The 7 other wonders of the world

By Samuel Smith
Published: Monday, February 4, 2019

Forget the Great Wall. We’ve redefined the 7 wonders of the world to include technicolour hot springs, glistening ice caves and ancient cities. Reward your curiosity with our must-visit list.

1. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park is a frigid wonderland full of ice caves, snowy mountain ranges, frozen lagoons and glaciers. Start your expedition at the Skaftafell visitor centre before snapping some jealousy-inducing shots of Jökulsárlón Lagoon. Next, gear up and follow your guide through an otherworldly labyrinth of icy caves, tunnels and crystalline chambers.

To reach Vatnajökull National Park, you can either drive from Reykjavik (4-5 hours), take a bus or join an organised tour.

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland.

2. Bagan, Myanmar

At the height of its power, between the 11^th and 13^th centuries, Bagan was the capital of the Bagan Empire – home to more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, monasteries and pagodas. The city was once a thriving cosmopolitan centre, attracting monks, scholars and students from Sri Lanka, the Khmer Empire and India. Though much of Bagan fell into disrepair after the collapse of the Pagan Emprire in 1297, more than 2200 structures remain intact today, many of which have been restored to their former beauty. The best way to see the ancient city is from the sky on a hot air balloon tour.

To reach Bagan, fly to Mandalay, Myanmar, then join an escorted tour, flight or cruise.

Sunset over Bagan, Myanmar.

3. Lake Baikal, Russia

The largest, deepest and oldest freshwater lake on earth, Siberia’s Lake Baikal contains an incredible 23% of the world’s fresh surface water (23,615km3 to be exact) and has a maximum depth of 1642m. The lake and its surrounds are home to thousands of plants and animals that don’t exist anywhere else on earth such as the nerpa seal and the Baikal omul fish. Visit in winter, when the lake freezes over and elaborate patterns formed by air bubbles can be seen below its surface.

To reach Lake Baikal, fly to Irkutsk airport from Moscow, then join a private tour.

Lake Baikal frozen in winter, Russia.

4. Uxmal, Mexico

Towering above the treeline, Uxmal is the remains of an ancient Mayan city, said to date back to 500 A.D. The site contains a number of exceptionally-preserved structures including the towering Governor’s Palace, the elaborately-carved Nunnery Quadrangle and The Adivino – a gigantic stepped-pyramid structure. Uxmal is one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites of Mayan culture and is located on the Yucatan Peninsula.

To reach Uxmal, join a group or private tour from Cancun.

The Adivino, Uxmal, Mexico.

5. Sahara el Beyda (The White Desert), Egypt

Mysterious bone-white chalk rocks have lured travellers to Egypt’s Sahara el Beyda for decades. Known as The White Desert, Sahara el Beyda is part of the Farafra Oasis and was once a sea bed. The ghostly structures you see today were crafted by sandstorms and erosion over hundreds of years. Tours to Sahara el Beyda and Farafra are extremely popular, with many companies offering fully-catered camping trips and safaris.

To reach Sahara el Beyda, join a guided tour from Cairo or Luxor.

Sahara el Beyda (The White Desert), Egypt.

6. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

Named the best beach in Australia by TripAdvisor, Whitehaven is an impossibly-perfect stretch of sand and sea along Australia’s Whitsunday Island. The beach is known worldwide for its crystal-white sand which is, uniquely, 98% pure silica. Its aquamarine waters stretch over 7km and are accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter.

To reach Whitehaven Beach, you can catch a seaplane or sail on a yacht or catamaran from Hamilton Island. Our RAA Travel Experts can organise transport and travel packages for you.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island.

7. Grand Prismatic Spring, USA

Yellowstone National Park’s Grand Prismatic Spring is a vast hot spring (the third largest in the world), famous for its rainbow-coloured rings, formed when thermophile bacteria reacts with mineral-rich water. The Spring was named Grand Pristmatic as its colours match the rainbow dispersion of light from an optical prism (red, orange, yellow, green, and blue).

To reach the Grand Prismatic Spring, fly to West Yellowstone. You can also fly to Salt Lake City or Denver, then hire a car. Members save on travel insurance.

Grand Prismatic Spring, USA.

Discover your own 7 wonders

From the White Desert to the Whitsundays, learn more by calling 8202 4589 or speaking to an RAA Travel Expert in store.

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