Too busy/lazy/disorganised [delete as applicable] to create your own personal travel bucket list of places to visit and cultures to experience? Fear not, those kind people at UNESCO (or the ever so slightly less snappy United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) have pretty much done the job for you.
Even more thoughtfully, UNESCO have divided the world into neat segments. There's the classic: the UNESCO World Heritage sites list of wondrous places (both natural and man-made) around the globe; the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list celebrating human creative genius in fields such as cuisine and music; the UNESCO Global Geoparks list of remarkable geographic areas (think the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania), the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves list of regions where man and nature work most harmoniously for sustainable development (eg: the Cape Winelands in South Africa, hear hear), the self-explanatory UNESCO Creative Cities list and our particular favourite niche, the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger list.
At this point we know what you're thinking: that's a lot of places to visit and imperilled languages to listen to in one lifetime, so we at Original Travel have done what we do best and distilled this deluge of delightful destinations into more bite size chunks. Welcome to our UNESCO Travel Collection, where you can browse itineraries and more, all of which include at least one UNESCO world heritage travel must-visit destination, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage travel must-experience or UNESCO Biosphere/Global Geopark/Creative City to visit. We can then tailor-make an itinerary to weave together the various places and experiences, and you can get ticking off that list.
Itinerary Ideas
Best for: Couples
Enchanting Islands and Captivating Coastlines: A Getaway to Amalfi Coast, Capri & Rome
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other
country on the planet, the food is mouth wateringly good, and the
landscapes are varied...
8 Days
From $5,155pp
Best for: Families
Hiking, Biking and Mountain Climbing: A Family Trip to The Italian Lakes and Dolomites
On this nine-day family holiday to Italy's Lake Como and the
Dolomites Mountains, spend plenty of time enjoying outdoor
activities in two of...
9 Days
From $3,765pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons and Families
The Grand Tour: Argentina
This 13- day itinerary takes in the 'Paris of the South' (BA),
vast pampas, a few days horsing around on an estancia (ranch), and
the magnificent...
13 Days
From $4,510pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons and Solo Travellers
Along the Emerald Coast
Brazil's natural beauty and energy is a seductive combination.
This ten-day Brazilian break offers just that, with a slice of Rio
followed by...
10 Days
From $5,320pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
Pretty Piazzas and Renaissance Art: Luxury Florence and Venice by Train
Spend eight days in two of Italy's greatest cities; Florence,
the birthplace of the Renaissance, and Venice, the city that feels
like a living...
8 Days
From $5,895pp
Best for: Couples and Road Trippers
Scenic Walks & Town Tours: A Road Trip Around South East Sicily
Spend 10 days getting under the skin of Sicily, the ball to
Italy's boot, on a luxury road trip around the south-eastern coast.
Take in ancient...
10 Days
From $4,450pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
Italian Art and Gorgeous Gardens: An Alternative Florence Getaway
Enjoy four days in Florence on this luxury city break and step
away from the beaten path to explore some of the city's lesser seen
sights.
Itinerary...
4 Days
From $3,130pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Families, Groups and Solo Travellers
Colombia Close Up
Colombia has it all. Towering mountains, fun cities, bountiful
national parks, ancient ruins and ravishing beaches, all cradled
between the Pacific...
19 Days
From $5,060pp
Best for: Couples and Sabbatical Goers
Luxury Peru Sabbatical
This three-month long sabbatical in Peru combines volunteering
in the Sacred Valley with an unforgettable tour of some of the
country's most...
113 Days
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Groups and Solo Travellers
Peru in Style
Peru's ancient landscapes and culture-rich cities are all the
more rewarding when explored in style. This 17-day itinerary takes
you to the foodie...
17 Days
From $6,105pp
Best for: Families
A Family Peruvian Adventure
This nine-day itinerary gives a taster of Peru, taking in the
highlights of this mystical land at a family-friendly pace,
including Machu Picchu,...
9 Days
From $4,345pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons and Families
Perfect Peru
Spend fourteen days absorbing the best that Peru has to offer on
this luxury adventure taking in Lima, the Peruvian Amazon, Machu
Picchu and...
14 Days
From $6,015pp
Best for: Couples and Families
Peru and the Galapagos Archipelago
Peru and Ecuador are bursting with culture, history and
wildlife. Here, we have distilled a few of the best bits into a
two-week trip, allowing...
