The Transcarpathia region of southwest Ukraine is a unique area, a tourism pearl sometimes called "Little Switzerland." Photo courtesy of Iloveukraine/Tetyana

Today, this grand state beckons travellers to explore its intricate church architecture and delicate frescos, bustling cities and authentic rural villages, and gorgeous natural resources. Along the way, you will discover that there are plenty of cultural myths and stories, the kinds about unique local archetypal characters that will capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more local travel experiences in Ukraine.

Here are just three stories with which to whet your appetites.

The Babushkas of Ukraine’s Cities

Babushka (in Russian) or babusia (in Ukrainian), as Ukrainians call their elderly ladies, are an inevitable sight in any city or town in Ukraine, no matter where you go. Stroll along the cobbled sidewalks in Lviv and you will see them, chatting and singing folk songs in front of the impressive Opera Theatre. Hop on a train headed east and you will be greeted by their curious eyes and voices selling homegrown apples and freshly baked buns with jam or poppy seeds. Head further east and you will find them sitting on every street bench, letting the world pass by in the greenery of Kharkiv’s parks, or selling everything from sunflower seeds to flower bouquets in Donetsk.

Kyiv (Kiev) is the capital city of Ukraine. Photo courtesy of IloveUkraine/Marynka

The cultural phenomenon of babusia in Ukraine is directly tied to the country’s troubled history. The 20th century saw an epic tug of war waged between five empires parceling up the country, two world wars fought on Ukrainian territory, tragic famine and a repressive communist regime. Together, these afflictions laid waste to most of Ukraine’s men, leaving behind the now-familiar crowds of babushkas. It is the stories of these women that make Ukraine so different from other cities in Central Europe.

But there is much more to Ukraine’s cities. Charming Lviv will leave you with the smell of freshly ground coffee, the memory of cosy cobblestone streets in a World Heritage-listed town centre and the air of jazz and classical music. Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, has the ruthless bustle of a teenager, but also wide promenades and maple trees, the sparkling golden domes of St. Sophia Cathedral and painful insights at the National Chernobyl Museum. Further east and south, grandiose Tsars’ palaces pop up along the Black Sea shore, Tatar mosques call for prayer, and statues of Lenin and Karl Marx crowd the streets of like Donetsk and Odessa.

The Hutsul highlanders of Ukraine are an ethno-cultural that group that still uses ages-old traditional practices and wears traditional clothing for major celebrations. Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

The Traditional Hutsul Highlanders

Far from the urban scapes of Ukraine’s cities are traditional rural villages dotting the hills of the Carpathian Mountains. Lush pine forests and hard-to-access trails make it difficult for many travellers to explore the countryside of the Hutsuls, an ethno-cultural group of Ukrainian highlanders. Unlike more heavily explored areas in Central Europe, Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains remain largely cut off from the main tourist routes. You will find few marked walking trails; organised campsites are virtually non-existent. Most highland roads can only be reached via four-wheel-drive vehicles, on foot or by the horse cart. Few if any people speak English, and most still live by the centuries-old customs of their ancestors.

Hutsul society was traditionally based on forestry and logging, as well as cattle and sheep breeding. Right up until the present day, the month of May marks the Hutsul’s most exciting and colourful celebrations, a time when Hutsul shepherds leave their homes to spend three months herding flocks of sheep and producing delicious cheese known locally as brynza.

Stepping into a Hutsul house in Ukraine is a trip back in time. One of the joys is a taste of delicious homemade cheese known locally as 'brynza.' Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

Stepping into a rural Hutsul house is a trip back in time: you can sample delicious homemade bread, enjoy fresh water from deeply-dug wells, taste vegetables from the local fields and even try on colourful Hutsul clothes, still worn on major village celebrations.

Hutsul people are also famous for their incredible craftsmanship. At the local bazaar, you may find beautifully and intricately decorated eggs, ornate clothing and delicate woodwork.

Travellers lucky enough to spend a day or two in the Hutsul villages during traditional holiday celebrations will come away mesmerised by the whirlwind of colours, timeless customs, plentiful dinners and authentic culture carefully preserved on the outskirts of Europe.

The Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine in winter. Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

The Vast Expanses of Nature

The Dnieper – Ukraine’s largest and Europe’s second-longest river – is bested only by the Danube. So great is its presence, ”Rare is the bird that flies to the middle of the Dnieper,” wrote Nicolai Gogol, a well-known Russian and Ukrainian writer. And while the Dnieper is definitely not the majestic waterway it was during Gogol’s lifetime, it remains an impressive and imposing sight, a symbol of Ukraine’s stunning natural landscapes.

Beyond the Dniepr, due to the sheer vastness of the territory, Ukraine can satisfy even the pickiest nature lover. Dense forests in the north hide countless rivers, marshes, lakes and swamps. In the west the gentle peaks of the Carpathian Mountains tower over the lush valleys, underground caves and World Heritage-listed beech forests boasting an abundance of wildlife. The south brings the warm sunshine, pebbled beaches and the grand Black Sea.

The Dniepr River is Ukraine's largest and Europe's second-longest river. Photo courtesy of Iloveukraine/Yevgen Pohulaylo

Whether you choose to go hiking in the Carpathian highlands, kayaking along the winding rivers or just enjoy sipping your morning coffee at the artsy cafes of Lviv, don’t forget to listen to the background stories of caring babusias, welcoming Hutsuls, cheerful women, ambitious youngsters, fearless Cossacks and countless others that form an eccentric and yet truthful-to-the-core mosaic of Ukraine, Europe’s largest unexplored frontier.

For an up-close glimpse of local Ukrainian culture – the unique combination of a proud and cosmopolitan European past, eclectic communist history and newly reasserted independence – try the wide range of Ukraine holiday packages available though Gunyah, a marketplace of authentic local experiences and tours for independent travellers.

Founded toward the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto became home to a number of very rich Portuguese colonials as a result of the Brazilian Gold Rush. The fortunes of the town went from strength to strength as more and more gold was pulled from the earth by the area’s mines.

Significant investment was made into improving the town, which grew over time to become a prosperous and beautiful city. Its popularity and importance saw the construction of a large number of lovingly designed buildings in the years that followed, including several opulent churches and a dedicated mining school.

While the city’s economic and political importance waned in the centuries that followed – it lost its position as state capital of Minas Gerais shortly before the turn of the 20th century – it has lost none of its beauty. As such, its Old Town was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.

The Mantazah Palace was originally built in 1892 and served as a summer residence for members of the Egyptian royalty. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria, Egypt, it is surrounded on three sides by great walls and gardens. Photo courtesy of Senor Gogo

Over the centuries, Alexandria has ballooned in both size and importance, especially as a commercial centre of Egypt. Today it is an vital economic base that supports a flourishing tourism industry.

Alexandria hotels, of which there are many choices, promise great opportunities for relaxation, especially in light of the many summer resorts and sandy beaches. Fortunately, many of the best also combine five-star luxury with ecologically and socially responsible tourism. A stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Alexandria, for example, will have you eating organic vegetables and fruits, many of which are locally grown in the hotel’s prided green spaces. Similarly a holiday at the Hilton Green Plaza Hotel, where all of the staff are Alexandria locals, will inspire you to participate in local sustainability by keeping the stunning beaches of Alexandria clean.

Recognised as the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Qaitbey Citadel was built by El Sultan al Ashrad Qaitbey in 1480. Perched on Pharos Island, just off the Alexandria mainland, the site was originally occupied by a lighthouse. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Shabayek

There are plenty of things to see and do in Alexandria, including taking in the ancient Roman architecture and the Qaitbey Fortress, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, that has occupied Pharos Island since 1480. Of course, no holiday in Alexandria would be complete without a tour to the iconic Pyramids of Giza, which are easily accessible from the Alexandria port.

One great way to experience the depth of Alexandria’s 18-century history is with a full-day Alexandria tour that takes in highlights like the Roman ruins, the Alexandria Library and the Mantazah Palace. For a more contemporary look at Alexandria, a tour to Alamein, the site of the famous World War II battle, is a must.

