Some of the sites are portals into the past — ancient cities so well preserved that visiting them is like stepping into a previous century. Others feature feats of engineering or sublime works of art — or, in the cases of the Taj Mahal and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, both. Travelers can visit temples and churches so breathtaking they must have been built with divine inspiration. For the more adventurous, we offer rewards beyond mere sightseeing — from a three-day hike across the Grand Canyon to a ride along China's Yangtze River.
Feature Lists
For a great list of the absolute must-see locations around the globe, Smithsonian magazine has published a list of their top 43 places:
Smithsonian Magazine's 43 Places to See Before You Die
Visit the Tranquil Zen Garden of Kyoto
Visit Mesa Verde National Park COLORADO
"Climb into the Colorado cliff dwellings and imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Pueblo Indians who lived there."
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the huge Cliff Palace.
528 people are doing this goal:
Visit Pompeii ITALY
"Preserved under the volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius are the everyday goings-on of ancient Roman life."
The most popular thing to do in Pompeii is to explore the incredibly preserved ruins of the ancient city, offering a fascinating glimpse into Roman life before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
1086 people are doing this goal:
Visit Tikal National Park GUATEMALA
"An ancient Mayan city, once hidden by overgrown jungle, evokes a childlike sense of wonder."
Tikal, one of the largest ancient Mayan cities, was once home to more than 100,000 people and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
302 people are doing this goal:
Visit Petra JORDAN
"Balancing tourist access and the preservation of the sandstone city may be a tough call."
Petra in Jordan is home to the iconic Treasury building, which was featured in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
689 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Pyramids at Giza EGYPT
"The ongoing debate about how the pyramids were built is a testament to the brilliance of its makers."
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and is the only one still standing today.
905 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Taj Mahal INDIA
"This year, millions of tourists will visit the marble monument—and the Indian government is restoring it for millions more."
You will not be alone! An estimated 7-8 million visitors each year make this India's top destination.
1324 people are doing this goal:
See the Statues of Easter Island CHILE
"A riddle of engineering hasn't stopped archaeologists from debating how the giant carved stones were transported around the island."
The Moai statues on Easter Island were carved out of a single quarry and transported across the island, with some weighing up to 75 tons.
508 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Great Wall of China CHINA
"Almost too big to comprehend, the 4,500-mile wall has a lore of its own."
The Great Wall of China is not a single continuous wall, but a series of walls and fortifications built over different dynasties.
1334 people are doing this goal:
Gaze at the Aurora Borealis
"One of the best reasons to head to Canada for vacation is to catch the beautiful Northern Lights."
600 people are doing this goal:
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Join the Migration in the Serengeti TANZANIA
"Hordes of wildlife travel 300 miles across the “land of endless space” in the largest migration on Earth."
169 people are doing this goal:
Visit Iguazu Falls ARGENTINA
"A series of 200 separate waterfalls, Iguazu is best viewed when the river is high and the moon is full."
Iguazu Falls spans both Argentina and Brazil, offering over 270 breathtaking waterfalls in lush rainforest.
380 people are doing this goal:
Visit Machu Picchu PERU
"The “lost city of the Incas” has captivated visitors with its magnificent setting and detailed stonework."
Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, who initially mistook it for the "Lost City of the Incas."
1528 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Louvre FRANCE
"Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo are just two of the works housed within the walls of this fortress-turned-royal palace-turned-museum."
The Louvre Museum in Paris is home to over 35,000 works of art, including the famous painting of Mona Lisa.
1999 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Tranquil Zen Garden of Kyoto JAPAN
"With Zen rocks strategically placed in carefully raked white sand, the Ryoan-ji garden evokes peace and beauty."
The Tranquil Zen Garden features meticulously raked gravel symbolizing water, creating a serene atmosphere.
454 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence ITALY
"Having survived bombings and floods, the Florence, Italy museum is home to a priceless collection of art."
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, houses one of the oldest and most renowned collections of art in the world, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
441 people are doing this goal:
Visit Fallingwater PENNSYLVANIA
"Fallingwater, a southwest Pennsylvania house designed by the famous architect, allows residents to live within a waterfall."
Fallingwater, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is a stunning architectural masterpiece built over a waterfall, seamlessly integrating nature and man-made structures.
410 people are doing this goal:
Navigate the Yangtze River CHINA
"Dubbed “the wildest, wickedest river,” this 4,000-mile-long waterway has played a major role in Chinese civilization."
147 people are doing this goal:
Visit Antarctica
"The coldest and windiest place on Earth is still largely undiscovered."
Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth, with temperatures plummeting below -80°C in winter.
540 people are doing this goal:
Hike Mount Kilimanjaro TANZANIA
"A trek up the world’s tallest freestanding mountain takes you through five different ecosystems and offers a stunning 19,340-foot view."
Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, offering breathtaking views from its summit.
220 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Grand Canyon ARIZONA
"No matter how many times you’ve seen it, visiting the canyon never fails to take your breath away."
Some popular activities you might be interested in: Take a hike in the Grand Canyon, Camp at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Go horseback riding in the Grand Canyon, and Go rafting down the Grand Canyon.
