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.