Malbork Castle in Poland

Malbork Castle – World’s Largest Brick Gothic Castle, Poland

Malbork Castle, also known as the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is a monastery, built in 1276 by a crusading military order. The medieval brick castle complex is constructed in the unique Teutonic Order style. The Teutonic order was a Catholic religious order of Germany, made up of crusaders known as the Teutonic Knights. The knights named the castle Mary’s Castle (Marienburg), after their patron saint.

Malbork is a town in northern Poland, though the castle was built in the 13th century when the region was part of Prussia as a fortified monastery. In 1309, the Grand Master moved to Malbork from Venice, making the Malbork Castle the seat of the Grand Master. At this point, the monastery was expanded. Malbork Castle is now the largest castle in the world in surface area, as well as the largest brick building in Europe.

There are three castles on the compound – the High Castle, the Middle Castle, and Lower Castle, as well as various moats and towers. Visitors to the castle can pay an extra fee to climb one of the towers, offering great views of the grounds.

The castle has been damaged several times and restored again throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It was damaged during WWII and then restored again. There are some original parts of the castle left. Restoration efforts have paved the way for conservation practices around the world. The restorations have been used as a way to conserve the techniques for medieval building construction and medieval art, making Malbork Castle a monument to conservation itself.

Audio guide tours of the castle are available in several languages, or you can hire a guide to show you around the building to get the most out of your time there.

La Sagrada Familia

Exemplary Art and Architecture at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

La Sagrada Familia, or its full name Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia in Catalan (in English meaning “Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family”) is an awe-inspiring work of art and architecture located in Barcelona, Catalonia in Spain. The work of the distinct and one-of-a-kind artist and architect, Antoni Gaudi, a native of Catalonia, La Sagrada Familia is one of the city’s major draws, along with other work by Gaudi.

La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic basilica, initially the concept of Josep Maria Bocabella, a Catalan who visited the Vatican and was inspired to bring some of that back home. Construction began on the church’s crypt on March 19, 1882, with architecture designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar, with a plan to become a Gothic revival church. Villar retired from the project a year later on March 18, 1883, and Gaudi took over from there, transforming the church into his own unique style until his death in 1926. When Gaudi died, La Sagrada Familia was less than a quarter of the way completed.

After his death, Domenec Sugranes i Gras continued the work, followed by a series of other architects. Gras worked according to Gaudi’s plans, but during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, many of the plans were destroyed in a fire.

Construction on the basilica continues even today. Currently heading the project is Jordi Bonet i Armengol, who began using modern technology in the design and construction. Stones that had formerly been shaped by hand are now being shaped by machines.

The design of La Sagrada Familia features interpretations of many architectural styles, including Gothic and Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism and Noucentisme, though Gaudi took his architectural design to levels never seen before or after. Gaudi’s design plans for 18 spires – though not all have been built thus far. The 18 spires represent the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ – the tallest spire.

The design also features three major façades, representing the Nativity scene facing east, the Passion scene on the west, and the Glory façade will face south when it is completed. The Nativity façade was the first to be constructed from 1894 and 1930. It shows the scene of Jesus’ birth, and faces the rising sun. The Passion façade is much simpler, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, and faces the setting sun. The Glory facade is the largest and newest, only beginning construction in 2002. The Glory façade, while generally outlined by Gaudi, was intended by the architect to evolve and be shaped by later designers long after his death. The final facade will feature the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues, and is dedicated to the Final Judgment and the Celestial Glory of Jesus.

Work on the Sagrada Familia is estimated to finally be complete in 2026 – 100 years after its mastermind, Gaudi’s death. Other estimates place the date of completion in 2028.

Nelson’s Column

Nelson’s Column at the Trafalgar Square, London

Nelson’s column happens to be one of London’s most legendary monuments. The monument was built as a befitting tribute to Lord Nelson who was instrumental in Britain’s hard fought victory in the famous Battle of Trafalgar.

The monument was built in the year 1840 and towers to a height of 185 feet and is defended by four hefty lions at its base, which are made of bronze. The monument was designed by W. Railton and is similar to the column of the famous Corinthian temple – Mars Ultor of Rome.

