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    Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The World

    Lonely Planet have named the 500 most amazing places in the world

    By Marie Claire
    Published 18 August 2015 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Aya Sofya Turkey
    Aya Sofya Turkey
    (Image credit: REX)
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    Lonely Planet have named the 500 most amazing places in the world

    Travellers of the world, listen up!

    Lonely Planet have named their top 500 most amazing places in the world to visit and if you can make it through the list without booking a holiday and or quitting your job to become a 'citizen of the world' we'll be very surprised.

    Not only are these places utterly stunning, some of them are not a million miles away. In fact, two British destinations made the top 50.

    The British Museum came in at number 15 thanks to it's amazing architecture and collection of historical treasures, including the Rosetta Stone.

    Cumbria's Lake District placed 36th in the world for it's breathtaking natural beauty, attracting 12 million visitors a year.

    Here are the top 10 destinations in the world, to whet your appetite for some backpacking adventures! 10. Aya Sofya, Turkey

    Aya Sofya Turkey

    Also known as the Hagia Sophia, this Istanbul landmark was once a Christian basilica, then an imperial mosque and now a cultural museum.

    Aya Sofya Turkey

    Aya Sofya Turkey

    Aya Sofya Turkey
    (Image credit: REX)

    Also known as the Hagia Sophia, this Istanbul landmark was once a Christian basilica, then an imperial mosque and now a cultural museum.

    Alhambra Spain

    Alhambra Spain

    Alhambra Spain
    (Image credit: REX)

    9. Alhambra, Spain

    This palace and fortress complex in Andalusia's Granada has been called "one of the most extraordinary structures on the planet". Over 800 years old, it is a stunning example of Islamic art and architecture.

    Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil

    Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil

    Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil
    (Image credit: REX)

    8. Iguazu Falls, Argentina-Brazil

    The mammoth waterfalls that straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil are a once-in-a-lifetime scene.

    Colosseum Italy

    Colosseum Italy

    Colosseum Italy
    (Image credit: REX)

    7. Colosseum, Italy

    Rome is one of those cities that leaves tourists spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning landmarks. From the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, you can't turn a corner in the Italian captial without coming across another treasure to tick off on your bucket list. Surely the most famous of all the sights is the Roman Colosseum.

    Grand Canyon USA

    Grand Canyon USA

    Grand Canyon USA
    (Image credit: REX)

    6.Grand Canyon, USA

    One world to describe the Grand Canyon? EPIC.

    Taj Mahal India

    Taj Mahal India

    Taj Mahal India
    (Image credit: REX)

    5. Taj Mahal, India

    Is there any other landmark in the world that is tied up so closely with its country's cultural identity as the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra?

    Great Wall of China

    Great Wall of China

    Great Wall of China
    (Image credit: REX)

    4. Great Wall of China

    It's 13,170 miles long, took 200 years to build and can be seen from space. Pretty impressive, right?

    Machu Picchu Peru

    Machu Picchu Peru

    Machu Picchu Peru
    (Image credit: REX)

    3. Machu Picchu, Peru

    Built in 1450, this Incan historical site is still being restored to its former glory and has become the largest tourist attraction in South America. View's not bad either.

    Great Barrier Reef Australia

    Great Barrier Reef Australia

    Great Barrier Reef Australia
    (Image credit: REX)

    2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

    According to CNN it's one of the seven natural wonders of the world and it's not hard to see why. It's the largest coral reef in the world, stretching out over 133,000 sq mi, is home to billions of tiny organisms and (like the Great Wall of China) can be seen from space.

    Temples of Angkor Cambodia

    Temples of Angkor Cambodia

    Temples of Angkor Cambodia
    (Image credit: REX)

    1. Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

    This hauntingly beautiful temple site, known as Angkor Wat, has sat in the Cambodian holy city since the 12th century. It's the largest religious monument in the world and welcomed over two million visitors in 2013. 

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    The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.

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