There are over 1100 world heritage sites across the globe with over 30 in the UK alone. Italy is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites with 48 which considering its size is some feet. From Mount Etna to Venice and its lagoon there are plenty of great places to visit in Italy but sadly none of them feature on our list of 5 incredible world heritage sites.
5 of the best sights in the world
Great Wall of China
Of all the amazing achievements of ancient civilisations, the building of the Great Wall of China must be right up there. It is over 13,000 miles long, yes that’s right THIRTEEN THOUSAND MILES! And took about 200 years to build (the Ming Dynasty part – it is likely that parts were built and rebuilt over a much longer period). There are lots of sections to visit although a popular choice for tourists is Badaling which is the easiest for international visitors to get to as it is just 40 miles north of Beijing. You could walk it but bear in mind it took “Stephen Robert Loken of Norway 601 days hiking the entire Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall, which spans approximately 3,728 miles.
Machu Picchu
Found on the Eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru, the famed Machu Picchu must be the most amazing feet of construction by the Incan Empire. The 200 structures (approximate) making up this incredible religious, ceremonial, agricultural and astronomical hub are set on a steep ridge, intersected by stone terraces. It is an incredible sight to behold and if you are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to visit you should go for it. It is a busy place nowadays as international travel is much easier so it can get crowded but wow what a sight and amazing how it was built some 575 years ago.
Getting there: Fly to Lima and a short flight to Cusco and then a train, bus or trek to Machu Picchu.
Pyramids of Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza are a testament to the ingenuity of the Egyptian people some 4500 years ago. Often built as tombs for Pharaohs, these incredible structures must have taken some building. The Great Pyramid in Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and what is amazing is the fact that it is still largely intact. A short distance from central Cairo, Giza is easy to get to and there are plenty of tours which will give you time to enjoy the best there is to see in the area.
Petra, Jordan
In the southwestern deserts of Jordan, you will find the amazing Petra. The historic and archaeologically amazing city was originally built by Nabataean nomads who created Petra as a trading hub due to its proximity to their trading routes. Nowadays it is a popular site for visitors from across the globe, drawn by the incredibly beautiful ruins, fabulous clifftop views and the opportunity to sleep under the stars and witness this fabulous place during the night. Fly to Amman the capital of Jordan and head to Petra from there. Tickets from the Petra Visitors Centre are required to enter Petra.
Yellowstone National Park
The monstrous Yellowstone National Park in America spans three states and almost 3,500 square miles. It is mostly in Wyoming but also touches Idaho and Montana and is a hugely popular recreational area with an abundance of wildlife, flora, fauna and stunning scenery wherever you look. Yellowstone National Park is a place for those who love the outdoors. There are hot springs and geysers including Old Faithful, probably the most famous site of Yellowstone. There are lush forests, steep canyons, white water rafting opportunities in alpine rivers and much more. The wildlife is diverse with all sorts of animals making their home here, the biggest of which are bison, bears, wolves, elk and antelope. Where you fly into will depend on where you plan to visit.
There are so many places which could have been included, our very own Stonehenge, The Colosseum in Rome, Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Taj Mahal in India…the list goes on and on.