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15 Best Things To Do In Ayia Napa
Learn the best things to see and do in lovely Ayia Napa. Located in one of the most beautiful parts of Cyprus, Ayia Napa offers some of its most outstanding beaches, has its liveliest nightlife, and has stunning coastal landscape features to explore in Cape Greco National Forest Park. This city runs along the southern coast of Cyprus, from just west of the Ayia Napa Marina to Cape Greco point on the its southeastern tip, then up around the corner towards Protaras. The name Ayia Napa is derived from the ancient word Napa, which means forest-covered valley, from the dense juniper forest that once covered this area. Adding Ayia to…
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12 Best Things To Do In Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro, is one of Europe’s well-kept secrets. Located just 2 hours south of hot-spot Dubrovnic, this UNESCO listed fairytale-esque city, situated between rugged mountains and the tranquil, clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, is an historic gem. With its well-preserved medieval walls and epic views from the ruined fortress on its craggily hilltop, Kotor is definitely worth a visit, with plenty of charm and things to do. This post covers the best things to do in Kotor. Kotor sits on the southern side of the Bay of Kotor, also known as the Boka. This bay is sometimes referred to as the southernmost fjord in the world. But, rather…
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Montenegro Travel Guide
My travel guide for Montenegro features the top places to visit, how to get there, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your trip. Montenegro, just south of hot-spot Croatia, is a beautiful, under-the-radar European destination. With 183 miles (294 km) of rugged mountains rising from the sparkling blue Adriatic, it’s dotted with must-see medieval-walled towns topped with fortresses and several stunning National Parks. Plus, it’s not as jam-packed with tourists as its northern neighbor and it’s easier on the budget. Its Bay, the Bay of Kotor, or the Boka, is so beautiful, it’s sometimes called the southernmost fjord in the world. Yet, it’s not a fjord. It’s…
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Top Things To Do In Perast Montenegro
Perast, an idyllic seaside village on Montenegro’s beautiful Bay of Kotor is nestled below scenic rugged mountains, providing a stunning setting that should not be missed. Unlike Montenegro’s more popular cities of Kotor and Budva, which have ancient walls surrounding them, Perast sits on the edge of the sea with no obstructed views. Although often only visited only as a day trip from Kotor, I recommend staying in Perast for a day or two for its jaw-dropping views from its waterfront restaurants and possibly your accommodation, as well as to explore its churches, see its medieval mansions, and eat at its seaside restaurants. Being less touristy, Perast has a more…
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Best Things To Do In Zanzibar | Tropical Paradise Guide
Zanzibar is one of my all-time favorite places in Africa. With its idyllic powdery white beaches and colorful reefs, the rich history of UNESCO Heritage site Stone Town and its fascinating fusion of cultures, the museum devoted to rock icon Freddie Mercury, who was born here, it’s spice plantations, friendly people and more, there’s a lot to see and do here and something for everyone. This post covers the top things to do in Zanzibar, my favorite tropical paradise. On my first visit, I was only here for a few days as part of an amazing 6 week camping tour with Intrepid from Cape Town to Nairobi. I fell in…
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Turkey (Türkiye) Travel Guide
Turkey, which has been rebranded as Türkiye, is full of delightful surprises, with its dazzling Byzantine and Ottoman Mosques and palaces, amazing ancient Roman ruins, unforgettable landscapes, and grand history. This travel guide for Turkey (Türkiye) features the top places to visit, how to get there, safety, scams, logistics and more to help you plan your visit and make it epic. This travel guide and posts on Turkey (Türkiye) are updated as of January 2024. Travel Guide: Top Attractions In Turkey (Türkiye) Istanbul Istanbul is Turkey’s top tourist destination and full of glorious remnants from its Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman history. And its location, straddling two continents over the Bosphorus…
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Things To Do In Pamukkale & Hierapolis And What To Expect
Pamukkale is home to Türkiye’s ‘cotton castle’, named for the fascinating formation of cascading white travertine terraces filled with aquamarine mineral-rich thermal water. One of just a handful of white terraces found in the world, the beauty and healing properties of this natural phenomenon have been attracting visitors for thousands of years. Just above the white terraces of Pamukkale, on the hilltop, are the ruins of Hierapolis, a city founded by the Greeks around the 2nd century BC and later ruled and enhanced by the Romans. Researchers have also found ancient remains from the Iron Age as well, so life here long predates the Greeks too. Unfortunately, this remarkable site,…
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15 Best Things To See And Do In Ephesus
The ancient ruins of the city of Ephesus, Türkiye, which are over 2,000 years old, is one of my favorite Roman ruin sites. They’re stunning, even if you’re not into history. This ancient city achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015. It’s also the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, the Church of St. John, and the House of the Virgin Mary. This post covers the top things to see and do in Ephesus. About Ephesus There are several legends of Ephesus with the most interesting being that it was founded by the Amazons, the great female warriors, and named after their…
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15 Best Things to Do In Istanbul
Istanbul, with its brilliant Byzantine and Ottoman mosques, palaces, and fountains, the Roman Hippodrome, modeled after Circus Maximus, the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets, and more, all sitting near the coast of the Bosporus and Black Sea, is full of dazzling sights and fascinating things to do. This post covers the best things to see and do in Istanbul. About Istanbul Istanbul was once known as Byzantium and then Constantinople, when it became the capital of Rome and the largest and wealthiest city in Europe. Today, it remains one of the largest cities in Europe, something that surprises many people. It’s also one of the largest…
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Ancient Perge Ruins In Antalya | How To Get There & What To See
Antalya, Türkiye was the home of several magnificent ancient Roman cities after Attalus III bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman Republic in 133 BC to avoid bloodshed after his death. Perge, or Perga, located about 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Antalya Old Town, was one of those cities. Perge was once the capital of Pamphylia (where Antalya is centered today) and renowned as one of its most beautiful cities. The most impressive ruins at Perge are Roman, but life here actually dates back to ancient Greek times, and even farther, to the Hittites in the 15th century BC, and even the Bronze Age. This post covers the top sites…