The Corniche is a coastal highway in Alexandria, Egypt, linking the Citadel of Qaitbey with the Mantazah Palace. Constructed in 1870, the Corniche runs for 10 miles and offers great views of the Mediterranean Sea. Photo courtesy of Yassin Zahran

Tourism expert and owner of WHL Egypt, Sherif Abd Elwahab is thrilled that his team of Alexandria locals is now available to assist in planning a fun and responsible Alexandria holiday.

“We at WHL Egypt are committed to promoting sustainable tourism and to using the tourism industry as a vehicle for protecting Egypt’s great historical sites,” said Elwahab. “We prefer to partner with Alexandria hotels that take responsible actions toward the community and develop environmental consciousness, using the least amount of non-renewable resources as possible.”

The Old Town Alexandria, Egypt, is filled with markets and vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs and spices. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Heather Cowper

Alexandria joins the growing list of whl.travel destinations in Egypt, including Cairo, Sharm el Sheikh, Aswan and Luxor, Safaga, Ein Sokhna and Port Said.

The harbour of Port Said, Egypt, is a bustle of activity with ships constantly passing through on their way to the Suez Canal, often filled with regional products like cotton and rice to export around the world. Photo courtesy of Flickr/BillBl

Given its coastal placement, Port Said is more than just a business hub. It’s great sea views are a perk enjoyed by many patrons in Port Said hotels facing the harbour. Just watching ships pass on the canal side is an unforgettable sight. On the Mediterranean front, though, warm sandy beaches and welcoming water also attract both locals and tourists in search of a relaxing holiday.

Of course, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Port Said. The Port Said Museum is a must for anyone keen to learn more about the history of the region from the time of the Pharaohs to the construction of the Suez Canal. More contemporary insights are the focus of the Military Museum, which houses a collection of artefacts from the wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973.

A local market in central Port Said, Egypt, where fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased, makes for a colourful afternoon walk and great insight into daily life in Port Said. Photo courtesy of DJ Paco

If you’re using Port Said as a base for visits to other Egypt attractions in the Nile Delta, the bustling capital of Cairo is easily accessible via day trips from Port Said, some of which visit the majestic Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx, or the Islamic and Coptic sites in Cairo. Anyone with more time to spare will appreciate the two-day tour that covers the central landmarks and sites in Cairo and Alexandria.

Educator and tourism expert Sherif Abd Elwahab of WHL Egypt is pleased to have added Port Said to the growing list of Egypt holiday destinations for which his team can now provide expert accommodation and tour advice.

Walking along a street lined with cafes and small sidewalk tables in central Port Said is a great way to experience local life on the Egyptian coast. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Argenberg

“Our mission has remained unchanged since we began our tourism business in Egypt,” says Elwahab. “We combine high-quality tours with great prices, always with a focus on individualised attention. We welcome you, your family and friends to Port Said.”

WHL Egypt manages destination portals all across Egypt, including Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Aswan and Luxor, Safaga and Ein Sokhna.

Now, with the addition of www.portsaid-shoreexcursions.com, the staff at WHL Egypt is excited to continue the partnership with whl.travel, a company with which it shares a commitment to ethical travel and the preservation of history and culture around the world.

Yet even with UNESCO’s imprimatur on sites big and small, natural biospheres and even intangible culture, the same famous mega-monuments always seem to get the lion’s share of travel love. Lesser-known but equally worthy sites still fall to the wayside as travellers rush for the obligatory photos of world icons and check off another legendary site on the do-before-I-die lists.

UNESCO recognition through its World Heritage List and time in the subsequent travel spotlight can be a mixed blessing. On the one hand, a new site gets a big status boost and protection under the UNESCO umbrella. On the other hand, an influx of tourists adds pressures and more need for protection.

One way to curb this effect is for travellers to visit alternative heritage destinations where high tourism congestion isn’t causing problems. In that spirit, below is our list of seven UNESCO World Heritage all-stars plus just-as-incredible alternatives. Why not avoid the heavy traffic and step lightly while doing your own thing? That way, the all-stars won’t get loved to death and more places will have a chance to benefit. The photos will be just as cool.

The All-star: Chichén Itzá in Cancun, Mexico. Photo courtesy of flickr/Dtraveller

1. The All-Star: Chichén Itzá in Yucatan, Mexico

The iconic Mayan pyramid of Chichén Itzá was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Then, in 2007, it was nominated for the New Seven Wonders of the World. Now that it has officially been identified as one of the honoured seven, some predict tourist visits will double within five years. As a convenient day trip from the mass-tourism destination of Cancun, Chichén Itzá, given its amazing story and stunning coastal location, is the second-most-visited ruins site in Mexico. Authorities have gradually needed to close parts of the monument to the public, no longer allowing visitors to enter interior chambers.

The Alternative: Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico. Photo courtesy of flickr/Ivanka Majic

The Alternative: Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico

Deep in the jungle of Chiapas in southern Mexico are the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, which was inscribed as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. While it doesn’t attract the kind of mass tourism that Chichén Itzá does, thousands visit it each year. Guided tours fascinate with stories about the buildings’ precise astronomical alignment and visitors can still go into some of the ancient passages and chambers.

The All-star: The Great Wall of China. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Jakub Halun

2. The All-Star: Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the best-known world monuments of all time, but added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1987. The Badaling section of the wall, near Beijing, attracts around 10 million visitors per year. Sadly, as a result, Geography in the News points out that “There is little concern over protection and conservation. Instead, exploitation of the site has culminated in an almost Disneyland type scene.” Booming tourism, development and inadequate protection are eating away at the Great Wall, of which as much as two-thirds are in a state of collapse.

The Alternative: Wall of Ston, Croatia. Photo courtesy of flickr/Poo-tee-weet?

The Alternative: Walls of Ston in Croatia

While nothing can really compare with the magnitude and might of the Great Wall of China, it is definitely not the only great wall in the world. In the historical city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, for example, are the Walls of Ston, known as the “European Wall of China.” It dates back to the 15th century and its 5.5 kilometres of length form an irregular pentangle.

The All-star: The Parthenon, Athens, Greece. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Steve Swayne

3. The All-Star: Parthenon in Athens, Greece

Lit up and glowing over Athens, Greece at night, the Parthenon is the jewel of the Acropolis, the ancient city on a hill. As the grandest remains of Greek Antiquity, the Acropolis was deemed an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Greece is a world tourism powerhouse, welcoming more than 17.5 million visitors each year. In 2005, Athens alone received 6,088,287 tourists (each of them wanting a photo of the Parthenon without any other tourists in it).

The Alternative: Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek, Lebanon. Photo courtesy of flickr/Ben Piven

The Alternative: Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, Lebanon

One of five of Lebanon‘s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Baalbek demonstrates that Greece is definitely not the only Mediterranean country with amazing ancient ruins. As UNESCO states about the ancient imperial city, “The archaeological site of Baalbek represents a religious complex of outstanding artistic value and its majestic monumental ensemble, with its exquisitely detailed stonework, is a unique artistic creation which reflects the amalgamation of Phoenician beliefs with the gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon through an amazing stylistic metamorphosis.”

The All-star: Medina of Fes, Morocco. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Pawel Ryszawa

4. The All-Star: Medina of Fes, Morocco

Compared to Marrakech (one of Morocco‘s most famous destinations), the city of Fes is a modest place. Yet every visitor to inland Fes is bound to wander through its medina, the walled city centre that dates back to the 8th century. By some measures, it’s the largest car-free area in the world.

The Medina of Fes has been on the official UNESCO World Heritage roster since 1981, but may soon also be added to the list of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO cites two major threats: uncontrolled urban development due to overpopulation, and deterioration of the buildings. The governmental plan to address these issues is to safeguard everything, intervene where houses are collapsing and increase sustainable tourism.

The Alternative: Medina of Tétouan, Morocco. Photo courtesy of flickr/luisgosalbez

The Alternative: Medina of Tétouan, Morocco

In the smaller and less-touristed city of Tétouan in northern Morocco, another medina has gained World Heritage status. Full of mosques, madrassas and markets, Tétouan’s ancient city centre exhibits the same definitive Moroccan culture and tradition as its better-known counterparts in Fes and other cities. While also in need of protection and conservation, Téotuan is less overwhelmed than the Medina of Fes and in a better position to absorb increasing tourism traffic.

