We are giving you some good help if you are thinking “Where to go next?”. Lonely Planet has just published one of his valuable ‘rankings’, with a selection of must-see places that every great traveler aspires to know, like the Grand Canyon of Colorado in the picture.
The Top 20 shows destinations chosen by experts from Lonely Planet from a list of 500 places analyzed, and integrates the book Ultimate Travelist.
Where to go next?
Angkor temples – Cambodia
Angkor temples – Cambodia (Hugh Sitton)
The set of temples of Angkor is undoubtedly the destination all world travelers include in your dream travel list. Conceived as “heaven on earth”, this Hindu complex with over a thousand temples, pagodas and tombs form a huge city domes that stand out amid the northern forest of Cambodia, many of which are still involved in great mystery. For Hindus, the temples are a representation of sacred Mount Meru (the Mount Olympus to this region, home of the ancient gods). The temples integrate seamlessly with nature and have a size and a very special symmetry, which turn them into inspiration and source of national pride to all Khmers. It is a point of religious pilgrimage, but especially tourism.
Great Barrier Reef – Australia
Great Barrier Reef – Australia (Karen Kasmauski)
Its 2,000 kilometers of coral reefs along the Queensland coast are an irresistible temptation for divers, but also for those who are satisfied with a diving mask and foot-of-duck walk around this colorful underwater kingdom and close to see its stunning coral. You can also explore the reefs with sailing boat, making a scenic flight, observe marine life through the glass bottom of a semissubmarino or stay in a tourist center and an isolated island surrounded by coral. The five points of access to the Great Barrier are Port Douglas, Townsville, Cains (the best known and is home to many businesses operations), the Whitsundays Islands and the islands of the South Arrecife, the most idyllic and less explored destination.
Machu Picchu – Peru
Machu Picchu – Peru (Hugh Sitton)
For those traveling through South America, visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu is the climax of the route. With its spectacular location, it is the most famous archaeological site of the continent. In high season, which runs from late May to early September, receives a large influx of tourists, but even tourists can overshadow their air of grandeur and mystery. The emerald terraces, surrounded by Andean peaks and ridges form a spectacle that goes beyond the imaginable. This engineering marvel endured six centuries of earthquakes, alien invaders and adverse weather conditions. The conquerors never come to know this amazing ancient city, which was almost forgotten until the early twentieth century. The traveler can discover it for yourself, wander down its stone temples and climb to the dizzying heights of Huayna Picchu.
Great Wall – China
Great Wall – China (Corbis)
If you are wondering “Where to go next?”, make sure you already visited the maximum feat of Chinese engineering, the Great Wall meanders from its Manchu north area (scattered debris in Liaoning Province) until the last vestiges resulting from erosion caused by wind in the Gobi Desert or their tracks almost erased the rough sands of Xinjiang. Astronauts said they can see it from space (now say that is unconfirmed), but we mere mortals, be content to travel to China and pick some sections closer to contemplate this fortification that symbolizes the eternal Chinese qualities: diligence, abundant manpower, ambitious vision of the future and talent for engineering (plus a great distrust of neighbors). There are perfectly preserved parts (and tourist), but also in ruins without their bricks, invaded by weeds or crumbling herbs.
Taj Mahal – India
Taj Mahal – India (Gavin Hellier)
Nobody wants to lose contemplation, at least once in your life, this singular work that many consider the most beautiful in the world. Rabindranath Tagore described it as “a teardrop on the face of eternity” and Rudyard kiling said it was “the embodiment of all things pure. “It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahah in the seventeenth century. Shah Jahan was deposed by his son shortly after and confined in the fort of Agra, so that even his death could only contemplate his creation from a fortification window. Its exterior is as immaculate today as when it was built, especially after the restoration carried out in 2002.
Grand Canyon – USA
Grand Canyon – USA (Ron Watts)
Even with all the movies, documentaries and pictures we have seen over the Grand Canyon, nothing prepares us to live contemplation of this magnificent place, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Here everything is superlative. It’s so big and so old that took six million years to be formed and some rocks have two billion years. When contemplating the park, one gets the impression of being on the verge of the great mystery of the Earth. In its basin runs the Colorado River over 445 km, and its banks are separated by more than 320km; It is rarely possible to visit both on the same trip. Most opt for the southern slope due to easy access, service delivery and breathtaking scenery. The far north, quieter, also has its charms: it is 2,500 meters high (305m more than the south side) and milder temperatures give way to meadows favorable wildflowers and tall trees.
