Places to See Before you Die
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It doesn’t take a genius to know that the world is a pretty big place. With all of its seven billion people, 195 countries and 4,416 cities, the Lion King lyric “there’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done” has never seemed more fitting.
Even though you can’t see and do it all in one life, you should at least try. And there are some places in the world that you really need to see before your time expires.
1. Taj Mahal, India
This ancient mausoleum was first commissioned in 1643 by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, as a tomb for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal and is now viewed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
In the morning it is surrounded by a majestic mist and fog; in the evening it is the centrepiece of a glowing sunset. The Taj Mahal is simply stunning and well worth a visit at least once in a lifetime.
2. Burj Khalifa, Dubai
The world’s tallest building stands at 830 metres tall, overlooking the city of Dubai and the desert that surrounds it.
Building began in 2004 and the Burj Khalifa was officially opened in January 2010. It is located right next to the Dubai Mall (also the largest in the world) and a spectacular fountain area where a show takes place each night (also the largest fountain show in the world…).
It is something worth seeing from the ground and the observation deck too. The view is unlike anything else – literally.
3. Mount Everest, Nepal
Sticking with the theme of tallest, Mount Everest is a sight to behold. Standing at 8,848 metres in Nepal, just the view of such a beast is breathtaking.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even climb to the Base Camp and view Nepal from a very different place.
4. Amazon rainforest, South America
The rainforest isn’t always a place people feel they absolutely must see. But it truly is.
You have never truly experienced nature until you sleep in it, walk through it and observe it in the rainforest – the place where nature can just do its thing.
The Amazon rainforest, covering most of northwestern Brazil, is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Home to jaguars, sloths, macaws and more than 400 species of amphibians, the Amazon is just calling out for travellers. It is a must-see not just because of how genuinely special it is, but because of its power. If everyone visited the Amazon, I wonder if we’d still be losing fifty football pitches of it every minute.
5. Blue lagoon, Iceland
Iceland is expensive, there’s no getting away from that. But it is so worth it.
The blue lagoon is an iconic geothermal spa, set in the heart of a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. What an experience it would be to say you’ve visited Iceland – and were warm for some of it.
While in Iceland, it would be worth staying up late to see the Northern Lights too – they are really something to see.
6. Venice, Italy
Venice has been idolised for so many years now – and rightly so. The city that has canals, not roads, is genuinely fascinating and, although said to get very busy due to the narrow streets, is another must-see in life.
Of course, a gondola is a must-have experience while there too. Who cares how many other people have done it – it is a great place to see.
7. Times Square, New York
To some, Times Square is at the top of the bucket list. To others, it might not even be close. But to all, it is another must-see.
Forget its status in the films and on Instagram – there is absolutely nothing like walking through it at any time of the day. Times Square almost takes you to another world; some might say it is as if you are in a film.
My favourite thing about Times Square is that when it’s dark, you have no idea. The lights from the billboards create the illusion of daytime and you only notice the darkness when they change from one advert to another.