Embedded Files
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2021"
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2021"
POSTED JANUARY 5, 2021
Lonely Planet finished the year with an article titled "10 good news stories that lifted our spirits in 2020". [link below left] From Uganda's gorilla baby boom to the milestone in the repair of Notre Dame Cathedral to the survival of the world's smallest possum species despite the Australian bush fires, it is a reminder that good things also happened last year and that travel will again be possible in the not too distant future.
For its 2021 "Best in Travel" recommendations, Lonely Planet did things differently than in previous years. "Instead of celebrating destinations, trends and experiences we think will be big next year, we're celebrating the people and projects who make any destination special. The ones who are transforming travel for the better and pushing for positive change in three categories: sustainability, diversity and community." Among the award winners - Palau (best island), Gothenburg (best city stay), Virginia Mountain Bike Trail (best cycling), Greece (best food), and Antigua & Barbuda (best emerging destination). [link below right]
Switzerland
Switzerland
POSTED JANUARY 17, 2021
You cannot speak about Switzerland without speaking about Europe's most famous mountain range. The Alps comprise 60% of the small country's area. For ski enthusiasts with money, Zermatt near the iconic Matterhorn and the glitzy St. Moritz are popular winter destinations. In early and mid-summer, alpine flowers in full bloom surround you both in meadows and high rocky ground. The lakes of Switzerland, like Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva, have the Alps as their backdrop.
Besides the Alps, Switzerland's cities and villages also offer many attractions for the traveller - including the world's largest collection of Paul Klee paintings (Bern), an International Music Festival (Lucerne), and a taste of the Mediterranean in the Ticino, Switzerland's only canton with Italian as its official language.
Below: PlantWare's list of top-rated tourist attractions
Right: Complete travel guide from the Swiss Tourism website
Legendary Lands: Ultima Thule
Legendary Lands: Ultima Thule
POSTED FEBRUARY 20, 2021
We are not traveling anywhere real at the moment. So, as we await the reopening of the world after defeating the pandemic, I will be posting on some legendary lands and the locales which may have been the source of the legends. First up is Ultima Thule.
Along with the "Here Be Dragons" that roamed the seas in ancient maps, Ultima Thule was used to designate uncharted territory. Thule was the farthest north location mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman literature and cartography. One such representation [sidebar] is that reconstructed from the work of the ancient Greek polymath Dicaearchus*, a pupil of Aristotle.
Over the centuries, "Ultima Thule" and "Thule" have been adapted by many to designate this edge of the known world. [1,2,3,4]
In classical and medieval literature, Ultima Thule (Latin "farthermost Thule") acquired a metaphorical meaning of any distant place located beyond the "borders of the known world".
References to Ultima Thule in modern literature appear in works by Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the Australian writer Henry Handel Richardson.
The Thule people are the "proto-Inuits", the ancestors of all modern Inuit. They developed their culture in coastal Alaska by 1000 and expanded eastwards across Canada, reaching Greenland by the 13th century. [sidebar] The appellation "Thule" originates from the location of Thule (relocated and renamed Qaanaaq in 1953) in northwest Greenland where the archaeological remains of the people were first found.
"Ultima Thule" makes an appearance in Richard Garriott's legendary Ultima video game series in the form of a mysterious sign post. Garriott's series is one of the most significant in computer game history and is considered, alongside "Wizardry" and "Might and Magic", to be one of the establishers of the computer role-playing game genre.
"After World War I, a strange organization called the Thule Society formed in Munich. The members of this group, which many historians claim was an occult group, believed that the Aryan race of people originally came from Thule. They not only believed that the mythical land was a real place, but they thought that the original inhabitants of Thule were superhumans with supernatural powers and psychic abilities. They also believed that they possessed extraordinary technological skills."
NASA has also taken advantage of the name's connotations, nicknaming a Kuiper Belt object after it [sidebar].
Settlements of the different cultures of the Arctic region circa 1300. [1]
As for the actual location of the Thule of the ancients, the leading candidates are Iceland, Northern Scotland/Orkney/Shetland, the island of Saaremaa in Estonia, and the Norwegian island of Smøla.
Iceland: "The 4th-century-BCE Greek explorer Pytheas of Massalia (current day Marseille) described a northern country that he called Thule, located six days’ sailing distance north of Britain. In the 8th century Irish hermits who had begun to sail to Iceland in search of solitude also called the island Thule. It is unknown, however, if Pytheas and the hermits were describing the same island." (Britannica)
See "What in the World?" post "Iceland" (Aug 2018)
Northern Scotland, Orkney, Shetland: The case for northern Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland islands to the northeast is based on the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus (56-120 A.D.). In his book chronicling the life of his father-in-law, Agricola, Tacitus "describes how the Romans knew that Britain was an island rather than a continent, by circumnavigating it. Tacitus writes of a Roman ship visiting the Orkneys and claims the ship's crew even sighted Thule... Some scholars believe that Tacitus was referring to Shetland." [1]
The island of Saaremaa in Estonia: A hypothesis first proposed in 1976 by the Estonian writer, film director and politician Lennart Meri "holds that the island of Saaremaa in Estonia, could be Thule. According to Meri, there is a phonological similarity between Thule and the root tule- "of fire" in Estonian and other Finnic languages." [1]
The Norwegian island of Smøla: "In 2010, scientists from the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation Science at the Technical University of Berlin claimed to have identified persistent errors in calculation that had occurred in attempts by modern geographers to superimpose geographic coordinate systems upon Ptolemaic maps. After correcting for these errors, the scientists claimed, Ptolemy's Thule could be mapped to the Norwegian island of Smøla." [1]
Below clockwise from the top: a map from welte-atlas.de showing the four leading candidates for the Thule of the ancients; a link to a Smithsonian Magazine article discussing "Thule’s enigmatic and complicated history" and how Smøla became the most recent hypothesized location and ; a link to a Wanderlust article comparing the ancient Orkneys' and the rugged Shetlands' archaeology, beaches (yeah, I was stunned too!), WWII sites, and celebrations.
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] Britannica [3] Ultima Wiki [4] History Daily
Notes: *Dicaearchus was a philosopher, cartographer, geographer, mathematician and author. Unfortunately, little remains of his writings.
