The Berlengas Islands of Portugal If UNESCO’s server is ever hacked and they lose the records of all of their designated Biosphere Reserves they can call Brunette and she won’t be very far into the alphabet before she says “Berlengas”. If we were going to a desert Brunette would be trying to find a UNESCO oasis where we could snorkel. So when we began planning our trip to … [Read more...]
Český Krumlov, a UNESCO gem of the Czech Republic
In 2001 Blonde went on a bicycle trip from Prague to Vienna with Butterfield and Robinson and, on that trip, "discovered" Český Krumlov. She even sent Brunette an email telling her how charming Český Krumlov was and that Brunette needed to see it too. However, Blonde was typing on a Czech keyboard and Brunette didn't know if she'd received a grocery list or a death threat from … [Read more...]
Durnstein, a treat in the Wachau Valley
Our last Danube river cruise only offered a tantalizing glimpse of Durnstein in the Wachau Valley of Austria. It was just long enough for Blonde's wallet to get a catch of thwarted longing in its throat. But on this cruise the wallet's dreams were fulfilled (and the wallet was emptied). Durnstein appears to have received its first mention in recorded history in 1112 when … [Read more...]
Trinidad (the one in Cuba)
Why Trinidad Cuba is a UNESCO site Trinidad is one of Cuba's UNESCO World Heritage sites recognized for its "Outstanding Universal Value" (a category where Blonde hopes to eventually gain recognition). Trinidad was founded in the early 16th century in honor of the Holy Trinity, back when Spanish Catholics were running things and Fidel Castro wasn't even the proverbial gleam … [Read more...]
UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Canal du Midi
It was a hot and sunny day..... Wait, shouldn't it have been a dark and stormy night? Well it wasn't. Blonde and Brunette were cavorting in a sweaty way through the charming lower part of Carcassonne in Southern France trying to find a boat ride on the Canal du Midi. Voilà! Although the canal doesn't begin or end in Carcassonne it's one of many places you can … [Read more...]