Video: Mainland New Zealand

Shot on New Zealand's South Island, this timelapse video features some great shots of the spectacular landscapes found there. Images were captured near Mount Cook, the Te Anau Basin, and Central Otago, amongst other places. This seems like a fitting way to close out the week, and perhaps inspire a bit of wanderlust at the same time. I hope you enjoy!

Mainland New Zealand from Stephen Patience Photography on Vimeo.

Video: On The Edge of Darkness

Timelapse video of the night skies rarely disappoint, and this video is no exception. Shot over a two-week period in Utah, the images seen here are both awe inspiring and incredibly humbling. The countless starts overhead provide an amazing sense of scale, while the rocky backdrop is spectacular too. This is one of those clips that you'll want to save for future reference, as it is as mesmerizing on subsequent viewing as it is on the first.

The Edge of Darkness (4k Resolution) from Ron Risman on Vimeo.

Video: Patagonia in 8K

Anyone who has ever been to Patagonia will tell you that it is amongst the most stunning landscapes on the planet, and that there is no true way to appreciate it without going there yourself. The next best thing is to capture those landscapes in high resolution video, which is what the filmmaker behind this clip did. He spent six weeks traveling across Chile to shoot this clip in 8K resolutions, which sadly very few of us can actually playback. Still, Patagonia remains incredibly compelling, and as you'll see here, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

PATAGONIA 8K from Martin Heck | Timestorm Films on Vimeo.

Video: Southern Skies in Timelapse

I've often said that the most amazing night skies that I have ever seen in all my travels were found in Chile's Atacama Desert. Due to a a series of unique variables (high altitude, no cloud cover, etc.) it is one of the best places on Earth to watch the heavens, which is why there are numerous observatories there. In this video, we get a not only a brilliant look at the billions of stars overhead, but also the La Silla Observatory itself. This will give you a taste of what it is like there, but honestly it has to be seen first hand to be completely appreciated. Still, this is an amazing video none the less.

Video: The Hidden Beauty of Slovakia

Eastern Europe is filled with some of the most breathtaking landscapes that you could ever hope to see, although many of them are unknown to outsiders. This video takes us to once such location. Known locally as Janošik´s Holes, this place is tucked away inside Mala Fatra National Park in Slovakia. As you'll see, it is a place of indescribable beauty, which happens to derive its name from a legendary bandit by the name of Juraj Janošik who reportedly used this remote location as a hideaway. After watching this clip, you'll get a better understanding why he escaped to this amazing destination. Enjoy.

Video: Life Above 5000 Feet

Shot in western Colorado and parts of Utah, this video captures some of the most spectacular timelapse imagery you could ever hope to see. It features beautiful night skies and amazing landscapes filled with snowcapped peaks, tranquil lakes, and wondrous rock formations. For my money, Colorado and Utah are two of the most beautiful states in the U.S., and that more than shines through here. These are two places that exude adventure, whether you're hiking, climbing, mountain biking, or simply just enjoying scenery. Here is just a taste of what to expect there.

Life Above 5,000ft: Colorado + Utah 2015 from Star Mountain Media on Vimeo.

Video: A Beautiful Timelapse From the Alps

Tomorrow is a rest day in the Tour de France, and after that the big mountains of the Alps will test the riders at long last. To get an idea of what the peloton will face, check out this beautiful video, which features timelapse imagery from Europe's most spectacular mountain chain. Some of these peaks will make a dramatic backdrop for the final few days of the race, which promise to be exciting ones.

Look it was good!! _ Alps from Jojune on Vimeo.

Video: Itatiaia National Park Timelapse

Brazil's first national park is a place called Itatiaia, which was established back in 1937. Known for its rocky, mountainous terrain, the park offers a remote sanctuary for wildlife and a wonderful retreat from the bustling cities of Rio and São Paulo. This video takes us into that amazing place and gives us a great tour of the landscapes that can be found there. The timelapse images on display begin with some general shots of the flora in the park, but later we see the mountains and clouds, and eventually the stunning starscapes that can be found overhead, all set to some peaceful music that fits the mood perfectly.

Itatiaia National Park Time Lapse from Marcius Clapp on Vimeo.

Video: Utah's Stunning Landscapes in Timelapse

Utah has some of the most amazing landscapes in the entire western United States, if not the world. Its rocky, wind-swept expanses, are truly beautiful to behold, often creating an almost otherworldly feel. In this video, you'll get the chance to see some of those iconic places captured in timelapse in stunning fashion. This short video is a marvel to behold, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Remnants from Nate Atwater on Vimeo.

Video: Watch a Chilean Volcano Erupt in Timelapse

We've seen some impressive timelapse videos in recent months, but it is tough to compete with this one. It was shot back in April when the Chilean volcano Calbuco erupted dramatically. That event is caught beautifully in this short two-and-a-half minute clip which gives us a humbling display of the Earth's power. If you have a 4k monitor at your disposal, the video is also available at that resolution. I can only imagine how impressive that must look.

CALBUCO from Martin Heck | Timestorm Films on Vimeo.

Video: Austria in Time Lapse

Austria is one of the more beautiful countries in all of Europe, with alpine settings that can rival any of its neighbors. That is brought home in this video in stunning fashion as we get an amazing look at some of the landscape found there through beautiful time lapse photography. You'll find open meadows, flowing waterfalls, and incredible snowcapped peaks are all part of the montage. The three-minute clip will also be a good reminder to not skip Austria the next time you visit Europe.

