January 10, 2007
One of National Geographic's travel experts
It's time for a little brag, but here goes ... I was invited by National Geographic's sustainable tourism director Jonathan B. Tourtellot to be one of 419 experts on world travel to help National Geographic Traveler rate World Heritage destinations.
Probably I was nominated to participate based on my first book, 
An Amateur's Guide to the Planet.
The results of the survey are found at World Heritage Destinations Rated.
Some background, from Tourtellot:
The World Monuments Watch List is compiled biennially in order to call international attention to cultural heritage sites around the world that are threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, or natural disaster. An independent panel of experts reviews the nominations, and a final World Monuments Watch: 100 Most Endangered Sites 2008 list will be released.The World Monuments Fund defines a monument as any of the following: archaeological sites; residential, civic, commercial, military, or religious architecture, including vernacular architecture; engineering or industrial works; cultural landscapes; historic city centers; and townscapes.
I filled out extensive questions on the following places, all of which I have visited:
Minor difficulties
United Kingdom: City of Bath
France: Versailles and environs
Italy: Siena
France: Loire Valley
Brazil: Pantanal
Italy: Cinque Terre
In moderate trouble
Italy: Florence
Tanzania: Serengeti National Park and environs
Brazil: Historic center of Salvador (Pelourinho)
China: Suzhou town and gardens
Indonesia: Borobudur and environs
China: The Great Wall
Mexico: Chichen Itza
Greece: Acropolis, Athens and environs
Belize: Barrier Reef
- posted by jbelliveau at 10:29 AM in Love, Sex, Romance and Travel
