Unmissable World Heritage sites

Three World Heritage sites to see before you die

As of 2007 there are 851 world heritage sites as designated by UNESCO. If a site is thought to be of sufficiently outstanding natural or cultural significance it will be given careful consideration for a place on the list. The idea is that whilst these sites are, of course, property of the nations in which they are situated they should also be regarded as effectively belonging to everyone and thus our collective responsibility to protect for future generations. As much as viewing the list as some sort of tourist itinerary would be to diminish its actual function, all the sites are undoubtedly worthwhile places to visit.

Much as we’d like to recommend all 851 sites (see the complete list on the official site) space limitations mean we’ve had to select three that we think are especially worthwhile places to visit.

Historic Centre of Cordoba, Spain

One of the most beautiful cities in Spain, Cordoba was declared a world heritage site in 1984. It is quite possibly one of the most historically interesting places in the world. The city's historical significance stretches back thousands of years through periods of Roman, Visigoth, Muslim and finally Catholic rule, all of which can still be detected in the cities diverse and often wonderfully preserved architecture. The Mezquita Cathedral is perhaps Cordoba best known architectural treasure and seems to perfectly sum up this distinctive meeting of cultures. The building, now a Roman Catholic Cathedral actually began its life as possibly the most spectacular mosque in the world. It now embodies aspects of each preceding era in Cordoba’s history.

Sun seeking travellers will also be pleased to learn that in addition to its many visual delights Cordoba has some of the most consistently hot temperatures in Europe.

Cheap flights to Spain can be easily found online by checking out sites like Fly Monarch or Skyscanner. Looking for cheap flights to Malaga, an Andalucian destination well serviced by budget flights might offer the best deals for those planning a visit to Cordoba. The best deal we found was available through Cheap Flights at just £52 inc. tax flying from Gatwick to Malaga with BA.

City of Valletta, Malta

On visiting Valletta, the capital of Malta, in 1830 Benjamin Disraeli described the city as "a city of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen," and continued "Valletta, equals in its noble architecture, if it does not excel, any capital in Europe". Not much short of two centuries later it is still just as stunning. Valletta, like Cordoba, is a city that wears its eventful history on its sleeve with its beautifully preserved architecture, much of which dates back to the 16th century and the city’s foundation by the Knights of St John.

For such a bijou city Valletta crams in a spectacular wealth of visual treasures including, most notably, the majestic St John's Cathedral where on top of the breathtakingly opulent interior architecture visitors can behold one off Caravaggio’s great masterpieces The Beheading of Saint John The Baptist.

Cheapflights.co.uk has some great deals on flights to Malta, at the time of writing you could pick up air tickets to Valletta for just £64 from Gatwick.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Australia

A National Park located 1431 km south of Darwin in Australia Northern Territory Uluru-Kata Tjuta's most famous landmark is Uluru (or Ayers Rock), an immense, monolithic inselberg that has become Australia's most recognizable natural icon. Uluru, an undeniably breathtaking spectacle of nature no doubt recognisable to us all, is also of great significance to the indigenous population with whom visitors can take interesting walking tours of the park and learn of its diverse flora and fauna as well as get an insight into the aboriginal mythology so deeply connected with this vast and enchanting terrain.

You can locate a reasonably priced flight to Australia on comparison website Expedia. The best flight destination if you plan on visiting Uluru is probably nearby Darwin; the best deal we found was just £565 using Cheap Flights.