heritage & ruins
How to visit Jerusalem’s Old City | Atlas & Boots
Our guide on how to visit Jerusalem’s Old City covers everything you need to explore the spiritual home of three major religions Jerusalem’s Old City has been repeatedly besieged, razed and rebuilt over thousands of years and remains one of the world’s most divisive destinations. Sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, and claimed as the capital of both The post How to visit Jerusalem’s Old City appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to visit the West Bank in Palestine | Atlas & Boots
Our guide on how to visit the West Bank in Palestine covers everything you need to explore this storied land The contentious trace of arid land that makes up the West Bank has been a flashpoint between Israel and Palestine for decades. Packed with holy sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the landlocked territory has always been of The post How to visit the West Bank in Palestine appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to visit Copán in Honduras: a quick guide | Atlas & Boots
At first sight, the Maya ruins of Copán in Honduras may not seem as impressive as Tikal in Guatemala or Chichén Itzá in Mexico, but they are magnificent in their own right. Copán is among the most significant Maya sites in Central America and has been called the 'Paris of the Mayan World' due to the sophistication of the artefacts found here. The post How to visit Copán in Honduras: a quick guide appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Tips for visiting Tikal in Guatemala: 11 dos and don’ts
Our essential tips for visiting Tikal, the most fantastical Maya ruins in all of Central America Mexico’s Chichén Itzá may be a world wonder and receive far more visitors, but there are few ancient ruins more atmospheric, romantic and impressive than Tikal in Guatemala. These UNESCO-listed Maya ruins are truly unique. Towering above the steamy rainforest, the The post Tips for visiting Tikal in Guatemala: 11 dos and don’ts appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
8 day trips from San Salvador in El Salvador
As the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries, it's hardly surprising that El Salvador packs a lot into its borders. With a verdant tropical interior, charming colonial towns and superb surfing on its coast, El Salvador is arguably a microcosm of wider Latin America. And considering many of the country's best assets – hiking, hills and coffee – stem from its fiery geology, it's easy to see why the country is known as the 'Land of Volcanoes'. The post 8 day trips from San Salvador in El Salvador appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 tips for visiting Ephesus, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visiting Ephesus should be on every traveller’s Turkey itinerary. After more than 150 years of excavation, the city's reclaimed and restored structures have made Ephesus Europe's most complete ancient city. The post 10 tips for visiting Ephesus, Turkey (Türkiye) appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Things to do on Ambergris Caye: La Isla Bonita
The largest island in Belize is also the country's most popular tourist destination – and for good reason. La Isla Bonita, as it's affectionately known, is perfectly positioned just a short distance from arguably the country's greatest asset: the Belize Barrier Reef. The post Things to do on Ambergris Caye: La Isla Bonita appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
5 days in 2023 when all US national parks are free
Put these dates in your diaries. Over 400 US national parks are free to visit on five days this year Visiting one of America’s iconic national parks is always a great idea and it’s even sweeter when it’s free. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced five days in 2023 when entrance fees will be waived at every site around the USA. Calin Tatu/Shutterstock Zion National Park usually charges a fee There are over 400 NPS-managed sites across the US representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the unincorporated territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The list includes all 63 national parks as well as hundreds of other units such as national monuments, historic sites, preserves, reserves, rivers, parkways and recreation areas. “National ...
Visiting Chichén Itzá: my seventh wonder of the world
Peter finally gets around to visiting Chichén Itzá, but will the Maya ruins measure up to the other six wonders of the world? During our round-the-world trip in 2014-15, Kia and I visited Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was my sixth of the New 7 Wonders of the World, a 2007 campaign which selected the new world wonders from a list of 200 monuments. The final seven were chosen by the public who cast over 100 million votes in the process. While we were pleased to see the statue, we were somewhat underwhelmed by the experience. Even though we visited on a beautiful, clear day in June – apparently a quiet period – we spent our time being jostled and pushed around on the viewing platform. It was not an enjoyable experience. Atlas & Boots Christ the Redeemer was u...
11 best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
From the world’s longest zipline to desert bedouin camps, these are the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, is an intriguing blend of the modern world and old Arabia. Unlike its neighbouring emirates, overdevelopment is yet to engulf Ras Al Khaimah, more commonly known as RAK. This, along with its sandy coast and craggy interior, makes it a beguiling Middle East destination. Meaning ‘headland of the tent’, Ras Al Khaimah is located in the northeastern part of the UAE, bordering Musandam, an exclave of Oman. Its position between the Persian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains reveals a range of landscapes from dramatic hilltop forts and dusty rose-red ridges to wind-hewn deserts and a glittering coastline of sandy beaches and mangrove...
10 best day trips from Yerevan, Armenia
From the world’s oldest winery to medieval monasteries, we share the best day trips from Yerevan, Armenia’s Pink City After trekking the Highlander Svaneti and exploring Kazbegi in Georgia, I had a few days before my flight home so I hopped across the border to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Known as the Pink City for the volcanic rock used in its state buildings, Yerevan is a city with many faces. With evidence of settlement dating back to the 8th century BC, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. While most of its ancient structures have now been removed, built over by Soviet-era tower blocks and monuments, the city still retains several alluring features – not least its position in the shadow of the fabled Mount Ararat. Today, following Armenian independenc...
9 best things to do in Kazbegi, Georgia
We share the best things to do in Kazbegi, Georgia’s spectacular northern frontier hiding in the clouds of the Caucasus After trekking the Highlander Svaneti, I headed for Kazbegi in northeastern Georgia. Surrounded on three sides by Russia and occupied South Ossetia, the nature-packed borderland is famed for its rich medley of deep green gorges, snow-capped summits and implausibly-placed medieval churches. The region’s main town is Stepantsminda (more commonly known as Kazbegi), huddled in the lee of the imposing Mt Kazbek which at 5,054m (16,581ft) is Georgia’s third-highest peak and the seventh-highest in the Caucasus Mountains. Unsurprisingly, hiking takes centre stage in this dramatic destination, with Stepantsminda the perfectly positioned gateway to the region’s mountains and valley...
