11 Healthy Habits...

When it comes to building healthy habits, small decisions add up over time. We talked to exercise physiologist Christopher Travers, MS, and dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD for diet, nutrition and fitness ideas that you can incorporate into your life. Below, find their ideas for ways to be healthier every day:

1. Don’t just take the stairs — use them

If you have stairs at your home or office, take them every chance you get. But don’t stop there. For a strong cardio workout, walk up and down the stairs repeatedly. Start with a limited number of repetitions, then increase them as you feel stronger.

2. Drink 1 extra glass of water

There are health benefits to drinking more water. It helps keep your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive  tissues, and gets rid of wastes through urination, sweat, and bowel movements. You can also add flavor to your water to help up your intake.

3. Take a 10-minute walk

Walk during your lunch hour or to a store that is a block away to buy a gallon of milk — it’s all good for you. Even if it’s cold outside, you can often walk comfortably by dressing right: Start with a sweat-wicking layer next to your body, add insulating layers for warmth, and top them off with a waterproof shell.

4. Focus on sitting up straight

Having good posture can prevent aches and pain and it can also reduce stress on your ligaments. You can try to leave yourself a note to sit up straight, until it becomes an unconscious habit. Walking with your shoulders back and head held high can also make you feel good about yourself.

5. Go to bed ½ hour earlier

Do you sleep a solid seven or eight hours most nights? Many of us don’t but experts say this is a marker of good heart health. Solid sleep doesn’t just give you more energy, it can also help with healthy eating goals. When you’re short on sleep, it reduces your body’s production of hormones that suppress appetite, which can contribute to weight gain.

6. Replace 1 can of diet soda with carbonated water

If you drink diet soda each day, use carbonated mineral water to help wean yourself off of it. Research suggests the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently can increase your desire for high-calorie foods and put you at risk for weight gain.

7. Balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time, then switch to the other leg

This simple exercise is something you can do while brushing your teeth or standing in a line. It’s a part of neuromotor training, which helps you improve your balance, agility and mobility — all things you need in everyday movement and in other forms of exercise.

8. Weigh yourself every week

To keep your weight from creeping up on you, set a weekly maintenance or loss goal for yourself, write it down, and check yourself against that goal. Weigh yourself each week on the same day and at the same time – and wearing the same amount of clothing for consistency.

9. Eat a healthy breakfast every day

Eat something high in fiber that includes protein to keep you full and energized. If you start the day out right, you tend to eat better overall. Tired of the same bowl of oatmeal? Add different toppings to make it more exciting.

10. Include greens and lettuce in your meals

Incorporate lettuce into your meals to add nutrients and water to your diet. The fiber in lettuce helps to fill you up, and it does so at just 20 calories per serving. Lettuces that are dark green and reddish in color are the most nutritious and the most flavorful.  But even the popular, pale iceberg lettuce provides water, fiber and folate.

11. Find creative substitutions for unhealthy foods

Work to eliminate foods and snacks that you buy regularly that are high in calories but low on their health benefit. Eat them less often, as an occasional treat. Try using low-fat dairy, whole-grains, healthy oils (avocado and olive oil) and natural sweeteners (fruit) instead of high-fat or sugary alternatives.
Remember that building new healthy habits can take some time. Stay focused on your goal, and if you slip along the way, just start again.

World'sTop 10 Jewelry Brands...

Jewelry has always been a part of mankind’s history and remains to be so in the present. In the earlier times, jewelry was meant to indicate social status, familial roots, and significance. Today, people wear jewelry for a variety of reasons. Some sport it to add zing to their fashion ensemble. Others rock a couple of bracelets and a matching necklace to express their individuality. Of course, many wear jewelry to profess their love and passion, such as engagement and wedding bands.
That said, not all jewelry pieces are made for everyone. For the elite few, only jewelry that exudes elegance and extravagance will do. This list ranks the 10 most extravagant jewelry brands in the world. A few names may sound familiar to the average person. But only a few can afford the names featured in this list. Check them out.

#10 Chopard

Aside from making luxury Swiss watches, the house of Chopard is also known for its luxurious jewelry collection. Only using the finest materials for their pieces, Chopard’s line of everyday jewelry is crafted using thick layers of 18-karat gold and precious stones of the highest grade. Not only that, Chopard is very keen on detail and precision, which add more value to their already expensive line of products.

