Forgotten wonders of the world

There is plenty to see away from the main tourist trail, says Chris Carter

Machu Picchu
Imagine having Machu Picchu all to yourself
(Image credit: © Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Last week, Japanese tourist Jesse Katayama got what most of us can only dream about – a Unesco World Heritage Site all to himself. He had bought a ticket to visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru in March, before Covid-19 struck, says BBC News. The site was closed before he could use it and due to travel restrictions, Katayama was stranded in the country. Seven months later, culture minister Alejandro Neyra acceded to his special request and the ruins of Machu Picchu were reopened early for him. They are expected to reopen at reduced capacity next month. Katayama was the first to visit and on that day, he had the place all to himself. Normally, the site would be swarming with tourists.

A marvel in Lebanon

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Chris Carter
Wealth Editor, MoneyWeek

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.