(CNN) — Unless they're hilariously bad, we normally steer clear of other people's yawn-inducing vacation snaps.

With a few exceptions.

Each year this event draws staggeringly beautiful images from around the planet that simultaneously fill us with the joy of hitting the road and the despair at our own inferior photography efforts.

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Above we've gathered a selection of some of this year's best entrants so far.

Among them, a glowing desert landscape in Namibia, a colorful Bangkok market, a sub-aquatic landscape and a glorious Tuscan sunrise.

The best could still be yet to come, with the deadline for entries on May 27.

Glory awaits, plus a grand prize that'll take the winner on a seven-day polar bear "photo safari" at the Churchill Wild -- Seal River heritage lodge in Manitoba, Canada.