National Geographic: 100 Places That Will Change Your Life

Mind: Intellectual & Historical Growth

1. Athens, Greece: Walk the Acropolis to stand where democracy and Western philosophy were born.
2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Witness the largest religious monument in the world, a feat of Khmer engineering.
3. Great Wall, China: Walk the winding stone paths to contemplate human perseverance and isolation.
4. Oxford, England: Immerse yourself in the "city of dreaming spires" and its 800-year academic legacy.
5. Kyoto, Japan: Master the art of the tea ceremony and explore the quiet precision of Zen gardens.
6. Florence, Italy: See the works of Michelangelo and Da Vinci where the Renaissance redefined humanity.
7. Machu Picchu, Peru: Study Incan astronomy and agriculture at this cloud-level citadel.
8. Cairo, Egypt: Stand before the Pyramids of Giza to feel the weight of 4,500 years of history.
9. Petra, Jordan: Marvel at a city literally carved into rose-red desert cliffs.
10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: See the living laboratory that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.
11. St. Petersburg, Russia: Explore the Hermitage and the grandeur of the "Venice of the North."
12. The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.: Visit the world's largest museum complex to see the scope of human achievement.
13. Timbuktu, Mali: Visit the fabled center of Islamic scholarship and ancient manuscripts.
14. Cusco, Peru: Explore the Incan capital where colonial and ancient stonework seamlessly merge.
15. The Parthenon, Greece: Contemplate the perfection of Golden Ratio architecture.
16. Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt: Revisit the spirit of the Ancient Library of Alexandria in this modern marvel.
17. Cambridge, England: Experience the intellectual rigor of the world’s second-oldest English-speaking university.
18. The Louvre, France: Lose yourself in the world’s most visited museum of art and history.
19. Persepolis, Iran: Witness the monumental ruins of the seat of the Achaemenid Empire.
20. Xi’an, China: Stand before the thousands of unique faces of the Terracotta Army.
21. Cartagena, Colombia: Walk the walled city to learn about Caribbean colonial history and literature.
22. Heidelberg, Germany: Experience the romanticism and intellectual depth of Germany’s oldest university.
23. Auroville, India: Visit the "City of Dawn," an experimental township dedicated to human unity.
24. Island of Rhodes, Greece: Explore the medieval street of the Knights and the site of a lost Wonder.
25. The British Museum, London: See the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles in this global archive.

Body: Physical Challenge & Vitality

26. The Swiss Alps: Take in the thinning air and grand vistas on some of Europe's highest trails.
27. Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Snorkel the world’s largest coral system to witness vibrant underwater life.
28. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Feel the rumble of the Great Migration across the vast savannah.
29. Patagonia, Chile/Argentina: Hike the rugged trails of the "End of the World" amid glaciers and granite peaks.
30. Himalayas, Nepal: Test your limits on the roof of the world in the presence of Mount Everest.
31. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: Soak in silica-rich geothermal waters surrounded by volcanic lava fields.
32. Boundary Waters, Minnesota: Paddle through a pristine wilderness of 1,000 lakes and no cell service.
33. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Navigate the "Path of the Gods" for vertical views of the Mediterranean.
34. Kauai, Hawaii: Hike the Na Pali Coast to see the "Garden Isle" in its most rugged form.
35. The Amazon Rainforest: Experience the sensory overload of the planet's most biodiverse ecosystem.
36. Milford Sound, New Zealand: Kayak through glacial fjords where waterfalls drop from 1,000-meter cliffs.
37. The Grand Canyon, Arizona: Hike from rim to river to see millions of years of geological time.
38. Mont Saint-Michel, France: Climb the winding stairs of this island abbey as the tide rushes in.
39. Table Mountain, South Africa: Hike to the flat-topped summit for a view of two merging oceans.
40. Denali National Park, Alaska: Experience true scale in the shadow of North America’s tallest peak.
41. The Dolomites, Italy: Tackle the "Iron Ways" (Via Ferrata) in these jagged limestone mountains.
42. Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Swim with rays and sharks in one of the world's most beautiful lagoons.
43. Lake Baikal, Russia: Walk across the world's deepest and oldest lake, frozen clear as glass.
44. Okavango Delta, Botswana: Navigate the reed-filled waterways in a traditional dugout mokoro.
45. Appalachian Trail, USA: Walk a portion of this 2,000-mile journey of endurance and forest immersion.
46. Yosemite National Park, California: Stand at the base of El Capitan and feel the power of granite.
47. Torres del Paine, Chile: Trek the "W Circuit" for views of the world’s most iconic spires.
48. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe: Feel the spray of the "Smoke that Thunders," the world's largest falling curtain of water.
49. The Sahara Desert: Traverse the dunes by camel and experience the silence of the deep desert.
50. Great Rift Valley, Kenya: Explore the cradle of humanity where the earth is literally pulling apart.

