While shopping a couple of standard world lists, we realized one thing wild: we’ve been to each one of the New Seven Wonders, and most of the pure and historical ones too. As full-time vacationers, we’ve made it a mission to expertise locations with deep cultural significance and historical roots.
In this put up, we’ll take you thru private tales from the world’s most extraordinary locations, historical cities, engineering feats, and pure wonders that belong on each journey bucket checklist.
Our Journey Through the World’s Wonders
We’ve spent the previous 20 years touring throughout continents and chasing not simply magnificence, however which means. Some of these wonders have moved us to tears, whereas others have sparked our curiosity to dig deeper into the civilizations that constructed them.
Whether it’s strolling by way of historical temples, standing atop windswept cliffs, or drifting down jungle rivers, these moments outline why we journey.
They’re not nearly seeing one thing spectacular—they’re about understanding humanity’s shared historical past, marveling at our place on Earth, and reminding ourselves that marvel is throughout us. So seize your bucket checklist, open your map, and prepare to add a couple of extra pins.
What Are the 7 Wonders of the World?
The time period “Wonders of the World” refers to lists of the most exceptional artifical and pure landmarks on Earth. While the authentic Seven Wonders of the Ancient World have been chronicled by Greek historians, most of them not exist, apart from the Great Pyramid of Giza.
To replace the idea for the trendy world, the New7Wonders Foundation in Switzerland, held a worldwide vote in 2007, deciding on seven new wonders based mostly on cultural significance, architectural achievement, and common enchantment. These embody iconic locations like Petra, Machu Picchu, and the Great Wall of China. Today, there are additionally acknowledged lists of Natural Wonders and Modern Engineering Wonders—every celebrating humanity’s most important accomplishments and nature’s most breathtaking creations.
New Seven Wonders of The World
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s Treasury is one of the most cinematic sights we’ve ever seen, and sure, it made us really feel like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade. Carved from rose-red cliffs over 2,000 years in the past, the historical Nabatean capital was misplaced for hundreds of years till a Swiss explorer Hiram Bingham arrived in 1812.
This archaeological website tucked into the mountains of southern Jordan is like strolling into historical past. The historical metropolis of Petra, with its carved facades like Al Khazneh, has earned its place on the New Seven Wonders checklist. When we stood earlier than the Treasury, we felt like we have been on a Hollywood set, besides it was actual.
Believed to have been based in historical occasions, Petra is believed to have been a thriving commerce hub as early as 400 B.C. The complicated consists of temples, tombs, and hidden pathways by way of semiprecious stone canyons.
Want to discover Petra in depth? Start right here:
Great Wall of China
Spanning over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China is an historical fortification that winds its manner throughout northern China and by way of historical past. We visited each the Badaling and Mutianyu sections and can confidently say: the aerial view from a drone or cable automobile is unforgettable. Originally constructed throughout the seventh century and expanded in the Ming Dynasty, it’s an engineering feat value mountaineering.
The Great Wall of China is one of the most unbelievable feats of human energy in human historical past. We explored each the Badaling and Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall and took in breathtaking aerial views.
Construction of the Great Wall started in the seventh century BCE and continued by way of the Ming Dynasty, reinforcing the concept that world wonders can span centuries of effort. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a high vacation spot in China and deserves its place all journey bucket lists.
Get impressed to hike the Great Wall:
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Rising above Rio de Janeiro, the Redeemer statue appears to be like out over one of the most gorgeous coastlines on Earth. Construction started in 1926 and took 9 years to full. The white soapstone statue will not be solely an architectural achievement but in addition an emblem of hope and unity.
We noticed it from each the high of the mountaintop and the sky overlooking Mount Corcovado. Over 2 million individuals go to Christ the Redeemer yearly. regardless of which one you select, you’ll be in awe of one of the world’s best vacationer sights.