Mr. Railton choose the Corinthian design for building this colossal monument primarily due to the fact that such a lofty and graceful column was never used in Britain. Also, it was felt that a monument of stupendous dimensions alone would be the best way to honor one of England’s legendary war heroes.

It is to be noted that Admiral Nelson had won not one, but four outstanding battles for his country and to achieve victory he had to pay the ultimate prize – death, during the Battle of Trafalgar. For building the monument, the finest varieties of Granite were brought from the coast of Devon. The figure of Admiral Nelson is made out of the rare variety of stone, which was gifted by the Duke of England. The pedestal is raised and the angles are made of massive blocks. From the pinnacle if one looks down, the quintessential hustle and bustle as also the colorful shops and restaurants dotting the Trafalgar Square make for a kaleidoscopic vignette.

SeaWorld, San Diego

Sea World, San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is a marine animal theme park in San Diego, California. With rollercoasters, water rides, and animal exhibits, SeaWorld is a popular destination for families to spend the day in southern California.

The Bayside Skyride, a gondola ride over Mission Bay, and the Sea World Sky Tower, offer panoramic views of San Diego and the bay near the park. The Journey to Atlantis attraction is a flume ride and rollercoaster themed for the lost city of Atlantis. The park’s raft ride, called Shipwreck Rapids, takes riders through the wild turtle exhibit and right through a waterfall, while Manta is Sea World’s biggest thrill ride.

Animal exhibits at SeaWorld include dolphins, killer whales, Beluga whales, Pacific Walruses, penguins, polar bears. Animal interactions take place at Rocky Point Preserve in Dolphin Cove, where visitors can interact with dolphins, and California sea otters.

CN Tower in Canada

CN Tower in Canada

CN Tower, originally named for Canadian National Tower, the railway company that built it, is a communications tower used for broadcasting various media, and an observation tower. At the time it was built, the tower was the world’s tallest, but it was surpassed by Burj Khalifa and Canton Tower.

The CN Tower has been called one of the seven modern wonders of the world for its extreme height. A glass elevator takes visitors to the observation deck, where a glass floor allows brave visitors to look 1,122 feet straight down below them. The 360 Restaurant slowly revolves, allowing diners to catch the 360 degree skyline view.

Thrill seekers at the CN Tower can check out EdgeWalk, an attraction in which individuals are harnessed and connected to a trolley, allowing them to lean out over the edge of the tower’s main pod.

Navy Pier in Chicago

Navy Pier in Chicago

The top tourist attraction in Chicago, Navy Pier is an entertainment center of the city. Navy Pier extends out onto the Lake Michigan, and features rides and attractions, restaurants, theaters, museums, and souvenir shops. The pier’s amusement park, Pier Park, offers a Ferris wheel, carousel, and swings to entertain while providing great views of the city. Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze completes the carnival atmosphere, while Chicago Children’s Museum is a fun and educational way to spend a day.

Navy Pier hosts live entertainment performances and various expositions throughout the year, like the Strictly Sailboat show and the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Designated a National Monument in 1915, Dinosaur National Monument contains dinosaur fossils like the Allosaurus and Stegosaurus that were found there at the park. The dinosaurs were buried in the area, brought by a flood millions of years ago. Over time, the dinosaurs were covered with sandstone and sediments, which eventually formed rock. Many years later, the rock was eroded and in 1909, paleontologists discovered the fossilized remains of the dinosaurs and other animals.

Today, more than 1,500 dinosaur bones can be viewed in the rock wall of Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. In addition to the dinosaur fossils, there are petroglyphs and pictographs from the Native Americans who once called the region home.

Visitors to the monument can go hiking at the Gates of Lodore, go rafting down the rapids of the Green River, and go backcountry camping.

Panama Canal

Panama Canal

The Isthmus of Panama connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the Panama Canal allows ships to pass through and access the West Coast of the United States. The Panama Canal, finished in 1915, was an important part of history, taking many years and several rounds of planning to accomplish.
There are two local museums devoted to the history and construction of the Panama Canal, one at Casco Antiguo, and another at Miraflores Locks. The museums exhibit the engineering marvels that were accomplished during the building of the canal, and explain the technical parts of the canal.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel), Paris , France

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is one of the most iconic structures in the world, visited by over 7 million people annually, making it the most visited paid attraction. Constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair and over 80 stories tall, at 320 meters (1,050 feet) high.

