Top 10 unesco world heritage sites

As an artist and photographer I have always been drawn to historical and cultural places and the importance. Although at times it can seem like we are all too helpless against political turmoil, ignorance and the looming threat of climate change, Unesco World Heritage Sites identify and preserve the natural and cultural heritage that has shaped the development of humankind. My project to photograph Unesco World Heritage Sites began almost two decades ago. I was living in I decided we would head down to South America on a Shoestring, plotted and planned, and we hopped on a bus. It took us days of traveling, but when the morning finally came, I roused a sweet, sleepy-faced little girl at 4am so we could be the first to arrive at Machu Picchu. As a woman traveling alone with a small child, with tight funds and limited internet, making that trip happen was not easy. But as the sun rose over Machu Picchu and I thought of the generations of humans who had witnessed the same view and felt the same emotions, I knew I had to share the experience with as many people as possible. After nearly two decades of documenting over 70 Unesco World Heritage Sites, these are the ones that have had a deep impact on me. Amanda says Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the first Unesco World Heritage Site she ever visited © Amanda McCadams Great Smoky Mountains National Park This World Heritage site holds a special place in my heart because, at the impressionable age of nine, it was the first ...

Tokaj Wine Region, Hungary For a little-known UNESCO site, I'd pick the Tokaj Wine Region in Hungary. It's not all about the super sweet dessert wines any longer, even though this is what it's known for. It's more about visiting authentic little villages, meeting vintners and exploring their wines and meeting local craftspeople who are keeping the traditional arts alive. It's an area that doesn't get enough press in the US and now it has the hotels and infrastructure to make it work for a variety of travelers. — Lake Turkana National Parks, Kenya We recently launched our Roar Explorer's Heli Safari program – a once-in-a-lifetime, adrenalin-fueled, highly specialized travel experience. Traveling in super high-end H130 helicopters (audited by the British Army), our clients are taken to those inaccessible and remote miracles of nature that very few people on the planet know about, let alone experience. On one of these helicopter trips I took last year, we visited Lake Turkana, the world's largest inland desert lake and the most saline of Africa's large lakes. Our journey of Lake Turkana National Parks continued by soaring over ancient cycad forests on Kenya's Northern Frontier District and touched down on the lip of the Silale Crater in Kenya's Pokot Land. A memory I recall almost every single day, is flying over thousands of pink flamingos on the shores of Lake Logipi and marveling at the exquisite patterns they make as they wade through the dense spirulina that covers the l...

A treasure trove of history, culture, and natural wonders, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Sites strive to protect the truly magnificent wonders of our planet. More than 850 sites are honored with this designation and the belief that they “belong to all the peoples of the world.” The Great Barrier Reef, filled with millions of exotic and rare species of marine life, belongs to all — as well as the proud Statue of Liberty, which has welcomed innumerable new citizens at the gateway to New York City. With such treasures belonging to everyone, it’s time to begin exploring! Consider Road Scholar’s list of our 10 favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites before embarking on your own journey, and create your own personal list of favorites. Moreover, you can What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ? You might have noticed certain areas designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site when traveling. But what is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ? UNESCO encourages the protection and preservation of natural and cultural heritage attractions that embody our legacy of the past and what we plan to pass on to generations in the future. UNESCO Heritage Sites are found across the globe and are protected by an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage , which UNESCO adopted in 1972. UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be attractions or areas that have some significance, whether cultural,...

The most famous landmark is the Grand Mosque or mezquita in Spanish. In 784 A.D., when Spain was under Islamic rule, the big mosque was constructed. After the conquest by the Catholic Kings, a Roman Catholic cathedral was built in and around the mosque in the 13th century. The result is an incredible assembly of Moorish columns, arches, ornaments and carvings sitting side by side with the Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance elements of the cathedral. Cross the river Guadalquivir, which flows through Córdoba walking over the majestic Roman Bridge and visit the Alcazar of the Christian monarchs, a medieval fortress built in 1328 with beautiful gardens and elements of the typical Mudejar architecture of the south of Spain. For many centuries, Moors, Christians, and Jews coexisted and prospered peacefully in Córdoba, and the winding streets and big synagogue of the Jewish quarter bear witness to these times. Other historical and cultural highlights are the rather gruesome Museum of the Inquisition and the exquisite Museum of Art on Leather, which documents the ancient Arabic art of embossing leather. Córdoba is also the city of the flower patios with an annual festival and competition for the most colorful and lavish arrangements. Web Located around 90 miles southeast of Madrid, Cuenca is a prime example of a well-preserved medieval fortress town. The city is surrounded on three sides by deep gorges formed by two rivers. Built by the Moors, it became a royal city after the Cathol...

16.1K UNESCO World Heritage Sites were created to celebrate and safeguard the best and most unique places around the world. Each of these cultural, historic, and natural treasures make our world a more interesting and enriching place. But which are the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Read on to find out! Today, there are over 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across 167 countries. I perused this UNESCO list to come up with the 28 best and most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit in 2021. Without further ado, let’s get to it! 1. Taj Mahal, India Looking to visit one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Prepare to be amazed by the Taj Mahal in India. Constructed in 1643, the Taj Mahal is a dazzling display of Indo-Islamic architecture. This ivory marble structure was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife. Today, it stands proudly and effervescently as one of the How to get there: The Taj Mahal is a 2-3 hour train ride from Delhi. Though a predominantly Hindu country today, India was once ruled by Muslims. As pictured above, four minarets surround the Taj Mahal, which are used for the Muslim Call to Prayer. 2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia Angkor Wat is a 12th-century temple complex that’s one of the most popular world heritage sites. It was originally built as a Hindu temple before later becoming a Buddhist temple. The ruins are camouflaged by trees and other shrubbery, giving it a special aura of mystique. Over 400 acres (162 hectares) in size, An...