The grapes of Alsace's vineyards, the saltire of the Burgundian cross, the herring of Holland's fishing tradition and the peaks of the Jura. All sixteen shields - for the regions and the four thematic journeys alike - were designed by Tjeerd Willem Droogers, who managed to distill each region into a single symbol. Playful, colourful, and just a little bit tongue-in-cheek, they turn navigation into part of the journey itself.
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About this platform
Visit World Heritage Europe is a platform for travellers who want to go beyond the obvious - discovering Europe through authentic stories, remarkable landscapes, local traditions, and carefully curated tours across some of the continent's most beautiful regions.
The platform was created by Ronald Swensson in 2018 and has been refined ever since, built on a single conviction — that the best way to understand a place is to experience it the way locals do. Rather than describing every region exhaustively, it offers a curated set of regional tours across destinations such as Alsace, Andalucía, the Scottish Highlands, and Tuscany, covering everything from food and wine routes to historic landmarks and the outdoors.
World Heritage sites in Europe are more than monuments; they are living stories about Europe's past and present. They reflect the cultural richness and diversity that continue to shape the continent today. This platform aims to strengthen awareness of that heritage and spark the curiosity to experience it firsthand. Because it is precisely this shared experience that reminds us what connects Europeans across borders: united in diversity.
Travelling responsibly matters. Visitors are encouraged to respect local traditions, support local businesses, and help preserve Europe's cultural and natural heritage for future generations. These tips will help you do just that.
Tools & games for the curious traveller
We've built a suite of digital instruments for travellers who want to navigate Europe on their own terms. The Europe Discovery Toolbox is for those who prefer to pave their own way. With our Tour Planner you build your own tour and with the Bucket List you track the World Heritage Sites you want to see, it gives you the essentials to take the helm and plan independently.
Next came the Europe Discovery Quests. If the Toolbox is your map, the Quests are your game plan — discover your traveller type with the Traveller Archetype Test, let Surprise Me! turn indecision into an adventure, and keep the people and moments that made a place yours with Local Voice. Part game, part companion, they make every step of the journey feel a little more like your own.
And now we've opened a third door: Europe Discovery Games. Follow the hidden threads that link Europe's places across the centuries, track a location down from its clues, put the timeline back in order, and match each region to what it's known for. Build your streak as you go, rise through the ranks, and let one game lead you to the next. Free and interactive, no account needed — just you, the map, and the stories waiting to be found.
And because the journey doesn't always come with a signal, every tool is a self-contained web app (.html). It runs in any browser with no account and nothing to install; add one to your home screen and it behaves like an ordinary app, working even offline — your Tour Planner and Bucket List stay within reach on a train or a remote stretch of coast.
How it works
The platform works as a flexible discovery system rather than a static guidebook. Browse by region — Alsace, Andalucía, the Scottish Highlands, Tuscany and more — or follow a thematic journey that crosses borders, such as the Hanseatic cities, Industrial Heritage or the Roman Limes. The Toolbox helps you plan, the Quests help you reflect, and the Games turn the map itself into play. Every tour is also available as a Google Maps link or layer, so you can navigate straight from your phone — at home or on the road.
In essence, the platform is a set of instruments — personal, selective, and focused on places that are historically meaningful or unexpectedly fascinating. Ready to explore? Start with a region, follow a journey, or simply let curiosity lead the way.
For questions, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to info@visitworldheritage.eu. We'd love to hear from you!
Colophon / Disclaimer
All texts and tours are expertly crafted by Ronald Swensson.
Graphic design plaques: Tjeerd Willem Droogers.
Visit World Heritage Europe is a Social Impact Project.
The author believes that travel should not only inspire people, but also contribute positively.
The content of this website is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Photo material used on this website is believed to be in the public domain or used in accordance with applicable copyright regulations.
The four themes in the Bucket List and Visit (Thematic) Europe were inspired by a tourism initiative developed by UNESCO and National Geographic, co-funded by the European Union. World Heritage Journeys in Europe © UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic.
Disclaimer
All information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and may be changed, updated, or removed at any time without prior notice. While every reasonable effort is made to provide accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information, the author makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or availability of the information provided. Use of this website, its content, the tours, and any related Google Maps routes is entirely at your own risk. The author shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from or related to the use of this website, its information, or Google Maps services, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Visitors are responsible for their own travel decisions, safety, and compliance with local laws and regulations while using the information and routes provided on this website.
Privacy
I believe privacy should be simple. That is why this website does not store or collect personal data about you. Technically, it cannot — there is simply nowhere to store it. And honestly, I would not know what to do with it anyway. So you will not find annoying pop-ups, forced opt-ins, tracking profiles, or marketing tricks here. No hidden agendas, no unnecessary data collection, and no cookies designed to follow you around the internet. What you do on your device stays on your device.
The website only makes limited use of functional third-party cookies that are necessary for technical operation. Any information collected in this way is fully anonymised and does not fall under privacy legislation. For additional security, files offered on this website are always provided through Google Secure Downloads.
Security, privacy, simplicity, and respect for visitors are important principles behind this platform. I believe the internet should remain a place where people can explore, learn, and be inspired — without constantly being monitored.
Logo Usage Guideline
World Heritage
EUROPE
INVITES THE CURIOUS
Dive deeper into European culture through
exciting tours in the most beautiful regions
and thematic journeys across the continent.
Discover Europe's UNESCO World Heritage
region by region, and plan your own trip
with the free tools you need to explore.
Logo color: EC Blue 120 #003776, #ffffff or combination.
Logo font: Libre Baskerville 35/58 pts. Line spacing: 0.95.
Tagline: Roboto Medium 18 pts. Pay-off: Open Sans or Roboto Medium 15 pts.
Color tagline/pay-off: #000000, #ffffff or EC Blue 120 #003776. Line spacing pay-off: 1.15.
Tagline text: BEAUTIFUL REGIONS, INVITES THE CURIOUS or UNITED IN DIVERSITY.
You may use our logo for editorial, educational, or promotional purposes that directly relate to our platform.
Your use of the logo should not imply sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation without our prior written consent.
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