Visitors can take the stairs and elevator up to the three levels of observation decks and restaurants in the tower for great views of Paris. The two restaurants in the tower are Le 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne. The Eiffel Tower is a world famous landmark that can be seen from all around Paris.

Great Smoky Mountains national park

Great Smoky Mountains national park

Named so for their misty blue and gray haze, the Great Smoky Mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country’s most visited national park, with over 9 million visitors annually.

The park offers beautiful vistas from Clingmans Dome, hikes along the 70 miles of Appalachian Trail that pass through the park, old growth forests, and plenty of wildlife. Laurel Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park, falling 80 feet (24 meters), and accessed via Laurel Falls Trail. Cades Cove is another popular place to visit within the park. This Historic District features historic cabins, churches, and barns in an isolated community along an eleven mile scenic drive.

Grand Bazaar, Turkey

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul Turkey

One of the world’s first shopping malls, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey is also one of the largest covered markets today. With over 3,000 shops along more than 60 covered streets, it has grown over its long history, and now receives from 250,000 to 400,000 customers each day.

The Bazaar first started around 1455 when the Ottoman Empire took control of then Constantinople (now Istanbul), and the expansions to the shopping center were finished by the early seventeenth century. The strategic location of Istanbul helped make the hub of trade and commerce in the Mediterranean. There are four main gates to the Grand Bazaar – one at each of the two major streets, whose intersection is at the southwest corner of the shopping center.

The market’s streets are named for the items sold in their zones, like jewelry, furniture, carpets, leather goods, clothing, and books. The famous Bazaar is a social meeting place, where the community goes to interact, having discussions over coffee, though there were originally no restaurants at the market. Until the mid-nineteenth century, trade at the market was very different from today, with a lack of competition between sellers and a single fixed price for items.

Today, the structure is being renovated to upgrade its heating and lighting and other facilities. Some argue that has become too westernized in recent history, but there are still many traditional parts to be found.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

The Tower of Pisa is a bell tower, famous for its dramatic tilt to one side. The tower has become an icon of Italy, and millions of tourists flock to the lawns around the tower to take the classic photo pretending to hold up (or knock down) the tower. Visitors can also climb the 294 steps to the top inside the tower.

The tower was not originally intended to lean, but because it was built on soft soils the tower gradually tilted to the side. The Tower of Pisa went through restoration to prevent it from toppling, correcting the angle of tilt from 5.5 degrees to 3.99 degrees.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are a group of pyramids that were constructed around 2560 BC as tombs for Egyptian royals, also called the Giza Necropolis. The pyramids are guarded by the Great Sphinx statue, a lion with a human head carved from limestone, making the largest monolith statue in the world.

The largest of the pyramids, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made building for close to 4,000 years, at about 146.5 meters (481 feet) in height. Visitors can enter the Great Pyramid through a passage in the masonry. The Great Pyramid is also called the Pyramid of Khufu, after the pharaoh that probably had the pyramids built. The other pyramids are called the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

The pyramids are notable for their incredible construction, which features a high degree of mathematical accuracy. Constructed from limestone and granite, there are many theories about how the pyramids were constructed without the assistance of modern machines.

Lake Malawi,Africa

Lake Malawi , Africa

One of the African Great Lakes in the Rift Valley, Lake Malawi (also called Lago Niassa or Lake Nyasa) has a surface area of about 29,600 square kilometers, making it one of the largest lakes in the world. The lake is about 560 to 580 kilometers in length, and about 75 kilometers at its widest, with a maximum depth of about 706 meters.

The national park is at the southern end of the lake, which hosts many species of wildlife, including fish like chambo and kampango, as well as the near-extinct painted hunting dog, crocodiles, hippopotamus, and monkeys.