Legendary Lands: Atlantis
Legendary Lands: Atlantis
POSTED MARCH 9, 2021
Next up on our visits to legendary lands is the island continent of Atlantis.
From its beginnings as a thought experiment of a Greek philosopher, Atlantis has risen to first place in the realm of fictional lands. Writers, artists, poets, composers, film makers, Renaissance philosophers and comic book writers all tapped into the legend. For centuries, Atlantis has served as a metaphor for both utopias and dystopias and as a distant land lost in time.
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato mentions Atlantis in the Dialogues, where it serves as a foil to his ideal Republic. In Plato's telling, nine thousand years before his own time, the mighty island kingdom of Atlantis, which lies "beyond the pillars of Hercules", attempts a naval conquest of Athens. The invasion fails because of the well-ordered society that is Athens. Some years later, the powerful and advanced kingdom of Atlantis sinks into the sea over the course of one day and one night.
Plato's Atlantis
Plato (through the character Critias in the Dialogues) describes Atlantis as an island "larger than Libya and Asia Minor put together". In Plato's time, Libya was the name given to all of North Africa from the Nile to today's Morocco. So Plato's Atlantis was almost as large as Australia. This island continent was said to be located in the Atlantic just "beyond the Pillars of Hercules" (today's Strait of Gibraltar). Whether Atlantis sprang full-blown from Plato's mind or whether he heard of it from an account of the travels of Solon to Egypt between 590 and 580 BC, is debated.
Some ancients believed it to be a real island, but Plato's student Aristotle was not one of them. As a result, the legend of Atlantis more or less disappeared for almost 2000 years.
The Atlantis Revival
Then in 1627, Francis Bacon wrote New Atlantis, describing a fictional ideal society that he located off the western coast of America. Later in the seventeenth century, the German Jesuit scholar and polymath Athanasius Kircher created a map of Atlantis based on Plato's description and Egyptian sources.
The 1882 publication of Atlantis: the Antediluvian World by Ignatius L. Donnelly stimulated much popular interest in Atlantis. He attempted to establish that all known ancient civilizations were descended from Atlantis, which he saw as a technologically sophisticated, more advanced culture. Donnelly is credited as the "father of the nineteenth century Atlantis revival" and is the reason the myth endures today. He too produced a map. Donnelly's map showed the supposed extent of the Atlantean Empire. [1]
Location
In Plato's telling, Atlantis lay to the west of the known world, beyond the west coast of Africa.* Since Donnelly's day, there have been dozens of locations proposed for Atlantis, to the point where the name has become a generic concept. Many of the proposed sites share some of the characteristics of the Atlantis story (water, catastrophic end, relevant time period), but none has been demonstrated to be a true historical Atlantis. [1]
Locations proposed for the legendary island include [1, 2]:
Donnelly, assuming the Atlantic was only hundreds of feet deep, described a continent flooded by shifting ocean waters that sank in the exact location Plato said it did.
Islands in or near the Mediterranean Sea such as Sardinia, Crete, Santorini, Sicily, Cyprus, and Malta.
The region around the Black Sea, which was flooded around 5600 B.C. when the Mediterranean breached the Bosporos. As inhabitants of the region scattered, they spread tales of the deluge, and this may have led to Plato’s account of Atlantis.
Several place the sunken island in northern Europe, including Doggerland in the North Sea. Doggerland is thought to have been flooded by a mega-tsunami following the Storegga slide of c. 6100 BC. Some have proposed the Celtic Shelf as a possible location, and that there is a link to Ireland.
In the 1950's, before plate tectonics were fully understood, Charles Hapgood proposed that Atlantis was a more temperate version of what is now Antarctica. According to Hapgood, around 12,000 years ago the Earth’s crust shifted, displacing the continent that became Antarctica from a location much further north than it is today. The sudden shift to its current frigid location doomed the civilization’s inhabitants and their magnificent city was buried under layers of ice.
My personal favorite for the source of the legend of Atlantis is that based on the Minoan civilization. The Minoans flourished on the Greek islands of Crete and Thera (now Santorini) more than 4,000 years ago.
History.com [sidebar] explains: "Believed to be Europe’s first great civilization, the Minoans built splendid palaces, constructed paved roads and were the first Europeans to use a written language. At the height of their power, however, the Minoans suddenly disappeared from history—an enduring mystery that has fueled belief in a link between this great, doomed civilization and Plato’s Atlantis. Historians believe around 1600 B.C., a massive earthquake shook the volcanic island of Thera, triggering an eruption that spewed 10 million tons of rock, ash and gas into the atmosphere. Tsunamis that followed the eruption were large enough to wipe out Minoan cities throughout the region." [2]
Several ancient cultures describe a Great Flood occurring in the distant past. Besides the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible, which dates from 1400-1450 B.C., there is the mega-tsunami that followed the Storegga slide of c. 6100 BC, the flooding of the Black Sea that occurred in 5600 B.C., and the flooding caused by the Theran volcanic eruption in 1600 B.C.
While Atlantis may never have actually existed, it's clear that the legend arose from something that happened in the distant past - something so devastating that it gave rise to legends of lost continents and divine punishment.
Kircher's Map of Atlantis
Kircher's Map of Atlantis
Kircher placed Atlantis in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in his 1669 work Mundus Subterraneous. The map is oriented with south at the top.
Donnelly's Map of the Atlantean Empire
Donnelly's Map of the Atlantean Empire
Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.
Notes: *The Greek Atlantikos originally referred to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and the sea near the west coast of that continent.
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] History.com
Legendary Lands: Shangri-La
Legendary Lands: Shangri-La
MARCH 22, 2021
The next and final stop on our visits to legendary lands is the hidden valley of Shangri-La.
In Tibetan, Shangri-La means "the sun and moon in the heart", an ideal home only found in heaven. The word came into the English lexicon via James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. Hilton describes Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has since became synonymous with any earthly paradise, particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia – an enduringly happy land, isolated from the world. [1, 2]
There are older stories about such hidden lands in Tibet and the Himalayas - stories that go back more than 1000 years. Ancient Tibetan scriptures mention seven such places. In Tibetan scriptures and legends, these hidden locales were believed to have been created by Padmasambhava* in the 9th century as idyllic, sacred places of refuge for Buddhists during times of strife. [1]
Where is it?
