Top Ten

TOP TEN MOST MEMORABLE PLACES

In our travels around the world, we have had the opportunity to see many beautiful and fantastic places. We have seen that no matter where we are there are picturesque attractions in each location. These may be the people, the location, the weather, the environment and/or many other factors. The areas below top our list as they have left incredible memories for both of us.

As we continue to travel we will keep on evaluating all of the places we visit for their memories and we will reevaluate our list of Top Ten.

Our Top Ten List is in Alphabetical Order

Please Click on the Pictures to Enlarge

Angkor Wat/Siem Reap, Cambodia 2009
Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat (City of Temples) was originally a Hindu temple. It is considered the largest temple in the world. It is now a Buddhist sanctuary and shrine. It is a national symbol and appears on Cambodia's state flag.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Front of Angkor Wat in Late Afternoon Angkor Wat Bas-relief Wall Angkor Wat Bas-relief Columns Angkor Wat Center Temple Angkor Wat Banyan Tree

Auschwitz & Birkenau, Poland 2010
During the 1940s, Auschwitz was a concentration camp and Birkenau was the extermination facility constructed and operated by the German Nazi Third Reich. Today, these two camps are memorials and museums to the Holocaust perpetrated on the Jews.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Auschwitz Fence Auschwitz Electrical Fence Auschwitz Ovens Birkenau Entrance Birkenau Beds

Cappadocia, Turkey 2006
Cappadocia is a semi-arid region of the Anatolian plateau in Central Turkey. It is noted as a region with spectacular rock formations and incomparable natural wonders. From the rock houses, underground cities, to the fairy chimneys it is a wonderland.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Castle of Uchisar Uchisar Cappadocia Volcanic Tufa Rock Formations Fairy Chimneys Dwellings in Cappadocia

Easter Island, Chile 2007
Also referred to as Isla de Pascua and Rapa Nui, this island is located 2180 miles to the west of Chile. It is recognized for over 880 stone moais (giant stone carved figures) built by early Polynesian settlers begun around 1200 CE.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Moai Hillside at Rano Raraku Hillside & Excavations of Rano Raraku Tipped Moai Ahu Tongariki

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2008
Six hundred miles west of Ecuador, these islands and their environment are protected flora and fauna sanctuaries. The 19 islands are a national park and marine reserve. The islands were an inspiration for Charles Darwin in his voyage on the Beagle when he wrote Theory of Natural Selection.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Seal Pod Blue Booby Green Sea Turtles Mating Nazca Boobies Galapagos Tortoise

Petra, Jordan 2004
Rediscovered in 1812, this city is cut from the rock (Petra) wadis. From the red sandstone cliffs and gorge, one can see the main monuments and extensive archaeological remains. It is believed it was first constructed in 312 BCE. It is the symbol of Jordan and its main tourist attraction.

UNESCO World Heritage List

The Siq, Entrance to Petra Glimpse to The Treasury The Treasury Vendors and Camels Roman Amphitheater

Pyramids Of Giza And Sphinx, Egypt 2004
This archaeological site on the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the iconic image of Egypt. Built around 2500 BCE.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Pyramid of Khafre and Security Pyramids of Giza and Cairo Building Blocks Great Sphinx of Giza Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khufu

Terra Cotta Warriors, Xi'an, China 2002 & 2008
A collection of terracotta warriors and horse sculptures of the armies of Qin Shi Huang (209 BCE), were commissioned by first Emperor of China. They were buried until 1974 when they were discovered by farmers digging a well. The 8000+ sculptures were all unique and were placed in the funeral burial of Emperor Qin.

UNESCO World Heritage List

View from the Entrance Each Soldier Was Unique Pit 1 Reconstructed and Broken Ranks of Terra Cotta Soldiers Terra Cotta Horses

Tikal, Guatemala 2005
The premier site of Mayan civilization first constructed in the 700s BCE and populated until the 10th century BCE is found in Tikal. It was the largest of the Maya cities during the Classic Mayan Era of the 900s. It was completely covered by jungle and not rediscovered until the mid 1800s.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Temple of the Grand Jaguar Temple of the Masks Mayan Carving View from South at Temple 1 Lost World Pyramid

Varanasi, India 2016
Our experience at the evening ceremonies at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the main ghat on the Ganges River in Varanasi was something we will never forget. Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India and the site of thousands of weekly cremations at the Manikarnika Ghat, the Great Hindu Crematorium. In the morning we went back to the River Ganges, considered sacred to the Hindu people to see thousands of the faithful preforming their morning rituals bathing in the Mother of All Rivers.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Evening Cremation Mother Ghanges to Bed Ganges Ritual Morning Bathing Great Hindu Crematorium

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