Tourists to Lake Malawi visit the beaches and islands of Lake Malawi, which are home to resorts. There are two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi: Likoma Island (the larger island), and Chizumulu Island. Both islands are part of Malawi despite being in Mozambican waters.

Activities at Lake Malawi include scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, and camping.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

One of the largest waterfalls on Earth, Victoria Falls measures 1,708 meters (5,604 feet) wide, and 108 meters (354 feet) high, and cascades down the cliff at a speed of 1,088 cubic meters per second (mean annual flow rate). Victoria falls is about twice as high as Niagara Falls, and falls just behind Iguazu Falls in height and width worldwide. Flowing from the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls are an important part of the economy, ecology, and culture of the region, helping not only with tourism, but also energy production.

Vatican City

Vatican City

The seat of the Pope, the worldwide head of the Catholic Church, the Vatican is an independent state within Italy. Many pilgrims make the journey to Vatican City every year, and many of these attend a public appearance from the Pope or attend mass. Vatican City includes the Saint Peter’s Basilica (Cathedral) and Piazza (square), the Vatican Museum, and the gardens. Much of Vatican City is not open to the public, guarded by the Swiss Guards who wear distinctive uniforms.

Entrance to the Basilica is free, but there is a fee to climb the 323 steps to the top of the dome, and for a bit extra, you can take an elevator up part of the way. Below the main level, visitors can see the tomb of Pope John Paul II. A dress code is enforced for entrance to the basilica – no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed.

The Vatican Museum contains the Sistine Chapel, with the world famous ceiling frescoes of Michelangelo.

Atlantis Paradise Island

Atlantis Paradise Island

A resort and water park on an island in the Bahamas, Atlantis is designed to resemble the legendary lost city of Atlantis. The water park features nine water slides, eleven pools, and a mile-long river for tubing. Themed slides include the Mayan Temple slides, the Challenger, with two side-by-side slides so friends can race one another down, the Serpent Slide, and the Abyss, a 200 foot body slide with a 50 foot vertical drop into an underground lair. Access to Aquaventure Water Park is free for resort guests.

Another popular attraction at Atlantis Paradise Island is Dolphin Cay, where visitors can interact with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, stingrays and more.

 The resort also features several hotels, a shopping district, and frequent live performances from some of the hottest celebrities.

Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas in USA

Las Vegas is the world’s entertainment capital, with casinos and gambling, live performances, nightclubs, roller coasters, and more. Vegas is one of the most popular getaways for adults, but has plenty for families to enjoy as well. Luxurious themed pools offer solace from the hot Vegas heat and frequently host pool parties.

The many hotel-casinos along the Las Vegas strip offer a variety of themes, from New York-New York to Monte Carlo, and the Venetian to Paris, allowing visitors to travel the world and through time all in one weekend.

Many of the casinos offer entertainment, ranging from free shows like the Bellagio Fountains and the Mirage Volcano, to world renowned acts like Cirque du Soleil and the Blue Man Group. Iconic singers like Celine Dion and famed magicians like Criss Angel and David Copperfield frequently have long-term arrangements with Vegas casinos with performances nightly.

Yosemite National Park in USA

Yosemite National Park in USA

Yosemite was one of the first wilderness parks established in the United States, and today is the third most visited in the country with about 4 million annual visitors. Yosemite offers scenic landscapes, giant sequoias, and outdoor adventures like hiking, climbing, camping, and kayaking. While Yosemite has many waterfalls to check out, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America at 739 meters (2,425 feet). Half Dome is a famous landmark of Yosemite National Park, which visitors can climb the 8.2 miles to the top.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is an arched dam in the Colorado River’s Black Canyon. Constructed from concrete during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the dam is considered an engineering marvel, though many lives were lost during its construction. The builders had to overcome many challenges to make the dam possible. The dam was built to control water flow to prevent floods, and also to generate hydroelectric power. The dam is also known as Boulder Dam, but was originally named for President Herbert Hoover, who was president during the early construction of the dam.

