Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (Italy)
Acropolis of Athens (Greece)
Memphis and its Necropolis (Egypt)
Petra (Jordan)
The Great Wall (China)
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (China)
Angkor (Cambodia)
Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza (Mexico)
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Peru)
Natural Sites 170
Laponian Area (Sweden, Norway, Finland)
The Dolomites (Italy)
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago (Vietnam)
Okavango Delta (Botswana)
Namib Sand Sea (Namibia)
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada)
Grand Canyon National Park (USA)
Yellowstone National Park (USA)
Iguazu National Park (Brasil and Argentina)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (USA)
Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia)
Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (UK)
Cultural Landscape of Sintra (Portugal)
Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, (Spain)
Works of Gaudí to Barcelona (Spain)
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay (France)
Palace and Park of Versailles (France)
The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes (France)
Venice and its Lagoon (Italy)
Historic Centre of Florence (Italy)
Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria)
Palaces and Parks of Potsdam (Germany)
Historic Centre of Prague (Czechia)
Historic Centre of Kraków (Poland)
Medina of Marrakesh (Morocco)
Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
Taj Mahal (India)
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Japan)
Old Havana and its Fortification System (Cuba)
top Dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, the elegant Parthenon features 8 columns on the short sides and 17 on the long sides. The frieze was created by the sculptor Phidias (today, the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum each have a portion of it).
bottom On the southern slope of the Acropolis, the Odeon is a small theater from the 2nd century built by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife Regilla. It's still used for concerts, especially in the summer.
FOCUS
In depth
TheAcropolisasweseeittodaydatestothe5th century BCE, but its history is much older than that. Inhabited during prehistory, it was fortified in the late Bronze Age (Mycenaean Greece). However, it only gained its religious character in the 8th century BCE, when the cult of Athena Polias was established. Its fortification walls are over 3,300 years old and its most important monuments, from the Parthenon to the Erechtheion, from the Propylaea to the temple of Athena Nike, were built under the guidance of Pericles and the creative genius of Phidias, Ictinus and Callicrates. The Venetians seized and attacked it in the 17th century, but Lord Elgin did the most damage in the 19th century, stealing marble sculptures for the British Museum in London. Known as the Elgin Marbles, their return is still the subject of international debate today.
The Acropolis Museum
At the feet of the Parthenon, the museum designed by Bernard Tschumi and Michael Photiadis is full of natural light. It houses the treasures which once were on the sacred hill, protecting them from the elements. Its collection ranges from the 2nd millennium BCE to Roman times. However, the star artifacts date to the 5th century BCE: from the caryatids to the 525-foot-long (160 m) frieze on the third floor, which comes from the Parthenon but isn't complete: it’s missing the pieces now at the British Museum in London. The glass floor lets you admire the archaeological excavations underfoot, and, from the floor-to-ceiling windows, also found at the restaurant, you can see the Acropolis. However, the entry tickets to the two sites cannot be combined.
left Larger than the Treasury, the Monastery (Ed-Deir), gets its name from the crosses sculpted within. It’s on the opposite side of the site from the main entrance, almost hidden among the barren rocky hills.
right Built over 2,000 years ago, the Theater of Petra was originally surrounded by tombs and caverns. The orchestra pit was dug into the rock and the theater could hold 3,000 spectators, which would become almost 8,000 in Roman times.
FOCUS
DON’T MISS
• The Monastery (Ed-Deir): built between the late 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE, it's one of the largest and most impressive monuments in Petra.
• The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): it appears at the end of the canyon, but the best view is from above. Take the trail that, after the Royal Tombs, heads up the mountain, then walk about a quarter mile (1 km). It’s worth it!
• The Theater: carved into the rock by the Nabateans and expanded by the Romans, it could hold 4,000 people.
• The Royal Tombs: just past the Theater, they include the Urn Tomb (the most characteristic), the Silk Tomb with its pink, white and yellow veins, the Corinthian Tomb, the sumptuous Palace Tomb and, less visited, the Sextius Florentinus Tomb.
• The Colonnaded Street: created by the Nabateans and expanded by the Romans, it was the city's main road.
In depth
Located between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea, Petra was inhabited even in prehistory. However, it owes its splendor to the Nabateans, the Arab tribe which built this incredible city in the 1st century BCE. In the Hellenistic and Roman eras, it became a caravan center on the incense, silk and spice routes, but due to natural disasters (and the subsequent collapse of trade), it was abandoned around the 8th century CE. Carved into the walls of sandstone canyons, giving it the nickname of the Red City, the cavities actually remained inhabited for a long time by Bedouin families. Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt was the first European to step foot on the site in 1812, after 500 years, bringing its beauty to the international stage. In 1993, the area was declared a National Archaeological Park by Jordan.
