5 PLACES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE

Travelers are often faced with a dilemma: so many places to see, so little time. As anyone who’s traveled internationally knows, the world is massive. Every city, town, and region is full of its own attractions that could take weeks, months or even years to explore on their own.

So how do you decide which sites to add to your personal bucket list?

While we can’t prioritize for everyone, we can help you narrow down your list. Consider these internationally-renown destinations when planning your next trip.

Sydney Opera House – Australia

Situated in Sydney Harbor, the famous city’s opera house is an architectural marvel. Drawing visual inspiration from such unlikely sources as orange peels, palm fronds and a Mayan temple, the opera house is a landmark for the city’s skyline. In addition to hosting some of the world’s most reputable artistic talent, the cultural center has realized Danish architect, Jorn Utzon’s dream of transforming a distant city into a global landmark. Today, the famous structure has come to symbolize the entire country of Australia.

Galapagos Islands – Ecuador

For those of us traveling from the U.S., some destinations require serious commitment. Not only do you have to plan for long hours or days of travel, you have to pack for changing climates and technological infrastructure. For example, common items such as cell phones or electric toothbrush chargers may not work with every country’s outlets unless you bring reliable 220 volt appliances.

In particular, if you travel to the Galapagos Islands, plan on the unexpected. The 19-island archipelago is home to some of the world’s most unique creatures such as the pink iguana and giant green tortoise. Whether you travel with appliances or not, plan on spending most of your time outdoors.

The Berlin Wall – Germany

Despite its troubled reputation as dividing East and West Germany, the Berlin Wall became a global destination when it fell in 1989. If you travel to it today, you catch an important glimpse of 20^th century history – albeit a limited one. Just two sections remain as memorials to those who died trying to cross over it. The Bernauer Strasse section provides a snapshot about city life during the Wall’s heyday, while the East Side Gallery is home to many colorful murals.

Easter Island – Chile

Known for its monolithic stone heads, Easter Island has become an international site of wonder. The open-air architectural “museum” is best recognized for the moai sculptures, which were created and delivered across the island through means unknown to modern historians. Its extremely remote location only adds to the mystique. Occupying a tiny speck in the otherwise vast Pacific Ocean, this island of marvels is worth your time.

Pyramids of Giza – Egypt

At 4,500 years old, Egypt’s great pyramids are our best link to the ancient world. While their grandeur and mystique may suggest an extremely remote destination, the Pyramids of Giza are actually relatively close to the nation’s capital, Cairo. Visitors will be stunned by their massive size and floored by their perhaps equally impressive guardian cat, The Great Sphinx.