Visitors to the Hoover Dam are often amazed at its size and power. Tours are available for the power plant and also to go into the dam.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, (New York and Ontario)

Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls along the border between the United States and Canada, in New York and Ontario. Formed from the melting of glaciers after the last ice age, Niagara Falls consists of Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. On the Canadian side of the border is Horseshoe Falls, while American and Bridal Veil Falls are on the American side of the boundary.

Visitors can view the waterfalls at the observation stations, or take a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist, or take a tour behind the falls.

In addition to the waterfalls, there are many other entertaining attractions, like the boardwalk, White Water Walk, and Niagara Skywheel. The nearby Marineland Theme Park offers close encounters with marine life, like whales and dolphins.

Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon is a system of canyons in northern Mexico, which were formed from several rivers that eventually all flow into the Rio Fuerte. The six canyons in Copper Canyon, when combined, are larger than the Grand Canyon. The Copper Canyon was named for the coppery colored rock from which the canyons are carved.

Aside from the canyons, there are hot springs and a wide variety of wildflowers which decorate the Copper Canyon at times. Hiking, biking, and driving are popular ways to get around Copper Canyon to experience all it has to offer. In addition, the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifica (ChePe for short) is a popular way to view the canyon, as it runs alongside Canyon Urique offering great views along the way.

Visitors to Copper Canyon may also be able to see some people of the Raramuri (or Tarahumara) tribe of native Americans, who are famous for their incredible endurance when running.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

One of the world’s natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geologic landscapes, displaying layers of history from the past 12,000 years. The Grand Canyon is a mile-deep gorge, carved out by the Colorado River over about two billion years.

Visitors to the Grand Canyon hike around and down into the canyon, and stand in awe of its massiveness. The most adventurous and fit hikers can make their way to the bottom of the canyon and stay overnight in Phantom Ranch, before making the return hike the following day. Another way to reach the bottom and to stay in Phantom Ranch is to book the overnight mule ride. Helicopter rides are another fun way to see the Grand Canyon.

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks are home to the tallest trees in the world, the coast redwood. The Redwood National and State Parks include parks operated by both the National Park Service and the California State Park Service. There are a total for four parks included in the group: Redwood National Park, and the state parks Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods.

The state parks were established in the 1920s after years of logging in the old growth forests devastated the landscape and led to a movement to save the remaining forests. When Redwood National Park was established in 1968, almost 90 percent of the forests had already been destroyed.

In addition to the massive redwoods, the park offers oak trees, rivers, prairies and 37 miles of coastline.

Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park

Katmai was first established as a National Monument in 1918, to protect the area surrounding Novarupta volcano, which formed the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes with its pyroclastic flow after the 1912 eruption. The National Monument was later expanded to cover over 4 million acres, becoming Katmai National Park in 1980. Katmai National Park was named for Mount Katmai, a stratovolcano located within the park.

Known for its volcanoes, brown bears, salmon, rivers, and rugged coastline, Katmai is a vacation destination for outdoor activities and adventures such as camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, fishing, and kayaking. There are about fifteen active volcanoes in the park, notably Mount Martin, Mount Mageik, Trident, Novarupta, and Mount Katmai, which are situated within the preserve. Fourpeaked Volcano became active in 2006 after 10,000 years of lying dormant, demonstrating that there may be more active volcanoes that are yet unknown.

Also located in the park are archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric traditions. A glacier formed inside Mount Katmai, and a lake formed in the caldera. Coastal areas of the park, including Hallo Bay, Kukak Bay, and Chiniak, are popular for their clams and other food sources.

Brooks Camp is the developed area of the park, which offers bear viewing platforms for visitors to check out the nearly 100 annual brown bears that catch salmon in the river.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park, which receives nearly 3 million annual visitors, consists of a variety of landscapes, including mountains, ancient forests, rainforests, the coast and tide pools. First established as Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909, the park was re-designated with National Park status on June 29, 1938.

Olympic National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, and was named an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976. About 95% of the park is designated Olympic Wilderness.

Some of the mountains in Olympic National Park are topped with ancient glaciers, including the 5 kilometer long Hoh Glacier. Along the western edge of the park are the temperate rainforests, one of the wettest areas in the country.

 Popular activities for visitors to Olympic National Park include hiking, backpacking, and fishing.

