Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only one is still standing. Every year, author Aaron Millar selects seven new marvels, the most breathtaking locations on earth for observing the night sky, animals, and breathtaking vistas.

Only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World—the Great Pyramids of Giza—remains today. The Halicarnassus Mausoleum, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria are all now only remnants of history. Instead, these are the seven modern wonders. They serve as the Stonehenge and Acropolis of our time, respectively. It also implies that they are visible directly. And they ought to, too. The actual enchantment of astonishment, then, lies not in the object itself, but rather in the fact that the more you seek it out, the more it becomes a part of you.

The soul needs wonder to grow. We are the only known mammal that can be brought to tears by sunset, that marvels at the stars at night, and that is humbled by our previous achievements. Wonder is what makes us human. Wisdom starts with astonishment, according to Socrates. Awe deepens cognitive processing, increases empathy, and fosters meaningful connections with the world around us, according to studies. It is the source of both art and science. Wonder is a germ from which our greatest values develop; it is more than just a pleasant experience.

Explore, dream, and take good care of your spirit. These are the seven brand-new natural marvels for 2023.

1. France's Mont Saint-Michel

Work on this amazing Benedictine monastery in the Gothic style, famed throughout the medieval world as the "Wonder of the West," began in 1023, exactly one thousand years ago.

That is understandable. It seems like something from a storybook perched on a rocky ledge in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. The bay, which straddles the boundary between Normandy and Brittany, has the biggest tidal range in all of Europe, with spring tides reaching about 50 feet. The wide sandflats that surround the abbey may be crossed in bare feet at low tide. It seems to float on the water during high tide, much like an ocean mirage.

It attracted pilgrims from all over the world and took 500 years to finish. Even while the abbey is a work of beauty from an architectural standpoint, what distinguishes it is the marriage of stone and water. The beauty of nature complements the artistic brilliance of the building more so than anywhere else in Europe.

Go to Abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr to view it.

2. Argentina's Perito Moreno Glacier

Lionel Messi is not Argentina's sole marvel, even though the country won the World Cup. Many people believe that Perito Moreno is the most stunning glacier on the planet. This enormous, craggy wall of turquoise ice spans more than 100 square kilometers and is found in the Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia's far south. It is over 200 feet tall.

It is a strong location. You may hear the roar of the ice breaking as massive icebergs calve into the deep blue waters of Lake Argentino if you hike to a lookout or take a boat to the glacier wall. They are dwarfed by the enormous tongue of ice from which they are birthed as they drift across the water, sparkling in the sunlight like crystals and taking on brilliant shapes.

If you only view one glacier in your whole life, make it this one even though Messi may have scored the goals.

Check it out at losglaciares.com

\3. AlUla, Saudi Arabia

AlUla is a location with a remarkable historical and cultural legacy. But up until lately, hardly anyone knew about it, let alone went there. That is altering. The site formally welcomed tourists by the end of 2022, revealing a more than 200,000-year-old relic of Arabian history in the process.

It is situated in Saudi Arabia's northwest desert, part of which is yet uncharted. Less than 5% of the site has reportedly been excavated, according to estimates. AlUla Old Town is a maze of now-abandoned mud brick dwellings littered with the earthy tones of the desert, while Hegra is known for its ornate massive tombs cut into harsh red sandstone cliffs. Ancient rock art may be seen here, along with restaurants run by renowned chefs, such as Jason Atherton's Maraya, which is perched atop the world's biggest mirror structure.

Visit experiencealula.com to see it.

4. Bhutan's Tiger's Nest Monastery

The long-awaited Trans Bhutan Trail, a 250-mile long-distance hiking trail that traverses the nation from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east, was completed at the end of 2022. It is possibly the best way to explore one of the last major Himalayan kingdoms, passing via 12 mountain passes, scores of temples, and 27 local communities.

With the tallest mountains in the world surrounding it and a distinctly Himalayan culture, the nation is truly amazing in many respects. But Paro Taktsang, also known as Tiger's Nest Monastery, is unique. This complex of four Buddhist temples and residential structures, with whitewashed walls, brilliant red roofs, and golden-domed ceilings, is perched essentially on the edge of a cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley.

Perhaps, though, that is the goal. The monastery was constructed on the location of a cave where Guru Rinpoche, one of the local Buddhism's founders, is said to have meditated in the eighth century. It takes two hours to trek up a difficult hill to get there, but if you succeed, you could just experience some of the same enlightenment he had.

See it at transbhutantrail.com and parotaktsang.org.

5. Cappadocia, Turkey

100 year have passed since the Ottoman Empire collapsed and modern Turkey emerged. Turkey is home to an amazing culture and legacy due to its location at the intersection of Europe and Asia. But it also has Cappadocia, one of the greatest natural marvels in the world.

One of the strangest sceneries on Earth is this vast area of huge rock spires known as "Fairy Chimneys," which are streaked in red and ochre and have crowns molded by the wind. But what distinguishes Cappadocia is what's inside of them.

People first began chiseling houses within the rock itself approximately 1200 B.C. But these aren't just any old caverns. The intricate facades, doors, windows, and stairs that have been hewn from the mountain within the Cappadocian rock dwellings are like pieces of art. Whole villages have been submerged and hollowed out, like upside-down towers.

Some of them allow you to stay. Beautiful boutique luxury cave hotels, hot air balloon flights above the valley, and delectable local wine farms are all available. Cappadocia may be the most fascinating area in a nation steeped in mystery and fantasy.

Visit Cappadocia.com to see it.

6. The Lake District in Britain

One of the world's great walks, according to author Alfred Wainwright, is Britain's "Coast to Coast" trail, which he created and penned the now-famous guidebook. There has never been a better moment to experience it for yourself than when it reaches 50 this year.

It has developed into the most well-liked long-distance trek in the nation, covering 190 miles across Northern England from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood Bay on the North Sea. There are several highlights, but the segment that passes the Lake District is unquestionably the most magnificent of them.

This cherished national park is teeming with beauties, including Scafell Pike, the 3,209-foot-highest mountain in England, Lake Windemere, the park's largest body of water, and Stock Ghyll Force, one of the nation's most magnificent waterfalls.

The poet Wordsworth referred to it as "the prettiest site that man has ever found" while seated on the shores of Grassmere Lake. These valleys are filled with the resonance of his poetry and Wainwright's legacy. Come and explore its most famous route; you might even hear some of that poetry still resonating amid the fells.

Visit coast-to-coast.uk to see it.

7. The Sardine Run, South Africa

One of the most amazing things that happen in the water is the sardine run. Tens of millions of sardines travel along South Africa's Wild Coast every year from May through July. According to estimates, its biomass rivals even that of Africa's massive wildebeest migration. The shoals might be as long as nine miles. It is possible to observe the action in the sea from an airplane since it is so strong.

However, the sardines only tell part of the story. Countless Great White Sharks, Orcas, and other predators pursue them thereafter and gather them into densely packed bait balls to make them easier to catch. It is an epic-scale feeding frenzy.

Huge silver globes will encircle anybody brave enough to dive or snorkel with them as they dart through the water to elude the ravenous jaws that follow them. Fortunately, those jaws are stuffed full of food and don't give a damn about us people that share the water with them. One of the most thrilling underwater expeditions on the globe is what they call the "Blue Serengeti." If you dare, dive in.

For more information, see piernirandara.com. World-famous underwater photographer Pier Nirandara organizes annual journeys to the Sardine Run in June and July.