#9 Mikimoto

Mikimoto’s founder, Kokichi Mikimoto, is not just known for his collection, but also for the fact that he invented and propagated the use of cultured pearls in crafting jewelry pieces. Mikimoto’s collection only selects the finest pearls which include South Sea pearls, pink conch pearls, Tahitian pearls, white pearls, and other rare specimens. On top of that, Mikimoto’s jewelry line only uses 18k gold and platinum for the metal components as well as top grade diamonds. Only the finest silk threads are used for jewelries that have pearl strings.

#8 Bvlgari

Bvlgari is no doubt a well known brand of luxury items, from fashion to watches to jewelry. And when it comes to the latter, this Rome-based brand combines elegance and extravagance very well and without losing its penchant for traditions. Even today, Bvlagri’s collection still flaunts the house’s signature features including large gemstones for centerpieces, bold shapes, and the use of cabochon stones (a tradition that  dates back to the 1960’s Italian glamour). Aside from the best gemstones, Bvlgari only uses 18-karat gold for its collection.

#7 Piaget

Another familiar name for the average person, Piaget initially started as a watchmaking company in the Swiss part of the Jura. As the business grew, the business soon ventured into jewelry and excelled in it, crafting luxurious items for those who can afford the price the company demands for their pieces. Today, Piaget takes pride in combining Old World concepts and their modern designs, which now feature sleek lines and bold angles. But its most famous look is the Rose, which has become Piaget’s signature design.

#6 Graff

Graff is a top of the line brand that is very popular particularly among the rich and the elite. What makes Graff’s collection special is not just the craftsmanship or the quality of the gemstones and metals used to create expensive pieces. Rather, it’s the size of the stones Graff uses in its jewelry line. They are huge and Graff’s founder, Laurence Graff, likes it that way.

#5 Tiffany & Co.

Even the masses know that Tiffany is a huge luxury name when it comes to jewelry, mainly because their line includes pieces that are wearable day in and day out, whatever the occasion. Their extensive collection is not only limited to women, as Tiffany also caters to men and children as well. Producing classic designs since starting its operations in 1837, Tiffany’s creations are made by expert artisans. And those categorized as ultra luxurious often take years to complete.

#4 Buccellati

Buccellati celebrates its Roman roots by creating elegant jewelry items from the best Italian gold. The Rome-based jewelry company produced Roman inspired designs and incorporated them in their collection. Roman styled necklaces and bracelet cuffs are just some of their best sellers. Buccellati also takes pride in coming up with certain designs that give their jewelry a very appealing look, like brushing and mattifying metals and heavy encrustation using high quality gemstones and diamonds.

#3 Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels was formed when Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef decided to make their collaboration a permanent arrangement. While most of its collections show the type of elegance found in Old World items, it has other lines of items that exude its own style and class. The house presents a huge collection that fuses tradition and narrative style with technical expertise.

#2 Cartier

Another household name in the list, Cartier is a name that has been around for ages. Founded in 1860, Cartier has been the go to jeweller for royals who wanted to have a personalized collection. The panther is Cartier’s most recognizable design, which has been modified and re-conceptualized every now and then to appeal to the ever changing tastes of their customers. Cartier is known for its adherence to its Art-Deco history but creates several lines that celebrate the Old World elegance as well.

#1 Harry Winston

 

A name that resonates in the jewelry business, Harry Winston started his business in 1932 and has been on the top ever since. Using only the best gemstones and the finest metals, Harry Winston’s collection are fashioned only by the masters of jewelry craftsmanship. Not only are the items from the house of Harry Winston elegant and extravagant, they are durable as well and can easily pass the test of time.

World's Top 10 Supermarkets...

Benefitting from a strengthening economy, supermarkets have enjoyed steady growth over the past five years. The increase in disposable income globally has shifted many consumers to premium, organic and all-natural brands, a trend that has helped lift the industry’s revenue. Currently, the top three operators account for over 30 per cent of the total revenue in 2018. The remaining share of the industry’s market mainly consists of small and medium-sized operators in local regions.
The recent rise in revenue means more companies are entering a sector that is already one of the most fragmented, which also intensifies competition. The next five years could see large-scale traditional supermarkets and grocery chains struggle to maintain an advantage over the growing field of alternative retailers. Many of the world’s largest supermarket chains are looking to technological innovation to maintain their competitive edge, and some of the very largest remain family controlled today.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 supermarket chains based on the number of locations.

