The city of Rome, Italy is loaded with ancient monuments as the designation of the city center as a UNESCO World Heritage site attests. Among the Roman Baths, forums, historic markets and the Roman Forum is found the iconic Colosseum. Ancient Rome's magnificent amphitheater, capable of holding more than 50,000 people (the largest ever built in the Roman Empire), was constructed by Emperor Vespasian 80 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. The Colosseum was the scene of deadly gladiator contests, wild animal fights and other public displays. Tours of the Colosseum and the underground tunnels are popular with visitors to Rome. A museum dedicated to the Greek god Eros and his Roman counterpart, Cupid, is located on the grounds and is also a popular place for visitors to spend time. The Colosseum still plays a pivotal role in Roman Catholic ceremonies, including an important replication of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday each year. Your trip of a lifetime to Rome, Italy ought to include a visit to the famous Colosseum on your list of must-see venues insure you spend time at one of the iconic structures of the Roman Empire where much of modern day sporting events found their beginning.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca “estate”, built for an Inca Emperor, situated on an incredibly scenic mountain ridge high in the Andes above the Urubamba Valley (The Sacred Valley of the Incas) in Peru, 80 kilometers northwest of Cusco. Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is frequently regarded as the best and most familiar image of the Inca world. Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The buildings of Machu Picchu exhibit classic Inca architectural style known as “ashlar” with rectangular stone blocks fit together without the use of mortar. The area around Machu Picchu is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and this mortar less style of construction allowed the buildings to shift slightly during seismic occurrences without collapsing. The site consists of more than 140 separate buildings, parks, temples, sanctuaries and residences. The world famous “Inca Trail” terminates at Machu Picchu and is still used today by visitors walking to and from the iconic ruins. The site can be reached from nearby Aguas Calientes by either bus or walking. Aguas Calientes is only reachable from Cusco by train or foot. There is only one hotel at Machu Picchu with most tourists wishing to stay overnight in the area finding accommodations in Aguas Calientes. Include an excursion on your list to See Machu Picchu during your dream trip to Peru. Your fantasies may include hiking the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu may very well be your reward when you check this adventure off.

Chichen Itza, located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, was a sacred site and one of the great centers of the Mayan Empire. The stone monuments and art work left behind by the Maya and Toltec inhabitants of this Yucatan civilization that lasted for over 1,000 years act as a window to their view of the world. Among the masterpieces of construction and Mesoamerican architecture are the Great Ball Court, the Temple of Kulkulkan (a Mayan Pyramid also known as El Castillo) and the Temple of Warriors located at Chichen Itza. The town of Chichen Itza was located close to nearby Cenotes that provided a source of fresh water tapped by the inhabitants. The pre-Hispanic civilizations are believed to have begun to develop in this region as early as the 5th century with evidence of their successors continuing to occupy the ancient town as late as the 16th century when the local inhabitants were overwhelmed by the Spanish Conquest of Yucatan. The significant collection of ruins, artifacts and infrastructure attracts visitors from all over the world hoping to gain some insight into the lives of the ancient cultures that inhabited this region. Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites and draws many visitors from the nearby tourist destination city of Cancun. Chichen Itza is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The ancient city is located midway between the capital city of Yucatan, Merida and Cancun. There are a number of operators that organize bus tours of the ruins and the nearby countryside. Accommodations are available nearby in the village of Piste as well as in the adjacent town of Valladolid, 40 kilometers away. Cancun with its significant collection of beach oriented resorts is about 160 kilometers from Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is a 2.5 hour drive from Cancun. There are many tours from Cancun and other cities along the Yucatan. Plan on being at the site for 2-4 hours. Bring confortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Chichen Itza is open from 9:00a – 5:00p all year long. Your dream to visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the resorts of Cancun can easily accommodate a trip to Chichen Itza to view the historic ruins of the Maya and Toltec cultures. Add this excursion to your list and you will gain a greater understanding of the culture and history of this important part of the world. No doubt, you will return home with memories that will satisfy you for the rest of your life.

Petra, Jordan is a city that is literally carved from rock. Known as the “Rose-Red City”, Petra takes its nickname from the hue of the rock of which its famous buildings and monuments were crafted by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people that inhabited this part of Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Entry to Petra is through the Siq, a narrow gorge over 1 km in height, flanked on each side by soaring cliffs made of dazzling rock formations and hiding the entry to Al-Kahzneh, a massive façade carved from dusty pink sheer rock. The Al-Kahzneh was created as a tomb for a Nabataean King in the first century and is a perfect example of the engineering genius of the Nabataeans. Once inside the Siq, visitors enter the Petra valley. There are no motorized vehicles allowed past the Siq, into the valley. Walking is the primary method of touring but horses and horse drawn carriages are available to hire for transportation if needed. The Petra valley is full of awe-inspiring examples (there are hundreds) of the Natabaean engineering feats. There is a Roman style theatre that can seat more than 3,000 people. Obelisks, temples and sacrificial altars abound along colonnaded streets. High above the valley is the Ad-Deir Monastery, reachable only by a climb up 800 steps carved from the stone. The Petra Archaeological Museum and the Petra Nabataean Museum are worthy of your visit providing wonderful insight into Petra and its glory days. If your dream is to visit this Middle Eastern city famous for its prolific rock carvings and ancient history we suggest you start planning now. The rock formations are under constant attack from water, wind, weather and earthquakes. Conservation efforts are underway but the sheer magnitude of this incredible testament to man’s ingenuity makes preservation difficult and costly. Make sure you can cross a trip to Petra, Jordan to view the colossal rock carved structures off your list.

The Taj Mahal is considered the jewel of Muslim art in India. This immense white marble mausoleum is a much admired memorial commissioned by Mughal Emperor, Sha Jahan to honor his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal after her death in 1631. The Taj Mahal is situated on the right bank of the Yumana River. It was constructed of materials brought to the site from throughout India and Asia. Precious stones inlaid the structure came from the far corners of the region, places such as Baghad, Punjab, Egypt, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Ceylon, Persia and the Indian Ocean. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and hosts millions of visitors annually to its iconic buildings and gardens. Visitors enjoy examining passages from the Muslim Quran that adorn the complex in paint, stone inlay and carvings. The impressive gardens, marble water tank and reflecting pool are also memorable components of the Taj Mahal. The complex is enclosed on three sides by red sandstone walls that rise in stark contrast to the alabaster colored building. The Taj Mahal is located in the Indian state of Uddar Pradesh, 200 kilometers from Delhi in the city of Agra. Agra is part of the Indian Golden Triangle Agra-Delhi-Japur and well connected to the rest of the massive country. Restaurants and accommodations appealing to every taste and budget are easily found in Agra. Your trip of a lifetime to India will most certainly require a visit to the famous Taj Mahal to truly make for a dream come true. Include this UNESCO World Heritage site on your list and start planning the appropriate way to layer this unforgettable excursion in with the rest of your must-see Indian locations.

Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world and the world's 5th largest statue. It is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 metres (31 ft) pedestal, and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It weighs 635 tonnes (625 long, 700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. On July 7, 2007, in Lisbon (Estádio da Luz), Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a list compiled by the Swiss-based The New Open World Corporation. Leading corporate sponsors, including Banco Bradesco and Rede Globo, had lobbied to have the statue voted into the top seven.