In case you weren’t aware, the New 7 Wonders of the World was an initiative introduced to mark the millennium and the idea was to choose, by voting, seven new monuments from a shortlist of 200 to become the new seven wonders of the world. Though reactions were mixed, I personally think we were overdue some new wonders, as all but one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World no longer exist. Indeed, the only remaining ancient wonder, the Giza Pyramid at Egypt, was granted a honourary place on the list. Here’s a look at how you can visit the New 7 wonders while on a cruise.
Chichen Itza
Where?
Yucatan, Mexico
What?
A pre-Columbian Mayan city dating back to 800, which attracts around 1.2 million tourists each year and which is mooted to be one of the civilisation’s mythical great cities. The most famous structure on the site is the pyramid-like El Castillo.
How?
Book a Mexican and Panama Canal cruise which includes Cozumel as a port of call, as there are often excursions from the port to Chichen Itza.
Christ the Redeemer
Where?
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
What?
Completed in 1931, it’s the newest of the new 7 wonders and is a 98-foot tall statue of Christ which watches over the city’s largely Catholic inhabitants from atop Corcovado Mountain. Since its completion, it has become arguably the country’s most recognisable icon.
How?
Book any South American cruise which includes Rio on its itinerary and you’ll have the option of scaling the mountain to see the statue for yourself.
The Colosseum
Where?
Rome, Italy
What?
An ancient Roman amphitheatre which dates back to the year 70 and which is the most famous and largest of its kind in the world. Though much of it lies in ruin, it remains one of the city’s most popular attractions.
How?
Book any Mediterranean or world cruise which stops at Civitavecchia, the port for Rome.
The Great Wall of China
Where?
Beijing, China
What?
A huge series of fortifications which extend for over 13,000 miles, on which construction began in the 7th century BC. There are many locations from which you can visit the wall, but the section close to Beijing is among the best-preserved.
How?
Book a Far East cruise which includes Beijing on its itinerary.
Machu Picchu
Where?
Cuzco Region, Peru
What?
Dating back to around 1450, it’s an Inca site situated on a mountain ridge some 7,970 feet above sea level. Often referred to as the lost city of the Incas, it remains relatively intact because it was never discovered by the Spanish during their conquest of the Incan empire.
How?
Book a South American cruise which includes a stop at Lima, as shore excursions operate from the city to Machu Picchu.
Petra
Where?
Ma’an Governate, Jordan
What?
An ancient city which dates back to around 300BC, its famous for its architecture which is cut from the very rock it is situated in. It remained a mystery to the West until 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovered it. The Treasury is perhaps the most famous structure on the site and was made famous in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
How?
Book a Middle Eastern cruise which stops at Aquaba, the port of call for Petra.
The Taj Mahal
Where?
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
What?
A mausoleum constructed from white marble and built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honour his third wife, Mumtax Mahal. It dates back to 1632, when construction on it began, and it has since become the country’s most recognisable landmark.
How?
The Taj Mahal lies inland and India is a very big country. However, if you’ve booked a South Asian cruise which involves a couple of days in Mumbai, you can book a flight from the city to Agra and see the Taj Mahal for yourself.
By Simon Brotherton
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