25 Places You Need To Visit Before You Die
(1) Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
There are three huge pyramids rising above a desert plateau near Cairo. The most popular of them is the Great Pyramid. These pyramids are among the seven wonders of the world. Three pharaohs from Egypt supervised tens of thousands of laborers, who built iconic structures in Giza over a gap of 70 years during the Fourth Dynasty (2575–2465 BCE) 4,500 years ago.
The Giza Pyramids were for three generations of Egyptian kings. The oldest of the three, Khufu was the father of Khafre and Khafre was Mencure’s father. Each pyramid is considered to be the last resting place of the king who built it. Giza pyramids were tombs for royalty.
(2) The Grand Canyon, USA
The Grand Canyon has two distinct regions. It is a long four and a half hour drive to get from one rim to another, so plan carefully. If you are going to the North Rim, flying to Las Vegas is the fastest, four and a half hour drive from the park. If you’re going for the South Rim, it’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Phoenix.
Walk to Grand Canyon National Park, and the earth falls away into the expanse of peaks, plateaus and valleys and is so vast that it can deviate. In the desert landscape, water can be the most stunning scene. The turquoise streams completely drain from the crimson rocks and waterfall through the travertine pool.
(3) Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is India’s most famous monument, located on the banks of the Yamuna River in city of Agra. Every year, millions of people from all over the world admire its beauty and hear the story behind its construction. If you are considering a vacation in India, there is no reason not to search for this beautiful site.
Between 1632 and 1653, Shah Jahan, the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire built the world-famous Taj Mahal between the 16th and 18th centuries in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of the Taj Mahal would not be possible without the teamwork of architects, stonmen, sculptors, dome builders, carpenters and other workers.
(4) Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is over 2,300 kilometers off the Queensland coast of Australia. It is the largest coral reef system in the world present in the Coral-Sea, which itself consists of 2,900 reefs and 940 islands. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is 345,000 square kilometers in size, five times larger in size than Tasmania.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is home to 1,500 species of reef fishes, 411 types of hard coral and 134 species of sharks and rays. It is also home to seven such species of sea turtles and 30 types of marine mammals in the world, which are on the verge of extinction. UNESCO declared it as World Heritage Site by in 1981.
(5) Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
Uyuni’s main reason for existence is the entrance to the world’s largest and truly impressive salt flats – Salar de Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni is one of the most unique landscapes that you will once feel inspiring and energetic. Across the salt crust that spans more than 10,000 square kilometers, you can see the mesmerizing and eternal white surface.
Pyramids pass through salt mounds, ground-sliding eyes and perspective-bending horizons. A trip to an island in the middle of a salt flat offers a spectacular grand panoramic view. Here you will relax on the island and enjoy delicious local cuisine. Go back to the salt surface to enjoy the changing horizons as the light changes.
(6) Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, AKA ‘The Old Mountain’, was discovered one hundred years ago by an American historian named Hiram Bingham, a local historian. Climbing the famous mountain on the postcard behind Machu Picchu is a challenge that the more fearless person would not like to miss outside. If this sounds like you, then you will need to buy a special pass for this trip.
Entry into the mountain is only for two daily routes, which accept 200 people at 07:00 and 10:00 respectively. The difficulty level is moderate to high. The climb takes about 45 minutes. If you have the time and sufficient level of physical fitness, you can choose to climb the famous Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun).
(7) Antelope Canyon, USA
Antelope Canyon was formed as a result of wind and water erosion and offers visitors an interesting science lesson on how Mother Nature is always changing the façade of the land. Due to repeated flooding, Antelope Canyon can only be seen through guided tours due to extreme danger. It has become the most photographed and most visited slot canon.
The Antelope Canyon, located within the Leche Chapter of the Navajo Nation is actually two distinct basins, the Upper Valley and the Lower Valley. The upper valley is the Navajo as Tsé bighánílíní. It is a narrow passage. The lower valley is Hazdistazi. It is a shallow V-shaped canyon that makes trekking more difficult for visitors.
(8) Petra, Jordan
Petra is an ancient city in the middle of the Arabian desert of southern Jordan. It reveals its magnificent archaeological past in addition to its profound chronological history. Its location in the desert means that the natives need to develop to obtain water and other resources. Its architecture has helped make it one of the new 7 wonders of the world.
Located in the desert valley of southwestern Jordan, Petra was the capital of ancient Nabataean civilization. Spread over 102 square miles, Petra is an incredible site that attracts more than a million tourists in 2019. Archaeologists excavated only 15% of the site, so an amazing 85% of it is still in underground.
(9) Pamukkale, Turkey
Every year two million tourists visit Pamukkale. White travertine cascades were created to resemble the water springs and rooftops of frozen springs reacting with the wind. Romans founded the magnificent Hirepolis near Travertine. UNESCO included those unique travertines and ancient ruins in the World Heritage List.
