It is amazing how many people have “a trip around the world” or a number of exotic, culturally significant or spiritually uplifting destinations to visit on their bucket lists, as if we were nomads at heart (which perhaps we are).

Equally interesting is that some people have more things on their bucket list than anyone could achieve in a whole lifetime, and others have few or even none.

For both of these, and for travel lovers of all shapes and sizes, here is the ultimate bucket list of “must-see” places. It is not necessarily a practical list; some of these places are all but inaccessible, others in some way dangerous, including countries burdened by poverty, racked by disease, ravaged by war or suffering in the wake of some terrible (or man-made) catastrophe. Some of them will also be way over the average person’s budget.

However, we need to dream before we can act: in the words of a very wise North American Indian: “Truly rich is he who has more dreams in his soul than reality can destroy”. Some of these places one might actually visit, but in our dreams, we can visit them all.

36. Krakau (Poland)

One of the loveliest cities in central Europe, and the second largest in Poland, Krakau is a true fairytale city. From the house facades to the old fashioned wrought-iron street lamps, its cobbled streets and its horse-drawn carriages, it is unashamedly charming and romantic. Visiting Krakau is like stepping back in time; it doesn’t take much imagination to visualize women in crinolines and men in top hats and frock coats. Visit the old town, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz (the former Jewish quarter); then make a pilgrimage 70 km due west to Auschwitz-Birkenau, something everyone should do once in a lifetime.

Krakau has its own airport, the Johannes Paul II. Krakau-Balice, which is 15 km from the city center.

37. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi (UAE)

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the most-visited attractions in the UAE and one of the most magnificent examples of contemporary Islamic architecture in the world. Over 80 marble domes are held aloft at a height of 107 m by more than 1.000 pillars; over 100.000 tons of the purest white marble and multitudinous semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, agate and mother-of-pearl were used in its construction, which is even more breathtaking on the inside than on the outside, if this is possible. This is one of the few Muslim mosques which allows visitors, though it is closed on Friday mornings for worship and visitors are expected to show respect for Muslim customs (shoes must be removed, women must cover their heads). But it is worth it; the Sheikh Zayed Mosque will make your jaw drop.

Abu Dhabi city is connected to the mainland by three bridges; the mosque lies between them. It is 32.7 km due east of Abu Dhabi airport (around 25 minutes by car).

38. Northern Lights (Finland)

Mystical and elusive, the Northern Lights – also known as Aurora Borealis – are something everyone should see once in a lifetime, and Finnland is one of the best places in the world to do that; in northern Lapland, they can be witnessed between September and March on every other clear night, in southern Finnland on around 15 nights a year. Lapland is also home to the midnight sun in the summer months; it is altogether a fascinating place to visit if you have ever dreamed of a winter wonderland.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and has its own airport. It is also the home of Santa Claus!

39. Victoria Falls (Zambia)

1.708 metres wide and 108 metres high, Zambia`s Victoria Falls are the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Two small islands split the waterfall at its summit, Boaruka island and Livingstone island, from which explorer David Livingstone supposedly viewed the waterfall as first European in 1855. On the brink of the falls is also the “Devil`s Pool”, a mere couple of metres wide, which in summer is a great tourist attraction; it is quite something to bathe in a natural pool a matter of metres from the largest sheet of falling water in the world, though obviously this is not without its risks.

Victoria Falls has its own international airport, which lies just over 20 km due south of the Falls (20 minutes by car).

40. Luang Prabang (Laos)

A fascinating blend of spiritual, cultural and architectural traditions, Luang Prabang is widely considered to be the most beautiful city in southeastern Asia. Its name means “Royal Buddha Image” and was bestowed on the region in 698 CE; prior to this it was known as Muang Sua. Luang Prabang consists of 58 villages, 33 of which were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The spiritual heart of Laos, it is famed for its magnificent temples and the hundreds of monks collecting alms on its streets. But Luang Prabang also offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions: waterfalls and caves, markets and festivals and great cuisine. Wanderlust Travel Awards named it “Best City” in 2015.

Luang Prabang has its own airport, which lies around 4 km to the north of the old city center.

Source:
http://www.jenreviews.com
https://www.jenreviews.com/best-places-to-visit/