18'th April is World Heritage Day. It is an observation meant to create awareness about humankind’s shared wealth and to preserve it. Cultural programs, exhibitions, publications, talks by experts, and media reports mark this occasion. Twitter also got into the act, told us about all the many, many wonderful places that there are in the world to visit and gave us all some serious new travel goals with the hashtag #WorldHeritageDay.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was built by Emperor Ashok in the 3rd century BC. It is staggering that this – one of the oldest stone-structures in India – is well over two millennia old!
Close to Ahmedabad in Gujarat lies the Adalaj Vaav or step well (Rudabai stepwell). A magnificent example of folk architecture, this 15th-century structure goes several storeys below the ground with arches and carvings and steps leading down to the central reservoir.
Khajuraho Temple, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, CST in Mumbai, Hampi, the rock shelters of Bhimbetka, Jantar Mantar, Taj Mahal, the hill forts of Rajasthan, Ahmedabad, the Qutub Minar…there is a bewildering array of cultural options in India. Kaziranga in Assam, the Sundarbans in West Bengal, the Western Ghats and national parks in the Himalayas are some natural heritage sites in India, which comes in at No 6 on the list of countries with the most heritage sites.
The small European country of Italy is rich not only in history and architecture but natural splendors too; it is the country with the most UNESCO heritage sites: 53! Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Pompeii, Palermo… the list of places I want to visit in Italy is a very long one!
China has the second-highest number of world heritage sites such as the Great Wall, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Mount Huangshan, Mount Emei, the Ancient city of Ping Yao, the ancient villages, the Summer Palace and so many more.
France is on every travelers' bucket list, not just because Paris is one of the most romantic or fashionable cities in the world, but because of overall appeal. It also has ancient abbeys, roman monuments, cathedrals, historical cities, ancient fortifications, palaces, prehistoric caves and so much more. Just one more reminder of why the country remains No. 1 on my list of countries to visit.
Germany boasts the ancient frontiers of the Roman Empire, medieval structures, historic cities, memorials, the Messel Pit fossil site, monasteries, the museum island, prehistoric pile dwellings, primeval forests and so much more.
Per-Hispanic and Hispanic settlements, natural wonders, rock paintings, whale sanctuary, historic centers and monuments; Mexico has them all!
The prehistoric Stonehenge, medieval castles and towns, the city of Bath, the coastline, the Lake District, Tower of London… the list goes on.
Wanderlust stirs anew and the heart once again longs to explore new corners of the globe, visit old spots again and enrich the soul – which travel does like nothing else!
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