UNESCO World Heritage Sites That Should Be on Every Traveller’s Bucket List

I feel that one of the most worthy of expenses is the money spent on travel. Travel is enjoyable, entertaining, enriching, educative and enlightening. Travel is what widens our minds, gives us insight into other cultures and creates priceless memories out. The UNESCO declares some sites as world heritage sites because of their scientific, historical or cultural significance to preserve them in the collective interests of humanity. Here is my pick of must visit sites; some of which I have been lucky enough to visit:

The 15th century citadel of the ancient Incas in the Cusco region of Peru was lost to the outside world until it was ‘discovered’ in 1911. The complex was built in 1450 but abandoned about a hundred years later – a place that is beautiful, mysterious and endlessly fascinating.

Turkey is fascinating because it straddles two continents and is a confluence of east and west; that has been witness to some of the most significant of historical events. The Cappadocia region is unique for cultural, historical and geological reasons; Aktepe "White Hill" near Göreme and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Churches and chapels carved from rock (from the 9th century to the 11th century), some truly unique topography, trekking and hot air ballooning are some of the region's attractions.

Located among the Aures Mountains of Algeria, this is a ruined city that dates back two thousand years. Founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 100 AD, this is one of the best examples of grid Roman town planning.

This temple complex in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world. It was built in Yashodharapura, the capital of the Khmer empire in the 12th century originally as a temple of Lord Vishnu which was later turned into a Buddhist shrine.

Situated just outside the capital city of Seoul, the fortress city of Namhansanseong is 480 m above sea level and looks out at the city below it. It symbolises the sovereignty of Korea and also embodies the influential role of Buddhism in protecting the state. Some of the fortifications date to the 17th century and the perimeter contains many temples.

This is an old neighbourhood in Quebec city, Canada and is also known as the old city. Quaint and colourful, it was founded in 1608 and is among the oldest settlements in North America. The fortified colonial city with cobblestone lanes, churches and historic landmarks is perfectly preserved.

The Portuguese Fortified City of Mazagan was built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century and taken over by the Moroccans in the 18^th century. The cannons and the fortress, the old port, municipal theatre, and the underground cistern chamber are some of the attractions of the city.

The historical city in Southern Jordan was established by as the capital of Nabataea possibly around the 4^th century BC. The stunning rock cut architecture, the carving and the water conduit system are some of the highlights of Jordan's most visited location; described by the UNESCO as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage"

Close to the capital city of Katmandu, this complex of monuments has found squares, temples, the place of the 55 windows, the golden gate and other attractions.

One of the largest rock cut monastery temple cave complexes in the world, the site features Hindu, Buddhist and Jain structures that date back between 600 and 1000 AD. There are over one hundred caves at the site, 34 of which are open to the public.

The entire ancient walled city of Ahmedabad in the West of India was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recently. Some of the original outer wall and many of the gates stand today. Other attractions include the characteristic ‘pol’ homes and communities, the intricate masjids and more.