About Dream Destinations, Historical & Modern Places, and Fascinating Countries: 15 World Places I Want To Visit

The reader in me brought me to the different countries of the world. 

It was when I was second year HS when I read the "World History" authored by Gregorio F. Zaide. It's the favorite book I always borrow from our librarian everytime I happen to sit in the library. Since then I love history class and excelled in it. Though during my HS, two of my favorite subjects were Science (Physics and Chemistry in particular) and Math. I'm not an ace student per say, my being in the honor's list was due to my consistent study habit. I just read in advance and study lesson in advance to cope up with the stress of being a high schooler.

Anyway, that's not the main topic, let's go back to what I'm about to reveal to all of you. Perhaps, most of you, if not all, have your dream places or countries you want to visit. Or if given the chance, you want to permanently settle in. And I must say, most of you are working your butt off just to save some money to experience a cruise or a flight to the destination of your choice. Right isn't it?

Well, here's the list of the top fifteen destinations, historical or modern places my feet would love to step in and enjoy the moment of being there.


1. PRAGUE - The Czech Republic - The city of Prague- the capital of Czech has been haunting my mind since I was second year. I have always been fascinated by its beauty and its historical past.I consider it as the shining jewel of Europe. Prague is described as a well preserved old world, beautiful city that has remained almost entirely undamaged from WWII. Prague is a modern, vibrant city full of energy, culture and home to around 1.2 million people. 

Prague- country capital

the center of Prague

2. Santorini / Athens – GREECE – One word to describe Santorini is “amazing” It has been in my hot list of places I would likely to visit ever since I knew all about it. It’s simply catches the nature and sea lover in me. This place is so romantic that settlement surrounding the caldera – a large crater in a volcano, caused by a major eruption followed by the collapse of the volcanic pipe walls that form the volcano’s cone - has enjoyed the tranquility of the place. 

Santorini, Greece

Another view

I’ve been hearing a lot of positive reviews about this island in the South Aegean. As I can see photos online, the island town of Santorini looks like a talented artist rendering perfection. The most impressive and decisive geographical feature of Santorini is certainly the volcano standing in the middle of the sunken caldera.

Athens – on the other hand is the home of the famed ancient “Acropolis” where the worldwide famous “Parthenon Temple is located – it is the temple of Athena – the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. My fascination about Greece started when I studied all about Greek mythology in junior year in HS. Greek gods and goddesses excite me. And out of this, it started my interest to know more of Hellenic culture. Adding to my fantasy is the Mount of Olympus where the legend of Zeus has been told. Plus this is the place where our modern Olympic games begun.

The world famous "Acropolis"

3. Colosseum - Rome / Milan / Venice– ITALY – Speaking of this famed capital city (Rome), it is home to a city within a city – Vatican City –where Catholic faith was founded. I would love to visit to pay homage to my bastion of faith. Exploring the historic Colloseum where gladiator fights occurred in its time. Apart from Rome, there comes Milan – Milan boast of its fashion trends.

Colosseum's aerial view

The famous ruin of Colosseum of Rome

4. Johannesburg – SOUTH AFRICA – I have an SFC friend who went to Africa, not in South Africa, for a mission purpose – to be exact she went to Kenya. We had a chance to meet up in Manila last 2010 and I was fascinated when I hear her speak Swahili – the official language of South Africa or the African people. I’ve been dreaming to explore their famous “safari” and see different species of wild animals where varieties of which can only be found in their continent. Plus I want to see the remnants of the “Apartheid” system. And wishing to the moon – to meet any of the relatives or grandson/daughter of the famous peace advocate Nelson Mandela.

The city proper - Johannesburg

Another shot

5. Berlin  – GERMANY – The Berlin Wall is what push me to visit Germany. It has been told that it was built by women engineers.Another thing that interest me to visit this country is to witness the ruins of the Nazis.

Berlin Wall

6. Tokyo – JAPAN – Japanese are famed for their skill in technology and their being calm people. This country has been regarded as the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Famous for its samurai and delectable oriental cuisines. Plus the craftsmanship and creativity of the Japanese people in "bonsai making".

Tokyo's aerial view

The vastness of the city at night

7. Phonm Penh – CAMBODIA – This country is home to the popular “Angkor Wat” – it is a complex temple and a place for worship of the Hindus – the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god “Vishnu”. The country is fast rising when it comes to tourist attractions.

the most complex Hindu temple - Angkor Wat

A good view of the temple

8. Halong Bay, VIETNAM – it caught my attention when I saw it along with the newly declared “New Seven Wonders of Nature”. Of course, Philippine’s “Palawan “Underground River” is included. I keep on wondering how beautiful it might that it won to be in such elite nature wonders.  If adventure is your element, then consider touring this staggering seascape of some 1,600 limestone islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, formed over millions of years. Amazingly, nature always offers the best.

The majestic Halong Bay

Aerial view of Halong Bay

9. Pyramids – EGYPT – it is a masterpiece of the ancient Egypt, famous among these pyramids is the Pyramid of Gizah (also known as “Pyramid of Khufu or Pyramid of Cheops”) and is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids. It is also considered as the oldest of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”. I would love to trek the desert going to this ancient wonder and feel how majestic it is to be in its presence and be lost in time.

The three pyramids

The most famous pyramid of Gizah

10.  Great Walls – CHINA – Believed to be the only structure visible from the space. It was built primarily to serve as a wall defender from the Mongols invasion led by the fierce Genghis Khan. I can imagine how it feels walking along these walls while having a history conversation to a Chinese tour guide. Not to discount, having your family or friends alongside with you.

Some parts of the Great Walls

Aerial view of the Great Wall of China

11. Petra – JORDAN – Working in the Mid East had led me to desire to reach this historic landmark. It was inhabited since pre-historic times , the Nabataean city of Petra, situated between the Red Sea and Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia and bears a unique testimony of a disappeared civilization in which ancient Eastern traditions blended with Hellenistic architecture.

The structure of Petra in Jordan

It's built in ancient times and served as crossroads 

12. Eiffel Tower – FRANCE – Situated in the country’s capital of Paris and was once the tallest structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower is probably Europe’s best known landmark and Paris’ most famous symbol. In the City of Love and Romance, it is captivating to behold. Its towering height symbolizes modernity. If you are planning to visit Europe, I’m pretty sure Eiffel Tower is among the top spots in your list.

A shot from down under going up.

The towering and magnificent Eiffel Tower at night.

13. Incas– PERU – This country has been famous of its name tag as the “Land of the Incans”. Early inhabitants of the place are nomadic tribes and hunters. I would love to pay a visit to this part of the world and shortly immerse with their culture and traditions.

The ruins of the Inca civilization

A world heritage of Peru

14. Jerusalem – ISRAEL – The cradle of the Christian civilization and is the place of our savior Jesus Christ. I’ve always dreamt of reaching this Holy City - to roam around and see with my naked eye the history of this long ago disputed city. To step in where Jesus walk and to witness all the holy sites therein.

Jerusalem

The birth place of Jesus Christ

15. Niagara Falls – CANADA – Fascinated with falls? I am. And one of the best falls in mind for me is the world famous “Niagara Falls of Canada. It is a collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. It is believed to be formed when glacier receded.  It’s both known for its beauty and a valuable source of hydroelectric power.

The gigantic Niagara Falls

The list could go on and on, but so far these are my top fifteen. Hoping to reach at least half of them before I turn 50 years old.

How about you? What are your dream destinations? which place would you want to relax and enjoy?