Amazing Aerial Drone Travel Photography
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The creation of drones has enabled photographers to snap images from angles they once couldn't access — and from great heights. Just scroll through travel photos on Instagram, and you'll be blown away by the creativity.
For a bird's eye view of some of the world's most iconic and fascinating sites, soar along on this journey of amazing drone aerial travel photography.
Australia
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Aerial shot of multiple shipwrecks in Australia, taken by Piotr Parzybok
There are more than 300 sunken ships near Sydney, nearly 100 in Syndey Harbour alone.
London
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London under a cloud of fog with the Tower Bridge visible in the forefront, taken by alexanderjamestai
The iconic bridge over the River Thames is located near the Tower of London and was constructed between 1886 and 1894.
Nevada
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Up above Burning Man Festival, taken by @alexmedina.photography
The annual Burning Man event attracts thousands to Black Rock Desert to build a temporary community and massive structure that will, at the experience's end, be set ablaze. The event features a theme where a multiverse complete with a temple is created by the community.
Greenland
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Red-sailed ships sailing around icebergs in Greenland, taken by agpfoto
An iceberg "maze" appears in the Ilulissat Icefjord, home to the largest collection of the island nation's icebergs.
Dubai
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A sand-strewn road in Dubai, taken by fevonos
Dubai's city of skyscrapers overlooks the sea, but not too far off in the distance awaits the Arabian Desert, which makes up most of the United Arab Emirates' landscape.
New York City
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Central Park and the island of Manhattan from a drone's view, taken by lensaloft
Despite the constant growth of skyscrapers where space is valuable, New York City's Central Park remains nearly building-free. The 160-year-old park is 1.3 square miles of greenspace.
Indonesia
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malthezimakoff photographed the mighty Tumpak Sewu at sunrise
East Java's Tumpak Sewu means "1,000 waterfalls," and it's easy to see why. It's also referred to as Coban Sewu, Air Terjung Lamajang, and Wisata but its name doesn't matter as much as its majesty in the rainforest.
Bulgaria
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Sofia, Bulgaria, under fresh snow, taken by sashe.to
The dome-covered St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral found in Bulgaria's capital is one of the 50 largest churches in the world. It can hold up to 10,000 people inside.
Venice, Italy
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Venice's aerial view, taken by idroneman
One of the most beautiful churches of Venice is most often captured from the Grand Canal, but here it is visible by air. The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, built in 1687, features a dome that serves as a symbol of the city.
Miami
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Symphony of the Seas departs the Port of Miami, taken by ogeevisuals
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas pulls out of the "Cruise Capital of the World." The 1,188-foot-long ship can accommodate 5,518 guests, along with 2,200 crew across 18 decks.
Mexico
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The skyscraper of Reforma, Mexico City's main street, taken by
antonio.davila_dron
The main thoroughfare of Mexico City runs between its downtown skyscrapers to Chapultepac Park. Paseo de la Reforma originally was a route from the park's castle to the National Palace for Emperor Maximilian.
Barcelona
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Barcelona's red roofs surrounding La Sagrada Familia, taken by jf.u's drone
Barcelona's symmetrical city creates a grid that makes it easy to maneuver. It was developed by architect Ildefons Cerda in 185 and transformed the Catalonian city.
Kuala Lumpur
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Shah Alam Stadium in Selagor, Malaysia, taken by nazahery
From high above, the 80,372-seat sports complex's two crescent-shaped roofing structures create the appearance of an eye. The stadium opened on Jan. 1, 1990.
Utah
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davidmrule captured (and soaked in) these colorful little hot springs found in Utah
Although the photographer doesn't name his secret hot springs, Fifth Water Hot Springs is a hidden gem near a waterfall that requires a 2-mile hike to reach. Could this be those springs?
Sicily, Italy
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Sicilian photographer andreacaruso snapped this view of a winding hillside road
Getting dizzy? This road is a familiar scene in Sicily's hillside towns and cities. The road has enough room for two cars to pass, which actually makes this a good road as some are so narrow they only have room for one car.