10. Penny Market

Country: Germany

Locations: 3,580

Number of Employees: 48,000

Created in 1973 by Leibbrand Gruppe, the German discount supermarket chain was acquired by the Rewe Group in 1989. Headquartered in Cologne, Penny (Penny Market internationally) is one of Europe’s leading discount retailers, with locations in Austria, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Penny Market’s 2017 revenue totalled $13.9 billion.

9. CBA

Country: Hungary

Locations: 5,200

Number of Employees: 30,000

Founded by László Baldauf in 1992, CBA began with 10 private investors acquiring 17 grocery stores in Hungary. Today, CBA operates locations in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
The chain remained family-controlled until 2017, when Baldauf laid the groundwork for his departure by selling operating rights to seven CBA locations to competing supermarket chain Lidl. In 2018, Baldauf announced that he would sell his remaining stake of the company to six other owners, solidifying his retirement after 26 years as CBA’s head.
CBA is headquartered in Alsónémedi and began franchising locations in 2005.

8. BIM (Birlesik Magazalar)

Country: Turkey

Locations: 6,122

Number of Employees: 41,993 

Headquartered in Istanbul, BIM operates a chain of retail stores offering food items and consumer goods. The company was founded in 1995 and currently has locations in Turkey, Morocco and Egypt.
BIM is Turkey’s leading chain of discount grocery retailers and enjoys the largest individual market share of 6.7 per cent. The company recorded a 2017 revenue of $4 billion and 4.1 million daily customer visits, up 23.5 per cent from the previous year.

7. Ahold Delhaize

Country: Netherlands

Locations: 6,637

Number of Employees: 370,000

In 1867, the Delhaize brothers opened their family-run wholesale grocery business in Belgium. Twenty years later, in the Netherlands, Albert Heijn and his wife opened a small grocery store in Oostzaan that would be the roots of Ahold. They adopted the slogan, “Cheap enough for the man on the street and good enough for the millionaire”.
After almost 150 years in the business, the two companies merged in 2016 to form Ahold Delhaize, one of the largest supermarket chains in the world, serving more than 50 million shoppers weekly in the United States, Europe and Indonesia.
Ahold Delhaize operates in a total of 11 countries, with 10 different store formats and online sales totalling $2.67 billion. The company reported 2017 revenue of $70.9 billion.

6. Tesco

Country: United Kingdom

Locations: 6,800

Number of Employees: 445,311

In 1919, Jack Cohen began selling surplus groceries in the East End of London. He later teamed up with supplier T.E. Stockwell to offer their own brand of tea, “Tesco” (an amalgamation of their names). By 1929, the first Tesco store had opened, offering dry goods in north London. There would be over 25 years of expansion until the first Tesco supermarket opened in 1958.
Today, Tesco operates supermarkets in 13 countries, in addition to banking and petrol services. Tesco serves over 500,000 customers each week with its online business and a reported revenue of $75.4 billion in 2017.
Tesco opened the world’s first zero-carbon supermarket in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire in 2010, as part of the company’s commitment to becoming a zero-carbon business by 2050.

5. Lidl

Country: Germany

Locations: 10,000

Number of Employees: 315,000

In 1973, the first modern Lidl grocery store opened in Ludwigshafen, about 25 miles south of Frankfurt. A staff of three offered approximately 500 products. Expansion during the 90s saw branches outside of Germany and eventually all across Europe. By the 2000s, Lidl had established itself as a leading retailer in the UK.
With their recent expansion into the United States in 2017, Lidl now operates in 27 countries, with revenue of $28.2 billion. Around 90 per cent of the products Lidl offers in its supermarkets are of their own private label brands.

4. Carrefour

Country: France

Locations: 10,103

Number of Employees: 378,923 

Headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, the Carrefour supermarket company was established by the Fournier, Badin and Defforey families in 1959. Carrefour (crossroads) became the largest retailer in Europe after a merger with the Promodès retail group in 1999. Paul-Louis Halley had founded and run Promodès until his death in 2003. The Halley family later divested their controlling share of the business in 2008.
Today, Carrefour operates stores in 30 countries and is largely credited with innovating the concept of the “hypermarket” (known as a Superstore in North America) in 1969. The company ranks 68 on the Fortune Global 500 list, with 2017 revenue of $91.2 billion.