The All-star: Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of flickr/daveperkes

5. The All-Star: Angkor Wat, Cambodia

A spectacular temple complex from the 12th century, Angkor Wat has been a power player for tourism in Cambodia since before its 1992 inauguration as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thomas Holdo Hansen of AngkorHotels.org, the whl.travel local connection in Cambodia, comments that “Angkor would without doubt be on my personal Top 10 World Heritage Sites list. It’s not without good reason that this important archaeological site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comes high up on many people’s must-see lists. The flip side of the coin is that the recent increase in tourism potentially can bring about many negative impacts if not managed properly.”

The Alternative: Preah Vihear, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of flickr/theonlymikey

The Alternative: Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Compared to Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear is a minor temple complex. It’s a less-likely tourism destination because of political strife. “Preah Vihear is more controversial but still a stunning archaeological site,” says Hansen. “It is situated right on the top edge of a steep cliff bordering the Sisaket Province in Thailand. After its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Preah Vihear has been the centre stage for some border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia and, thus, many travellers have been discouraged from visiting.”

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The All-star: Machu Picchu, Peru. Photo courtesy of flickr/[togr

6. The All-Star: Machu Picchu, Peru

The year 2011was special for South America’s favourite pre-Colombian archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It marked 100 years since Hiram Bingham, a Yale University historian, arrived at the majestic high-elevation Incan citadel and announced its existence to the rest of the world. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since then, UNESCO has had to fight many battles to protect it from private interests and overdevelopment, including the implementation of a daily visitor limit. Still, safe-keepers fear irreparable damage if poor administration continues in the face of surging tourism.

The Alternative: Wiñay Wayna, Peru. Photo courtesy of flickr/Greg Headley

The Alternative: Wiñay Wayna, Peru

Also along the Inca Trail in the Sacred Valley of Peru where Machu Picchu is found, Wiñay Wayna is a minor Incan ruins site that is often considered a mere “stop in the road” on the way to Machu Picchu. While it’s true that it can’t match Machu Picchu’s scale and grandeur, Wiñay Wayna charms and impresses. With staircases and fountain structures connecting the layers of terrace, it is a perfect example of the hillside architecture traditional to the Incas.

The All-star: The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Photo courtesy of Bruno Girin

7. The All-Star: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. They are, of course, Egypt‘s most visited attraction. In 1999, the largest of the three pyramids was reopened after a year of restoration work. The project’s goal was to undo some of the damage caused by long-term exposure to mass tourism. According to the BBC, “humidity levels in the tunnels and chambers inside had reached 80 percent because of the sheer volume of people going in,” which caused condensation and a build-up of salt. Since then, a cap of 300 visitors per day has been set on pyramid access.

The Alternative: The Pyramids of Gebel Barkal, Sudan. Photo courtesy of flickr/shovelingtom

The Alternative: Pyramids of Gebel Barkal, Sudan

The Pyramids of Gebel Barkal are part of the larger Gebel Barkal mountain site, which was approved as a UNESCO cultural World Heritage Site in 2003. It is one of only two in the country of Sudan. The Kushitic pyramids themselves were built as a royal cemetery in the 3rd century, which makes them only half as old as and very modest in size compared to the likes of the Great Pyramids of neighbouring Egypt. Travel to Sudan is complicated at the moment, but pieces of cultural heritage like this already under UNESCO protection hold promise for a tourism future.

Travellers to Phnom Penh can learn about the Cambodian Genocide by visiting the Killing Fields and the notorious prison “S-21,” now known as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

S-21 was originally a school before it was converted into a detention center in 1975. People deemed enemies of the Khmer Rouge (doctors, teachers, monks – amongst others) were interrogated and tortured here before being shipped to the killing field to be executed.

After the Khmer Rouge fled, S-21 and its startling photonegative archive were discovered. All prisoners had their photo taken upon arrival. Male, female, infant to elderly – hundreds of stark black-and-white portraits of the victims now line the museum walls. It is a moving, eye-opening display and has become an iconic memorial of the genocide.

A visit to the Killing Fields and S-21 is a must while in Cambodia, not only to learn Cambodian history, but to learn our history. While the Cambodian temples of Angkor Wat reveal the greatest of human accomplishment, S-21 and the Killing Fields remind us of our failings – giving us an opportunity to grow.

The Old Dragon Head section of the Great Wall of China runs out into the Bohai sea. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy.

The wall, however, is not the same in all places. From the seas of the east to the western deserts of the Hexi Corridor, the Great Wall changes and so does the experience of a visit to this massive defensive bulwark. Whereas a number of segments like those at Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan still preserve the ruined splendour of the original fortifications, several historic sections have been rebuilt according to what is believed to be the wall’s original plan. Regardless, each part provides a new vista of and new justification for its 1987 inclusion on UNESCO’s vaunted list.

Beginning in the East

In the far east, on the Bohai Sea, the “Old Dragon Head” is traditionally considered the start of the Great Wall. Built in 1381 C.E., during the Ming Dynasty, and reaching just barely into the ocean, this initial section is named for a fearsome dragon that once capped the wall where it plunged into the water.

Just outside the city of Shanhaiguan, the Great Wall of China makes its first mountainous ascent. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy

From here, the wall passes across open plains, through the ancient pass (and modern city) of Shanhaiguan and then rolls at a gentle stroll until it first meets the mountains that define some of the most unforgettable landscapes of the “Long Wall” of China. Proving ineffective for its original defensive purposes, this “Mountain-Sea Pass” is where the Manchu invaders who founded the Qing dynasty fought their way into the Middle Kingdom to usurp the rulers of the day.

The Wall in and Around Beijing

Though now mostly crumbled to a shell of what it originally was in 1570 C.E., the Great Wall continues up and down mountainous ridges to the region near China’s capital city of Beijing.

Rather than one continuous snaking line through the countryside, the Great Wall forms a web of spurs that were built over successive dynasties as rulers’ strategic and defensive needs changed. The most visited of these sections are the ones surrounding Beijing, which have inspired many of the iconic pictures so well known to tourists today.

From the Jinshanling section, a popular hike connects to the Simatai stretch of the wall with several hours walking over green hills and through numerous guard towers where soldiers would have once been stationed. Of all the areas accessible by bus from Beijing, this offers one of the least crowded and most athletic ways to experience the Great Wall on a short trip to China. It’s close enough for a day trip, yet far from the crowds that visit sections closer to the capital. Though there is no public transport all the way to Jinshaling, independent travellers can get there by bus to the village of Miyun and continue by taxi to the wall. Alternatively, from Beijing, hop on a private minibus shuttle operated by hostels throughout the city.

In terms of tourist numbers, the most popular sections of this World Heritage Site are Badaling, Jiankou, and Mutianyu, all within short bus rides of Beijing. Badaling is famed as the scene of Richard Nixon’s “I think that you would have to conclude that this is a great wall” sentiment during his historic 1972 visit to China, but large crowds now mean that tourists today don’t have quite the same visit the president did. Jiankou has seen less maintenance on its steep staircases than more visited Badaling, while the toboggan back down from the top of Mutianyu makes this section a popular draw. All three of these well-known sections are part of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 C.E.) Great Wall.

Final Stretches in the West

After leaving Beijing and winding the rest of its 8,851-kilometre total length, the Great Wall finally comes to an end in the deserts of western China’s Gansu Province. Completed by around 1372 C.E., the Jaiyuguan Fort at the end of the Great Wall was historically considered the far limit of the Chinese Empire, where dissidents and exiles would be banished to the barbaric wastes beyond. As legend recalls, the engineer of the fort was so skilled that he calculated to the exact brick what construction materials would be necessary to raise Jaiyuguan Fort. When encouraged to order more, just as a precaution, the designer added exactly one brick, which is said to be still sitting unused atop the main gate today.

Hiking along the Great Wall of China is perfect in the mountains north of Beijing. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy

Though not quite so desolate now, the southern reaches of the nearby Gobi Desert mean the landscape has retained a bit of the stark and empty feeling for which it was so famed in ancient times. At the “Water Gate” leading into the nearby mountains, one last climb up the sandy steps of the Western Great Wall reveals a panoramic view of black desert in one direction and rocky mountains in the other, with one line of defence standing between Ancient China and all the invaders of the time.

