Experiences labelled with 'World Heritage Site'
The first thing you notice upon entering Taos Pueblo—the northernmost of 19 Pueblo Indian tribes in New Mexico—is a peaceful silence. Sitting along a strip of fertile land at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just north of the town of Taos, New Mexico the pueblo (Spanish for “village”) exists in almost the same way as it always has—with no piped running water or electricity. Residents (of which there are about 150 full-timers) live in an interconnected maze of adobe buildings, in rooms with adjoining walls. Around 1,900 other Taos Indians live elsewhere on the surrounding pueblo lands. Divided in two by the Red Willow Creek, the largest structure in the pueblo—a multi-story adobe building—sits on the northern side of Taos Pueblo. It ...
Florence was at the center of the Italian Renaissance, and the city’s Duomo is one of the crowning achievements of that period. Officially known as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Duomo had an incredibly long gestation – it was not consecrated until 1436 even though the first stone was laid in 1296. Its designer Arnolfo di Cambio and subsequent overseer Giotto both died well before the project came to fruition. The Florence Duomo’s proudest feature is its magnificent eight-sided dome – the first of its kind ever to be built without an internal wooden frame or external buttresses. Still the largest brick dome in the world to this day, Filippo Brunelleschi’s design is thought to have been centuries ahead of its ...
One of the most amazing experiences during a journey across the east coast of Australia—is going to Fraser Island. It is a World Heritage site 120 km long and 24 km wide, making it the largest sand island in the world. Its name comes from Eliza Fraser and her husband, Captain James Fraser, who were shipwrecked on the Island in 1836. Fraser Island consists of rain forests, swamps and sand dunes, making it accessible by 4WD only. Although Fraser Island 4WD can be expensive, it’s well worth it if you can afford it. You can get to the Fraser Island via a ferry from Hervey Bay, and upon arrival you will be blown away almost immediately by the scenery. Driving through a small but luscious ...
Deep in the Ituri rainforest in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a small population of a gentle, indigenous animal called “okapi” prevail. The okapi is the only known cousin of the giraffe, with a similar striped pattern on the hind and a deep purplish coat. The curious okapi have resided in the Reserve in the town of Epulu since 1952, when the sanctuary was established to breed the animals. Listed as an endangered species, this world heritage site was created in an effort to conserve the okapi species. Travel to Congo and embark on a trek to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve which sprawls through 13,700 square kilometers of the Ituri Forest. Here, protected from human encroachment, the preserve contains not only 5000 ...
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of preserved mangrove forests, and harbours a remarkable bird and lemur population. This region in Morondava, Madagascar is very unique due to its impressive karstic peaks and limestone needles. When you visit Madagascar, a stop at Tsingy Nature Reserve is a must for eco-tourists. If being listed as a World Heritage Site doesn't do it for you, it's also listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. You’ll need six free days to embark on one of the most memorable journeys of a lifetime, a Tsingy tour. The Tsingy tour is organized for the benefit of your comfort and optimum use of time, and also for the sanctity of the UNESCO ...
Somewhere among the scattered islands near Hiroshima, Japan, lies an island with a sacred treasure. Also known as Miyajima Island (Shrine Island), the island of Itsukushima takes pride in the wonderful combination of mountains and seashore, and is famous for the tranquility of its landscape. Itsukushima also cradles one of the most important shrines in Japanese history and religion: the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. From time immemorial, the ancient Japanese believed Itsukushima to be a holy place, and they dedicated it to the three daughters of the Gods and Goddesses of the sun and the sea, who the Japanese believe created Japan. It is said that from ancient times to the 17th century, Itsukushima had to be kept pure, and for this reason, commoners were refused ...
