You can call them bucket list destinations, or places you think require spending a fortune to get to, but natural and human made wonders around the world are more accessible than ever before. Thanks to affordable air travel and the great tools available to help make savvy travelers out of all of us, it’s much easier to check off dream destinations as you satisfy your wanderlust. Even better news, you’re likely to find a Priority Pass lounge in many of the airports that can help you get up close and personal with the Wonders of the World.
We know of ancient wonders, like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and also natural wonders like the Grand Canyon in the southwestern United States, but among now we can add the Seven New Wonders, jaw-dropping marvels that reach unimaginable scales. Part of the lure is the grandness of it all, but also the mystery surrounding these achievements, whether humans had a hand in them or Mother Nature’s magic. Just how did they get built, or sculpted, or even contemplated?
Being Earth Month, it’s logical to start with a purely natural wonder, and a great one to pick is the Grand Canyon in the U.S. state of Arizona. The famous mile-deep canyon has been carved over millions of years by the flow of the Colorado River and the desert winds and offers a stunning array of colors and textures that literally change with the light of the day. It’s also one of the easiest destinations to get to especially when flying into Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), a manageable 3 ½ hours’ driving distance from the Grand Canyon. For Priority Pass members stopping in Phoenix or even awaiting a connection to Flagstaff, a closer airport to the canyon, The Club at PHX awaits, offering that needed space to get ready for the hike of a lifetime or to recharge your spirits before a return home.
If nature sculpted the Grand Canyon and gave away few secrets, then imagine the minds of those who carved out the “lost city” in the desert, Petra, in southwestern Jordan. Dating back to – possibly – around the 4th century BC, Petra offers more intrigue than answers as to its origin. The details of the architectural wonders are literally framed by the rose-colored walls of stone they were chiseled from. A visit to Jordan has a logical stop for Priority Pass members, as Amman Queen Alia Airport features two member lounges – Crown Lounge, and the aptly named Petra Lounge.
Those who are South America bound and looking to check off a world wonder from their list can look to Brazil, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer peers over the city of Rio de Janeiro. The 125-foot tall concrete statue is the most recent of the new Seven Wonders and is considered the largest art-deco sculpture in the world. This region has the distinction of also featuring one of the natural wonders of the world, the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. This destination also happens to be a Priority Pass favourite where we proudly feature 5 lounges from which to peer over airport life while relaxing at Galeao International Airport.
Just a bit further south and west on the continent, world travelers can marvel at Peru’s most famous landmark, Machu Picchu, a 15th Century Incan settlement perched over 2400 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains. As impressive as it is high, Machu Picchu is not the easiest to reach, but a hike or train ride into the Andes is guaranteed to excite the senses as you approach this magical wonder. As with most popular destinations, Machu Picchu never really has a “slow” season and, as a result, the government of Peru is limiting the amount of time visitors can spend there so good planning is key. Cusco is the nearest airport and Priority Pass is proud to offer two lounges for members to keep their travel experiences as inspirational as the Andes that frame Machu Picchu.
There’s no limit to the amount of visitors to the next world wonder because something that’s too big to contemplate surely can make room for just about everyone who wants to be amazed. The Great Wall of China took a “mere” 1800 years to build and is actually a series of connected sections that also include trenches and other barriers that include rivers and hills. Together the “wall”, including its several branches, stretches as much as 20,000 kilometers from east to west. Ironically, something that was built to divide and keep invaders away has done just the opposite over millennia, as it’s become one of the most visited places on the planet. Beijing is an ideal place to land if you’re planning on visiting the Great Wall. As a Priority Pass member, you can enjoy a lucky choice of 8 lounges located in Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
Speaking of barriers, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef spans 2,600km (1,600 miles) long and is the largest structure in the world made by living organisms. How’s that for a natural wonder? Located in the northeast coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef features 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, according to UNESCO, the educational, scientific and cultural branch of the United Nations which has designated the reef as a World Heritage Site. The spectacular showcase of underwater natural beauty can be reached by flying into Cairns International Airport, the largest of a handful of airports popular with visitors. Priority Pass happily features the aptly named Reef Lounge at Cairns International Airport for members to enjoy before departing.
It’s true that wonders never cease. Though there are official lists highlighting the wonders around the world, the number of incredible destinations is as long as the imagination allows. We thought we’d complete our own list by going to the very top of the world. Mount Everest is the planet’s tallest peak and can be found in the small Asian country of Nepal. Today’s jet aircraft fly only a few thousand feet above the mountain’s peak which exceeds 29,000 feet. The mountain is actually shared with China but most travelers with eyes set on Mount Everest travel to Kathmandu, Nepal and then venture further toward the mountain’s base either by air or bus. One spectacular way to see Mount Everest is by taking a mountain flight. And speaking of flights, the Executive Lounge awaits Priority Pass members at the Kathmandu International Airport. Consider it a perfect way to cap your trip to the top of the world.