cal
|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
| |
 |  | | | | |
|
| |
| |  | | | |
|
| |
| | |  | | |
|
| |
| | | |  | |
|
| |
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
Looking for your Orbitz itinerary? Click here
A pop-up blocker stopped your selected comparison(s).Click it and select "Always Allow..."
advertisement
Seeing the Wonders of the World Without the Crowds
Why would you want to visit the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu or the Colosseum only to wait in long lines and battle hundreds of other tourists for a glimpse of these famous sites? Instead, follow the tips below to have these world wonders practically to yourself.
When it comes to the wonders of the world, just about everyone has their own list: the wonders of the ancient world; the wonders of the natural world; the wonders that didn't make the original list of seven. And then, there's my list. In my book, nothing qualifies as a wonder if you don't see it in the right way. Your breath won’t get taken away if you visit at noon on a tour bus. Do that and you might just wonder why you took the trip at all.
However, if you can finesse a way to see these remarkable places at the right time of day, and without the crowds, their wonders will never cease to amaze.
Great Wall of China
Most visitors to the Great Wall head straight to Badaling, the closest point from Beijing. If that’s your itinerary, do what I always do: Hire a driver and see the wall early in the morning. And I mean really early, like 4:30 a.m. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also have the incredible experience of watching the sun rise at the Great Wall. The only other people there at 5:15 a.m. will be some very gracious, elderly Chinese men and women practicing tai chi.
Another way to see the wall is to skip the touristy section altogether. Remember, the Great Wall is very long, so there are plenty of less-crowded spots to visit. Mutianyu is also relatively close to Beijing, about 40 miles away in Huairou County. Here, the wall straddles the highest point of the mountains, which means you can experience dramatic, sweeping views. Visitors can opt to climb more than 1,100 steps, or ride up in a cable car.
Another tip: Visit the Great Wall in October, when high season is subsiding and the temperature is cool and comfortable in the low 60s.
Taj Mahal
Like the Great Wall, the best way to avoid the crowds is to visit as early in the morning as possible. Many of the organized tours from New Delhi to Agra try to cram everything into one day, starting the sightseeing at 7 a.m. and arriving at the Taj Mahal in early afternoon. And that’s exactly when you don’t want to be there.
Instead, plan to arrive in Agra the day before, and spend the night in a hotel near the site. It may be pricey, but it’s worth it to experience the grandeur of this icon without having to navigate crushing — and usually disorganized and pushy — crowds. The Oberoi Hotel is less than 2,000 feet from the Taj; each room allows you to view the white marble structure at the break of dawn, as well as under the moonlight. Room rates start at around $600/night, but trust me, it’s worth the experience if you can afford it.
Traveling to India in the off-season isn’t really an option, as you’ll mostly be stuck indoors to avoid the heat or unpredictable monsoons. But try planning your travels just before or after monsoon season, in early May or early October — it’ll still be hot then, but there will be fewer tourists.
Pyramids of Giza
Once again, my best advice is to hire a driver and visit the Egyptian pyramids very early in the morning. You’ll get to watch the sun rise at the pyramids, which is truly a wondrous experience, without all the crowds and before the weather gets oppressively hot.
Another tip is to stay in a hotel close to the pyramids, such as Oberoi’s Mena House or Le Meridien Pyramids. That way you can go on a walking tour of the pyramids early in the morning, take a midday break when it gets hot and then go back in the late afternoon, when the crowds have dissipated, to explore on your own.
Chichen Itza
For many, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, located in the Mexican Riviera, are synonymous with the step pyramid known as Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo. That portion was recently named one of the seven new wonders of the world, so it tends to get the most crowded. But there are also numerous other parts of Chichen Itza that the public can see, including the Temple of the Warriors, a series of intricately designed columns and statues; the Nunnery, a large structure that features the carved walls of what were once living quarters in ancient times; and the Observatory, consisting of two towers used to study astronomy.
