh fruit and other treats at any hour of the day.

Vantage Over Byron, Australia

Watch the sunset in Byron Bay, with 360-degree views of the volcanic hinterland, rainforest and ocean
In the sun trap surf town of Byron Bay, the long, broad beach is lapped by royal blue, white-tipped waves and has a lighthouse on one end that marks Australia’s easternmost tip. The area's natural beauty and laid-back vibe are fiercely protected by strict rules against any high-rise buildings, so the fact that this villa’s rooftop infinity pool seems to tower over the treetops and neighboring houses makes it a rare find. Wraparound wooden decking provides 360-degree views of the rainforest and volcanic hinterland in one direction and the curved, golden bay—which is only a few minutes’ walk away—in the other. Watch the sunset with a cocktail while reclining on a poolside cabana before enjoying some of the best stargazing in the southern hemisphere.

 
Chobe Water Villas, Namibia

Each villa has a private sundeck built above the water on the banks of the Chobe River. At Chobe Water Villas, the teal-colored infinity pool blends so seamlessly into the scenery that it's hard to tell where it ends and Namibia’s Chobe River begins. The individual villas exude a luxury that seems surreal given the remoteness of the property; private sundecks above the water even have their own telescope so that you can watch the elephants, buffalo and other wildlife roam the plains. Beyond the villas, you can go on game drives into the Chobe National Park, where you’ll likely spot hippos, crocodiles and exotic birdlife, too.

The Fairy Pools form a collection of ice-blue waters and tumbling rapids that look like something straight out of Scottish folklore. Amid the Isle of Skye's emerald knolls (hills) and towering glens (valleys), these ponds can be reached via a trek along the River Brittle. The water temperature may be breathlessly cold but it's also endlessly enticing and refreshing to swim beneath rocky cliffs and under hidden arches shrouded by waterfalls. Clamber up onto the surrounding rocks to dry off in the sun before a drive home to the wooden cabins of Skeabost View Pods Skye.

Lower Ddwili Falls, Brecon Beacons

The Lower Ddwili Falls is hidden in the woods of Pontneddfechan
Hidden in Wales' bucolic Waterfall Country beneath the hulking red sandstone peaks of the Brecon Beacons, you'll find the Lower Ddwili Falls. An open pool crested by gushing waterfalls, this place is a real spectacle. You can reach it via a walk through the woods from the villages of Pontneddfechan or Pont Melin-Fach. On sunny days, the waterfall mist leaves rainbow trails overhead. Spend the night at the 18th-century farmhouse, Beili Helyg Guest House, just a short drive away.

Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire

True to its name, the Blue Lagoon is a gorgeous sheen of turquoise
On the Pembrokeshire shoreline near Abereiddy, there's a quarry filled with turquoise water that's known locally as the Blue Lagoon. At 25 meters deep, this shimmering plunge pool is primed for diving enthusiasts, having hosted a global cliff-diving competition. For a dose of adrenaline, the old quarry building serves as a great platform to jump from, though a languid swim through the silky waters is just as good. The lagoon is reached via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path—stay at Caerhys B&B, which is just half a kilometer away from the coastal trail.

Linhope Spout Waterfall, Northumberland

Dive into this surreal Northumberland pool before a picnic beside it
You’ll know when you’ve reached Linhope Spout Waterfall when you hear its long plume of water crashing down into the plunge pool and onto the rocks below. It's as spectacular a backdrop for wild swimming as it is for a picnic, with the waterfall being 18 meters high and slicing straight down through a quiet glade. You may be sharing your serene swimming spot with the local red squirrel, often spotted scurrying across the forest floor in search of fallen pine cones. Complete your day out with a night at the equally pretty Tankerville Arms in the nearby village of Eglingham.

 
Llyn Glaslyn, Snowdonia

Lyln Glaslyn has a long-standing association with Arthurian legend
The lake of Llyn Glaslyn is shaped like a heart and cradled by mountains and has long been the subject of Arthurian legend. Folklore suggests that King Arthur had Sir Bedivere hurl his sword Excalibur into the water here, with Arthur’s body later placed in a boat to be carried away to Avalon. Glaslyn is also the alleged resting place of a water monster that once wreaked havoc upon the people of the valley. These days it’s more sun and scenery than swords and sea creatures, with deep blue waters and mountains that are often thinly veiled in mist. The lake can be reached by walking Snowdonia's Miners' Track. Keep your outdoor adventure going with a stay at one of these wooden camping pods.