Lost Horizon's Shangri-La
James Hilton locates his valley of Shangri-La in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains (link right), which would put it near China's border with Tajikistan. As the source of many Chinese tales, the Kunlun Mountains have long been seen as the origin of the Chinese civilization. The legendary namesake mountain became a cultural symbol. Ancient Chinese thought Kunlun was home to gods and sacred animals. Later, as China began to be unified during the Qin dynasty, it became seen as the symbol of the emperor. [3]
Other contenders
Ancient sources with similar descriptions of a place of harmony and peace include the Wuling Mountains and Shambhala, a mythical kingdom in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Among the other real world locations put forward as the source of Hilton's mythical Shangri-La are:
- the Hunza Valley in Pakistani Kashmir, an isolated green valley surrounded by mountains, enclosed on the western end of the Himalayas and visited by Hilton a few years before he wrote his novel.
- Tibet
- Sichuan
- the renamed county of Shangri-La (link right)
Bhutan
Finally, there is the small kingdom of Bhutan, sometimes called the "last Shangri-La."
Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon (WITW Sep 16, 2019)
What more can you say about a place that has a national happiness mandate and is the only carbon-negative country in the world? The link right is to the official travel destination website of the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Besides a short video about the country and its people, it has links to pages of activities and events.
Note: *Padmasambhava is widely credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibetan lands. He is revered as the "Second Buddha" by some Buddhist sects. Legend holds that Padmasambhava was an enlightened being, capable of seeing through time to predict troubled times in the future. [4]
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] Travel China Guide [3] China Daily [4] Tang Museum
Scenic Road Trips and Stunning Natural Wonders
Scenic Road Trips and Stunning Natural Wonders
POSTED APRIL 9, 2021
As we emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, the "Great American Outdoors" will offer abundant opportunities for safe travel. With an area of nearly 4 million square miles, the United States is home to spectacular natural wonders and offers endless possibilities for scenic road trips. Travel + Leisure and Passport Magazine offer some suggestions on where to start.
A few of Travel + Leisure's most scenic road trips:
The Hana Highway - "The T-shirts all say: I survived the road to Hana. It can take more than two and a half hours to travel the 52 miles from Kahului to Hana, as you snake past steep sea-cliffs lush with blooming mango trees, buy banana bread from roadside stalls, and pull over for Jurassic vistas." We did it. It was not as nerve-wracking for a New Jersey driver used to hills and curves as it might have been for someone from the Midwest.
Blue Ridge Parkway (VA, NC, SC) - "built for travelers seeking Appalachian overlooks. It’s a panoramic drive for all seasons, with undulating slopes of color in autumn, a bounty of forest canopy in summer, and hot-cider ski resorts in winter."
17 Mile Drive (California) - this (actually) 10 mile private road "runs through the Del Monte forests belonging to the exclusive Pebble Beach golf community. With surf-beaten cliffs and colonies of harbor seals, it also boasts spectacular sunsets over the Pacific."
With breathtaking images and brief descriptions of their origins, Passport Magazine nominates these seven sites as the most stunning natural wonders in the US:
the tallest waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls
the giant ivory-colored sand dunes of the White Sands National Park in New Mexico
the emerald, towering, steeple-like cliffs of the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, Hawaii
the largest of the Great Lakes, crystal clear Lake Superior
the mysterious Mount Shasta in California, home to stories and legends
the Grand Canyon - "At its deepest point, the canyon drops over 6,000 ft. It’s also one of the most important geological artifacts on the planet. Because of the river’s erosive impacts, scientists are able to study rocks and sediment from billions of years ago. The Vishnu Schist, which can be seen from the river, is two billion years old."
Niagara Falls - "After the glaciers of the last ice age receded and formed the Great Lakes, water began flowing from Lake Erie, into Lake Ontario, which sits at a slightly lower elevation. This flow gradually got bigger and bigger, until the world ended up with Niagara Falls. In fact, the falls are still eroding to this day, and the waterfall continues to get slightly bigger with each passing decade."
Ecotourism and sustainable travel
Ecotourism and sustainable travel
POSTED APRIL 22, 2021
Ecotourism and other forms of sustainable travel have their origins in the same 1970s environmental movement that gave us Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Clean Water Act.
Ecotourism, according to the International Ecotourism Society, is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. Travel companies specializing in this form of travel became popular in the late 1980's and you can find lists of recommended ecotourism travel companies at sites like Tour Radar and Pebble Magazine. Websites such as Smarter Travel and tripping have suggestions for the best places to take your ecotour. Here are a few notable locations.
Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is famous for its ecotourist activity as it is a biodiversity hotspot, but also has a high priority for environmental conservation and is committed to reducing poverty. Conservation International says that 80% of the country's animals and 90% of its plants are endemic only to the island. [1] Madagascar is the only home of 5% of the plant and animal species in the world. Deforestation is a threat to this biodiversity, and ecotourism can help fund important conservation projects.
Costa Rica, one of the first countries to promote responsible travel, makes it onto almost every list of "best ecotourism" sites. The small Central American nation is "home to the world’s most enthusiastic tree planters and one of the first countries in the world to promote responsible travel." Costa Rica aims to become the first carbon-neutral country in the world by the end of this year.
Palau is "scenically magical....It's hard not to be overwhelmed by its extraordinary array of natural wonders: this is an archipelago of about 200 largely pristine limestone and volcanic islands, blanketed in emerald forest, surrounded by a shimmering turquoise lagoon." [2] The small nation is on the front line of climate change - endangered as it is by the rising sea levels caused by global warming. Palau's economy is driven by tourism and was the first nation to require visitors to sign an "eco-pledge" on arrival.
I'll close with links to two posts from BBC - one on the principles of sustainable travel (travel light, travel slow, stay green, shun plastic. etc.) and the other on ten amazing sights endangered by climate change.
References: [1] Thought Co. [2] Lonely Planet
The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites
POSTED MAY 5, 2021
UNESCO has been designating and administering World Heritage Sites since 1978. World Heritage Sites can be anything from ancient ruins to natural wonders. They are chosen by UNESCO because of their cultural, historical, or scientific significance - "cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity". In 1978, UNESCO designated twelve such sites.