15 Days
From $7,745pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Groups and Solo Travellers
Sacred Valleys and Salt Flats in Peru and Bolivia
Peru's rich history and Bolivia's awesome landscapes are a
powerful combination. This twelve-day itinerary takes you to one of
the wonders of...
12 Days
From $3,840pp
Best for: Couples
Off the Beaten Path in Peru
The perfect Peruvian holiday for second time explorers who want
to take a more in-depth look at the fascinating ancient cultures of
Peru, this...
15 Days
From $3,720pp
Best for: Couples and Honeymoons
Java, Kalimantan & Lombok: Relics, Rainforest and Relaxation
This is one for the adventurers, who like their creatures and
their creature comforts. This eleven day Indonesian adventure
offers a combination...
11 Days
From $2,700pp
Best for: Couples and Honeymoons
Ultimate Indonesia Honeymoon
On this 16-day Indonesian honeymoon you'll visit ancient temples
in Java, learn to cook delicious Indonesian dishes in Bali, sail
around the...
16 Days
From $16,830pp
Best for: Couples and Sabbatical Goers
A Luxury Nature Sabbatical in Brazil
Brazil's biodiversity is legendary in scope, this most
captivating of countries is a treasure-trove of natural wonders.
Spend five weeks experiencing...
37 Days
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons and Solo Travellers
The Best of Cambodia & Laos
Explore Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia and delve into the
country's recent and distant past. Next, relaxed Kep with its
French colonial...
12 Days
From $3,505pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
Luxury Laos Road Trip
Enjoy a 13-day road trip with a difference - you will be driven
instead of driving - as you explore Laos from top to bottom. You
will visit the...
13 Days
From $3,135pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
Northern Thailand and Laos
On this thirteen-day trip to northern Thailand and Laos, visit
beautiful temples, cruise down the Mekong River on a traditional
boat and meet...
13 Days
From $3,090pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
The Very Best Of Laos
Spend 10 days discovering the best of Laos, visiting Luang
Prabang and Vientiane as well as the lush, riverside areas in the
far south.
Itinerary...
10 Days
From $2,190pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
The Ultimate Indochina Trip
Long trips around Asia aren't just for backpackers, and the
temples, scenery and culture in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are some
of the most impressive...
27 Days
From $6,380pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Families and Solo Travellers
Jewels of Indochina: Hoi An, Luang Prabang and Angkor
This 13-day tour enables you to cherry pick Indochina's best
bits. Travel to Vietnam to explore lovely Hoi An, wander the
temples and night market...
13 Days
From $3,680pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Families, Groups and Solo Travellers
Museums, Moai and Mountains: The Best of Chile
We're not exaggerating when we say that Chile's landscapes are
breathtaking. This long thin country packs a punch when it comes to
diversity,...
12 Days
From $6,830pp
Best for: Couples, Honeymoons, Families, Groups and Solo Travellers
Highlights of Northern Chile and Easter Island
This tour of Chile encompasses some of its most spectacular
scenery. Beginning in the capital Santiago, you'll visit colourful
Valparaiso before...
12 Days
From $6,460pp
Best for: Couples
Lisbon Like a Local: A City Break Discovering Portugal's History, Culture and Food
The one-time centre of a great maritime empire, Lisbon has grown
into relaxed and vibrant modern city, the perfect spot for a luxury
city break.
Itinerary...
3 Days
From $1,285pp
Best for: Couples
Visiting Seaside Cities, Wine Estates and Beatiful Beaches: A Tranquil Trip to Lisbon and the Alentejo
Spend a couple of days in the rejuvenated city of Lisbon before
indulging in food, wine, country pursuits and beachtime in the
varied and under-the-radar...
7 Days
From $2,115pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
A Long Weekend in Lyon
France's second city is its first for food, not to mention
somewhere in the heart of excellent wine country and with
fascinating culture, making...
4 Days
From $1,555pp
Best for: Families
Family Adventure on the Yucatan Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula separates the Gulf of Mexico from the
Caribbean Sea, and is home to jungles, Mayan ruins, golden
coastlines and a plethora...
9 Days
From $3,325pp
Best for: Couples and Families
Exploring the Yucatan
The Yucatan Peninsula separates the Gulf of Mexico from the
Caribbean Sea, and is home to jungles, Mayan ruins, golden
coastlines and a plethora...
10 Days
From $4,885pp
Best for: Couples and Families
Pre-Columbian Ruins in Mexico
Modern Mexico offers everything you could ask in a luxury
holiday; culture, delicious food and some truly wonderful beaches,
and in this 14-day...
