Top-100 Must-See Places in the World
Hi all!
In recent years, I’ve been totting up around a hundred flights per year. That’s around four or five hundred hours in the sky. Then there are normally around 3000 kilometers behind the wheel of rented cars per year, numerous train rides, and quite a few trips on ships and ferries to add in.
One day, reflecting on my excessive globetrotting, I was wondering how I could put all my traveling and seeing the world to further good use. And that’s when I had a bit of a eureka moment… Maybe I should come up with a ‘Top-100 Must-See Places in the World’ – according to moi. Cities, historical sites, archeology, natural wonders… A personal list of what I consider the most unique places on the planet (and beyond) made up of both those I’ve already seen, and those which I’ve heard about and hope to one day see for myself.
So, here I give you my list, with a few brief comments on each place. The list does have some order to it: First come the cities/towns, then everything else per region – the Americas, Europe, and so on. I’ve saved the tastiest morsels for the very end, under the incongruously plain ‘other’ category.
I’ve Wikified all the places’ names and plenty of other things. And if I have more to share besides a brief description or comment, I’ll insert the respective links:
- ‘Blog’: Links to – you guessed it – pages on my personal blog about a given place;
- ‘Flickr’: For the places I’ve been to, links to my personal Flickr account – if I had time to fit some snapping in.
Important!
This list was prepared by me personally and contains many of my personal opinions. It also may contain the odd error or two.
And so, the Top-100 Must-See Places in the World – my version.
No.
Place
Commentary
Links
1
Manhattan, New York, USA
A bewildering place. There’s such energy here – perhaps a leftover from the oodles of energy that were required to build up such a unique city! I really recommend a helicopter excursion over the borough. You won’t regret it.
2
Dubai, UAE
Dubai-hattan . Getting to the top of Burj Khalifa is a must. I also suggest visiting the aquarium in the Atlantis hotel; the aqua-park there is really something too.
3
Tokyo, Japan
It’s another world – in all dimensions. Especially when the cherry trees are in blossom.
4
Hong Kong
One more ‘other world’. Wonderfully vibrant.
5
Singapore
Yep, Southeast Asian cities feature prominently up at the top end of this list. Here, to me, the seafood restaurants and The Long Beach are the best of their kind in the world.
6
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Surrounded by stupendously magical nature – mountains, beaches, ocean… But don’t get deep into the city itself – you may get robbed.
7
Paris, France
My three fave spots: The Eiffel Tower (surprise, surprise!), Notre Dame, and the Pompidou Center. Check the film Before Sunset to get a feel for the romance of the city before experiencing it .
8
Barcelona, Spain
Gaudi, La Rambla, a very sensible and convenient city layout, and that unmistakable care-free Catalonian atmosphere in the air. Nearby there’s Montserrat, the Dali museum in Figueres, and holiday haven Costa Brava (renting a car or motorbike and whizzing along the coast road is highly recommended).
9
Rome, Italy
The eternal city… Must-haves: good weather, sensible shoes, Band-Aids, city guide/map, and you’re off!
10
Sydney, Australia
Beautiful bay, the Opera House, the yachts, Bondi Beach, flying foxes… Overall a most charming and pleasant city to visit (but I think for living – not just visiting – Melbourne has the edge). Also: the Blue Mountains National Park and multicolored musical tours in huge caves (of which there are several, so a good two or three days are needed).
11
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
It’s not just the casinos and gaudiness and modernday neon here in Sin City. This place is a fascinating non-stop show, seething with the life and outlandish oddness. Around and about there’s a lot of natural beauty to be seen too.
12
Jerusalem, Israel
The Old City – oh yes. Was there just recently, and will never tire of returning.
13
London, UK
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” How right Dr. Johnson was.
14
San Francisco, California, USA
A handsome hilly city. Beauteous bridges, twee trams, Dirty Harry, Alcatraz, a red bridge of merit… Don’t miss it!
15
St. Petersburg, Russia
White Nights, bridges, Dostoyevsky, sympathy.
16
Venice, Italy
Haven’t experienced Murano, but oh how I want to.
17
Kyoto, Japan
The former capital of Japan, full of ancient temples and gardens. Don’t miss the Samurai Village where you can get dressed up in full warrior/geisha garb – surprisingly unforgettable fun!
18
Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
These, er, grand canyons hardly need any introduction… If ever you’re in nearby Vegas, a good idea is to get here by helicopter. After landing make sure to take in the Skywalk.
Vertigo-inducing!
Vertigo-inducing!
19
Sequioa National Park, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
A gigantic forest. There’s also the nearby Yosemite National Park, which I visited just recently. It was back in 1997 when I was in Sequioa last, but just how it blew the mind I remember as clear as crystal, especially looking at the tiny baby trees only just beginning their long lives next to their parents towering above…
20
Alaska, USA
Formerly Russian, this place is reminiscent of my alltime fave place Kamchatka – just across the Bering Sea (see place No. 52, below), which is still Russian, as Sarah Palin confirmed .
21
Niagara River, USA and Canada
I only got to see this water-wonder from a plane, but really it needs to be viewed from the ground too, and from both sides (Canadian and US).