Deadhorse Alaska

Deadhorse Alaska

Deadhorse is a small, remote community in the far north of Alaska, which exists primarily as a base for oil workers and has more recently become a popular tourist spot. Famous for its extreme conditions, Deadhorse has featured in several recent TV shows, one of which showcased the truckers who drive through Dalton Highway – a dangerous and grueling job over rough terrain and frozen lakes, battling avalanches and whiteouts.

Visitors come to Deadhorse to experience a unique lifestyle and to view the arctic wildlife, like grizzly and polar bears, arctic foxes, caribou, arctic squirrels and hares, and a variety of waterfowl. Tour buses take tourists to check out the highway, communities, and the vast, harsh wilderness of Alaska.

Khajuraho Temple in India

Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh, India

One of the most popular attractions in India and presumably among India’s “Seven Wonders”, the Khajuraho Temples are the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples. The temples, known for the erotic sculptures within, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Khajuraho Temples were built between 950 and 1050 AD, during the Chandela Dynasty of Central India. After the fall of the dynasty, the temples were abandoned and forgotten and only 22 of the original 85 temples survived when they were rediscovered by a British army engineer, Captain T.S. Burt.

The temples are grouped into western, eastern, and southern sections. Inside the temples are detailed carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from life, such as war, marriage, symbols of spirituality, every day life, and all kinds of life forms. Various temples are dedicated to gods like Shiva, Surya, and Lord Vishnu.

Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

A sacred site of the local Aboriginal tribes, Uluru (named Ayers Rock by European colonists) is a natural landmark of Australia that has come to represent the nation and its native ancestry. Made up primarily of sandstone, the rock has a reddish appearance, which often varies at sunrise and sunset. The rock protrudes 348 meters (1,142 feet) high, and has a circumference of about 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles).

While some visitors make the steep climb up to the top of Uluru, which takes about an hour, the Aboriginal people of the region prefer that visitors walk around the sacred site, rather than climb it. Guided walks are available around the landmark, on which visitors can learn about the various sites and rock art.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House in Australia

The Sydney Opera House is a unique and distinctive work of architecture that serves as an opera house as well as a venue for performances by celebrated musicians and other entertainers. The building has become a major icon of Sydney and Australia as a whole, and is visited by tourists from around the world. The building’s white peaked roof resembles a group of sails in the Sydney Harbour. Many visitors take a tour of the Opera House and its many performance venues, but the best way to experience this attraction is by attending a performance.

Westminster Abbey, London

Westminster Abbey, London at the time of Sunrise

Westminster Abbey is basically a Gothic Church and its profile is more of a Cathedral located in Westminster, towards the west side of the Palace of Westminster. It serves as the venue of coronation as well as burial of the British monarchy.

Westminster Abbey is a stunning architectural marvel, which dots the London city landscape. The Abbey has been the venue for every Coronation that has taken place since 1066 in Britain. Today it still serves as a church and is one of the most preferred places of Christian congregation in London. However, one has to bear in mind that the Abbey is neither a parish church nor a cathedral, but somewhere in between.

A staggering 3,000 people are buried here and one the most revered monuments is the one which has the engraving written as – “The Unknown Warrior”. The Lady Chapel in particular is splendid and has a stunning fan vaulted roof. The superb craftsmanship of renowned Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano is amply evident in the grave of Henry VII.

The year 1540 saw the culmination of the medieval monastery. Of course, during its 900-year-old history, the Abbey has witnessed lot of renovation and even extension, but the core area has remained unchanged.

The transepts which are located to the north and south are a virtual treasure trove. The southern transepts which is popularly called as Statesman’s Aisle has the graves of renowned personalities like William Pitt, Charles Fox, William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli to name just a few.

The south transept, on the other hand, is known for its beautiful rose windows, the glasses of which dates back to 1902. You will marvel at the two exquisite 13th century wall paintings that adorn the door to St. Faith’s Chapel.

One of the most popular facade of the Abbey is the Poet’s Corner. The first poet to be buried at Poet’s Corner was Geoffrey Chaucer. Even the great Edmund Spencer was buried here. William Shakespeare who was originally buried at Stratford-upon-Avon was moved here in 1740, when a monument designed by William Kent in honor of the great poet appeared in Poet’s Corner.

