NEW UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES TO DISCOVER

This pretty pastel streets of this former colonial city can now be found on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Set on the coast and surrounded by mountains, the city was already winning before it became part of the Gold Trail after the discovery of the world’s richest gold mines in 1696 in the mountains of Minas Gerais. It’s known for being a quiet little city that embraces the slow life, but we’re not sure how much longer it will stay that way. So pack your suitcase and go there now.

This ancient city has was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom and was home to 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries. More than 2,200 temples can still be found standing in this UNESCO World Heritage Site near Mandalay. During 1044 to 1287, this site of learning attracted monks and students from as far away as India, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

The walled city of Jaipur, which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Jantar Mantar and Amer Fort – is now one itself. Founded in 1727 by the Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, Jaipur forms part of the Golden Triangle, alongside Delhi and Agra. It’s known as the Pink City due to the proliferation of rose-coloured buildings. The city was painted pink to welcome King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales in 1876.

The powerful Dettifoss waterfall, the bubbling Baroarbunga volcano and the column-like shafts of rock that can be found in Hijooaklettar, are just some of the photogenic sights that can be seen within Vatnajokull National Park. No wonder the picture perfect country of Iceland figured so highly in Game of Thrones.

Scattered throughout the highlands of Laos are an array of stone jars that are believed to be up to 2000 years old. Found on hilltops, these one to three-metre tall urns come wrapped in legend. Ancient Laotian tales say that they were once owned by giants who roamed the land. It was here the locals say that they stored rice wine to celebrate with after a battle. While others say that they were once funeral urns or water containers for passing caravans. There are three jar sites near Phonsavan, but they are more than 40 jar sites to be found.