Outstanding Universal Value

Though of varying ages and construction materials, the Great Wall of China was intended as a barrier between Chinese civilisation and what rulers of the times saw as the barbarian masses outside. While ultimately unsuccessful at its defensive mission, the Great Wall of China does, as UNESCO eloquently reports, “bear exceptional testimony to the civilizations of ancient China.”

The Great Wall of China adapts not only to the topography but also to the geology of each area it passes through. Pictured above, the wall is made of packed earth and reeds in the deserts of the Hexi corridor. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy

While each section offers a different experience (Jianshaling for easily accessible crowd-free hiking, Jiayuguan for exploring a Gobi desert fortress and Shanhaiguan for valley views out to the Bohai Sea), expect to pay 50-100 RMB in entrance fees for any trip. The cost of transport from Beijing to Jiayuguan or Shanhaiguan makes these sections more expensive on a short trip to China, but the ability to see the famed Great Wall in the context of different scenery and with fewer tourists can make the trip worthwhile.

To arrange a tour of the Great Wall of China that includes a step into citizen life, contact the team at Sinohotel.com, the whl.travel local connection in Beijing, or book a unique two-day Overnight on The Great Wall short break with Gunyah.

Historically Fraught Forts and Castles

The World Heritage forts and castles of Ghana were built along the entire coastline of the country between the 15th and 18th centuries by various European nations competing bitterly with one another for a slice of the lucrative but abominable trade in chattel slavery. This dark commerce forcefully trafficked millions of Africans to the New World and beyond in what became known as triangular slave trade.

The Elmina Castle is one of the best-known and most touristed of around 70 castles and forts in Ghana that have collectively earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Its relevance to the 15th-century slave trade is what gives it high historical value. Photo courtesy of flickr/erikkristensen

With time, this coming together of people of different racial and cultural backgrounds brought about an unprecedented cultural shift of a global dimension. Hence the importance of the forts and castles as points of pilgrimage for thousands of Africans in the diaspora who return each year to Africa to discover where the journeys of their ancestors began. The 1979 decision by UNESCO to place the forts and castles under its wing was primarily to conserve them as World Heritage Sites of universal value.

In addition to that, UNESCO wants the forts and castles to be seen not only as symbols of a historical reality that has been ignored for far too long, but also as a cue for today’s world. By helping us reexamine history, the monuments represent issues of today such as Africa’s struggle with racial and human rights. They pave the way for reconciliation, development and peace.

Each year, people of African origin from all over the world sojourn to castles like Cape Coast in Ghana to commemorate the starting point of the slave trade diaspora. Photo courtesy of flickr/Adam Jones, Ph.D

Though only two of the best preserved structures – the Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, and the Cape Coast Castle, initiated by the Swedes in 1669 – are popular with tourists and well known since their elevation as World Heritage Sites, the 30 other surviving structures, including those in abject ruin like Koromantse and Keta, are no less important in the roles they played. They memorialise some of the most important events to shape human history in the past 500 years. For that reason, UNESCO has commemorated all the forts and castles as common heritage sites for Ghana and the European nations that built them.

Before the UNESCO initiative, most of the existing forts and castles were open to public viewing and even used as guesthouses. The UNESCO stamp of approval in 1979 has brought them even more prestige, enhancing their tourism appeal. It has also sharpened the commitment to save them from total obliteration and has aided the cause to release those now serving as prisons or offices. For example, in Accra, Fort Christiansborg, also known as Osu Castle, is the central office of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board (GMMB).

Original Ashanti architecture, with its intricate and complicated 'adinkra' symbols, is so rare that the best examples are found in drawings from the 19th century. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Thomas Edward Bowdich

Ashanti Traditional Houses: Dying Architecture

The Ashanti Traditional Houses of Ghana won the approval of UNESCO in 1980 as testimony to the complex architectural and artistic expression of native Africans. Sadly, only a few of the structures remain today.

Found in the Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana, these mud-walled Shrine Houses with woven palm-branch roofs are most remarkable for the fine geometrical designs and stylised animal emblems found on them. Each of the symbols, known as adinkra, are also used in the design of a popular local cloth of the same name and as carvings in traditional regalia like linguistic staffs. Each adinkra has a special meaning, representing specific cultural concepts or aphorisms.

Despite the lofty reputation of Ashanti Traditional Houses as UNESCO monuments, the GMMB and Ghana’s tourism authorities have more work to do with regard to education concerning the spectacular traditional architecture of Ghana.

This house in Ghana is a replica of a traditional Ashanti house. Very few genuine examples still remain. Photo courtesy of flickr/Berry FIne

UNESCO Status Needed: Lake Bosomtwe

There remains one Ghanaian asset of immense cultural and scientific value that needs inclusion on the UNESCO list to save it from destruction. This is Lake Bosomtwe, the sacred lake of Ashanti famed for its scenic splendour and as a puzzling geological landmark for scientists around the world.

The problem with this intriguing lake is that many of its unique qualities, such as fossil records of scientific importance, remain largely unknown. Created by a falling meteorite, 1.07 million years ago, Lake Bosomtwe can be compared with another body of water of similar origin in Africa called Lake Tswaing, near Pretoria, South Africa, which, even though it possesses fewer attributes, has been adopted by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Ghana's fragile and scenic Lake Bosomtwe has much to lose if drastic measures such as UNESCO protection aren't undertaken soon. Photo courtesy of flickr/jntolva

The dangers facing Lake Bosomtwe include the abandonment of time-tested traditional methods of navigation and fishing; and the setting aside of customary ceremonies that once protected the lake from excessive exploitation and threats to an endemic species of fish, Chromis bosomanus, which is named after the lake. The lake’s environs have been stripped of original forest vegetation and there is risk of stoppage of a peculiar phenomenon that released accumulated gases and avoided stagnating. It would take nothing less than the intervention of UNESCO to save the lake from drying up and to protect the ancient cultures of those living near this geological wonder.

Following media promptings, the GMMB appealed to the World Heritage Council in September 1998 at its meeting in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, to recognise Lake Bosomtwe as a World Heritage Site. The request was acknowledged, but Ghana must now pursue the matter more vigorously to win the UNESCO endorsement.

An angler on Lake Bosomtwe still uses the traditional single-plank fishing method. The degradation of the lake has put at risk the guarantee of his catch. Photo courtesy of flickr/jntolva

Such a move will enhance the prestige of this miniature inland sea, helping to save it from destruction and opening the door to more research and greater ecotourism opportunities.

To encounter the history and culture of Ghana’s treasured world heritage, visit Lake Bosomtwe or take an Ashanti culture and history tour with M & J Travel and Tours, the whl.travel local connection in Ghana.

Will the world end? Probably not. This date is simply the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle on the Mayan calendar. While many people believe that its finish portends major astronomical phenomena, which have been largely misinterpreted and misunderstood as ‘end times’ prophesies, other new-age interpretations of the date herald it as the end of one spiritual era and the beginning of another – we will undergo a transformation, they say.

The highest points of Tikal's pyramids rise above the surrounding rainforest canopy. Tikal is a Mayan must-see ruin in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Journey Adventure

Rather than preparing for the apocalypse, though, why not plan a 2012 tour of the Mayan pyramids and prophesies in Guatemala? Explore the grand ruins of ancient Mayan civilisations. Meet a traditional living Mayan community of today and find out firsthand what they are thinking and doing as you take part in sacred rituals and ceremonies.

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins of Tikal and Cancuen

On one such itinerary – an eight-day short break offered by Gunyah – the final visit is to Tikal, one of the most famous and visited ruins sites in the western hemisphere. Nothing short of resplendent, it is the archaeological site with the most restored pyramids in Guatemala. Its towering monuments and sprawling acropolis are some of the highest structures in the Americas from the Classic Period of 200 to 900 AD, when the Mayan civilisation was at its prime. Tikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Before reaching Tikal, there’s a chance to take in one of the lesser-known Mayan heritage sites like Cancuén. Cancuén has no pyramids to compete with Tikal; rather, its ancient inhabitants are believed to have lived in the woods and caves nearby, while the royalty lived in the palaces whose ruins are a highlight for visitors today. Cancuén is unique as an archaeological site because its local indigenous community remains intact. Through sustainable tourism initiatives like the Gunyah experience, local guides are working together with archaeologists to stay connected with their heritage and share it with visitors.