3. ALDI

Country: Germany

Locations: 10,366

Number of Employees: 162,579

The discount supermarket chain was founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 after they took over their mother’s store, which had been operating since 1919. The company split into two parts in 1960, later named ALDI Nord and ALDI Süd. The company began expanding internationally in 1967 with the acquisition of Austrian grocery chain Hofer. ALDI Nord would continue growth into the Netherlands in 1973.
Now with locations in 20 countries, ALDI boasts 40 million customer visits monthly, 90 per cent of their products exclusive ALDI brands and 2017 revenue of $34.8 billion. Well-known American supermarket chain Trader Joe’s operates as a subsidiary of ALDI Nord.

2. Walmart

Country: United States

Locations: 11,088

Number of Employees: 2,300,000

Ranked the largest company in the world based on revenue, Walmart began its operations in 1962, when Sam Walton opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas. Expansion followed, and after 24 more locations, the company incorporated in 1969 as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Walmart became publicly traded in 1970, with its stock selling at $16.50 per share. In 1988, the first Sam’s supercentre would open in Missouri, and the company would go global in 1991 through a joint venture with Mexican retail company Cifra. Today, Walmart operates in 27 countries.
Walmart remains family-controlled, with Sam Walmart’s three children the largest shareholders. Walmart reported 2017 revenue of $500.3 billion under 55 different banners including its eCommerce business, which operates websites in 10 countries.
In 2018, the company changed its name to Walmart Inc.

1. SPAR

Country: Netherlands

Locations: 12,777

Number of Employees: 350,000

Adriaan van Well launched the first SPAR store in the Netherlands as DESPAR in 1932. DESPAR was an acronym for a slogan that van Well had created: Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig(all benefit from joint co-operation). In 1947, the company expanded internationally into Belgium through a group of wholesalers, eventually leading to the establishment of SPAR International in 1953. The next several decades saw SPAR expand into numerous international marketplaces over the world, including Russia, China, India, Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. 
Headquartered in Amsterdam, SPAR is the world’s largest supermarket chain based on the number of locations, with 12,777 serving 13.5 million customers a day in 48 countries. The company’s 2017 revenue totalled $40 billion.

Best Foods For Babies:910(2)

Super Food Timing

In general, the power foods in our guide are appropriate for babies 6 months and older, when prepared according to your baby's eating skills. But talk with your pediatrician before serving eggs, fish, citrus, and yogurt if your baby is less than a year old because these foods can cause an allergic reaction. Certain foods, such as meat, fruit, and vegetable purees, may be gradually introduced earlier than 6 months if your baby is ready for them. Just remember that solid foods of any kind should not be introduced before 4 months of age.
Since babies develop at different rates, ask your pediatrician if you're not sure when to introduce certain foods or which foods are best for your baby.

• See our Age-by-Age Guide to Starting Solid Foods

Bananas

Bananas are full of carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy, as well as fiber to support a healthy digestive tract. They're a perfectly portable baby food, as they come in their own easy-to-peel packaging. When serving bananas to young babies, make sure they are ripe and thoroughly mashed. Older babies can eat chopped bananas as finger food, but they should also be ripe so they're easy for young eaters to mash and chew.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber and an excellent source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps prevent certain types of cancer and mops up free radicals. Most babies prefer sweet potatoes over other vegetables because of their naturally sweet taste. When cooked and mashed, sweet potatoes make a smooth puree that's easy to eat, even for babies who are just starting the to transition to solid foods.

Avocados

Avocados are sometimes thought of as a vegetable, but they are actually a fruit! They also contain more nutrients than any of their food-group kin. Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit and are rich in monounsaturated fat -- the "good" type of fat that helps prevent heart disease. Make sure you only serve Baby ripe avocados. Wash the outside, then remove the peel and mash well. Since they're high in fat, avocados can quickly make your baby feel full, so just serve a little on the side with other foods, such as meat or chicken purees.

