Take a look at your travel bucket list; you might miss some of the places you must visit at least once in your lifetime. The Earth is filled with ancient cities carved into rock and otherworldly-like landscapes you’ll never believe you stepped into. We’ve scoured the globe to see expert recommendations for a list of 10 unforgettable places. Who knows? You might step foot into one of these places by the holidays.
10. The Lost City of Petra (Jordan)
Imagine setting foot in a city that’s carved into red and pink sandstone cliffs. That’s the beauty of Petra, which was once a trade hub for the Nabataean kingdom from 400 B.C., before it got lost to the Western world for centuries. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, then walk through the narrow Siq to get a glimpse of the Treasury that was featured in the film’s Last Crusade franchise.
9. Evolution in the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
The Galápagos Islands are one laboratory of evolution. It’s a place where you get to see up close the wildlife that you’ve only seen on TV. This is actually where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. Swim with the playful sea lions or watch those giant tortoises roam freely. Don’t miss your chance to catch the Galápagos penguin, which is the only penguin species found north of the equator.
8. Hike the End of the World in Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
How cool is it that you get to hike to the “end of the world?” Well, the world has no end, but it’s famously known as that because of its remote location. Take an adventure to Patagonia and experience the untamed wilderness at the southern tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. It’s a land full of granite peaks, massive glaciers, and plains. Visit the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and the Pepito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, where you can actually hike. It’s a river of ice and is one of the few glaciers in the world still advancing.
7. Thrill Seekers’ Adventure in Queenstown (New Zealand)
If you’re a thrillseeker, Queenstown is the place for you since it’s the adventure capital of the world. It’s actually the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping. Not only that, you can choose to go jet boating in narrow canyons or swing on a giant canyon swing. You can also take a scenic flight or cruise in Milford Sound, which is a fjord where mountains plunge into dark waters. This fjord has a unique ecosystem where a layer of dark glacial water sits on top of the salty ocean.
6. Find Zen in the Temples of Kyoto (Japan)
If you want a break from work and the crazy city life, then visit Kyoto, Japan, and get immersed in its ancient traditions. There are over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines to explore. You can choose to wander in the vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine or find peace in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. You can also spot a geisha in their historic Gion district.
5. Underwater World at the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, which can be seen from outer space. If you love diving, then better add this to your bucket list as you get to see vibrant colors with thousands of species swimming, including fish, turtles, sharks, and corals. The Great Barrier Reef isn’t actually a continuous reef but a massive piece with over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch to more than 1,400 miles.
4. The Great Migration in Serengeti (Tanzania)
A safari in the Serengeti is the dream of every wildlife documentary fan. The ecosystem in Tanzania is home to the planet’s most amazing spectacle of the Great Migration. Every year, over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, make a journey in the plains in search of fresh grazing land and water. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to see the “Big Five,” which are lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, in their natural habitat.
3. Soak in the Sun in Santorini (Greece)
Don’t miss the opportunity to see Santorini as you used to find it in postcards. The island is famous for its whitewashed villages that cling to cliffs and blue-domed churches. There’s also a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea wherever you look. Santorini is also the site of the largest volcanic eruption recorded in history, which created the crescent-shaped caldera visible today.
2. Explore the Land of Fire and Ice (Iceland)
Iceland is the country where you’ll get to see glaciers in volcanic landscapes and the famous Northern Lights. Hike across ancient glaciers or soak in geothermal lagoons like the Blue Lagoon. One fun fact about Iceland is that it has no native mosquito population, which makes tourists free to explore the outdoors. It’s also one of the few places on Earth where you can dive or snorkel between two tectonic plates at the Silfra fissure, which makes you touch two continents at once.
1. Hike to the Lost City of Machu Picchu (Peru)
Up high in the Andes Mountains of Peru lies the famous Machu Picchu. It’s a mysterious lost city of the Incas that was built in the 15th century and abandoned a century later. It was actually hidden from the outside world until it was discovered in 1911. The journey to catch the sight is by hiking the Inca Trail or taking a scenic train ride. Surprisingly, its builders, who are the Incas, left no written records about the place, which remains a mystery.