At the heart of the Gunyah pyramids and prophesies tour is interaction with local Mayan people - a Q'eqchi community - to share their culture, traditions and even a ceremony or ritual. Photo courtesy of Journey Adventure

Experience Mayan Ceremonies and Legends Firsthand

Any pyramids-and-prophecies tour should take you directly into a local Mayan community, where you can interact with the people and participate in a traditional ritual. One day of the Gunyah experience is dedicated to sharing in a ceremony with the community. What ritual it will be depends on the time of the year; for example, it could be a ceremony in the dry season asking for rain.

The Maya people have ceremonies for almost all aspects of daily life. Carried down through the generations from ancient teachings, these ceremonies are sacred and it is rare that outsiders are allowed to participate. However, the community shares its unique ceremonies with travellers in order to explain their importance. This way, visitors can learn about Mayan beliefs. It’s a chance to ask questions!

Beyond the End Times Prophecies

If you plan a pyramids and prophecies tour to coincide exactly with December 21, 2012, in hopes of seeing the world implode from its Mayan epicentre, you may be disappointed. More than apocalyptic rumours and hype, the Gunyah short break is about experiences with real local Mayan people in Guatemala, the Q’eqchi. It’s a chance to coexist with them and take part in their living culture – their traditions, their ceremonies and their daily life. By sharing meals and stories, you can see directly how they apply their sacred calendar and cosmic vision of the world to their everyday lives.

Beyond the ancient Mayan ruins and local culture, the Gunyah pyramids and prophesies tour itinerary is full of magic moments in Guatemala's wild green outdoors. Photo courtesy of Journey Adventure

The Gunyah Pyramids and Prophecies experience is also a great way to make the most of eight days in Guatemala. In addition to the visits to two ancient ruins and interactions with a local community, the itinerary packs in highlights and surprises like special lodging in the colonial city of Antigua, a tubing trip through the Candelaria Caves and a boat tour down the Pasión River.

Looking for more local and authentic trips in Guatemala and all over the world? Gunyah short breaks combine the mind-blowing spontaneity of independent travel with the convenience of a package holiday vacation for people who want real experiences when they travel.

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The Gur-e Amir (which translates to ‘tomb of the king’) is steeped in both rich architecture and legend. Its construction began in 1403 after the death of Temor’s most beloved grandson, who is also buried there. The Persian-style building features a single turquoise copula, ribbed and detailed with ornate rosette pattern. The dome tops an octagonally-shaped building that is also highly detailed with ornamental mosaics and epigraphs.

Is Temur really buried in this mausoleum? In 1941, the tomb was unsealed to verify the remains as Temur’s. The excavation was successful in the sense that the skeleton’s damage matched descriptions of the injuries Temur received in battle that caused his death and confirmed that the remains are indeed his.

While UNESCO approval of these seven sites is still pending, their worth is certainly not negated by bureaucratic delays. In fact, their absence from the official list means that they have been kept just outside the UNESCO spotlight and perhaps a little farther off the tourist trail than the three recognised attractions: the capital city of Valletta, the fascinating rock-cut chambers of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and the Megalithic temples of Malta have been on the list since 1980 and experienced heavy tourist traffic as a result.

Here are the seven additional sites that Malta thinks deserve an equal shot at UNESCO protection and a place in the sun:

The coastal cliffs of Malta, nominated as a natural heritage site, rise straight up from the Mediterranean sea. Photo courtesy of flickr/Marc-John Photographic

The Coastal Cliffs

Whereas the three official World Heritage sites have been categorised as ‘cultural’ heritage, the coastal cliffs qualify as a piece of ‘natural’ heritage. Considered a characteristic feature of the region’s landscape, these staggeringly tall limestone precipices rise vertically from the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. Severe and inaccessible, they provide an important refuge for a number of endangered Maltese floral and faunal species. Here, endemic species like lizards, crabs and moths flourish alongside human thrill-seekers indulging in climbing and abselling.

Grandmaster Lascaris' tower in Dwejra is part of the Qawra/Dwejra area on the Maltese island of Gozo that has been up for UNESCO natural heritage nomination since 1998. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Sudika

Qawra/Dwejra

Just as ‘natural’ a heritage site is the Qawra/Dwejra area on the Maltese island of Gozo. It contains a wealth of geological history, rocky shorelines and diverse wildlife. What gives this area the “universal value” needed for UNESCO status is significance in ongoing ecological and biological processes, evolution and biogeography; the micro-evolutionary processes and development of communities of plants and animals; the exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance; and the significant natural habitats set aside for the conservation of biological diversity.

The medieval hilltop city of Cittadella is an area of unofficial cultural heritage on Malta's sister island of Gozo. Photo courtesy of flickr/Bada2222

Cittadella, Gozo

Also on the island of Gozo, Cittadella is an ancient hilltop village, the original settlement of which dates back to the Bronze Age. From this elevated vantage point, the earliest inhabitants could keep an eye on coastal waters and defend the island. Some of the most important Baroque architectural remnants in Cittadella are the cathedral, the prisons, the law courts and the old Bishop’s Palace. Concern about deposits in the vicinity that are being disturbed without prior scientific investigation help Cittadella also meet the criteria of a site of archaeological importance.

Fort St. Angelo, located at the tip of Birgu, is a great example of the various fortifications built by the Knights Hospitalier in the 16th century. It represents Malta's military cultural heritage. Photo courtesy of flickr/bazylek100

Knights’ Fortifications Around the Harbours of Malta

The island of Malta is located in a strategic position that has appealed to militaries throughout history. Defending the island has always been a top priority for its people. As a result, Malta contains one of the finest, most concentrated collections of military architecture in the world. In the 16th century, for example, the Hospitalier Knights began work on fortifying the Grand Harbour. They continued building ramparts at other strategic points, such as Birgu and L-Isla. Two hundred years of construction later, the Knights had erected a huge network of permanent fortifications, with the city of Valletta as a focal point.

In a visit to Mdina, the walled former capital city of Malta, you will pass through this decadent Baroque city gate. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/jean-Christophe

Mdina (Citta’ Vecchia)

Mdina is the old capital of Malta, and well worth a visit for its Baroque architecture and deep, layered history. Thousands of visitors each year flock to Mdina to see the sights and find out why it is nicknamed the Silent City. Highlights of a Mdina tour include passing though the walled city’s majestic gate and up to the imposing bastions, which open to panoramic views overlooking almost all of the island.

The Catacombs of St. Paul in Rabat, Malta, are an example of the island-wide cluster of catacombs that represents a rich cultural heritage. Photo courtesy of flickr/lloydi

Maltese Catacomb Complexes

Whereas much of Malta’s recognised cultural heritage dates back to medieval times, the republic’s network of catacombs traces its roots as far back as the Roman era of the 3rd to 7th centuries AD. The subterranean burial grounds are concentrated under the town of Rabat. Hewn out of live rock, they represent the co-mingling of religious traditions of the time; rites from Christianity, paganism and Judaism were all practiced within the walls of the catacombs.

The Victoria Lines are a series of walls and fortresses that fall right on the natural fault line that divides Malta in half. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Rolf Krahl

Victoria Lines Fortifications

The width of Malta is divided naturally by a geographical barrier called the Great Fault. In the 18th century, the Knights of Malta were the first to use this natural trait to their advantage: they built a series of military entrenchments to protect against invasion from the northern side of the island. Over the next century, the defenses developed into a string of walls and fortresses, armed heavily with cannons and guns. By 1907, the so-called Victoria lines lost their military importance and were abandoned.

Do you want an insider tour of Malta’s rich natural and cultural heritage? Get in touch with Mark and the team at EC Meetings, the whl.travel local connection in Malta for a local travel experiences with local Malta experts.

True, Albania might not come to mind as a destination for amazing ruins and cultural heritage, especially in the shadow of an archaeological giant like Greece, its neighbour to the south. Yet ancient civilisations have left their fascinating marks throughout the Balkan peninsula, including Albania. In fact, all of Albania’s three UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites exhibit grand-scale traits to rival any of their Balkan neighbours. And the tale of the Cyclops from Homer’s epic Odyssey is understood to have been set in Albania.

