Last week’s devastating fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral had onlookers struggling to comprehend the damage. Losing an irreplaceable piece of history prompted immediate, generous support toward rebuilding. But for those who never got a chance to lay eyes on the original 12th Century Paris masterpiece, that opportunity is now forever lost.
The world is full of wonders, and people who travel for business are in an excellent position to experience them. Some things are so obvious that we put off visiting. Or they are so close to us, we tell ourselves that ‘someday’ we will get there. Then something intervenes, and the window of opportunity closes – even temporarily.
New York’s Statue of Liberty, for example, was closed over safety concerns for three years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. U.S. national parks have closed – or been left unstaffed – at various times due to federal budget shutdowns.
And it’s not always negative events that make venues off-limits. Ongoing maintenance and restoration work – like Notre Dame had underway – causes closings, reduced schedules, and/or restricted access.
If you live or plan to travel near any of the world’s most famous landmarks, here are some links to help bring you one step closer to that visit:
Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
Great Wall of China – various locations
Machu Picchu – Cusco, Peru
Statue of Liberty – New York, NY
Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England
Sydney Opera House – Sydney, Australia
Taj Mahal – Agra, India
Victoria Falls – Livingstone, Zambia
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists 1092 World Heritage sites around the world. More than three-quarters of them are cultural, and one-fifth are natural. Fifty-four sites are in danger.
The world is changing at an astounding rate. And yet these places anchor us in history, astonish us with ingenuity, architecture, or engineering, and calm us with natural beauty – all of which have lasted for decades or centuries. Isn’t such an experience worth a trip soon?
Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group