The first World Heritage Site was the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. The Galápagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean located 900 km west of Ecuador. The islands are known for their large number of native species that were studied by Charles Darwin during the second voyage of HMS Beagle. His observations and collections inspired his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. [1]
From UNESCO's Galapagos page [link below]: "The islands constitute an almost unique example of how ecological, evolutionary and biogeographic processes influence the flora and fauna on both specific islands as well as the entire archipelago. Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, land snails, giant tortoises and a number of plant and insect groups represent some of the best examples of adaptive radiation which still continues today. Likewise, the Marine Reserve, situated at the confluence of 3 major eastern Pacific currents and influenced by climatic phenomena such as El Niño, has had major evolutionary consequences and provides important clues about species evolution under changing conditions."
A second Ecuadoran site also made the first year's list - its capital city of Quito. Its historic center is one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved in the Americas. Just about anywhere you look in Quito’s “centro historico” provides a virtual study in civilization and style. The architecture includes everything from the Baroque, Mannerist and Renaissance design introduced by Spanish and Italian architects who arrived following the Spanish conquest, to the Neoclassical forms popular at the end of the 19th century. [2]
In the link below, Culture Trip introduces you to the Quito historical center's plazas, museums, churches and neighborhoods.
Another historic city center made the UNESCO World Heritage list that first year: Kraków in Poland. Kraków's "Old Town" is one of the most famous old districts in Poland today and was the center of Poland's political life from 1038 until King Sigismund III Vasa relocated his court to Warsaw in 1596.
The UNESCO inscription calls Kraków is an urban architectural ensemble of outstanding quality, noting its numerous churches and monasteries, its imposing public buildings, the remains of its medieval city walls, and its palaces and townhouses, many designed and built by prominent architects and craftspersons, and the extraordinary density of monuments from various periods, preserved in their original forms. Wawel Hill, the dominant feature of the Historic Centre of Kraków, is a former royal residence attesting to the dynastic and political links of medieval and early modern Europe.
The Polish Tourism Organization [link below] adds: "Europe’s largest Medieval market square with its Cloth Hall, the Church of the Holy Mary with its Gothic pentaptych altarpiece carved from limewood, Wawel Hill and its royal castle and the Wawel cathedral with its outstanding Renaissance chapel, the Medieval university building of Collegium Maius with its unique collection of astronomical instruments, the Barbican, and St Florian's Gate. The Jewish quarter of Kazimierz features a wealth of Jewish heritage with its 16th century cemetery and seven synagogues of which one is now the Jewish museum."
The United States had two national parks in the 1978 list - Yellowstone and Mesa Verde.
UNESCO calls Yellowstone National Park "a protected area showcasing significant geological phenomena and processes [and] a unique manifestation of geothermal forces, natural beauty, and wild ecosystems where rare and endangered species thrive. As the site of one of the few remaining intact large ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of earth, Yellowstone’s ecological communities provide unparalleled opportunities for conservation, study, and enjoyment of large-scale wildland ecosystem processes."
Mesa Verde is cited for its "great concentration of ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings, built from the 6th to the 12th century...Some 4,400 sites have been recorded, including villages built on the Mesa top. There are also imposing cliff dwellings, built of stone and comprising more than 100 rooms...The exceptional archaeological sites of the Mesa Verde landscape provide eloquent testimony to the ancient cultural traditions of Native American tribes. They represent a graphic link between the past and present ways of life of the Puebloan Peoples of the American Southwest."
The seven other sites recognized in the first World Heritage inscriptions were Aachen Cathedral in Germany, Canada's L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and Nahanni National Park Reserve, Ethiopia's Simien National Park and Rock-Hewn Churches, Poland's Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mine, and the Island of Gorée in Senegal.
Images from Yellowstone National Park (left below) and Mesa Verde National Park (right below) are from the UNESCO World Heritage Website.
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] Culture Trip
A colorful tour from Holland to Provence: tulips, lavender, and sunflowers
A colorful tour from Holland to Provence: tulips, lavender, and sunflowers
POSTED MAY 14, 2021
The end of Holland's tulip season is fast approaching. From late March to mid-May, tulips display an infinite variety of vivid colors, turning much of Holland into a vast patchwork quilt. The cool nights of Holland's long spring season make it ideal for growing tulips, and the tulip season is at its peak in mid-April.
The tulip was introduced to Europe from Turkey in 1550 and soon became a popular and expensive item. Britannica notes: "By about 1610 a single bulb of a new variety was acceptable as dowry for a bride, and a flourishing brewery in France was exchanged for one bulb of the variety Tulipe Brasserie." The contract prices for some bulbs reached extraordinarily high levels, and then dramatically collapsed in February 1637. The "tulip mania" that gripped the Netherlands is generally considered to have been the first recorded speculative bubble or asset bubble in history. [1]
The most common meaning for tulips is perfect or deep love. Because tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, they can also mean rebirth. While red tulips have retained the meaning of deep love, each tulip color has come to represent a different sentiment. In Victorian times, yellow tulips were an expression of jealousy and hopeless love, but more modern interpretations make it the flower of hope and cheerful thoughts. White tulips have a meaning of forgiveness, respect, purity and honor, while pink tulips can mean good wishes, health and confidence. [2, 3]
Holland's Tulip Festival is the traditional start of spring there. Visitors from all over the world travel to the festival to enjoy the nationwide display of color. In 2022, the Tulip Festival will be from Saturday 19 March until Sunday 8 May. The Tulip Festival Amsterdam website has some great information on things to do and places to visit.
It's a twelve hour drive from Amsterdam to the Luberon in Provence. The journey takes you through Antwerp, Brussels, Reims, and France's third largest, but perhaps most under-rated city, Lyon.
Lavender is grown in many parts of the world but none of these can compete with Provence in terms of tradition or scale. Provence and lavender have practically become synonymous over the centuries. First domesticated in the Middle East, lavender spread across Europe from Greece and was first introduced to France around 600 BC by Greek traders. However, it was the Romans – enthusiastic bathers – who first learnt to extract the plant’s essential oil and who named the plant lavender, from the Latin lavare, ‘to wash’. [5]
Lavender has been cultivated for its medicinal properties since the 14th century, and the plant is renowned for its soothing and calming effects. Medicinal benefits have been demonstrated in treating anxiety, fungal infections, hair loss and wounds. Recently, scientists have begun testing the efficacy of lavender essential oil for treating cancerous tumors. [5,6]
Provence lavender is known for its intense fragrance, and is lightly used in many scents. The main lavender fields of Provence are centered on the Luberon and Verdon plateau regions, with the flowering season being generally from mid June to mid July. [4, 5] Viator has a number of recommended tours of the lavender fields of Provence, leaving from Aix, Avignon, and Marseilles.
