TOP TEN PLACES by Travel.ca

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Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt
Talk about standing the test of time: The Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest of the three main pyramids in this iconic archaeological site (pictured), is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one still intact.
At 146.5 metres tall, the Giza Pyramid Complex was the loftiest man-made structure on the planet for more than 3,800 years, and even today towers over the sandy outskirts of Cairo. Guarding the site, the surreal Great Sphinx is still among the world's largest statues, while various ancient tombs and modern museums — such as the fascinating Solar Barque Museum and the soon-to-be-completed Grand Museum of Egypt — can easily turn a day trip into life-long fascination.

Great Wall of China
Okay, so it's not really visible from space. That takes nothing away from this stunning series of fortifications that stretch a total of 21,196 kilometres — more than twice the width of Canada — across northern China and parts of Mongolia. Constructed over nearly 2,000 years, the Great Wall presents visitors with a wide range of experiences, from strolling along the pristine stone ramparts of the Badaling and Jinshanling sections (pictured) — and taking cable cars, zip lines and even a 'toboggan run' up and down the wall — to hiking along the dilapidated grassy ridges of outlying sections.

Angel Falls, Venezuela
When it comes to breathtaking waterfalls, the 'fall' often trumps the 'water' — which is why the world's tallest cascade (pictured) trumps rivals like Niagara, Victoria and Iguaçu. Besides its 807-metre plunge over the sheer cliff face of Auyantepui mountain, Angel Falls is special because of its incomparable surroundings. Canaima National Park, the sixth-largest nature preserve in the world, boasts soaring rocky plateaus, dozens more dramatic waterfalls, misty rainforests and pristine beach-fringed lakes. No wonder it served as the exotic inspiration for the classic adventure novel The Lost World and its many TV, film and radio adaptations.

Manhattan, N.Y.
Frank Sinatra was bang on when he sang, 'If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.' Old Blue Eyes was of course referring not just to New York, but more specifically to Manhattan, its architectural, financial and cultural heart. If you seek a city taken to extremes — with soaring skyscrapers (pictured), charming parks, pulsing nightlife and the world's best theatre scene — then Manhattan is the place to be. And it's got pedigree to spare: Who hasn't dreamed of strolling through Central Park (which opened in 1857)? Or gazing out from atop the Statue of Liberty (dedicated in 1886) or the Empire State Building (the world's tallest building from 1931-1972). To borrow from Sinatra once again, there are few travellers who don't want to be a part of it.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Pick an exotic zoo animal, and chances are it's on the loose in this Connecticut-sized preserve. The Serengeti region is home to the largest mammal migration on Earth, with more than a million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras galloping across its grasslands in spring and fall. It's widely regarded as the best place on the planet to observe Africa's 'Big 5' animals — lions, leopards, elephants (pictured), rhinos and buffalos — with scores of other fascinating species like cheetahs, gazelles and giraffes joining the menagerie. And if you've had your fill of chasing critters, the park also offers fascinating displays of indigenous Maasai culture and some of the most luxurious safari camps anywhere.

Machu Picchu, Peru
Take ancient Inca ruins that by themselves would win World Heritage status in a heartbeat, surround them with spectacular Andean peaks, and you've got a prime example of mankind and Mother Nature working together to amaze. Heck, even getting to Machu Picchu can be thrilling for hikers, with the renowned Inca Trail winding 42 kilometres from the modern city of Cuzco to the 'Lost City of the Incas.' And if you think Machu Picchu is the end of the trail, think again: Huayna Picchu, the steep mountain that looms over the city, has several temples and terraces on its peak, which can be explored via yet another breathtaking — some would say heart-stopping — path.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia
With more than two thirds of its surface covered by ocean, the Earth's largest and most vivid display of marine life cannot be overlooked. Located off the coast of northeast Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system — and is by far is the biggest single structure made by living organisms — with more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching 2,600-plus kilometres. The Germany-sized Marine Park, meanwhile, protects the thousands of species of whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, coral and more that draw scuba divers from around the world. Visitors looking to slip into the crystal-clear waters have dozens of options for doing so, from the luxurious resorts that have sprung up on dozens of islands to daily boat tours to live-aboard vessels that let divers sleep over the spectacular underwater scenery.

 Angkor, Cambodia
Who would have thought the world's largest religious structure — bigger than any of Europe's cathedrals or the mosques of the Arab world — could ever be 'lost'? But for centuries after its abandonment in the 1400s, this gargantuan complex of walls, terraces, residences and temples, centred on the towering Angkor Wat (pictured), lay cloaked in jungle. As it turns out, this slow decay has somehow enhanced the site, with many temples left to crumble romantically — and making visitors feel as though they have stepped into a Tomb Raider video game.

Grand Canyon, Ariz.
It's not the deepest canyon, it's not quite the widest, but no cleft in the Earth's surface combines the two measurements to such dazzling effect. Forget what you've seen on postcards: After you get over the initial shock of its stunning size, a first-hand look at this 1,800-metre-deep, 29-kilometre-wide marvel (pictured) will reveal the awesome power of erosion. The Colorado River spent millions of years carving through the multicoloured strata that yield such a glorious layered effect. And after you've taken it in from the rim, you can skew your perspective with a raft trip down the river far below, a helicopter ride high above, a hike (or donkey ride) deep into the chasm, and even a stroll past the rim at the glass-floored Grand Canyon Skywalk.