Stunning travel photos to inspire your 2022 travel plans

A picturesque snowy scene captured on a frosty morning in Schwerin, Germany

Winter castle (Image credit: Ralph Poschmann / The CEWE Photo Award)

With travel becoming a potential possibility once again, many of us are likely considering which locations to visit as part of our anticipated 2022 travel plans, pandemic permitting, of course.

To aid with inspiration (or wishful thinking), CEWE have released a collection of dazzling travel photography captured by photographers across the globe and submitted as part of this year's CEWE Photo Award competition.

· Read more: Best travel camera

Images were submitted to the travel and culture category of the competition, as well as nine other available to enter categories ranging from aerial shots to animals. The competition, now in its fourth edition, asked entrants to submit photos that celebrate the competition theme of 'Our World is Beautiful'.

Sharing some of the best photos from 2021's travel and culture category, here are 15 images provided by CEWE to inspire your travel adventures.

Two people release flowers on the river in Quang Ngai, Vietnam as a symbolic gesture. — Coconut forest, Vietnam (Image credit: Sinh Nguyen Duy / The CEWE Photo Award)

Petra is surrounded by candles making it glow in the night — Petra, Jordan (Image credit: Vincenzo Avallone / The CEWE Photo Award)

The streets of New York surrounded by high rise buildings — New York, USA (Image credit: Markus Nocker / The CEWE Photo Award)

A fisherman rows into the sunset in Xiapu, China in hope of catching some fish in the quiet of the night — Rowing at sunset, China (Image credit: Lorenzo Perotti / The CEWE Photo Award)

A group of windmills captured at dusk — Windmill (Image credit: Steve Allen / The CEWE Photo Award)

A gondola makes it way down the river in Venice taking tourists on the scenic route — Gondola, Venice (Image credit: David Chofardet / The CEWE Photo Award)

glistening starry night is captured by a camper on their outdoor adventure — Camping (Image credit: Stephane Kleeb / The CEWE Photo Award)

Locals attend a spiritual ritual ceremony in Laos cewe 2022 — Laos ritual (Image credit: Mutin Antoine / The CEWE Photo Award)

A young traveller waits patiently at the platform in Soest, Germany, for his train to take him on an adventure — Boy on platform, Germany (Image credit: Sabrina Hugendick / The CEWE Photo Award)

An aerial view of a peaceful and colourful Hindu festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. — A Hindu festival, Bangladesh (Image credit: Muhammad Amdad Hossai / The CEWE Photo Award)

A street food stand lights up in the night in New York City, attracting passers-by to an array of late-night treats — Street Food (Image credit: Markus Nocker / The CEWE Photo Award)

Children are at one with nature playing in a stream in Bogor, Indonesia, whilst washing an animal. — Children Playing, Indonesia (Image credit: Jozef Macak / The CEWE Photo Award)

Taking in the scenery on a train ride in Sri Lanka as this young traveller heads to his next destination — Train journey, Sri Lanka (Image credit: Jonathan Sterz / The CEWE Photo Award)

Locals gather to buy and sell fresh fruit, vegetables and spices at a floating market in Banjarmasin, Indonesia — Floating market, Indonesia (Image credit: Abdul Gapur Dayak / The CEWE Photo Award)

“The travel and culture category always provides some of the most beautiful and standout images as they offer a really unique perspective of the wonders people see all across the world," said Clare Moreton, photo expert at CEWE UK. "If you’re looking ahead to your next traveling adventure, these photos are sure to provide you with an array of inspiration".

One of the largest free to enter photo contests in the world, the CEWE Photo Award aims to connect photo enthusiasts around the globe and showcase and celebrate the Earth's beauty. CEWE also generously donated €0.10 for every singular entry received into the photo competition to SOS Children’s Villages, an independent global charity working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children across the world.

The full gallery of the best CEWE travel and culture category 2021 images can be found on its website, along with general information about the CEWE Photo Award.

The contest will return in May 2022 for its fifth edition.

A staff writer for Digital Camera World, Beth has an extensive background in various elements of technology with five years of experience working as a tester and sales assistant for CeX. After completing a degree in Music Journalism, followed by obtaining a Master's degree in Photography awarded by the University of Brighton, she spends her time outside of DCW as a freelance photographer specialising in live music events and band press shots under the alias 'bethshootsbands'.

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