Provence's lavender fields are iconic and world-renowned, but the region is also home to sunflower fields. The French word for sunflower is tournesol- from tourner, to turn, and sol, the sun. Growing eventually to 5 – 12 feet tall, young sunflowers move their faces east to west during the day, but when fully grown, the flowers always face east.
Generally, the sunflower season in France is mid-summer, slightly differing by region. In Provence, sunflowers start blooming in late June, reaching their peak in early-to-mid July. The season continues until the end of the month. [8]
Sunflowers originated in the Americas. They were first domesticated by indigenous people thousands of years ago in what is now Mexico and the Southern United States. Spanish explorers discovered the flower around 1510, but it was not until the 1700's that it became widespread across Western Europe. Every part of the sunflower is useful. While growing they are beautiful to look at and later the leaves can be used as cattle feed. Seeds and seed kernels can be eaten or used for cooking and for extracting oil. [1, 7]
If a work colleague and Vincent Van Gogh are representative, the Dutch are particularly fond of Provence - perhaps because of how different the climates of the two locales are.
On a beautiful sunny day in late spring some years ago, while eating in a restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, a Dutch colleague working there at the time explained, "In the Netherlands, we all run outside and celebrate if it is a sunny day. In Provence, we celebrate if it rains."
The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh lived in the ancient city of Arles for 15 months and created two to three hundred oil paintings. It was the most productive period in his life, and it was during this period that Van Gogh created his masterpiece Sunflowers, the iconic series of paintings of sunflowers in a vase.
Van Gogh also painted many sunflower fields, one of which is shown below left.
Below right is an image of a sunflower field with a lavender field in the background.
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] Eastern Floral [3] Petal Republic [4] Farm Stay Planet [5] Complete France [6] Medical News Today [7] France Travel Info [8] rove.me [9] trip.com
Fair Use Notice: Images and quotes on this website may be subject to copyright. Their inclusion on this site is within the fair use doctrine of copyright law.
Europe reopening: vaccine passports, COVID-tested flights, pandemic restrictions
Europe reopening: vaccine passports, COVID-tested flights, pandemic restrictions
POSTED MAY 25, 2021
Europe is beginning to reopen their borders to American travelers. The timetable and requirements vary by country, and travel will be different than in pre-COVID days.
Perhaps the best advice at this stage is that given by the editors at CNN: "Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission."
If you still plan to travel to Europe this summer, various news and travel sites have collected the information you need to know. The situation is fluid and you should get the latest information available from a reliable source. Below are links to several of the best recent articles.
Is it safe to fly right now? (T+L, May 11)
"...the answer is complicated and comes with numerous caveats. While it may be safe to fly, that doesn't mean it's without risk. Ultimately, flying during the pandemic requires weighing the many variables and deciding how comfortable you feel getting back on a plane." Travel + Leisure speaks with medical, mathematical, aviation, and travel experts.
What should I know about travel to Europe this summer? (Vogue, May 24)
There’s no set, universal date for re-opening. The E.U. has recommended that member states “ease some of the current restrictions” for those who have been vaccinated ahead of the summer tourist season.
The best, but not the only, proof that you are vaccinated is a vaccine passport.
Some countries (like Italy) will only allow entry if you arrive on a COVID-tested flight.
Expect pandemic restrictions (e.g., masks) to still be in place. (Vogue, May 24)
What are the specifics for Italy? (CNN, May 24)
-US travelers must arrive on a government-approved "Covid-tested" flight. At the moment, only Delta and Alitalia run these, from New York JFK and Atlanta to Rome and Milan. Delta has announced plans to add more flights.
-Across the country, masks must be worn at all times in public, even outside. There is a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in place.
-The country is divided into zones, depending on infection levels: red, orange, yellow and white. Regulations vary by zone.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido
POSTED JUNE 11, 2021
The delayed 2020 Summer Olympics are being held later this summer in Tokyo. The pandemic precautions include no foreign spectators, and thus many will miss the opportunity to explore this unique country. The next few Travel posts will take a look at some of the top sites which hopefully will be reopening for visitors in the not too distant future.
The Japanese archipelago consists of almost 7,000 islands, ranging from some of the largest islands in the world to tiny uninhabited landmasses.
Archaeological evidence indicates that settlers from mainland Asia arrived on the islands during the last Ice Age, when Japan was connected to the continent through several land bridges. Today about 430 of Japan's islands are inhabited, but the vast majority of the population resides in the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Of the main islands, Hokkaido is the northernmost, second largest and least developed. Its unspoiled nature, national parks and rural landscapes make Hokkaido a destination for those who love the outdoors - from skiers and snowboarders in the colder seasons to hikers, cyclists and campers from June to September.[2]
Hokkaido is best known for its cold, snowy winters and wonderful ski resorts. Skiers and snowboarders praise the island's powder snow as the best in the world. Among the many ski resorts in Hokkaido, Rusutsu and Niseko are especially renowned "for their gorgeous powder snow and facilities." [1]
Skier admiring the view from a trail at the Rusutsu ski resort
Come the spring and summer, the flower fields of Hokkaido burst into color. Lavender, tulips, sunflowers, moss phlox, and many other varieties cover the landscape in a dazzling multi-color array.
And then there are the parks. Including the six national parks, about 10% of the island is devoted to natural, unspoiled park land. Hiking, hot springs, coastal scenery, wetland and marshes, caldera lakes and volcanic mountains, waterfalls, autumn colors and alpine flowers, brown bear sight-seeing tour boats and crane feeding sites - the park lands have much to offer.
The waterfalls inside Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
A final note: the "Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku" are expected to be added this July as Japan's 20th UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. They are a collection of sites in northern Japan related to the Jomon Period which lasted from the end of the Ice Age until 300 A.D.
References: [1] Japan Web [2] Japan Guide
Images: Map is from Pinterest, skiers from Japan Web, flower field and waterfalls from Tsunagu Japan "20 Superb Hokjkaido Views"
Fair Use Notice: Images and quotes on this website may be subject to copyright. Their inclusion on this site is within the fair use doctrine of copyright law.
Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture
Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture
POSTED JUNE 20, 2021
The smallest of Japan's four main islands, Shikoku is nestled between the islands of Honshū and Kyushu and surrounded by the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Considered remote and isolated for centuries, Shikoku is now easy to access from Honshū via three bridge systems built in recent decades.
The birthplace of the founder of the Shingon Buddhist sect and home to Japan's most famous pilgrimage, Shikoku is synonymous with natural beauty and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. In selecting Shikoku for its 2019 "Best in Travel" picks, Lonely Planet praised the island's "stunning Iya Valley, rugged Pacific coastline, mountain ranges and gorgeous free-flowing rivers, ...remote temples, historic castles and gardens, excellent regional cuisine and the modern pleasures" of the cities of Tokushima, Kōchi, Matsuyama and Takamatsu. [1]
Shikoku means "four regions", and each of Shikoku's four prefectures (Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima) has much to offer. This post takes a look at the 88 Temple Shikoku pilgrimage and a few of the sites in the smallest of these prefectures, Kagawa.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage and Kagawa [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
The eighty-eight temples of the 1,200 kilometer Shikoku Pilgrimage are extraordinary in their diversity. They are found in cities, towns, and villages, among forests and agricultural land, on coasts and inland, at the foot and on top of mountains. Some are inconspicuous and hidden, while others are marked by tall pagodas and golden roof ornaments. Although the 88 Henro* temples are important aspects of the pilgrimage, they aren’t the most important. They are just "way-stations on a journey, places for pilgrims to drop in as they travel to discover the meaning of life through exposure to the hardships of the road, and the kindness and companionship of the people they encounter on the road."
Kagawa is home to over a quarter of all of the Shikoku Pilgrimage’s temples, including the 88th and final one. Okubo-ji is Temple No. 88 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (below right). It’s the last temple of the pilgrimage, and pilgrims who make it here are considered to have fulfilled the vow they took before starting the pilgrimage. Located in a valley below a steep mountain peak, it is an unassuming looking place. Except for a large entrance gateway, there’s nothing in particular to suggest that this is the culmination of an epic journey. The grounds have many attractive stone statue and are especially beautiful in autumn as the leaves turn to yellow and red.
Originally constructed from 1597 to 1602, today Marugame Castle (below left) sits as the centerpiece of Kameyama Park, a large public park covering the original castle grounds, in the heart of Marugame City. With panoramic views of the city and the Seto Inland Sea, the castle grounds are also one of the region's most famous cherry blossom spots with nearly 1000 cherry trees planted around the walls and castle keep.
Kagawa Prefecture also includes the island of Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea, which is known for its modern art museums, architecture and sculptures. The island has a Mediterranean atmosphere, sandy beaches and sunny weather, and a laid back, rural feel. With its ocean vistas and landscapes, Naoshima has become an internationally recognized center of modern art. Thanks to Soichiro Fukutake's Naoshima Project, the beauty of nature, art, and architecture are unified in the Benesse Art Site, incorporating galleries across the island filled with art by Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Lee Ufan, and hundreds of other world-renowned artists.
Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin [below] has become the emblem of Naoshima.
*Henro is the name given to the Shikoku pilgrimage
[1] Lonely Planet [2] Japan Travel [3] The Art of Travel [4] Rogue Habits [5] Japan Guide [6] Shikoku Tours - 1 [7] Shikoku Tours -2
Japan's Top Travel Destinations
Japan's Top Travel Destinations
POSTED JULY 26, 2021
The delayed 2020 Summer Olympics are underway in Tokyo. No spectators are at the games due to coronavirus concerns. When the country does re-open for travel, there is an amazing array of sites and cities to explore. In this post, we look at what travel websites recommend as "best" destinations, take a video tour of Japan's cities, and pick up some tips for first-time travelers.
Touropia, Top Travel Lists, and Planetware compiled "best of " lists. Mount Fuji was the highest-ranked. The top-rated of the rest of the best were the Golden Pavilion, Imperial Tokyo, the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park, and Tokyo Tower. I previously posted on Mount Fuji ("Legendary Mount Fuji", Nov 27, 2019) which you can find below.
10 Tips For Traveling To Japan From A First-Timer (forbes.com)
Temple of the Golden Pavilion
Top Travel Lists: "Kinkaku-ji or the temple of the golden pavilion is one of the most splendid and popular tourist attractions in Japan. With pavilions extensively coated in pure gold leaf, this truly is a sight for the sore eyes. Surrounding gardens were designed magnificently to fit the temple in a very artistic manner. It is a very fine example of Japan’s cultural and creative integrity."
Touropia: "The pavilion was originally built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century. [In 1955,] the temple was rebuilt as an exact copy of the original [after the original building burned down]. Emphasis is placed on the building and surrounding gardens being in harmony with one another. The pavilion is covered in gold leaf which highlights the reflection of the pavilion in the pond and the pond’s reflection on the building."
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Planetware: "Tokyo's most famous landmark, the Imperial Palace with its beautiful 17th-century parks surrounded by walls and moats, is a must-see when visiting the nation's capital...In addition to the many fine views of the palace from numerous points in the surrounding parkland, visitors are permitted into the East Higashi-Gyoen Garden and other areas that are opened to the public as part of an organized tour. One of the most romantic views is of the famous Nijubashi Bridge, or "double bridge," so named for its watery reflection."
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Top Travel Lists: "Standing like a silent witness of one of the greatest tragedies of the world is Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park in the heart of Hiroshima. It was built to memorialize the victims of horrific nuclear bombing that took place here near the end of World War II. Among the many monuments and museums, the A-bomb dome [seen in the distance] is perhaps the most heart touching as it was the only building left standing after the Bombing...No tourist may understand Japan fully without visiting this memorial site."
Tokyo Tower
Top Travel Lists: "The Tokyo Tower perfectly symbolizes the glory of modern Japan. [Inspired by] the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo stands 1,093 feet tall and incorporates many brilliant modern engineering technologies. It is one of the tallest structures in Japan and offers the visitors an amazing view of the city from its observation decks. Although built for broadcasting assistance, the Tokyo tower is one of the popular tourist attractions in Japan today with many hotels restaurants and shops in the vicinity to accommodate the guests."
