What are the seven new 'Wonders of the World'?

Josh Roberts believes the best trips involve long hikes and muddy boots. His life goals haven't changed much since he was a kid: He still wants to be Indiana Jones when he grows up.

Follow him on Twitter (@joshwhowrites) and Instagram (@joshwhowrites), and visit his website (joshrobertsbooks.com) or Goodreads page to learn more about his forthcoming novel.

Josh joined SmarterTravel in 2001, and is an active member in both the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

In addition to SmarterTravel, he has written for USA Today, The Boston Globe, Yahoo! Travel, The Huffington Post, Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor, Jetsetter, ABC News, Oyster, and Business Insider. His travel photography can be seen in Britain and Ireland's Best Wild Places, published by Penguin UK.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A lacrosse ball. It's small, lightweight, and works wonders on loosening up tight muscles."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Being the first to discover an ancient lost city. Failing that, visiting as many of the already-discovered ancient ruins as possible."

Travel Motto: "Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle."

See recent posts by Josh Roberts

Our friends over at USAToday are teaming up with ABC’s “Good Morning America” to highlight what they’re calling the seven “New Wonders of the World.” They will reveal one new wonder each weekday through Friday, November 17, and will let the readers and viewers of their respective organizations vote on an eighth wonder on November 24. (My vote is for Kong.)

So, what’s one of the new wonders? Here’s what USAToday says: “Mankind’s capacity for wonder is profoundly expressed in Jerusalem’s Old City, which has served as a spiritual nexus for the world’s three major monotheistic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—for millennia. Our six experts chose the ancient city as one of the seven New Wonders of the World for its central place in religious history and struggles for tolerance.”

Leaving aside the curious choice of an ancient city as a “new” wonder, I’m fascinated by this project and eagerly awaiting the new revelations each day. I’m always on the lookout for new places to travel, and this will hopefully be a great source of ideas.

Oh, and speaking of new places to travel, I’m off to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo tomorrow for a weeklong trip that I’ll highlight in my American Adventurer column in January. While I’m away, SmarterTravel.com’s airfare expert Jessica Labrencis will keep you up to date with what’s new in the travel world.

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