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The section in Jinshanling is one of the most impressive along the entire Great Wall of China. The Great Wall, which extends for over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) extends between the provinces of Hebei and Gansu, was built at different times starting from the 3rd century BCE.
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China
1987 cultural varies, depending on the sections you want to see (see text) from spring to fall (March-October), some sections are closed in winter
The largest engineering feat in the history of mankind. Visible even from outer space. Built in different phases over the centuries, from the 3rd century BCE under Qin Shi Huang, to the rulers of the Ming Dynasty, who transformed it into the largest military structure in the world: the Great Wall of China is an undulating line extending over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) from east to west, from Hebei province to Gansu province, almost reaching far-way Beijing. Though it’s undeniably colossal, it’s more than just a big wall, as fortresses, watchtowers, horse trails and barracks dot its path. Given its size, the first thing to do is choose where to depart from and which portions of the monument to visit. Some of the more popular and better restored portions are Badaling, divided into the north and south part, which, due to its proximity to the capital (40 mi / 70 km), is constantly swarmed with tourists. You can get there by train, bus, taxi, or as part of a tour organized by a local agency, all without spending too much, though you’ll run the risk that the driver doesn't speak English (which is true of all means of public transportation).
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DON’T MISS
• Angkor Wat: surrounded by a moat, it measures 1 mile by 0.8 miles (1.5 x 1.3 km) and it embodies all the dictates of sacred Cambodian architecture, temple-mountain and gallery temple.
• Other highlights: after Angkor Wat, the most imposing temples are Bayon, Phnom Bakheng, the Baphuon, Banteay Srei and Preah Khan. Ta Prohm is also stunning, covered in the roots of Ficus trees which have grown along the temple wall.
• Hot air balloon ride: in Siem Reap, you can book a hot air balloon ride, admiring the archaeological site from above, at sunset and sunrise, when the light is magical.
• National Museum of Angkor: also in Siem Reap, this museum is a deep dive into the history and cultural importance of Angkor, complete with archaeological finds and multimedia exhibits.
• Banteay Srei: also known as the “women’s citadel” due to the numerous carvings of celestial devatas found in the temple.
In depth
The Khmer Empire ruled this part of southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries, extending its influence up to modern-day Laos, southern Vietnam and Thailand. The Angkor area was hometothecapitals, from thatfounded in thelate9th centurybyKingJayavarmanIItoAngkor Thom, built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. Centuries of struggles with the rival powers of Siam (Thailand) and the region of Indochina known as Annam, would lead to the eventual abandonment of Angkor and its sacred buildings. Their architecture is meant to imitate a temple-mountain (inspired by Mount Meru, which in Hindu mythology is the center of the universe) and gallery temples, with galleries and colonnades arranged around central courtyards.
left There are four monumental entrances to the Angkor monument (the one pictured here is the South
Gate), surrounded by the thick vegetation which has grown around the moat.
right In Angkor, the Temple of Bayón has a number of domes whose stone has been carved into the likenesses of a few Khmer kings.
United Kingdom
1995 cultural
2 days, but with more time you can visit more of the Scottish capital late spring, summer, and early fall
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OLD AND NEW TOWNS OF EDINBURGH
The former has been there for centuries, perched on a hill, with a large castle and the Gothic spires of its church peeking through the clouds. The other extends at its feet in the north part of the city, built from the 18th century onwards, heavily influencing urban planning in Europe with its orderly, regular appearance. The Old Town (medieval) and the New Town (Georgian in style) are the two souls of Edinburgh: both have been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. They are connected by the North Bridge, the road bridge and street over the railway of historical Waverly Station, and by the Mound, the man-made slope created to link the two cities. Covered by grassy lawns and trees and crossed by a busy street, the Mound is also home to important institutions, such as the Royal Scottish Academy, with shows and collections of Scottish art and architecture from the last 200 years, to the Museum on the Mound within the headquarters of the Bank of Scotland. Like most local museums, it's free to visit, and it has a collection of precious coins, including the country's oldest banknote. For a well-planned tour of the Old and New Towns, which can be easily covered on foot given their size, it's best to divide your itinerary in two.
MONT-SAINT-MICHEL AND ITS BAY
It seems to float on the surface of the ocean, perched on a pointed cliff surrounded by sand and water. One of the three most-visited places in France, the Benedictine abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is a Gothic wonder on the border between Normandy and Brittany, a miniature world which defies gravity, closely connected to the bay that surrounds it. Indeed, the powerful tides have made it possible for this church, dedicated to the archangel Michael, to stand up to the attempted invasions of the English over the centuries. As the water ebbs and flows “at the speed of a galloping horse” (according to a local saying), the church, its tall spires and the Tudor-style hamlet gathered at its feet are either connected to or isolated from the mainland.
