These 7 Cities Are The New 'Urban Wonders' Of The World

Shutterstock/Peter Schwarz The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are the tallest twin towers in the world. A global campaign to name various new Seven Wonders of the World has announced the results of its Cities competition. 

The New7Wonders project was created by Bernard Weber in order to highlight some of the greatest natural and man-made wonders of the world not covered in the original list.  The Cities project is the third of Weber's installments — i n 2007, more than 100 million people voted in his New Seven Wonders of the World competition. 

Weber’s latest campaign to find the best cities on Earth aimed to showcase the "cities that best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilization," according to the New7Wonders website. 

The global competition began with more than 1200 nominees from 220 countries.  That list was reduced to 77, since there was a limit of one city per country. Then the 77 remaining cities were narrowed down by a panel of experts headed by  Federico Mayor, former director-general of UNESCO, to 28 suggestions. 

Following the announcement of the 28 finalists, the winning seven cities were chosen by voters from around the world. 

The seven winning cities beat out finalists such as Istanbul, London, St. Petersburg, Seoul, Reykjavik, and Chicago. None of the world’s seven winning cities are in Europe or the US. 

Below are the seven cities that have been named the new urban wonders of the world (in alphabetical order): 

1. Beirut, Lebanon

The capital city of Lebanon has been rebuilt several times due to unrest. Beirut's architecture is a stunning mix of modern, Ottoman, and colonial French. 

The Middle Eastern hub is often referred to as "The Paris of the Mediterranean."

Shutterstock/Iryna1 2. Doha, Qatar

Qatar’s capital, Doha, first gained prominence when it began tapping into its expansive natural-gas reserves. Doha’s wealth of natural gas and oil have helped make Qatar one of the richest nations in the world — and Doha one of the world's most beautiful cities.

 Flickr/Marc Desbordes 3. Durban, South Africa

The beach city of Durban in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal is the busiest port in Africa, but it's best known for its incredible beaches and surfing. 

Shutterstock/michaeljung 4. Havana, Cuba

Havana is a centuries-old city covered in vibrant colors.  The historic center of Havana has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason.

Shutterstock/ffoto29 5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The cultural hub of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is known for its towering skyscrapers. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world. 

 Shutterstock/zhu difeng 6. La Paz, Bolivia

Perched atop the Andes Mountains, La Paz is 11,975 feet above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world. 

Shutterstock/Galyna Andrushko 7. Vigan, Philippines

Vigan is one of the few Hispanic towns lefts intact in the Philippines. Known for its cobblestone-covered streets and unique architecture, the city is a World Heritage Site. 

 Gett

All pics & content from Yahoo.com

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Sydney’s Top Tourist Attractions

Hello Friends

Millions of visitors descend on Australia’s capital of tourism every year, and with plenty of fantastic attractions, it’s not hard to see why Sydney is one of the world’s most visited cities. Whatever your budget or taste, there’s plenty to keep visitors of all ages entertained, so whether you’re travelling on a shoestring or enjoying a truly lavish getaway, be sure to check out our picks of Sydney’s top tourist attractions.

Sydney Opera House

Undeniably one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera house is a must-see for any tourist. This World Heritage site offers magnificent views of Sydney Harbour and its excellent location near the popular Botanic Gardens make it the perfect place to explore with the family. If you don’t fancy parting with your cash to see one of the popular shows inside, a walk around the outside of the Opera House is completely free.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Known locally as ‘the Coathanger’, The Harbour Bridge is another of Australia’s iconic landmarks and it’s perfect for anyone exploring on a budget. You can walk over the bridge for free as well as visiting the Pylon Lookout for some spectacular views.

Sydney Harbour

It would be a real crime to be in Sydney and not pay a visit to the Harbour which doubles up as a National Park. Known as one of the most stunning harbours in the world, there’s plenty to see and do here that will keep the whole family entertained. Ride the inexpensive ferry to Manly, Taronga Zoo or Watsons Bay or just enjoy exploring. You’ll also find a 16 mile Harbour Walk where you’ll be able to see some of the city’s best attractions without spending a cent.

City Centre                         

It’s easy to spend a whole day at the City Centre which is home to The Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Sydney, St Mary’s Cathedral, Town hall, State Theatre, the Strand Arcade, Martin Place, Sydney Westfield and the Queen Victoria Building to name but a few. Nearby you’ll also find Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Barracks, the Anzac Memorial, the Australian Museum and the highly recommended Macquarie Street precinct.

Darling Harbour

No visit to Sydney would be complete without a visit here as there’s so much to do for kids and adults alike. Free attractions for kids are available every day at the Australian Maritime Museum and you’ll find a whole host of attractions nearby including the Powerhouse Museum, Pyrmont bridge, Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Paddys Market and Sydney Wildlife World. If you fancy a flutter, be sure to visit the Star City Casino complex or just check out some of the area’s hip Japanese and Korean boutiques and sample some delicious cooking in Chinatown.

If the sound of that is making you want to jet off right now, you can find a great deal on your flight to Sydney at cheapflights.com.au .

The Rocks and Circular Quay

Situated on the harbour, this scenic area is home to a number of galleries, historic houses, the ferry wharf, boutiques, restaurants and an observatory. The area can be seen on foot in just one full day and highlights include the Museum of Contemporary Art and the weekend Rocks Market.

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