It seems like every other day that facebook, or one of its applications, asks us a stupid question, like “Want to see who looks at your profile?” or “How many of these iconic 80s films have you seen?” But this quiz caught our eye, probably because it’s about a subject close to our hearts, the top attractions around the world. Why not try the quiz for yourself here! You can comment on your favourite attraction or tell us places that you think definitely should have made the list.
There are plenty of well-known places that make the cut, but some caught our eye for being slightly more obscure:
Best for Short Flight: Neuschwanstein Castle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74862615@N00/224652326/
by emdees
The inspiration for Disney’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Palace, this gothic revival castle lies in blissful solitude in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Whilst not all the rooms in the original plan were built we think you’ll agree that it’s certainly majestic enough for any reclusive monarch! The interior is wonderfully ornate and the views across Bavaria are astonishingly good.
Best for Ruins: Borobudur
http://www.flickr.com/photos/null0/2971096661/
by null0
This 8th century Buddhist monument features over 2500 relief panels and more than 500 Buddha statues. Located near Magelang in Java it’s Indonesia’s most visited attraction, and is an important pilgrimage site for the festival of Vesak. A tour to the top will take you around the outside and past all the panels to the summit where 72 Buddhas await. If you’re lucky you might catch a stunning performance of the Mahakarya Borobudur ballet.
Best For Natural Beauty: Banff National Park
by Alaskan Dude
Banff National Park, in the Rocky Mountains, is Canada’s oldest national park. It’s a great year-round destination as hiking is popular in the summer and the winter festival and excellent skiing provide plenty of entertainment for the colder months. You can visit glaciers, walk up one of the ten peaks if you’re feeling lively, or stick to the lakes if you prefer a slower pace, with boat trips and flat walks both on offer.
Best For Ancient Splendour: Potala Palace
by steve hicks
Situated in Tibet, this palace was built in 1645, and was inhabited by many years by a succession of Dalai Lamas. Built high in the mountains, this building is impressively huge, with no fewer than 13 floors and unbelievably more than 1000 rooms. Today, there are a number of other palaces here too, the White Palace and the Red Palace are similarly sumptuous affairs although on a smaller scale.
Best for Physical Exertion: The Matterhorn
On the border of Italy and Switzerland, the Matterhorn is one of the highest peaks in the Alps and was the last to be climbed thanks to the difficult route and exposed sides. You can take a guided tour to the summit today, a hike which takes about 10 days, so not for the faint of heart! The route hasn’t changed for decades and goes across glaciers, past forests and through meadows. To encourage you, it’s meant to be one of the most stunning trails you can hope to walk.
Best For Great Views: Burj Khalifa
by http://www.flickr.com/photos/leandrociuffo/ Leandro’s World Tour
The tallest building in the world, it stands at 828m high and is located in superflashy Dubai. You can’t get right to the top but the observation deck is still a jaw-dropping 452m high. It’s not all about the views though, as they have made a pretty spectacular surrounding for the building too, with a huge garden boasting no fewer than six water features, the centre point of which is the Dubai Fountain, which is yet another record breaker for this ambitious city.
All-around Star: Delphi
by isawnyu
Up in Mount Parnassus in south west Greece, and next to the modern town of the same name is Delphi, an archaeological site with wonderful vistas. The main highlights here are the Odeon, the Temple of Apollo and the mountaintop Stadium. The nearby modern town hosts the Archaeological Museum and you’re not far from a relaxing rest on the beach at Itea.
Top photo by jaybergesen
