Traveling to any of the 7 Wonders of the World makes for an unforgettable lifetime experience. These amazing destinations are an incredible display of art and architecture around the world, and make them some of the most visited places.

To get the most of your travel, it is wise to plan carefully to make the most of your trip, and if possible take advantage of any unique experiences you can. Many of these sites involve a long journey, so you should consider maximizing both your journey and your time at the site, making it the most memorable possible.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is impressive architecture that stretches over 13 miles, and you don’t have to take just a typical a day tour. Consider a nighttime tour, as Simatai portion of the wall is open at night for tours under the stars.

If you are up to a challenge, you can hike different parts of the wall, which range from average to difficult. For example, the Jiankou section of the wall is untouched, with wild forest areas that have steep passes that can offer a physical challenge if you are up to it.

Held in the month of May, the Great Wall Marathon is another memorable way to experience the wall while completing your own personal fitness goals.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of 7 Wonders of the World that is easy to get to considering its location right in the city of Rome. Taking into account it is in a large city, you will likely want to create an itinerary packed with other historical features that give you an insight into ancient Rome, from Trevi Fountain to the Vatican City.

For starters, skip the line tickets to Colosseum by purchasing your tickets ahead of time. In addition to seeing the Colosseum in all of its glory, don’t miss out on seeing the Colosseum underground. These specialized tours allow you to gain privileged access to less explored parts of the Colosseum, like seeing where wild animals were held before they were sent to fight with the gladiators. This gives you a chance to see as much of the buildings as possible.

(Image via Wikipedia)

Chichén Itzá

Chichen Itza is one of the great Mayan ruins you can see in the Yucatan in Mexico. There are lots of great ways to enjoy these ruins located in the jungle of the Mayan Riviera. For example, go early before the crowds and before the day begins to heat up so you can enjoy exploring the ruins before tour buses start to pour in.

You can also time your visit during the spring equinox at Chichen Itza, to enjoy the phenomenon of lights and shadows that form on the ruins just once a year.

Another option is to go at night to see a light show. The weather is cooler and you will have the chance to see the ruins from a different perspective.

Taj Mahal

The best way to enjoy the Taj Majal is to avoid the crowds. This site averages over 20,000 visitors a day, at times there are over 40,000 people in a single day. You may also want to avoid visiting November to February, as heavy fog can shroud the structures and make them difficult to view.

Your best bet is to avoid holidays and visit on a weekday, with the exception of Fridays, as the Taj Majal is closed for prayers. Catch a sunrise tour to the Taj Majal, enjoying it with less crowds and during the cooler part of the day. Another option is to take a tour on the Yamuna river, which gives you a view of the Taj Majal without all the crowds. Lastly, consider staying in a hotel nearby with a stunning view of the Taj Majal.

Petra

Located in southern Jordan, this site at Petra is one of the country’s most visited places. This attraction consists of dwellings and other structures that the Nabataean people carved into the sheer rock face thousands of years ago. You may want to consider a private tour so that you can make the most of the trip, complete with air conditioned transportation, food, and time to explore the site at your leisure. There are also tours that offer camel rides as part of the experience.

Macchu Picchu

Macchu Picchu gets crowded as the day goes on, so your best bet is to arrange an early tour so that you can enjoy the site without the crowds. Sunrise tours are a popular way to view these amazing ruins.

Part of seeing Macchu Picchu is the journey itself. Consider taking a train, or perhaps take a trekking tour. Peru is a far trip for most travelers, so you may want to take a tour that incorporates impressive sites that are nearby as well, such as Cusco.

Christ the Redeemer

This famous statue towers at the top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Getting to the statue is part of the experience, with most tourists taking the cog train through the lush greenery of the Tijuca Forest.

Be sure to check the weather before heading up, as Rio can have unpredictable weather, and you will want clear views of the statue and the beautiful scenery. Try to get there early, by 8 or 8:30 am to avoid the crowds as well as the heat. A different option is to take a helicopter tour, which gives you amazing views of the statue as well as the surrounding scenery.