Holiday Travel

The New7Wonders Foundation announced the list of the modern seven wonders of the world on July 7, 2007, in Lisbon. The results were based on a worldwide poll in which about a 100 million people cast their votes. Of the ancient wonders of the world only the Pyramids of Egypt survive and have been named as an Honorary Candidate. These are must-see holiday travel destinations for anyone.

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico

The El Castillo Pyramid is an ancient Mayan temple built using precise astronomical calculations. It is a step pyramid of four sides, measuring 60 meters on each side and rising to a height of 24 meters. On each side there are 91 stairs leading up to a temple platform. The total number of steps is 365 steps – one for each day of the year.
On the Spring and Autumn Equinox, a magical play of light and shade takes place. The edges of the terraces cast a single shadow on the north staircase, creating the illusion of the feathered serpent Kukulcan or Quetzalcoatl descending from the temple to the serpent’s head at the base of the pyramid. This phenomenon occurs at the rising and setting of the Sun on Equinox.
Best time to visit: December, January, February

Christ The Redeemer, Brazil

The statue is located on top of the 700-meter high Corcovado mountain and overlooks the magnificent vista of Rio de Janeiro. White sandy beaches, bays with bobbing yachts, towering skyscrapers, Sugar Loaf mountain and also hills and forests create a fabulous view from the top. With hands outstretched, the statue seems to embrace its surroundings. About 39 meters tall and 30 meters wide, the statue was inaugurated in 1931 and remains a powerful symbol of Brazil’s Christianity.
Best time to visit: September, October

The Roman Colosseum, Italy

It is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of Rome. Completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre of the Roman empire and the grand stage for gladiatorial contests and animal hunts. Some of the contests involved the use of elaborate sets and were immensely popular with the local population. With a seating capacity of 50,000, the Colosseum runs 189 meters long and 156 meters wide and covers an area of 6 acres. A total of 80 entrances ensured that crowds could enter and exit with incredible ease.
Today the Colosseum remains an icon of Roman engineering and architecture.
Best time to visit: April, May, September, October

The Taj Mahal, India

Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in childbirth. It took 20,000 workers 22 years to build the mausoleum on the banks of the river Yamuna in Agra. The Taj houses Mumtaz Mahal’s grave, and Shah Jahan was later laid to rest beside her after his own death. The style of architecture is Mughal and reflects Persian as well as Hindu influences. Built entirely in translucent white marble, it is decorated with delicate motifs and with inlaid with precious stones. The beauty of this monument is unparalleled.
Best time to visit: October to March

The Great Wall of China

The Wall is not a single continuous wall but rather a series of separate walls measuring a length of about 8,500 kms. Construction of the wall began in the Qing dynasty in 221 BC. Fortification and extensions continued in the next millennia but it wasn’t until 1368 AD during the Ming dynasty that major extension recommenced. The older wall is made of rammed earth while the modern wall was built using stones and bricks and is as a result much stronger.
The Wall was built to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders. After Mongolia was annexed during the Ming dynasty, the construction of the wall ceased. Best time to visit: May, September, October

Petra, Jordan

The ancient Nabatean kingdom had Petra as its capital. Hidden by massive sandstone mountains, Petra served as the centre of caravan trade routes and hence flourished through trade. Approaching Petra from the east, make your way through the Siq, a one-kilometer long narrow, dark gorge formed by a split in the sandstone rock. At the end of the Siq, you will get the first dramatic glimpse of the Treasury through a narrow opening.
The façade of the Treasury, or Al Khazneh, is carved out of the rose-coloured sandstone mountain cliff. Rising to a height of 40 meters, the Treasury is remarkably well preserved because it is protected from the elements by the rock cliffs. Further ahead are an amphitheatre, various tombs and the Monastery.
Best time to visit: January to May

Machu Picchu, Peru

Located at a height of 2,450 meters in the Andes mountains, Machu Picchu is spectacularly located between two mountains. Built between 1460 and1470 AD, it was inhabited for about a century before being abandoned. Although known to the locals, it was never discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors and came to light in 1911 thanks to Hiram Bingham of Yale University.
Around 1,200 people, mostly priests, women and children, lived in Machu Picchu. There are about 140 structures surrounded by terraces used for growing crops. The main structures are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. The architecture is classic Inca involving stones cut into blocks and placed together without mortar. The stones are so tightly placed that not even a blade of grass can pass through.
Best time to visit: April and May

This was a difficult list to compile because there are many, many beaches that could make the list. Below are a few beach holiday travel destinations chosen for their scenic beauty and tranquility. They are perfect places for a summer holiday and most of them have great holiday resorts to make your holiday a little more special.

Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles

Often rated as one of the top beaches in the world, Anse Source D’Argent is on the island of La Digue in the Seychelles. Fine white sand with imposing granite rocks give the beach almost a sculptural beauty. The beach backs into a lush palm forest and its turquoise waters are protected by an offshore coral reef.
Best time to visit: May to September

Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica

This is a small cove with a white, sandy beach flanked by rocky coves. A river flows into the sea at one end of the beach and the calm sea near the beach becomes rougher where huge waves hit the rocks. The setting is absolutely spectacular.
Best time to visit: December to April

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

The beach is so named because its sand is a pale pink. The pink colour is derived from the shells of microscopic animals called Foraminifera. Stretching for 3 miles, the beach offers relative seclusion yet isn’t too far from the city.
Best time to visit: March to July

