Summary Newly listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites are now accessible for exploration using points and miles. Sado Island Gold Mines in Japan, Schwerin Residence Ensemble in Germany, and Niah Caves in Malaysia are worth visiting. Utilize award travel options to reach these destinations, with potential upcoming flight conveniences to Sado Island.
Visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a bucket list experience for many travelers. On August 1, 2024, the World Heritage Committee inscribed 26 new cultural and natural properties on the World Heritage List, per UNESCO . Offering fresh opportunities for exploration, these sites are must-visits for any adventure lover – and what’s even better is that you could possibly fly there at minimal cost! This guide will help you plan your journey to these heritage-listed destinations using points and miles, ensuring you can satisfy your wanderlust without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explore the closest airports to these sites and the best award travel options available. Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan Located 31 miles (50 kilometers) off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, the Sado Island Gold Mines were once one of the world's most productive gold mines. This site offers a glimpse into Japan's mining history and its early 17th-century heritage, according to the Sado Gold Mines website .
The Sado Gold Mines were founded in 1601 and played a part in providing gold for the production of coins in the Edo period. While its nearly 400-year operations came to an end in 1989 due to the depletion of resources, visitors today can immerse themselves in the history of Japan’s largest gold and silver mine through tours, sightseeing courses, and a visitor center. Since a deadly accident in 1985, Japan Airlines has vowed to change and improve its safety culture.
But first: how does one get there? Niigata Airport (KIJ) is the gateway to Sado Island. Visitors will have to fly into Niigata Prefecture, before boarding a ferry at one of two ports to reach the island. To stretch your budget, some award travel options you could consider are: Program Route Miles Required ANA Mileage Club One-way economy from Tokyo (HND) to KIJ From 6,000 to 9,000 United MileagePlus One-way economy from US to Tokyo (not inclusive of connection to KIJ) Starting from 100,000 miles from an East Coast airport, such as San Francisco It’s worth noting that, according to ATR , Japanese startup Toki Air has plans to operate commercial flights between Niigata and Sado Island following the delivery of its ATR turboprops in early 2025 – so getting to the Sado Island Gold Mines may soon be much more convenient! Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany Situated on an island in Lake Schwerin, this grand ducal residence is an example of 19th-century historicism and offers a unique look into Germany's aristocratic past.
The property consists of 38 elements, which include the Grand Duke’s Residence Palace, various manor houses, cultural and sacred structures, as well as the ornamental Pfaffenteich lake. To get there, travelers can fly into the closest airport, Hamburg Airport (HAM), which is an hour and a half’s drive away from Schwerin Castle – making it an easy day trip. Award travel options include: Program Route Miles Required Lufthansa Miles & More One-way economy from European hubs to HAM From 35,000 United MileagePlus One-way economy from US to Europe (not inclusive of connection to HAM)* From 60,000 *There are currently no direct flights from the US to HAM.
Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Malaysia Nature and history lovers will enjoy this newly listed UNESCO Heritage site. Located in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, this archaeological site offers insights into the region's prehistoric human activities, including the oldest known human remains in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, it holds the most extensive known records of human interaction with rainforest environments, covering at least 50,000 years.
According to UNESCO , the area’s rich archaeological deposits, prehistoric rock art, and boat-shaped burials offer significant insights into the biological and human life of that era. The carrier has operated under its current identity for over 50 years. The Niah Caves are just over an hour’s drive from Miri Airport (MYY), which can be reached using the following award travel options: Program Route Miles Required Malaysia Airlines Enrich One-way economy from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to MYY 3,200 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer One-way economy from Singapore to MYY From 15,000 The Flow Country, United Kingdom The Flow Country in Scotland’s Highland Region is considered to be the world’s best example of blanket bog and is crucial for global climate regulation, per The Flow Country .
It is a unique natural landscape that’s worth the visit for nature enthusiasts. This peatland ecosystem, which has been forming over the last 9,000 years, hosts a variety of unique habitats that support a distinct array of bird species and exhibits an extraordinary range of characteristics not found anywhere else on the planet. The Flow Country is situated less than a two-hour drive from Inverness Airport (INV).
Award travel options include: Program Route Miles Required British Airways Avios One-way economy from London to INV From 9,250 to 9,750 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club One-way economy from London to INV From 5,500 The strategic use of earned rewards Visiting these newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites is made easier with the strategic use of points and miles. It’s worth remembering that these are just some of the award travel options available, covering just a few of the several newly listed sites – in other words, the possibilities of exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites using miles and points are endless! Additionally, the miles detailed in this article are for economy tickets. If you want an added touch of luxury to your travels, be prepared to fork out additional miles or cash for premium economy, business, and beyond.
Therefore, remember to research extensively, plan ahead, and compare the best award redemption options to help you make the most of your travel rewards while experiencing the richness of our world’s heritage..
