How exciting is all this travel hubbub? Now travel can proceed guilt-free. I have been overseas three time since last October, and I’m pretty sure guilt was not one of my emotions. If by chance you felt guilt, uncertainty, or shame, hold your head up – you did what you had to; it was a survival thing, right? If you haven’t yet taken the post-Covid travel plunge, you may now proceed to the edge of the diving board.
I am curious as to where will you go first. Are all those ideas swimming about in your head distracting you from a choice? If you can’t decide, then you have come to the right place; I can help you zoom in on the right destination for your first, second, and third trips.
Here’s a useful tactic: focus on a goal and then visit all the places that check that box. For example, you could visit all the cities in which your favorite team will play this year, or complete one trip to every continent, or sample chardonnay in every one of its growing regions.
To get you started, how about this: visit each of the seven new wonders of the world. Most of us learned about the wonders of the ancient world, but in the 21st century there’s new list selected from over 200 monuments.
First, start close to home with Mexico to see the ruins of the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza was a major economic power in the northern Maya lowlands and became a powerful regional capital. Artifacts of gold, copper and carved jade, as well as the first-ever examples of what were believed to be pre-Columbian Maya cloth and wooden weapons. Given the volume of tourists to the beaches of the Yucatan yearly, this is likely the one Wonder most visited by US residents. Have you been there?
The Colosseum in Rome – you might think is a treasure of the ancient world, but it isn’t, as it was constructed 69-79AD. While in Rome, you’ll not only do as the Romans do, but so much more. The entire city, indeed, the whole country is your oyster. Whether you prefer a trip that’s off the beaten touristy path or you want to see the other iconic sights as I mentioned here, we’ll plan the perfect “New Wonders Plus’” vacation.
Still keeping it close-ish to home, next to the Cuzco Region of Peru to take in the ruins of that Inca icon, Machu Picchu. After your one-to-five day tour (which might be dictated by your tolerance for high altitudes), the Cuzco region – nay, all of Peru – remains for your exploration. I tidbit of it is described here, but you really need to go see it for yourself.
The majestic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is next on the list. A multi-national team created the statue between 1922 and 1931; it is 98 feet tall, stands on an 8-foot pedestal, and spreads its arms 92 feet over the city. Since you’ll be in Peru anyway just make one fantastic trip of it by crossing two Wonders off the list, and dive into Brazil. I can’t possibly do that dive in a single paragraph, any more than you can enjoy all of Brazil in a single trip, but you can visit the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana for starters, and Carnival if you dare.
The ancient city of Petra in Jordan has been inhabited from as early as 7000 B.C. So why is it a modern wonder? It belonged to the Roman Empire into the first century A.D., and was significant as a center of trade until the 4th century. It’s rose-colored “buildings” are actually cut into (out of?) the surrounding rock. UNESCO has described Petra as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage", and it is Jordan’s most prominent tourist site.
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is next on your agenda. It was built in 1643 by the emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his favorite wife; he is also buried there. I wonder what became of the less favored wives. I recently created an itinerary for a client’s journey to India, which of course has caused me to want to go. There are many unexpected things to see and do there. Imagine my surprise when I added a Himalayan ski trip to that itinerary. Who knew?
Last and definitely not least, that far-off destination of China, to see the 13, 171-mile long Great Wall. Like the Peru/Brazil combo, we might want to couple this with your India adventure. After all, you have a lot of travel to make up for. Chinese tourism is an actual thing, and it is particularly important that your travel is curated with reputable and reliable providers. You can be immersed in private luxury tours, relaxing wellness vacations, heritage experiences, and cultural/historical experiences or a land journey, river journey or combination of both. Is that the China you were thinking of?
‘til next week.
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I create indulgent, transformative vacations for people who crave immersive travel. If you don't have the time to plan the details of your own well-deserved escape, don't know where to begin, or are simply longing to make unforgettable memories with those you love, then don’t wait another day. Let's talk.
Contact: GLOBAL EXOTIC ADVENTURES-Juliet Weller, Founder