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The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are situated throughout the globe. Some of these fantastic sites are very well known and thousands of tourists flock to them every year. Here are five lesser known sites that are also worth your time.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in Iran was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. Construction on this island city dates back to 5000 BC and the structure in its current state was completed in the third century CE. It is an engineering system built into the natural rock by the Mesopotamians, Elamites, and Romans with the purpose of diverting water to the city of Shushtar. The system includes the water control centre of Salastel Castle, a tower for measuring water depth, dams, basins, walls, canals, tunnels, mills and bridges. It is located in the Khuzestan Province and you can ask to have it included in a customised tour, which you definitely should if you are on a trip to Iran.
Tikal National Park
A visit to Tikal National Park, Guatemala is a must for anyone interested in ancient civilizations. This stunning Mayan ruin is located in the middle of a lush jungle and it was inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. There are remains of temples, palaces, ceremonial squares, and the ramps that were used to access them. There are even a few remains of smaller homes scattered throughout the area. The park is 575 square km and there are hotels that you can stay at within the park. There are also plenty of guided tours and transportation to take you to different areas within the park.
The Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
The Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, are about a three hour drive from Budapest and they sit on the Hungary Slovak border. This is a network of over 700 caves that have been formed over millions of years and only a few are open to the public. The rock formations inside the caves are stunning and one of the caves has perfect acoustics and is often used for recording. Bundle up as temperatures inside can drop below 0 degrees Celsius.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park in Kenya should definitely be on everyone’s list of things to see. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano and it is the second highest peak in Africa with a summit of 5199 meters. You can join guided tours that wind their way to the top allowing you to see the 12 glaciers, U shaped glacial valleys and the diverse flora and fauna. The foothills of Mount Kenya are a known migrating area for the African elephant so perfect for a safari in Kenya too!
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is a stunning 11th century Viking settlement in northern Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The site is beautiful with rugged cliffs, bog, and a stunning coastline. There are remains of the original settlement, artifacts, rebuilt sod houses, and a longhouse, and interactive displays that allow you to see how the Vikings lived here over a thousand years ago. Weather can change quickly so make sure you bring lots of layers and waterproof clothing. Accommodations can be found nearby including camping.
photo by Michel Rathwell on flickr
Source: pommietravels.com