Teotihuacan

Long before the Aztecs, Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the world, home to perhaps 100,000 people at its height. The Aztecs, who found it already in ruins, gave it the name it carries today, often translated as the place where the gods were created. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Avenue of the Dead runs for more than two kilometres past the vast Pyramid of the Sun to the Pyramid of the Moon, with temples and palaces along the way. At dawn, hot-air balloon flights drift over the site for an unforgettable view.

The site is about an hour north-east of Mexico City. It sits at high altitude with very little shade, so go early, wear a hat and carry water.