The Best Countries to Move to for Culture and History
For many people, the culture and history of a place can be as important as the economic factors. The Moving Partnership can help with house removals to China, Italy, and many other international destinations. Here is our guide to the countries which are particularly rich in culture.
China
This has the second most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world after Italy with 56, of which 14 are so-called ‘natural’. Beijing is particularly well represented being home to the so-called Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven.
China also has one of the ‘new’ wonders of the world – The Great Wall, pictured above. The Chinese national symbol was built by several dynasties over hundreds of years, starting in about 220 BC. It was originally built to defend from invasions (hence the watchtowers), but is now a leading tourist attraction.
Italy
If you are considering moving home from overseas to Italy, then this European country has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites of any country with 58, of which 5 are natural and 53 cultural. These include the city centres of Venice, Rome and Florence, and the Milan convent which houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper.
Italy also has one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World – The Colosseum in Rome. Built between AD70 and AD80, it was used for gladiator fights, animal hunts and public executions. Even though it was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1349, it remains an immensely popular tourist attraction.
Germany
Germany is third on the list of countries with the most UNESCO sites with 51, of which 3 are natural and the rest cultural. Although there are plenty of historic buildings on the list, such as Aachen and Cologne Cathedrals, and Bremen Town Hall, there are other relatively modern buildings included in the list too.
These include the Modernist Housing Estates in Berlin, which were all built in the 20th century, and the Bauhaus sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernhau. The Bauhaus movement was the most influential art movement of the 20th century, which tried to unify the ideas of artistic vision with the functionality of mass production.
France
France is fourth on the list with 49 UNESCO sites. Most of these are relatively ‘under the radar’ such as the cathedrals in Bourges, Amiens and Chartres, but Notre Dame in Paris most people will have likely heard of. However, the city of Paris, at least the part of it which lies on the banks of the River Seine, is also included. Closer to the UK, the bay of Mont Saint-Michel and the rebuilt city of Le Havre are also worthy of the designation.
The UK
Like Germany and France, although it doesn’t have any Wonders of the World (old or new), there are plenty of World Heritage sites in the UK - 30 to be exact, and there could be some more on the way. Most people have heard of Stonehenge, but a similar megalithic monument at Avebury in Wiltshire is also on the list. Other well-known attractions include Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, the Lake District, the Tower of London and Kew Gardens.
There’s plenty of other lesser-known landmarks also on the UNESCO list too, such as the Derwent Valley Mills in Derbyshire, the Dorset and East Devon Coast, and Maritime Greenwich, which is home to the Royal Observatory (and Greenwich Mean Time).
And another seven sites have been shortlisted by the UK Government for heritage bosses to consider adding to the full UNESCO list. These include:
- York city centre
- Birkenhead Park on Merseyside
- The The Zenith of Iron Age Shetland, a collection of three ancient settlements dating back thousands of years
- The East Atlantic Flyway, a migratory bird route over western parts of Europe including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
- The Little Cayman Marine Parks and Protected Areas, in the UK overseas territory of the Cayman Islands
- The Flow Country, a large area of peatland across Caithness and Sutherland in the north of Scotland
- And the Gracehill Moravian Church Settlement in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
House Removals to China with The Moving Partnership
At the Moving Partnership we can help with house removals to China, Italy, and many other international destinations including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Germany. And we can organise moves to all parts of the UK as well.
Our network of contacts in the international moving industry means we can always supply you with a competitive quote that is tailored to your exact needs. To learn more about our international, European, and UK removals services, follow the highlighted links.
You can also contact us directly on 0808 280 3648.
