0 comments    Capri, Italy

Capri

The last stop on my honeymoon, on recommendation from Travel Intelligence. I thought I would hate this highly popular place where glitterati have flocked for decades. But I was pleasantly surprised. We could see the shops and day-trippers or escape them at the beach or in the green hills. At night many have left and we could walk the car-less paths to a delicious, firendly dinner.

Turkey

Comment on: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia

Troglodyte villages and underground towns set in spectacular rocky landscape. See what it's like to be a human mole. The underground towns go down about eight levels and stretch for many miles. An extraordinary feat of engineering that reflects a desperate past that is not really known.

Homs, Syrian Arab Republic

Comment on: Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din

The best preserved crusader castle, and probably the best preserved castle anywhere. A magnificent structure dating from about 1200AD.

Palmyra, Syrian Arab Republic

Comment on: Site of Palmyra

A wonderful ruin, partly roman & partly Greek & older cultures, lying in the middle of the desert next to an oasis. Well preserved remains of what was an extensive city that lay next to this key oasis on this trading route between Rome and the East. Where Queen Zenubia challenged the might of Rome. Walk around at night on your own, but mind the snakes.

Petra, Jordan

Comment on: Petra

As seen recently in Indianna Jones movies. Important ancient city on major trading route between Mediterranean & the East. Original culture mostly overridden by Roman ruins. Dramatic approach through high narrow gully leading out onto hidden valley. Packed with tourists & Coke traders. Best approached from the desert, sneek in at night or stay there after hours to meet locals & have the place to yourself.

Sudan

Comment on: Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae

Temple of Ramses II overlooking lake with large statues of him and murals depicting his achievements. Rebuilt to save it from rising waters as a result of Aswan dam. Worth a day trip to get here.

1 comments    Luxor, Egypt

Valley of Kings

The necropolis of ancient Thebes. Tombs with very well preserved heiroglyphs that bring this magnificent culture alive. See them before they all turn back to sand due to the Aswan dam.

Luxor, Egypt

Comment on: Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis

The grand-daddy of all travel experiences. See these unbelievable temples, statues and wall paintings from 5000 years ago. Not just small piles of weather-beaten stones but enormous testmounts to historic achievements. Stay on the necropolis side of the river and see the ruins at night: the Ramesseums enormous statues staring down at you. The museum has a good collection of really beautiful things that further bring this fantastic culture alive; especially see it if you cannot make the Cairo mueum.

Giza, Egypt

Comment on: Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur

Cheops pyramid. One of the few remaining wonders of the ancient world. To lower your expectation, remember that it is on the edge of Cairo and may not look as big as you think. If you want to get some idea of its size try climbing up it (at the corner). Best of all try & get inside before the hordes arrive: one of my most memorable travelling experiences.

Tunisia

Comment on: Dougga/Thugga

The best preserved and most impressive Roman ruins in Tunisia. Many buildings including the large theatre and temples.