While UNESCO approval of seven proposed World Heritage sites in Malta 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. Here are the additional sites that Malta thinks deserve an equal shot at UNESCO protection and a place in the sun.

At first we waited at the foot of the tower, watching the group before us throw themselves into gravity’s embrace from 100 metres above. This increased the anticipation, and perhaps the apprehension too, but given past experiences and my love of bungee I was desperate to give it my go.

Vang Vieng has gained a reputation as the adventure sports capital of Laos. There is no end in sight to its high-intensity fun and games, including 10-metre jumps from swings into the Nam Song River, cycling, kayaking, rafting and much more. My two greatest experiences here have been hot-air ballooning and rock climbing.

Although surrounded by controversy, on 7 July 2007 the statue of Christ the Redeemer got named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. What people didn’t seem to understand, however, is that the statue itself doesn’t add much to the landscape of Rio de Janeiro. The true highlight of the monument is the wide and open view of Rio de Janeiro that Christ the Redeemer offers, like the one shown here during a wintery but warm sunset.