Chichen Itza-Cancun: A World Wonder-Beach Combo

The Valley Independent recently took a look at traveling to Cancun and Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza was the first wonder I ever visited, way back in 1991 when I was a freshman in high school. The highlight was being able to climb the Pyramid of Kukulcan, also known as El Castillo. Unfortunately, visitors are no longer able to climb the steps of the large temple.

Chichen Itza has the luxury of being only a two-hour drive away from Cancun. Nothing ties a vacation together more than being able to split it between visiting a world wonder and a beach resort. It's a nice balance.

Of course, Chichen Itza-Cancun isn't the only World Wonder-beach combo out there. The Parthenon-Santorini is another awesome combo, while Angkor Wat (Cambodia)-Phuket, Thailand is also a top option. Visitors to Egypt's many great monuments can also relax by one of its many resorts by the Red Sea. For more on any of the world wonders, check out my corresponding website.

New Angkor Museum Reviewed

The Bangkok Post yesterday took a look at the fairly new Angkor National Museum, the first modern museum in the city of Siem Reap near the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat. This world wonder and the area surrounding it have become much more accessible and tourist friendly after the demise of the Khmer Rouge in 1999.

With looters and civil war taking its toll on the temple complex, the new museum looks to show visitors what it looked like in its glory days. It also brings many of the surviving artifacts back closer to the site instead of being stored away in Cambodia's National Museum in Phnom Penh.

While the new museum has its critics, it looks like a nice addition for tourists that should only add to the experience. Check out the article, as well as the Angkor Wat section on my corresponding World's Top Wonders website and feel free to make any remarks in the comment section.