China
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The mountains of Guilin, taken by lautak_
These mountains in Guangxi province have weathered erosion for 40 million years and leave a stunning landscape. Tourists often visited the southern China province for its mountains, caves, lakes and rivers.
North Ireland
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The imposing cliffside Dunluce Castle, taken by causewaycoastairimagery
The Celtic island setting is filled with castles, including this dramatic medieval on the cliffs of the Antrim Coast. Dunluce Castle dates back to the early 1500s and has long since been abandoned.
Paris
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Paris' Arc de Triomphe, taken by thedronalist
The towering structure in the middle of a roundabout where 12 rounds converge, including the Champs-Élysées, was commissioned by Napoleon I to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz.
Indonesia
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The colorful rainbow village in Malang, Indonesia, taken by leemumfordphotography
To transform what was considered a slum, university students in Malang decided to paint Joidpan village in rainbow colors. It now attracts tourists — and their dollars — and has brought new life.
Washington
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Washington's Mountain Loop Highway, taken by mattiaerial
Following the western Cascade Range between Darrington and Granite Falls, Washington, Mountain Loop Highway doesn't actually loop, but it does make for a picturesque drive.
Iceland
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hugohealy discovered how much fun driving in Iceland can be
Iceland's Ring Road loops around the entire island over 828 miles. It will take you to all parts of the island, except for its Westfjords and highlands, and would take a minimum 16 hours to drive nonstop. (But you'll be making plenty of stops to take in its beauty.)
Thailand
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@christianbetzmann took this bird's-eye view of Mueang Borang
The Ancient City is a 200-acre, open-air museum park shaped like the country of Thailand and is fixed with temples and palaces. However, the "city" wasn't a real city, but instead, a collection of sites from around the country moved to this museum, created by a Thai millionaire.
Denmark
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@karl_shakur flew over the Faroe Islands in a helicopter and was so impressed with this shot, he searched until he could find it again by drone
There are 18 islands found between Scotland and Iceland that are a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Naturally, with such a remote location in this archipelago, they are an outdoor lover's paradise.
Croatia
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visit_dalmatiasibenik shared this stunning shot of Primošten from the air
Located between Split and Sibenik, Croatia, this small island in the Adriatic Sea is connected to the mainland and attracts thousands of tourists. A medieval city surrounded by a stone wall, it was originally connected via a movable bridge but now has an embankment (which technically makes the city a peninsula now).
Ireland
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alessio_f.erreri also captured the ruins of an ivy-covered castle, this time in Ireland
Ireland has more than 30,00 castles and ruins of castles, dating back to the 11th century. It's largest castle is Trim Castle, which occupies 30,000 square miles.
Vietnam
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The Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam, taken by phtrung0611
Found in the Thien Thai Garden of Sun World Ba Na Hills, the Golden Bridge appears to be held up by giant hands rising from the hills. It is only accessible via a cable car and stretches 492 feet.
India
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gunjguglani photographed a rare perspective of the Taj Mahal
The commanding mausoleum found on Agra's Yamuna River looks dwarfed from its aerial view, but it stands 240-feet tall on a complex of 42 acres. Built in 1632, it was created in honor of Mumtaz Mahal by her bereaved husband Shah Jahan.
Tuscany, Italy
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The towers of San Gimignano, as seen in the evening by
danieleragazzini
The walled Tuscan town of San Gimignano is known as the Town of Fine Towers, due to its 14 towers. There were originally 72 tower homes when the town was first constructed in medieval times. Today, it is a UNESCO site.
England
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Prehistoric paradise, taken by karl_shakur
The only World Heritage Site in England is what is called its Jurassic Coast, so named for rocks and fossils dating back to the period. The coastline near Exmouth overlooks the English Channel toward France.
Antarctica
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marine_uas gets up close and personal with humpback whales
They may need a bigger boat! Scientists from Duke Marine Lab in Antarctica study whales with the help of drones.