Colosseum – Rome
Colosseum – Rome (Stefano Amantini)
Even before entering the ancient Roman amphitheater, its silhouette surprise amid the modern Rome. If you are wondering “Where to go next?”, you will be impressed by its size and the centuries that has stood upright, but especially for its good condition. It is one of the main tourist attractions of Italy -more than five million visitors per year-but even among the hordes of tourists, it is possible to make an immersion in the life of ancient Rome (better in the afternoon, when the days get long in the light of the setting sun). The amphitheater was inaugurated by the Emperor Titus in the year 81, with games that lasted 100 days and 100 nights. It was rather that party! Another curiosity: its name was inspired by the Colossus di Nerone, a gigantic statue of Nero that stood nearby.
Iguaçu – Brazil and Argentina
Iguaçu – Brazil and Argentina (Jack Fields)
The breathtaking panorama and the roar of hundreds of waterfalls (three kilometers wide) will be etched in memory of anyone forever. The lazy river Iguaçu, which runs through the jungle between Argentina and Brazil, advances by a basalt cliff offering a sound spectacle, foam and vertical cascade; a complete experience for the senses. In addition, the national parks surrounding the falls are a beautiful setting with excellent choices for contemplating nature. It is easy to visit the falls from both sides of the Argentine-Brazilian border, even from Paraguay. We recommend going to both sides and pray that shine (the difference with a cloudy day is huge); rainbows and butterflies are characteristic of sunny days. The views are more panoramic than the Brazilian side, but the Argentine side you can see the near waterfalls.
Alhambra – Granada
Alhambra – Granada (Thomas Haupt)
Not only are the Spaniards who find it. It seems that travelers from all over the world agree that visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is one of those unforgettable experiences. On top of a hill, with the Sierra Nevada in the background, the Muslim citadel there are nearly a thousand years leaves visitors speechless. Architects linked to art Nasrid demonstrated with this palace-fortress that the combination of talent and artistic sense can build amazing places, although the materials are not the most luxurious in the world. The forests of cypress and elm trees that surround the place announcing what’s inside: a complex of gardens and richly ornamented palaces, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Santa Sofia – Istanbul
Santa Sofia – Istanbul (Hans Lippert)
No world Temple surpasses the Church of Divine Wisdom (Hagia Sophia), the largest bastion of Christianity until the taking of Constantinople by the Ottomans. The Emperor Justinian sent raise it in the sixth century as part of its mission: restore the splendor of the Roman Empire. Contemplating the dome, which appears to float, it is hard to believe that this wonder covered with frescoes could not, by itself, put Roma back on track. Have access to its interior, covered in mosaics and messages left by generations of rulers, it produces a feeling reserved for very few buildings in the world. Mehmet the Conqueror turned it into a mosque in 1453, and Ataturk made it a museum in 1935. You may want to visit it slowly, letting himself be impressed by each tile, column and statue.
Medina of Fez – Morocco
Medina de Fez – Morocco (Massimo Borchi)
Skip the ville nouvelle Fez el-Bali, the medina of Fez is like traveling back in time. Its labyrinthine layout has not changed in almost a millennium because the hills surrounding the city limited its expansion. No need to be afraid to dive in these alleys that wind in dead ends and hidden markets: if you get lost, just follow the flow of people to the main road or ask a resident to show the way. It is an adventure that takes us to a medieval world of dark squares, adorned huge and full of color markets ports. Do not forget looking up to marvel at the crown molding, the ceilings adorned with cedar and Arabic calligraphy. And underneath, mosaics that seem precious stones. It is a place full of life, curious characters, colors, smells, artisans and food stalls where you can taste various dishes: the b’sara (bean soup with garlic, specialty Fez) to the most sophisticated Moroccan cuisine.
Twelve Apostles – Australia
Twelve Apostles – Australia (Paul Souders)
The Twelve Apostles are not apostles nor are twelve, but so were known rock formations that arise between the sea waters revolts and are one of the most famous points of interest of the Australian state of Victoria. The gazebo can clearly count seven, but maybe tampem others (the local residents say it depends on the point you notice them). In fact, whatever: the view is wonderful. These cliffs were called The Sow and Piglets until the 60s, when people thought a more dignified name would attract tourism – hence the Apostles. Reach is almost as impressive to behold this natural monument, driving on roads that throw curves alongside the spectacular beaches of Bass Strait, to then go into the interior through jungles full of small villages and huge trees. But that’s not all: further along the Great Ocean Road, is the maritime jewel of Port Fairy and the isolated Cape Bridgewater. Note: this place is very similar to south bay of Portugal.