14 Days
From $5,790pp
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers
Mexico's Colonial Heartlands
Mexico is brimming with history - its colonial splendour
speckles the hillsides in the form of colourful cities and graceful
towns. This 11-day...
11 Days
From $4,785pp
Best for: Couples and Families
Cities, Civilisations and the Caribbean Coast
Mexico is the ultimate destination for a culture, cuisine and
Caribbean coast combo holiday. This two-week vacation will take you
from bustling,...
14 Days
From $4,990pp
Where to Go
Machu Picchu
An UNESCO World Heritage Site and a New Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu is a must see for every avid traveller.
Luang Prabang
The highlight of Laos, and one of the highlights of Indochina, is the beautiful old city of Luang Prabang.
The Dolomites
A well known winter ski destination, the northern Italian mountains are also beautiful in the summer. The Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage...
The Coffee Triangle
Deservedly made a UNESCO world heritage site, the Coffee Triangle is hidden away in the rolling hills of Colombia.
Hoi An & Hue
The former capital of Hue and the ancient town of Hoi An are two of Vietnam's heritage sites, and some of its prettiest places.
Dalmatian Coast
Combine beautiful Mediterranean coastline with cosmopolitan and lively cities on your Dalmatian Coast holiday.
North East Brazil
At the North Eastern tip of Brazil is Jericoacoara, home to huge sand dunes and a deliciously laid back vibe. Further south, the small fishing...
Southern Colombia
South of the ever-modernising capital Bogota, Southern Colombia is a still very much a traditional landscape of untamed jungle, UNESCO-protected...
Santiago & Central Valley
Spend a couple of days exploring the Chilean capital itself before enjoying its surrounding attractions; coast, Andes and vineyards.
Lyon, Burgundy & the Rhone Valley
Explore the gastronomic heartland of France from France's second city of Lyon to the winelands of Burgundy.
The Amazon
Due to Ecuador's compact size and the small area covered within the Amazon here, it is one of the best countries for wildlife viewing.
Chengdu
Welcome to the Sichuan capital, home to giant pandas, fiery cuisine and ancient tea house culture.
Peninsula Valdes & the Atlantic Coast
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peninsula Valdes is home to aquaplaning killer whales, elephant seals and southern right whales.
Galle & the Southern Beaches
Stay in a luxury hotel in Galle Fort and combine the city's culture with some of the best beach destinations in the world.
Montenegro
A tiny country with big appeal; over 100 beaches, pristine countryside, and a destination that's definitely one to watch.
Panama City
Start your Panamanian holiday with a couple of nights in cosmopolitan Panama City, whose Manhattan-like skyline combines with the ruined ‘old’...
Karnataka
The best of India (minus the mountains) in one hugely under-rated state.
Rio, Buzios, Paraty & the Costa Verde
Rio de Janeiro has perhaps the most stunning physical setting of any city in the world, with the legendary beachfront neighbourhoods of Copacabana...
Essaouira & The Coast
Essaouira is among the most photogenic towns in a hugely photogenic country, with atmosphere and charm in abundance.
Mauritius
This tiny Indian Ocean island has long set the standard for tropical luxury holidays.
Cultural Triangle
The heartland of Sri Lanka contains several World Heritage listed sites, and because they are close together, these can easily be combined in...
Torres del Paine National Park
Chile's famous southern national park is so vast and pristine that even the smattering of excellent lodges have no impact on its wildlife.
Java
If you want to discover what makes Indonesia tick, then this, the capital island, should feature on any itinerary.
Arequipa & Colca Canyon
After a stay in Peru's pleasant 'White City', the adventure sports in the beautiful Colca Valley region beckon.
Mexico City
Not for the faint-hearted, this is a city in the truest sense of the word; absolutely fascinating and well worth the effort.
Southern Patagonia
Head as far south as you can to witness Argentina's extraordinary glaciers, mountains and rugged scenery.
Northern Patagonia
From Bariloche in the south to San Martin de los Andes, the Lake District is all about the great outdoors.
Hanoi & Halong Bay
A holiday to Hanoi, exploring the culture of Vietnam's capital, combines well with a meandering boat tour around the beautiful Halong Bay.
Yucatan Peninsula
A holiday in its own right, Mexico's southern tip combines Mayan archaeological sites with Caribbean beaches.
Honshu
Japan may not feature high on everyone’s travel wish lists, but trust us – it should - and there's no better place to start exploring than...
