7 must-see iconic wonders of the world
Prepare to be inspired to visit some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
It’s the places we’ve all dreamed of going – legendary locations and celebrated sites that have rightfully embedded themselves in the history books. Lots of people may travel here, but you’ll probably regret it if you don’t, too.
1. Raffles, Singapore
Travelling with: Imogen Eveson
“We always say the best way to get to know Raffles is to get lost,” reassures the concierge as I fumble my directions again. It’s sage advice that I follow as I tread the hallowed ground of Singapore’s most legendary hotel, which is laid out in an intricate confection of buildings and wings, courtyards and tropical gardens. A salve against the city’s equatorial climate, Raffles is a composite of white marble colonnades lined with lush palm trees and polished teak underfoot that lead me to the sanctuary of my suite in the Palm Court wing.
The hotel’s exterior is an icon of the city. (Image: Ralf Tooten)
Today, Raffles is one of the few remaining great 19th-century hotels in the world and was declared a National Monument upon reaching its 100th anniversary in 1987. A new chapter has been written again in recent years, with a careful and sensitive restoration completed in 2019, elevating the offering to a new benchmark of contemporary luxury while preserving the all-important ambience and heritage feel.
The iconic Raffles Singapore is a National Monument.
2. Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Travelling with: Sarah Reid
The jungle-choked ruins of the world’s largest religious structure feel even more otherworldly away from the crowds. Bypass the throngs clamouring for the perfect sunrise shot at the main temple and begin your exploration at the likes of Ta Prohm with its Tomb Raider vibes. If you get here early enough (the gates open at 5am) you might be lucky enough to enjoy a section of the epic 12th-century site to yourself for a while.
The famed Angkor Wat in Cambodia is teeming with culture and history.
3. Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, China
Travelling with: Carla Grossetti
China occupies Earth’s highest point as well as one of its lowest – and holds 4000 years of recorded history in between. The Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven loom large in Beijing, but immerse yourself in the city itself and you’ll find atmospheric hutongs (alleys) that stand in stark contrast to the megalopolis of modern-day Shanghai. Wend your way to Hangzhou to discover the birthplace of Longjing tea and cruise along the Yangtze River, which features rock carvings and an underwater museum. Make tracks for Xi’an to witness the iconic Terracotta Army, a collection of a few hundred sculptures built in the 3rd century BCE to protect China’s first emperor in the afterlife.
The Great Wall is China’s most awe-inspiring sight.
4. Petra, Jordan
Travelling with: Imogen Eveson
It’s the moment you glimpse the rock-carved facade of The Treasury through the narrow timeworn passageway of the Siq that you anticipate most. But the true awe inspired by the rose city of Petra, tucked deep in the desert canyons of present-day Jordan, dawns over a day spent exploring this famous archaeological site. The capital of the ancient Nabataean civilisation thrived at the heart of the Incense Route and its red sandstone still holds these memories.
Also called the “Rose City”, Petra is carved from the same colour.
5. Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Travelling with: Imogen Eveson
One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Grand Canyon is an icon of the United States: synonymous with the vast expanse of the American West and of spiritual importance to the 11 Associated Tribes that maintain deep connections with the landscape. One of the most spectacular examples of erosion on the planet, this immense canyon cut by the Colorado River touches four US states – Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. And while its place in pop culture bestows a feeling of familiarity long before you’ve ever made the pilgrimage, nothing can prepare you for the dizzying feeling of awe that hits when you get there. Time appears frozen when surveying this geological marvel from the rim’s edge, with layers of rock that ripple out like an ocean before you.
The Grand Canyon stands out from a jaw-dropping elevation of 8,000 ft.
6. The Great Migration, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Travelling with: Angela Saurine
Hungry crocodiles snap at the tails of wildebeest and zebras tentatively crossing the Mara River. Most of the mammals escape safely to the other side, only to be confronted by equally hungry lions, cheetahs and leopards.
Zebras gather around the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
It’s a spectacle that can only be witnessed between July and October, when the wildlife that usually spread out across Tanzania’s 15,000 square-kilometre Serengeti National Park congregate in Kenya’s 1500 square-kilometre Masai Mara National Reserve in search of food and water.
Herds of wildebeest crosses the Mara River during the Great Migration.
7. Vermelho Melides, Alentejo, Portugal
Travelling with: Carla Grossetti
Christian Louboutin’s first hospitality project, Vermelho Melides, has opened in the village of Melides in Alentejo, Portugal. Vermelho means ‘red’ in Portuguese, paying tribute to the French shoe designer’s signature colour.
Vermelho Melides is sensational and sophisticated. (Image: Chiara Cadeddu)
The 13-bedroom property has been designed like a traditional maison de vacances, offering a homey albeit high-end experience with the eclectic flair that so defines Louboutin. It’s maximalism maxed out with a collision of styles, eras, materials and colours that has all the hallmarks of an instant classic.
Luxury meets comfort at Vermelho Melides. (Image: Ambroise Tezenas)
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