Asia

Petra is a famous archaeological site located in the desert of southwestern Jordan. The Nabataean capital dating from around 300 BC, accessible only through a narrow canyon called Al Siq, was an important trade transit city linking the silk, spice and other commodity routes, connecting China , India and Arabia, with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. It is nicknamed the "Pink City" because it sits in a valley with tombs, temples and monuments carved into the surrounding pink sandstone cliffs. The most famous construction is probably Al Khazneh (also known as The Treasury), a 45-meter-high temple with an ornate Greek-style façade.A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the national icon of Jordan and one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.

It is a historical site in the heart of the city that stands out, above all. Inhabited for more than 7 thousand years, in it you can observe the passage of different civilizations in the history of Humanity. Giant columns and other constructions are witnesses of the day to day in this city. Inside this is the Umayyad Palace, a complex that dominates the city, it was built during the first half of the 8th century in the north of present-day Jordan. The palace, of an eminently urban character, probably served as the residence of the emir or the governor and as the seat of government. It became the precedent for numerous later palaces, from the Abbasid constructions of Baghdad and Samarra to those of the caliphal life of Medina Azahara. In front of the palace, there was a mosque, the elements of which have been preserved are in keeping with the façade of the only room in the palace that has survived to this day.

They are located on the outskirts of Amman, to the east and south. They are buildings built between the 7th and 11th centuries during the Umayyad dynasty, including Harranah, Hallabat and Amra, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and where you can find mosaics and frescoes with descriptions of life at the time. in which it was built. They were built for different purposes such as caravanserais (places of refuge and rest for caravans and camels), military forts to defend their territories, rest pavilions, where the sovereigns could get away from the city and spend different seasons practicing agriculture, centers of commerce and sites that helped to strengthen the relations of foreign rulers with the Bedouin.

Located 30 kilometers south of Amman and 10 kilometers from Madaba is Mount Nebo, an important pilgrimage site for Christians that receives thousands of visits each year. It is said that this important biblical place was the last place visited by Moses and from where he saw the promised land that he never reached. Thanks to its location, it fits perfectly with any travel itinerary to Jordan so whether you are a believer or not, you can make a brief stop to enjoy the views of the Promised Land. From this place, you can admire a panoramic view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

This castle-fortress was built in 1115 by King Baudouin as a place of defense on the road between Damascus and Egypt, it is located less than an hour north of Petra, it was once called "Mont Realo Mons Regalis” and is located on the side of a mountain. The strategic location of the fortress gave it the power to provide passage permits for pilgrims and caravans, thus gaining control of trade in the area.

Officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it is a former Christian basilica, later converted into an Orthodox church, then a mosque, then a museum, and since August 1, 2020, back into a mosque in the city of Istanbul.Famous for its enormous dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have changed the history of architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world by area for almost a thousand years. It was also the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Byzantine Orthodox Church for almost another thousand years. In addition, it was the main mosque of Istanbul for almost five hundred years.

Located in the Sultanhamet district, it was the grand palace of the sultans in Constantinople, the largest and most important monument of Ottoman civil architecture. Of enormous dimensions, it consists of different buildings set in perfectly maintained gardens. The most visited areas are the Treasury, which has high-value objects, such as the Topkapi dagger, the most expensive weapon in the world; and the Harem, the residence of the Sultan, his family and, as its name suggests, the Sultan's harem.

Located very close to Sultanahmet, it's a must-see for any tourist who loves shopping and the art of haggling. Covered and well-organized, it boasts 64 streets lined with shops where you can find all kinds of jewelry and traditional crafts. Without a doubt, it's the best place to buy all sorts of gifts and souvenirs before heading home. For over five centuries, it has been one of the city's most important social institutions and embodies Istanbul's commercial character.

The Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar, is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul and one of the best places in the city to buy typical products. It is made up of two aisles flanked by an infinity of shops, among which there are many spice shops, but also sweets, dried fruits, soaps, fabrics, perfumes and teas.Currently, despite that many of the spice stalls have been replaced by another type of business, the bazaar, still continues to give us the smells and flavors with which the delicious Turkish gastronomy is created. The variety of products is immense, you will find pots full of spices, dehydrated fruits, nuts, Turkish delight, baklavas and a wide variety of desserts that cause a visual and olfactory impact difficult to forget.

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque is located in the area of what was once the Eminönü market and is one of Istanbul's best kept jewels. It is not one of the best-known monuments, because one of its particularities is that it is built on the arcades of what were the market stalls, so it is not easily seen walking through the network of small streets that make up this neighborhood. It is an Ottoman mosque, built between 1550 and 1561 by the well-known architect of the time Mimar Sinan in honor of the Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, son-in-law of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.The mosque It's not very big and the first thing that surprises you is finding it on the roof of the building you just entered. From here, you will see its beautiful entrance arch, forming a beautiful portico, the central dome, surrounded by semi-domes and its elegant minaret. The surprise awaits you in the calm interior because its tiled walls are a true wonder. These tile mosaics (originating from Iznik) create harmonious floral and abstract decorations that make the mosque dazzling. The small pieces are distributed throughout the venue, forming surprising combinations of colors and designs in which the blue color predominates, but full of nuances.