If you’re looking to see some of the most beautiful sites in the world this Holy Week, your search ends here. Real or man-made, the Philippines’ top 10 most-searched Street View Special Collections destinations of the past year are captivating and travel-bucket-list-worthy.
MANILA, Philippines - Landmarks with rich cultural histories fascinated Filipino virtual explorers the most. Pinoys delighted in man-made structures representing freedom, love and power, with Fort Santiago topping the list. Out of the seven countries listed, home remains a top choice for Pinoys to explore as two other historical landmarks in Intramuros also appear on the set.
Take a virtual journey through these 10 destinations Pinoys searched for most on Street View:
Fort Santiago, Manila, Philippines
No. 1 on the list is Fort Santiago in Intramuros, one of the most important historical sites in Manila. Built in the late 1500s, this fortress held captive our national hero Jose Rizal until his execution. Enter the walls of this beautiful citadel, and explore its well-kept gardens and historic sceneries.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Built in 1889 as the entrance arch to the World’s Fair held in the same year, the second most-searched destination is the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Standing at 324 meters tall, see what it’s like to be atop the crown jewel of the city of lights.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The oldest and last remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World takes third spot on the list. Traverse the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx to discover the majestic lifestyles of ancient Egyptian rulers.
Champ de Mars, Paris, France
With Street View, you can jump from destination to destination and back in an instant. Champ de Mars, located between the Eiffel Tower and Military School, is No. 4. This beautiful park is a hotspot for national events and offers the best view of Paris’ landmark monument.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Midway through this around-the-world adventure with Street View is the grand marble mausoleum recognized as the jewel of Muslim art in India. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is considered to be the greatest structural achievement of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Baluarte de San Diego, Manila, Philippines
Built to strengthen the defense of the 17th century Spanish colonial rule against invaders, the sixth most-searched destination is Baluarte de San Diego, back in Intramuros. Today, the bastion is surrounded by lush gardens, intricate pathways, beautiful fountains and an attractive pergola.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Be ready to look down from the world’s tallest man-made structure; making it to number seven is Burj Khalifa, standing at 829.8 meters tall. You’ll have such a breathtaking view of the cityscape of global city Dubai.
Plaza San Luis Complex, Manila, Philippines
No. 8 on the list is another Intramuros site. Walk back time to revel in the colonial-era charm and visit the replica houses of Casa Blanca, Casa Urdaneta, Los Hidalgos, El Hogar Filipino, and Casa Manila in the Plaza San Luis Complex. All of these houses are based on original building plans.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
We’re almost at the end of the list, but not before you experience this dazzling underwater adventure at the Galapagos Islands. Swim among seals and various schools of fish without getting wet in this beautiful melting pot of marine species.
Central Park, New York, USA
The final stop for this series is one of the most filmed locations in the world. Smack in the middle of the busy cultural and financial epicenter of the United States, Central Park boasts 341 hectares of trees, fields, lakes, wildlife and other attractions.
The list ends here, but do not fret – Street View has traveled over five million miles in more than 50 countries across all seven continents of the world so you can scout out more places as you plan your future adventures.
Let these collections entice you to step out into the world. There’s more to see!