Realistix Solutions: 10 Places To See Before You Die

1.Swim, snorkel and dive Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Explore the living masterpiece that is the Great Barrier Reef by swimming, sailing, snorkeling and diving. The World Heritage-listed attraction stretches more than 2,000km along the Queensland coast and can be seen from outer space. Hop between the idyllic, palm-fringed islands and discover the bright coral and marine life. Visit Heron and Wilson islands during the annual turtle nesting season (November to March) where you can witness hatchlings scurrying to the sea. Browse the world's most endangered places.

2.Stand in front of Giza's Great Pyramid

One of the most iconic attractions in the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built around 2560 BC as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. It took 20 years to construct using nearly 2.3 million blocks of stone and at 450ft high remained the world's tallest building for 4 millennia. Dan Saunders of Encounters Travel, which specializes in group tours to Egypt, says: 'No trip to Egypt is complete until you’ve stood at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo. This monument is probably one of the most recognizable sites around the world and is the only surviving member of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, so it should definitely be on anybody’s travel bucket list.' Egypt's top 10 destinations

3.Be wowed by the bright lights of New York City

The Northern Lights are one of nature's phenomenons that you need to see to believe. With easy access to the natural light display, snowy wilderness and reindeer, Finnish Lapland is a magical place to spot the Aurora Borealis. Instead of watching them outside in freezing temperatures, why not spot the Lights from the comfort of your own heated glass igloo? It means you can spend the night gazing at the sky from your bed and wake up to the spectacular snow-covered scenery. Stay four nights at Kakslauttanen Igloo Village in Saariselka with Taber Holidays.

4. Hike the great Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

Grab your hiking boots and experience the magnificent four-day Inca Trail through cloud forests, over high peaks and past ancient Inca ruins before you finally arrive at beautiful Machu Picchu. 'Although the trek is rated moderate, it can be challenging reaching altitudes as high as 4200m so spend at least a day in Cusco to fully acclimatise,' advises Claudia Cornejo Mohme, vice minister of Tourism of Peru. 'Wander the cobblestone streets, admire the Plaza de Armas in the heart of the city or soak up history in one of the many museums.'

5.Witness the famous migration in the Masai Mara

If you're planning on saving up for an African safari, experiencing the migration in Kenya's Masai Mara between June and November is a must. Stefano Cheli, owner of Cheli & Peacock, which has camps in the Masai Mara, says: 'Don't just rush towards the famous "river crossings" as those have become extremely busy with tourists who sometimes unwittingly can interrupt wildebeest from crossing, which can cause rage and stress. Enjoy the migration for what it is - millions of zebra, wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle roaming the plains looking for better grasses. Sit on top of a hill and watch the elephants give way to lines of wildebeests and the hyenas following behind hoping for the sight of an injured one.'

6. Marvel at mysterious Stonehenge

An unforgettable day out and one of Britain's most wonderful attractions, Stonehenge is a highlight of the South West and probably the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. It comes with a mysterious history and was built around 5,000 years ago. Was it a temple for sun worship? A healing centre? A burial site? Or maybe a huge calendar? The World Heritage Site never fails to impress and is surrounded by prehistoric landscape, perfect for a walk in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

7. Cycle across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

For the opportunity to get up close to one of the world's most iconic attractions, hop on a bike and cycle San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. While most people have driving over the bridge on their bucket list, cycling offers a fresh perspective on the old classic, with great views across the bay, Alcatraz and the city skyline. Hire a bike and go across yourself or book a guided cycle with Bike and Roll.

8. Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat

Cambodia's famous temples of Angkor Wat are something that most travellers have on their bucket list, but if you want to take things one step further, enter its east side before dawn and explore the temples by torchlight before the other tourists arrive. Here you can watch the sun rise over the spires for a unique view of the iconic attraction. Specialist tour operator Travel Indochina is the only operator to have access to the lesser-known entrance and gives you an intimate experience, following a path through the jungle illuminated only by torchlight!

9. Ride the Trans-Siberian railway

For one of the most fascinating train journeys in the world, take a ride on the Trans-Siberian railway, the longest in the world, connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. Kristi Rorison of IntouristUK, which specialises in travel to Russia, says: 'Begin your adventure in Russia’s mighty capital Moscow, with a rich history and some of the finest architecture in the world, including the Kremlin, Seven Sisters buildings and the stunning Metro System. Move onward through the vastness of Siberia before settling in Irkutsk, home to Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater source on the planet. Mongolia awaits - spend time in a traditional Mongolian Ger and live like a nomad before journeying on to Beijing, China’s colourful capital.'

10. Be amazed by the magnificent dunes of the Namib Desert

'As deserts go, the Namib is the real thing,' says Chris McIntyre, managing director of Expert Africa, which organises trips to Namibia. 'It's so old that its own endemic animals have evolved there, but what captivates the visitor is the sheer beauty of the sharp-edged, sinuous curves that glow apricot around sunrise and sunset.' Enormous dunes, towering mountain ranges and deep sculptured canyons characterise the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Be sure to leave plenty of time to stop, take photos and have a picnic surrounded by space and silence.