Pictures in Motion – an Austrian time lapse movie from Michael Stabentheiner on Vimeo.

Video: Planet Patagonia in 4K

It is often said that Patagonia – the wild region in southern Argentina and Chile – is one of the most spectacularly beautiful landscapes on the planet. It is difficult to argue with that sentiment after watching this clip, which features three-and-a-half minutes of stunning footage from this amazing place. Timelapse images of the Patagonian mountains, rivers, and glaciers show us an almost otherworldly destination that remains as alluring today, as it ever has in the past. To view this lovely clip in its full 4k resolution click here.

Planet Patagonia 4K Time Lapse from HD Nature Video by LoungeV on Vimeo.

Video: The Northern Lights Over Iceland

March of 2015 brought one of the greatest displays of the Aurora Borealis – AKA the Northern Lights – ever seen over the country of Iceland. That light show is captured in stunning fashion in this video, which features six minutes of mesmerizing still and timelapse photos of the skies ablaze with brilliant colors. The Northern Lights remain one of the greatest natural phenomenon found anywhere on the planet, and it never ceases to inspire a sense of awe and wonder. Enjoy.

Litríkur Stormur from Stephane Vetter on Vimeo.

Video: Hong Kong by Timelampse

When we think about Hong Kong, many of us conjure up visions of a massive, thriving city jumping with traffic and millions of people going about their busy lives. While that is true of the Hong Kong's urban center, the city also happens to be surrounded by an incredible amount of natural beauty as well. This video captures some of that setting, showing us that although HK is one of the most vibrant cities on the planet, it is also just a short distance from some outstanding wild spaces too. This timelapse gives us a glimpse of those places, and the beauty that exists there.

4K / UHD "Seen By My Eyes", Hong Kong Time-lapse from Francis So on Vimeo.

Video: The Peak - A Visual Tribute to the Matterhorn

The Matterhorn stands 4478 meters (14,692 ft) in height, and is one of the most iconic mountains in the entire world. Its distinctive look has served as an inspiration for adventure for centuries, and even though it was first climbed back in 1865, it still lures many mountaineers to this day. This video is a visual love letter to that peak. It features striking imagery from the mountain itself, and the surrounding landscapes. While we often cover far flung expeditions to the Himalaya, the Andes, and other mountain ranges on this blog, the Alps remain one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet with plenty of fantastic adventures still taking place there to this day. Enjoy this short film, and marvel at one of the most famous mountains on the planet.

Thanks to the Adventure Journal for sharing this.

the Peak from Christian Mülhauser on Vimeo.

Video: Winter in Lofoten, Norway

Lofoten is an archipelago located in Norway's Nordland district. It is remote, rugged, and beautiful, particularly in the winter. In this video, filmmaker Tommaso Maiocchi takes us to that stunning place and gives us a glimpse of the landscapes found there. His timelapse images show mountains, valleys, coastlines in spectacular fashion, while dramatic skies, complete with rolling clouds and the aurora borealis, hover overhead. This is an enchanting look at a stunning destination that promises adventure for any who visit.

Winter in Lofoten from Tommaso Maiocchi on Vimeo.

Video: The Earth in Motion

This beautiful video uses timelapse images to capture all of the motion that is taking place around us, even if we don't happen to notice it. Stars move across the sky, the wind blows through the trees, rivers and streams flow, and so on. There is movement taking place around us at all times, and it is an indication of life unfolding across the planet. We don't always take the time to recognize the importance of these forces at work, but watching this clip will remind you that they are there. I hope you enjoy.

Move from Aaron Keigher on Vimeo.

Video: Drifting Through Iceland

Iceland is a destination that seems to inspire amazing videos, and this one is no exception. It takes us on a timelapse journey across the breathtaking landscapes of that country, giving us an all-too-brief glimpse of the possibilities for adventure that exist there. It is a spectacular look at a place that remains mostly wild and untamed, even in the 21st century. And it shows us the forces at work that help to keep it that way. If you're ready to escape your surroundings for five minutes, than you'll definitely want to watch this clip. Afterwards, you'll be ready to start booking your travel plans to visit Iceland for yourself.

Drifting Through Iceland from Garðar Ólafsson on Vimeo.

Video: A Photographic Adventure Through Norway

The Arctic north of Norway is the subject of this video, which was shot in February of this year. It does a wonderful job of bringing the landscapes and communities of that part of the world to life through stunning timelapse images. This is a place where winters are long, and harsh, but the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful too. The four minute video captures the spirit of the Norwegian north nicely, and will inspire you to want to visit there too.

ARCTIC NORWAY Photographic Adventure from Marty Melbos on Vimeo.

Video: Stunning Views of Earth From the International Space Station

The International Space Station whizzes by 258 miles (416 km) above us, giving the lucky crew onboard unprecedented views of our planet. Some of those views are captured in this fascinating video, which shares what it is like to view the Earth from orbit. As you can imagine, it is quite a sight, and this "Blue Marble" continues to be a source of beauty and life for us all. This is a great way to end the week. I hope you enjoy these three minutes of shots from space.

Stunning Views of Earth From Space from The New York Times - Video on Vimeo.