New England. Middle of January. The cold and the wind settle in my bones, and my mind just took a cab to the airport.

It’s a little late (and for us humans, a little expensive) to fly south for the winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. And if you could hop on a flight to anywhere, where would you go? The standard Mexico-Dominican Republic-Florida loop? Europe? Or maybe somewhere a little bit more creative? Somewhere like the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Keep in mind that I didn’t choose these wonders. These wonders are so official that they even have their own website (http://sevennaturalwonders.org/the-original, if you want to check it out). But I have to agree with the choices. It’s hard to narrow down all of nature’s beauty to only seven spots, but these guys did a pretty good job. So, without further ado, here are the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and a few spiels on why they’re so, err…wonderful:

1. Aurora Borealis

Also known as the Northern Lights. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was supernatural activity. A bright glow of lights streaks and “dances” across the sky. Really, they’re caused by the emission of energy when atoms fall from an excited state back down to the ground state. (The color depends on the element, and that’s why different colors are prevalent at different altitudes.) The process also has to do with solar winds and Earth’s magnetic field, which cause the colliding particles to be there in the first place. But whether or not you care why the lights come to be, they’re quite the sight to behold. Best time to see the lights? March to April and September to October.

2. Great Barrier Reef

The largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is so big you can see it from space. It’s over 1,600 miles long, consists of about 900 islands, and houses 2,900 individual reefs. Your best bet to check it out is to snorkel or scuba dive, but if you prefer not to get wet (and don’t care about the fuel you’re wasting…), helicopter and boat tours are also available. Unfortunately, however, the Great Barrier Reef faces great threats, including coral bleaching, pollution, and crown of thorns starfish, which prey on coral polyps. So if you want to experience the Great Barrier Reef, either do it fast or support efforts to save it.

3. Grand Canyon

An American hallmark, the Grand Canyon is a giant gorge located in the state of Arizona. Stripped with red and purple ridges, the canyon is over one mile deep, and its width ranges from four to eighteen miles. Casual tourists can take in the sight from one of several vistas in the Grand Canyon National Park. The more adventurous can hike through the canyon (either by foot or by mule) or even white water raft through it.

 4. Paricutin

One of the more obscure wonders of the list, Paricutin is a dormant cinder cone volcano located in Michoacán, Mexico. What’s so wonderful? Humans witnessed its birth. Paricutin plopped up on a cornfield in 1943, reaching five stories tall in just a week. It’s also the youngest volcano in North America. Visitors can take a horseback ride up to the top of the volcano, and along the way, soak up sights of lava fields, buried village homes, and a church.

 5. Victoria Falls

If you’re itching for a trip to somewhere unusual, head over to the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and check out Victoria Falls. Crowned the largest waterfall in the world, based on height and width, Victoria Falls was named by Scottish explorer David Livingstone and relies on the Zambezi River as its water source. The Falls can be accessed from both Zambia and Zimbabwe, with both spots offering a slightly different experience. And here’s a nice piece of news for adrenaline-junkies: microlite (kind of like a two-person hang glider) tours are one of the best ways to access the area. Those wishing for a less invigorating/terrifying experience can see the falls by walking along a foot path nearby.

6. Mount Everest

The tallest (and probably most famous) mountain in the world is available for your viewing experience. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be an expert climber to access the mountain (if you do want to climb to the upper base, fork over $25,000 for a climbing permit). Guided flights around the mountain are available to all, and rookie hikers can take a trek to the base of the mountain.

 7. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is an awe-inspiring travel experience in and of itself. But to get the most from a Rio de Janeiro trip, tourists should head over to the harbor. Framed by granite monolith mountains, including famed Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Harbor was created by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. The spot is perfect for beach bums; one of the best ways to soak up the experience is to soak up the sun on the white sand beach. If you’re not interested in beach volleyball or lounging around, head up to a lookout on Sugar Loaf Mountain or Corcovado.

Interested in any of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World? Help keep them around. Sign a protection petition sponsored by the Seven Natural Wonders commission itself. (http://sevennaturalwonders.org/) Remember: enjoying what Mother Nature gave us is one of our best incentives to protect her.

Photo Credit 1: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Polarlicht_2.jpg

Photo Credit 2: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:False_Clown_Anemonefish_Great_Barrier_Reef_Australia.jpg

Photo Credit 3: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canyon.jpg

Photo Credit 4: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Paricutin.JPG

Photo Credit 5: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Victoria_Falls_Zambezi.jpg

Photo Credit 6: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Everest_North_Face_toward_Base_Camp_Tibet_Luca_Galuzzi_2006.jpg

Photo Credit 7: wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Rio_de_Janeiro-Urca.jpg