Discovering the Wonders of the World
More than 2,000 years ago, the original Seven Wonders of the World were identified by Greek historian Herodotus and scholar Callimachus of Cyrene. Today, only one of these ancient marvels still stands — the Great Pyramid of Giza. As the sole surviving wonder, it naturally earns pride of place on any global travel bucket list.
However, once you move beyond the Great Pyramid, defining what constitutes the Wonders of the World — and planning your itinerary — becomes far more complex.
Following extensive debate and a global online vote, the New Seven Wonders of the World were announced just over two decades ago. Yet, multiple versions of this list exist. Some include the Great Pyramid of Giza alongside the new entries, effectively expanding the count to eight.
The New Seven Wonders of the World
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The Great Wall of China
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Petra in Jordan
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Chichen Itza in Mexico
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Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
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The Taj Mahal in India
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Machu Picchu in Peru
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The Colosseum in Rome
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The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt*
A common thread runs through all of these — each is a manmade masterpiece.
Earth with Clouds Globe by MOVA Globes
Recognising Nature’s Wonders
Many argue that the natural world also deserves its own list of wonders. As global travel resumes and we once again embrace exploration, it’s fitting to recognise nature’s awe-inspiring creations. In fact, all but one of these natural wonders are visible from space — making them especially significant for us at MOVA, and our Earth with Clouds Globe proudly reflects this perspective.
The Seven Natural Wonders of the World
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Mount Everest, Nepal
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The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
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The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
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The Grand Canyon, USA
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The Paricutin Volcano, Mexico
With both lists defined, the only thing left is to witness these breathtaking sights — whether in person or from afar.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey
Planning to visit these global wonders, scattered across continents, may seem overwhelming at first. Fortunately, some incredible travel options exist.
For those seeking the ultimate adventure, several companies offer month-long guided tours, covering all of the New Seven Wonders of the World. These packages often include flights, accommodation, transport, and expert tour guides at each site. Airlines like Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam even provide round-the-world (RTW) booking options, allowing flexible itineraries within their networks.
Alternatively, for travellers who prefer the luxury of the seas, specialised cruises are available. Seven Wonders cruises vary in length, offering the chance to admire these marvels while sailing across the world’s oceans.
A More Modest Approach
Of course, not everyone’s budget allows for an extensive globe-trotting expedition. Fortunately, many of these wonders can be admired from a smaller scale — even from space.
While the Natural Wonders are largely visible in satellite imagery, many of the New Seven Wonders are more difficult to spot from orbit. Even astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) struggle to identify them directly.
The Northern Lights, however, remain one of the most visually spectacular phenomena from space. In August 2022, astronaut Bob Hines shared stunning images of the aurora taken from the ISS, describing the display as “absolutely spectacular”.
Earth at Night Globe – Wonders of the World
The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, as the world’s largest natural bay, can also be clearly seen from orbit — particularly at night, as beautifully showcased on MOVA’s Earth at Night Globe. Yet, the nearby Christ the Redeemer statue, while iconic on Earth, remains too small to be visible from space.
For years, many believed the Great Wall of China to be the only manmade structure visible from space. However, this myth was debunked in 2004 when Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei stated, “The Earth looked very beautiful from space, but I did not see the Great Wall.”
Meanwhile, Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of falling water on the planet, appears as a brilliant white streak in satellite images. The European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured stunning footage of the falls, now available through a narrated video release.
Two Unique Bookends of History
Among the fifteen total wonders, two stand out as unique bookends of human and natural history — one ancient, one relatively modern.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed between 2550 and 2490 BC, making it the oldest. By contrast, the Paricutin Volcano emerged suddenly in 1943 from a cornfield in Mexico, witnessed by locals who are still alive today. This volcanic eruption destroyed two villages before reaching its peak height of 9,210 feet by 1952, after which it became dormant. Its rapid formation and powerful eruptions earned it a place among the Natural Wonders.
Astronaut Terry Verts captured one of the clearest images of the Great Pyramid of Giza from the ISS in 2015, revealing its distinct silhouette and long shadows cast across the desert.
Every View is Worthwhile
Whether experienced in person, glimpsed from space, or admired from the comfort of your own home, the Wonders of the World remain timeless treasures. Each one offers a chance to reflect on nature’s majesty and humankind’s creativity. However you choose to explore them, we wish you a safe and inspiring journey around the globe.
