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25 fascinating things you didn’t know about Azerbaijan


25 fascinating things you didn’t know about Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, is often likened to Dubai for its outlandish architecture and appetite for gold.

1. It loves pancakes.

Kutabi – filled pancakes – are practically Azerbaijan’s national dish. They’re stuffed with pumpkin, veggies, meat or just a sprinkling of herbs, then flipped and toasted on a griddle. Leave your Nutella at home: Azerbaijan’s pancakes are strictly savoury.

2. It was home to ancient man.

In the lowest reaches of Azokh Cave in western Azerbaijan, archaeologists have found tools and remains dating back 1.5 million years. The six chambers of the cave complex hold a bounty of prehistoric remains, and it’s thought that the caverns were occupied for nearly two million years.
3. Its borders are complicated.

In western Azerbaijan, you can cross the border into Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-declared autonomous region. However, Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. It’s famed for its epic mountain ranges and the mulberry groves and vineyards that flourish in its valleys.

4. Azerbaijanis take tea with jam.

No social occasion is complete without tea, served with myriad trimmings. It’s often sweetened with jam – and flavoured with thyme, lemon, mint or rosewater.

5. No sugar, no wedding.

When families are matchmaking, the tea tray gives a good indication of how arrangements are progressing. If it’s served without sugar, more negotiating needs to be done; if it’s sweet, a wedding is definitely on the cards.
6. Its horses are heroes.

The karabakh horse – renowned for its effortless speed, intelligence and endurance – is the national animal of Azerbaijan. They are endemic to the country, and one of the oldest breeds in the world. Horsemeat was once widely eaten in Azerbaijan, but now it has fallen out of favour; you’ll find lamb and beef on the menu instead.

7. It’s actually quite small.

It’s roughly the same size as neighbouring Armenia and Georgia, but is dwarfed by Turkey, Iran and Russia, who it also shares borders with. At 86,600 km², Azerbaijan is roughly four times the size of Wales.
8. It enjoys proverbs.

Notable examples include “Cheap meat never makes a good soup”, “Politeness is not sold in the bazaar”, and “I tried to draw the eyebrow, but I ended up poking the eye”. Quite.
9. It has a city built on stilts.

The settlement of Neft Daslari started life as an oil rig and a couple of elevated walkways in the Caspian Sea: today, it’s an entire stilted city. It was built in 1949, and communities have cropped up around bakeries, shops, cultural areas, hostels and hotels.

10. Its gas is plentiful.

Fire Mountain (Yanar Dag) does exactly what it says on the tin: it blazes continuously, with a natural flame that feeds off the huge underground gas deposits. The mountain, not far from Baku, has entranced travellers and conquerors for centuries: in the 13th century, explorer Marco Polo wrote of the mysterious fires that burned all over on the peninsula. Natural gas is a big earner for Azerbaijan: in 2013, it produced 29 billion cubic metres of the fuel.
11. As are its grapes.

Although it makes most money from oil and gas, Azerbaijan also exploits grains, grapes, cotton and livestock.

12. Its currency is modelled on Euros.

Azerbaijan’s currency – known as Manat – looks a lot like Euro banknotes, with similar sizes, colours and fonts. But each note is themed with different aspects of national identity: on 5 Manat notes you’ll find an excerpt from the national anthem, while 20 Manat bills are decorated with a sword, shield and helmet to signify power.

13. It’s strong.

If you find yourself in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, you might want to limber up for an arm wrestling match: the city is home to the Armwrestling Federation, who host the country’s professional league. Be warned: this is serious business in Baku’s gyms and bars.

14. Eggy smell? Blame the volcanoes.

Azerbaijan has more mud volcanoes than any other country on earth – more than 400. When its volcanoes erupt, the flames shoot up to a kilometre in the air, and when dormant they bubble and pop with noxious gases.

15. They love a good carpet.

Azerbaijan’s Carpet Museum opened in 2014, on Baku’s seafront, in a building that’s shaped like a giant rolled-up rug. Inside, you can browse carpets of all ages, from all over the country – a spectacle only trumped by carpet weaving demonstrations.

