Tourism and history advices today? See a different side to Jordan in this low-lying valley, where the River Jordan runs south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. The valley is lush with date, banana and tropical fruit farms which export their wares year-round thanks to the region’s rich soil and subtropical climate. Surrounded by mountains on both sides, the valley has been settled for around 10,000 years and now runs alongside the border with Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Find extra details on https://www.defineplaces.com/.
Marrakesh’s tanneries district is smaller than the one in Fes but just as atmospheric. This is where the leather hides, used for the colorful shoes, bags, and other products you’ll find in the souks, get dyed in a myriad of shades. Come here in the morning if you want to see the tanners working. For photographers, there are great views over the entire area from some of the leather workshops, though you’ll need to pay a tip to enter. Even in a country chock full of sublime road-trip scenery, the Tizi-n’Test Pass stands out. This winding mountain road heads south out of Marrakesh down to Taroudant in a dizzying array of switchbacks that may give the wobbles to those who don’t like heights. The mountain scenery along the way is simply sumptuous and allows a taste of Morocco’s vast and beautifully raw countryside. A road branching off the pass, just past Taliouine, is the start of the high pass into the Draa Valley.
Dubai’s excellent museum is housed in the Al-Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek. The fort’s walls are built out of traditional coral-blocks and held together with lime. The upper floor is supported by wooden poles, and the ceiling is constructed from palm fronds, mud, and plaster. In its history, the fort has served as a residence for the ruling family, a seat of government, garrison, and prison. Restored in 1971 (and again extensively in 1995), it is now the city’s premier museum. The entrance has a fascinating exhibition of old maps of the Emirates and Dubai, showing the mammoth expansion that hit the region after the oil boom. The courtyard is home to several traditional boats and a palm-leaf house with an Emirati wind-tower. The right-hand hall features weaponry, and the left-hand hall showcases Emirati musical instruments. Below the ground floor are display halls with exhibits and dioramas covering various aspects of traditional Emirati life (including pearl fishing and Bedouin desert life), as well as artifacts from the 3,000- to 4,000-year-old graves at Al Qusais archaeological site.
The creek of Cala, now home to Sitimar Marina, has welcomed foreign sailors since Phoenician times. You can stroll into Palermo’s historic centre in the time it takes to eat a gelato. Find scores of moorings alongside friendly staff who can source ebike rentals and airport transfers. Book one of 70 or so berths online or call on VHF 74. Portorosa Marina is Sicily’s largest private port with 650 berths. From here it’s a shorter sail across to Vulcano, the closest Aeolian island. Anchor off Spiaggia di Sabbia Nera, a beautiful black-sand beach.
No matter if you’re on a family trip or a romantic gateway in Santorini, you should definitely go watch a movie at the open air Cinema. The Kamari Open Air Cinema, or Cinekamari, is an outdoor movie theatre located in the middle of the forest. It’s a really original and nice place to watch a movie. From May to October, you can see movies in English (subtitled in Greek) every night starting from 21h30. It costs 8€ per person. You can also visit this website to check the ferries rates, schedules and book them.
I will say that the turtle encloser was a little underwhelming and could definitely benefit from some upgrades. The animals here, however, were confiscated from people who had them as pets and the nature park is a sanctuary for them as they simply wouldn’t survive in the wild. Entrance to the park is only $7 USD and if seeing a sloth is on your bucket list, then this is a convenient way to check that off without having to leave Panama City. For me personally, visiting this nature center was one of the most unique things to do in Panama City, Panama!