My Experience Visiting 7/7 Wonders of the World

Colosseum, Italy

I booked a guided tour through a company, and it was amazing to learn about the history and importance of the Colosseum. We walked around and saw the incredible architecture, including where the gladiator fights used to take place. Fun fact: it could hold up to 50,000–80,000 spectators and had a complex system of underground tunnels where animals and performers waited. It’s also nearly 2,000 years old and still stands as a marvel of Roman engineering. My only complaint was that it was a bit crowded, and the tour was slow-paced. When I visited, it was hot and sunny, so I’d recommend bringing water.

Great Wall of China, China

I did this on a guided tour, and my biggest advice is to bring good walking shoes—it’s over 13,000 miles long! Construction began over 2,000 years ago during the Qin dynasty to protect China from invasions. Learning about how it was built with bricks, tamped earth, and stone, and its strategic purpose was fascinating. Navigating on your own is tough, so a

guide is really helpful. Also, bring plenty of water, because this is basically a hike.

Petra, Jordan

Petra is one of the easier wonders to explore on your own. It’s huge and full of things to see, so you can go at your own pace. Fun fact: it was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom around 312 BC and is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Be mindful of the vendors—they’ll try to sell camel rides, trinkets, and photos. Wear comfortable walking shoes, because the site is spread out. Learning about this ancient city is amazing, and I’d recommend doing research or asking questions if you take a tour. Petra is a bit remote, so it’s a drive from city centers. I also recommend visiting the Dead Sea on the same trip since it’s fairly close.

Taj Mahal, India

You have to wake up extremely early to beat the crowds, but it’s worth it. I took a guided tour, which I recommend because there’s so much to see, and a guide really helps explain it all. Modest clothing is required to enter the temples. Fun fact: the Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It’s made of white marble and features intricate inlay work of precious stones. The love story behind it makes it even more special.

Machu Picchu, Peru

This is a must-do guided tour. There’s a lot of walking, but the views are worth it. Fun fact: Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by the Inca Empire and was never discovered by Spanish conquistadors, which is why it’s so well preserved. It sits at 7,970 feet above sea level, and the stonework is so precise that some stones fit together without mortar. There are multiple hiking options, and it’s best to plan for a couple of days.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

This is easy to do on your own. You take a tram up, but it gets crowded, so going early is best since the platform is small. Fun fact: the statue is 98 feet tall, with arms stretching 92 feet wide, and was completed in 1931.

It’s made of reinforced concrete and soapstone and is

one of the most iconic symbols of Rio. The views are fantastic, though I think the Sugarloaf Mountain view is even better!

Chichen Itza, Mexico

You must have a guide here, as visiting without one isn’t allowed (and I think that’s great). Fun fact: Chichen Itza was a major city of the Maya civilization and includes the famous El Castillo pyramid, which has 365 steps—one for each day of the year. The pyramid was also used as a giant calendar. Chichen Itza is far from main cities like Tulum or Cancun, so it works best as a day trip. I paired it with a visit to nearby cenotes.

They’re called the Wonders of the World for a reason—they make you say WOW!