Michael Turtle

Member since May 2015

#103 366 31
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
    March 20, 2025
    Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Jaipur City, Rajasthan, Jantar Mantar, Victorian Gothic and …
  • 2
    0
    Feb. 1, 2025
    Plain of Jars, Vat Phou
  • 7
    0
    Sept. 3, 2024
    Beijing Central Axis, Grand Canal, Imperial Tombs, Mountain Resort, Chengde, Peking Man Site ...
>

About Michael Turtle

First name
Michael
Member since
May 2015
Country of Origin
None
Visits
Rank
#103
WHS
366
Tentative Sites
31
Website Participation
Reviews
136
Ratings
23 0
Photos
N/A
Locations
N/A
Zones
N/A

Reviews by Michael Turtle

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Westminster by Michael Turtle

Westminster (Inscribed)

Westminster

It's one of the most iconic sites in London so it's no surprise that it's a WHS many people have ticked off. But unfortunately it is much harder to get …

Tower of London by Michael Turtle

Tower of London (Inscribed)

Tower of London

Today, the Yeoman warders are as much a tourist attraction as the Crown Jewels which they protect. There are 36 of them in the castle and all have been chosen …

Blenheim Palace by Michael Turtle

Blenheim Palace (Inscribed)

Blenheim Palace

Photography isn’t allowed inside so allow me to paint you a picture. It won’t be as detailed or valuable as the painted pictures will cover the walls of the rooms …

Durmitor National Park by Michael Turtle

Durmitor National Park (Inscribed)

Durmitor National Park

A fantastic natural site to explore and spend some time in a different part of Montenegro.

The town of Zabljak, relaxed and rambling, is the centre of tourist activities in …

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai by Michael Turtle

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tourn… (Inscribed)

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai

The cathedral was pretty much closed for restorations when I visited and will be for a couple more years.

When I arrive, I find that there is a small door …

Grand Place, Brussels by Michael Turtle

Grand Place, Brussels (Inscribed)

Grand Place, Brussels

The Grand Place is one of the most important sites in Brussels and almost every visitor and tour comes through at some point during the day. I got there at …

Brugge by Michael Turtle

Brugge (Inscribed)

Brugge

In Bruges, there are the churches and the grandiose public buildings. They symbolise the medieval settlement that was once a commercial and cultural capital of Europe. They brought people here …

Major Town Houses by Michael Turtle

Major Town Houses (Inscribed)

Major Town Houses

Here is another World Heritage Site in Brussels that has been listed but is difficult for the public to access. Three of the four houses are really difficult, although there …

Mining Sites of Wallonia by Michael Turtle

Mining Sites of Wallonia (Inscribed)

Mining Sites of Wallonia

As you know, there are four properties that make up this World Heritage Site and I visited just one of them: Bois-du-Luc. I enjoyed the property and thought it …

Plantin-Moretus Museum by Michael Turtle

Plantin-Moretus Museum (Inscribed)

Plantin-Moretus Museum

When you visit the Platin-Moretus Museum, there are a few different elements to explore. The first is the building itself, which is architecturally significant. Inside, you’ll also find the living …

The Four Lifts by Michael Turtle

The Four Lifts (Inscribed)

The Four Lifts

The four lifts are located along a seven kilometre stretch of the Canal du Centre and it’s easy to walk along to see them by yourself. The path that runs …

Stoclet House by Michael Turtle

Stoclet House (Inscribed)

Stoclet House

I have a real problem with this place - how can you have a World Heritage Site that is basically inaccessible to the public? Shouldn't the point be that the …

Churches of Chiloé by Michael Turtle

Churches of Chiloé (Inscribed)

Churches of Chiloé

This is such a wonderful and peaceful part of Chile. Although the churches makes up the WHS, it's interesting to see the lifestyle here and all the small communities. Getting …

Valparaiso by Michael Turtle

Valparaiso (Inscribed)

Valparaiso

It was once one of the richest metropolises in South America. Its port connected the United States and, to a certain extent, Europe to the natural resources of the southern …

Ischigualasto / Talampaya by Michael Turtle

Ischigualasto / Talampaya (Inscribed)

Ischigualasto / Talampaya

Ischigualasto National Park is one of the secrets of Argentina. Barely mentioned and hard to access, it’s rarely on the itinerary of the average traveller. It is worth the effort, …

Sewell Mining Town by Michael Turtle

Sewell Mining Town (Inscribed)

Sewell Mining Town

It's not easy to get here but it's definitely worth it. I organised a tour from Rancagua which went to the town once a week. There are also apparently tours …

Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesus by Michael Turtle

Jesuit Missions of Trinidad a… (Inscribed)

Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesus

At the ruins of both communities, which are about 12 kilometres apart, you can get a sense of how life must once have been. The focus of both is the …

Iguacu by Michael Turtle

Iguacu (Inscribed)

Iguacu

From the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, though, you get the overview of the whole waterfall complex and, for me, this is where the true awe lies. It’s when you …

Iguazu National Park by Michael Turtle

Iguazu National Park (Inscribed)

Iguazu National Park

I think I prefer the Brazilian side. The Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls is nothing short of breathtaking, don’t get me wrong. About 80 per cent of the waterfalls are …

Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba by Michael Turtle

Jesuit Block and Estancias of… (Inscribed)

Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba

There are some interesting little details to see within the block. The designs on the walls are unique to this part of the world because of the way they fused …

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