There is more than one way to spend an unforgettable vacation. You can choose to try and conquer a high mountain peak, spend a lavish luxury time on a topical island, explore the seas on a cruise or even discover the ever-fascinating universe in exclusive space trips. Today however we would like to suggest something else: let your imagination be captivated by some of the most awe-inspiring travel destinations that are surrounded by myths and legends. Here you have a list of eight amazing such places.
1. Chichen Itza Ruins
You’ve probably already heard of the mysterious day that is December 21, 2012. It marks the end of the Mayan calendar, thus suggesting that the world as we know it might also end on the same day. Speculations are many, but the reason for which the Maya people stopped counting the days after this date will most probably remain a mystery forever.
At the Chichen Itza Ruins, the pyramid which is the temple of Quetzalcoatl is actually also the largest calendar in the world. Its four sides have a total of 365 steps and on the Spring and Autumn Equinox, its corners cast a serpent-shaped shadow. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to spend December 21, 2012 right next to this pyramid?
2. Easter Island
More than a thousand miles off the coast of Chile, the Easter Island is a place where magic was once more common than many of us care to believe – or so the legend sais. Up to this day nobody knows how the immense statues that guard the islands were transported here from many miles away. They weigh as much as 87 tons and scientists have no explanation to how the ancient people who carved this stones managed to move them.
The legend behind these sculptures, called Moai, talks about the king of the island as a man who had the magical power of bringing these stones to life. At his command, the Moai would simply start walking the surface of the Easter Island and obey the king’s orders.
3. Angkor Wat
A trip to Cambodia is never complete if you don’t get to visit the awesome Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world. The immense temple complex is the nation’s greatest symbol and it is even represented on the Cambodian flag. Today it is a very important Buddhist temple, but it was originally build in honor of a famous Hindu god, named Vishnu. Back then it was designed to be the capitol of the Khmer empire, but shortly after it was completed, a war came about and changed its fate forever. People abandoned it for another capitol up north. However, the structure was never completely lost. A moat kept it from being entirely swallowed by the jungle and when people rediscovered it during the 1500s, Angkor Wat was still in very good condition.
4. Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro is a truly beautiful place to visit. The city attracts countless tourists every year with its gorgeous natural settings and fascinating carnival celebrations. It is actually the most visited city in the southern hemisphere. One of its famous landmarks is the immense statue of Christ the Redeemer. Built in 1931, the statue stands 130 feet tall and is a major pilgrimage destination for Christians. It is located at the peak of a 2,300-foot mountain (Corcovado Mountain) and it weighs 635 tons. Many weddings and important ceremonies are celebrated under the protective arms of the statue all year long.
5. Pyramids of Giza
Again scientists have no sure answer when asked “How did these ancient people manage to erect such immense temples?”. Everybody has heard about the Pyramids of Giza and many people visit them every year. Ancient Egyptians were clearly experts in mathematics and other sciences, but no one really knows what kind of calculations they made to ensure the success of their hard work. Travelers who love visiting historical sites can enjoy guided tours of the huge pyramids and of the awe-inspiring Great Sphinx.
6. Machu Picchu
Also covered in mystery is this beautiful ancient site belonging to the Inca civilization. The city had been abandoned for many centuries before the Spanish people discovered it sometime in the 20th century. The amazing discovery reached national awareness in 1911, but some natives knew about Machu Picchu long before that. The city, with urban and agricultural spaces, was a holy place for the Incas.
With 140 terraced buildings, this is a truly fascinating ancient city that’s worth visiting. To get here, tourists have to travel by train from Cusco for four days. The entire experience is a very rewarding one and it’s no wonder that UNESCO added the site to its World Heritage list.
7. The City of Petra
Unfortunately, this is a site that will probably not be here for our children to admire as well. Because the City of Petra was carved into the walls of some thin rocky valleys of the Jordan kingdom, erosion and tourism are slowly but surely bringing the constructions down. The complex of buildings was created in the 6th century BC by a pre-Islamic tribe, called the Nabataeans.
The Romans took over it in the first century AD, and this explains how later one of the constructions became a Christian monastery. Unsustainable tourism is still a major problem today, but we have to admit it’s really hard to refrain from visiting such an amazing place.
8. Stonehenge
As a tourist, the first thing you should know about Stonehenge is that it is only fully opened to the public four times a year: on the Summer and Winter solstice and on the Spring and Autumn Equinox. During the rest of year you can still visit the site, but you won’t be granted complete access to the mysterious complex of huge stones. Located in England, near Salisbury, this place is often visited by people around the world for one reason alone: the mystery that surrounds it. Nobody really knows how or why this monument was built. However, speculations do exist and many travelers are attracted by them.
[image credits: chichen itza 1, 2, 3; stonehenge 1, 2, 3; angkor wat 1, 2, 3; pyramids at giza 1, 2, 3; christ the redeemer 1, 2, 3; moai of easter island 1, 2, 3; petra of jordan 1, 2, 3; machu picchu 1, 2, 3]