16. Its national sport is played to music.

Chovkan is a bit like polo: it’s played with a curved wooden stick, with players mounted on horses. But that’s where the similarity ends. The game is accompanied by music, and all of the players wear national costume: embroidered tunics, caps, and pantaloons.
17. All the cool kids can crochet

Girls are taught to crochet from a young age, in preparation for traditional Seven Beauties tournaments: girls must crochet stockings against the clock, and whoever knits the best pair is declared the winner.
18. Baku is pretty bonkers.

Azerbaijan’s capital is often likened to Dubai for its outlandish architecture and appetite for gold. Architectural highlights include the curvaceous Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid; the mirror-like SOCAR Tower; and the Flame Tower skyscrapers, which represent Azerbaijan’s oil and gas reserves.

19. You can float through the capital.

Baku is also home to Little Venice, a man-made waterway that flows between shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. It has a number of islands, connected by bridges and walkways – but the best way to get around is by gondola.

20. A little Russian goes a long way

Azerbaijanis speak Azeri, but Russian is the second language. English isn’t widely spoken, so bring a phrasebook.
21. Bread is sacred.

When bread goes stale, Azerbaijani cooks don’t just chuck it in the bin: they hang it up in bags, separate from the rest of the rubbish, to signify their respect. If you drop bread on the floor, it’s custom to kiss it, as an apology.

22. It has no media freedom

When Baku hosted the 2015 European Games, investigative journalists and campaigners were forbidden to attend. Nobody was surprised: the country has an appalling human rights record

23. Most people have at least one gold tooth

A gold, shimmering smile is a common sight, especially among Azerbaijan’s older generations. For some, it’s a snazzy way to replace rotten teeth. For others, it’s akin to a savings account.
24. It has one of the last collective farms

A relic of the Soviet days, Ivanovka collective farm is run and worked by a whole community – and they live on everything they grow and make. For most Azerbaijanis, however, the ways of life under Soviet rule are best forgotten.
25. Its babies are bathed in salt water

It’s thought that washing newborns in salt water will make them strong, truthful and bold. Children’s fingernails and hair are only cut after their first birthday.

25 amazing things you probably didn’t know about Moldova


25 amazing things you probably didn’t know about Moldova

The Nativity Cathedral in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital

1. It’s the least visited country in Europe.

If you do venture to Moldova for your holidays, you won’t be jostling for space with other tourists: only 94,000 foreigners are reported to have entered the country last year, making it the least visited in Europe. On a global scale only Bangladesh and Guinea are less popular destinations, according to Priceonomics.

2. It keeps a fine cellar.

According to the venerable folk at Guinness World Records, the Mile?tii Mici wine cellar in Moldova is the world’s largest with nearly two million bottles of plonk in its darkened vaults. In case you’re wondering, the most valuable tipples in its collection sell for a reported €480 each.

Mile?tii Mici’s fountain features massive wine glasses.
3. Its wine is banned in Russia.

Traditionally Moldova’s biggest export market was Russia, which consumed up to 90 per cent of its wine. However, a diplomatic dispute in 2006 resulted in a Russian ban on Moldovan and Georgian produce, which has been devastating for its economy. Nevertheless, it remains the 22nd largest wine-producing nation on Earth.
4. There are some magnificent monasteries.

Orthodox church in Old Orhei.

Moldova’s most important (and, arguably, most beautiful) historical site, Orheiul Vechi is a crumbling open-air monastic complex that dates back more than 2,000 years. The rambling ruins feature ancient fortifications, baths and monasteries, which you’ is classed as critically endangered by Unesco.
5. It went nearly three years without a president

In 2012, after nearly three years of political deadlock, Moldova elected the veteran judge, Nicolae Timofti, as president – for the first time in 917 days, the country had a leader. Timofti is still in power today.
6. Most Moldovans are bi- or tri-lingual

Moldovans speak either Romanian, which is the native language, Russian or Gagauz. Some speak all three.
7. It has a critically endangered language

However, Moldova’s second language, Gagauz, is in danger of dying out. Spoken in the Autonomous Region of Gagauz, the Turkic language is classed as critically endangered by Unesco.