Eggs

Eggs are packed with goodness. Egg whites are mainly protein and the yolks provide zinc and vitamins A, D, E, and B12. The yolk also has choline, which research is showing is crucial for brain health and development. Traditionally, pediatricians have advised parents to not serve eggs -- especially egg whites -- until after the first year because of the potential for allergic reactions. But that advice is now changing, and some experts believe that eggs should be delayed only in families that have a history of allergies. Since eggs are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients, talk to your pediatrician once your baby starts eating solid foods to see when it's OK to introduce them.

Carrots

Carrots have large amounts of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives them their orange color. Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A in the body and plays a role in growth and healthy vision. Cooking carrots brings out their natural sweetness, which makes them appealing to babies, who are born with a preference for sweet flavors. When making carrots for your little one, make sure they are cooked until very soft. Then puree them or, if your baby is eating finger foods with more texture, you can give her well-cooked diced carrots.

Yogurt

Yogurt gives your baby calcium, protein, and phosphorus, which are important for strong, healthy bones and teeth. Yogurt also has probiotics, a type of good bacteria that helps aid digestion and supports the immune system. Babies need fat in their diets, so choose whole-milk yogurt over low-fat or fat-free varieties. Also avoid flavored yogurts, which are high in sugar. If you want to add flavor, you can stir in a little fruit puree. Babies less than a year old may have a reaction to the milk proteins in yogurt, so talk to your pediatrician before serving it to younger babies.

Baby cereal

Iron-fortified infant cereals give your baby the iron she needs for proper growth and development. Babies are born with a supply of iron, but it starts to run out around 5-6 months. Breastmilk does not contain adequate amounts of iron, making iron-rich foods important. If your baby is just starting to eat solids, experts recommend iron-fortified rice cereal as the first food for babies since it's less likely than other grains to cause an allergic reaction. As your baby grows older, you can mix infant cereal with fruit. It's a good thickener for runny purees like pear, peach, and plum.

Cheese

Cheese is a good source of protein -- an essential nutrient for growth -- and calcium for building strong bones and teeth. Cheese also contains a healthy dose of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which helps convert protein, fat, and carbohydrates into energy. Swiss cheese in particular has a slightly sweet taste that appeals to babies. Since cheese can be a choking hazard, cut it into small diced pieces. It's best for older babies who are eating finger foods and are used to different textures.

Chicken

Chicken is packed with protein and is a source of vitamin B6, which is used to help the body extract energy from food. It's important that babies start regularly eating foods containing adequate amounts of protein to support their rapid growth. If your baby doesn't like the taste of chicken on its own, mix it with his favorite fruit or vegetable.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are a good source of vitamin C, which helps make the collagen that's found in muscles, bones, and other body tissues. Vitamin C also heals cuts and assists with the absorption of iron from other foods. Citrus fruits also have potassium, a mineral that helps muscles contract and plays a role in maintaining a healthy fluid balance in the body. Often too acidic for young babies, hold off on serving citrus fruits until after Baby's first birthday.

Red Meat

Red meat provides an easily absorbed form of iron for your baby. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to cells throughout the body and is important for brain development. Unfortunately, iron deficiency -- which over time can cause learning and behavior problems -- is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in children. That's why it's important to make sure your baby gets iron, from red meat and other sources, in his diet. For younger babies, serve meat purees, such as the Beef and Carrot Puree recipe, pictured here. Older babies who are able to chew can have well-cooked, finely diced meats.

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is appealing to babies because they love its sweet taste. It's a good source of the antioxidant beta-carotene and also has vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folate, B-vitamins, and even some omega-3 fatty acids. It's easy to make at home if you buy the prepeeled, precut squash sold in the produce section. Just steam or boil until tender, then puree until smooth. Make a big batch because it makes a healthy and delicious side dish for the whole family.

Fish

White fish, such as haddock and cod, is an excellent source of protein, which babies need for growth and development. Fatty fish, such as salmon, provides fat-soluble vitamins as well as essential fats, such as DHA, that support brain and eye development and a healthy immune system. Fish can cause an allergic reaction, so talk to your pediatrician before introducing it to your baby. Once you have the OK, the American Heart Association recommends that parents serve up to two meals a week of low-mercury fish to children because of its many health benefits.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes that acts as an antioxidant to help prevent cancer and heart disease. Lycopene can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if the tomatoes have been cooked with a fat. So make a tomato sauce for pasta by cooking tomatoes with a little olive oil. Puree until smooth for beginner eaters. Homemade sauce is much lower in sugar and salt than purchased sauce, so it's great for the whole family. Don't have fresh tomatoes? Canned tomatoes will work as well.

