The top ten landmarks in the world are those landmarks that come to mind when you think of any given country. They're the landmarks on postcards and t-shirts, the iconic places and buildings which we associate with holidays to foreign lands.

If you're thinking of visiting any of these landmarks this year, you'll need to take out some multi trip travel insurance. You'll also need a camera to take plenty of photos of these exciting destinations.

Statue of Liberty, USA

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States from France to celebrate the friendship between the two nations during the American Revolution. Positioned on Liberty Island in New Harbour, she overlooks the water and is therefore the first monument that immigrants and returning Americans see when travelling to the US by ship. Said to symbolise freedom from tyranny and oppression, the Statue of Liberty is the landmark that most people associate with the USA.

Sphinx, Egypt

The Sphinx is close to the Giza Pyramids and is officially the largest monolith statue in the world. It's also a landmark steeped in mystery as no accounts have survived to explain its purpose or even on whom its face was modelled. There are however, lots of theories surrounding both of these conundrums. Some experts date the sphinx back to the sixth or fifth millennia BC. Regardless as to the enigmatic nature of the Sphinx it is a majestic sight and a tourist's dream.

Big Ben, England

Big Ben is the nickname for The Great Bell. The Great Bell is the clock tower on the Houses of Parliament. The clock first ticked in 1859. Interestingly, changes in ground conditions such as the creation of the Jubilee tube line under the area have caused Big Ben to lean a little to the north west.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum which was built in memory of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Following her death, the court chroniclers documented just how inconsolable the Emperor was. Eventually he built the Taj Mahal which took 22 years to complete in his late-wife's honour so that she would have a suitably elegant place in which to rest.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is an architectural treasure, designed and built by Jørn Utzon a prize winning Danish architect. The complex includes an Opera theatre, Drama theatre, Concert hall, Playhouse and studio, together with a few restaurants.

The Great Wall of China, China

The Great Wall of China is formed of stone and earth and was first built to help deflect Ziongnu attacks against the Chinese Empire. More than a few walls have carried the name of The Great Wall in China since the 5th century BC. Officially the Great Wall starts in the Shanhaiguan area in the east of China and stretches through to Lop Nur in the west. If you plan to travel to China, it is important that you double check the countries covered by your multi trip travel insurance as many policies will exclude all but the most common tourist destinations.

Niagra Falls, USA

These natural wonders pull over 29 million tourists a year, mainly in the summer months. They have been the scene of many stunts throughout the ages, most notably involving people going over the falls in barrels, an act most definitely precluded from even the most comprehensive of multi trip travel insurance policies! Such stunts have since been made illegal by both the American and Canadian authorities but the sight of the falls is spectacle enough.

Red Square, Russia

Red Square is home to The Kremlin and has been used for centuries by the Russian government to host events. The history and politics of the area are fascinating and draw millions of visitors every year. Once again, do check that your multi trip travel insurance will cover Russia. Sights here extend far beyond Red Square and the Kremlin, with modern day Moscow being a city of stark contrasts, with a vibrant night life and endless sights to explore.

Acropolis, Athens

Originally an early bronze age settlement, the Acropolis which is a raised rock crowned with a city is famous for the Parthenon and other ancient Greek buildings upon it. From the early settlements to the dark ages, relatively little is known but by around 490 BC an early version of the Parthenon had been built, subsequently replaced with the version that we see today.