June 29, 2007

World

Theirs Goes to Nine

By Mark Jolly

It could take a lifetime to see the Wonders of the World — or three weeks by private jet.

With its July 6 deadline approaching, voting for “the new seven wonders of the world” has fast become a global fixation — fueled by nationalist pride. With a reported 70 million online votes already cast — mostly from Asia and Latin America — the earth’s largest high-school popularity contest is once again pitting the Great Wall against Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. Understandably, the Egyptians have thrown a tantrum — that any compendium of wonders that excludes the Great Pyramids of Giza is no compendium at all. And so when the winners are revealed on July 7, a total of eight wonders will now be announced.

Abercrombie & Kent, of course, have gone one better. We hear whispers that places are running out on their Nine World Wonders by Private Jet. The 24-day, globe-hopping culture fest departs Miami (not one of A&K’s nine wonders) on January 13, and assembles their standard mix of veteran guides and top-tier lodgings (Four Seasons, Swissotel, Raffles and the like). Along the way, you’ll be hitting Easter Island, Angkor Wat and Petra. And from the comfort of a private 757-200 (limited to just 50 passengers), you’ll have plenty of time to squabble over the wonders that didn’t make the cut. Tickets cost $77,750.