22
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Geysers and other volcanism. Perfect!
23
Arizona, USA
There’s more to Arizona than the Grand Canyon. Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and Paria Canyon, The Wave – red columns, cliffs and caves. There’s also Sedona and Red Rock Country.
24
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA
A gigantic salt pan near the aptly titled Salt Lake City. Downhill skiing nearby too.
25
Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico
Mayan pyramids. It’s best to get here as early in the day as possible – before the hordes
of (other!) tourists turn up!
of (other!) tourists turn up!
26
Teotihuacan, Mexico
Pyramids in an ancient Aztec city. Must-see of this must-see: a sunset (or sunrise) at the Pyramid of the Sun.
27
Cenote near Cancún
Especially Rio Secreto. Underground rivers and lakes. Preeminently picturesque doesn’t quite describe this place.
28
Cuba
Still quaintly (to non-Cubans, perhaps) Communist, with the Castros still running the place. Classic motor show on the streets of Havana, Cuba Libre, sweet mojitos, and the white beaches of Veradero. Factor 50 needed – minimum!
29
Machu Picchu, Peru
The forgotten city of the Incas. I was there not long ago. Check out my travelogue &
picture book –
here!
picture book –
here!
30
Iguaçu Falls, Brazil/ Argentina
You need to see these wonderful waterfalls twice really – in low water season and high water season, as they’re so different from each other. They say you need to observe them from both sides too – from Brazil (as I did) and from Argentina (still to do). You can actually go under the waterfalls in a motorboat, and it’s the best shower in the world! Surrounding environs also have plenty of interesting sights worth checking out…
31
Panama Canal
Haven’t been. The Tailor of Panama – a pre-visit primer.
32
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Still on my ‘to-do’ list.
33
Ecuadorian volcanoes
Haven’t been.
34
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Haven’t been.
35
Easter Island, Chile
The Moai. Mesmerizing monuments. Haven’t been.
36
Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Haven’t been.
37
Sicily, Italy
Archeology island. Calatafimi-Segesta, Agrigento, Syracuse, Villa Romana del Casale – all musts.
38
Neapolitan islands, Italy
Paestum and Pompeii, Capri (yachting thereto and around advised), Vesuvius, a remarkable
coast. Naples itself?… no need to bother.
coast. Naples itself?… no need to bother.
39
Crete, Greece
Such a magical island – nature, archeological history, the Greek spirit. Take a car and crisscross the whole island. Every bit of it really is worth seeing.
40
Santorini, Greece
Mediterranean volcanic mind-mash. I’ve been four times now, the last time just recently. Many friends have been here based on my recommendation. None regrets taking my advice .
41
Iceland
Volcanism and related superlative scenery. Iceland’s inclusion in this – my! – list was a dead cert!
42
Greenland
If possible, climb up the glaciers.
43
Normandy beaches, France
They say they’re somberly striking in a macabre way.
44
Scottish Highlands and Islands
distillery tour’s a great idea if you like your single malts. Of the islands, Skye is the most other-worldly outstanding – and (formerly) volcanic; however, it has just one distillery, albeit a very special one .
45
Norwegian fjords
Haven’t been; folks who have tend to rave about them.
46
Sardinia, Italy
Haven’t been. Ditto.
47
Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil’s, Moscow, Russia
he three most famous Russian landmarks all happen to be in one place. There’s GUM here too, plus the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many of our guests from overseas say it’s the most beautiful spot in Europe. Can’t say I can argue.
48
Solovetsky Islands, White Sea, Russia
Kuzov (been), Solovki (haven’t been), and the rest… An archipelago oft-licked by glaciers.
Bleakly serene.
Bleakly serene.
49
Altai, Siberia, Russia
The Russian Shambala. Everything here is somehow brighter and more alive than in other places. The water is tastier, the mountains – more contrasting, the sky – bluer, the grass – greener.
50
Lena Pillars, Yakutia, Russia
Just been. Perplexing pillars in the permafrost province of extreme temperature extremes.
51
Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
Haven’t been here either, though I must have flown over it hundreds of times! The world’s largest lake, easily visible from outer space.
52
Kamchatka and the Kuril Isles, Russia
I haven’t been to the Kurils yet, but I have been to the Kamchatka Peninsula plenty of times. Kamchatka to me is the most unusual, beautiful and mind-blowing place on the planet. The Kluchevskaya group of volcanoes; the Northern Prorif (Fissure); the Valley of the Geysers; and the Mutnovka, Ksudach and Gorely volcanoes – that’s straight away five (!) candidates for a +1 to the wonders of the world! On the plains and in the forests – friendly (sated!) bears, in the rivers loads of fish, in the ocean – killer whales and submarines. Only two minuses: the weather and the price of getting there – ridiculous rubles.
53
Dead Sea
No other place like this one. The water’s so salty you float on it, and if you lick just a drop off your fingers you need at least a bottle or two of cold beer to rehydrate [sic!].
