Cappadocia is one of those rare places that must be experienced at least once in a lifetime with soaring rock formations, uniquely-rippled landscapes, splendid walking trails, mysterious underground cities and rock-cut churches. Millions of years ago violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock into hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and fairy chimneys, in colors ranging from pink to green and yellow. Humans have settled in this area since the Bronze Age and have left their own mark on this weird and wacky moonscape by burrowing into the soft volcanic rock to live. The World Heritage property Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is subject to legal protection in accordance with both the Protection of Cultural and Natural Resources and the National Parks.

credit: Visions of Domino

In a desert in eastern Sudan, along the banks of the Nile River, lies a collection of nearly 200 ancient pyramids—many of them tombs of the kings and queens of the Meroitic Kingdom which ruled the area for more than 900 years. The site, known as the Island of Meroë because an ancient, long-dried river ran around it, once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom – one of the earliest civilisations in the Nile region – and known as the Black Pharaohs. The pyramids, some 125 miles north of Sudan\’s capital, Khartoum, are rarely visited despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sanctions against the government of longtime President Omar al-Bashir over Sudan’s long-running internal conflicts limit its access to foreign aid and donations, while also hampering tourism.

credit: joepyrek

Jerash is about one hour north of Amman. A vast area partly excavated and restored gives a clear indication of Roman way of life even here. It’s one of the few complete Roman cities in the world. Wander among the Hadrian’s Arch, Hippodrome, Forum (Oval Plaza), The Cardo, Agora, Nymphaeum, Temple of Artemis, South Theater, Jerash Archaeological Museum and colonnaded streets, all enclosed within the remaining city walls. Admission costs 8 Jordanian Dinar for all foreign visitors, which includes the Jerash Archaeological Museum.

Summertime hours are 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM;
wintertime hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

credit: archer10 (Dennis)