Spirit: Inner Peace & Connection

51. Varanasi, India: Watch the Aarti ceremonies along the Ganges, the most sacred site in Hinduism.
52. Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Join the "Camino" pilgrims at the shrine of St. James.
53. Lumbini, Nepal: Visit the peaceful garden known as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha).
54. Sedona, Arizona: Meditate among the red rock vortexes believed to hold intense healing energy.
55. Mount Sinai, Egypt: Climb the biblical peak to watch the sunrise over the desert.
56. The Vatican City: Witness the intersection of high art and global Catholic tradition.
57. Lhasa, Tibet: Visit the Potala Palace, the historical winter home of the Dalai Lama.
58. Assisi, Italy: Find tranquility in the home of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
59. Jerusalem, Israel: Experience the spiritual density of the Old City, holy to three major faiths.
60. Mount Kailash, China: Complete a "Kora" (pilgrimage circuit) around this sacred Himalayan peak.
61. Bodh Gaya, India: Sit under the Mahabodhi tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
62. Rishikesh, India: Practice yoga in the "Yoga Capital of the World" along the foothills of the Himalayas.
63. Mount Athos, Greece: Visit the "Holy Mountain," a center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism.
64. Iona, Scotland: Experience the "thin place" on this island, a cradle of Christianity in Scotland.
65. Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan: Visit 88 temples on a journey of self-reflection and perseverance.
66. Western Wall, Jerusalem: Place a prayer in the cracks of the last remnant of the Second Temple.
67. Glastonbury, England: Explore the myths of King Arthur and the spiritual energy of the Tor.
68. Mecca, Saudi Arabia: The ultimate spiritual destination for Muslims (restricted access).
69. The Golden Temple, India: Witness the Sikh tradition of community and selfless service in Amritsar.
70. Mount Fuji, Japan: Ascend the sacred volcano that has inspired poets and monks for centuries.
71. Taos Pueblo, New Mexico: Experience the enduring spiritual traditions of the Pueblo people.
72. Montserrat, Spain: Visit the "Serrated Mountain" and the shrine of the Black Madonna.
73. Uluru, Australia: Respect the sacred Dreamtime stories of the Anangu people at this red monolith.
74. The Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan: Float in the lowest place on earth and experience its healing minerals.
75. Medjugorje, Bosnia: Join the thousands who visit this site of reported modern miracles.

Soul: Reflection & Humanity

76. Easter Island, Chile: Contemplate the isolation and mystery of the massive Moai statues.
77. Antarctica: Experience the absolute silence and raw purity of the uninhabited continent.
78. Cape Town, South Africa: Witness the resilience of the human spirit at Robben Island.
79. Bhutan: Discover the kingdom that measures "Gross National Happiness" over profit.
80. Bagan, Myanmar: Watch the mist rise over 2,000 ancient Buddhist pagodas.
81. Luang Prabang, Laos: Participate in the silent morning alms giving to the local monks.
82. Mesa Verde, Colorado: Reflect on the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans in their cliff dwellings.
83. Samaná, Dominican Republic: Watch humpback whales and reconnect with the rhythms of the sea.
84. Venice, Italy: Contemplate the fragile beauty of a city built on water.
85. Serengeti (The Migration): Connect with the primal cycle of life, death, and renewal.
86. Chichen Itza, Mexico: Reflect on the astronomical brilliance of the ancient Maya.
87. Lalibela, Ethiopia: See the monolithic churches hewn out of solid rock from the ground down.
88. The Taj Mahal, India: Stand before the world’s most famous monument to eternal love.
89. Isle of Skye, Scotland: Find your soul in the "Old Man of Storr" and the misty Fairy Pools.
90. Maasai Mara, Kenya: Learn about the coexistence of traditional culture and wild nature.
91. Old Havana, Cuba: Experience the soul of music and dance in a city frozen in time.
92. Zanzibar, Tanzania: Wander the Stone Town spice markets to feel the blend of African and Arab soul.
93. Prague, Czech Republic: Walk the Charles Bridge to feel the fairy-tale magic of Central Europe.
94. The Alhambra, Spain: Discover the mathematical and poetic beauty of Moorish architecture.
95. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Sail among 1,600 limestone islands and reflect on nature’s artistry.
96. Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil: Stand on the "Devil’s Throat" walkway to feel the roar of nature.
97. South Island, New Zealand: Find solitude in the vast, cinematic landscapes of the Southern Alps.
98. Costa Rica Rainforests: Embrace "Pura Vida" and the importance of conservation.
99. Provence Lavender Fields, France: Experience the sensory peace of blooming purple landscapes.
100. Baffin Island, Canada: Find the soul of the Arctic in a world of ice, Inuit culture, and polar bears.