Between the 7 wonders of the world, places that should be considered world wonders and the 7 natural wonders, there are a lot of lists of must-see destinations. Sorting through the noise, here are our definitive picks of not-to-miss destinations that are as gorgeous on the exterior as they are rich in culture for a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip.
1. Great Pyramid of Giza
The only remaining Ancient Wonder from the original list, the Egyptian pyramid dates back nearly 5,000 years. Venture inside one of the Royal Burial Chambers and see the funerary boat of Cheops. View the Great Sphinx of Giza - a monumental statue carved from a single block of stone. The Great Pyramid is the largest of the three pyramids in Giza.
2. Machu Picchu
A physical, cultural and spiritual journey through the Andes Mountains in Peru, Machu Picchu challenges you to trek through nine different biozones, changing altitudes and varied terrain. Be inspired by the majesty of your surroundings and the knowledge that you are following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas. Mysterious and mystical, new discoveries are still being uncovered to this day.
3. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (and 20,000 workers) to honor the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day.
4. Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland is renowned for its water clarity and coral formations that can even be seen from space. The Agincourt Reef lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkeling and is amongst the best in the world for discovering marine life and nature’s beauty, a delicate ecosystem unlike anywhere else on Earth.
5. Timbuktu
Timbuktu, a mysterious city in the West African nation of Mali near the Niger River and the Sahara Desert was a flourishing trading route for salt, gold, ivory and slaves. Today, the Great Mosque known as the Djinguereber Mosque is an important place for gathering and prayer as an intellectual and spiritual capital of Islam.
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