1. Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Built sometime between 1050 and 1300 CE, Chichén Itzá is a Mayan city on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. The impeccably preserved ruins stretch across 2.5 square miles, with some sites dating back to the 7th century. Make sure to pay special attention to El Castillo ("The Castle"), which rises nearly 80 feet above the Main Plaza and depicts the Mayan calendar with 365 stairs. If you want to pair your voyage back in history with some relaxing beach lounging, fear not: The archeological site is just a few hours away from Cancun, and you can easily find day tours that will drive you there and back.

2. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

While we’d happily spend an entire year exploring the gorgeous natural sites of Africa, we're particularly big fans of Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The 354-foot-high falls pour 250,000 gallons of water off the cliff per second, making it an awe-inspiring attraction. Adrenaline junkies should head to the Devil's Swimming Pool, a pocket of water located next to Livingstone Island. During the dry months from mid-August to mid-January, the water in the pool is low enough to safely dive in, allowing you to swim and peek out over the edge.

3. Komodo Island, Indonesia

A quick flight away from both Jakarta and Bali, Komodo Island is a popular bucket list destination for travelers in the know—and it's easy to see why. Most notably, the island houses some 2,000 Komodo dragons, the largest lizard on the planet. Komodo National Park (which includes Komodo Island) is the only place in the world where you can see these formidable creatures in their natural habitat, so this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Aside from giant reptiles, the island boasts several other appealing features, including a stunning pink-sand beach and clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

4. Petra, Jordan

Petra, an archaeological site in Jordan's southwestern desert, is yet another stellar archaeological wonder everyone should visit at least once. Built by the Nabataeans around 312 BC, the ancient town is one of the oldest cities on the planet. The UNESCO World Heritage Site can be reached by a three-hour drive from Amman, letting you take in the desert landscapes and mountain summits along the way. Go ahead, try not to be impressed as you approach Al-Kazneh ("The Treasury"), an elaborate temple built directly into the rock face, complete with Greek-inspired columns and mythological creatures carved from the stone. It's by far the most popular attraction in Petra, so make sure you have your camera ready and get there early to beat the crowds.

5. Belize Barrier Reef, Belize

The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. It stretches for 190 miles and houses incredible wildlife like manatees, whale sharks, dolphins, and green turtles. All this makes it a dream place to scuba dive and snorkel. You can also find the Great Blue Hole here, a 1,000-foot-wide sinkhole with submarine stalactites and impossibly clear water. Charter a sailboat to hit all the most popular spots along the reef at your leisure, then set up camp at one of the hotels on the surrounding cays.

6. Pena Palace, Portugal

The Seven Wonders of Portugal is a list approved by the country's Ministry of Culture, featuring impressive manmade monuments like Pena Palace. Situated on a hill in Sintra, the palace is easily one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe, thanks to pink and yellow towers, purple tiled facades, and Gothic buttresses and gargoyles. The interior is equally stunning, with an all-white reception room and apartments adorned with carved ceilings and walls. And since Pena Palace is only 40 minutes away from Lisbon (you can even see the castle from Lisbon on a clear day), there's really no excuse to miss it.

7. Grand Canyon, Arizona

Okay, so this one might not be quite so under-the-radar, but we will encourage people to visit the Grand Canyon every chance we get. It's a place that should be on every traveler's bucket list, and even if you've already visited, it warrants a repeat sojourn. To make your trip extra memorable—and to avoid most of the tourists passing through—take a hike down to the bottom of the canyon. (The National Park Service recommends taking Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, or North Kaibab Trail if it's your first time attempting the hike.) Then load up on water and sack lunches at the Phantom Ranch CanteenOpens in a new window, located below the canyon rim. The canteen is currently closed for sit-down reservations, but you can still grab to-go meals, souvenirs, and first-aid supplies during business hours.