26 Dec The Ultimate Travel List – Must-See Places Around the Globe
Creating a travel bucket list is all about ticking off dreams and expanding your horizons. This book features 500 of the world’s most unmissable sights and experiences.
It lists all sorts of things you should do before you die, from the obvious (like hiking the Inca Trail) to the slightly more obscure (such as visiting Myanmar’s surreal jungle-village of Nyaung Ohak). The Ultimate Travel List is full of inspiration and insight.
Machu Picchu
While many travelers are soothing their canceled-vacation blues with daydreaming trips, the experts at Lonely Planet have released a coffee table book that spotlights the top 500 travel experiences around the world. From the sandstone city of Petra in Jordan to the savannah landscape of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the latest version of The Ultimate Travel List includes an array of must-see places for travelers to explore.
Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the Urubamba Valley in modern-day Peru, Machu Picchu is one of the most famous archaeological sites on Earth. Originally built as a private estate for the Inka emperor Pachacuti Inka Yupanqui, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Wonder of the World attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. The complex of stone buildings, terraced fields, and stairways blend seamlessly with their natural setting. The most famous structures include the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana, a carved granite rock thought to function as a solar clock or calendar.
Getting to Machu Picchu is just as much of an adventure as the destination itself. Most visitors arrive by train from Cusco, or on foot along the Inca Trail, which typically takes several days of hiking to reach the citadel. Either way, make sure to prepare for the high altitude with plenty of water and snacks. It’s also best to visit during the dry winter season, from April to October. This is when the weather is clearest, though rain can still occur at times. The summer months are popular as well, but can be crowded with tourists and more likely to experience precipitation.
St Petersburg
The flamboyant capital of Russia’s former imperial dynasty, St Petersburg is a bewitching city, suffused with Russian flair and European elegance. Peter the Great’s vision of a modern Russian-European city was built on a grand scale, incorporating canals and gilded palaces that earned the city its nickname “Venice of the North”.
The Hermitage Museum is one of the world’s greatest art museums, and the city’s numerous other palaces, cathedrals, churches, and historical buildings make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also the first capital of the Russian Empire, relegating Moscow to second place, and later endured a devastating siege by German forces in WWII. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, St Petersburg imbibed a new energy that fueled the restoration of its crumbling facades and cultural treasures.
Among the city’s other must-see attractions are the magnificent golden-domed churches, and the stately Mariinsky Theatre, which still hosts Tchaikovsky operas and ballets to this day. Its storied past is evident in the city’s streets and canals, where row upon row of former imperial buildings have been converted into boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
The historic city markets are among the best places to get high-quality fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables. Strolling the bustling markets under wide northern skies is a great way to soak up the unique atmosphere of this historic town. Alternatively, try some of St Petersburg’s famous cuisine, which ranges from doughy pie and hearty soup to blini with caviar and luscious beef stroganoff.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it is a truly enchanting city. Its rich cultural heritage and vibrant street life is a major draw for millions of travelers each year. Whether you are looking to spend a day shopping at luxury malls or simply explore its bustling street markets and temples, this city will leave you with a memorable experience.
One of the best things to do in Bangkok is to take a river cruise on the Chao Phraya River. This is a great way to view the opulent Grand Palace, Wat Pho temple with its famous reclining Buddha, and other important landmarks in the city. The river also houses a lot of beautiful shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Another must-visit attraction is the Royal Palace in Bangkok. This is a beautiful and historic building that houses the most sacred Buddha image in the country. It is also home to a museum that exhibits the domestic arts and artefacts of Thailand such as Chinese weapons, khon masks, decorative arts, textiles, precious stones, etc.
Lastly, make sure to visit Chinatown in Bangkok. This is where you can find the most extensive selection of street food in Bangkok. The place is especially lively at night when it turns into a mini entertainment capital of the city.
Lastly, be sure to try the delicious durian while in Bangkok! This fruit is known for its unique odor and taste. Many of the locals love it and consider it to be the king of fruits.
Hanoi
The frenetic capital of Vietnam is a sensory overload: Steaming pots of star anise-infused Pho broth simmer on every corner; the scent of bun cha fills the air as barbecued pork sizzles over hot coals; and the clang of blacksmiths’ hammers is omnipresent. But this enchanting city has more to offer than the usual sights, including its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. So it is best to travel with a well-versed tour guide across the beautiful sights of Hanoi.
The Old Quarter offers a glimpse into the country’s complex past. The streets are roughly arranged by trade, and they’re lined with small temples such as Bach Ma (literally ‘White Horse Temple’). Another must-see is the stunning Temple of Literature, which honors the nation’s finest scholars.
Hanoi is also the nation’s art capital, and the elegant Fine Arts Museum showcases the country’s foremost collection. The gallery features ancient Cham artifacts alongside impressionist works by modern Vietnamese artists. For something more contemporary, head to Manzi or the Vietnam Art Gallery.
Throughout the city, modern and traditional theatres, cinemas, karaoke bars, dance clubs, and bowling alleys are all a part of the action. And for those who like to shop, the Dong Xuan Market is the city’s largest indoor marketplace. It stretches over four stories, offering everything from wet markets and wholesale fabric to knock-off designer sunglasses and a wide range of electronics.
The best time to visit Hanoi is from April to June when trees burst into bloom and temperatures are pleasantly warm. It’s also a good choice for those looking to extend their trip with outdoor excursions to nearby places such as Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa. And don’t leave without sampling the city’s famous egg coffee and delicious street foods.
Prague
Prague is a treasure trove of historic architecture that offers one of the world’s most pristine collections of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque structures. The city escaped much of the devastation that plagued other European capitals during World War II, preserving its architecture in almost perfect condition.
Step back in time at Old Town Square, St Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle and take in the romance of Charles Bridge (which locals claim was built using eggs to hold its 16 elegant arches together). Then visit Vysehrad, a neo-Gothic structure that’s made up of a basilica and a fortress perched on a hill overlooking the lower city. You can also explore the cemetery here, where you’ll find the graves of Czech writers and composers like Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak.
Prague also offers a wide variety of parks with sprawling shaded seating and beer gardens. There’s even the Riegrovy Sady park, which houses an impressive collection of museums—including mineralogy, zoology and anthropology—plus two outdoor climbing walls and four beach volleyball courts.
For those looking to dance the night away, head to SaSaZu—Prague’s hottest and largest spot to catch a lineup of international DJs and music gods and goddesses. The club features a 5,000-square-meter dance floor on multiple lounge levels and expertly-handled cocktails and absinthe.