But now as ISIS continue to seize cities across the Middle East, some of the world's most prized tourism gems - a glittering haul of ancient archaeological treasures and distinguished museums - have crumbled in their wake.

Unesco World Heritage Sites have been destroyed in Syria and Iraq and with them thousands of years' worth of history wiped off the map.

Nada al-Hassan of Unesco's World Heritage Centre revealed to MailOnline Travel how ISIS' impact is rippling through the historical world.

She said: 'Syria and Iraq are really places where we have the origins of civilisation where the alphabet, agriculture and urbanism were invented and they are extremely important for all of humanity. 

'For Unesco it's important that the international community protects sites as it's our shared responsibility.'

Here is a round-up of the tourism and historical highlights devastated by ISIS so far, as reported by CNN.  

Described by Unesco as 'an oasis in the Syrian desert' Palmyra, north-east of Damascus, is home to the ruins of a city that was once considered one of the most important cultural hubs in the ancient world.

From the first to second century, Palmyra was uniquely influenced by several civilisations and Graeco-Roman and Persian touches are evident in its art and architecture. 

'Palmyra is an important tourism site and it's extremely important in terms of art and architecture in the region.

'It's under ISIS control. it hasn't been destroyed but more than 50 funeral busts have been looted. These dates back to Roman era of second and third century. 

'The sculptural art is not really typical in this site and is not [found] anywhere else,' explained al-Hassan. 

Before ISIS took full control of the city in May 2015, the director of antiquities in Damascus transferred Palmyra's museum collections which included hundreds of statues and artefacts to Damascus.

But the tombs that could not be removed have since been damaged. And the ancient Roman ampitheatre is reportedly being used by militants for mass killings.

Embellished with citadels, ruins and a second-century Roman theatre, Bosra was once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia.

As an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca it was home to early Christian ruins and several mosques. 

Although Syrian rebels recaptured the ancient city of Bosra in Southern Syria in March 2015, video released by APSA (the Association for the Protection of Syrian Archaeology) recently depicted damage to ancient stonework and Roman mosaics at the Unesco World Heritage site.

As the battle rages on in Aleppo, the ongoing clashes have caused damage to the Unesco-listed Old City.

The eighth-century Great Mosque of Aleppo and Aleppo Citadel are reportedly at risk.

Meanwhile elsewhere in Syria, Saint Simeon Church and the 11th-century Crac des Chevaliers have taken a battering.

(Daily Mail)