A traveler’s soul is a funny thing. No matter where you go, and what you see you will never have your fill. The end of one trip is when you plan another. Yes, logistics like holiday dates and savings do need to be factored in but that doesn’t stop a wanderer from exploring the world. And those filled with wanderlust know, seeing the world’s glorious sights can be a deeply moving and life-changing experience.
The places I want to visit keep me dreaming, saving, and optimistic about life. There was a time when I kept a photo of the Vatican City on my work desk. It was my ultimate holiday destination back then. And looking at a photo of the place renewed my desire to go there every single time. I made it after three years of yearning and now a photo of Greece has replaced it. I also started working on a list of places I wanted to visit so that I can start preparing for the trips (mentally, at least).
After much research and conversations with my travel-enthusiast friends (including my own travel fantasies), I have now drawn up a list of my top eight must-see-before-I-die places because it’s a big world out there and it’s quite daunting to think of having, let’s say, 40 places you want to visit but not having enough resources or time to see it all. So, for starters, I have narrowed it down to these eight places and then when I’m done, I’ll simply draw up a new list.
Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is neither the tallest nor the widest waterfall on the planet. But its combined height and width make it the largest – an enormous sheet of falling water twice the height of Niagara Falls. The falls can be viewed from either the Zambian or the Zimbabwean side, with the Zimbabwean regarded as the more picturesque. The Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe offers daredevils a thrill. I want to sign up for the Victoria Falls Bungee to either zip line across it or bungee jump from it. I read you could even leap off it attached to a rope that swings out over the Zambezi River.
The swing at the “End of the World” in Baños, Ecuador
At the edge of Ecuador sits a rickety tree house (casa del árbol) overlooking an active volcano in the near distance. The tree house is actually a seismic monitoring station. With it comes a swing with no harnesses, inviting only the bravest of risk-takers to experience a killer view. I read about this place in a book and have been fascinated with the idea of being in that swing – metal beam attached to a rope – ever since. The Grand
I admire how the stars stay awake to watch us sleep
Canyon in Arizona, United States
This magnificent beauty is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Vast, magnificent and inarguably beautiful, the Grand Canyon is considered Arizona’s most distinguishable landmark. A lot of my friends in the States have already been here and they say it’s a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe.
Fingal’s Cave on the island of Staffa in Scotland
Although it may seem like the block structure of the cave is man-made, it was actually formed by lava flow. It’s a geological marvel that I must definitely see once in my lifetime. It also kind of resembles the cave in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and that is one of the main reasons why this place makes it into my prized list. Be honest, not many of us could (can) resist the charm of the world of Harry Potter.
Glowworm Caves in Waitomo, New Zealand
There is a specific spot in the Waitomo Caves known as the Glowworm Grotto, a place where glowworms create a starry effect on the ceilings. This species is exclusively found in New Zealand and is around the size of a mosquito. Waitomo is the most accessible and popular black water rafting attraction in New Zealand. I read that tour operators can take you on a caving and/or black water rafting adventure inside the glowworm caves.
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Great Pyramid, one of three main pyramids located at Giza, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the only one that has survived to present day. It was built in the Fourth Dynasty and was the tallest building on earth until the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889. However, in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Egypt isn’t the place for DIY travel. So, for the most comfortable experience, I have to convince my friends to go on tour here someday.
Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Yes, I have not been to see the Taj Mahal and I know I absolutely must do so soon. The awe-inspiring Taj Mahal is the world’s most famous monument in honor of love. The white marble mausoleum was built sometime in the mid-1600s by emperor Shah Jahan in remembrance of his wife Mumtaz, a Persian princess. Located just south of the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal remains one of the world’s finest examples of Mughal style—an elegant combination of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architecture. A friend told me that the interior is even more beautiful than the exterior.
Santorini Island in the Aegean Sea, Greece
The movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding made me want to go to Greece specially Santorini. This Greek island is in the southern Aegean Sea and its major feature is the volcano that played an important role as it formed the island and offered it its unique terrain morphology. The volcanic caldera, which covers the west side of the island, constitutes a big part of its natural beauty and makes it a special place. The wild beauty is completed with the view of the volcanic islands opposite of Santorini. Besides the gifted villages that provide outstanding views of the caldera, there are many picturesque settlements in Santorini that I have been dying to visit as well.
