Shaun Cumming’s Post

unesco is best known for its prestigious list of World Heritage sites. But its most interesting endeavor might be a survey of humanity’s cultural practices. For two decades, the U.N. agency has been cataloguing the world’s intangible heritage, a label that it has applied to everything from truffle hunting to capoeira. There are more than seven hundred “elements” on the I.C.H. lists—kaleidoscopically arrayed in an interactive tool on unesco’s Web site—and browsing them can feel a bit like wandering through a World’s Fair organized by magical realists. Who knew that Mongolian herders could coax camels to adopt orphaned calves by serenading them at twilight? Or that a dozen Belgian families made their living by shrimp-fishing on horseback? The oddball entries alternate with those whose familiarity is even more uncanny. If you’ve ever eaten kimchi, danced bachata, or owned a Swiss watch, you may have participated unawares in unesco-protected activity.

🌿 🦜 From the lush Galápagos Islands to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Latin America's UNESCO sites will leave you speechless. Read on ↓ The historical port and fortresses of Cartagena, Colombia. The Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Machu Picchu in Peru. What do all of these places have in common? Well, go to Paris and ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Since the late 1970s, UNESCO has established roughly 1.2K World Heritage Sites around the globe in a bid to preserve natural beauty, culture, and history for future generations. World Heritage Sites span everything from gorgeous natural sights to world-renowned architecture and other human accomplishments. While countries like Italy, China, and France get the most attention, don’t think Latin America isn’t holding its own. Led by Mexico and its 35 sites, the region holds some of the world’s most cherished natural and cultural sights. Each of these are definitely to be seen in your lifetime. Think of the pre-Hispanic cities of Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan in Mexico—or in fact, the entire city of Rio de Janeiro, crowned a World Heritage Site in 2012 owing to its unique landscape between the mountains and the sea. Finally, we’d like to look at some of the interesting sites which straddle borders in Latin America. Both sides of the Iguazu Falls have been recognized by UNESCO, while the entire Inca road system across the Andes mountains has earned 6 neighboring countries – Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru – global admiration. While we’re still blown away by the underrepresentation of Latin America compared to some (much) smaller countries, we can stay proud that the region’s intellectual history and natural beauty remains recognized the world over. Want to visit all the sites? So do we.

Place making is always one of the things high on the agenda for a City of Literature. Why be a UNESCO City of Literature if no one knows you are? Cities of course have to balance the commercial demands of promoting their existence with the fact that they don’t often have a call for action. Why should readers care if they don’t have an obvious benefit? Cities like Dunedin and Krakow do an excellent job of letting you know you are in a city of Literature. Of course having a city if a reasonable size helps but we all aspire to have wider recognition of our unesco status. In no way has Melbourne achieved with placemaking. There’s lots of reasons which make up another post but having only 60% of the last Wheeler Centre survey aware we are a city of literature isn’t a success. What is a success is Waverley Station in Edinburgh I don’t know how any people walk through a year but all of them can’t help to notice they are in the only train station in the world named after a book and that Edinburgh is a City of Literature. Brilliant

Are you planning to explore the majestic landscapes of Naryn Kyrgyzstan? If yes, then you are reading the right blog! Come, let us dive into the abundance of this region.😍 Read the new blog here👇 https://lnkd.in/gx8Hftjz #newblog #kyrgyzstan #dookinternational #travelblog #explore #readers

🌍 Discovering the Wonders of Puno and Lake Titicaca 🌊 Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes at an elevation of over 3,800 meters (12,500 feet), Puno is the gateway to one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world: Lake Titicaca, the largest navigable lake on Earth and the highest-altitude lake in the world. 🏞️ The region is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are a few reasons why Puno and Lake Titicaca should be on everyone’s bucket list: 🔹 Floating Islands of Uros: Ingeniously crafted by the Uros people, these islands are made entirely from totora reeds. Visiting these islands offers a unique glimpse into a community that has thrived on the lake for centuries. 🔹 Taquile and Amantaní Islands: These islands are renowned for their traditional textile art, recognized by UNESCO, and their serene landscapes that offer peaceful hikes with stunning panoramic views. 🔹 A Gateway to Ancient Mysteries: Puno is steeped in Incan and pre-Incan history, offering access to ancient ruins like Sillustani, where you can explore unique funerary towers (chullpas) that dot the rugged highland terrain. 🔹 Stunning Sunrises and Sunsets: The reflective waters of Lake Titicaca create mesmerizing light displays at dawn and dusk, making every moment spent here a visual masterpiece. Whether you’re an adventurer, a history enthusiast, or someone looking to experience authentic culture, Puno and Lake Titicaca are destinations that promise unforgettable memories. Have you visited this incredible part of the world? Share your experiences in the comments below! 🌄✈️ #Travel #Puno #LakeTiticaca #Peru #CulturalHeritage #AdventureTravel #SustainableTourism #BucketList

