World Heritage Properties

Many seniors are interested in studying the World Heritage Properties as determined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 890 properties listed by the World Heritage Committee valued as outstanding and universal can be found in almost every corner of the world. These cultural and natural heritage locations are considered important pieces of our past and essential for our future and therefore must be protected. Whether the older travel person visits them in person or from their couch they will appreciate this wonderful insight into our past. Let’s start our journey with countries beginning with “A” and working through the alphabet to discover the uniqueness of each location.

1. The Minaret and Archaeological remains of Jam date back to the 12th century. Located in a deep river valley this majestic 65 metre high structure is covered in detailed brickwork and decorated inscribed with blue tile at the very top.
2. The Bamiyan Valley’s cultural landscape and archaeological remains represent the development of religion and art from the 1st to the 13th centuries.

Senior travelers will appreciate the Buddha statues, sanctuaries and cave art in Bamiyan Valley and example of Islamic architecture in the Minaret Jam. These two world heritage properties dates of inscription were 2002 and 2003.

Albania

Albania’s two properties Butrint and the historic Centers of Berat and Gjirokastra are our next stops and worth studying by the senior traveler.

1. Butrint has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its archaeological site has ruins from an ancient Greek colony and a Roman city.
2. Berat and Gjirokastra are very rare examples of the Ottoman period architecture and will enchant senior travel groups who visit. This area was inhabited over hundreds of years by various religious and cultural communities and its Byzantine churches, mosques and a castle (Kala) that originates back to the 4th century BC are all there to be studied.

Algeria

Algeria’s cultural properties were inscribed on the list starting in 1980.
1. Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad is an authentic example of a fortified Muslim city and was the first capital of the Hammadid emirs founded in 1007 but demolished in 1152.
2. Djémila, built in the mountains has wonderful basilicas, temples and historic Roman houses.
3. Kasbah of Algiers, an Islamic city on the Mediterranean with remains of old mosques and palaces is a unique destination for seniors to visit.
4. M'Zab Valley created in the 10th century has been preserved wonderfully intact.
5. Timgad was created by the Emperor Trajan in AD100 as a military colony. Imagine being able to study this city with other senior travel people.
6. Tipasa also sits on the shores of the Mediterranean and was an ancient trading post. It’s Phoenician; Byzantine and Roman ruins are still there for the elderly traveler to see.
7. Prehistoric groupings of prehistoric cave art can be found Tassili n’Ajjer.

By taking advantage of senior travel deals many seniors have the opportunity of joining other elderly travelers and learn more how we have evolved into the people we are today. Come back next week and we will continue on our journey through the alphabet joining other seniors interested in studying historic World Heritage Properties.

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