Ten iconic landmarks.
Centuries of stories.

Dubai: A crossroads transformed

Dubai's history is deeply connected to its creek, coast and position within regional trading networks. Fishing, pearling and maritime commerce helped sustain communities before the city became known for large-scale development and international business.

Burj Khalifa: a new skyline

Opened in 2010, the 828-metre Burj Khalifa became an internationally recognized symbol of modern Dubai. Its observation decks offer views across the urban landscape, desert and coast.

Al Fahidi and Dubai Creek: the older city

Traditional wind towers, courtyard houses, abra boats and historic souks provide a different perspective on the city's trading past. These places help connect the modern skyline with the communities and commerce that came before it.

Palm Jumeirah and the Museum of the Future

Palm Jumeirah represents Dubai's ambitious coastal engineering and resort development. Opened in 2022, the Museum of the Future uses a distinctive calligraphy-covered exterior to frame exhibitions about possible futures in science and technology.

Beyond the city

The Arabian Desert offers a contrast to the urban skyline, with dunes, desert ecosystems and cultural traditions that predate modern development. Visitors should choose responsible providers and follow local guidance on desert activities.

Travel note: opening times, tickets, entry requirements, local rules and access arrangements can change. Check official destination sources before travel.

Paris: art, revolution and reinvention

Paris grew from an ancient settlement on the Seine into a political and cultural centre. The French Revolution reshaped the country's political order, while later periods transformed the city's boulevards, public spaces and institutions. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair; the Louvre evolved from a royal palace into one of the world's best-known museums.

Rome: the legacy of an empire

The Colosseum opened in AD 80 and hosted public spectacles. Nearby, the Roman Forum served as a centre of civic, religious and commercial life. Together, these sites offer a vivid introduction to Roman public architecture, politics and urban life.

Agra: the Taj Mahal

Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal was built primarily during the 17th century. Its marble craftsmanship, gardens and symmetry bring together Persian, Islamic and Indian artistic influences.

Giza: monuments of eternity

The Great Pyramid was built during Egypt's Old Kingdom, around the 26th century BC. Its scale reflects the engineering, organization and royal culture of the period. The nearby Sphinx forms part of a landscape whose archaeological interpretation continues to evolve.

Kyoto: tradition and time

Kyoto served as Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, from 794 until the imperial court moved to Tokyo in the 19th century. Temples, gardens, craft traditions and historic districts preserve many layers of its cultural history.

Machu Picchu: an Inca world above the clouds

Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu is widely associated with the Inca ruler Pachacuti. Its terraces, stone structures and mountain setting reveal remarkable adaptation to terrain. Scholars continue to study the site's functions and the lives of its residents.

Petra: a city carved in stone

Petra became an important Nabataean centre, connected to regional trade and known for water-management systems adapted to a dry landscape. Its rock-cut monuments and canyon approaches make the city one of the region's most distinctive archaeological sites.

Venice: a city shaped by water

Venice grew into a maritime republic with extensive commercial networks. Its canals, palaces and religious buildings reflect wealth generated by trade and centuries of cultural exchange across the Mediterranean.

New York: a global city in motion

New York's growth has been shaped by its harbour, trade, immigration and cultural diversity. Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the changing skyline each tell part of the story of a city built through many waves of arrival and reinvention.

The Great Wall: a landscape of dynasties

The Great Wall is not a single structure built at one time. Different states and dynasties constructed and maintained fortifications over many centuries. Many of the best-known surviving sections reflect Ming-dynasty building and rebuilding.