Maulbronn Monastery Complex

Maulbronn Monastery Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription: The Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery is considered the most complete and best-preserved medieval monastic complex north of the Alps. The monastery’s church, mainly in Transitional Gothic style, had a major influence on the spread of Gothic architecture over much of northern and central Europe. The water-management system at Maulbronn, with its …

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Upper Middle Rhine Valley

Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription: The strategic location of the dramatic 65km stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen, Rüdesheim und Koblenz as a transport artery and the prosperity that this engendered is reflected in its sixty small towns, the extensive terraced vineyards and the ruins of castles that once defended its trade. The …

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Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau World Heritage Site

From the Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau World Heritage inscription: The Bauhaus is an outstanding example of the Modern Movement, which revolutionized artistic and architectural thinking and practice in the 20th century, and in particular of the progressive architectural concepts of the Jugendstil. In 1919 the Schools of Art and of Applied …

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Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast

Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage inscription: The site lies on the north coast of the County of Antrim, Northern Ireland, and includes the Causeway Coast extending for about 6 km between Causeway Head and Benbane Head. The Causeway Coast has an unparalleled display of geological formations representing volcanic activity during the early Tertiary period …

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The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, Switzerland

The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces begin on the eastern outskirts of Lausanne, Switzerland and cover a roughly 30 km along the stretch of Lake Geneva’s northern shore in the canton (similar to a state) of Vaud. This is a stunning area and a wine route through the Lavaux vineyards is a popular activity for travelers hoping …

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Visiting Pont-du-Gard, France

Pont-du-Gard UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Pont-du-Gard is the remains of a Roman aqueduct that delivered water over 30km to the Roman colony of Nemausus, what is today called the modern city of Nimes. It also holds the distinction of being the highest surviving Roman aqueduct in the world. Overview The aqueduct was used as a bridge across the river …

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7 Best Croatian Islands to Visit by Yacht

Croatia Islands to Visit by Yacht

This post is sponsored by Goolets, a company specializing in luxury gulet and yacht cruises. If you’re dreaming of a sunny beach getaway—one filled with picturesque islands and sparkling turquoise waters—then Croatia should be high on your radar. With a staggering 1,104 miles of coastline (1,777 kilometres), that doesn’t even begin to count the additional 2,522 …

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The Valencia Water Court: The Oldest Democratic Body in Europe

If you should happen to be in Valencia, Spain…in the Plaza de la Virgen….on Thursday…at noon, you will have a chance to glimpse the oldest democratic body in the world in operation: the Tribunal de las Aguas (The Water Court). Dating back over 1,000 years to the time of the Moorish conquest, the water court …

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Top 15 Things to Do in the Scottish Highlands

Top 15 Things to Do in the Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are among the most magical landscapes in Europe. Rivers and streams meander through a mountainous landscape, sometimes forming breathtaking lochs, other times dramatically thundering down cliffs as waterfalls. This wild and remote landscape has inspired poems and novels, featured in films and TV shows, and is the highlight of any Scotland trip. …

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