World's top 10 must-see sights

Many British travellers are finding a visit to some of the globe's best known landmarks a disappointing experience, a survey finds today.

On the flipside, the research from Virgin Travel Insurance also highlights some of the places that are considered must-sees.

So if you do not want to be let down by a visit to the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty, then these are the attractions the experts believe will live up to their reputation.

1 - The Treasury at Petra, Jordan
Recently voted one of the new seven wonders of the world, Petra is an ancient hidden city that has been carved out of stone, only accessible through a tall, narrow passage over a kilometre long. One of the first things holidaymakers see as they approach the city is the Treasury - the huge architectural masterpiece among the city's many limestone carved buildings.

2 - The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy
Visiting Venice can feel like stepping into a painting, and nowhere is this more apparent than the first sight of the city's central thoroughfare - the Grand Canal. Water taxis, gondolas and speed boats all cruise by the palazzos, churches and hotels that line the great waterway.

3 - The Masai Mara, south-west Kenya
Kenya's Masai Mara is one of the world's top safari destinations, and is home to the big five (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and cheetah species. Known for its welcoming indigenous people and some astonishing natural scenery, it is also difficult to beat as a place to watch the sun rise or set.

4 - The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia
Getting a bird's eye view over the city you are visiting is a must for holidaymakers who are not afraid of heights. One of the most amazing structures to do this from is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where adventurous travellers willing to climb to the 134-metre high top girder are rewarded by views over the Sydney Opera House, the skyscrapers and green spaces of the city beyond it.

5 - Taroko Gorge, Taiwan
Taiwan's Taroko Gorge is great for a walking holiday in south-east Asia. Used as the backdrop in martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the waterfalls, snaking tunnels and caves of this national park make it Taiwan's ultimate active holiday destination.

Also in the top ten

• Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia
  
• Cappadoccia caves, Turkey
  
• Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia
  
• Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia
  
• Jungfraujoch mountain railway, Switzerland