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Humans have been flocking toward the sunset since the birth of mankind. What is it about the west that tugs at the human spirit? Is it the slot machines? Las Vegas, Nevada is the most popular tourist destination in the world today. Is it the western wrath of nature? One of the latest trends in travel is to use one’s vacation time to visit a disaster area or a Third World country and lend a hand. Is it pretty lights and celebrations? New Years’ Eve at Times Square is “celebrated” all over the world, thanks to television. Experiencing the primal beats of Carnival in Rio de Janiero is on many a “things to do before I die” list.
Then again, “west” is a little bit subjective - the goal of many US travelers is to head east to the European continent - the cradle of Western civilization - or to Africa, the cradle of all civilization. A honeymoon stroll under the Eiffel Tower, a river cruise on the Danube, a close-up view of the Kremlin, the jungle view from atop the pyramid at Chichen Itza, a chance to walk the halls of Alhambra in Spain, an opportunity to buy spices in the markets of Morocco, or a chance to see an African lion with nothing between you but a camera and a Jeep door... these are all worthy goals for the savvy traveler.
Natural wonders abound... the Fjords of the north in Scandinavia, the Fjords of the south along the coast of Chile, the Grand Canyon, the Amazon River, the Nile River, the Mississippi River, the Alaskan Inner Passage, Angel Falls, the Sahara Desert, the Cliffs of Moher... Some destinations are more exotic than others, others are more urban and exciting. It’s not hard to see why historic adventurers were so keen to come to “the New World.” They kept going west until they hit the Pacific. Modern travelers to the western world will enjoy a curious mix of modern society, historic tradition, and sometimes a little prehistoric echo here and there.
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