Like a thousand unblinking eyes, the famous windows of Berat, Albania, stare back at admirers. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Joonasl

Berat, City of a Thousand Windows

The historic centre of Berat, also known as “the city of a thousand windows,” made the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008. Walking next to the river and wandering through Berat’s narrow alleys, takes you back in time and reveals the rich history of a settlement dating from 2600-1800 BCE, making it one of the oldest towns in Albania. The interesting architecture shows Islamic influences from the Ottoman period, but also of Christian Orthodox traditions. On top of the hill is a beautiful medieval citadel with a lively village, beautiful churches and a mosque inside the fortress walls.

Are there really a thousand windows, as stipulated by the city’s epithet? An official count hasn’t surfaced yet, but looking out onto the layers of whitewashed buildings that make up the face of Berat, you do indeed get the impression of thousands of eyes (the rows and rows of windows) gazing back.

Gjirokastra in southern Albania is known as the "city of two thousand steps." Three locals have picked one of them for spending a quiet afternoon. Photo courtesy of flickr/formanella

Gjirokastra, City of Two Thousand Steps

Located in the beautiful Drinos River valley in Southern Albania you’ll find Gjirokastra, a city with a tumultuous past. It has served as a feudal stronghold, Ottoman jewel, Italian colony and territory occupied by the Greek army during the first Balkan war.

Gjirokastra is hometown to two of the most notorious Albanians: Communist dictator Enver Hoxha and writer Ismail Kadare. The city retains an impressive fortress, a bazaar, an 18th-century mosque and several churches. It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005.

Gjirokastra’s unique architecture, developed in the 17th century by the Ottomans when building on steep hills, features distinctive stone roofs, wooden balconies, whitewashed stone walls and many stepped passageways. This is why Gjirokastra carries the nickname “city of two thousand steps.” Again, an official count has yet to be made, but wandering up and down the steep alleyways of Gjirokastra, you will have little doubt that the city has certainly earned its nickname.

Each year, thousands of tourists visit the ancient ruins of Butrint, Albania, reaffirming its need for both UNESCO and governmental protection. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Marc Morell

Butrint, Preserved for Visitors in the Thousands

Situated on a small peninsula surrounded by a picturesque lagoon in southern Albania, Butrint is arguably the most interesting archaeological site of the Adriatic Sea region. Inhabited since prehistoric times, this site has been home to Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians who built their monuments in glades in the forest. Butrint is both an archaeological site and also a beautiful natural habitat with diverse plant and bird life.

Butrint was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Five years later, during the period of civil unrest in Albania in 1997, Butrint was removed to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. As a result, huge investments were made to protect the archaeological site and to extend the protected area to include the surrounding landscapes. That led to declaring the 29 square kilometres around it a national park in 2000 and the park has since been extended to 86 square kilometres. The site was removed from the ‘in danger’ list and its status now helps curb encroaching construction. Butrint attracted around 20,000 visitors in 1996 and the number grows each year, confirming its importance to Albanian heritage and tourism. Its doubly-protected status as UNESCO site and a national park helps ensure that tourism pressure is regulated and tourism dollars keep the site preserved.

Are you planning a trip to Albania? Check out the villages of the northern mountains, the coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and the rich cultural heritage with Outdoor Albania, the whl.travel local connection headquartered in Tirana, Albania.

The mighty temples, pictured here, have made the name of Abu Simbel internationally famous since their rediscovery in the early 19th century. Originally constructed during the reign of Ramesses II in the mid 13th century BCE, the temples were lost in the shifting sands of the Nubian desert for many centuries.

Despite being restored, the temples were faced with a new threat. The construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to drown the monuments in the waters of Lake Nasser. An ambitious relocation project was undertaken that saw the temples relocated stone by stone to a dedicated site on higher ground nearby.

Estimated to have cost in the region of $40 million, the project guaranteed the protection of the Abu Simbel Temples for future generations. The structures are now protected as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are some of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Egypt.

Regular tours and excursions visit the site from the nearby cities of Luxor and Aswan.

A window to the world of Europe but still very much a part of Africa, the renowned port city of Tangier, Morocco, has a hard-won reputation for guarding its unique cultural individuality, a quality that draws travellers to it. With its diverse markets (souks), buzzing nightlife and characteristic whitewashed buildings all back-dropped by blue Mediterranean waters, Tangier is a place in which tourists must keep their wits about them, but always find its intense sights and sounds richly rewarding once they can spot hustlers, enjoy a good haggle and just go with the flow.

The port of Tangier, Morocco, has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries. Influences from Africa, France and Spain come together here for an exciting and unique experience! Photo courtesy of Agence de Loisirs Marocains

This proudly Moroccan metropolis has ancient roots. Tangier can trace its origins back to colonists from the mighty Carthaginian Empire who saw the advantages of the promontory at the northern tip of Morocco that makes up the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Such a prime location at the gateway to the Atlantic has contributed hugely to Tangier’s historical significance, as have the cultural influences of its centuries of residents, travellers and occupiers.

A well-established holiday destination for Europeans, modern Tangier is amply outfitted with every type of accommodation, from luxury villas overlooking the sea to quaint backpacker joints with all the modern conveniences. One popular local recommendation is the Dar Sultan, a 300-year-old guesthouse where one can relax before a plate of delicious traditional Moroccan pancakes on a picturesque terrace. Many travellers come to Tangier to pull out all the stops, for which five-star Le Mirage is the perfect choice – a series of pristine bungalows perched on rocky cliffs overlooking an aquamarine sea.

As to be expected from such a multi-faceted destination, tours in and around Tangier are numerous and varied, bringing out the very best of Morocco. The journey from Tangier to the city of Fes as part of a four-day tour is a popular option, as is spending a full 12 days exploring much more of the country. Alternatively, a walking tour of Tangier or a four-day excursion in Tangier and the small towns in the surrounding area is the ideal way to experience local life.

Whatever the choice, visitors are in safe hands with the whl.travel local connection in Tangier, Agence de Loisirs Marocains, who have been on the Moroccan tourism scene since 1988.

Founder and owner Taoufik Madih is “so proud to join the whl.travel family. Since our first contact with whl.travel, members have been sincere, helpful and knowledgeable. We look forward to developing our e-marketplace and becoming more active in new types of tourism through our collaboration with whl.travel.”

www.alm-tangiershotels.com is the newest Moroccan destination to join the whl.travel network following website for Fes & Meknes.

Tangier, Morocco, looks out onto the Strait of Gibraltar, which can easily be crossed via regular high-speed ferries from Spain. Photo courtesy of Agence de Loisirs Marocains

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IN ARABIC / باللغة العربية

‫طنجة، نافذة افريقية،عربية، بربرية مغربية، مفتوحة على عالم القارة العجوز أوربا.‬
‫طنجة عملت طالما العاصمة الثقافية وذلك بفضل فردية ثقافتها و تعدد أسواقها بالقصبة و بفضل مناخها المعتدل و مناظرها الطبيعية الخلابة وزرقة مياه شواطئها التي أعطت المدينة شعور عظيم مكثف الرفاه والصفاء، وجلب لها العديد من الزوار. ‬
‫طنجة في الواقع زاوية صغيرة من الجنة التي ألهمت العديد من الفنانين ‬
‫محطة سياحية جميلة للأوربيين بدون منازع، لتعدد أنواع طاقاتها الإيوائية من فيلات تطل على البحر ومن فنادق فئة خمسة إلى ثلاث نجوم ‬
‫و خصوصا فنادقها العتيقة الصغيرة ذات الطاقات الإيوائية المحدودة و المسماة ب رياض Riad و نذكر منها دار السلطان الذي يعتبر قصرا دو العمر الطويل “300 سنة” و الذي يمتاز بجمال ديكوره و خصوصا بأطباقه الشهية.‬
‫ المدينة تتباهى كذلك بجودة فنادقها ذات النجوم الخمسة و نخص بالذكر فندق ميراج.
.صاحب الخصوصيات الفريدة من موقع هائل ومطل على البحر الأطلسي ومن جمال زخرفته‬
‫ موقع طنجة المتميز أهل المدينة أن تكون نقطة انطلاق عدة رحلات لمناطق مختلفة عبر المملكة‬
‫و تتلخص هده الرحلات في جولات من فئة 12 يوم وفئة 04 أيام ‬
‫وزيارة للمدينة سواء في يوم كامل أو نصف يوم ‬
‫كما تعتبر مدينة طنجة نقطة تنظيم زيارات يومية ‬
‫ويعتبر ممثل whl.travel في طنجة Agence de Loisirs Marocains و احد من اعرق وكلاء أسفار المغرب، مسلح بتجربة مهنية من العيار الثقيل.‬
‫كما أن مؤسسها السيد توفيق مديح يفتخر جدا لانضمامه whl.travel كما يقر انه اقتنع منذ أول اتصال بهاته المنظمة whl.travel بالكفاءات المهنية لجميع أعضاءها لإخلاصهم في العمل و لمستواهم العريض سواء من الناحية الحرفية أو المعلوماتية ، واثقون بالعمل معا سنساهم في تطوير بشكل لافت للنظر، السياحة المسؤولة و سنصبح إن شاء الله قدوة في هذا المجال. ‬
‏‫www.alm-tangiershotels.com هو أحدث وكالة أسفار مغربية تلتحق بعائلة whl.travel بعد ممثل فاس / مكناس.