The first glimpse of the monument comes from afar: the paid parking lot 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the monument is the departure point for shuttles (free), maringottes pulled by horses, and trails that reach the foot of the abbey in about 50 minutes. If you don’t want to drive, Mont-Saint-Michel can be reached by train (the Pontorson station is connected by minibuses) or by bus, arriving from multiple French cities. Athletic types can get there by bicycle, along the Véloscénie route, a 280-mile itinerary (450 km) that connects Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel, plus the Vélomaritime route along the shore, heading all the way to the bridge that connects the monument to the mainland.
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France
1979 cultural half-day to two days April-October, though it gets very crowded in summer. Avoid holidays and weekends
THE LOIRE VALLEY BETWEEN SULLY-SUR-LOIRE AND CHALONNES
Meadows, stones, vineyards and, most importantly, water: a liquid ribbon which crosses plains and cities, woods and tiny villages, the motor of meaningful interaction between man and the environment for 2,000 years. From Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire, the 175 miles (280 km) of the UNESCO-protected course of the Loire river compose a real-life painting of old towns, Romanesque abbeys, gardens and castles to be visited at a leisurely pace. The most important castles here, about 20 of them, are the bequests of kings and nobles who, enthralled by the beauty of this slice of France not far from Paris, chose it for royal residences and country estates, tapping into the talent of Europe's greatest architects and garden designers. It’s hard to see it all in one trip, so first-timers are advised to start from the masterpieces, heading from east to west along the banks of the river and admiring the scenery at every curve.
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France 2000 cultural one week, including quick city visits spring and fall; peak tourism season is in summer
HISTORIC CENTER OF CRACOVIA
You can get around mainly on foot, via the network of pedestrian roads, or with the next-gen trams that connect the different neighborhoods of the city. It isn't big, but it's densely packed with wonders. Composed of three different sections (the medieval city, the complex perched on Wawel hill, and the town of Kazimierz with the Stradom suburb), the old town of Kraków is one of the most beautiful in Europe. As UNESCO describes it, “one of the most outstanding examples of European urban planning, characterized by the harmonious development and accumulation of features representing all architectural styles from the early Romanesque to the Modernist periods.” To explore the city, just about everyone starts in Rynek Główny, the largest medieval square in Europe. Here you’ll also find Saint Mary's Basilica: don't miss its 15th-century altarpiece by Veit Stoss (the largest Gothic altarpiece ever made) and the shop-lined road under the arches of the Cloth Hall. It’s worth stopping here to buy farm-fresh cheese, Carpathian embroidered textiles and Baltic amber jewelry (the best retailer is Mikolajczyki Amber).
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Suggested visit length:
Best season to visit:
2 days (if you want to spend more time here, the tourist board’s website features suggestions for 3-4 day itineraries, on your own or with a guide). May-October, when there’s more light and the temperatures are mild
FOCUS
DON’T MISS
• Old Faithful: the most famous of Yellowstone's 500 geysers, its hydrothermal blasts occur every half an hour.
• Lamar and Hayden Valleys: two areas full of wild animals, from bison to moose and wolves to bears.
• Mammoth Hot Springs: where there’s water, there's life. These hot springs have sculpted scenic white terraces into the landscape, a draw for many animals.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: smaller but no less spectacular, it's a “small” version of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
• Grand Prismatic Spring: the largest hot spring in the park, located in the Midway Geyser Basin.
In depth
Yellowstone is the result of a powerful volcanic eruption which occurred about 600,000 years ago. It shaped this plateau covered in hot springs, geysers, and other geothermal features, where the water bubbles up at almost 400°F (200°C). American Indians have lived on this land for at least 11,000 years, and they were the ones to name the waterway which crosses it Yellowstone (“Mi tse a-da-zi,” meaning Yellow Rock River), leaving traces of sulfur on the rocks. The first explorers arrived in the 19th century, one of whom was geologist Ferdinand Hayden. He was the one who convinced US Congress to preserve this extraordinary corner of the American West. In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Act of Dedication which proclaimed Yellowstone a national park, the first in history.
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THE AUTHOR
Born in Milan, ELENA LURAGHI holds a degree in architecture from Politecnico di Milano - Città Studi. A freelancer who is passionate about journeys and trends, she works as a professional journalist specializing in travel and lifestyle.
Luraghi is a contributor to important Italian media outlets and newspapers (and sometimes magazines published abroad), and she has acted as the director of an in-flight magazine. With numerous prizes to her name, including those from ADUTEI, the Belgian Tourism Office of Wallonia, the Israeli Tourism Office, the Malta Tourism Press Awards and Visit USA Italy/U.S. Commercial Service (Best US Travel Writer), Luraghi has authored several travel books published by White Star and National Geographic.
Project manager and editorial director CONSULTING D&D
Editorial assistant GIORGIO FERRERO
Graphic Design PAOLA PIACCO
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