heritage & ruins
10 stunning archaeological World Heritage Sites in danger | Atlas & Boots
we asked you to name a famous World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you would name the Great Pyramids of Giza. Other likely contenders include the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and Petra. These archaeological sites are some of man’s greatest marvels and are accordingly celebrated and protected. Not all World Heritage Sites, however, enjoy the same security. Our own Stonehenge nearly landed on the World Heritage in Danger list last year due to plans to build a two-mile tunnel nearby. The post 10 stunning archaeological World Heritage Sites in danger appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders | Atlas & Boots
Italy, a land of timeless beauty, is not only home to some of the world’s most captivating art, cuisine and architecture but also numerous volcanoes, which have played a central role in Italian life for millennia. The post Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
28 interesting facts about China | Atlas & Boots
I visited China nearly 20 years ago and found a country on the march. China may be one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, with its continuous culture stretching back thousands of years, but today’s relatively modern nation – the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 – is more like several different countries rolled into one. The post 28 interesting facts about China appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Britain’s last remaining wild places
In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around 13% forest cover, making it one of Europe’s least densely forested countries. The post Britain’s last remaining wild places appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
High Scardus Trail in Albania: everything you need to know | Atlas & Boots
"Welcome to Hotel Radomirë Korab,” Agron greets me with an enormous smile as I arrive at my lodgings. It's the end of my second day on the High Scardus Trail and I am in dire need of a drink. “Can I get you a beer?” he adds, clearly reading my mind. The post High Scardus Trail in Albania: everything you need to know appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Best views in Cornwall: 12 Instagrammable spots | Atlas & Boots
It’s easy to see why Cornwall is one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations. The historic county has over 300 miles of jaw-dropping coastline boasting rugged cliffs and golden beaches, quaint fishing villages and bustling ports while inland, dramatic moors and ancient forests are waiting to be roamed. The post Best views in Cornwall: 12 Instagrammable spots appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Best things to do in Yucatán State: a 4-day itinerary | Atlas & Boots
We began our month-long trip through Central America with a brief jaunt to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It was my first visit to this part of the world and I was keen to visit to see the ancient Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá – my seventh world wonder – and dive into the region's famed aquamarine cenotes (freshwater sinkholes). The post Best things to do in Yucatán State: a 4-day itinerary appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 best hikes in Dartmoor National Park | Atlas & Boots
Our selection of the best hikes in Dartmoor National Park showcase the finest of England’s wildest landscape. I’ve always had a fondness for Dartmoor. I first visited as a child on a family holiday and I’ve been returning regularly ever since. Famous for its wild, open moorland and craggy granite tors (free-standing rocky outcrops that rises abruptly from their surroundings), it is one of the few genuinely wild places left in England. Tucked away in England’s southwest, with 368 wild square miles to explore, Dartmoor National Park is home to some of the finest hiking in England. With an excellent array of trails criss-crossing the wide expansive vistas there are a number of different routes available to suit all ages and abilities. The post 10 best hikes in Dartmoor National Park appeared...
Essential India: the highs and lows of our two-week tour | Atlas & Boots
India is not a holiday; it’s an experience," says our guide in what sounds like a promise but might also be a warning. India, she’s trying to say, is unpredictable – not easily tamed and packaged for the average tourist. I can sense the nervousness in our motley crew of 14 who have gathered in a Delhi hotel this mild December evening. Most of us are well-travelled, but are wary of India’s challenges – the noise, the traffic, the pollution – and have opted for a guided trip with small-group specialists G Adventures. The post Essential India: the highs and lows of our two-week tour appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Star Wars film locations: how to find the Force in Tunisia
With over 1,000km of golden sandy beaches, non-stop sunshine and the glittering Mediterranean Sea, tourists have flocked to Tunisia for decades. Beyond the beach resorts, there are superbly preserved Roman ruins, ancient towns with bustling medinas and dusty courtyards and of course, the abandoned film sets and settings of four of the six iconic Star Wars movies. The post Star Wars film locations: how to find the Force in Tunisia appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
7 best things to do in Bergen, Norway | Atlas & Boots
Seven fjords, seven hills and an old-world fishing wharf help make Bergen in Norway the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. We take a look at the best things to do in Bergen. The city may be one of the rainiest in Europe but it is also a vibrant cultural center with superb access to the western fjords. Bergen is an excellent blend of nature, culture and exciting city living and – despite the damp – we loved it. We visited Bergen for a long weekend city break, here’s what we suggest. The post 7 best things to do in Bergen, Norway appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The oldest cities in the world | Atlas & Boots
There's a certain aesthetic attached to the oldest cities in the world: bustling souks beneath a bright blue sky, flowing garments made of whispery white cotton, stone masonry painted yellow by the sun. In reality, however, the oldest cities in the world have faced deep unrest to get to where they are today. Tragically, some are still uninhabitable. The Syrian town of Aleppo, for example, is likely the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world but rages with civil war today. Damascus too is categorically off limits. The post The oldest cities in the world appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