5995 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Architectural Wonders of Bagan MYANMAR
"Nearly a thousand years after the Burmese kingdom was formed, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the sprawling city."
180 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Parthenon GREECE
"After a recent restoration, the center of the Athenian Acropolis and symbol of Western democracy still inspires."
The Parthenon in Greece was originally painted in vibrant colors, including red, blue, and gold, which have faded over time.
816 people are doing this goal:
Visit Angkor Wat CAMBODIA
"The 12th century temple is the worlds largest religious structure and a jewel of Khmer architectural style."
Angkor Wat is believed to have been built as a Hindu temple, but later transformed into a Buddhist temple complex.
578 people are doing this goal:
Explore Ancient Ephesus TURKEY
"Ruled over the centuries by Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, there is much to see of the city’s former splendor."
Ephesus was once home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
268 people are doing this goal:
Visit Venice ITALY
"The enchanting city celebrates its Middle Age and Renaissance glory through its art, architecture and enduring spirit."
The most popular thing to do in Venice, Italy is to take a gondola ride through the city's famous canals.
1465 people are doing this goal:
Explore the Amazon Rain Forest
"With an ecosystem under siege, every moment in this wild wonderland is one to savor."
349 people are doing this goal:
Dive the Great Barrier Reef AUSTRALIA
"Beautiful beaches and unrivaled underwater views lure lovers of marine life to the world’s largest coral reef."
The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish, making it a diver's paradise.
720 people are doing this goal:
Visit the Galápagos Islands ECUADOR
"Evolution disciples and the merely curious can experience conspicuously adapted wildlife off the coast of Ecuador."
The Galápagos Islands are home to giant tortoises that can live over 100 years.
637 people are doing this goal:
Ride a Stage of the Tour de France FRANCE
"You may not be wearing the yellow jersey, but taking a bicycle on the world's most famous race is still thrilling."
82 people are doing this goal:
Ski the Vasaloppet SWEDEN
"For the thrill-seeking sports enthusiasts, few races can compete with this exhilarating Swedish ski race."
56 people are doing this goal:
Hike the Appalachian Trail UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
"For decades, the backbone of the Eastern United States has given much needed respite for thousands of nature enthusiasts."
The Appalachian Trail spans approximately 2,190 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, making it one of the longest hiking trails in the world.
495 people are doing this goal:
Drive the road to Hana HAWAII
"The zigzagging road may take long to traverse for only being 52 miles long, but the eye candy alone makes it worthwhile."
157 people are doing this goal:
Visit Table Mountain SOUTH AFRICA
"High above Cape Town, this craggy wildlife preserve provides sprawling views and thrilling hikes."
Table Mountain's unique "tablecloth" cloud formation is created by the south-easterly wind, known locally as the "Cape Doctor.
302 people are doing this goal:
Visit Santorini GREECE
"The Greek isle, a remnant of a long ago volcanic eruption, has most everything a traveler would want: great food and awe-inspiring scenery."
Santorini's iconic white-washed buildings are designed to reflect sunlight and keep interiors cool.
558 people are doing this goal:
Visit Iceland's Volcanoes ICELAND
"Set atop a tectonic hotspot, the small island is home to breathtaking eruptions and other geologic sites."
Many Icelandic volcanoes are subglacial, leading to explosive jökulhlaup floods upon eruption.
251 people are doing this goal:
Visit The Outer Hebrides UNITED KINGDOM
"Breathtaking views and millennia of history charm guests of these islands off the coast of Scotland."
153 people are doing this goal:
Visit White Sands NEW MEXICO
"The New Mexico national monument is a barren and desolate place with an otherworldly appeal."
Home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world, covering over 275 square miles of desert.
299 people are doing this goal:
See the ancient architecture of Fatehpur Sikri INDIA
"Abandoned for centuries, the Indian site attracts tourists from around the world for its majestic buildings."
101 people are doing this goal:
Visit Berlin GERMANY
"After withstanding world and cold wars, the German city is a thriving metropolis, filled with nightclubs and cultural treats."
The most popular thing to do in Berlin is to visit the historic Brandenburg Gate and explore the surrounding area, including the iconic Unter den Linden boulevard and the nearby Reichstag building.
1016 people are doing this goal:
See Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona SPAIN
"The capital’s cityscape bears the unmistakable Modernist mark of the Spanish architect in its churches, buildings and parks."
Explore Park Güell for a whimsical experience of Gaudi's colorful mosaic designs and unique structures.
574 people are doing this goal:
See Costa Rica's Turtles and Birdlife COSTA RICA
"Close government watch on wildlife has made the Central American country a must-see for animal lovers."
257 people are doing this goal:
Go Whale Watching in Newfoundland CANADA
"Once a home base for commercial whalers, the Canadian province is now a popular locale for spotting the massive creatures."
274 people are doing this goal:
See the alligators in the Everglades FLORIDA
"The swampy nature preserve is home to many of southern Florida's infamous reptile natives."
The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including the endangered Florida panther and the American crocodile.
280 people are doing this goal:
ALSO ON DAY ZERO...
Get inspired with these ideas for interesting and different experiences around the world.
Take your goal setting to the next level with a whole set of exclusive features that will empower you to achieve more.
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