Did you know❓ These Facts about Portugal ➜ Oldest Bookstore in the World: Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, founded in 1732, holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest operating bookstore. It has been a literary hub for centuries, attracting famous writers and book lovers. ➜ Azulejos Tiles: The art of azulejos (decorative ceramic tiles) is a significant part of Portuguese culture. These colorful tiles are used to adorn everything from churches and palaces to train stations and ordinary homes. The National Tile Museum in Lisbon offers a deep dive into this beautiful tradition. ➜ Home of the Longest Bridge in Europe: The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, spanning 17.2 kilometers (10.7 miles), is the longest bridge in Europe. Opened in 1998, it was built to alleviate Lisbon’s traffic congestion and offers stunning views over the Tagus River. ➜ Oceanarium of Lisbon: The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe. It houses a vast array of marine species, including sharks, rays, and an impressive collection of oceanic ecosystems. It’s a must-visit for families and marine life enthusiasts. ➜ Sintra’s Mystical Palaces: The town of Sintra is famous for its fairy-tale palaces and gardens, most notably the Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira. The latter is renowned for its enigmatic initiation well and labyrinthine gardens, which are steeped in mysticism and symbolism.

Albufeira is more than just good weather and good times; it weaves a tapestry of culture and tradition that invites digital nomads to dive deeper. Explore Albufeira and share your cultural adventures with us! What traditions have you uncovered? 😁 #albufeiradigitalnomads #digitalnomads #digitalnomadsportugal #networkingportugal #networkingalbufeira #albufeiraalgarve #algarveculture

Porto’s Secrets Revealed 🔎 #32 After visiting the Casa do Infante Museum, we suggest you visit one of Porto’s most beautiful buildings: the Palácio da Bolsa. 😉 So, at the top of the Alfândega Street (“Rua da Alfândega”), you’ll find a large plaza known as Infante Dom Henrique Square (“Praça do Infante Dom Henrique”) and this is where the Palácio da Bolsa is located. It’s easy to recognize it because it’s a large neoclassical building. 🏛️ Despite being called Palace (“Palácio”), the truth is that no kings or queens lived here. This building was built to house the Porto Commercial Association (“Associação Comercial do Porto”), whose mission is to represent Porto’s business community on a national and international level. It’s one of the oldest business associations in Portugal! 😯 The construction of the Palácio da Bolsa began on October 6, 1842 and was only completed in 1909, on the occasion of the visit of the last Portuguese King, Manuel II. 👑 Inside, you’ll be amazed by the decorations of the different rooms, especially the Arab Salon (“Salão Árabe”). 😍 But did you know that Gustave Eiffel had his office here? It’s true and you can visit it! 😀 It was in this office that he designed one of his masterpieces in the city of Porto, the famous Maria Pia bridge. 😯 Join me for an unique archeology-based guided tour about Porto's history to learn the full story about the Palácio da Bolsa and so much more. 📩 #portugal #oporto #porto #visitportugal #visitporto #palaciodabolsa #palaciodabolsaporto #history #archaeology #architecture #guidedtours #tourism

You probably know Italy as a country famous for its art, history, and cuisine. But what if we told you that this stunning place also has a dark and bizarre side to it? We’re talking about destinations so unique that they can even leave the most seasoned travelers in awe. From eerie witch villages to ancient mysteries — Italy’s weirdest places offer unforgettable experiences that go beyond the usual tourist attractions. So, if you feel the itch to explore this gorgeous place, but you don’t want to do it in the touristy way — here are the weirdest places in Italy that you should add to your bucket list.