The Modern Magnificent Seven
Written by Blue Water Holidays - Friday 1st March 2019
The incredible Seven Wonders of the Modern World are architectural marvels, some built by ancient empires and others relatively more recently but no less impressive. Spread across the globe, they can all be visited whilst enjoying a cruise.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive engineering. Built across mountain passes and ridges, the vast Great Wall consists of many fortifications and walls that overlap; their combined length is around 13,000 miles. Construction began in the 7th century BC to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against Mongol invasion, and continued for 2,000 years through subsequent ruling dynasties.
Viking Cruises offer a 14-night Imperial Jewels of China cruise and tour with a guided tour of the Great Wall, available between March and November 2019 and 2020 from just £2995pp
Petra, Jordan
Tucked away behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rock, this magical city is wreathed in legend and mystery. The ancient city of Petra was built by the Nabateans in a remote valley, strategically located along early silk and spice trade routes, and was once an important trade centre. The ornate classical facades of the temples and tombs have been carved into the pink sandstone, including the iconic Treasury whose Hellenistic columns and intricate detailing have been carved directly out of the cliff face. Local tradition says that the spring at Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses), just outside Petra, is where Moses struck the rock to bring forth water.
Visit Petra with Emerald Waterways on a 14-night cruise and tour featuring a Nile cruise and guided excursions between Sep 2019 and May 2020 from £3895pp
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a mystical Incan Lost City set high in the Andes Mountains, built as a royal retreat for an Incan emperor in the 15th century. Beautiful stone architecture is set against a spectacular backdrop of forested mountains and steep stone steps connect its palaces and temples, while the agricultural terraces slice into the sheer mountainsides. It is reached either by hiking up the ancient Incan trail through the Andes or by train.
Hurtigruten offer 11-13-night expedition cruises to South America in October 2019 including visits to Machu Picchu, from just £4128pp
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza was an ancient Mayan city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that flourished between 600-1200AD. The well-preserved ruins feature important monuments and religious temples including the stepped pyramid El Castillo which epitomises the Mayan’s astronomical abilities; it features 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and during the spring and autumnal equinoxes the setting sun casts the shadow of a snake on the steps. Chichén Itzá is home to the largest ball court in Mesoamerica, where players played a popular ritual ball game.
Take an exciting 7-night luxury expedition cruise with Ponant around the Yucatan Peninsula in Nov-Dec 2019 and Jan 2020 from just £2250pp
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Set on top of Mount Corcovado, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil towers 2,300 feet over Rio de Janeiro. Commissioned by the Catholic Church in the early 20th century, the statue stands 125ft tall and weighs 1,145 tons, making it the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. The monument is covered in six million tiles and is famous all over the world as a symbol of the peaceful and welcoming nature of the Brazilian people.
Join Seven Seas Mariner on a 10-night all-inclusive cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro departing 7 December 2019 from just £5499pp
The Colosseum, Rome
The largest amphitheatre ever built, The Colosseum in Rome’s 80 identical arched entrances gave access to over 50,000 spectators. Built between 70 and 82 AD by order of the Emperor Vespasian, this feat of engineering contains a complex system of vaults and is a superb example of the Roman Empire’s architectural innovation. It was used for public spectacles including gladiator contests, animal hunts, executions and even mock naval battles where water was pumped into the Colosseum.
Star Clippers have a variety of cruises on board tall-masted sailing ship Royal Clipper starting or finishing in Rome between April and October 2019 and 2020, with a 7-night cruise from just £1266pp
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
The Taj Mahal in Agra is one of India’s most recognisable landmarks and a symbol of eternal love. King Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum, which was completed in 1653, to house the tomb of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. This everlasting display of love is made of white marble with semi-precious stones creating geometric and floral patterns. The mausoleum complex includes elements of Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles and also features an enormous garden with a reflecting pool.
Far Horizon feature a 15-night Golden Triangle Tour and Brahmaputra River Cruise through India throughout 2019 and 2020 from just £3359pp including flights and transfers