World Wonders
Best in May

April | June

7 'New' Wonders | Best Wonders | Travel Pictures | World Maps | World Wonders Tour Operators

Machu Picchu, Peru ['Lost' Inca city], picture top left. Amazingly scenic and well and mysterious old city built by the Incas on a hilltop surrounded by virgin mountains. Best: April-June, Sept-Nov. OK July, Aug. [winter]. Avoid: Dec-March [rain]. More Macchu Picchu tourist information | Peru Pictures | Peru Travel Guide

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. The Sphinx and three pyramids at Giza, on the desert's edge near Cairo, are a sensation - if you can survive the hawkers. Best: Oct-May. More Giza Pyramid tourist information | Pyramid Pictures | Egypt Travel Guide

Petra, Jordan. An arid fairyland of temples and other monuments in multicoloured rock, unlike anything else on the planet. Best: March-June, Sept-Nov. Avoid: winter [cold] & summer [hot]. More Petra tourist information | Jordan Travel Guide | Petra Pictures.

Cappadocia, Turkey. This mass of pointy rocks are more of a geological wonder than a man made one, although Christians have bored homes into many of them. Best: May-Sept. Avoid: Nov-March. More Cappadocia tourist information | Cappadocia Pictures | Turkey Travel Guide.

Stonehenge, England. Enormous shaped stones dating from 4,000 years ago, Stonehenge is a not far from London and some other worthwhile ancient sites. Best: May-Sept. Avoid Oct - Feb. Stonehenge Pictures and information | England Pictures | England Travel Guide

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia. An intact and intricately carved 9thC Buddhist temple housing a thousand Buddhas.
Best: Apr-June, Sept, Oct. Avoid: Dec and Jan; July, Aug. More Borobudur tourist information | Indonesia Travel Guide - Indonesia Pictures

Persepolis & Isfahan, Iran. Persepolis is packed with tombs, palaces, sculptures and friezes in a beautiful location near Shiraz while Isfahan contains an ebullient scattering of colourful architecture. Best: April-June, Sept, Oct. Avoid: winter. More Persepolis tourist information

Palmyra, Syria. An ancient and ruined city in the middle of dusty, Syrian nowhere.
Best: March-May, Sept-Nov. Avoid winter and mid-summer. More Palmyra tourist information | Syria Travel Guide | Palmyra Pictures

Kyoto & Nara, Japan, picture top right. A large number of superb temples, Zen gardens and ancient tea houses surrounded by modern Japan. Best: March - May, Oct - Nov. Avoid: June-August. More Kyoto tourist information | Japan Travel | Japan Pictures

Great Wall, China. A truly magnificent and timeless piece of engineering, offering terrific walks too if you have the time.
Best: April-July, Sept, Oct. Avoid: winter. More Great Wall tourist information | China Great Wall Pictures | China Travel Guide

World Wonders Tour Operators offering travel to the countries with the best ancient sites are here:
World Wonders Tour Operators

Pictures: top left Petra, Jordan; top right Borobudur, Indonesia.