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Top 10 historical sites in the world

10. Colosseum – Italy We start our top 10 list with one of the most famous landmarks in the world: the mighty Colosseum in Rome. Relive the heydays of the Roman Empire by walking in the footsteps of Caesar. Discover the subterranean passageways that once were used by the gladiators. Once you have visited the Colosseum, it will be clear to you why this monument welcomes over 4 million visitors each year. Of course Rome has much more to offer than just the Colosseum. You will need much more time than 1 single day to explore this historical city. Feel like an emperor by staying at the 5-star luxury hotel Boscolo Exedra Roma.

9. Christ the Redeemer – Brazil Even though the statue of Christ the Redeemer is the most recent monument in our list, it carries enough historical value to be the 9th most impressive historical site in the world. The statue has become the symbol of Rio de Janeiro; this is an amazing accomplishment considering the construction was finished in 1931. Whether you are Christian or not, you can't deny the reassuring feeling a 40m tall Christ overlooking the metropolis gives.

8. The Acropolis – Greece The Acropolis of Athens is without doubt the most famous of its kind in the world. Situated on a 150m high rock, the view from up there is magical to say the least. But of course the real attractions are the archaeological remains you can find on the 3 hectares surface area. Perhaps adding the Acropolis to the list is sort of cheating, since it consists of 21 major historic sites. The most famous is probably the Parthenon. This 2500 year old temple served as a treasury, church and mosque throughout its rich history. Enjoy exploring the culturally rich city Athens and treat yourself to a comfortable stay at the Royal Olympic, located in the city centre. http://www.ghotw.com/hotel/home/royal-olympic.htm

7. Alhambra – Spain On number 7 in our list we find the Alhambra, located just outside Granada. This 14th century palace is the most well known piece of Islamic architecture in a Western country. It was used by the Muslim Emirs as a sign of prestige and a strategic fortress. Perhaps the strangest fact about the Alhambra is that it was neglected for several centuries. It has only been rediscovered as recent as in the 19th century. When travellers and scholars found this gem, they immediately started renovations. This is why the building still retains so much of its original grandeur to this day.

6. Potala Palace – Tibet Perhaps the most obscure item on the list is the Potala Palace in Tibet. The historic value of this building is impossible to overestimate. Being built in 637, it has stood the test of time quite well. This is because the builders poured copper in the foundations to ensure it could withstand earthquakes. The palace served as the chief residence of all the Dalai Lamas, until the current one had to flee to India in 1959. To ensure the integrity of the building remains unharmed, the number of visitors is limited to 2300 daily. So if you want to visit this "New World Wonder", be sure to arrive early.

5. Persepolis – Iran In 515 BC, the Persian ruler Darius the Great decided that his empire needed a ceremonial capital. This led to the construction of one of the greatest citadels of all times: Persepolis. The word Persepolis is derived from the Greek Perses polis, which simply means Persian city. At the western side of the citadel is the Apadana Palace, which was used by all Persian rulers for official audiences. The first westerner to write about Persepolis was Dutchman Cornelis de Bruijn in 1704. Ever since his writings, Persepolis has been visited by millions of tourists and history enthusiasts from all over the world.

4. Stonehenge – United Kingdom One of the greatest mysteries in the world is situated in the United Kingdom. This intriguing site has inspired dozens of myths. Some archaeologists believe Stonehenge is over 5000 years old. There is still a lot of discussion about Stonehenge. It is uncertain how old the monument is, what its function was or even who built it. The one thing that is certain: it is an icon of the Western world that every history buff must have seen at least once in his lifetime. Stonehenge is easily accessible from the capital; by car it takes about 1 and a half hour from London to Stonehenge. When staying in London, take a day-trip out of the city to Stonehenge. For a historical stay, try The Capital: a charming boutique hotel with a history of its own. http://www.ghotw.com/hotel/home/capital-london.htm

3. The Great Pyramid of Giza – Egypt Considered by most people to be the symbol of Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Giza is famous all over the world. And it deserves every bit of its fame. After all, it is the oldest one of the "7 wonders of the ancient world" (and the only one that's still standing). Rising up to 140 metres tall and weighing almost 6 million tons, it is one of the most impressive man-made structures of all time. Visitors are allowed to enter the pyramid through the Robbers' Tunnel, which was used around 820 AD to loot the treasures in the pyramid. You can't go to Egypt without paying a visit to the pyramids.

2. Machu Picchu – Peru Known as the "Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is the best way to see what an Incan community looked like. It was virtually unknown to the Spanish conquistadors, which explains why it contains the best conserved Incan architecture. Machu Picchu was also one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 1983 it was admitted to the list, with the description saying: "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization". Reaching Machu Picchu can be quite an adventure; the remote location on a 2500m high mountain ridge proves a challenge for most tourists. But this actually makes the visiting the site worth your time: it is one of the last truly authentic monuments in the world.

1. Petra – Jordan Our number 1 historical site is Petra in Jordan. We can tell you that that this city carved in rocks has been around since the 6th century BC. We can point out that it is the symbol of Jordan and its biggest tourist attraction. Or we can quote UNESCO ("one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage") and say that BBC chose Petra as one of the "40 places you have to see before you die". But the only you way you'll fully understand why this is our number 1, is by flying to Jordan and witnessing its beauty with your own eyes. Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/greathotelsoftheworld