The Chapter House is one of the must-see places at the Abbey. It was from here that the monastery functioned and it also used to be the venue where the parliament met in the 14th century.

No visit to Westminster Abbey is complete without a visit to the library, which has an impressive collection of historical books, manuscripts and archived materials

Cleopatra’s Needle, UK

The Cleopatra’s Needle at London, England

Cleopatra’s Needle in London is a granite obelisk, which is all of 68 feet and weighs 180 tons. This obelisk originally dates back to 1500 B.C. and was built for Tuthmose III. The Hieroglyphics praising Tuthmose and honoring his third Sed festival can be found on the obelisk along with engraved inscriptions by Ramessses II which was added much later to commemorate his hard earned victories.

This mammoth granite obelisk was presented to the people of Great Britain in the year 1819 as an acknowledgement of Nelson’s victory over the marauding French armada, at the infamous battle of Nile in the year 1798. Apart from the obelisk, a portrait of Queen Victoria and other Victorian era artifacts are also found.

However, it took almost 60 long years to actually bring this mammoth obelisk to Britain. No British government was gallant enough to overcome the obstacles of shipment of this obelisk from far away Egypt to Britain. Not only was the shipment of the obelisk a daunting task, it also involved enormous expenses. Had it not been for the generosity of Mr. Erasmus Wilson who dished out a staggering £10,000 to bear the expenses of shipment, this marvelous granite obelisk would have probably remained buried in the sands of Alexandria until the end of time.

During World War I, Cleopatra’s needle suffered a minor damage, courtesy the air raids. A portion of the plinth and one of the sphinxes, which bore the brunt of the attack, is clearly visible.

Today, Cleopatra’s Needle, London is an integral part of London’s tourist landmark.

The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab India

 The Golden Temple, also called Sri Harmandir Sahib (meaning Temple of God), is a Sikh Gurdwara, built by the fifth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev. The temple was constructed from 1588 to 1604, when it was completed with the installation of the sacred religious text, the Guru Granth Sahib.

After Afghan attacks in the mid-eighteenth century destroyed parts of the temple, it was rebuilt in 1764. In the early nineteenth century, the building was decorated and covered in gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, earning the temple its nickname the Golden Temple.

 There are four entrances to the temple, symbolizing the openness of the temple, which welcomes people from all directions and ways of life. The Golden Temple is a holy place for Sikhs and a place of worship.

The Golden Temple is surrounded by a lake called the Sarovar, which contains Amrit, holy water, (also referred to as immortal nectar). Inside, are shrines to past Sikh Gurus, saints, martyrs and various historical decor. The Golden Temple is visited by more than 100,000 people every day.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor is a complex of religious temples at the various capitals of the Khmer Empire, covering about 400 square kilometers and making up the most important archaeological site in the entire region. The most famous of these temples is Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple built under the rule of King Suryavarman II in the Temple Mountain architectural style. Angkor Wat, which means Ctiy of Temples in Khmer, was the state temple and capital city, and later became a mausoleum for Suryavarman II.

Angkor Wat differs from many other temples because it is oriented to the west rather than the east. This could have been because the king wanted it to be a burial temple for himself, or it may have been because it was dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu, who has associations with the west. The temple is surrounded by a rectangular moat with entrances on the west and east. A statue of Vishnu, called Ta Reach is among the artwork and many decorations around Angkor Wat.

After the King’s death in around 1150, construction on the temple ended. It was conquered and later restored by King Jayavarman VII, who built a new temple, Bayon, and moved the new state capital to Angkor Thom. Angkor Wat became a Theravada Buddhist site in around the 13th century.

Angkor Wat is the biggest tourist attraction in the country, and has become an important part of Cambodian history and culture, and is even featured on the nation’s flag.

Taj Mahal, India

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh , India

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of enduring love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan to memorialize his late wife, Mumtaz. It is a mausoleum made of white marble, in which the Emperor had his wife entombed, and after his own death, Emperor Shah Jahan was entombed next to his wife.