Roman Colosseum, Italy
Few constructions from the historical world draw crowds like this one. The Colosseum is the most visited monument in Italy. Over six million individuals go to every year! Built with strengthened concrete and travertine, it was a hub for gladiators, fight, public spectacles, and imperial leisure.
Standing inside this complicated, you may virtually hear the roar of the crowd. It’s a reminder of Rome’s energy and its long-standing cultural legacy. It is believed that half one million individuals and practically a million animals died inside its partitions throughout the gladiator fights.
Machu Picchu, Peru
High above the clouds in the Andes, Machu Picchu is an historical metropolis of the Incas shrouded in mist and thriller. Built by the Inca Empire it was used as a retreat in the fifteenth century It showcases agricultural terraces and completely lower stone partitions that defy trendy engineering logic. Machu Picchu really is one of the most lovely locations in the world.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, it is usually one of the most iconic New Seven Wonders of the World. The sense of serenity and connection to the earth is unparalleled.
Start planning your Peru journey:
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Set in the Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá’s El Castillo stands as a mix of science, spirituality, and spectacle. This historical Mayan metropolis aligns with astronomical occasions and showcases good city planning.
It’s one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological websites and a New World Wonder steeped in historical past, astronomy, and artistry.
Discover extra about the Yucatán and Chichén Itzá:
Taj Mahal, India
Agra’s crown jewel, the Taj Mahal, is famed for its white marble symmetry and romantic origin. Built as a royal retreat and tomb by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved spouse, who died giving childbirth in the 1600s, it’s each a spot of mourning and marvel.
Standing at the reflecting pool as the solar hits the marble, it turns into clear why the Taj Mahal is amongst the most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
But be warned, the Taj Mahal is one of the hottest locations to go to in India. More than 8 million individuals go to the Taj Mahal every year, so arrive early and be sure to be one of the first in the complicated at daybreak.
The Natural Wonders That Took Our Breath Away
The Seven Natural Wonders of the World are sometimes neglected in favor of human-made icons, however their grandeur rivals something constructed by man.
Mount Everest, Nepal
At 8,848 meters above sea stage, Everest’s summit touches the edge of outer area. Our trek to Base Camp handed by way of villages steeped in Himalayan tradition. The cultural and religious depth of this area, mixed with its altitude, makes it one of Earth’s most humbling experiences.
Prepare in your trek in Nepal:
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Floating above coral gardens and swimming with vibrant marine life was surreal. The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most intensive coral reef system on the planet. Its life, shade, and scale are unmatched.
From helicopter excursions to diving platforms, this marine ecosystem in Queensland stretches over 344,000 km². Composed of practically 3,000 particular person reefs, it’s teeming with shade, life, and fragility.
Plan your reef journey:
Victoria Falls, Zambia
Compared to Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls is sheer thunder. Known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders) It’s the largest waterfall by quantity in the world. The mist, roar, and scale are not possible to seize in photographs. Millions of individuals go to every year for the entire sensory expertise.
Explore More of Victoria Falls
Rio De Janeiro’s Harbor
Framed by Sugarloaf and Corcovado, this coastal view blends city vibrance with pure drama. It’s uncommon to discover a place the place nature and metropolis collide so fantastically.
Aurora Borealis
The Northern Lights in Canada, Iceland, and Greenland by no means fail to mesmerize. We’ve seen them dance in Alberta and Michigan, portray the sky in electrical waves. Best seen in darkish sky preserves removed from metropolis lights.
Watching the Aurora Borealis ripple throughout a transparent night time sky in Canada is unforgettable. Popular perception might say Iceland is finest, however don’t skip Jasper, Alberta, particularly throughout the Dark Sky Festival.
Read extra about the Aurora Borealis
Grand Canyon
The first time we stood at the South Rim, we have been silent. The Grand Canyon stretches over 440 kilometers, with rock layers that document two billion years of Earth’s historical past. It’s one of the most accessible pure wonders in the U.S., and a testomony to nature’s energy.
