April 5, 2016
7 Tours, 7 Wonders of the World
Did you know that the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is the only one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exists today? Since then, there have been numerous lists compiled to nominate the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and manmade structures. Explore 7 Wonders of the World on tour with Passports.
PYRAMID AT CHICHÉN ITZÁ
Day 6: Chichen Itza, Cancun: Travel to the Mayan site of Chichén Itza, the “Mouths of the Wells” in Mayan. These are the most extensive Mayan ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula, covering 2.5 square miles. The first site you will see is the Pyramid of Kukulcán. There are 365 steps to the top of this pyramid, called El Castillo by the Spaniards: it functioned as one of the most accurate calendars known to mankind. From Passports Mexico City and the Yucatán Itinerary
CHRIST THE REDEEMER
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro, Excursion to Corcovado Mountain: Today, highlight your visit to Rio with a cog-railway excursion to the summit of the 2,340-foot-high Corcovado Mountain, which dominates the city. It is topped by the colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer, with arms outstretched, a familiar symbol of Rio. From Passports Brazil! Itinerary
HALONG BAY
Day 4: City sightseeing, Travel to Halong Bay: Depart for Halong Bay, which is easily one of the most impressive scenes on earth and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thousands of oddly-shaped small islands faced by limestone cliffs and full of mysterious caves and caverns punctuate a gorgeous, emerald green sea.
Halong Bay Junk Cruise
A traditional wooden junk with elegant butterfly sails will take you to some of the Halong Bay islands to explore the caves. Observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay as you sail past fishermen casting their nets, floating villages and pearl fisheries. From Passports Ms. Saigon Itinerary
MACHU PICCHU
Day 5: Excursion to Machu Picchu: Visit the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu, a pre-Columbian site built at an altitude of nearly 8,000 feet in a mountainous rainforest so remote it remained unknown to the Spanish Conquistadors. It was discovered in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, author of a bestseller, The Lost City of the Incas, which has inspired generations of archaeologists ever since. Now it’s your turn to feel the magic and the power of this place, masterfully constructed for Inca emperors. From Passports Peru Itinerary
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Day 4: Excursion to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs: Today’s excursion takes you to the awesome Great Wall of China. Visible from space, the Wall is 3,500 miles long, and over 2,000 years old in some sections. Qin began it. The Ming Dynasty rebuilt it. Nixon came to see it. Now you will too, at Badaling. From Passports Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai Itinerary
TAJ MAHAL
Day 5: Agra City Sightseeing, Taj Mahal: Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum begun in 1632 by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The most famous site in all of India, this exquisite architectural feat took twenty-two years to complete. From Passports Jewels of India Itinerary
THE COLOSSEUM
Day 6: Rome City Sightseeing: A full-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Rome, will accompany your group. Visit some of the best known monuments of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Once the heart of a vast empire, the Forum was filled with extravagant buildings and crowded with people from all over the known world. From Passports Veni, Vidi, Vici! Itinerary
