Viator

What is the Tren Maya and where does it go? The Montebello Lakes are just one stop on the Tren Maya route that you can now visit with ease.Photo credit: Maritxu / Shutterstock The Tren Maya route covers a 966-mile (1,554-kilometer) loop with seven separate sections, making it the dedicated Yucatan Peninsula train—aka it's the only one. It connects five different Mexican states, including Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo by rail, stretching all the way from Palenque to Cancun.

1. Orvieto Photo credit: JeniFoto / Shutterstock The draw of charming Italian towns is their slower pace and authentic local culture. Clifftop Orvieto is no exception; it's one of the most beautiful towns in Umbria, with a stunning cathedral, an impressive local art scene, and an underground tunnel network dating back to the Etruscan era, complete with an ancient well (Pozzo della Cava).

1. Take a guided tour of the Vatican Tours can provide special insight into the Vatican's vast amount of art, history, and spiritual treasures.Photo credit: Silvia Longhi / Viator Vatican City may technically be its own country, but it’s also one of Rome’s main attractions, and it should be on every solo traveler’s bucket list. This area was originally built as the burial site of St. Peter in the fourth century, and has served as the headquarters of the Catholic Church since the 14th century.

1. For chill-seekers: Flamengo Beach Flamengo Beach draws more locals than tourists yet it delivers some of Rio’s most expansive waterfront views. Set along Guanabara Bay, the beach faces Sugarloaf Mountain, with Niterói and the Serra dos Orgãos mountain range visible just across the water. Quieter than many South Zone beaches, it offers space to stretch out and enjoy the sun without straying far from central districts.

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1. New Town Hall Tower Photo credit: vali.lung / Shutterstock On a clear day, you can not only see Munich’s historical center from the New Town Hall Tower, but also the often snow-capped Alps jutting out of the horizon. Head to the Marienplatz (which has been the central square of Munich since the 12th century) and seek out the massive, Gothic-style New Town Hall building.

1. Inca Trail Photo credit: Satta Ektrakul / Shutterstock Follow in the footsteps of the Incas when you take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, part of an ancient network of paths that traversed the so-called Inca Empire and were used as a pilgrimage route to the sacred site. When trekking, you can choose among 2-, 4-, 5-, or 7-day itineraries. All of them include steep stretches of trail and lots of stone steps, so prepare accordingly.