Basel, Switzerland, is a border town between Germany and France. Situated along the Rhine River, Basel is steeped in history, yet it is a very cosmopolitan city. 
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As we strolled through town, the guide explained the architecture and city life. Many streets are pedestrian only, but you have to be aware of people riding bicycles. Basel is one of many European cities where you see how many people use their bicycles as their transportation year-round.   We first saw the Basel Munster, the 13th-century Gothic cathedral that sits high above the Rhine River with two towers. 

Located in both Argentina and Brazil, Iguazú and Iguaçu national parks are considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. These sister parks preserve what remains of the sub-tropical Interior Atlantic Forest and comprise a system of 275 waterfalls, cataracts, and rapids. Over 2,000 species of plants are found within the parks alongside 400 species of birds and close to 80 mammals. Both parks are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the highlights of Iguazú National Park, Argentina, where you will have the closest encounters with the falls. 

Devil's Throat

Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) is the star of Iguazú Falls. Crashing down from a height of 82 meters (269 feet), this colossal waterfall has an average flow of 1,800 cubic meters per second – which would fill 36 Olympic swimming pools in less than 60 seconds. A walkway connects the Ecological Train Station with a viewing platform that enables visitors to stand paces from the falls. This is a fully sensory experience; be prepared to get a little damp and be amazed by the roar of the cascades.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are selected due to their outstanding physical or cultural significance. Over 1,000 natural, cultural, and mixed properties sit on the list, with new sites inscribed every year. Celebrated destinations include the Galápagos Islands, Stonehenge, Ha Long Bay, Yellowstone National Park, and Machu Picchu. This article shines a spotlight on less-traveled UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Azores, Portugal: Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture

Cultural Site
Criteria: III, V
Date of inscription: 2004

An autonomous region of Portugal, the Azores is an Atlantic Ocean archipelago situated halfway between Lisbon and Boston. Pico is the second-largest island of the nine, with a viniculture heritage that dates back to the 15th century. 

Crisscrossed by linear walls (currais) that run inland from the rocky coastline, the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture was designed to shelter grape plots from the elements. Although subject to adjustment over the years, winemakers in the region around Criação Velha continue to employ traditional techniques when cultivating and harvesting wine on this small volcanic island.

This subtropical chain of islands is a unique choice of UNESCO destination for wine enthusiasts.