There are just so many cities around the world that you really ‘should’ see in the course of a lifetime, but there are seven which are a ‘must’ when it comes right down to it. Yes, New York, London and Paris are on everyone’s top ten but there are other, more obscure cities that have much to offer in terms of being interesting and historic at the same time. These are seven cities you must see in a lifetime that may or may not ever make the top 10 simply because they are not as highly promoted.

1. Niagara Falls, USA

Niagara Falls in the United States is one city you may not have thought of as a top city to visit. However, besides the amazing view of one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, you can gamble on both sides of the border, get up close and personal to the falls and enjoy a tour through one of Canada’s newest breweries, the trendy new Niagara Falls Brewery.

2. Seville, Spain

When anyone mentions Spain, the city that usually comes to mind is Barcelona. However, there is much to do and see in Seville with its extremely narrow streets and the great number of eateries where you can enjoy world-famous appetizers, referred to as ‘tapas’ here. The streets are lined with amazingly beautiful orange blossoms and if you are into architecture, you’ll be able to get a glimpse of some pretty amazing Moorish castles!

3. Lhasa, China

When it comes to world religions, Buddhism is among the top 5 at all times. Lhasa in China is said to be the spiritual capital of the Buddhist sect, Tibetan Buddhism, and that’s why large numbers of pilgrims travel here throughout the year. Step back in time to a place where your center is quiet and enjoy a moment or two of tranquility with Buddhist monks.

4. Varanasi, India

Having listed cities that are important to 4 of the world’s 5 major religions, Varanasi, India is a must see for those interested in the Hindu faith. While India is the center of Hinduism, Varanasi is one of the two major centers of the faith and at sunrise it is an amazing site to see the faithful fill up areas called ghats. These are locations where the faithful gather to meditate and pray and they are actually a stairway that leads down to the holy river, the Ganges.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Not only does Rio de Janeiro have one of the loveliest skylines on the planet, here is where you can visit the main attraction of the year, Carnival. Many travelers come here for the beaches, among which are two of the favorites of anywhere on earth, the Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio is also famous for an amazing assortment of South American culinary delicacies so you will never go away hungry.

6. Marrakech, Morocco

Ever since American actress Grace Kelly became princess of Morocco in the middle part of the last century, Morocco has made the headlines as a place to vacation and rub elbows with the elite. This is one truly amazing and unique city with streets that wind about the city in a series of maze-like corridors and with scents and sounds that literally explode your senses, this is one city you’ll not soon forget.

7. Jerusalem, Israel

Followers of Christianity, Judaism and even Muslim religions consider this to be a holy city and make journeys to Jerusalem for varying religious reasons. As the center of the Holy Land for Christians and Jews, Jerusalem is a must for any devout follower of their faith. However, with so much tension in the Middle East, those of the Muslim persuasion also visit Jerusalem for both sacred and personal reasons. It may not be their Mecca, but it is a holy city in a holy land and that’s why they respect the customs and the culture.

Some of these cities may very well make the ‘normal’ top cities to visit in a lifetime, but some are also a bit obscure to the average traveler. If you are planning a vacation that will surely be remembered for the rest of your life, why not choose from one of these amazing locations? You can see something different, taste new dishes, see new sights and get a better appreciation of other global cultures. The world we live in is getting smaller by the day with the advances in technology, so it’s time to step into other lands and other cultures as we endeavor to build a working relationship with brothers and sisters from around the world.