Michael Turtle

Member since May 2015

#104 373 35 11
I'm a travel journalist and blogger who started counting World Heritage Sites in 2011. Often I try to visit the sites as part of other trips - although sometimes I will go to a country just with the mission to see as many as possible.

My most impressive site: Iguazu

My proposal for a new site: Bagan, Myanmar

Recent Visits
  • 5
    0
    July 4, 2025
    Gobustan Rock Art, Monastery of Geghard, Mtskheta, Sheki, Walled City of Baku
  • 7
    0
    March 20, 2025
    Agra Fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Humayun's Tomb, Jaipur City, Rajasthan ...
  • 2
    0
    Feb. 1, 2025
    Plain of Jars, Vat Phou
Top 10 Missing
  1. Galapagos Islands 4.60
  2. Yellowstone 4.49
  3. Rapa Nui 4.49
  4. Victoria Falls 4.48
  5. Grand Canyon 4.41
  6. Serengeti 4.41
  7. Granada 4.39
  8. Persepolis 4.37
  9. Ngorongoro 4.36
  10. Old City of Jerusalem 4.36
Completed Countries

About Michael Turtle

Member since
May 2015
Country of Origin
None
Visits
Rank
#104
WHS
373
Tentative Sites
35
Website Participation
Reviews
136
Ratings
23 0
Locations
0
Zones
0
Reserved for members.

Reviews by Michael Turtle

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Rome by Michael Turtle

Rome (Inscribed)

Rome

I'm not sure what I can say you you wouldn't already know about Rome. It's an incredible city full of history and heritage. The struggle here, I imagine, was choosing …

Keep reading Michael T… 20/10/17
Preah Vihear Temple by Michael Turtle

Preah Vihear Temple (Inscribed)

Preah Vihear Temple

It's not an easy place to get to but it's worth the effort. I organised a driver from Siem Reap and that was definitely the easiest way to do it. …

Keep reading Michael T… 28/01/17
Phong Nha - Ke Bang by Michael Turtle

Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Inscribed)

Phong Nha - Ke Bang

As a regular tourist, you can only walk through the first kilometre and a half of Paradise Cave, although there are special tours that can take you further. This first …

Keep reading Michael T… 14/12/16
Salzburg by Michael Turtle

Salzburg (Inscribed)

Salzburg

Just the name ‘Salzburg’ is enough to conjure up images of European modern fairytale – majestic churches, colourful facades, quaint shops on quiet streets, narrow bridges over a wide river. …

Keep reading Michael T… 14/12/16
Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago by Michael Turtle

Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipel… (Inscribed)

Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago

Ha Long has big problems - overcrowding, pollution, and an inconsistent tourism product. That doesn't take away from the beauty of the place but it does present some concerns.

It's …

Keep reading Michael T… 14/12/16
Nikko by Michael Turtle

Nikko (Inscribed)

Nikko

The town itself feels like a ski resort in summer… which it kind of is. But what I mean is that the visitors come for the day to walk in …

Keep reading Michael T… 14/12/16
Citadel of the Ho Dynasty by Michael Turtle

Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Inscribed)

Citadel of the Ho Dynasty

The citadel is in a small town called Vinh Loc. I couldn’t find mention of any tours that go there and there is no direct public transport options for other …

Keep reading Michael T… 14/12/16
Ancient Kyoto by Michael Turtle

Ancient Kyoto (Inscribed)

Ancient Kyoto

Within the city, there are 17 specific places that have been designated as part of the official Kyoto listing on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s impossible to see them …

Keep reading Michael T… 13/12/16
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier by Michael Turtle

The Architectural Work of Le … (Inscribed)

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

On a trip to Japan a few years ago I made the effort to go and see the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo – mainly because I knew …

Keep reading Michael T… 13/12/16
Ancient Nara by Michael Turtle

Ancient Nara (Inscribed)

Ancient Nara

Seven constructions within Nara have been designated as part of an official World Heritage Site. Although there are other things to see, together they form the best examples of the …

Keep reading Michael T… 13/12/16
Los Glaciares by Michael Turtle

Los Glaciares (Inscribed)

Los Glaciares

There is a lot to the region that the WHS includes - it's easy to spend weeks here if you really wanted. I loved spending some time based in El …

Keep reading Michael T… 05/12/16
Cueva de las Manos by Michael Turtle

Cueva de las Manos (Inscribed)

Cueva de las Manos

This is not an easy place to get to but I did not regret the effort to get here. If you have your own car, then you can drive here …

Keep reading Michael T… 05/12/16
Peninsula Valdes by Michael Turtle

Peninsula Valdes (Inscribed)

Peninsula Valdes

I think the authorities have done an excellent job of protecting the peninsula and making it accessible for tourists. There are a lot of information booths and good viewing points …

Keep reading Michael T… 05/12/16
Gondwana Rainforests by Michael Turtle

Gondwana Rainforests (Inscribed)

Gondwana Rainforests

The Dorrigo National Park is popular partly because it is a perfect example of the ancient rainforests but also because it’s easily accessible from coastal holiday towns like Coffs Harbour. …

Keep reading Michael T… 04/12/16
Greater Blue Mountains by Michael Turtle

Greater Blue Mountains (Inscribed)

Greater Blue Mountains

I grew up in Sydney and never really appreciated what a magnificent WHS was just an hour's drive away. The main road that goes through the mountains offers easy access …

Keep reading Michael T… 04/12/16
Uluru by Michael Turtle

Uluru (Inscribed)

Uluru

A few hours on the ground is long enough to feel the energy of Uluru but not long enough to become absorbed by it. Many parts of the site – …

Keep reading Michael T… 30/11/16
Xanthos-Letoon by Michael Turtle

Xanthos-Letoon (Inscribed)

Xanthos-Letoon

Even today, the capital of Lycia gives you the impression that this was a civilisation that was able to do things on a grand scale. The twin sites of Xanthos …

Keep reading Michael T… 24/11/16
Istanbul by Michael Turtle

Istanbul (Inscribed)

Istanbul

My highlight of the Istanbul site is definitely the juxtaposition of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.

The two buildings look across the crowded square at each other. Like …

Keep reading Michael T… 24/11/16
Hierapolis-Pamukkale by Michael Turtle

Hierapolis-Pamukkale (Inscribed)

Hierapolis-Pamukkale

These days the ruins of Hierapolis are still there and are worth visiting. The hotels, on the other hand, have been completely demolished after it was decided they were causing …

Keep reading Michael T… 23/11/16
Kotor by Michael Turtle

Kotor (Inscribed)

Kotor

It’s set on a bay – but not just any old bay. This is one of the most stunning parts of the country with the shimmering waters, the dramatic mountains …

Keep reading Michael T… 22/11/16
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