If you want to wander from the beaten path and dig deeper into the history of ancient Japan - we're talking 3000 to 10,000 years, check out the "Japan Objects' post on the 18 Best Places to Experience Ancient Japan".
A Touropia travel video of the best cities and towns to visit is below left. A Japan-Guide video with tips for first-time travelers to Japan, illustrated by a journey from Narita Airport to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, is below right.
Central European Gems in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Central European Gems in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
POSTED AUG 19, 2021
The "Czech lands" (Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia) and Slovakia are in the very center of Europe. The Czechoslovak region lay across the great ancient trade routes of Europe, and, by virtue of its position at the heart of the continent, it was a place where the most varied of traditions and influences encountered each other. Although the Czechs and the Slovaks traditionally shared many cultural and linguistic affinities, they nonetheless developed distinct national identities. Today, the region known as Czechoslovakia for 75 years in the 20th century [sidebar] exists as two separate countries - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. [1]
In addition to being the home to Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the region offers travelers many unique experiences and sights.
But let's start with Prague...
I posted a piece on the beautiful "City of 1000 Spires" before visiting it. Once there, the city proved to be everything I had thought it would be and more.
To my original post
I would add one particularly special site - the "John Lennon Wall" (below left, 2019). Since 1980 it's been a place for rebellious youth and artists to express their feelings. John Lennon was a hero to the pacifist youth of Central and Eastern Europe. During the totalitarian era, Western pop songs, particularly those of John Lennon, were banned by the authorities. When John Lennon was murdered in 1980, his picture was painted on this wall, for whatever reason right here, along with graffiti defying the authorities. No amount of policing or whitewashing or surveillance could keep the wall clean. The day after the wall was whitewashed by the Communist police, it was again covered with paintings of the legendary singer and filled with poems and flowers.
For another take on the city, photographer and blogger Peter Cech, a Slovakian now living in Prague, tells (and shows) us why Prague is the most beautiful city in the world. [link below right]
"Czechoslovakia"
"Czechoslovakia"
The nation of Czechoslovakia existed for just 75 years. Prior to World War I, the region consisted of Bohemia and Moravia, often called the Czech Lands, in the west, and Slovakia, a part of Hungary, in the east. Formed after the collapse of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Czechoslovakia separated peacefully into two new countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993.
Czechoslovakia was the only central European country to remain a parliamentary democracy throughout the period from 1918 to 1938. That came to an end when efforts to appease Hitler failed at the start of World War II. After the war, Czechoslovakia soon fell under the Soviet sphere of influence, but a spirit of freedom and a desire for an independent national identity continued.
In March 1968, Alexander Dubček, a Slovak reformer, became the first secretary of the KSČ (Czechoslovakia's Communist Party). Under his leadership, a program was adopted that set guidelines for a modern, humanistic socialist democracy that would guarantee, among other things, freedom of religion, press, assembly, speech, and travel, a program that, in Dubček's words, would give socialism "a human face." Unfortunately for Czechoslovakia, the "Prague Spring" came to an end when the troops of the Warsaw Pact countries (except for Romania) mounted a Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia during the night of 20–21 August 1968 - just days before the infamous "police riot" that attacked anti-war protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The Velvet Revolution was a non-violent transition of power in Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 29 December 1989. Popular demonstrations against the one-party government of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia included students and older dissidents, such as the rebel playwright and human rights activist Václav Havel. The result was the end of 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia, and the subsequent dismantling of the command economy and conversion to a parliamentary republic. The victory of the revolution was topped off by the election of Václav Havel as President of Czechoslovakia on 29 December 1989. Within weeks, Havel negotiated the removal of all Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia. [2]
Bohemia [3, 4]
Prague is in Bohemia, the largest and most populous of the historical Czech lands. Among the numerous other points of interest in the region are the Vltava Meander, the town of Loket, and the Pravcice Gate in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
The Vltava River, also known by its German name Moldau, is considered “the Czech national river” and it appears in many works of art. The famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana devoted one of the six symphonic poems in his cycle My Homeland (Má vlast) to the Vltava. The scenic shot below left was taken from an overlook near the village of Teletín, not far from Prague.
Loket is an extremely picturesque small town in the Karlovy Vary Region in western Bohemia. Loket Castle dominates the town’s panorama. It was built on a rock near the Ohře river in the 12th century as a defensive structure to protect trade routes [below center]
The Bohemian Switzerland National Park is blanketed in lush green landscapes, steep navigable river gorges, and, most famously Pravcice Gate (Pravcická Brána), Europe’s largest natural rock arch. [below right]
For more on the best of Bohemia, visit the Amazing Czechia website.
Moravia [5, 6
Lonely Planet calls Moravia, which forms the eastern part of the Czech Republic, the "yin to Bohemia’s yang. If Bohemians love beer, Moravians love wine. If Bohemia is about towns and cities, Moravia is all rolling hills and pretty landscapes." The south of Moravia is dominated by vineyards, earning it the appellation "Moravian Tuscany" [below left]. Moravia was also home to some of the wealthiest families of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and you can still see reminders of this at chateaux and castles in the region. Valtice’s 12th-century chateau, the seat of the wealthy Liechtenstein family, is one of the country's finest baroque structures [below center]. Brno [below right] is the Czech Republic's second largest city. From 1641 t0 1948, it was the capital of Moravia. The city boasts quite a large number of architectural landmarks and enjoys a rich cultural life:
In the summer months, Špilberk Castle, built on top of a hill of the same name in the 13th century, serves as the venue for many events, including a Shakespeare Festival and an International Music Festival.
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is another major landmark of Brno. It was built on a hill in the center of the city. Because of its location and height, it, along with Špilberk Castle, dominates the city skyline.
Villa Tugendhat is a pioneering example of modernist architecture in Europe. Built between 1928 and 1930 UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage site.. In 2001 Villa Tugendhat was inscribed by UNESCO in the World Heritage List.
For more on the best of Moravia, visit the Amazing Czechia website.
Slovakia [7, 8]
Only since 1993 has Slovakia existed as an independent nation. Due to its strategic location at the center of Europe, it has been invaded, conquered and ruled by the Mongols, Hungarians, the Ottomans and Czechs. Despite its youth, the country’s rich culture and heritage shine forth wherever you go, with plenty of local traditions and customs to delve into. Castles, medieval towns, historic villages, and stunning scenery make Slovakia an undiscovered gem in the heart of Europe.