The natural beauty created over thousands of years is so delicate. Therefore only some areas are open for paddling or dipping. Those seeking treatment should arrange a longer stay in Pamukkale to enjoy balan treatments, mud baths and massages at thermal spa resorts around the city of Antiquity and Travertine.
(10) Great Blue Hole, Belize
The real name of “The Great Blue Hole” was coined by British diver and writer Ned Middleton after living in Belize for 6 months. He argued in his book “Ten Years Underwater” that if Australia could have ‘The Great Barrier Reef’, Belize might also have ‘The Great Blue Hole’ – thus This facility can be installed separately.
This hole is circular in shape and is 300 meters and 125 meters deep across it. It is the largest natural construction of its kind in the world and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System. Scientists believe that these structures built in a dry cave above sea level during the ice age. The tour usually includes a dive at the Blue Hole and a dive at the Half Moon Wall.
(11) Santorini, Greece
The climate of Greece with hot summers and nature of its people that captivate tourists in every part of Greece. Santorini has its own distinctive features that make it popular and worthy of interest all over the world. Its world famous volcano formed the island and gave it its present shape and geography from a large volcanic eruption.
The architecture of Santorini’s whitewood edifice, blue dome, candy-colored houses creating jaw-dropping images that look like picture postcards. A stay at a world-class hotel with an infinity pool and a jacuzzi, will transform journey into a beautiful experience. Santorini is the perfect place to relax and have a dream holiday.
(12) Marble Caves, Chile
The marble caves (also known as Capillas de Merol) are one of the best destinations in the Patagonia region of Chile. These beautiful caves are situated in the midst of General Carrera Lake and can be reached only by boat or kayak. The marble caves of Chile are one of the most extraordinary places in South America.
Magnificent marble caves built over the last 6000+ years, as the meltwater from the surrounding glaciers melts General Cara Lake. Over thousands of years, the waters of this mineral-rich glacier changed the color and shape of the marble caves to the beautiful look of blues, greens, blacks and yellows.
(13) Skaftafell Ice Cave, Iceland
Ice caves are naturally constructed during the warm months of the year. Sometimes ice caves can be built in a single location for several years in a row, while others just stay for a few weeks or months. This Ice Cave starts at the Skaftafell Terminal Tour Center. The terminal is the last place to use any snacks, drinks, or restrooms before heading to the glacier.
Your Glacier Guide will explain how to wear and use glacier equipment, as well as a quick safety briefing. Conditions on the glacier are ever changing, so no ice cave visits or glacier hikes are the same. During the glacier hike you will enter a world of magical ice, exploring Craves, Moulin and as much blue ice as possible.
(14) Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone National Park is over approximately 2.2 million acres, with more than 300 thermal features and 200 waterfalls. UNESCO declared Yellowstone National Park as a World Heritage Site. Many visitors come to take a walk on the many trails of the park, swim in the hot springs, watch natural geyser occurrences and observe the local wildlife.
Yellowstone National Park welcomes over 3 million visitors each year who come to witness the Old Faithful Eruption, Mammoth Hot Springs steam and hundreds of clay bot bubbles. The park is beautiful in the summer months, but a visit during the off-season will mean less crowds.
(15) Bagan, Myanmar
The plantation grounds, on the eastern bank of the mighty Irrawaddy River in central Burma, are home to an area of approximately sixteen square miles and the most extraordinary temples in the world. Built mostly in the 11th and 12th centuries, there were originally over 10,000 religious structures here.
The shape of each building and each element of their architecture has an importance and spiritual meaning in Buddhism. There are two basic types: Stupa-style concrete temples and the Gu-style Hollow Temple. The stupa represents the Buddhist universe, its shape symbolizing the sacred Mount Meru.
(16) Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia lies in the middle of the once active volcanic region of central Anatolia. Millions of years ago its three mountains – Erciyes, Hasandağ and Güllüdağ – were active volcanoes. The eruption of the volcano was so strong that in some places the thickness of the lava was up to 150 meters.
Over many millions of years, volcanoes, wind, rain, and snow have formed the region we now know as Cappadocia. Locals refer to these unique rock formations “the fairy chimney”, a name that has endured throughout the ages. Cappadocia offers visitors an extraordinary and lavish feast of natural wonders that exceeds their imagined imaginations.
(17) Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is a massive stone monument, situated in a Cholki plain north of the modern city of Salisbury, England. Research shows that the site has developed continuously over a period of about 10,000 years. This structure was built about 5,000 and 4,000 years ago and was part of a larger sacred landscape consisting of massive stone monuments.
