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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Top Ten Views

Top 10 Views




We all know it’s the same sun. Still, it looks better setting over the ocean than, say, over Omaha. Water is water, but the Caribbean Sea appeals to the eyes just a tad more than the Detroit River. Great views are a big reason why we travel. Clearly, not all views have the same appeal, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the world’s best. AskMen.com’s top finishers include a well-rounded bunch of timeless sites and some lesser-known spots worth discovering — some natural, and some manufactured. Yet they’re all worth a look.

Number 10 – Corcovado Mountain




Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
How To View: Rio de Janeiro is hardly a one-horse town, so for the best view you need to put some altitude between yourself and the city. With a summit just shy of 2,300 feet, Corcovado Mountain is up to the task. How do you get there? Just follow Jesus. As is visible for miles, this is also the home to the iconic 130-foot Christ the Redeemer statue, completed in 1931.
Prime Time: Definitely not around New Year’s or Carnival, but any other time on a clear day is perfect.

Number 9 – White Cliffs of Dover






Location: United Kingdom
How To View: Ordinarily, you wouldn’t imagine a pile of dead sea creatures to be much of a sight — especially not one qualified as a premier world view. But give it over a dozen million years, and you’ll be surprised how it can look. Case in point — the White Cliffs of Dover. It’s often the first and last thing seen by people leaving the UK. On a clear day across the English Channel, they’re even visible from France.
Prime Time: Weekdays, in late spring or early autumn.

Number 8 — Times Square




Location: New York City
How To View: If you want New York in a nutshell, you have to visit the place frequented by Dick Clark and the Naked Cowboy (although an eyeful of the latter would wipe this off our list). Twenty years ago, you had to either be brave or clueless to wander here after dark. Thirty years ago, proper people avoided the area even in daylight. Today it’s commercialized and even somewhat sanitized.
Prime Time: Evenings, spring through autumn (or New Year’s Eve if you’re really brave).

Number 7 – Mount Everest



Location: Tibet, China
How To View: Rather than spend tens of thousands of dollars and risk death to climb Everest, a more reasonable approach is to view it from Kalla Pattar, Nepal. In fact, this has become popular for many non-climbers. Due to its sheer size, it’s arguably best viewed from a distance anyway. Even then, it’s no less awe-inspiring. Plus, you stand a much better chance of avoiding frostbite and going home with all your fingers and toes.
Prime Time: May or October, if you want to see expeditions.

Number 6 – Red Square




St. Basil

Location: Moscow, Russia
How To View: Nearly anyone old enough to travel on his own will get a chill just standing here. This is the place where Cold War propaganda spun. This is the place we were taught to fear as children. Though it’s nothing to fear today, and Muscovites can really be quite hospitable, the view of Red Square is as impressive as it is intimidating. Through the centuries, the square hosted government ceremonies, military parades and more recently, Lenin and McCartney.
Prime Time: Daylight, spring through autumn.

Number 5 – Grand Canyon



Location: Grand Canyon, Arizona
How To View: The north and south rims traditionally see the most visitors. If you really want an amazing view though, try the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Over at the west end of the canyon, the Hualapai Native American tribe will take you on a 14-mile ride for $75.
Prime Time: Weekdays and evenings, subject to seasonal hours.

Number 4 – Eiffel Tower



Location: Paris, France
How To View: We could feature a top 10 views in Paris alone and still have to eliminate some breathtaking sights. An excellent way to soak in the view while soaking in a truly Parisian experience is by dining at Georges Restaurant in Centre Pompidou. Say what you will about the French-Asian fusion on the menu, but the views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame are some of the best.
Prime Time: Spring nights.

Number 3 – Lanikai Beach



Location: Lanikai, Haiwaii
How To View: In the case of famous Lanikai Beach, timing really is everything. Widely regarded as one of the best beaches, the bikini views are nice, but the sunrise views are even better. Yes, it’s a little ironic to hit the westernmost state for the best sunrise, but it is what it is. Visit during the right time and it really will be paradise.
Prime Time: Anytime of day, but sunrise here is unmatched — hit it during the week in the off-season.

Number 2 – Lipu and Yaoshan Mountains



Location: Guilin, China
How To View: Though less visited than other Asian or even Chinese cities, you owe it to yourself to make the effort to visit the area around the northeastern city of Guilian. Here, the views have been revered for centuries. Views of the Lipu and Yaoshan Mountains from the Lijiang River cannot be adequately described in words.
Prime Time: Late summer through autumn.

Number 1 – Acropolis




Location: Athens, Greece
How To View: The ancient remains date back centuries… before Christ. Here, the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and other remains are at once incredibly humbling, yet intriguing. Much of the site’s history is known, some is presumed and portions of Greek mythology lie somewhere in between. Not only has the Acropolis’ construction stood the test of time, so have the views.
Prime Time: Days, autumn through spring.