Cartagena
One of Latin America's most attractive colonial cities, with boutique hotels and endless photo opportunities.
The Kenyan Coast
Kenya is renowned as a safari destination, but has miles of idyllic coastline to explore as part of a 'bush and beach' trip or as a beach paradise...
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a small country that boasts fantastical landscapes, historical museums and the UNESCO world heritage site of the Giant's...
Trinidad
One of Cuba's most attractive - and most Caribbean - cities, with pastel-coloured colonial buildings and a party atmosphere.
What to do
Day Trip to Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes
Fez is undoubtedly fascinating in its own right, but also makes a perfect staging post for a visit to many of other of Northern Morocco’s marvels.
Gastronomy in Oaxaca
Mexican cuisine was recently granted UNESCO World Heritage status, making this the first national cuisine to merit such exalted eminence. We’re...
Dive the Blue Hole
Part of the Lighthouse Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Blue Hole is 60 miles off the mainland of Belize and is one of the...
Palenque
Located on the western edge of the Mayan empire within the state of Chiapas, the ancient and UNESCO protected site of Palenque is one of the...
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Near to Mexico City lies the unmissable - and enormous - pre-Aztec site of San Juan Teotihuacán.
Mayan Ruins in Yucatan
The Yucatan area has numerous sites with Mayan ruins. While some sites cover vast areas and have been well preserved or restored others are much...
Chichén Itzá
The ruins of Chichén Itzá are on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the site was crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Visit a Coffee Hacienda
There is plenty to do and see in Colombia’s verdant coffee region, one of the most obvious perhaps being a visit to a coffee plantation to...
Gastronomy in Mexico City
Mexican cuisine was added to the intangible UNESCO World Heritage list back in 2010, therefore it seems only right that whilst exploring the...
Wine Tour in Bordeaux & the Dordogne
If there’s one thing that can’t be missed while visiting the beautiful Bordeaux & Dordogne area, it's – you guessed it - the wine it's...
Activities at Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls has long had a reputation for being the adventure capital of Africa and for the more adventurous visitor there are plenty...
Visit Valparaiso
A visit to the Pacific coast just a couple of hour’s drive from Santiago makes for an enjoyable day’s outing. The journey takes you through...
Pelourinho district
The city of Salvador itself is often referred to as the ‘African Soul’ of Brazil, as descendants of the first African slaves have held tight...
Halong Bay
Combine Hanoi with a trip to Halong Bay, on the Gulf of Tonkin.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Covering around 1.3million acres the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
Where to Stay
Storfjord Hotel
For anyone looking to experience a slice of traditional Norwegian life, look no further than the utterly charming Storfjord Hotel, overlooking...
Tierra Chiloe
This avant-garde geometric masterpiece is home to five-star boutique hotel Tierra Chiloe; the newest member of the Tierra Hotel family and the...
Borgo Egnazia
From the owners of the Masserias San Domenico and Cimono respectively comes Borgo Egnazia, the single smartest luxury hotel on the Puglian coast,...
Amanemu
On the Japanese island of Honshu, Amanemu is set within the Ise-Shima National Park on the Kii Peninsula. The new Aman Resort boasts spectacular...
The Last House
From the inspirational architect Geoffrey Bawa comes The Last House, nestled away in tropical gardens on the stunning southern coastline of Sri...
Cour des Loges
La Cour des Loges is a stylish property located on an attractive, pedestrian-only street in the heart of Vieux Lyon.
Anantara Hoi An
Anantara is a colonial style hotel on the banks of the Thu Bon River, right on the doorstep of the UNESCO town of Hoi An. The town’s history...
Estancia Rincon Chico
In the protected wilderness of Peninsula Valdes, Estancia Rincon Chico is a working merino sheep ranch dedicated to preserving the rangeland...
LUX* Le Morne
Sitting amid tropical gardens on the sweeping sandy beach of Le Morne, LUX* Le Morne enjoys views of a stunning turquoise lagoon, whilst in the...
Kahanda Kanda
On the cultured south coast of Sri Lanka, the exclusive Kahanda Kanda retreat features private villas scattered across a working tea estate.
La Folie Lodge
La Folie Lodge is situated on Don Daeng Island overlooking the beauties of the Mekong river, and is so secluded it is only accessible by boat...
Grand Hotel Miramare
Situated in the heart of the Italian Riviera, the Grand Hotel Miramare is a wonderful family owned luxury hotel, just a short stroll from the...
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