Central America´s only English-speaking country has a population of around 397,000 and is about the size of New Jersey and a little larger than Wales. It´s something of a diamond in the rough whose small package can deliver gifts of wonderful islands, beaches, eco-experiences, and even Mayan archaeological sites — and all with fewer crowds and often lower prices than its neighbors. And here are seven of its highlights:
Belize’s largest and most famous island (top, 25 mil
Nowadays better known to many as the gateway to Aegean Sea resorts, Bodrum (pop. 198,000) is also a fascinating ancient port city in southern Turkey, which we recently had the pleasure of touring. Its medieval castle and underwater museum are are just two of the many attractions we found to tell you about. But first, a captivating history.
Founded around 1,000 BCE as a Greek colony called Halicarnassus (and was the birthplace of among others the famous classical historian Herodotus), it came u
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is home to some of the most fascinating remnants of the ancient Maya civilization, and among them, the Tulum ruins stand out as a spectacular destination that combines history, culture, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Nestled on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, the Tulum archaeological site offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past while providing stunning natural beauty. For travelers interested in exploring ancient mysteries, a Tulum Ruins tou
This country´s capital is a vibrant modern metropolis of around 10 million, with excellent dining, nightlife, nearby beaches, and an atmospheric, UNESCO World Heritage colonial core dating back to 1535. And it´s also home to a number of Incan sites as well as others which are not just pre-Columbian but also predate the Incas; these huacas are temples, funerary, administrative, and commercial centres spread throughout the modern city, and provide a fascinating look at P
David Escribanoby David Escribano
This country´s northernmost department (like a state or province), Petén, is also not only its largest, but home to most of its ancient Mayan archaeological sites. Tikal is by far the most famous, but others deserve to be better known, and none more so than Yaxhá, the region's third largest city - which some like just as much, and which you'll likely have practically to yourself, with only howler monkeys and perhaps a small smattering of other visitors for compa
Some of the world’s most famous ruins can be found in this expansive, steamy lowland peninsula covering the southern Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo (as well as, many people don’t realise, northern Belize and the Guatemalan state of Petén, home to Tikal). The two best known, Chichén Itzá and Tulum, are celebrated for a reason. But if you’re particularly fascinated, as I am, with the Mundo Maya, you’ll want to add several more days to your visit here, as the
Photos unless otherwise noted: ArabCountries.com
The 275-year rule of the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty was initiated by the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 305 BCE, and its second king, Ptolemy Philadelphus, had this great temple built on Philae Island in Nubia (Upper Egypt, paradoxically in the south) during his tenure (284-246 BCE). As he wanted the Egyptian people to love him as they did the previous Egyptian pharoahs of old , by showing them that he too believed in their great gods
In southern Jordan, just under three hours from capital Amman, one of the most recognisable ancient sites in the MIddle East - and indeed, the world - was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1812. But it dates back to at least the 2nd century BCE and probably earlier, settled by an ancient Bedouin Arab tribe called the Nabataeans, who spoke Aramaic rather than Arabic and grew into a wealthy, powerful kingdom which at its height - and until it was absorbed by the Roman Empire in the
Luca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it
The territory of what is today Libya, along with Algeria and Tunisia, was once part of ancient Rome´s second most prosperous region after Italy itself, beginning with the Roman Republic´s conquest of Carthage and the rest of the Punic Empire in 146 BCE and lasting until 439, when it was in turn conquered by Germanic Vandals. Its legacy (as well as that of ancient Greece, which had its own colonies along this coast) lives on today in some extraordinary archaeologic
Itamar Grinberg/Israeli Ministry of Tourism
Israel is truly a land of exceptional sights – and sites – from top to bottom. But roughly two hours south of Jerusalem, one of its most evocative (and popular) high points, so to speak, looms in the Judea desert some 396 metres (1,300 feet) above the shores of the Dead Sea. Masada (Hebrew for fortress) is an imposing UNESCO World Heritage Site, and after Jerusalem the most visited spot in the country. At this rugged fortress complex, excavated in th
It is impossible to go to Tulum without visiting the Mayan ruin, but you should take the morning tour to make your time for sunbathing or taking a dip in the clear blue waters at Playa Paraiso. You can also try snorkeling in one of the many cenotes (or subterranean swimming pools) or take a boat ride along to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
You can easily book your cheap flights to Tulum with the Lowest Flight fares and enjoy a trip.
A little to the south of the Tulum ruin, the v
The “Rapid” Ferry
When we planned this vacation, Lake Garda's Simio Peninsula, Sirmione, and its Roman villa ruins became a magnet, and we scheduled a day trip back into history to visit an ancient vacation site of extremely wealthy Roman citizens.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - But We Choose the Ferry System
About 15 minutes from our hotel is the village of Saló, the location of the ferry service docks. The ferry system offers scenic lake steamers or the more time efficient hydrofoils; all
The most sought-after tourist attraction in India after Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho group of temples is located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India, only about 620 km from the capital city of Delhi. It's a UNESCO World heritage site best known for its erotic art and sculptures, but the truth is that these only account for about 10% of the temple sculptures. Khajuraho is much more than just showcasing of erotica and art of lovemaking. These group of Hindu and Jain temples were originally 80 in num
I love all of the Balearic islands for overlapping but different reasons, and there’s no question that the third-largest is definitely a change of pace from Majorca and certainly Ibiza. Not that there isn’t nightlife, as well as luxury and touches of glam here and there. But Minorca (aka Menorca, as they say in Catalan and Spanish) has managed to make its way into the 21st century with more of that laid-back, old-time island vibe blessedly intact (even despite the fact that tourism has certainl
If you’ve got even a passing knowledge of history and/or Greek mythology, you’ve probably heard of the Minotaur, the monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull, imprisoned in a labyrinth by Minos, king of Greece's island of Crete, and fed human sacrifices. Obviously the bull-headed thing is a little bit of a stretch, but on this island you can visit the spot where this legend may well have originated. On Mount Kefala, a couple of miles outside Crete’s capital Heraklion, lie the ru
You’ve no doubt been to or at least have heard about the Yucatan Peninsula’s wondrous Maya archaeological sites like Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal. But did you know that Mexico’s most famous beach resort, Cancun, boasts a mini-me version of these mighty sites? Las Ruinas del Rey ("the Ruins of the King") are easily accessible right off the hotel zone’s main drag, Boulevard Kukulkan, just south of the hotel zone on the way to/from the airport.
Dating to around 300 BC and now open daily during
The capital of the island of Crete during the Neolithic era was Phaestos. But the small settlement of Gortyn grew and grew, until it eventually became a city that eclipsed Phaestos. During the Roman era, in the first century, it became capital of Crete. The remains of this time, the city’s apogee, can be seen and studied today in archaeological excavations that have led to some of the most important discoveries in Europe.
The excavations began in 1884, leaving the workers themselves amazed.
Located in Ranakpur village in the Rajasthan district of Pali, Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex is one of the seven wonders of India, very famous among people of Jain communities and architecture lovers. Dedicated to Adinatha (also known as Rishabha, the founder of Jainism and the first of the 24 tirthankara. Considered to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples, because of its architectural brilliance the temple is extremely popular with tourists. The architectural beauty of the temple never f
When one thinks of Belize, most likely the first thought to come to mind is the fabled Blue Hole, and the world’s second largest barrier reef, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. But the tiny nation surrounded by its big brother to the north, Mexico and Guatemala to the west and south, is an eco-travelers, adventurer enthusiasts dream. Taking a closer look, there is more to Belize than meets the eye.
Scuba dive or take a helicopter ride over Belize’s stunning Blue Hole
