Places You Have To See Before You Die

The Wave, Arizona

This large sandstone formation located near the Arizona and Utah border is famous among hikers for its colorful, undulating forms.

The Twelve Apostles, Australia

This collection of limestone stacks off the coast of Port Campbell National Park in Australia attracts roughly 2 million tourists every year.

Tianzi Mountains, China

Found in the Hunan province of China, the unique views from atop the Tianzi Mountains can be accessed by cable car.

Tanah Lot, Indonesia

This exotic rock off the coast of Bali features an ancient temple sitting upon its crumbling face.

Socotra, Yemen

Lying just off the Horn of Africa, this island is one of the most isolated in the world, at least in terms of it’s extremely unique flora and fauna.

Santorini, Greece

The site of some of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, this Greek island features picturesque beach side towns and Mediterranean sunsets.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Located in southwest Bolivia Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Every day about 5,000 people flock out into the desert to see the Pyramids. If at all possible try to take a camel ride or even an aerial tour via helicopter.

Preikestolen, Norway

Also known as the Preacher’s Pulpit, visiting this 600 meter high cliff is not recommended in winter or spring when the path to the top is paved with ice. In summer though the view of the valley below is breathtaking.

Positano, Italy

For years it was only a poor fishing village on the Italian coast but then in 1953 John Steibeck wrote these words of the region: “”Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Since then tourism has exploded.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

You may recognize this gem from our list of the 25 most amazing waterfalls in the world. Located in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes is actually 16 separate bodies of water divided into upper and lower basins by natural dams consisting of moss and algae.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Although they were devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 the Phi Phi Islands have still maintained their surreal beauty and are well known as the location for the filming of The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Petra, Jordan

Unknown to the western world until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt stumbled across it in 1812, this is now one of the most visited attractions in the Middle East.

Monument Valley, Utah

A vast region of the Colorado Plateau, Monument Valley consists of a large number of sandstone buttes reaching up to 1,000 feet above the valley floor.

Meteora, Greece

The surreal Meteora monasteries of Greece were originally built by monks to be a refuge from Turkish invaders and until 100 years ago there wasn’t any way to get to them except for rope ladders. Today, however, you can take a cable car or walk up the perilous staircase cut into the stone.

The Maldives

With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world every year thousands of tourists make their way to this island nation just south of Sri Lanka.

Machu Pichu, Peru

Situated on a mountain ridge overlooking Urubamba Valley in Peru, this is probably one of the most iconic remains of the massive Incan Empire.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

With thousands of islets and hidden coves, Ha Long Bay is famous for its large monolithic limestone islands rising formidably out of the ocean.

The Great Wall, China

Stretching thousands of miles along northern China the Great Wall was in fact several shorter walls joined together in part to provide protection from tribes to the north.

Bagan, Burma

An ancient city located in the Mandalay region of Burma, Bagan contains over 2,000 temples and pagodas from between the 9th and 13th centuries.