The largest of Stonehenge’s stones, known as Saracens, are up to 30 feet (9 m) across and weigh an average of 25 tons. It is widely believed that they were brought from Marlborough Downs 20 miles (32 kilometers) north. The small stones, referred as “bluestones” range up to 4 tons and come from many different sites in West Wales.
(18) Benagil Cave, Portugal
One of the biggest natural attractions in the south of Benagil Caves are Portugal, Algarve region. Filled with amazing beaches, high quality golf areas and the best restaurants, it is the best European holiday destination. It is located in Lagos municipality and is very centrally located in Algarve.
Reaching the Benagil Caves, there are many different options to suit each person’s choice. You can take a boat, a kayak, a stand up paddle (SUP) or even swim on your own. However, swimming can be difficult if you do not have good physical fitness. There is also the possibility by going directly to Benagil beach by car and getting a local tour.
(19) Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Whitehaven Beach is found on the island of Whitsunday – the largest in the chain making up Whitsunday Island. Spread over a range of 7 km, 98% pure, small silica pearls make brilliant sand, making it shiny white. It makes the perfect sand for a walk on the beach without burning the soles of your feet.
The beauty of the beads also makes it perfect for a free spa day at the beach. The Nigaro indigenous tribes, who call the Whitsunday Islands home, called Whitehaven Beach the ‘Whispering Sands’. Whitehaven Beach is truly unique which forms the Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach. The beach has plenty of wildlife and marine life to see.
(20) Easter Island, Chile
Scuba diving is very popular on Easter Island and there are many spectacular diving sites off the rocky coast of the island. Most tourists want to see Moi resting on the ocean floor. The island’s landscape is barren and devoid of trees, making the presence of moi a unique cultural phenomenon.
It is 1289 miles from Pitcairn Island and 2182 miles from the Chilean coast. Only LAN Airlines flies daily to Easter Island from Santiago, Chile. You have to add a 6-hour flight to whatever time it takes to reach Santiago, the capital of Chile. Easter Island will not be mentioned in your flight destination and ticket. Rather it would call the island’s Spanish name Isla de Pascua.
(21) Vaadhoo, Maldives
Vaadhoo Island, in the center of the archipelago, is a paradise island with translucent waters. But the visitors upstairs wait for night to catch sight of an incredible event. As the sun sets, the rippling waves of the island’s shoreline glow flickering phosphorescent. They form an imaginary sea of glowing blue stars, like the night sky reflected in the ocean waves.
Vaadhoo Island is located 8 km (5 mi) from Male International Airport, the main airport of the Maldives. Tourists can reach the island in about 15 minutes by speedboat. Like many destinations in the Maldives, the island is also a center of attraction for snorkeling and diving, where corals and various forms of marine life can be discovered.
(22) Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Khmer kings from Angkor ruled over a vast domain that extended from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures seen in Angkor today all have more than 100 stone temples, which are the remnants of a magnificent religious, social and administrative metropolis.
Scholars believe that the geographical location of the Angkor complex and the arrangement of its temples were based on the sacred geography of planetary geography since antiquity. The temple at Phnom Bakheng has around 108 towers. Another mysterious fact about the Angkor complex is the location of longitude 72 degrees east of the Pyramids of Giza.
(23) Bamboo Forest, Japan
The Sagano bamboo forest is one of the most attractive natural environments in the whole of Japan. The forest covers an area of 16 square kilometers and is a popular destination for tourists. When the wind blows among its many bamboo trees, it makes a beautiful, musical sound.
These long bamboo trunks provide an ideal walking environment and people can also stop visiting temples. It takes only 1 month for a young plant to reach a height of 20 meters. The largest bamboo stalk can grow to a height of 40 meters. The Japanese believe that bamboo trees protect them from evil spirits, so they guard in many temples.
(24) Meteora, Greece
Located in the center of Greece, Meteora is a large rock house for breathtaking monasteries. Meteora in Greek means “suspended place in the air”, a phrase that fully describes what this site is. Meteora is a group of large rocks of sandstone that formed below sea level 30 million years ago.
Nowadays, twenty-four monasteries, out of the initial twenty-four, still stand. Six of these are open to the public. How the various monasteries were built still remains a mystery, although there are several theories, one of which is the most popular one stating that the stones were brought by comets.
(25) Batu Caves, Malaysia
Malaysia’s Batu Caves are one of the most important Hindu temples in the world. A pleasant tribute to Lord Murugan, who conquered demons in Tamil Hindu lore. The huge staircase leading to the caves is with bright bands of color. Looks like you are climbing a rainbow in the chamber of the gods.
The Batu Caves are easy to get from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. You can take the Laluan Route of Kotar train directly to Batu Caves. Alternatively, you can hop in a taxi. Either option takes less than 30 minutes. Originally, the only way to get the Batu Caves was a difficult journey of 272 knotty wooden steps.