Standing at the edge of this huge Arizona chasm seems like gazing into outer area. It’s 1.8 km deep and 446 km lengthy—carved by time and the Colorado River.
Plan your Grand Canyon go to:
Paricutin Volcano
Formed in 1943 and rising over 19 years, this volcano is one of the solely ones whose start was witnessed and recorded by people. Located in Michoacán, it’s a uncommon alternative to hike into geological historical past.
New Seven Natural Wonders
Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines – A surreal subterranean waterway surrounded by jungle.
Table Mountain, South Africa – Towering over Cape Town, it’s a flat-topped marvel seen from all angles, together with Robben Island.
Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina – A thunderous assortment of 275 waterfalls. We explored it at dawn and sundown with no crowds.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam – A seascape of limestone karsts and emerald water, finest seen on an in a single day junk boat.
Amazon Rainforest – The lungs of the Earth, teeming with life and important to our planet’s well being.
Jeju Island, South Korea – A volcanic island with lava tubes and basalt cliffs, incomes it UNESCO World Heritage standing.
Komodo Island, Indonesia – Home to the legendary Komodo dragon. We remorse lacking this whereas in Bali.
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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Great Pyramid of Giza
Out of the three pyramids that make up the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Pyramid is the just one of the Ancient Wonders nonetheless standing. These Ancient Wonders of the World have been chronicled in the Middle Ages, and most now reside on in historical past books.
We’ve visited the remaining marvel of the historical world, twice, and each time it leaves us speechless. This huge tomb close to Cairo is an everlasting thriller.
Explore extra from historical Egypt:
Other misplaced wonders embody:
Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece – A 12-meter sculpture of gold and ivory.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Turkey – Once the largest temple of the historical world.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Turkey – A royal retreat topped with chariots and horses.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Iraq – Possibly legendary, usually debated.
Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt – Guided ships into one of historical past’s busiest harbors.
Colossus of Rhodes, Greece – Towered over the harbor entrance, like a guardian.
Seven Wonders of the Modern World of Civil Engineering
However, there’s one other checklist of wonders of the world, much less well-known however equally exceptional: the Seven Wonders of the Modern World of Civil Engineering, compiled by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). These characterize groundbreaking initiatives that pushed the limits of what people may construct in the twentieth century. Here are the engineering wonders:
Channel Tunnel (England/France) – A 50-kilometer rail tunnel beneath the English Channel that connects the UK to mainland Europe.
CN Tower (Canada) – Once the world’s tallest free-standing construction, this telecommunications tower dominates Toronto’s skyline.
Empire State Building (USA) – A defining image of New York City and one of the earliest skyscrapers to attain over 100 tales.
Golden Gate Bridge (USA) – A surprising suspension bridge in San Francisco identified for its Art Deco design and iconic shade.
Itaipú Dam (Brazil/Paraguay) – One of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams, producing energy for thousands and thousands.
Delta Works (Netherlands) – An modern system of dams and obstacles designed to forestall flooding from the North Sea.
Panama Canal (Panama) – A 77-kilometer waterway that revolutionized world transport by connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
While these engineering wonders aren’t historical or carved into cliff faces, their affect on the trendy world is plain. Each one is a testomony to human innovation, engineering genius, and the need to overcome nature’s challenges for the betterment of world society.
The most generally accepted wonders of the trendy world checklist consists of Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Chichén Itzá, the Roman Colosseum, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and the Great Wall of China.
There are a number of lists, together with the New Seven Wonders, the Seven Wonders of Nature, and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, making at the least 21 widely known websites.
Yes, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is the solely authentic standing of the authentic Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The authentic checklist of the wonders of the world was compiled in the Middle Ages.
Sites are sometimes acknowledged for his or her historic, cultural, or pure significance. Many are UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their excellent worth to humanity.
You can go to all of the New Seven Wonders, and many wonders of nature like the Grand Canyon.
Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Colossus of Rhodes, Ancient Pyramid of Giza
These are the world wonders that impressed us, and why they may encourage you too.