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EN FRANÇAIS / IN FRENCH:

Dotée d’une situation géographique exceptionnelle et d’une histoire riche, se dressant majestueusement entre mer et océan au carrefour de plusieurs civilisations, Tanger a longtemps fait office de capitale culturelle du Royaume du Maroc, grâce à son climat doux et tempéré, à ses paysages magnifiques, à son cachet exclusif qui procurent à cette belle ville un intense sentiment de bien-être et de sérénité et à ses multiples attractions – ses marchés (souks), sa vie nocturne et ses bâtiments caractéristiques, blancs défraîchis, massés en amphithéâtre sur la mer méditerranée offrant un spectacle très harmonieux où l’on devine d’anciens palais.

One major attraction in Tangier, Morocco, is simply strolling through the medina and climbing up to drink in the views overlooking the city. Photo courtesy of Agence de Loisirs Marocains

Tanger est réellement un petit coin de paradis qui a su inspirer et réunir un bon nombre de voyageurs et artistes aux disciplines différentes. Cette métropole fièrement marocaine a des racines anciennes. Tanger peut retracer ses origines à des colons de l’Empire carthaginois puissants qui ont vu les avantages du promontoire à la pointe nord du Maroc qui constitue la partie africaine du détroit de Gibraltar.

Outre ses caractères culturelle, Tanger est aussi une destination de vacances, bien établie pour les Européens, est largement équipé avec tous les types d’hébergement, des villas de luxe surplombant la mer au pittoresque joints randonneur avec tous les conforts modernes. Une recommandation populaire locale est le Dar Sultan, une maison d’hôtes 300-ans où l’on peut se détendre avant un plat de délicieuses crêpes marocaines traditionnelles sur une terrasse pittoresque. Beaucoup de voyageurs viennent à Tanger pour profiter de ses installations hôtelières tel que Le Club Mirage – une série de bungalows immaculés perchés sur les falaises rocheuses surplombant l’Atlantique.

Une telle situation privilégiée à l’entrée de l’Atlantique a énormément contribué à la signification historique de Tanger, de même que l’influence culturelle recès de ses siècles de résidents, les voyageurs et les occupants.

Comme on pouvait s’y attendre d’un tel destination aux multiples facettes, des visites dans et autour de Tanger sont nombreuses et variées, faisant ressortir le meilleur du Maroc. Le voyage de Tanger à la ville de Fès dans le cadre d’une tournée de quatre jours est une option populaire, ainsi que les dépenses de 12 jours complets pour une exploration de beaucoup plus du pays. Par ailleurs, une visite à pied de Tanger peut compléter la connaissance de la ville par sa magnifique corniche et sa verdoyante banlieux (lieu dit la montagne ou Cap Spartel avec ces grottes d’Hercules) ou une excursion de quatre jours à Tanger et les petites villes dans les environs est le moyen idéal pour découvrir la vie locale.

Quel que soit le choix, les visiteurs sont en de bonnes mains avec la connexion whl.travel locale à Tanger, l’Agence de Loisirs Marocains, qui ont été sur la scène du tourisme au Maroc depuis 1988.

Fondateur et propriétaire Taoufik Madih est «très fier de rejoindre la famille whl.travel. Depuis notre premier contact avec whl.travel, les membres ont été sincères, serviables et compétents. Nous sommes impatients de développer notre e-marché et de plus en plus actives dans les nouveaux types de tourisme grâce à notre collaboration avec whl.travel. “

www.alm-tangiershotels.com est la nouvelle destination du Maroc à rejoindre le réseau whl.travel site Web suivants pour Fès et Meknès.

With so many destinations in the WHL Group’s ever-expanding network, we have an incredible wealth of local travel information at our fingertips. Through the Inside Word, our local partners – all travel experts – share their top tips on what to do, what to eat, where to party and where to shop in their neck of the woods.

Quito, Ecuador

With a population of over two million people, the capital of Ecuador offers itself as a cultural and natural hotspot at the latitudinal centre of the world. Surrounded by volcanoes, Quito is nestled in a high-elevation river basin (2,800 metres) and surrounded by natural areas rich in biodiversity.

It is also an historical landmark of South America. The city’s historical centre bears a remarkably unaltered resemblance to the original layout that dates back over 100 years. Its museums, convents and churches make up a great body of work that represents the artistic splendour of the Quito School (Escuela Quiteña). In fact, the International Bureau of Capitals of Culture (IBOCC) named Quito a 2011 Cultural Capital of the Americas, a designation that has helped promote local tourism on both an international and national level.

The San Francisco Church of Quito, Ecuador, is elegantly adorned with stonework such as the fountain in the foreground

Day Trips

One of the city’s most popular tours is the Quito culinary tour, probably because of its ability to fuse art, culture and the day-to-day realities of the Ecuadorian people. The route begins in the Central Market where you can see the huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the country.

Time in the market is followed by a visit to the churches that best represent the city, such as the Convent of San Francisco and the Church of the Society of Jesus. The Convent of San Francisco is special both because it contains one of the most important collections of colonial religious art in the Americas and because it is one of the biggest and oldest complexes on the continent. The Church of the Society of Jesus, with its splendid facade, is special in its own rite as an example of the engineering brilliance of the Quito School. Its interior provokes contemplation of both diligence and perfection as one gazes at the gilded detail that took almost two centuries to complete.

Finally, to stimulate your taste buds, the tour culminates with a delightful meal of typical Ecuadorian cuisine, complete with a demonstration of how it was prepared. This culinary city tour is indeed a route that is filled with surprises and designed for visitors who want a nice photo to take home and a great experience of typical Ecuadorian life for a day.

Shopping

A highlight of shopping in Quito is the local handicrafts. The biggest artisan market is located in Mariscal, the well-known tourist and hotel district of Quito. Inside this market, you can find a huge selection of handicrafts from the different regions of the country. The able hands of the artisans give expression to culture and tradition through bright colours and creative design.

These typical candles, called Jerusalem candles, are traditionally used for parties and festive occasions in Ecuador

Of course, artisans sell their wares all over the city. The items most worthy of mention are Jerusalem candles, hammocks and textiles from Otavalo, along with sweaters and wallets from Cotacachi and hand-woven straw hats.

Ecuador is also known for its rich harvests. Visitors enjoy an amazing variety of local fruits and vegetables that are readily available in any of the main city markets, including the Central Market, the Iñaquito Market and the Santa Clara market, which are located in the centre, south and north of the city, respectively.

Restaurants

For travellers interested in Ecuadorian cuisine and gourmet dishes, here are a few Quito restaurant recommendations.

The Theatrum restaurant, famous for maintaining the highest quality standards in Quito, is located in the very heart of the city’s historic centre. Also at the top of our list is Mama Clorinda restaurant, a place where you can sample a great variety of local signature dishes in a traditional family atmosphere. For a more casual street-level dining experience, head to the Iñaquito market for a shellfish ceviche, a fritada or a trucha with one of many kinds of natural juices freshly squeezed from tropical Ecuadorian fruit.

The incurable sweet tooth should visit the San Agustín ice cream shop in the historical centre or Sibari restaurant in the district of La Ronda.

