Top 10 Must-See Travel Destinations

Thousands of miles long, passing through 156 counties, with 7,062 lookout towers, the Great Wall of China is the largest cultural relic humans have ever built. It snakes through China ever so majestically, around undulating hills and through a vast countryside, stretching from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Lake in the west. Wall construction began more than 2,000 years ago in an attempt to keep out the tribes from the north. The most colorful (and least costly) times to go are spring and autumn — pink cherry blossoms blanket the landscape outside of Beijing in late-March, and in mid-October red leaves abound near Badaling National Forest Park.

An architectural love letter, this massive marble temple in northern India is one of the most recognizable structures on the planet. It was built in the first half of the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to hold the body of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal (the building is now a mausoleum for both). The construction took more than 22 years to complete, requiring as many as 20,000 workers. Some skilled artisans came from as far as Constantinople (today, Istanbul), and about 1,000 elephants were used to transport materials. Today, vehicles that emit pollution are not allowed within a mile of the structure, so be prepared to walk or hire a battery-powered vehicle called a tuk tuk.

Eight thousand feet above sea level, this five-centuries-old pre-Columbian site was once home to the Incas. Until American historian Hiram Bingham publicized his findings of the area in a 1911 book called "Across South America," the mountain-top ruins were widely unknown to anyone living outside of the Urubamba Valley and nearby Cusco. Since Spanish colonialists had no idea of Machu Picchu's existence, its Incan architecture and design were preserved. There are two ways up to the "old peak," by train or on foot. Unless you're wildly adventurous — and don't mind a two-to four-day massive hike up the Inca Trail — we recommend you go by rail, stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and take an early bus to the ruins to beat the crowds (and in the sweltering summer months, the sun).

Located some 600 miles off the South American coast, this Ecuadorian archipelago has been drawing nature-lovers to its remote shores ever since naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin explored the islands in 1835. A one-time outpost of pirates and prisoners, the Galápagos Islands are also home to an incredibly diverse collection of flora and fauna, including many species — such as the Galápagos giant tortoise and marine iguana — that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Today, 97 percent of the archipelago's land area is protected by a national park. Visitors can get up-close-and-personal with wildlife on guided boat tours, scuba expeditions and hikes, where curious creatures often approach sightseers without hesitation.

Like Stonehenge, many mysteries surround the construction of these three pyramids, which are part of a mausoleum complex. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the best-known of the group standing outside of Cairo, is the only one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World that also graces our list. Finished around 2,560 BC, the 481-foot creation (now shorter due to erosion) was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 38 centuries until the completion of Lincoln Cathedral in 14th-century England. How were these made? Were space aliens needed to cut, move and stack the millions of stones, some weighing 88 tons? Does some powerful force emanate from them today? Hop on a camel or hail a taxi and go judge for yourself.

Teotihuacan was an ancient Mesoamerican city that was established around 100 BC. At one time, it was the largest metropolis in the pre-Columbian Americas and had significant cultural influence on surrounding areas. The Aztecs named the region Teotihuacan ("the place where gods were created") when they arrived centuries after its fall. Here, you can walk along the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan's main road. The broad, central thoroughfare dissects the city and is surrounded by mounds that resemble large tombs. Tourists can view a number of well-preserved murals, as well as the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun. The latter is the third largest pyramid in the world. Teotihuacan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Iguazú National Park, situated on the international border of Argentina and Brazil, features one of the world’s most striking natural wonders. Iguazú Falls offers a misty and majestic realm of rushing, roaring water with rainbows adorning the cascades, which stretch for nearly 2 miles. Experience this marvel up close from one of the wooden walkways that stretch out over the river, and be sure to take in the spectacular vista from the giant balcony of the "Devil's Throat." According to ancient myths, a jealous god slashed the Iguazú River (meaning “great water”) in two, creating falls as high as 269 feet. The UNESCO site is bordered by its sister park Iguaçu in Brazil, and the falls are surrounded by the lush Misiones rainforest, so don’t be surprised to see tropical birds flitting about as they search for fish in quieter waters.

A World Heritage Site, Uluru is an awe-inspiring sandstone rock formation rising out of the desolate outback of Australia's Northern Territory. The name derives from the aboriginal tribes that settled in the area 10,000 years ago. The landmark is also known as Ayers Rock, named in honor of Sir Henry Ayers, who served as Chief Secretary of South Australia in the late 19th century. Jutting nearly 1,150 feet in the air, the natural monolith is taller than the Eiffel Tower, and stands in stark contrast to the miles of flat desert that surround it. Visitors can climb to the top of Uluru (the hike takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours) and explore the base, which is about six miles around. The view atop the rock is remarkable during sunrise and sunset.

Built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat was one of the most significant architectural achievements of ancient times, and remains the world's largest religious monument today. The sprawling Cambodian temple complex is a source of national pride and international renown thanks to its distinctive sandstone spires, intricate artistry and massive moat that encloses the grounds in a three-and-a-half-mile perimeter. First dedicated to Vishnu as a Hindu temple and later a center of Theravada Buddhism, the well-preserved site is one of more than 1,000 temples in the Angkor area, many of which are easily accessible from nearby Siem Reap.

If North America's greatest natural wonder — a red-hued canyon 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide, and one mile deep — doesn't make your mouth drop in awe, then you might not be human. While the north rim attracts fewer visitors, you'll most likely appreciate the epic vistas of the south rim. There are plenty of spots to pull the car over and have a look from the top, but we recommend trekking along the rim on foot. You can also descend into the canyon's depths via mules or guided hiking excursions, experience "The Heart of the Canyon" by raft on the Colorado River and even spend the night at a lodge below the rim.