Sites across Europe vying for UNESCO World Heritage status

Posted on: 21 June 2011

Architectural and natural wonders from all across Europe and the Middle East will be hoping to obtain the coveted UNESCO World Heritage status when the committee meets in Paris later this week.

An ancient Beech forest in Germany and the Al Ain oases in the UAE are among those up for consideration, travel magazine Wanderlust reports.

The UNESCO committee is due to discuss 42 nominations at its 35th annual meeting, which could result in a rush of city break visitors to the destinations that are approved.

Whilst there is no financial prize or statutory protection afforded by UNESCO, the World Heritage status is hotly contested for the boost it can bring to the local tourist trade.

Other notable nominations include Gorham's cave complex in Gibraltar.

Culture vultures looking to explore this British-owned Mediterranean island can catch flights to Gibraltar with airlines such as Monarch, easyJet and British Airways.

Click here to book your flights to Gibraltar

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