Petra – Jordan
Petra – Jordan (Neil Farrin)
Since the Swiss explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt rediscovered this spectacular enclave in 1812, the ancient city of the Nabataeans has been a magnet for visitors. Undoubtedly, Petra is the main attraction of any trip to Jordan. No tourist resists his magic, especially when the sun sets between the labyrinthine landscape of tombs carved facades, pillars and walls of golden sandstone. Some experiences more than recommended are to admire the first rays of sun on the columns of the Treasury (sublime performance at the end of the Siq, the canyon that leads to Petra) and climb to the altar of sacrifice, have tea with the Bedouins and return to the valley by a garden of wildflowers.
Tikal – Guatemala
Tikal – Guatemala (Michel Gounot)
If you are wondering “Where to go next?”, besides the city of Antigua, the temples of Tikal are the major attraction of Guatemala. Remarkably restored, these pyramids of Mayan origin emerge in the jungle corner and surprised by its size and its architectural prowess. It is best to get to the Gran Plaza and in the early morning. Occupied for 1600 years, Tikal is the cultural and artistic splendor reached by this civilization of the jungle. The high temple IV at the western limit of the enclosure, offers a fabulous view. It is also worth admiring the abundance of fauna and flora to scroll through the tracks between ceremonial centers. As you stroll through the wide elevated tracks, originally built with pieces of limestone to facilitate traffic between the complex of temples, maybe you can see spider monkeys, foxes and peacocks.
British Museum – London
British Museum – London (Matt Mawson)
Five million people visit every year this museum situated in London’s Bloomsbury. The most popular tourist attraction in London offers an extensive and dedicated collection of objects, art and antiques. It would be possible to spend a lifetime here and discover something new every day (access is free). The collection was created in 1753 when the royal physician Hans Sloane sold his “cabinet of curiosities”, and open to the public in 1759. It has since been enriched with all kinds of purchases, bequests and looting. It’s hard to choose, but there are several rooms and essential parts: the Rosetta Stone, the Mummy of Katebet, the sculptures of the Parthenon, the winged bulls of Khorsabad, the funerary boat of Sutton, the Mildenhall Treasure and the Lewis chess.
Holy Family – Barcelona
Holy Family – Barcelona (Sun Wen)
This masterpiece of modernism is one of Barcelona’s icons and the most visited monument in Spain. Its verticality draws the attention of tourists, but they are really amazed to see that she is still under construction more than 80 years after the death of its creator, Antoni Gaudí. The unique, imaginative, intense temple, inspired by nature and with some Gothic influence, points to the sky with majesty. Go through your carved portals is like entering a fairy tale, where a forest of columns reaches the ceiling and the light enters through amazing stained glass. With rich details in iron and symbols everywhere, the Sagrada Familia invites to hours of contemplation.
Fjords National Park – New Zealand
Fjords National Park – New Zealand (Paul Souders)
Fiordland, in the South Island of New Zealand is the natural region more extensive and impenetrable country. A set of steep hills and leafy, divided by deep coves (technically, fjords) advancing inland. This national park is part of the Te Wahipounamu Southwest Area, a combination of four reserves covering 26,000 square kilometers and gather unique flora and fauna as well as being an important center of culture of the Maori.
Santorini – Greece
Santorini – Greece (Jean-Pierre Lescourret)
Of all the Greek islands, Santorini is that travelers often choose when they are asked to select one. It has 16 kilometers of high multicolored cliffs more than 300 meters from a boiler buried at sea. The island, shaped by prehistoric fire, is also famous for its spectacular sunsets. On summer evenings, the villages of Fira and Oia, high on the cliffs, are full of stunned visitors on the color red blood west of the sky as the sun hides.
Galapagos Islands – Ecuador
Galapagos Islands – Ecuador (Michael Nolan)
It is the dream destination for all nature lovers and those interested in evolutionary history and animals with prehistoric appearance. The Galapagos can lead the traveler to have a new view of the world: the creatures that inhabit this place, some of them unique on the planet, act as if humans were no more than an adornment rather annoying. Those looking for the typical island paradise should go somewhere else, for here there is almost no vegetation and the landscape looks more like the moon of Hawaii.
MONA Museum – Hobart, Australia
MONA Museum – Hobart, Australia (Rémi Chauvin)
Not all essential visits would be obvious. From the European point of view, we can be surprised by the inclusion of Museum of Tasmania between visits that no one should miss (do not forget the Australian origin of the Lonely Planet), but those who saw the MONA agree: it is one of the most extraordinary artistic experiences Australia. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is an innovative institution whose owner, philanthropist David Walsh, defines it as “a subversive Disneyland for adults”. Its three levels are made up of spectacular underground galleries that hold more than 400 works of art, classical and recent, generally well polemics.
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