Zoe

United States of America \ Member since March 2025

#675 56 24 2

My rubric:

  • 1 star: I personally could not see the value. Also if the site is closed to the public.
  • 2 stars: There are some major draws to visiting: perhaps there is no signage, or the sight itself is not accessible to see. Maybe I personally don't enjoy the site but I could see why it was made a WHS.
  • 3 stars: There should hopefully be some signage, and some indication of the importance of the site. It is interesting and enjoyable to visit, but maybe not worth an entire detour.
  • 4 stars: Memorable! With some tweaks, it would be 5 stars. Maybe better facilities, renovations, etc.
  • 5 stars: What makes a WHS my favorite is when I feel the experience speaks for itself; even without researching about the site before hand, I can clearly see its importance through the infrastructure, design, and signage.

Countries I've been to: United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Thailand, Germany, Turkey, Georgia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta

My most impressive site: Ani

Recent Visits
  • 7
    1
    Jan. 2, 2026
    Morocco Trip New Years 25-26: Casablanca, Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, Mazagan ...
  • 2
    0
    July 3, 2025
    Great Smoky Mountains, Poverty Point
  • 3
    0
    June 12, 2025
    Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Megalithic Temples of Malta, Valletta
Top 10 Missing
  1. Angkor 4.72
  2. Machu Picchu 4.64
  3. Rapa Nui 4.62
  4. Petra 4.62
  5. Galapagos Islands 4.60
  6. Rome 4.58
  7. Venice and its Lagoon 4.52
  8. Pyramids (Memphis) 4.51
  9. Ancient Thebes 4.51
  10. Victoria Falls 4.48
Completed Countries

About Zoe

Member since
March 2025
Country of Origin
United States of America
Visits
Rank
#675
WHS
56
Tentative Sites
24
Website Participation
Reviews
15
Ratings

Ratings

World Heritage Sites
Tentative Sites
56 25
Locations
0
Zones
0
Reserved for members.

Reviews by Zoe

The windows and mosaics of the Hasan II Mosque

Casablanca (On tentative list)

Casablanca

If you are traveling to Morocco, chances are you will visit Casablanca during your stay. As Morocco's largest city, Casablanca has plenty of connections for transportation, places to see, places …

Keep reading Zoe 05/01/26
An overview of people walking the square in Meknes

Meknes (Inscribed)

Meknes

Meknes was my least favorite WHS in Morocco. After seeing the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, Meknes (perhaps unfairly) feels underwhelming. The must-see site of Meknes is the magnificent mosaic …

Keep reading Zoe 05/01/26
A part of the medina of Essaouira used in the filming of Game of Thrones.

Medina of Essaouira (Inscribed)

A Walk Through Essaouira

I visited the city of Essaouira (aka Mogador) in early 2026. The weather wasn't particularly cold, but it was incredibly windy. There's lots of seafood, as expected, and seagulls flying …

Keep reading Zoe 05/01/26
Megalithic Temples of Malta by Zoe

Megalithic Temples of Malta (Inscribed)

Megalithic Temples of Malta

I managed to visit 4 of the 6 inscribed temples so I wanted to leave some short thoughts on them (and also some updated pricing info)! You can buy a …

Keep reading Zoe 28/06/25
Sardis by Zoe

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli … (Inscribed)

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe

Sardis was a great change of pace from the tourist-filled Ephesus and Pamukkale. The gymnasium alone is very impressive, and has a somewhat different visual weight to it from the …

Keep reading Zoe 18/06/25
Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia by Zoe

Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of M… (Inscribed)

Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia

I recently visited Aslanhane Mosque (in Turkish, Arslanhane Camisi) in Ankara as I was already in the city for the day due to a flight connection. This Seljuk mosque, built …

Keep reading Zoe 23/05/25
Çatalhöyük by Zoe

Çatalhöyük (Inscribed)

Çatalhöyük

I visited this site in May 2025. As mentioned, there is a brand new museum that is really well-done. There's interactive screens and buttons you can press to learn about …

Keep reading Zoe 20/05/25
Göbekli Tepe by Zoe

Göbekli Tepe (Inscribed)

Göbekli Tepe

I visited Göbekli Tepe back in March 2025. As mentioned, you can take the bus from the stop outside the archeology museum. The archeology museum itself is a must-see; …

Keep reading Zoe 03/05/25
Ani by Zoe

Ani (Inscribed)

Ani

I visited Ani in April 2025 so I thought I would give an update on the site now :)

Getting to Ani was very easy. There is a small …

Keep reading Zoe 17/04/25
Sümela Monastery by Zoe

Sumela Monastery (On tentative list)

Sumela Monastery

I visited Sümela Monastery in fall 2024. It is possible to reach it via tour from Trabzon, although you can also drive yourself, if you prefer. The walk inside involves …

Keep reading Zoe 14/04/25
Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens by Zoe

Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevse… (Inscribed)

Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens

This site covers a lot of ground and is hard to get a feel for on your own — just the walls of the city themselves are the 2nd widest …

Keep reading Zoe 10/04/25
Bursa and Cumalikizik by Els Slots

Bursa and Cumalikizik (Inscribed)

Bursa and Cumalikizik

Bursa is easily accessible by ferry and/or bus from Istanbul, making it worth a day trip or two to see. I used the Moovit app to navigate the public transportation …

Keep reading Zoe 01/04/25
Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs by Can SARICA

Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs (On tentative list)

Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs

I visited both Madrasahs in Erzurum and it was a worthwhile experience. Double Minaret Madrasah has a free museum inside, whereas the Yakutiye Madrasah museum is paid. Both involve going …

Keep reading Zoe 16/03/25
Odunpazari Historical Urban Site by Roman Bruehwiler

Odunpazari Historical Urban S… (On tentative list)

Odunpazari Historical Urban Site

Odunpazari is a picturesque neighborhood of Eskisehir, a mid-size city easily accessible by train from Ankara. It is very walkable once you arrive, and you can wander around the colorful …

Keep reading Zoe 16/03/25
Arslantepe Mound by Zoe

Arslantepe Mound (Inscribed)

Arslantepe Mound

I visited in Spring 2025. There are extensive renovations going on currently, so I would estimate only around 30% of the site is available to view currently. In addition, the …

Keep reading Zoe 08/04/24