Even in its partially crumbled state, the Colosseum remains one of the most renowned symbols of the Roman Empire. Built in the 1st century AD, the Colosseum was used for everything from gladiatorial games to the performance of classic dramas, and even filled with water on occasion for mock sea battles. Today the remains of the Colosseum’s gorgeous, revolutionary architecture is a major tourist attraction that is truly worth the journey.
wOw Tip: Rome is a mecca of tourist attractions — allow at least four days to cover everything.
Machu Picchu and the Journey of a Lifetime
The Great Wall of China stands 25 feet high, 20 feet wide, with the most recent estimate of length at 8,850 kilometers. There was a time when it was guarded by as many as one million men. The sections of the Great Wall that remain standing today were built during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th Century AD to protect the northern border of China. Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from the moon, however, its magnificent size and the history that surrounds it make it truly wondrous.
wOw Tip: Here's how to say "thank you" in Chinese: "xie xie" in Mandarin or "do jie" in Cantonese.
12 Hidden Beaches Around the World
This marble masterpiece, the Taj Mahal, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in Agra, India, at the dying request of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. She asked that he build a mausoleum "more beautiful than any the world had ever seen before" in her honor. The Taj Mahal is actually a compound of structures complete with a garden containing a pool that reflects the image of the dazzling mausoleum.
wOw Tip: Visit the Taj Mahal for a rare moonlight viewing two days before and after each full moon.
To see the rest of the modern wonders, click here
[Photo Credits: Shutterstock]
