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Smithsonian Magazine's 43 Places to See Before You Die

          
For a great list of the absolute must-see locations around the globe, Smithsonian magazine has published a list of their top 43 places:
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.
 

"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.

519 people are doing this goal:

"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.

1069 people are doing this goal:

"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.

299 people are doing this goal:

"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."

679 people are doing this goal:

"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.

887 people are doing this goal:

"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.

1303 people are doing this goal:

"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.

504 people are doing this goal:

"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.

1316 people are doing this goal:

"One of the best reasons to head to Canada for vacation is to catch the beautiful Northern Lights."

597 people are doing this goal:
ALSO ON DAY ZERO...
Get inspired with these ideas for interesting and different experiences around the world.
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"A series of 200 separate waterfalls, Iguazu is best viewed when the river is high and the moon is full."

361 people are doing this goal:

"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."

1492 people are doing this goal:

"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.

1961 people are doing this goal:

"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.

422 people are doing this goal:

"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.

398 people are doing this goal:

"Dubbed “the wildest, wickedest river,” this 4,000-mile-long waterway has played a major role in Chinese civilization."

146 people are doing this goal:

"The coldest and windiest place on Earth is still largely undiscovered."

535 people are doing this goal:

"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.

217 people are doing this goal:

"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.

803 people are doing this goal:

"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.

564 people are doing this goal:

"Ruled over the centuries by Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, there is much to see of the city’s former splendor."

262 people are doing this goal:

"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.

1434 people are doing this goal:

"With an ecosystem under siege, every moment in this wild wonderland is one to savor."

347 people are doing this goal:

"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.

715 people are doing this goal:

"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.

623 people are doing this goal:

"For the thrill-seeking sports enthusiasts, few races can compete with this exhilarating Swedish ski race."

54 people are doing this goal:

"The zigzagging road may take long to traverse for only being 52 miles long, but the eye candy alone makes it worthwhile."

154 people are doing this goal:

"High above Cape Town, this craggy wildlife preserve provides sprawling views and thrilling hikes."

299 people are doing this goal:

"The Greek isle, a remnant of a long ago volcanic eruption, has most everything a traveler would want: great food and awe-inspiring scenery."

550 people are doing this goal:

"Set atop a tectonic hotspot, the small island is home to breathtaking eruptions and other geologic sites."

248 people are doing this goal:

"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.

284 people are doing this goal:

"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.

998 people are doing this goal:

"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.

559 people are doing this goal:

"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.

270 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.
 
 
See the original list and article from the January 2008 edition of Smithsonian magazine.
 

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