Peas

Peas are bursting with vitamin K, a nutrient that works alongside calcium to help build healthy bones. Peas are also a source of the antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid and B vitamins. And adding peas to your baby's plate will boost the fiber in her diet, which is important because research shows that almost all babies, as well as older children, do not get enough fiber. Pureed baby food peas are easy to make. Try this recipe for Green Pea Delight Baby Food.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a true super food, as it is a great source of vitamin C and also contains beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, potassium, and fiber. Boiling broccoli in water cuts its vitamin C content in half, so it's best to steam or microwave it. If your baby isn't keen on the taste of broccoli, mix it with a sweet-tasting vegetable, such as sweet potato or butternut squash.

Pasta

Pasta is full of carbohydrates, which are broken down to supply the body with energy. And its mild flavor and variety of fun shapes makes it appealing to kids of all ages. Most pasta is enriched with vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, iron, and B-vitamins. Multigrain and whole wheat pastas also provide fiber, but their texture may be too firm for younger babies. Pasta in small shapes that's cooked until very tender makes a great finger food for older babies and toddlers.

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World's Top 10 places to visit:

Have you been thinking of making a list of places to visit over the next few years? If you have, there’s no way you should miss scheduling time to see some of the most famous landmarks in the world. Believe it. They’re not famous for nothing.
While their names will no doubt be familiar, it won’t be until you’re actually standing in front of one of them that you’ll be able to truly appreciate their jaw-dropping splendor. The awe-inspiring, monumental grandeur of these world-famous landmarks just has to be seen to be believed.
So get your pen out and start adding them to your travel bucket list.

10. Christ The Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Even if you’re not religious, you need to see the statue of Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The immense structure is an incredible combination of artistic creativity and ingenious engineering. From on top of Mount Corcovado, the staggering 38-meter tall statue looms over the city below, arms outstretched in benediction. But it’s not until you get up close, you’ll realize just how big the statue is and you’ll start to wonder how they ever got it up there in the first place. It is that colossal.
Reaching Those Dizzy Heights. Don’t let the altitude of the statue put you off going to see it either. Although you can hike your way up, which will make you feel like a true explorer, there’s also a tram which winds its way up Mount Corcovado through the forest and is far less strenuous on your legs. At the end of the tram line, you’ll find a minibus waiting to take you on the final, vertigo-inspiring, leg of the journey.
When to go: The best time to go has to be when Rio de Janeiro’s amazing carnival is in full swing. Yes, it’s going to be busy. In fact, the streets will be packed, teeming with party-goers, loud music, and incredible parades. It is the world’s biggest party and the electric atmosphere is one experience you really can’t afford to miss. Never mind the tram or hiking up to the statue, once you’ve caught the rhythm of the music, you’ll be samba dancing up the mountain.
Location on Map: Christ The Redeemer, Brazil

9. Mount Fuji, Honshu Island, Japan

If you want to return from a vacation, have something absolutely unbelievable to boast about, and have the photos to prove it, then you need to go to Japan. It’s not often you get the chance to say you’ve climbed a country’s highest mountain and telling your friends you reached the summit of Mount Fuji in Japan will leave them open-mouthed with disbelief. The good news is, although you do need to be fit, you don’t need to be a mountaineer to achieve it.
Get A Volcanic Chill. While Japan’s Mount Fuji may be a live volcano, don’t be mistaken in thinking it’ll be warm at the top. It’s not. At just under four thousand meters above sea level, the air can be pretty chilly so you won’t be climbing it in shorts and a t-shirt even in the summer months when the peak is bare of snow. All transportation stops at Station 5, no matter which of the four routes up you take, and you’ll be on foot from there to the top. Don’t think any routes are easier than the others, they’ll all put your stamina and willpower to the test. But if three hundred thousand people a year can do it, so can you.

