Now putting up a collection of the top 10 waterfalls is by no means an easy task, as the take on as which waterfall is the best completely depends on each individual’s personal experience. Just by looking at photos or reading about it in print, one cannot decide whether a waterfall deserves a place in the top 10 or not. However, based on a general opinion among thousands of people who have actually visited the waterfalls, here is a list of the top 10 waterfalls of the world, in reverse order:

10. Sutherland Falls, Fiordland, New Zealand.

Located in the wild and exotic Fiordland National Park, which is also a World Heritage Area, Sutherland Falls is a beautiful 580 metre-high waterfall that is sure to take your breath away. It is one of the many natural attractions of the Milford Track in New Zealand as well.

9. Dettifoss, Jökulsárgljúfur, Iceland.

It is undoubtedly the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe, the reason being it sends glacial melt waters at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per second, over its 44-metre precipice. It is situated at the top of the magnificent Jökulsárgljúfur, which, simply put, is the Grand Canyon in its Icelandic form. Dettifos has got three more waterfalls along the same river, but this is the most magnificent one, and makes it to the 9th place.

8. Gullfoss, Haukadalur, Iceland.

The second waterfall from Iceland to make it to the top 10, this amazing beauty is also one of the most unique waterfalls in the world, owing to the fact that it tumbles on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90 degree angles to each other. Gullfoss forms a part of Iceland’s Golden Circle, a string of attractions that form a circle in the south west part of the country. Also, you can see rainbows over the waterfalls when the weather and timing are right!!

7. Kaieteur Falls, Potaro River, Guyana

Located in the pristine Guyana Shield, this 741-foot tall and 370-foot wide monster is supposedly one of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the world. The amazing surroundings of the waterfall that comprise beautiful, untouched wild forests make for a spectacular setting.

6. Yosemite Falls, California, USA

Another huge waterfall, the Yosemite Falls form part of the Yosemite Valley and can be seen from many trails and viewpoints. Accessible very easily, this waterfall does not flow all year though.

5. Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela

Nestled deep in the amazing Venezuelan rainforest, the Angel Falls plummets without interruption for 807 meters, and easily qualifies for being one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Mystery shrouds its origin as nothing but forests surround the part where it begins.

4. Plitvice Waterfalls, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia
 

While the rest of the falls featured here in the top 10 are single waterfalls, the Plitvice Waterfalls are different in the way that they are a multitude of uncountable waterfalls. The scenery looks like these waterfalls have a world of their own!

3. Niagara Falls, Canada/New York, USA

Undoubtedly one of the most famous falls in the world, from appearances in countless movies and on TV and on postcards, the Niagara Falls are indeed spectacular. Located right on the border, the falls generate an average of about 750,000 gallons of water per second, thus making it the biggest waterfall in the world in terms of volume!

2. Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zimbabwe

A tough contender for the number one spot, Victoria is the largest singular waterfall in the world, spanning across 1.7 km. Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, these falls generate an average of 1 million liters of water per second!! Adding to the grace is the declaration by UNESCO as the falls being a World Heritage Site.

1. Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazú, Brazil
 

The Iguazu Falls are an incredible sight, and one just has to see it live to really admire what it is to the fullest. Spanning a large 2 km, these falls have an average flow of 1.3 million liters of water per second! Consisting of around 275 individual and smaller falls and cascades, these falls are the best that there could be.

In a modern world where traveling between destinations is viewed as a waste of time and resources, it is hard to actually comprehend the beauty of some of the most spectacular rides on the planet. Far less comfortable, yet far more beautiful and interesting, the time spent between two destinations is equally captivating and offers many sights and sounds.

While we are very much in a century where we have ‘no time to stand and stare’, there are still some awesome train rides across the globe where the trip itself turns into a destination. So how about hopping on these 10 grand train journeys?

Glacier Express

Arguably the slowest ‘express’ on the planet, the 180 mile ride on this delightful route takes a good 8 hours. Not that we are complaining about the pace as this offers you loads of time to catch a glimpse of the magical panorama that lies on its path, which links the two mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and an altitude of 6,670 feet make this train ride similar to an expedition through fairyland.

Images courtesy of Puddles, +Jun+, janetmck

Spectacular, stunning and picture perfect, this is a trip that the shutter bugs will really love!

