Tuesday 22 May 2018

Five famous landmarks to visit


I don't know if it's the warmer weather but I have the travel bug and can't wait to travel abroad again! I mentioned my top five destinations in my travel bucket list. They included India, the Netherlands, Italy, USA and Japan and my reasons for wanting to visit each country. Since writing that post we travelled to Venice last summer. Now I just need to visit the other four, ha! I used to travel a lot but these days it's not as easy due to travel costs with a little one in tow and having to plan around school holidays when flight prices are at their highest. However, there are ways to travel for less as well as making any trip as relaxing as possible. As Pip grows he becomes more interested in the world and can already identify many of the world’s famous landmarks, despite only being four! Here are some of the destinations I’d love to take him to.


Taj Mahal, India
Completed in 1643, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this stunning architectural piece for the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took 20,000 artisans 21 years to build this white marble mausoleum. I have visited the Taj Mahal a couple of times, as a child and an adult but the last time must have been at least 15 years ago. I see it appear more and more on social media with many travel bloggers making it their top destination and there is a good reason for doing so. It is surreal being there and the story behind building this beautiful monument is romantic and heart-breaking. We last visited India in 2016 but if I ever return I’d love to take Pip to the Taj Mahal!


Great Wall of China
I haven’t visited China and I'm always amazed at seeing photos of the Great Wall. Walls were built as far back as the 7th century BC but most of the Great Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to protect its empire. It spans an astonishing 13,000 miles in length! If I do visit China one day, I’d love to spend a good amount of time exploring the country, walking along the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Army!


Angkor Wat, Cambodia
I studied archaeology at UCL as my first degree and like many archaeologists, I have always wanted to visit Angkor Wat! Dating back to the 12th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest religious monument in the world measuring a staggering 1,626,000m2. Originally built as a Hindu template to dedicate to the god Vishu it later changed to a Buddhist place of worship. The site is enormous and I’d love to explore it thoroughly one day!


Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt
I’ve visited Egypt a couple of times, once when living and working in Palestine and also on holiday. One of my archaeology university courses was Egyptology so to visit the country after studying it was wonderful. There is something magical and spiritual about visiting the Pyramids and especially the Valley of the Kings. I remember that spooky feeling when entering the tomb of Tutankhamen – an archaeologists dream! And although all possessions are long gone, being in a tomb with so much history is surreal. One region I didn’t get to travel to was the Abu Simbel temples, in southern Egypt. Here are the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, both carved out of the rock in the 13th century BC. I'd love to visit and see them close up.


Rice Terraces in Bali, Indonesia
I visited Bali over ten years ago now but remember it as such a beautiful island, full of the stunning landscapes and intricate architecture. There are so many reasons to visit Bali and along with the beaches, people, temples and food, the picturesque rice terraces are incredible. The Banaue rice terraces in the Philippines are also breath-taking and another place I’d love to return to!

Other famous places that stand out in Europe include: Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice; Pompeii, Italy; the Eiffel Tower, France and even London landmarks such as the London Eye and Big Ben! If you’re looking for holiday inspiration or deals have a search on Holiday Gems who specialise in short-haul travel.

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*This is a collaborative post. All words and opinions are my own!
Images: Pixabay

What are your experiences of visiting famous landmarks? Where would you like to visit? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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30 comments

  1. What a selection of landmarks! They're all on my bucket list, and I haven't ticked a single one of them yet! I think if I had to pick one and one only, I'd go for the Taj Mahal

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  2. Gosh, what a great selection! I have wanted to go to all of these for as long as I can remember, I have a plan that when my daughter gets a little older and finishes school we are going to go travelling so I'm sure we might be able to knock at least one of the list x

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    1. Thank you Charli! Travelling with your daughter sounds such fun x

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  3. Aah this makes me want to travel so much, I miss it! I've been to the taj mahal and Abel Simbel, just the other three to do... Well, and the rest of the amazing places in the world :)

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    1. Oh wow! Did you write posts on the Taj Mahal or Abel Simbel? I'd love to read them :)

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  4. Oh goodness I would like to go to all of these, what a bucket list! I think top would be the Taj Mahal- it's just so iconic and I have a real wish to go to India one day with the family

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    1. Thank you! I'd recommend the Taj Mahal and India as well - such an amazing country :)

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  5. Oh wow, I could be here all day! I'd love to visit the temples in Egypt, Bali looks lovely too. We've visited a few landmarks and have just moved from San Francisco and the iconic golden gate bridge. When the kids are a bit bigger we'd love to travel more. x

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    1. What an experience to live in San Francisco. Exciting about your future travel plans!

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  6. Oh all of these places are on our list too! My eldest is desperate to see the Taj Mahal in real life and Angkor Wat is one that I NEED to get to soon. Going to check out Holiday Gems in a minute. :)

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    1. Thanks Jenny. There are so many amazing places to visit aren't there :)

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  7. The Taj Mahal is definitely on my wishlist, and the Great Wall of China x

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    1. Thanks Rhian! Hope you get to visit one day :)

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  8. All these are on my list along with quite a few more. The Taj Mahal, India is top first

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  9. I have been India many times but have never seen the Taj Mahal. I would like to visit the Great Wall in china as well 😊

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    1. Ah where did you visit in India? I'd love to read your posts :)

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  10. This is a great post! I love it! They're all places I'd love to visit so you're spot on x

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  11. I'd love to visit all of these. Luckily I had my taste of authentic ruins when I visited Palenque in Mexico and it only made my thirst for travel grow! Out of all of these, I'd love to visit the temples in Egypt the most - it's been a dream of mine for many years to visit the pyramids and ruins in Egypt x

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    1. Thanks Louise. Egypt was just amazing, I'd love to experience it again. Likewise, Palenque sounds incredible :)

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  12. I adore all your choices , I can say I have been to India the rest I hope to visit one day.

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  13. Lovely choices, so many places to visit. I need to make a travel bucketlist, there's so many places I need to see.

    Katie xoxo

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    1. Thanks Katie! I think I need to go on a round-the-world trip :)

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  14. I'd love to visit the Great Wall of China one day. It's breathtaking...

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    1. I agree! Actually I want to go everywhere :)

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  15. Thanks for sharing this travelling experience

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