"Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."
(Quoted from the UNESCO World Heritage site)
As we travel the globe we gain an appreciation of what binds humans together - we share a common past and wish to preserve it so future generations can enjoy it.
Here is our first list of ten UNESCO world-heritage sites and how to see them.
Cambodia: Angkor Wat
Unmatched on our planet for its size and feeling of mystery, the Temples of Angkor consist of over 1000 temples covering an area of as many square kilometres (370 sq miles). An experience all of its own, you will need at least two days to get to know the place. See them on a small-group tour or ask us for your own private tour.
Indonesia: Bali's cultural landscapes
Called the "Island of the Gods", Bali is known for its generous, genuinely warm people. Throw in a beguling mix of traditional music and dance, an ever-present spirituality and great beaches, surfing and diving. Within the spectacular mountainous landscape, a nearly 20,000 hectare area of rice terraces and associated water temples is protected as a UNESCO world-heritage site. View tour
China: Forbidden City
Beijing's Forbidden City, with its innumerable courtyards and temples was where two Imperial dynasties of China lived a life of opulence cloistered off from the outside world until the overthrow of the Empire in 1911. It is the largest palace complex and China’s best-preserved collection of ancient buildings. View tour
Ecuador: Galapagos Islands
Ecuador packs a lot of variety into a small country. The undisputed highlight is the Galapagos Archipelago, with their otherworldly volcanic landscapes and stunning array of wildlife. Snorkel with sea lions and penguins, come close to boobies and albatrosses, iguanas and tortoises and watch whales. This is nature in its primordial state, nature as it used to be. Join of our many small-group cruises or ask for your own private charter.
Australia: Great Barrier Reef
This great underwater spectacle is, at 2000 kilometres, the the largest coral reef system in the world. Stretching along the north-east coast of Australia it is home to a myriad sea creatures and lined by some of the best beaches the world has to offer. View tour
Israel: Old Jerusalem
Sacred to Islam, Christianity and Judaism, the Old city of Jerusalem is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall. The city has one of the world's great urban skylines – the ancient ramparts of the Old City, the churches adorning the Mount of Olives and the iconic gold of the Dome of the Rock. View tour
Slovenia: Lake Bled
This small exquisite blue-green lake offers a wonderful sight from anywhere along the six kilometre path that rings it shores. In the midst of all this beauty lies an island housing a pretty pilgrimage church, object of many an iconic photograph. View tour
Peru: Machu Picchu
This ancient Inca citadel, forgotten until the early 20th century, is for many the reason they came to Peru in the first place. An air of grandeur and mystery pervades the fortress, perched high above the valley below. View tour
France: Mont-Saint-Michel
One of France’s most iconic images, the 8th-century monastic island of Mont St. Michel rises dramatically from the sea. Slender spires seem to point heavenward, surrounded by an eclectic mix of Romanesque and Gothic fortified buildings. View tour
Brazil: Pantanal
Dubbed by National Geographic the "Wild Wet", the Pantanal is Brazil permier wildlife destination and, covering over 200,000 square kilometres, the world's largest seasonal floodplain. Its freshwater wetlands support a profusion of aquatic fauna that attract larger predators, from birds to reptiles and mammals, creating a huge, intricate food chain that constitutes the largest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. View tour