Top Ten Places You Must See Before You Die
By: Ann Coveney

Ever wondered what it would be like to stand at the base of the Great Pyramid or watch a lioness hunt? Ever dreamed of seeing a monument of love or scaling the heights of Uluru? Well you've only got one chance at life so here's a list of the ten places you must see before you die.

1 The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids are the oldest tourist attraction in the world. Throughout history people have visited the pyramids and wondered how and why they were build. The Great Pyramid was thought to have taken twenty years to build and over two million blocks of limestone. They are awe inspiring monuments to the marvels of the ancient world.

2 New York
The city was founded in 1613 as a trading post for the Dutch and was originally called New Amsterdam. In 1664 it was taken by the English and renamed New York after the Duke of York. It has since grown in to a sprawling metropolis which incorporates the best of America: diversity, culture and style. It is the ' City that Never Sleeps' where you can find iconic architecture from the bustling Time Square to the emblem of American freedom the Statue of Liberty.

3 Uluru
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, rises out of the desert and sits at the centre of Australia. Its stunning colours change throughout the day from shades of purple and orange to a burnt red. It has been a sacred place for aboriginals for ten thousand years and its ownership was handed back to the aboriginal people in 1985. Uluru is a spiritual and mystical experience and is truly one of the great wonders of the world.

4 Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is a monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan when his favourite wife Arjumand Bano Begum, who is better known as Mumtaz, died. The complex architecture and exotic gardens is one of the greatest symbols of love and loss in the world.

5 Machu Picchu - Peru
The ruins sit high upon a mountain ridge and lay undisturbed until its discovery in 1911. Machu Picchu was built in 1440 and was destroyed during the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1532. It is thought that it was a country retreat for Inca nobility and had a capacity of about 750 people. Thousands of people visit the palace and temples each year and experience this monument to the ancient Inca civilisation.

6 Great Wall of China
For over two thousand years the Great Wall of China has wound a total of 6356km from east to west China. Construction started in the 3rd century BC and was continuing until the 17th century. Although much of it has been destroyed it is still one of the great wonders of the world. The wall is even visible from space.

7 Cape Town
Cape Town sits on the southern tip of Africa where two oceans converge- the Indian and the Atlantic. Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to this city of contrasts. Cape Town combines breathtaking natural geographical features, a rich cultural history and a fast paced multicultural metropolis.

8 Rio de Janeiro
High on Corcovado Mountain overlooking the city with arms outstretched stands Cristo Redentor, the famous Christ Redeemer statue. The intoxicating city of Rio de Janeiro combines religion, colour, music and violence. It is famous for colourful carnivals and sandy beaches such as Copacabana.

9 Masai Mara, Kenya
The rustle of grass is the only sound on the plains as the antelope dips its head to drink from the stream. A movement catches the antelope's eye, a flicker in the grass. The lioness breaks its cover and charges, embedding its claws and fangs into the neck of the antelope. This is the Masai Mara, one of Africa's biggest game reserves.

10 Rome
Rome was the most powerful empire in the world. It is a city that hosts some of the best known monuments and works of art. The coliseum dominates the city and draws thousands of tourists each year. All roads do indeed lead to Rome.

Well what are you waiting for! After all, as the Irish say "You're a long time dead".

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Information about the Author:

Ann Coveney www.askann.co.uk is a freelance writer and part time school teacher. She can be hired to write articles on a wide range of topics. The web site she uses the most for low cost travel and hotel booking is www.AskVicki.co.uk