Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and every traveler has their own idea of what constitutes a must-visit destination. Some people geek out on works of art or architecture, while others find natural wonders more awe-inspiring.
After 15 years of traveling the globe professionally as a travel writer, I’ve accumulated a very personal list of renowned tourist traps that I feel are worth the crowds, pricey entry fees, or logistical challenges just to be seen and experienced in person. It’s no coincidence that many of these picks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites or Wonders of the World — it’s because billions of other people find them just as freaking amazing. Click ahead to view 10 spots worth the trip.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Whether you trek there (a physically challenging, four-day walk that’s worth every drop of sweat) or opt to take the train to the nearby village of Aguas Calientes, this 15th century Incan city is a must-visit if you’re in Peru. The high-altitude location in an isolated valley, the enigmatic ruins, and the extraordinary surrounding scenery make for one hell of a travel memory. Tip: Get there at dawn to avoid the buses of tourists and experience a sunrise you’ll never forget.
Photo: Photosport Int/ REX Shutterstock.
Tulum, Mexico
When I first visited these Mayan ruins on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in 1999, the adjacent village of Tulum was a dusty, poky place that still managed to exude loads of appeal. Today, the town of Tulum has become an international destination, but it’s still beguiling as hell. The ruins are a must-visit in between spa treatments, hammock-napping, swimming in the crystalline Caribbean Sea, and dining in acclaimed restaurants. Perched on a coastal bluff, it was an important defense and trade hub from the 13th to 15th centuries, and one of the last remaining bastions of this once great civilization. Do. Not. Miss.
Photo: De Agostini/ W. Buss/ REX Shutterstock.
Luang Prabang, Laos
This UNESCO World Heritage Site (the designation refers to the old town centre of the city) in northern Laos is an architectural marvel, full of well-preserved Buddhist temples and other historically significant buildings, laid out on a peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. Now that tourism has become the country’s new economy, there are also dozens of boutiques and galleries featuring crafts made by local artisans, a handful of legit eco-outfitters for outdoor recreational activities, and loads of restaurants — from Lao eateries and upscale French restaurants to funky riverside bars to open-air seafood restaurants. There’s also a bustling night market and morning and evening food markets patronised by locals. You can try authentic, very inexpensive eats — think fried cockroaches, ant eggs, grilled meat, and local seasonal delicacies like khai phen (an air-dried river weed) served with jaew bong (spiced water buffalo jam) — far more delicious than it sounds. Don’t miss the morning Tak Bat, or alms giving ceremony, when resident Buddhist monks make their daily rounds.
Photo: The Travel Library/ REX Shutterstock.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
For every person who considers one of the planet’s most recognisable structures to be an overrated, over-romanticised tourist trap, there are millions who view it as an essential part of any trip to Paris. Pony up the 18 bucks (as of this writing), ride the elevator to the top, and enjoy the view of one of the world’s great cities. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, this 1,063-foot tall, latticed tower is more than just a landmark: It’s a cultural icon that emanates grace, romance, and esprit de corps. And cliché though it may be, everyone should visit the Eiffel Tower at least once.
Photo: Mito Images/ REX Shutterstock.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Religious pilgrims, hopeless romantics, architecture and garden buffs, and tourists of every persuasion flock to this — the world’s most famous mausoleum. The Taj Mahal was built in the mid-1600s by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed of white marble over the course of 12 years, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws millions of visitors annually. Located in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh state, there’s little else of interest in the area, but the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most revered examples of Muslim art. Whether you fly or take the train, bus, or private car, it’s not easy to get to, the heat is usually stifling, and the crowds are of nightmarish proportions, but it’s humbling to see this extravagant tribute to true love in person.
Photo: Indian Photo Agency/ REX Shutterstock.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
As one of the most distinctive geographical features on earth, it’s impossible to comprehend the magnificent beauty and massive proportions (18 miles wide, a mile deep, and 277 river miles long) of the Grand Canyon, unless you’re standing on the rim, looking down. Even better, hike or ride a mule to the bottom, where you can stay at the historic Phantom Ranch — just note that it books up at least a year in advance. Or run the Colorado River, which snakes along the floor and boasts some of the nation’s wildest whitewater. Another UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this is perhaps the most moving landscape North America has to offer.
Photo: REX Shutterstock.
Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Until you visit this 98-feet-tall Art Deco statue carved from soapstone and reinforced concrete, it might be difficult to understand the fuss. But once you’re in Rio de Janeiro, it starts to make sense. It’s visible from every part of the city, and to get there, you need to take a narrow-gauge cog railway up the near-vertical slope of 2,300-foot Corcovado, located in the Tijuca Forest National Park. The views of the city and Atlantic Ocean will make your heart race, and even if you’re not the spiritual type (I’m certainly not), standing beneath Christ the Redeemer is an otherworldly experience.
Photo: Ben Queenborough/BPI/ REX Shutterstock.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (& Beyond)
Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, it’s impossible not to be blown away by Yellowstone, which is in Wyoming, Montana, and a sliver of Idaho. Between the the wildlife (including elk, bison, wolves, bears, and antelope; for the love of god, don’t try to make contact with them) and the waterfalls, geysers, calderas, rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains, it’s no surprise this 3,500-square-mile geographical wonder was named America’s first national park in 1872.
A few of the sites you shouldn’t miss: Old Faithful, Mammoth Terraces, the Morning Glory Pool, and the dramatic, 308-feet Lower Falls. In winter, the park roads are closed, but you can snowmobile and Nordic ski or snowshoe, sans summer crowds. In high season, there are 12 campgrounds, park lodges, and accommodations in nearby Cody, Big Sky, Jackson, Gardiner, and Cooke City, as well as seasonal lodging within the park (note that these are often reserved up to a year in advance). Think of this place as a painter’s palette of natural wonders.
Photo: Michael Nolan/ Splashdown/ REX Shutterstock.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
One of the most stunning architectural achievements of the 20th century, the famed International Orange San Francisco suspension bridge, took four years to build and opened in 1937, providing a link between Highway 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway (also known as Highway 1 or California State Route 1). Even locals regularly pay homage, walking or running its 1.7 mile span. It’s been named one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and you haven’t fully experienced the Bay Area until you’ve laid eyes on “The City’s” most beloved icon.
Photo: Chameleons Eye/REX Shutterstock.
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
This complex of stone temples and mausoleums dates back to the 12th century, and is one of Southeast Asia’s most revered religious and archaeological sites. Surprise! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage designation. It’s actually a series of complexes that are best explored by motorbike, so you can get off the tourist track and see some of the lesser known structures. I recommend hiring a driver, which will set you back about £10 for a half-day, not counting the £13 entry fee.
Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s premier symbol of Khmer architecture and cultural significance, and even if historical sites aren’t your bag, you should see it. The detail in the relief carvings and tile work, twisting banyan tree roots exploding out of courtyards, monks and nuns clad in saffron robes silently gliding throughout the temples, the smell of incense and atmosphere of solitude — it’s a lot to take in, but it’s an unforgettable experience that represents the soul of Cambodia. Tip: Get there at sunrise, both for the sight of a fireball rising behind the main ogivals (towers carved to resemble lotuses), and to beat the thousands of visitors.
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