No offence taken at all! I believe that what makes each and every one of us unique are indeed the different tastes, opinions, etc. I feel that through noticing such differences, I can learn about something new and appreciate something totally different. Perhaps that is why I'm not so keen about UK WHS in general as there is nothing so 'different' from what I was used to in Malta. Having a Catholic background helped me appreciate Italy's neverending Christian art and architecture and perhaps Malta's over-the-top churches (St. John's Cocathedral!) influence what I 'expect' to find in a cathedral/church. I totally understand what you said about repeat visits vs something more appealing on the the other side of the globe. I might be too biased as I never actually considered any visit to Italy as a visit but more as a trip back home. You're right again when you hint at the fact that things tend to change quickly over time and more often than not for the worse. Not so long ago, I never what have had to specify if I'd want an american size coffee or a normal coffee in Italy. I also used to enjoy shopping more (for example in Milan) as I loved to practice my Italian and also get to know more about everyday life in Italy through a quick chat while shopping. Nowadays it would be easier to practice Mandarin, Japanese or Russian.

It isn't a country list, but I've now visited 11 of the 12 original sites created in 1978. The only one I haven't been to is Simien National Park in Ehtiopia.

It's funny you mention this; I've been keeping my eye on the 1978 inscriptions, since they seem very feasible to complete (and I'm already one quarter of the way there). My best year so far is 1987, where I've visited 12 of the 41 inscriptions (29%), but I have quite a way to go to reach the goal of completing all the sites inscribed in a given year.

As for any flights to Midway, I'll keep an eye out and post if I find out anything.

I enjoyed the incompatibility discussion, and it could be because I'm an American and like the history and culture of Europe in general, but I enjoy both Northern and Southern Europe pretty equally. I'd say the only country I've found incompatible worldwide was Saudi Arabia, but that could be because I only visited the cloistered environs of Riyadh.

I have visited all of the 1989 inscriptions - but there were only 7!!!
Archaeological Site of Mystras Greece
Archaeological Site of Olympia Greece
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi India
Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mali
Banc d'Arguin National Park Mauritania
Monastery of Alcobaça Portugal
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls Zambia Zimbabwe

The lowest year of all in terms of numbers? But also with a few top class sites and 4 of them included in our Community Top 200 - Olympia, Bandiagara, Banc d'Arguin and Vic Falls. Sanchi and Mystras got a "maybe" with only Alcobaca a definite "no". About "right" I would have thought. Banc d'Arguin and Mystras are a bit "specialist" and Alcobaca is "interesting" but not top class. The others all certainly justify their inscription - and a "visit"!!

Italy 51
China 50
Spain 45
France 42
Germany 41
India 35
Mexico 34
United Kingdom 30
Russian Federation 26
United States 23
Iran 21
Japan 20
Brazil 20
= 438 world heritage sites (42% of WH List)

It's surprising to recognize how few countries (if completed) would lead to more than 400 WHS! Has anyone visited 50% or more of the WHS in all 13 of these countries? I have to think China is by far the most difficult country to complete (excluding the sites that are essentially "off-limits"). In addition, the fact that China is so active even makes the feat that much more challenging. In 2017, China will have the chance to surpass (or equal) Italy in WHS count. Italy has 3 nominations, and China has 2 nominations.

Atila and Iain have, at least of the Top 10 countries. So maybe that's the trick!

See http://www.worldheritagesite.org/statsc.html

I don't think China is particularly difficult, as most WHS there are well on-the-beaten-track. I'd say Russia is the most hard one.