There are currently 1031 sites that have made the grade onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Yup over a thousand stately homes, monuments, forests, mountains, cities, and iconic sites. I worked out that I’ve seen less than 100. Seems pretty poor compared to the almost never–ending list on their website which include some truly weird and wonderful places.
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation lists the places all over the world that they believe has a special cultural significance or natural importance. To be included in the prestigious list sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet very strict criteria. Being part of this list not only means more tourists, access to funds and a key selling point but also they help restore and preserve sites that could otherwise crumble away into nothing. Apparently Italy has the highest number of world heritage sites with 51 places to discover, followed by China, Spain and France – showing you don’t need to travel far to see some of these wonderful places.
But for us Brits there are many right on our doorstep waiting to be explored. Like, did you know that the city of Liverpool is classed as one? We have 25 UNESCO sites in Great Britain ranging from The Tower of London, Hadrian’s Wall, Stonehenge, the city of Bath and the Giants Causeway.
Some of my UNESCO World Heritage highlights include getting tearful at the Taj Mahal, soaking up the street art in Valparaiso, Chile, feeling in awe at the beauty of Machu Picchu and hunting giants in Belfast with my family.
On my list of places I would love to visit include the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House, the Acropolis in Athens and wander along the Great Wall of China. It’s good to have something to aim for right?
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites have you seen with your own eyes?