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Images by Stef Flater (1 + 2)

Linking some of the best cities of Europe including London, Venice, Rome, Budapest or Prague, the Orient Express is the most charming way to travel on tracks. With scores of movies, novels and romantic Hollywood scenes captured on this luxurious trip, this is one for those with deep pockets. The three day trip past the beautiful countryside of France, Switzerland and Austria will cost well over 2,000 Euros for the old-age charm of the Orient Express.

Pride of Africa

The Pride of Africa is a train journey that no nature lover should ever miss if they wish to explore the beauty, majesty and the hidden grandeur of the spectacular Dark Continent at a leisurely pace. Apart from the impeccable comfort it has to offer, the once in a year trip planned on the ‘Pride of Africa’ will take you on a 14-day epic expedition through Cape Town, Dar Es Salaam, Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and through Tanzania to Dar Es Salaam.

Images by Rovos Rail

Billed as the most luxurious train in the world, you’d better not lose the opportunity if you’re planning a romantic vacation through the heart of Southern Africa.

Eurostar

Image by lewishamdreamer

While not many will really be happy with the fact that you get to spend plenty of time in the Eurostar under the sea, it sure offers a great mix of comfort and class. Apart from getting you to your chosen destination in a pretty short time, it is a much better option compared to choosing the flight between London and Paris. Innovative …

Flam Railway

Remember the awesome Norwegian Fjords? Well, here is a train ride through the world’s longest fjord Sognefjord, where on a 20 kilometer trip you’ll get to see an amazing descent from an altitude of almost 3,000 feet into the fjords of Flam. The ride looks both enthralling and hair-raising with its narrow passage way and the unforgettable sights.

Images by Sugeo, Laurakgibb, kurlvink

A popular tourist attraction in Norway, this is all about exploring unadulterated beauty of nature at a leisurely pace.

Palace on Wheels

Images courtesy of nzer and rdtc.in

Step on the Palace on Wheels and you will find exactly what you have been promised with the name. The train that starts from Delhi in India and ends up in the royal state of Rajasthan, offers complete luxury on tracks, much like the pampering enjoyed by royal kings in the days long gone. Just to roll back time, a steam engine is used to pull the train initially out of Delhi, adding further to the experience. An elephant welcome in Jaipur, lunch at the Lake Palace in Udaipur, a camel safari near Jaisalmer and an afternoon at the Taj Mahal; the Palace on Wheels is the most comfortable way to explore India.

Eastern & Oriental Express

All images courtesy of Orient-Express Images

Stretching between the ultra-modern Singapore and Bangkok, and traveling through lush green tropical forests, the Eastern and Oriental Express is modern, stylish and comfortable.

Apart from all the delights it offers in terms of cuisine and hospitality, the train journey presents a perfect window into South-East Asia, its changing topography and the contrast between its urban present and its naturally-endowed past.

Royal Scotsman

If you are getting on board the Royal Scotsman, then you must have really deep pockets – it’s the most expensive train ride on the planet. Just consider the fact that a 4-day trip on the Royal Scotsman costs more than an entire 19-day first-class trip on the Trans-Siberian, and you will get the idea. The observation car accommodates 36 passengers (yes, only 36 passengers allowed) in comfortable armchairs along with cabins specially designed for dining and other purposes.

Images by lolothian, christymacintosh, jeffmcneil

The train pulls over at night when you need to sleep and while the trip offers a great passage through little known waterfalls, mountains and valleys, it is obviously not for everyone.

Trans-Siberian Railway

There is hardly any doubt that a 6000 mile ride across the vastness of Russia that carries you over a distance of one-third the planet is the grand daddy of them all. The Trans-Siberian train ride is a journey that has already achieved a mythical status for the vastness it encompasses and the magnitude of brilliance that it has in store.

From Vladivostok across Siberia to Moscow and then to St. Petersburg, the 19-day ride offers more than you could ever find on any other train. Carriages once used by the Politburo are fitted with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting/dining-room, complete with private chef. Carrying you in comfort across seven time zones, this is the ultimate experience on tracks.

It is a unique feeling to carry home when your whole journey becomes your destination as there is never a dull moment on your trip. Instead of waiting for fun and good times to start rolling as you sit in your airline seat, the great train journeys turn every moment into a memory you can cherish for a lifetime.