When to go: The official climbing season is in July and August while, if you don’t mind the cold, there are still guided tours you can take up until mid-October or when Mount Fuji receives its first sprinkling of snow. Although climbing Mount Fuji has been likened to making a pilgrimage, any unusual experiences you have are more likely to be due to lack of oxygen at high altitude and overexertion than connections with religious deities. No, climbing Mount Fuji might not be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.
Location on Map: Mount Fuji, Japan

8. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA

If strolling over a suspension bridge has never been on your list of things to do, maybe it’s time it was. Take a step onto the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and you’ll suddenly understand just how Gulliver felt when he woke up in the land of the giants. The sheer magnitude of the metal structure, seemingly floating above the waters of the Golden Gate strait, is difficult to fully comprehend until you’re actually standing on it.
Feel the Suspense. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on foot is no stroll in the park. At just under three kilometres long, it doesn’t sound too strenuous an activity, but add the extra dimension of being almost three hundred metres up in the air and it starts to get interesting. Wind will whip at your hair and any conversation you might be thinking of having will be drowned out by traffic noise. But when you take in the views of San Francisco, from the middle of one of the world’s most iconic constructions, you’ll be really glad you did it.

When to go: Cross the Golden Gate Bridge any time from May to the end of August and you could be lucky enough to do some whale spotting without having to fork out any extra for a boat ride. If you’re into spooky atmospheres walk the bridge in the early morning when the fog is rolling in, but make sure you wear something warm and waterproof or you’ll end up a bit damp around the edges.
Website: www.goldengatebridge.org
Location on Map: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

7. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

Do you like your architecture with an alien edge to it? If the answer is yes, then getting your photo taken in front of Sydney Opera House has to be a must do on your list. Perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour, on the outside, the Opera House appears like a giant spaceship folding back its protective shields. On the inside it’s a multicultural combination of venues where, apart from listening to other-worldly operatic music, you can take in some seriously top-notch theatrical performances and live concerts.
When to go: There really is only two times of the year to visit the Sydney Opera House. The first, from the end of May to mid-June when the whole of Sydney, including the Opera House, is lit up brighter than the proverbial Christmas tree with stunning three dimensional laser lighting during the Vivid Sydney event. The second and absolutely unmissable time is New Year’s Eve when the Opera House becomes the backdrop for one of the world’s biggest fireworks displays. If you like to bring in the new year with a big bang, there really isn’t any other place you should consider doing it than in Sydney.
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Location on Map: Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

6. The Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx, Egypt

If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming an archaeological treasure hunter, riding a camel through the desert and uncovering ancients artefacts, get your bags packed, grab a trowel and jump on a plane that’s heading to Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx await you.
Be Blown Away. You don’t need to be a lover of either mythology or big cats to appreciate the enormity of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in Egypt. There is something completely timeless about these two famous Egyptian landmarks that defies explanation. Wrap the flapping lengths of a keffiyeh headdress around your face to stop the sting of the sand and as you stand next to the pyramids to ponder on the ingenuity of ancient civilisations, you’ll be blown away by more than desert winds when you realise every step up is actually taller than you are.

When to go. Egypt is hot, hot, hot. So to be able to really enjoy viewing the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, choose a time when the temperatures will be a little cooler. Book your camel for any time between November and March and you’ll be safe from the sizzling heat. If you’re not averse to spells of thirty five or forty degrees Celsius, you could try the summer months from April to October but you could end up frying eggs on the stones of the Sphinx.
Location on Map: The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Egypt

5. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Fancy yourself a bit of a gladiator? Well, you may have seen the epic films and think you can swing a sword, but once you’re down in the arena of the Colosseum in Rome, you’ll probably be so overwhelmed by the size of the amphitheatre, you’ll want to reconsider. The Romans really did take their fun and games seriously. The amphitheatre is large enough to have held an audience of around eighty thousand which is well on par with most modern Olympic stadiums.
Mind Boggling Building. The fantastic construction is truly mind boggling when you consider the materials and equipment the Romans had available to build it. Even more incredible is that it’s still standing today. Take an underground tour of the tunnels and feel the prickle of ghostly goosebumps crawl across your skin in sympathy for all the gladiators and animals who preceded you, but weren’t fortunate enough to come out again and end their day snacking on pizza.

