Quite Possibly, the Best Travel Book Ever.

It isn’t even really a travel book.  It speaks to you of places mystical and remote,  down-to-earth and close by,  generally unheard of and immensely famous.

Monestary of the Hieronymites, Lisbon

It won’t give you directions, instructions, hours of admissions, nearby accommodations or the best local restaurants.   It will only give you dreams for future travel, and moments of delight when you discover you have already been to many of these places.  And the photographs……divine.

A pile of rocks?  No, one of the three pyramids at Giza.  From afar, they look perfect and smooth.

To top it off, it isn’t for everyone.  Some of you may travel for a specific purpose, such as scuba diving,  museum-hopping, or even shopping.   This is for those of you who see or hear about a place that makes you want to jump on the next plane and immerse yourself in the gloriousness of….whatever.

Three words describe Monticello:  Fascinating.   Gorgeous.  Fascinating.  A true national treasure.

It is, my friends, simply titled “World Heritage Sites” and is published  by UNESCO Publishing.  The book is organized by date of acceptance by this United Nations Organization and each site was chosen for one or more criteria:  the Galapagos Islands, the first entry, is honored for Natural Phenomenon or Beauty; Major Stages of Earth’s History;  Significant Ecological or Biological Processes and Significant Natural Habitat for Biodiversity.  That first year, the other sites were both urban and remote and came from the USA, Senegal, Poland, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Germany, and Canada.  Now, there are UNESCO sites in over 150 nations.  

Restorations in the Jewish Ghetto,  Historic Centre of Rome

Sometimes, a specific place is designated, and sometimes a region or several examples of a specific thing.  For example, in England,  both Stonehenge and Avebury, which are miles apart, are listed together.  Avebury is similar to Stonehenge but more accessible to visitors-there is even a small village on-site.  Other examples are “Venice and its Lagoon,” and “Old Village of Holloko and its Surroundings”  (Hungary).

A detail in an alley of the Old Town section of Tallin, Estonia

This is really a book for dreamers.  With 936 listed sites and more coming every year,  it would really be nearly impossible to visit all without unlimited time and budget,  but  each place would not necessarily appeal to everyone.   The book has over 800 pages but I decided to slog through it and note every one I had been to, and happily found about 50.  One is in my own backyard, and was a somewhat early entry,  and looking at my list I realized that each of these places had been a highlight of my days of wandering.  I was unaware, when I visited most of them, that they were so designated.

At first sight, this looks like....nothing much.  However I took this photo from the western wall of Masada, at the point where the Romans breached the walls of the city after months of siege and building a ramp over a spur of rock to gain entrance.  Imaging watching from above as, day by day, the Romans came closer and closer to the Jewish refugees.

 If you seek an understanding of the world, both cultural and physical,  this is a must-have book to keep on your bedside table.   Their website is pretty good too!

And now for my commercial:   I am hosting a group on a cruise of wonderful ports both large and small between  Rio and Buenos Aires in January.  If you would like to join me, our gift will be a  tour  of Montevideo followed by a visit to a  special winery  outside of the city,  with a relaxing lunch with new friends included.  888-857-7379 or anne@specialtycruise.com