Temples are OK, but they're truly amazing when they tower out of a jungle cloaked in mist.

Spotting a lion is great, but even greater are the millions of wildebeest trekking across the African plains on an annual migration.

There are some things you can see around the world that have the potential to give you photo-showing rights for decades.

We haven't got them all --- in fact we barely scratched the surface. But we have picked out a few of the scenes that, if you're lucky enough to witness them, will invariably leave you spellbound.  

1. Borobudur at sunrise, Java, Indonesia

Watching the sun rise over the hundreds of stupas and Buddhas at Borobudur before the public descends in droves to disturb the peace is one of the world's most rarefied experiences.

Guests staying within the village compound are allowed to enter this 9th century monument, hidden beneath volcanic ash for centuries, before opening time.

Black Tomato offers three nights bed and breakfast with private sunrise tour at lavish Amanjiwo, decorated with its own Buddhas and stupas, from US$1,195 per person; blacktomato.com

2. Starling murmuration, Brighton Pier, England

They're not exotic, and in the European case they're not even that pretty, but when you have thousands of starlings swooping and wheeling like some kind of hypnotic cloud, they become one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature.

These murmurations happen just before the birds roost down for the night, and while starling numbers have crashed in the UK, you can still see up to a million birds coming together in these huge swarms in England's nature reserves or at certain piers such as Brighton Pier, just an hour's train journey from London.

The murmurations are most common in winter, November being the best month.

See the RSPB website for details on where and when to see them.

3. Northern Lights, Scandinavia

This astronomical phenomenon is best seen in winter from northern Scandinavia --- but there are never any guarantees, which makes the magic moments when they do appear all the more special.

A great place to keep watch is from the sheltered coastal waters of western Norway, whose coves are free of artificial light.

Travel there on Hurtigruten, the country's national coastal steamer, and enjoy inspirational fjord views by daylight.

Six-day voyages from US$735; hurtigruten.com

4. The great migration, East Africa

No sight in the world replicates the timeless drama of tens of thousands of wild beasts charging across the African plains in search of food and water while pursued by their predators.