Ultimate Bucket List Destinations: Part 1

A bucket list is a list of things you want to see, do or explore in your lifetime. For many world travelers, a bucket list is a series of global hotspots that simply have to be seen.

Whether you are well traveled and have several passport renewals under your belt or you have never left the country, consider planning an epic getaway to one of these amazing bucket list destinations around the globe.

Machu Picchu: Peru

Machu Picchu, better known as the Lost City of the Incans, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site found in the mountains of Peru. Built more than 600 years ago by the Incan people, the site was essentially abandoned by the time the Spanish settled in the area, and it was only rediscovered by the West in the 20th century.

Machu Picchu is unique because there is nowhere else in the world that you can see such amazingly preserved ruins set among mountains at such a high elevation. Lush greenery and ancient structures are truly incredible, and there are countless opportunities for lengthy mountain hikes in the surrounding region.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is an iconic symbol of Asia, but few people realize that it was built over 1,800 years and under the supervision of numerous different emperors. Today, the sections most popular among visitors are those that are closest to the capital city of Beijing.

Badaling and Juyongguan are both accessible via public transportation from Beijing, although most people enjoy guided tours complete with shuttles to and from the city. Whether you want to hike a stretch of the wall or just soak up the atmosphere, this is one landmark you won’t want to miss.

Taj Mahal: India

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jehan, an emperor who built the structure as a mausoleum after the death of his beloved wife. Today, the Taj Mahal is one of India’s most iconic landmarks and a truly wonderful building to behold in person.

Found in the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is large, intricately decorated and a bright white structure that looks different in the midday sun as it does at sunset when it glows a shade of pink because of the changing light.

Colosseum: Italy

Rome is the largest city in Italy, home to the Vatican and the heart of the former Roman Empire. One its most significant landmarks, and arguably one of the most important ruins in Europe, is the Colosseum.

Built in 70 AD by the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the Flavian Amphitheater could hold as many as 80,000 spectators in its heyday. Today, the Colosseum stands as a reminder of Rome’s past and is a major tourism destination in the city.

Pyramids of Giza: Egypt

Found just outside of Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza are stunning monuments to the history of Egypt and the capability of humanity. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only remaining structure included in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Whether your idea of the perfect getaway includes admiring pyramids in the dessert or hiking through the Andes Mountains in Peru, one of these destinations should make its way onto your travel bucket list.

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