Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites with Holiday Vacations

Full list of sites: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

Traveling the world with us means going on an immersive journey through history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. In fact, over 50 of our tours feature at least one UNESCO World Heritage Site — landmarks that tell the story of humanity and nature since the beginning of time. From Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks and the ancient center of Rome, countless marvels await. Let's dive into what makes these places so extraordinary and why they belong on your travel bucket list.

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Their mission is to unite the world and end prejudice through education. One of the most significant ways they do that is through the protection and preservation of significant historical, natural, and cultural landmarks that are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Their goal is to ensure all of these wonders and the stories behind them can be enjoyed for generations to come.

To earn the prestigious title of a World Heritage Site, it must meet at least one of the following criteria:

represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
exhibit an important interchange of human values on developments in architecture, technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design
bear a unique/exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition, living civilization, or one which has disappeared
be an outstanding example of a building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history
be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is under the impact of irreversible change and represents a culture
be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, ideas or beliefs, artistic, and literary works of outstanding universal significance
contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty
be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, geological processes, or geomorphic or physiographic features
be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of specific ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including threatened species

(For more details on these criteria, visit the UNESCO website).

At Holiday Vacations, we believe that exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites offers a uniquely enriching travel experience. Europe currently leads the way as the continent with the highest number of sites, but with over 1,200 locations, these treasured destinations are all over the globe! If you're ready to see incredible places that have shaped human civilization and natural wonders, browse our comprehensive list below, detailing which sites are found on each tour. When one piques your interest, click the tour name to learn more about the expertly planned itinerary or watch a short travel show and earn a $100 travel credit! The world is waiting to be explored – where will you go next?

Did a tour spark your wanderlust? Book it now in a few simple clicks online, or call our expert Tour Sales Consultants at 1-888-867-2190! From airfare and hotels to the top attractions, we take care of everything for you. All that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited to uncover the world's most fascinating sites!

Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites with Holiday Vacations

What Are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Discover Your Next Life-Changing Adventure

Africa

Captivating Kenya Safari

Gems of Egypt & the Nile River

Southern Africa’s Wild Wonders: Land & Water Safari

Tanzania Safari Adventure

Alaska

Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise

Alaska & Inside Passage Cruise

North to Alaska

Australia & the Pacific

Australia & New Zealand Highlights

Grand Australia & New Zealand

Spectacular New Zealand

Wonders of Australia

Canada

Canadian Rockies, Vancouver & Victoria

Montreal, Quebec & Canadian Maritimes

Railroading in the Rockies

Central & South America

Panama Canal Cruise with Holland America Line

Contiguous USA

Autumn in New England

Bryce, Zion & the Grand Canyon

Colorado & the Rocky Mountains

Glacier, Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons

Kentucky & the Smokies

Majestic Parks

New England Fall Foliage

New York City at Christmastime

Smoky Mountain Christmas

Yellowstone & Frontier Farms

Yosemite & Coastal California

Europe

Blue Danube River Cruise

Classic Italy: Rome, Venice & Florence

Classical Greece Land & Cruise

Croatia, Slovenia & the Adriatic Coast

English Masterpiece

Iceland’s Northern Lights

Italy & Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast (& President’s Cruise)

Majestic Fjords of Norway

Normandy, London & Paris

Paris – City of Lights

Portugal & Spain on the Duoro River

Rhine River Cruise: Switzerland to Amsterdam

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Scotland’s Glens & Highlands

Scottish Charm & Irish Farms

Sunny Spain & Portugal

Treasures of Central Europe

Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

Grand Adventures

Grand Adventure: National Parks

Grand Adventure: Rome, Venice, Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

Grand Adventure: Scotland & the Emerald Isle

Grand Adventure: Canadian Rockies & Alaska

Hawaii

A Taste of Aloha

Hawaii Four Island Holiday

Hawaii Three Island Paradise

Hawaiian Islands Land & Cruise