Spread out over 4 continents, did you know that the new 7 Wonders of the World were actually voted on in the early 2000s with over 100 million votes tallied? These icons are a celebration of cultural heritage & human achievement. Let’s dive in……
- #1 Petra, Jordan 🇯🇴 – hands down my favorite wonder, conquered +45k steps through the elusive Siq & the first OMG at sight of the grandeur of the Treasury, endless ruins to climb on & the grand finale climbing up to the epic Monastery
- #2 Machu Picchu, Peru 🇵🇪 – this one was my 1st multi day hard core excursion with my little brother & truly life changing after 4 days trekking up to the Sun Gate & descending into this national treasure
- #3 Colosseum, Rome, Italy 🇮🇹 – my 1st international adventure via a Disney Cruise & 1st site, absolutely loved the vibe winding through the Italian streets & marveling at this 2k+ year old relic that could seat 50k+ people
- #4 Taj Mahal, India 🇮🇳 – my last but not least, it’s grandeur is unparalleled & exquisite, it took 20k workers 22 years to complete in an octagon (signaling the 8 gates to heaven) & it’s completely symmetrical
- #5 The Great Wall of China 🇨🇳 – my 2nd to last visit & complex web of travel days to reach this massive site that can be seen from space, don’t miss sliding down the wall post visit
- #6 Chichen Itza, Mexico 🇲🇽 – just a vague early 2000’s memory from numerous cruise excursions & we used to be able to climb up
- #7 Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janero, Brazil 🇧🇷 – Rio was a chaotic whirlwind & after many switchbacks climbing the local mountain, we are dropped at the base of this monstrous statue to bask in its shadow overlooking the stunning bay
- BONUS #1 – why aren’t the Pyramids of Giza on this list? They are over-the-top spectacular & actually were on the original ancient wonders list. I was fortunate enough to be one of the first visitors returning to Egypt post pandemic…. only 3 buses (typically 1k+ daily) had the site to ourselves to fully appreciate this architectural feat!
- BONUS #2 – I also have to make a case for the elusive Angkor Wat in remote Cambodia. Witnessing the first light of day cascade over this biggest spiritual fortress in the world was a top 10 sunrise of my lifetime & exploring all these ancient temples truly left me speechless!