Below from the left:
The vast ruins of Spis Castle cover more than 3,000 acres. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe and forms part of a UNESCO Heritage Site.
The High Tatras, Slovakia's highest mountains, make for unforgettable hiking and rock climbing in the summer and skiing in the winter. Nestled in the valleys and slopes are sparkling Alpine lakes and meadows.
Bratislava, the country's capital. Located on the banks of the Danube, close to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, its proximity to so many different cultures has had a profound impact on the city’s look, feel, and identity. At the historic heart of the city, one can find a magnificent hilltop castle and a range of medieval and Gothic buildings, with some fine Baroque palaces on display. The Danube River courses through Bratislava, and further out, you’ll come across picturesque farms, fields, and villages.
For more of the best of Slovakia, visit the Touropia website.
[1] Britannica [2] Wikipedia [3] Amazing Czechia - Bohemia [4] Viator [5] Lonely Planet [6] Amazing Czechia - Moravia [7] Touropia - 1 [8] Touropia - 2
Best places to visit in September
Best places to visit in September
POSTED SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
“God may have made the world for the last week in September.” - Peter Heller
“God may have made the world for the last week in September.” - Peter Heller
With its pleasant temperatures and less crowded venues, September is an excellent time to visit places that were too hot or too mobbed with visitors in the summer. The award-winning Global Grasshopper travel blog has suggestions for travel in all sections of the country during September, "one of the easier and most beautiful times to travel around the USA."
Here are some of their recommendations. For the rest, see the link in sidebar.
Lake Placid and the Adirondacks
Lake Placid and the Adirondacks
"The Adirondacks offer a spectacular natural backdrop, perfect for any occasion — from family vacations, to romantic getaways and outdoor excursions – throughout the seasons. However, a visit in September is ideal for those avoiding the black fly season crowds and looking for breathtaking foliage. As the autumn begins, the rolling hills, high peaks, serene nature look like a painting in fall colors."
Carmel, California
Carmel, California
"This postcard-like village of Carmel-by-the-Sea is made up of tree-lined streets, charming buildings, boutique stores, gourmet restaurants, and a beautiful beach at the end of town. Calm and picturesque, Carmel is known for its amazing sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, rolling sand dunes that lead to the ocean, and huge Monterey Pine and cypress trees."
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
"My favorite time to visit Asheville is September as you get to witness the start of the leaves changing and view its lovely autumn foliage. Asheville is home to several scenic fall drives such as the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds around some of the highest peaks in this region and passes through patches of wildflowers of goldenrod, witch hazel, aster and mountain ash. Extreme elevations, and over 100 species of deciduous trees lend the Blue Ridge Mountains one of the longest and most vibrant leaf seasons."
Mexico's World Heritage Sites
Mexico's World Heritage Sites
POSTED OCTOBER 1, 2021
Mexico. our southern neighbor, is home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, placing it seventh among all the nations of the world. Among these sites are Mayan and Aztec archaeological sites, historic city centers dating from the Spanish colonial era, protected natural areas, and architectural and engineering gems.
We'll take a look at several of these World Heritage Sites starting with some from pre-Columbian days, then examine some from the time of Spanish colonization and finish with some wildlife sanctuaries.
A complete list of Mexico's World Heritage Sites along with descriptions of each can be found at:
Chichen Itza
The Mayan civilization developed in the area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador. The tribes that became known as the Mayans settled in the region around 2000 BC, and the culture that they developed over the next three thousand years is renowned for having the most sophisticated and developed writing system in pre-Columbian Americas as well as for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system. Of their archeological sites, none is more famous than Chichen Itza, the complex of buildings and ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula, dominated by the El Castillo Pyramid. The building of the city of Chichen Itza began in the 7th century AD. At its peak from ~800 to ~1200 AD, Chichen Itza was home to tens of thousands. It has been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Historic Center of Mexico City and Xochimilco
The Aztecs, a nomadic tribe in northern Mexico, arrived in Mesoamerica around the beginning of the 13th century. From their magnificent capital city, Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs emerged as the dominant force in central Mexico, developing an intricate social, political, religious and commercial organization that brought many of the region’s city-states under their control by the 15th century.
Mexico City was built in the 16th century by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan has five Aztec temples, the largest cathedral in North America, and some excellent 19th and 20th century public buildings. Xochimilco lies 28 km south of Mexico City. With its network of canals and artificial islands, it testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavorable environment. Its characteristic urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the colonial period; have been preserved in an exceptional manner.
Below from the left: the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes, and trajinera boats on a canal in Xochimilco
San Miguel de Allende
The fortified town of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico’s central highlands was first established in the 16th century to protect the Royal Route inland. In the 18th century many of its outstanding religious and civic buildings were built in the style of the Mexican Baroque. The tallest building in the city, with a façade of pink limestone, is the Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel. The façade for this local parish church was inspired by Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
Whales and Butterflies
Located in the central part of the peninsula of Baja California, the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino contains some exceptionally interesting ecosystems. The coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are important reproduction and wintering sites for the grey whale, harbor seal, California sea lion, northern elephant-seal and blue whale. The lagoons are also home to four species of the endangered marine turtle.
The brilliantly-colored Monarch Butterfly is among the most easily recognizable of North American butterfly species. In December 2020, the US Fish & Wildlife Service put it on a watch list for endangered species. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve lies within rugged forested mountains about 100 km northwest of Mexico City. Every autumn, hundreds of millions Monarch Butterflies from wide areas of North America return to the site and cluster on small areas of the forest reserve, coloring its trees orange and literally bending their branches under their collective weight. In the spring, these butterflies begin an 8 month migration that takes them all the way to Eastern Canada and back. Most adult monarchs only live for a few weeks. The last generation that hatches in late summer delays sexual maturity and undertakes their spectacular fall migration. How they find their way back to Mexico remains a mystery.
Sources: Wikipedia, cancunadventure.com, History.com, More Time to Travel, National Wildlife Federation
Fair use notice: Images and quotes on this website may be subject to copyright. Their inclusion on this site is within the fair use doctrine of copyright law.
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