Globe Trot Tales

Mont Saint Michel, France
Initially founded by a hermit from Ireland, this medieval town is characterized by intricate architecture and curvy streets and is most known for having one of France’s best attractions, the Mont Saint Michel Abbey. Started in the 10th century, this Benedictine abbey is a great example of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and it was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rocky isle of Mont Saint Michel is also home to more than 60 buildings that are protected as French national heritage sites.

Bagan, Myanmar
The Myanmar Kingdom’s first capital city houses the world’s largest concentration of Buddhist monuments. Its more than 2,500 structures include monasteries, pagodas, ruins, temples, stupas, etc. dating back to between the 10th and 14th centuries AD.

Namibia

“There are plenty of safari destinations in Africa, but Namibia looks particularly special. You can see lions, elephants, giraffes and oryx, but there are also the arresting landscapes of the oldest desert in the world. Sand dunes stretch for miles and Deadvlei (a white clay pan cradling a black petrified forest) would be incredible to visit.”

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

The enthralling caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra are the epitome of beauty. With their authentic rock-cut sculptures and ancient Indian art, the caves have become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The artifacts in the cave portray the past lives and rebirths of Buddha in spellbinding sculptures and murals. Discovered in 1819, the caves are a popular tourist hot spots and a must visit.

Entry fee: Indians- INR 30 and Foreigners- INR 500

The Alhambra, Spain

The Alhambra Palace and fortress complex glows during sunset in Granada. Shutterstock
“I’m a massive fan of Islamic art. I think the detail, geometry and colors are just sublime. The Alhambra is meant to be one of the most impressive examples of Moorish architecture and ornamentation the world over, which is why it makes my bucket list.”