Of the short list of 28 contenders for the world’s top 7 natural wonders, 8 are featured by Bridge & Wickers.
1. Canada - Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is renowned for having the highest tides on the planet (16.2 metres or 53 feet). One hundred billion tonnes of sea water flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice daily – more water than the combined flow of all the world’s fresh water rivers.
It is also a critical international feeding ground for migratory birds, a vibrant habitat for rare and endangered Right whales, and one of the world’s most significant plant and animal fossil discovery regions.
The Bay of Fundy is located between the Canadian provinces of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on North America’s east coast.
2. Australia - Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest coral reef system, with some 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 km over an area of approximately 344,400 square km. It is the biggest single structure made by living creatures and can be seen from outer space.
The major gateways for access to the
Great Barrier Reef are Cairns & Port Douglas in
Northern Queensland, however we'd recommend basing yourself in the Whitsundays and experiencing the amazing
diving and snorkelling opportunities on the Reef as part of your holiday to Australia.
3. Vietnam - Halong Bay
Halong Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks.
You can explore
Halong Bay on board your own private junk, cruise in company on a larger boat or even explore on a replica paddle steamer as part of your
tailor made holiday to Vietnam. Halong Bay is approximately 3 hours from Hanoi.
4. Tanzania - Kilimanjaro
With its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive strato-volcano in north-eastern Tanzania. It is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising 4,600 m from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters.
Bridge & Wickers have recently launched a program of holidays to Africa - pre-order our dedicated brochure
here
5. Indonesia - Komodo
Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the 3 larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers. The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals.
For details of luxury holidays to Bali, Lombok and tours of Indonesia, please click
here
6. New Zealand - Milford sound
Milford Sound, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is located within the Fiordland National Park. It runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 m or more on either side. Among its most striking features are Mitre Peak, rising 1,692 m above the sound, the Elephant at 1,517 m and resembling an elephant’s's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 m, in the shape of a crouching lion. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins populate the water.
There are many ways to include a visit to Milford Sound as part of your holiday to New Zealand. Based in
Queenstown, you could do a scenic flight by fixed wing aircraft or by helicopter. we'd also recommend the fly/cruise and overnight cruise options to truly experience the beauty of the Fiordland region.
7. South Africa - Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a South African icon and the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it - Mensa, meaning “the table.” The flat-topped mountain has withstood six million years of erosion and hosts the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth with over 1,470 floral species. Table Mountain boasts numerous rare and endangered species. It is the most recognized site in Cape Town, the gateway to Africa, owing to its unique flat-topped peaks which reach 1,086 m above sea level.
As part of your
holiday to South Africa, spend a few days in Cape Town where you can scale Table Mountain, visit Robben Island , soak up the atmosphere at the V&A Waterfront, visit the Cape of Good Hope and enjoy the world class food and wine in Constantia before heading along the Garden Route via the Winelands and finishing off with a safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
8. Australia - Uluru
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is one of Australia's most recognisable natural icons. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands 348 m high above sea level with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures 9.4 km in circumference. Uluru appears to change color as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year.
Uluru is a must-see on your
tailor made holiday to Australia's Red Centre. There are a number of options here for touring - set the alarm to see it bathed in sunrise - as well as the surrounding area, perhaps joining an Aboriginal guided walk. In the afternoon, head to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas
Pick your favourites and vote at
www.new7wonders.com
