The world is full of such amazing destinations and beautiful places to visit, it can be quite difficult to make a list of the best ones. Thinking of a traveler who, for whatever reason, has never set foot outside of their hometown, where can they go first?
The list of the world's best places to visit includes great cities like New York, Paris, London, and more, each packed with a multitude of different sites or must-see places to visit. The list also includes specific sites, monuments and places, each worthy of a visit in its own right.
1.Machu Picchu, Peru
Located in the Andes mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is now considered a sacred royal retreat for the Incan rulers. Built in the 15th century AD and abandoned after less than 100 years, the remote site continues to amaze with its perfectly fused, mortarless, intricate stonework. Huge multi-ton blocks of stone are completely intertwined with each other, without the use of mortar or cement.
The journey to Machu Picchu usually begins in the mountainous city of Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco is a fascinating place to explore—be sure to spend a few days there before or after your Machu Picchu adventure.
It is possible to hike the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The full hike takes five days, but you can also start closer and take one-, two- or three-day hikes along the trail. Most people take the train from Cusco, which takes about three and a half hours.
2. Grand Canyon, Arizona
With geology formed over the past two billion years, yes Arabia, the 277-mile-long canyon is thought to have started about five to six million years ago. It was formed by the current of the Colorado River, which still flows through it and continues to erode the geology along its course. The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide and up to a mile deep in places. Imagine standing on the shore, looking at a huge rock wall about a mile from the river below.
Most visitors flock to the area referred to as the South Rim, and there are a variety of accommodations available, from tents to a rustic luxury canyon-side resort made of logs. There are a few accommodations on the far North Rim, and these are reserved years in advance.
Many visitors access the canyon via the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which runs through downtown Williams, Arizona. The 64 miles of rail line provide a recreational way to reach the canyon, complete with food and live music. For those driving, Canyon is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive north from Phoenix (or south from Las Vegas).
3. Rome, Italy
The Eternal City is like a huge, living museum. Visitors are immersed in and immersed in thousands of years of history. It's a relatively compact city, and the three-day itinerary gets you down to a minimal amount of sightseeing.
These must-see sites for any visitor include the Colosseum and the adjacent Roman Forum; Pantheon; and Vatican City, an isolated country in the middle of central Rome.
Take some time to walk around the outskirts of Rome as well. Consider a hike along the Appian Way, a tomb-ridden section of the ancient Roman superhighway, and a visit to one of the aqueduct ruins outside the city.
4. Maui, Hawaii
This Hawaiian island offers a wide variety of experiences to the visitors. You can surf, enjoy a beachside meal at a five-star luxury resort in Wailea, ride a horse across a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park, or hike through the rainforest in the West Maui Mountains. Huh. The natural scenery is amazing—it is truly one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
When it comes to accommodation, there's something here for everyone, from rustic hippie bungalow bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury resort hotels. Wailea has all the luxury resorts—it's like Maui's beachfront Beverly Hills. If you're staying here, be sure to hang out and spend some time in Kihei, where the locals live.
5. Masai Mara, Kenya
Kenya's Masai Mara is an incredibly bio-diverse region and a popular safari destination. This is an opportunity to see the "Big Five" animals (lion, panther, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) during one visit or, if you're lucky, over the course of an afternoon.
The protected Masai Mara National Reserve Park area is vast, with more than 1,500 square kilometers of mainly grassland, extending all the way to the Serengeti Plain of Tanzania. Popular times to visit are during the twice-yearly migration, the main ones being in July and August. More than a million wildlife and other animals cross the area in huge groups to move from one feeding area to another. Most visitors fly into Nairobi, then take a small bush plane for the kill.
6. Montreal, Canada
As you hear the sound of French spoken around you and explore Old Montreal, wandering its narrow cobblestone streets—you might think you're in France. The historic area is full of quaint shops and cafes; This Canadian city could be your chance to experience a bit of Europe in North America.
The city also has a thriving food scene, with several popular farmers markets, including Atwater Market and Jean Talon Market. It is also known for its bagels, cooked hot and fresh by several reputed bakeries.
Be sure to visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica and drive up to Mount Royal, the large hill (or lower mountain) named after the city. You will be rewarded with some amazing views stretching up to the harbour.
7. New Zeland
New ZelandDue to its alluring natural beauty, friendly citizens, and recent popularity due to its use as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings movies (as well as many others), this island nation is one of the great places in the world. The biodiversity here is amazing – New Zealand is believed to be one of the last places on Earth for human inhabitants.
Begin your journey in the capital Auckland with its culture, history and museums. Spend some time on the water and at the beach—Watemata Harbor has beaches, as well as an array of sailing and boating activities.
