If you watched the game, you know Spain truly deserved the victory and won in the best possible way. Argentina's play, on the other hand, has been called "disgraceful", and many other unsavory words...
Aside from that, I am proud of Spain for winning in the most sportsmanship way possible.
But what makes me even happier is that we don't only hold the World Cup title for the men's team, this is the first time a country holds both the men and women's trophy at the same time, since the women's team also won the Women's World Cup back in 2023 against England in the last FIFA Women's World Cup.
So, cheers to Spain, to the Spanish teams playing fairly, respectfully and graciously.
Have you listened to this week's episode of the podcast? Meg and I answer all your most asked questions.
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This week I wanted to talk about all the world heritage sites that want to no longer be. The benefits outweigh the downsides and they are actively trying to go back to how things were before they became famous.
The sites wanting to no longer be UNESCO-listed
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UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was created in 1945 after WWII.
The organization started listing sites as part of the World Heritage List in 1972. Since then, it has inscribed 1,248 sites in 170 countries.
A site is recognised as a world heritage site when it has "Outstanding Universal Value" that needs to be preserved for humanity and must meet one of 10 criteria that can be natural or cultural.
These sites are all physical; they are monuments, landscapes, museums, churches, places one can see and often touch, but there is also Intangible Cultural Heritage. These are living traditions and expressions such as performing arts, social practices, music, craftsmanship, etc. such as the French Baguette, Mexico’s Día de Muertos, Flamenco, Reggae Music, the Human Towers, and Indonesian Batik.
Being part of the list often results in protections, support and financing towards renovations and conservation. It also brings visibility, promotion and awareness in an international stage. This brings more visitors, which can in turn change the lives of those living nearby.
Sometimes, the benefits outweigh the downsides and visitors bring income to otherwise economically disadvantaged regions.
Other times, the sudden popularity creates disturbances for the locals; it brings crowds, traffic jams, queues and increases in costs of living.
It has even turned some destination into "museum-like" sites that the locals can no longer enjoy or live in, as is the case in some of the African nature protected areas which the indigenous population has been displaced from in the name of conservation.
Because of all of this, several sites have been lobbying to be removed from the list to go back to anonymity and the peace and quiet that they once enjoyed.
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This is the case for the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in Tanzania or a village in Slovakia called Vlkolínec's.
Aside from the sites that would rather not be listed, there are also many that UNESCO considers endangered and at risk because of climate change, war, conflict, etc.
Such is the case for 59 sites including Vienna’s Historic Centre due to urbanization pressures, and the Ancient Cities of Aleppo and Damascus in Syria, and the Old City of Sana’a in Yemen, all three because of war and conflict.
UNESCO has even removed some sites from the list because the dangers materialised.
That was the case for Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City in the UK, the Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman, all of which changed its essence thereby not preserving its universal value. There is even a site that is currently partially removed from the list. That is Bagrati Cathedral in Georgia, which was renovated not preserving its authenticity.
= Trip is confirmed 
= SOLD OUT 
= I or Meg will co-host these trips
Cuba: 
Bali:
Oaxaca
Japan
Iceland: 
Georgia:
Armenia
Scotland:
Australia
Xmas markets
Morocco
Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar
Egypt
Tanzania Luxe safari + Zanzibar
Galapagos sailing
Antarctica
Caribbean island hopping
Swedish Arctic:
Ecuador & The Galapagos:
MadagascarMeg actually reads the 1440 newsletter every week and always shares articles with me - highly recommend!
Tags: Solo Female Travelers