54
Pamukkale, Turkey
A cascade of wondrous waterfalls plus limestone pools and piping hot springs. Alas, it’s been badly spoiled by both the local population and the crowds of tourists that visit here, so maybe I shouldn’t be mentioning it… Still, this list would be incomplete without it, as it’s just so impressive.
55
Cappadocia, Turkey
Volcanic stone columns in Anatolia.
56
Petra, Jordan
I’ve heard so much about this place, and of course seen it in Death on the Nile. Have to get there soon…
57
Baalbek and Byblos, Lebanon
The stone blocks of the foundations of Baalbeck – can’t wait to take in their size myself.
Byblos – more awesome ancient antiquity.
Byblos – more awesome ancient antiquity.
58
Egyptian Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings
Technical Egypt. Enigmatic Egypt. Extraordinary Egypt.
59
Isfahan, Iran
Iran’s third-largest city; brimming with ancient palaces, mosques, covered bridges, boulevards and city squares.
60
Taj Mahal, India
A magical place, especially how it contrasts with the somewhat bleak surroundings. Take an individual tour with a guide in a minivan to avoid getting overly-jolted about on a tourist bus.
61
Nepal and the Himalayas
Haven’t been.
62
Bagan and Mandalay, Myanmar
Thousands of temples and pagodas in a palace complex covering a vast Burmese territory.
Only in my dreams so far…
Only in my dreams so far…
63
Mount Fuji, Japan
A cult location. I was at the top in early May – low season. I recommend this time of year as in high season the line of those wanting to get to the top gets exceedingly long. The surrounding area offers plenty of other interesting things to see too, like Hakone, lava caves, and very strange forests…
64
Great Wall of China
They say that at one time, long, long ago, folks could walk for several days along the wall. Alas, these days only a relatively short section is open to the public; all the same it’s still totally worth checking out for its uniqueness.
65
Beijing, China
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Mandatory must-sees. Sadly there’s not a great deal more to see in Beijing besides.
66
Terracotta Army, China
Haven’t been.
67
Wulingyuan, China
Impressive stone columns. Avatar’s Pandora!
68
Danxia landform, China
Red sandstone formations in the southeast and southwest of China.
69
Huanglong, China
Brightly colored chalky pools in Sichuan giving Turkey’s Pamukkale (see place No. 54, above) a run for its money. It’s best to see this place in October; at other times the weather’s never quite right.
70
Li River and Guilin, China
Karst mountains and caves. Haven’t been.
71
Stone Forest, China
Haven’t been.
72
Lhasa, Tibet
Haven’t been.
73
Mount Kailash, Tibet
Everest’s little brother
74
Ha Long Bay
Avatar on water.
75
Caves I don’t know the names of, Vietnam
Will someone at least please tell me what they’re called? :)
76
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ancient ruins, Buddhist temples.
77
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
More ancient temple ruins. The largest religious monument in the world.
78
Borobodur, Indonesia
Another temple – also Buddhist.
79
Papua New Guinea
Haven’t been.
80
Sahara, Northern Africa
Salty lakes, oases and a fair amount of sand. The world’s largest desert, it blows the brain – especially at dusk (I slept through the dawn). Experienced it in Tunisia.
81
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Zambia
Like the Iguazu Falls, these need to be viewed both from up top (I did this) and down below (didn’t manage it). I recommend a helicopter excursion for optimal viewing, and to fly also along the Zambezi river (reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s flight along the Death Star in Star Wars).
82
Cape Town, South Africa
Particular must-sees of this must-see: Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope.
83
Djenné and Timbuktu, Mali
Haven’t been. Must go. Just so I’ll be able to say, at last, that I’ve literally been ‘from here to Timbuktu’ .
84
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Get to the top, if you can.
85
Kenya
Savannah and safari (Maasai Mara, Serengeti, etc.).
86
Namib Desert, Angola
I’m told this coastal desert is unbelievably beautiful.
87
Madagascar
They say the countryside here is very unusual. I really want see it in the flesh – especially the baobab – but they say it’s very dangerous there now.
88
Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia
The large red sandstone rock in central Oz. In actual fact there are three hills there in a line that need checking, the other two being Kata Tjuta (20km away), and Mount Connor (80km away); each one unique in its own special way.
89
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
The name says it all. Ocean, beaches, national park, all sorts of attractions… Paradise!).
A fascinating place in so many ways. I’ve been more than once, and I’ll be back!
A fascinating place in so many ways. I’ve been more than once, and I’ll be back!
90
Great Barrier Reef
I got close – to Hamilton Island.
91
Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Haven’t been.
92
Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
This road is a pleasure to drive along. The highlights are the 12 Apostles – limestone doing its stuff again. Magnificent stone monuments.
93
Tasmania
Not to be confused with Tanzania (see place No. 84, above)! Haven’t been. How the Tasmanian devil I want to…
94
New Zealand
Was there the first 17 days of 2013. Volcanism, lakes, glaciers, fiords, waterfalls, hobbits… Sensational!
96
Tahiti
Want to go here just because it’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
97
North Pole
Haven’t been. Fancy a New Year’s Eve/Day there, for symmetry’s sake.
You also can download this list in pdf book via Download (PDF, 0,6 Mb)