Visit the Rotorua area to learn about and experience indigenous Maori culture, and visit Queenstown to experience the country's wide array of outdoor extreme action sports. Remember, this is where bungee jumping was invented.
8. Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey's capital city is another destination that offers a great mix of culture, food, and history. It has thousands of years of history, starting with the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans, all the way back to the Ottoman Empire.
It is an Islamic country with a secular government, so it is a good place for Western tourists to experience Islamic culture. There's a mix of the new and the timeless, unlike anywhere else. You can spend the night in an amazing restaurant, eating great Turkish food and dancing to Turkish music, then wake up (very early) to the sound of azan or the early morning Islamic call for prayer. It echoes on the roofs of the city's mosques when broadcast from loudspeakers atop the minarets.
Istanbul has excellent public transportation, which means it's easy to get around and see all the major sites and monuments. Must see Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and mausoleum for the Khmer ruler in the early part of the 12th century and was converted into a Buddhist temple in the late 12th century. Just a part of a huge ancient city. Angkor Wat is the temple area, Angkor Thom was the city and palace area. There are hundreds of other ruin sites in the area, which are part of the ancient capital, Angkor.
Siem Reap and its temples and ruins are now very easily accessible via daily flights from Hong Kong and other major Asian cities. Accommodations range from cheap guesthouses to luxurious luxury resorts, with everything in between.
10. London, England
This historic English city is another destination full of incredible places to see. A trip to London is an opportunity to visit iconic places like Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Tower of London.
Take advantage of being the city's cultural center by watching a West End theater show or watching a musical performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Modern London is also a city of fine dining, luxury hotels and world-class shopping.
Don't forget to check out the museums, the huge British Museum is free, and usually quite crowded. Take time to visit The Wallace Collection, a free museum on Oxford Street. It houses the world's largest collection of furniture and porcelain, along with some important Old Master paintings.
11. Manhattan, New York
No other city in the world offers the frenetic energy of New York City. It's filled with some of the best shopping and dining in the world, along with incredible museums.
Manhattan also has a huge green heart, Central Park. No matter the season, it provides a playground for the city's residents, offering a range of activities from museums to zoos. There is also plenty of green space where you can run for miles, bike, and ska as well as play and relax.
12. Paris, France
No visit to the French capital is complete without a visit and visit to its most iconic structure. The 300-metre tall Eiffel Tower was, quite simply, the world's tallest man-made structure, from its opening in 1889 to 41 years until 1930.
Use your journey as a stair workout and climb the 300 steps up the tower to the first three levels from ground level. If you're in good shape, climb another 300 steps to the second level. Then get on the lift here to go to the top. In addition to the workout, you'll also spare most of the crowd who want to take the lift all the way.
13. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a truly unique American city and one of the world's great vacation destinations. Explore its hills, ride the cable cars that climb them, and eat some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. Also spend some time exploring Marin County, which includes the picturesque town of Sausalito, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The towering redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument are only 30 minutes away and well worth a side trip.
Be sure to take the time to drive or, even better, to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. This monument of modern engineering genius spans the strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. About two miles long, the six-lane bridge connects the northern California city with Marin County.
Opened in 1937, the bridge has a unique, geometric beauty and can be seen from several areas on either side of it. The mountainous portion of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area has some great views from the Marin Headlands, a national park that includes areas on either side of the bridge.
14. Hong Kong
Asia's largest city can feel like an Asian Manhattan, with towering skyscrapers in a compact area and a serious focus on business. But venture deeper, and you'll find the city's unique blend of ancient Chinese culture and remnants of its British colonial history. The gleaming skyscrapers are built with hand-assembled bamboo scaffolding in a mix of new and old.
The city is divided into two main sections: Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, separated by Victoria Harbour. Take the Star Ferry across the harbour, still one of the great deals of traveling, while still having spectacular views on either side. You can also venture into more rural areas to discover less populated outlying islands, hiking trails, and beautiful beaches.
15. Marrakesh, Morocco
Begin your Marrakech adventure in Jemaa al-Fna, the main, open square of the Moroccan city. It is the gateway to the medina or the old walled city. The class offers a relentless display of humanity like nowhere else in the world. There are musical performers, snake charmers, monkey trainers, amateur boxing matches and transvestite belly dancers.
It's also home to a huge food market, as well as a huge antiques market and swap meet. You can also get a haircut or get some dental work done. At night, there are fire exhibits, and an outdoor food fair is set up in the center, with rows of food stalls in front of counters with chairs.
This exotic African destination is only a short flight (usually less than four hours) from most major European cities. As a popular getaway destination, there are frequent flights available. Accommodations range from riotous, traditional homes built in luxury boutique hotels in the medina to five-star luxury resorts outside the city in an area called La Palmerai.