Hallstatt, Austria, is one of my very favorite places on Earth. Surrounded by the gorgeous Salzkammergut Mountains with resplendent views of breathtaking Lake Hallstatt, full of history dating back thousands and thousands of years, and chock full of unique things to do, this idyllic alpine village is so much more than first meets the eyes. While many recommend visiting Hallstatt as a day trip, I am so thankful we spent several blissful days here, taking in the scenery, hiking, enjoying the local cuisine, and learning about local history. I hope this Hallstatt, Austria luxury travel guide helps you have the most magnificent time in one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited.
What Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Today, I’m answering the common quesiton “What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?” by outlining what they are, why they are important, and why you should add them to your travel itineraries whenever possible. There are currently 1,121 UNESCO Sites around the world, which means that you’ve probably visited or been very close to at least one if you’ve done any amount of traveling. Which heritage sites have you visited thus far?
Olympic National Park Travel Guide
When we found ourselves traveling to Washington on both personal business and work, I knew one of my top priorities whilst in the state was heading to Olympic National Park. This breathtaking National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is an incredible region due to the vastly varying topography and ecosystems. From rainforests, cascading waterfalls and mountain ranges to the glaciers atop Mt. Olympus, sprawling rocky or sandy beaches, and old growth forests with some of the tallest trees we’ve ever seen anywhere in the world, Olympic National Park is one of the most exciting, diverse, and and impressive national wonders in the world.
Visiting Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England is the most biodiverse place on Earth, with more than 50,000 different species of living plants, more than 8 million pressed and preserved plants, and over a billion preserved seeds inside this beautiful, 250 year old former palace complex turned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nikko, Japan: The Luxury Travel Guide
Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts hundreds of ornate temples, shrines, and pagodas, just two hours by train outside of Tokyo. Spend a weekend getting to know this Japanese mountain town and explore waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and more Japanese culture and history than most any other city in Japan! Here’s what you need to eat, see, and do in Nikko, along with my recommendations on where to stay, how to get around, and how to make the most of your visit to one of Japan’s most enchanting cities.
