I've traveled to all 7 continents. Here are the most breathtaking places I've visited on each one.

• I've traveled to all seven continents and have seen some unbelievably gorgeous places.

• I'll never forget seeing the towering mountains in Alaska's Wrangell St.-Elias National Park.

• From the aquamarine water to the animals, the Galápagos Islands are a breathtaking location.

Growing up in a small town in Montana, I only hoped for a day I could hop on a plane and see some of the sights I'd read about in my favorite books.

I certainly never believed I would travel to all seven continents.

But as I got older, I was fortunate enough to find a flexible career in travel and meet a husband who was just as interested in seeing the world as I was.

After visiting all seven continents, here are the most breathtaking places I've visited on each one.

Africa: The Sahara Desert

I love the Sahara Desert so much that I've visited it twice. Camping in the desert and seeing the Milky Way after stepping out of a Berber tent is a memory I'll never forget — every star seemed close enough to touch.

I felt as though I was in a time capsule after enjoying a night by a campfire with the sound of drums, eating traditional tagine (a Moroccan stew with couscous), and riding a camel to my tent.

Endless dunes and the ever-shifting landscape mean you're always experiencing something new, and every view is different than it was the day before.

Antarctica: The Antarctic Peninsula

Kayaking among blue icebergs and friendly penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula offered an experience that simply can't be replicated anywhere else.

The abundance of wildlife and scenery that can only be described as otherworldly made it one of my favorite destinations of all time.

Just when I thought the continent couldn't get any more beautiful, we rounded the corner on our ship to find a new, seemingly untouched corner with pristine glaciers and sleeping seals.

Cliffs and glaciers line the shores in monochromes of black and white, and it's almost impossible to take a bad photo of this barren land.

Asia: The Himalayas

There's something special about being at the top of the world. When my now-husband and I hiked up to Everest Base Camp — where climbers start their ascent up Mount Everest — we encountered impossibly high peaks and stunning scenery.

Not only was it a physical challenge, but it was an emotional one as well. Visiting Nepal has been a major highlight for me because of the beautiful scenery.

The mountains are unimaginably large, and just when you think you've seen the most beautiful view of the trek, another impossibly large peak looms above you.

Australia: Uluru

Compared to Australia's major cities, few people make it to the Australian Outback. In my opinion, however, it's the best part of the continent.

We took a bike trip around Uluru, which was an excellent way to get an idea of the scale and importance of this site, which is sacred to the Aboriginal people.

The most unforgettable part of our trip? The sunsets bathing this famous rock with shades of pink and purple. Along with the red dirt that the area is known for, Uluru looks like a scene made for a photograph.

Europe: Florence, Italy

I was fortunate enough to live in the Florence region of Italy for a year, and I didn't come close to exploring all of the gems this city has hidden away.

I would often pop into a random church to find works by Botticelli or Donatello, and I spent days wandering the streets in search of the perfect scoop of gelato.

Many evenings, I'd wander to Piazzale Michelangelo to catch a sunset view of the entire city from above. From that angle, Florence looked like a work of art itself as the colors of dusk spread over the buildings.

Florence ages like a bottle of fine Chianti — every time I return, I'm reminded of how special it is.

North America: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

One park in Alaska that took me by surprise was Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. As someone who's visited 26 national parks to date, I had written this one off as a side stop on our road trip.

However, when I visited, I was in awe of the towering mountains, herds of caribou running throughout the tundra, and endless opportunities for photography.

The best way to see this ginormous landscape is from the air — I recommend taking a bush plane ride to get the full scope. Seeing the towering mountains covered in glacial ice is still one of my favorite memories I've made traveling.

South America: The Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are a must-see location for any animal lover. Once you arrive, you're basically guaranteed to see wildlife everywhere you look, whether it's on land, in the air, or underwater.

From hilarious boobies to playful sea lions and ancient tortoises, I got personal, one-on-one interactions with some of nature's most intriguing creatures.

Just be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from the animals at all times, as mandated by Galápagos National Park.

Combined with aquamarine water, rugged coasts, and surprisingly beautiful beaches, the Galápagos Islands are a place you need to see to believe.

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