Designed in the Mughal Empire style with touches of Persian influence and delicate designs, which is an entire complex that surrounds the mausoleum. The complex includes gardens, fountains, and a reflecting pool, which reflects the image of the TajMahal and its name means Crown Palace.

Sea World in Australia

Sea World in Australia

Sea World is a marine animal theme park, oceanarium and resort. The park offers roller coasters (including Sea Viper and Jet Rescue) exhibits like Dinosaur Island, and live shows such as Imagine – the dolphin show. The park also features marine life attractions with dolphins, penguins, polar bears, rays, seals, sharks, and seabirds.

Several Animal Adventures are offered at Sea World that allow visitors to the park to interact with the marine life, including dolphin encounters (with an extra fee).

The Sea World Resort contains hotels, spas, shopping, and the Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park.

Ajanta Caves in India

 Ajanta Caves in India

The Ajanta caves were once used as a Buddhist monastery, with hundreds of teachers and students. The caves were constructed in two phases, the first beginning around the second century BC. The second phase took place in the fifth century AD, and saw some modernization of the existing caves as well as the creation of temples and many of the paintings and carvings, as decoration became more popular. After this, the caves were abandoned and mostly forgotten until in 1819, when British hunters found them.

Tourists visit these thirty remaining caves and the nearby Ellora caves to view the religious art and wall murals inside the caves. The caves house living areas, stupas, carvings and paintings.

Iguazu Falls in Argentina

Iguazu Falls in Argentina

The impressive Iguazu Falls, which separate the Iguazu River into the upper and lower sections, are situated along the border between Argentina and Brazil. The number and height of the falls varies throughout the year depending on rainfall. The largest waterfall is the Devil’s Throat, which is about 82 meters (269 feet) high. Union Fall is the largest cataract at Iguazu Falls.

Local legends have it that a Naipi, a beautiful woman, was expected to marry one of the gods. Instead, she escaped from the wedding with her love, Taroba, in a canoe. The angry god left at the altar responded by cutting the river and creating the waterfall, so the two lovers would fall to their doom.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church at Sofia, Bulgaria

Boyana Church in Sofia, Bulgaria’s Boyana quarter, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church, famous for the frescoes housed within its inconspicuous medieval walls. The majority of these well-preserved frescoes were painted in 1259, with 89 scenes including 240 people, and are fine examples of Eastern European art from the medieval era.The frescoes are painted on top of another layer of paintings from an earlier period.

The church itself was built beginning in the 10^th century, with expansions extending all the way into the middle of the 19^th century. The church is constructed in a medieval style, and includes the oldest wing on the east end, which is a simple one-apse church, the two-story section was then built with a sepulcher and vault, and  the final church was added much later.

Aachen Cathedral, Germany

Aachen Cathedral, Germany – Also known as ‘Imperial Cathedral’ or Kaiserdom is Oldest Roman Catholic Church in Northern Europe.

Aachen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, known as the Imperial Cathedral or the Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen . Built in the Middle Ages, it is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. Constructed by Charles the Great, known also as Charlemagne, the cathedral was built beginning around 792, and was later was consecrated by Pope Leo III. The cathedral was renovated and expanded at a few points during the Middle Ages to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The remains of Charlemagne rest inside a vault within the cathedral.

 The cathedral is noted for its ornate mosaic ceilings and décor, stained glass windows, and architecturally complex exterior with various architectural styles from different periods. The palatine chapel has an octagonal basilica, a cupola, and vaulted ceilings, inspired by the style of the eastern Holy Roman Empire.

 Inside the cathedral is the golden shrine of the Virgin Mary, which contains the relics of Mary’s cloak, baby Jesus’ swaddling clothes, St. John the Baptists beheading cloth, and Christ’s loincloth. Every seven years, these relics are displayed during the Great Aachen Pilgrimage.

 The massive door to the Aachen Cathedral is called Wolf’s Door. Legend has it that the people of Aachen tricked the devil by giving the soul of a wolf instead of a human as repayment for the funds to build the cathedral. The angered devil then slammed the door so hard that his thumb got caught and ripped off.