Climate and tourism news today? The ancient rose-hued city of Petra is Jordan’s most famous tourist attraction and one of the world’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites. One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, it was once inhabited by the Nabateans, Edomites and the Romans. Rediscovered in the 19th century by explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt, the 1.2km (0.75mi) Siq is the city’s jaw-dropping ancient main entrance which leads from the Dam to the Treasury. This captivating corridor is created by a natural rock formation 80m (262ft) tall and is decorated in part with Nabatean sculptures, mostly of gods. Find additional details at Define Places.
About 57 kilometers south of Marrakesh, this national park is the country’s most popular. This is mostly due to it being home to Morocco’s (and North Africa’s) highest mountain, Djebel Toubkal, as well as a number of fantastic walking opportunities that range from multi-day trekking adventures to afternoon hikes. If you don’t fancy bagging Toubkal’s 4,167-meter peak, you can opt for the lovely, scenic village-to-village Aremd circuit, which has all the sumptuous views without the sweaty effort required for mountain climbing. The time to come is summer, when all the trails are open; even during spring, snow can mean walking activities are curtailed.
This strip of sandy white bliss is the number one beach destination for Dubai visitors. Hotels are strung out all along its length, with this being one of the most popular places to stay for tourists. The beach has excellent facilities, with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants, and water sports operators offering jet skiing. While in the area, brush off the sand for an hour and visit the Majlis Ghorfat Um Al-Sheef, just a short hop from the beach. Built in 1955, this was the summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum. The residence, made out of gypsum and coral-block, has been restored and maintains much of the original beautiful decor, giving you a better understanding of the opulent lifestyle of Dubai’s rulers. The Majlis Gardens feature a reproduction of an impressive Arab irrigation system and many shady date palms.
Drop the diet. Sicily sits at the culinary crossroads of the most gluttonous nations on earth. Arabs, Spanish, Normans and Greeks deposited a foodie fusion. Like pasta con le sarde, an Italo-Arabian blend of fennel, almonds, sardines and saffron. Then there’s sfincione, from the Latin word for sponge, which is half pizza, half bun, with an anchovy-cheese-tomato flavour. In Palermo, posh nosh means A’Cumcuma. Here street food and fisherman’s catches are raised into photogenic bites like red shrimps with oyster emulsion. For Sicilian cuisine as it used to be near Portorosa, try Agavos Agriturismo. Stuffed anchovies and chargrilled swordfish rolls served with a sea view.
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.
During my stay in Panama City, I wanted to escape the concrete jungle and go for a nice walk one morning. So, I asked my hotel where the best place close by to go would be and they suggested Ancon Hill. From Casco Viejo, I took a short taxi ride to the park, and wow, was it beautiful! Despite the busy surrounding streets, the minute I entered the park the city seemed long gone. As we walked up the path to the top of the hill the trees where alive… literally! We could hear all sorts of animals and saw a lot of lizards. You can also see sloths and monkeys in the park, but we weren’t that lucky! The hike ends at the top of Ancon Hill and the views of the city are incredible! The walk to the top takes around 35 minutes at a steady pace and is almost completely shaded. There isn’t much to do at the top except admire the view, but the walk there is beautiful and this is easily one of the best things to do in Panama City!