Wonders to Behold

While the travel industry continues to change, bending to meet the needs of ever-evolving travel trends, one thing remains the same: Iconic landmarks reign supreme. Whether traveling to a destination specifically to visit the must-see locale or just looking for something to see and do on vacation, we’re drawn in by iconic sites.

Maybe you heard about a must-see destination, or saw the Golden Gate Bridge and steep hills of San Francisco on Full House and decided to make a pilgrimage — either way, word gets around, and we feel wanderlust for culture and FOMO experiences.

Measuring iconic locales to visit can vary person to person, but in terms of most visited, it’s safe to say these landmarks are the world’s most sought-after.

According to airline and hotel booking sites, Iceland is one of the hottest travel destinations of the past few years. Once on the island, visitors flock to its naturally beautiful caves and hot springs. The rising interest in Iceland drove hundreds of thousands to the iconic natural geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon. Last year alone, more than 700,000 international guests made their way to the lava field for the mineral-rich waters.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, stands out among a slew of icons. Whether its dark history or its famous image provides the allure, the ancient gladiator battleground attracts visitors from around the world to get a look at the ruins.

When a destination is so remote and ancient that droves of visitors threaten its existence just by over-tourism, you know you have an intriguing destination. Insert Machu Picchu, Peru. This South American wonder boasts incredible beauty, scenic hikes, tribal ruins and history — hence the reasons more than 1 million visitors made their way to its mountainside in 2016.

Recently on a slight decline in annual tourist visits, Stonehenge in England still records more than 1 million visitors each year. The historic site dates back to 2,000–3,000 B.C., becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. The mysterious allure of the rocks and beautiful surrounding landscape easily captivate tourists.

Barcelona’s vibrant city streets and Gothic architecture attracted visitors for ages. When you see a mosaic tile-covered wall, you know you’re in Barcelona and within view of the Sagrada Família. The towering cathedral was inspired by the surrounding old-world architecture of the city mixed with nature and forward momentum — but most of all, it’s an unbelievable building to behold.

Zooming aerial shots in movies take in the epic views of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the vantage of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue sitting above the city. While an impressive shot, the white replica of Christ is much more than a dramatic focal point for film. Tourists, religious pilgrims and locals trek the steep climb to its feet each year. While recent statistics report more than 1.8 million visitors recorded annually, nearly 14,000 visitors find their way to the statue on Easter Sunday alone.

Another historical site standing the test of time in more ways than one, the Acropolis of Athens attracts tourists by the millions. The ancient ruins sit atop Greece’s ruggedly beautiful cliffs, offering views in quite literally every direction. While restoration projects have been ongoing for years to preserve and maintain the ancient site, the scaffolding hasn’t deterred tourism. Visitor numbers climb year to year, and experts predict Athens will see a record high by the end of this year — around 4.5 million international guests.

Just the idea of tourists flocking to iconic landmarks in far-off destinations may make you think of the Eiffel Tower, and for good reason. This impressive structure has held the hearts of residents and tourists since it was completed in Paris in 1889. Perfectly set in the heart of the city, the Eiffel Tower as a focal point has transcended into an icon. The landmark, a universal symbol of travel, is on many bucket lists, recording 7 million visitors each year.

One of the only iconic destinations seen from space, The Great Wall of China attracts more than 10 million travelers annually. Visitors from all over the world converge on the historic site. Travelers come to witness one of the world’s most impressive manmade structures — stretching more than 13,000 miles — while taking in the natural views. Adventure seekers enter marathon runs and athletic tours along the scenic and thrilling path.

One of the world’s first iconic sites at more than 3,000 years old, the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt, ranks as a top contender. With a 3,023-foot perimeter and standing 480 feet high, the tomb remains a wonder to behold. Nearly 15 million visitors each year trek (or ride camels) through the desert just outside Cairo for a look.

Located on the border of New York and Ontario, Niagara Falls may be the most unexpected yet most visited iconic destination in the world. This massive group of waterfalls includes 6 million cubic feet of pounding water, spraying visitors in boats seeking a closer peek at the grandness of it all. An astonishing 30 million visitors put on their ponchos and head to the Canadian and U.S. border each year.

Notice a theme here? The world’s most iconic sites, most visited destinations and bucket list-worthy locales are all steeped in history and culture while surrounded by natural beauty. It’s safe to say this level of fame and allure stemmed from the world’s first iconic landmarks, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Seven Wonders became world-renowned and revered through the rich history and culture surrounding them. With a lineup ranging from the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Colossus of Rhodes to the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, iconic sites used to be commissioned by kings for honor and grandeur. But we have a new list of wonders consisting of more natural features, based on recent travel trends.

Travelers flock to the wild, natural landscapes of our world to see giant, centuries-old trees in Redwood National Park in California or the iconic peaks and dips of Torres del Paine in Patagonia, Chile. They hike active volcanoes on Hawai’ian islands or take the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway to see Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. They experience a wild safari up close on the Serengeti and South African wildlife reserves or trek up north to view the aurora borealis in its splendor.

Whatever your preference — history and culture or wildlife and nature — there is an iconic locale for you to seek. Interestingly, the oldest sites at the heart of our history and civilization remain the most attractive to today’s society. With all the new structures going up each year and grand openings of bigger and better towers and buildings, it’s comforting to know the natural wonders and ancient manmade icons of the world still hold the most value. It seems time only adds to their interest and fascination for avid travelers.