Tulum Beaches, Mexico

Some of Mexico’s finest beaches are in Tulum. Endless miles of fine white sand with Mayan ruins on a rocky outcrop make this location hard to beat. Apart from visiting the Tulum ruins, you can appreciate their majesty by swimming away from the shore and then turning back for a great view.
Best time to visit: December to April

Palolem Beach, India

Until just a few years ago Palolem remained undiscovered. A picturesque crescent-shaped bay, the beach has soft sand and two craggy outcrops. There’s also a small wooded island to the north that you can walk to in low tide or else you can persuade a local fisherman to ferry you across for a minimal fee.
Best time to visit: December to February

Myrtos Beach, Greece

The view of the beach from the top of the limestone cliffs is astonishingly beautiful. The sea subtly changes colour through the day, going from milky turquoise to deep indigo. A winding road takes you down to the mile long beach with white pebbles. Myrtos beach is on the island of Kefalonia and was made famous in the movie ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ starring Nicholas Cage.
Best time to visit: May, June, September, October

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Located on Whitsundy Island, Whitehaven beach is known for its brilliant powder white sand made of pure silica. The sand seems to gleam in the sun as crystal blue waves gently lap on the shore. The 7km-long beach is framed by a lush tropical forest.
Best time to visit: April to November

Here are a few other places to consider for their beaches: Corfu in Greece, Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, Kauai in Hawaii, Ipanema in Brazil and the beaches of the Caribbean islands

Whether it’s a breathtaking landscape, a vibrant city or a place that’s truly remote, there are many places that are perfect for your holiday travel. Here are a few options you may want to consider for your next romantic getaway or honeymoon:

Maldives

26 coral atolls spread across the equator constitute the Maldives. Luxury resorts on the islands offer the ultimate tropical paradise – privacy and isolation on white sandy beaches and incredible marine life in turquoise lagoons. Maldives is a great place for snorkeling and diving.
Best time to visit: December to April

Venice, Italy

Venice is undoubtedly one of the most romantic cities in the world. 150 canals criss-cross around magnificent piazzas and crumbling mansions. Gondoliers sail you under footbridges so you can steal a kiss or muster up courage to pop the question. The grand architecture of this great city is another reason to visit.
Best time to visit: May, June, September, February

Salzburg, Austria

The birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart, Salzburg is one of the most beautiful places in the Alps. The movie Sound Of Music was filmed here. Ringed by mountains, the city oozes style. Salzburg is small enough for you to explore its castle, churches and palaces on foot.
Best time to visit: May, June, September

Maui, Hawaii

The 10,000 foot Haleakala volcano dominates the island’s landscape. Rainforests, waterfalls, beaches and boutiques combined with great weather make Maui a honeymoon favourite. The more adventurous can embark on hiking trails or go snorkeling.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year

Paris, France

No other city in the world is quite as grand as Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Grand Boulevards, Montmartre, Louvre… the list of places to see is endless. Just sitting at a street-side café is an experience to savour.
Best time to visit: March, April, October, November

Positano, Italy

Positano is the most enchanting place on the 50 km long Amalfi coast. Steep, rocky cliffs dive into the sea and pretty houses seem to cling on to the rocky face. The town centre is at the highest point and steps and cobbled alleys lead you down to the beaches below. Affluent tourists have made this their favourite hangout since the 1950s.
Best time to visit: May, June, September, October

Marrakech, Morocco

With its many hammams, bustling bazaars and opulent riads, Marrakech is absolutely exotic. At the foot of snow-capped Atlas mountains and close to the Sahara desert, its location too makes it a unique experience.
Best time to visit: March, April, May, September, October

If you would like more ideas for a romantic holiday, read Great Spa Romantic Destinations.

Trekking holidays are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Listed below are a few of the most picturesque treks. You can either book them through a dedicated trek operator or embark on your own along established routes.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Follow in the footsteps of the Incas and make your way through spectacular mountain ranges and thick forests teeming with birds, orchids and butterflies. Visit ancient ruins as you make your way to the astonishing city of Machu Picchu. This is often rated as the best trek in the world.
Best time to visit: April and May

Grand Canyon

Explore the stunning desert landscape, visit Indian reservations, descend into the Grand Canyon and make your way past gushing waterfalls to the mighty Colorado river.
Best time to visit South Rim: November to February
Best time to visit North Rim: May, September and early October

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Africa’s highest peak rises to a height of 5,895 meters and is the world’s tallest walkable mountain. However, it’s not an easy trek and requires a high level of fitness. The Marangu and the Rongai routes are the easier routes to climb.
Best time to visit: January, February, March, September and October

The Alps, France & Switzerland

Go from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, making your way through quaint villages and gentle meadows and ascending to glacial peaks and high mountain passes.
Best time to visit: June, July, August September

Annapurna Region, Nepal

The awesome Himalayas provide breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. At the foothills of the Annapurna, which rises to a majestic 8,091 meters, you can trek through charming villages, forests and walk past icy waterfalls. As you go higher, the mountain range becomes even more awe-inspiring.
Best times to visit: October, November, April, May

Patagonia, Argentina

This route is ideal for both casual trekkers and serious climbers. Pristine lakes, flowing rivers and rugged mountains surrounded by ancient forests make this trek truly unforgettable.
Best times to visit: February, March, October, November

Ladakh Range, India

Located in the Himalayas, Ladakh’s arid terrain occasionally resembles a moonscape. This is a stunning region of India which is cut off from the rest off from the world in the harsh winter months and is only accessible in summer.
Best time to visit: June, July, August, September