some of my favorite destinations

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The lost city of the Incas was widely unknown to those who lived outside the immediate area until Hiram Bingham’s discovery was published in a 1911 book called “Across South America.” As Spanish colonists weren’t aware of its existence, much of the Incan architecture and design were preserved. 

The site features the Huayna Picchu Mountain rising above stone ruins, terraces and plazas.

This Greek Island in the southern Aegean Sea is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Black sand beaches surround the coastline while white-washed buildings sit perched atop the cliffs overlooking brilliant azure waters. 

Santorini is what remains following one of the earth’s deadliest volcanic eruptions, leaving a pristine, picturesque city filled with fabulous Greek food and wonderful people.

The Galapagos Islands are another one-of-a-kind destination off the coast of Ecuador. 

This microcosm of evolution offers some of the best up-close-and-personal wildlife encounters on the planet. 

Snorkel with sea lions and turtles, stroll across desolate lava fields and watch the mating rituals of blue-footed boobies.

The Great Barrier Reef is the oldest and largest living coral reef on the planet, with more than 400 different kinds. 

The dizzying variety of marine species include dolphins, tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, giant clams and much more.

Diving here is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Cinque Terre is made up of five towns along northern Italy’s Ligurian coast, each equally stunning. 

From the amazing scenery that will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a living postcard to welcoming people, fantastic food and fabulous wine, Cinque Terre is truly not-to-be-missed.

As one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the formidable Grand Canyon is 227 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, with walls offering a striking mosaic of colors and erosional forms that become even more spectacular at sunrise and sunset. 

But don’t just peer over the edge, get out and explore its remote regions and see beautiful sights like this one, Havasu Falls.

As one of the oldest and most beautiful cities on earth, here you can visit sites where Julius Caesar once stood, like the Colosseum. 

It was completed back in 80 A.D. and remains the largest amphitheater in the world nearly 2,000 years later. 

From the Colosseum to the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, every street houses an imperial Roman Ruin.

Seeing the Pyramids of Giza should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the best known of this group that stands just outside Cairo, is one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. 

Standing now for 4,600 years, their construction has remained a mystery.

There are many ancient monuments throughout the world, but few are as mesmerizing as Petra in Jordan. 

Scholars believe that Petra was built in the first century B.C., and that after a series of earthquakes it was forgotten. 

To see this vast and unique red city carved into the rock face by Nabataeans, you’ll have to first pass through the narrow Siq Valley, where you’ll see the massive pillars gradually rise into view.

Taking an African safari is a must for any travel enthusiast, and Tanzania has often been voted the best country on the continent to do so. 

Tanzania is home to safari favorites like the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, home to millions of wildebeest that form one of the most amazing sights that can be seen on our planet as they migrate the area year-round.

In this country where the mountains meet the sea, you may think you’ve stepped right into heaven. 

Spend a day exploring Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world.” 

Here, cliffs rise vertically from dark waters while waterfalls gently cascade down mountain peaks that soar into the sky.

From spectacular volcanic landscapes to hot springs, snow-capped peaks and thundering waterfalls, Iceland is a hidden gem of fairytale proportions. 

Don’t miss the chance to soak in the famous, almost other-worldly Blue Lagoon, with its mineral-rich waters considered a natural fountain of youth.