Top 5 UNESCO Sites On My Bucket List
Bucket lists are a great way to visualize our hopes, dreams and goals by organizing all the experiences we hope to enjoy during our lifetime. Just as we make lists of everything we need to do daily, it’s equally important to make lists of everything we want to accomplish. For me, travel is top, right and center of my bucket list. I love to travel and experience new cultures. Travel feeds my soul. As with all the lists we make, our bucket lists change too. We move, change jobs, get married, life just changes. I know I am constantly adding new interests and discovering new places I want to see and explore. As my list grows so does the overwhelming feeling of urgency to hurry up and see them. So I decided to make a short bucket list of historically significant destinations. Below is my list of top, wonderful UNESCO destinations.Why Visit UNESCO World Heritage
When I hear UNESCO, I get excited! Researching them has turned into one of my recent obsessions. I love exploring ruins and hearing all the local stories. If you love to learn and immerse yourself in the history of your destination, you are guaranteed a wonderful vacation. UNESCO locations are captivating and have thought provoking stories to tell. Exciting! Also, I am also a tour junkie and most UNESCO sites offer tours. My favorite way to discover new locations is by walking but starting with a general overview via tour is the best way to route out your day and get in as many sights as possible. So without further adieu, we will start with a city relatively unknown until seven years ago…1. The Old City of Dubrovnik , Croatia
Game of Thrones, anyone? We can all thank the popularity of HBO’s Game of Thrones for bringing this city to the forefront. This beauty, dubbed the ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’ is definitely at the top of my list. Here’s a hint, my tickets are already booked for April 2019 so stayed tuned.
Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia) © UNESCO Francesco Bandarin
2. Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Walking through one of the best preserved Greek cities is a definite bucket list destination. Just imagine walking through this city ruins with buildings built over 3300 years ago. It seriously gives me chills.
Acropolis, Athens (Greece) © UNESCO Francesco Bandarin
3. Historic Centre of Florence, Italy
Surrounded by walls dating back to the 14th century, Florence is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Europe. I could walk and photograph this city forever. Surrounded by the Tuscan hills, this destination could actually serve as two locations.
Historic Centre of Florence (Italy) © Francesco Bandarin
4. Ephesus, Turkey
The close proximity of Ephesus to one of the seven historical wonders of the World, The Temple of Artemis, comes in a strong fourth. Built by the Greeks around 550 BC, Ephesus is a marvel with a theater built to hold 25,000 spectators. Weighing in at only half the size of the famous Roman Colosseum, Ephesus is also 600 years older.
Great theatre © General Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Museums Umut Özdemir
5. Old City of Salamanca, Spain
Dating back to the Celtic area, Salamanca is full of history and captivating architecture. Nick named La Dorata, meaning the Golden One, for it’s sandstone buildings that glow in the sun. Oh, the pictures I can take in Salamanca. Hopefully, next year!
Old City of Salamanca (Spain) © UNESCO Yvon Fruneau