Of all the hotels inside the park, the Lodge at Chichen Itza is one that claims not to allow any tour buses or large groups, in order to maintain a boutique feel. The hotel sits on 100 acres of land and has its own entrance into the temples; guided tours are available.
In general, smart travelers visit the Riviera Maya in early December; in the weeks just after Thanksgiving and New Year’s; or in April, to beat the crowds and the heat. Hurricane season runs all the way from June through November, so if you choose to travel during this low period, you might consider buying travel insurance.
Blog: What Are Your Tips for Visiting Iconic Sites?
However, if you can finesse a way to see these remarkable places at the right time of day, and without the crowds, their wonders will never cease to amaze.
Great Wall of China
Most visitors to the Great Wall head straight to Badaling, the closest point from Beijing. If that’s your itinerary, do what I always do: Hire a driver and see the wall early in the morning. And I mean really early, like 4:30 a.m. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also have the incredible experience of watching the sun rise at the Great Wall. The only other people there at 5:15 a.m. will be some very gracious, elderly Chinese men and women practicing tai chi.
Another way to see the wall is to skip the touristy section altogether. Remember, the Great Wall is very long, so there are plenty of less-crowded spots to visit. Mutianyu is also relatively close to Beijing, about 40 miles away in Huairou County. Here, the wall straddles the highest point of the mountains, which means you can experience dramatic, sweeping views. Visitors can opt to climb more than 1,100 steps, or ride up in a cable car.
Another tip: Visit the Great Wall in October, when high season is subsiding and the temperature is cool and comfortable in the low 60s.
Taj Mahal
Like the Great Wall, the best way to avoid the crowds is to visit as early in the morning as possible. Many of the organized tours from New Delhi to Agra try to cram everything into one day, starting the sightseeing at 7 a.m. and arriving at the Taj Mahal in early afternoon. And that’s exactly when you don’t want to be there.
Instead, plan to arrive in Agra the day before, and spend the night in a hotel near the site. It may be pricey, but it’s worth it to experience the grandeur of this icon without having to navigate crushing — and usually disorganized and pushy — crowds. The Oberoi Hotel is less than 2,000 feet from the Taj; each room allows you to view the white marble structure at the break of dawn, as well as under the moonlight. Room rates start at around $600/night, but trust me, it’s worth the experience if you can afford it.
Traveling to India in the off-season isn’t really an option, as you’ll mostly be stuck indoors to avoid the heat or unpredictable monsoons. But try planning your travels just before or after monsoon season, in early May or early October — it’ll still be hot then, but there will be fewer tourists.
Pyramids of Giza
Once again, my best advice is to hire a driver and visit the Egyptian pyramids very early in the morning. You’ll get to watch the sun rise at the pyramids, which is truly a wondrous experience, without all the crowds and before the weather gets oppressively hot.
Another tip is to stay in a hotel close to the pyramids, such as Oberoi’s Mena House or Le Meridien Pyramids. That way you can go on a walking tour of the pyramids early in the morning, take a midday break when it gets hot and then go back in the late afternoon, when the crowds have dissipated, to explore on your own.
Chichen Itza
For many, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, located in the Mexican Riviera, are synonymous with the step pyramid known as Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo. That portion was recently named one of the seven new wonders of the world, so it tends to get the most crowded. But there are also numerous other parts of Chichen Itza that the public can see, including the Temple of the Warriors, a series of intricately designed columns and statues; the Nunnery, a large structure that features the carved walls of what were once living quarters in ancient times; and the Observatory, consisting of two towers used to study astronomy.
Of all the hotels inside the park, the Lodge at Chichen Itza is one that claims not to allow any tour buses or large groups, in order to maintain a boutique feel. The hotel sits on 100 acres of land and has its own entrance into the temples; guided tours are available.
In general, smart travelers visit the Riviera Maya in early December; in the weeks just after Thanksgiving and New Year’s; or in April, to beat the crowds and the heat. Hurricane season runs all the way from June through November, so if you choose to travel during this low period, you might consider buying travel insurance.
Blog: What Are Your Tips for Visiting Iconic Sites?
.