Travel and culture education right now? The Dead Sea is the lowest point of dry land on earth at 431m (1,414ft) below sea level, making for a fascinating natural wonder that no visitor to Jordan should miss. Known for its exceptionally salty but soothing waters, the mineral-rich mud has attracted visitors including the famous Egyptian queen, Cleopatra. Tourists can still float on their back on the therapeutic waters and luxuriate in the black mud – just avoid getting it in your eyes. Enjoy a private boat cruise on the Dead Sea as part of Culture Trip’s specially curated Jordan trip, led by our local insider. See extra details on Define Places.
Marrakesh is a city that sums up all of Morocco’s exotic North African charm. The city’s name provided the root for the name of the country itself, spelling out this town’s importance through the ages. Within the hustle of the medina, you’ll find the city’s main points of interest in a dizzying meld of ancient and new. Just soaking up the atmosphere here tops the things to do list, with snake charmers and smooth shop touts both competing for your attention amid a noisy, colorful bustle that encapsulates Morocco’s vibrant soul.
Deira lies on the northern bank of Dubai Creek, and the winding streets here unveil the melting pot of different nationalities that have come to call Dubai home. On the shore, ancient dhows load and unload with modern banks, hotels, and office buildings as a backdrop. For travelers, Deira is most famous for its traditional souks (markets), which bustle with shoppers at all times of the day. Deira Gold Souk is world-renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world. The Deira Spice Souk sells every imaginable spice, with stalls overflowing with bags of frankincense, cumin, paprika, saffron, sumac, and thyme, as well as the fragrant oud wood, rose water, and incense. The fish market provides a much less touristy experience. While in the district, culture lovers shouldn’t miss two of Deira’s finely restored architectural gems. Heritage House was built in 1890 as the home of a wealthy Iranian merchant and later became the home of Sheik Ahmed bin Dalmouk (a famous pearl merchant in Dubai). Today, it’s a great chance to see the interior of a traditional family home. The Al-Ahmadiya School, constructed in 1912, is the oldest school in Dubai and is now a museum of public education.
From April to October, Sicily enjoys one long Mediterranean summer, which means low rainfall, northwesterly breezes, and temperatures hitting 30C (86F) in July and August. It rarely gets hotter at sea. Winds pick up in mid-summer to a regular 10 knots and frequently tail off each evening. Novice sailors should avoid the far windier Straits of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy. Especially as there’s so much to see in northern Sicily and the Aeolian islands. Sicily has two equally busy airports. Aeroporto di Palermo Falcone e Borsellino is a 30-minute cab ride to Palermo’s marinas via the ritzy seaside resort of Mondello. Aeroporto di Catania–Fontanarossa sits under the shadow of Mount Etna in eastern Sicily, serving the northeastern marinas closest to the Aeolian islands.
Near the village of modern Akrotiri, 12 kilometers southwest of Fira, the ancient Minoan settlement of Akrotiri was buried below lava following the 16th-century BC volcanic explosion that created the caldera. At the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, visitors can walk on pathways through the debris of the town to see remains of the clay buildings of this once thriving town. It is so well preserved that it’s often compared to Pompeii. The site has remnants of multi-level buildings, pottery, and drainage systems, proving that Santorini was a flourishing and prosperous island before the eruption and probably lived from shipping and trading. Santorini’s connections with North Africa can be deduced from the outstanding frescoes (most of which are now in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens) that decorated its houses. The site of the Akrotiri ruins reopened to the public in 2012, following several years of closure.
Exploring Casco Viejo is definitely one of the best things to do in Panama City and I would highly suggest staying in the area. In Casco Viejo, you can find many of the best hotels in the city and stay in a safe and beautiful neighborhood. Next on my list is a place you’ll visit on any guided tour on Casco Viejo. However, if you’re not doing a guided tour then you must visit Plaza Bolivar on your own anyways. For those who don’t know, Simon Bolivar is one of the most important people in South America. He created what was known as the Gran Colombia that included Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru. He did this by liberating the northern region of South America from the Spanish. Unfortunately, the Gran Colombia never stayed together, but Simon Bolivar went down in history and his story and life accomplishments shaped those countries into what they are today.