Many of the world’s once-great attractions and destinations have been lost over time, whether due to natural conditions or other events, such as war and urban development.
In today’s world, we still have plenty of amazing places to visit — but for how much longer? From the Great Barrier Reef to Venice, Italy, here are the places you need to visit before it’s too late.
And if you're going to expedite a visit, you may be able to earn travel rewards with the right credit card.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Amazon rainforest
Location: About 60% of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil
What’s happening: Deforestation and fires
The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest rainforest and is also home to some of the most unique species of plants and animals on the planet. But if deforestation and massive fires continue to clear the rainforest, it’s predicted that much of the area will eventually see a permanent change.
Why you should visit: Remote and virtually untouched land awaits your next adventure. Make sure to compare top travel credit cards to help find the right one for your next trip!
Dead Sea
Location: Between Israel and Jordan
What’s happening: It’s shrinking
The Dead Sea is dying. Or at least, it’s disappearing. This historic lake between Israel and Jordan is shrinking at a rapid pace each year, which is increasing its already high levels of salt.
Why you should visit: It’s the lowest land elevation on Earth and swimming in its salty waters feels like floating.
Everglades National Park
Location: Florida, U.S.
What’s happening: It’s shrinking
The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. and a World Heritage Site is slowly disappearing, and many of its inhabitants are along with it. Agricultural and urban development are taking land from the Everglades, while invasive species of plants and animals are spreading and destroying native species.
Why you should visit: Filled with beautiful landscapes and unique plants and wildlife, there’s nowhere in the world quite like the Everglades.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Galapagos Islands
Location: Ecuador
What’s happening: Ecosystem degradation
Because of increased tourism, illegal fishing and poaching, as well as the introduction of invasive species, the famed Galapagos Islands are seeing a negative impact on their fragile ecosystems.
Why you should visit: It’s a chain of beautiful, volcanic islands filled with endemic (not found anywhere else in the world) species of plants and animals.
Glacier National Park
Location: Montana, U.S.
What’s happening: Glaciers are melting
Due to climate change, the glaciers that Glacier National Park is named for are vanishing over time, with a prediction for a total disappearance by 2100. With less ice, there has also been more fire, with an increased number of wildfires contributing to more park closures in recent years.
Why you should visit: It’s one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., offering pristine scenery and dramatic landscapes.
Trending Stories
Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Arizona, U.S.
What’s happening: Irreversible changes
It’s not likely the Grand Canyon will disappear anytime soon, but this world-famous national park has seen some irreversible changes over the years and more changes are bound to happen. This is primarily due to invasive species being introduced to the area and human development, such as the Glen Canyon Dam being built.
Why you should visit: It’s world-famous for a reason, offering jaw-dropping vistas, hiking, camping, and more.
Great Barrier Reef
Location: Australia
What’s happening: It’s dying
Coral reefs are living creatures, and we might not have the largest collection of coral reefs for much longer. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is suffering from worldwide climate change, which is killing many of its corals.
Why you should visit: It’s one of the seven wonders of the natural world, filled with wonderful plants and wildlife, and it’s disappearing quickly.
Great Wall of China
Location: China
What’s happening: Deterioration
An architectural wonder that was started nearly 2,000 years ago, the Great Wall of China still stands today as a monumental work of historical significance. But not all of it’s still there. It’s estimated that around 30% of the wall has eroded or simply disappeared over time, due to natural occurrences and human interference.
Why you should visit: As one of the new seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China is an incredible feat of construction and longevity.
Madagascar
Location: Island country in Southeast Africa
What’s happening: Deforestation
Deforestation is widespread across Madagascar since the local population requires firewood and charcoal for their everyday needs. This has contributed to a large loss of habitat for plants and wildlife in the area.
Why you should visit: After splitting from the African continent around 160 million years ago, Madagascar has become a veritable natural paradise, with forests, coral reefs, mangroves, and more.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Mount Kilimanjaro
Location: Tanzania
What’s happening: Ice cap is shrinking
If you’re familiar with Mount Kilimanjaro, you know about its giant ice cap at the top. It’s part of a well-recognized backdrop in photos of Kilimanjaro National Park below the mountain. But the ice cap is shrinking, and predictions say it could be gone completely during this century.
Why you should visit: It’s the highest point in Africa and the largest free-standing (not part of a mountain range) mountain in the world.
Outer Banks
Location: North Carolina, U.S.
What’s happening: Beach is eroding
The Outer Banks (not the TV show, but where the show is set) are shrinking each year, giving up land to the relentless waves of the ocean. For the residents who live here, it’s a seemingly losing battle to preserve the area they know and love.
Why you should visit: The Outer Banks barrier islands provide beautiful beaches and summertime escapes for visitors nationwide.
Patagonia
Location: Argentina and Chile
What’s happening: Glaciers are melting
Patagonia is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but its spectacular icefields aren’t slated to be around forever. According to some, the ice found in Patagonia is melting at some of the planet’s highest rates.
Why you should visit: Patagonia spans both Argentina and Chile and offers visitors opportunities to explore vast and wild landscapes.
Venice
Location: Italy
What’s happening: It’s sinking
When you build a city on the water, there’s always going to be a battle to stay afloat. Such is the case with the city of Venice, the famed City of Canals in Italy, which is slowly sinking into the Venetian Lagoon.
Why you should visit: There aren’t too many cities in the world that are crisscrossed by various canals, and Venice is the most well-known of them.
Bottom line
All of these places and attractions are expected to one day disappear, but some of them might not have as much time as others.
If you want to travel to these destinations, it’s likely best to make plans sooner rather than later. To help fund any upcoming trips, use helpful rewards and benefits from the best travel credit cards.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.
Author Details