Human beings have been around on Planet Earth for thousands of years. During that time, we’ve come up with some seriously amazing structures and objects. Some of the most wondrous of these survive to this day, in some shape or other. 

If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel overseas, then you owe it to yourself to make time for at least a few of these amazing spectacles. Let’s run through some of the wonders that must surely qualify as must-visit destinations.

Petra

For those travelling to Jordan, Petra should be considered a must. While there are plenty of other historic locations in the country, this ancient city, carved from solid rock, is not just one destination, but several of them, sitting just near the Arabah Valley, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. There are several structures worth singling out, including Al-Khazneh (the treasury), and the Qasr al-Bint temple. For those planning their Jordan trips, it’s worth making time for all of it.

The Pyramids

Over the centuries, many civilisations have constructed amazing pyramids. But the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the surrounding complex, stand apart. For thousands of years, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure anywhere in the world. It represents an incredible feat of construction, design and logistics, with materials being brought up the Nile from as far away as Aswan.

Since they were first constructed, the ruins of the Pyramids have been ransacked and vandalised countless times. But if you contemplate those ruins, you might get a sense of just how impressive these structures once were.

Christ the Redeemer

If you’ve seen a photograph of Rio de Janeiro, then the chances are that it includes the iconic statue of Christ, which looks down on the city, arms spread, from atop the Corcovado. 

This is a relatively recent addition to the landscape, being the work of Frenchman Paul Landowski. Interestingly, the statue was originally intended to hold a different pose, holding a globe and a cross. The final design, however, is indisputably iconic, and attracts millions of visitors every year.

The Colosseum

When Rome was the centre of the Roman Empire, gladiatorial combat and other bloody spectacles were considered a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. While attitudes have since change, much of the greatest arena of them all, the Colluseum, remains. 

Understandably, this part of Rome is incredibly popular, and well serviced by public transport. Of course, it’s also worth taking a wander around the Roman Forum, which sits just near to the Colosseum itself. The Circus Maximus, the Domus Aurea, and the Palatine Hill are all impressive in their own way. Plan the day right, and you’ll have time for all of it.