Ecuador enjoys a regionally diverse gastronomy, so it would be selfish to mention only Quito-style cuisine. All of Ecuador’s dishes are worth exploring, including the native cuisine with its staples of potato, corn, haba beans and toasted bread, and its dessert items such as corn and wheat quesadillas, sweet fig spread and fried ice cream (to name just a few).

Local Treats

Eratosthenes was the first scientist to try to measure the circumference of the earth. Since then, many others have devoted themselves to determining the exact dimensions of the planet. This is how the French Geodesic Mission came to Ecuador to define the equinoctial line that crosses Ecuador and divides the earth into two equal hemispheres.

The famous Mitad del Mundo monument outside Quito, Ecuador, marks where the equator divides the globe into northern and southern hemispheres.

La Mitad del Mundo (“The Middle of the World”) is a place that evokes centuries of scientific inquiry and measurement. A trip here also offers the chance to explore the many other cultural and natural gems of Ecuador.

If your passion is photography and the unbeatable panoramas, El Panecillo is ideal. Here you can admire majestic colonial architecture and, from the Cruz Loma vista point, a full view of the entire city. Access to this remarkable spot at more than 4050 metres above sea level is made easy via cable car from Quito. The cable car trip is very tellingly called Carita de Dios, or Face of God.

Night Out

Quito nights are filled with fun and entertainment, both for children and adults. One option every Wednesday night is a performance by the National Folkloric Ballet Jacchigua. This Quito institution works to revive and sustain the traditions of the colourful multicultural Ecuadorian people. Their spectacular show lasts around two hours and features a cast of over 90 dancers and musicians.

For a more casual night out, visitors can enjoy the company of British or American ex-pats at the world-famous Reina Victoria Pub, which serves traditional British pub grub in Quito’s Mariscal tourism district.

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Con tantos destinos en el red creciente de WHL Group, contamos con un una riqueza increíble de información a nuestra alcance. A través del serie Inside Word, nuestros expertos de viajar locales comparten sus consejos sobre dónde comer, dónde salir de noche, y dónde ir de compras en su area.

Quito, Ecuador

Una ciudad que cuenta con más de dos millones de habitantes, la capital de Ecuador se presenta como una alternativa cultural y natural ubicada en el centro del mundo, rodeada de volcanes en un valle lleno de áreas naturales de enorme biodiversidad.

Quito posee el centro histórico más grande y mejor preservado del continente Americano debido a la mínima alteración de la estructura original, que data de hace más de 100 años. Sus museos, conventos e iglesias atesoran una gran variedad de obras que representan el esplendor artístico de la Escuela Quiteña. Actualmente el Buro Internacional de Capitales Culturales (IBOCC) declaró a Quito como Capital Americana de la Cultura 2011, una designación que ha ayudado para promover el turismo para sus visitantes tanto nacionales como extranjeros.

From one of several of Quito's lookout points, the historical centre of Quito, Ecuador, unfolds in a stunning panorama

Excursiones

Uno de los excursiones que ha recibido mayor acogida es el tour gastronómico, debido a que un solo tour logra fusionar arte, cultura y la realidad de la vida diaria de los ciudadanos ecuatorianos. El recorrido empieza desde el Mercado Central donde se exhibe una muestra de la gran variedad de frutas y vegetales de producción nacional.

El tiempo en el mercado es seguido por la visita a las iglesias más representativas de la cuidad como lo es el convento de San Francisco y la Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús. En el convento San Francisco de Quito se exhibe una de las colecciones más importantes de arte colonial religioso de toda América además de su imponente infraestructura que es uno de los complejos más grandes y antiguos de Suramérica. Una muestra de habilidad e ingenio de los talladores quiteños, se puede apreciar a través de la esplendida fachada de la Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, la cual en su interior se contempla la laboriosidad y perfección de un recubierto de oro que fue construido y decorado durante casi dos siglos.

Finalmente la visita culmina con el deleite de un plato típico ecuatoriano acompañado de la demostración de su preparación. Un recorrido lleno de sorpresas para que nuestros visitantes se lleven no solo una bonita fotografía sino además de vivir la gran experiencia de conocer Ecuador.

Ir de compras

Ir de compras en Quito se trata de buscar la artesanía local. El mercado artesanal está ubicado en el sector la Mariscal, lugar conocido por su gran desarrollo turístico y hotelero. Dentro del mercado artesanal usted podrá encontrar una gran variedad de artesanías de las diferentes regiones del país. Las manos hábiles de los artesanos ecuatorianos permiten plasmar sus tradiciones y su cultura a través de sus llamativos colores y su creatividad.

Sin embargo alrededor de toda la cuidad es posible encontrar diferentes lugares donde pueden adquirir las diferentes artesanías típicas entre las más vendidas podemos mencionar; las velas de Jesuralem, Hamacas y textiles de Otavalo, chaquetas y carteras de Cotacachi, sombreros de paja toquilla, entre otros.

An abundance of fruits and vegetables, some of which you may have never seen before, are on display in the Iñaquito Market of Quito, Ecuador

Ecuador, por supuesto, no solo es famoso por sus artesanías sino además por ser un país agrícola donde es posible disfrutar de una gran variedad de frutas y legumbres que fácilmente se pueden encontrar en los principales mercados de la cuidad como el Mercado Central, Mercado Iñaquito y Mercado de Santa Clara ubicados en el centro, sur y norte de la cuidad.

Restaurantes

Si se trata de degustar la excelente gastronomía ecuatoriana y platos gourmet, podemos recomendar nuestros favoritos restaurantes en Quito.

Theatrum es famoso por mantener los más altos estándares de calidad, ubicado en pleno corazón de la cuidad en el centro histórico. No podemos dejar de mencionar Mama Clorinda restaurante, un lugar donde se puede degustar de la gran variedad de platos típicos en un ambiente tradicional y familiar. Entre los sitios más populares de la cuidad esta el mercado Iñaquito donde es posible disfrutar de un ceviche de mariscos, una fritada o una trucha acompañada de un jugo natural de la gran variedad de frutas ecuatorianas.

Si su preferencia son los dulces debe visitar la heladería San Agustín en el centro histórico o el restaurante Sibari en el sector de la Ronda.

Ecuador goza de una gastronomía muy variada y diferenciada por la región de donde se origina, sin embargo seria egoísta mencionar solo algunos lugares, pero les invitamos a conocer Ecuador y a disfrutar de la comida criolla en donde no puede faltar la papa, el maíz, las habas y el tostado y si se trata de dulces unas quesadillas de harina de maíz, dulce de higos, helados de paila entre muchas opciones más.

The Carita de Dios (Face of God) cable car lifts visitors to a spectacular view high above Quito, Ecuador

Cosas Locales

Eratótenes fue el primer científico que trato de medir la tierra y desde aquel entonces fueron muchos los expertos que dedicaron sus vidas por determinar la exactitud de las mediciones del planeta. Fue así como llego a Ecuador la Misión Geodésica Francesa para determinar que la línea equinoccial cruza el Ecuador dividiendo a los dos hemisferios en partes iguales.

Visitar la ciudad Mitad Mundo es un recorrido que nos remonta años atrás para descubrir el gran ingenio del ser humano y además nos permite conocer las riquezas culturales y naturales que posee nuestro país.

Si su pasión son los miradores y las buenas fotografías puede usted visitar “El Panecillo” lugar ideal para admirar la majestuosidad de la arquitectura colonial o desde el mirador de Cruz Loma tiene la opción de admirar toda la cuidad a mas de 4050 metros de altura sin el más mínimo esfuerzo llegando a la cima por medio del teleférico de Quito que nos deleita con su admirable paisaje citadino y natural. El viaje teleférico se llama ‘Carita de Dios,’ y con mucha razón.

Salir de noche

Las noches de Quito son llenas de diversión tanto para niños como para adultos. Una de las opciones los miércoles en la noche es la función de Ballet Folklórico Nacional Jacchigua el cual a través de su presentación permite mantener y recuperar la memoria de un pueblo pluricultural lleno de colores y tradiciones que son posibles de admirar en una presentación de dos horas con más de 90 bailarines y músicos.

Para una noche menos formal, disfruta de la compañía de expatriados de Inglaterra y los Estados Unidos, o visita la reconocido Reina Victoria Pub ubicado en Mariscal. Ofrece un ambiente internacional que cuenta con un bar competo y una carta de pub grub estilo Británico.