UNESCO Adds 33 Fascinating New World Heritage Sites

Have you ever visited a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Chances are, you have, even if you didn't realize it.

Over 1150 landmarks in 160+ countries are World Heritage sites, including Machu Picchu in Peru, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Grand Canyon.

A UN committee selects the landmarks, a coveted honor that tends to boost tourism. Sites reflect either extraordinary natural beauty, remarkable human achievement, or important cultural traditions.

UNESCO began designating World Heritage sites in 1978, and the original list included the Galapagos Islands and Yellowstone National Park. The Palace of Versailles, the Old City of Dubrovnik, and a collection of prehistoric rock drawings in Brescia, Italy were among year two additions.

Frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapels were completed by Giotto in 1305.

The committee met again recently and voted to add twenty-eight cultural sites and five natural sites to the list.

Natural spots include a group of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand, South Korean tidal flats, and rainforests in the country of Georgia.

The cultural landmarks are exceptionally diverse. From an ancient solar observatory in Peru to the Trans-Iranian Railway to 14th-century frescoes in Padua, the list is a treasury of culture and history throughout the ages.

Here are a few new UNESCO landmarks to consider adding to your bucket list:

The Great Spa Towns of Europe

Visitors can view the ancient Roman baths in the city of Bath, England which have been carefully restored.

These eleven towns represent the best-preserved resorts from the golden age of spa tourism in the 18th and 19th centuries. The trend was sparked by a 1717 visit by Russian tsar Peter the Great's visit to the town of Spa in Belgium. Nobles flocked to the healing waters, and spa towns began springing up around Europe.

These towns were carefully planned, featuring excellent architecture and landscape design. In addition to bathhouses, ballrooms, opera houses, casinos, and promenades provided a variety of diversions.

Today, visitors to these towns can enjoy spa treatments along with museums, galleries, fine restaurants, and beautiful outdoor spaces. The eleven World Heritage towns are:

• Baden bei Wien (Austria)

• Spa (Belgium)

• Františkovy Lázně (Czech Republic)

• Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)

• Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic)

• Vichy (France)

• Bad Ems (Germany)

• Baden-Baden (Germany)

• Bad Kissingen (Germany)

• Montecatini Terme (Italy)

• Bath (UK)

When visiting the Great Spa Towns of Europe:

Baden-Baden is a dynamic spa town tucked into Germany's Black Forest

Relax in the thermal baths' curative waters while enjoying modern spa luxuries. Explore the vibrant local culture and beautiful natural settings.

Picturesque Baden-Baden is tucked into the Black Forest's rolling hills, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and other adventure. Striking Belle Époque-era architecture provides a sense of old-world luxury in town, which hosts art exhibitions, music festivals, and a Christmas market.

Eateries range from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional beer gardens. Or, explore the Baden Wine Route in Germany's third-largest wine-growing region.

The Porticoes of Bologna

The Portico di San Luca is the largest in the world.

Porticoes began appearing in Bologna in the Middle Ages, as early as 1041. They began as overhangs to provide a bit of additional living space in the growing university town. Eventually, support columns were built, creating the beautiful arcades the city is famous for.

In 1288, a city ordinance required all new houses to be built with a portico while existing homes were expected to add one. A 16th-century governor amended the decree, requiring all porticoes to be built with stone or bricks.

Today, there are over 24 miles of porticoes in the historic city center alone. The Portico of San Luca is the longest in the city and the world at nearly 2.5 miles.

Things to do when visiting Bologna:

A view of Bologna's main square from Asinelli tower.

Follow the Portico of San Luca's 666 arches to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca. Visit one of the city's enticing food markets, sampling mortadella, tortellini, piadina, and other local delicacies. Purchase vacuum-packed parmigiano to bring home.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the US

There are 24 World Heritage sites in the United States, and an additional 19 under future consideration:

Mission Concepción is one of four historci colonial missions in San Antonio.

Cultural:

• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in southern Illinois

• Chaco Culture in northwestern New Mexico

• Independence Hall in Philadelphia

• La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico

• Mesa Verde National Park

• Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville

• Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point in Louisiana

• San Antonio Missions in southern Texas

• Statue of Liberty

• Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico

• The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

Natural

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park

• Everglades National Park

• Grand Canyon National Park

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

• Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek

• Mammoth Cave National Park

• Olympic National Park

• Redwood National and State Parks

• Waterton Glacier International Peace Park

• Yellowstone National Park

• Yosemite National Park

Mixed

• Papahānaumokuākea (small islands northwest of Hawaii)

Light filters through giant sequoia trees in Redwood National Park.

You can experience these fascinating destinations as part of a custom-planned vacation, designed especially around your interests and travel preferences. Contact Grand Journeys Travel to design your unforgettable adventure.