When to go: The Colosseum in Rome is one of Europe’s most visited attractions so whenever you go during the daytime you’re going to have to queue. Beat the crowds and do it at night when the Colosseum looks even more impressive illuminated. Sightseeing is also much more fun without having to put up with suffocating heat, so night tours are winners all round.
Location on Map: The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

4. Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

There’s no way you can write a list of famous landmarks you want to visit without putting the Taj Mahal in India on it. There’s just something amazingly special about monuments which have been built for love. Whether it’s the extra details that are added or just the idea itself, but when Shah Jahan set himself the task of building the Taj Mahal in India, he really went for it.
Colorful Crowds. Don’t be deceived into thinking the Taj Mahal is a palace and although it’s often mistaken for one, it is a mausoleum which he constructed in memory of his wife. Now that’s love. Its ornateness, inside and out, is something to truly marvel at. Though take note, the colourful crowds winding their way around the Taj Mahal are not an integral part of the decoration, they’re the queues to get in.

When to go: Sunrise or sunset? Both times have lots in their favor, but depending on your sleep habits, if you’re not an early riser, you might want to choose a later viewing. But both options have the advantage of being cooler than a midday visit when the temperatures can be sweltering. Don’t plan on visiting the Taj Mahal on a Friday as it is closed for prayers and if you use the Western Gate to enter watch out for marauding monkeys.
Website: www.tajmahal.gov.in
Location on Map: Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

3. Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

When is a wall not a wall? When it’s the Great Wall of China. This is one wall which is completely inconceivable in all aspects until you actually see it so it just has to be part of your list of famous landmarks to visit. When you stand on the Great Wall you won’t be wondering about the whys and wherefores of why it was built in the first place because you’ll just be too busy gaping at its greatness.
Be Awed By Greatness. Yes, you’d be quite right in surmising great wasn’t added to the wall’s name by mistake. When you see that line of stonework snaking through the lush Chinese countryside,over mountains, through valleys and into the infinite distance, you’ll realise why it is one of the true wonders of the world and one you seriously just can’t afford to miss.

When to go. Beijing just has to be seen in Spring when the city itself and the countryside around the Great Wall are in full bloom. Yes, it’s cherry blossom time and unless you suffer from serious hay fever, it’s one of the best times to go. Although July and August are summer months and can get pretty warm, they’re also the rainy season so if you’re planning on going then, take an umbrella. Unless you relish Arctic temperatures and have the blood of an Eskimo, skip going during the winter as it’s just too cold.
Location on Map: Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

2. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

If you’re in search of the most romantic landmark in the world, then you’ll have found it in the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This iconic structure of metal girders for some reason epitomises love and has inspired many a man to drop down on one knee on the observation deck to make a marriage proposal.
Lofty Proposals. What is it about the Eiffel Tower in Paris that causes that effect on people? It could be the pure, ooh la la Frenchness of the vibe in the Paris air at altitude or it could be the glass viewing floor sixty metres above ground level. It might be the sheer height of the tower which stands a disconcerting three hundred meters plus or it could just be an after effect from the bubbles in the champagne from the bar right at the top. There’s only one way to find out for sure. Put the Eiffel Tower in Paris on your list and go and discover its magic for yourself.
When to go. If you’re in search of some landmark romance, then you’ll really want to be climbing up the Eiffel Tower early evening in the summertime. Make a reservation before you go, you’ll jump the queues in time to see the sunset over Paris and the lights come on all over the city. It really doesn’t get any better than that.
Website: www.toureiffel.paris
Location on Map: The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

1. The Statue of Liberty, New York, USA

Is there any landmark more famous in the world than the Statue of Liberty in New York? There’s only one answer to that. No, there’s not. The Statue of Liberty is one lady who should be at the top of everyone’s list of world famous landmarks to visit.
Though her copper robes have turned a tarnished green over the years, for a woman of her age and for someone who’s been carrying a torch for America for over a hundred and thirty years, she’s still pretty impressive. She is the symbol of freedom worldwide and one you just can’t miss seeing at least once in your lifetime. Guaranteed that when you do go, the Statue of Liberty will welcome you to New York, without batting an eyelid, the same as she has done millions of other visitors over the decades.
When to go. Spring, summer or early autumn are the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty. Try it in winter and you’ll probably be chipping icicles off your eyebrows. Day or night? Has to be night. Take a boat cruise around the bay of Manhattan at dusk and you’ll see how, once illuminated, the great lady almost seems to come to life.
Website: www.nps.gov/stli/
Location on Map: The Statue of Liberty, New York, USA