8. It’s poor

Moldova has the dubious distinction of being the poorest country in Europe with a per capita GDP of just $1,843 (£1,395), according to the World Bank. To put that into perspective, consider this: nearby Bulgaria, the poorest member of the European Union, has a GDP of $6,819 (£5,163).
9. It’s home to Europe’s most unlikely tourist attraction.

Despite being surrounded by poverty, rich residents in the town of Soroca have taken to flaunting their wealth by building flamboyant homes inspired by landmarks such as St Peter’s Basilica and the Bolshoi theatre. Consequently, the town, dubbed Gypsy Hill, has become something of an tourist attraction, with people coming to admire the madcap architecture.

Moldova’s parliament building.
10. The capital was destroyed in 1940.

Having been invaded by the Red Army in June 1940, Chisinau suffered a deadly earthquake in October of that year which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and destroyed much of the city. As if that wasn’t enough, the following year the Luftwaffe arrived and blew what was left of the city to smithereens.
11. It has a breakaway territory.

A church in Transnistria.

The region known as Transnistria declared independence from Moldova in 1990, precipitating the War of Transnistria which secured a de facto independence for the territory. However, the region, which has its own currency and border controls, is not officially recognised by any member of the United Nations.
12. It’s the second booziest nation on Earth

According to the World Health Organisation, only Belarus tucks away more alcohol than Moldova, with each inhabitant drinking an average of 16.8 litres of booze per year (excluding under 15s).

 

13. It’s landlocked

Well, technically. In a bid to gain access to the Black Sea, Moldova did in fact make a territorial exchange with Ukraine in 2005, giving the country access to a 600m stretch of the River Danube, which flows into the Black Sea.
14. There’s a beach.

The city gates of Chisinau .

Despite having no access to the sea, Moldova does have a slither of sand to speak of on Chisinau Lake, which is located in the capital, Chisinau. Okay, so it’s a man-made beach and it’s in a city, but if you close your eyes you could almost be on the coast. Sort of.
15. It’s great for twitchers.

Moldova is home to an impressive array of birds, with roughly 300 different species calling it home. Some are year-round residents, some come to breed, some simply pass through en route to warmer climes, and others come to escape harsh winters further north. All of which is good news for birders.
16. The national animal is a big cow,

Moldova’s bison-emblazoned flag.

Or an auroch, to be precise. These beefy bovines are now extinct, but have been immortalised on Moldova’s flag, which features the head of an auroch mounted on a shield (probably why they’re extinct, if they kept mounting them on shields). Zimbru Stadium, the country’s main football stadium, takes its name from the Romanian word for bison.
17. It debuted at Eurovision in 2005

Which remains Moldova’s most successful year with Zdob ?i Zdub finishing sixth.
18. It’s super cheap

A one-way ticket on Chi?inau’s tramway costs 2MDL – a mere 7 pence. A monthly pass will set you back £7 – that’s for a whole 30 days of unlimited travel. Take note, TfL.
19. The national dish is porridge.

Ubiquitous on Moldovan dinner tables, Mamaliga is a porridge made out of yellow maize flour and often considered the country’s national dish. It’s traditionally served as an accompaniment to stews and meat dishes, and is commonly garnished with cottage cheese, sour cream or pork rind.

20. It has a whole day dedicated to wine.

Actually, it’s more of a two-day event. Wine producers open up their homes and vineyards to the masses on October 3-4 for National Wine Day, in a country-wide celebration of local hooch. Wine tastings are cheap, and there’s even a free bus to shuttle you between wineries.
21. Its history stretches back for millenia.

Ancient tools dating back 1.2 million years have been found in some of Moldova’s key archeological sites. The flint relics were added to the national hoard of Paleolithic and Neolithic artefacts that includes jewellery, weapons and cooking utensils.
22. It likes to make a song and dance.

As with its languages, Moldovan music is greatly influenced by Romania. Miori?a, a traditional Romanian ballad about sheep, is a Moldovan favourite – so much so, that the first two verses are printed on its banknotes.

23. They’re strong.

Nicolae Birliba is a world champion weightlifter, nine times over. In 2011, aged 49, he rasied a 16kg kettlebell 2,575 times. Here he is, in action.
24. You’ll have to take your shoes off,

When you’re entering someone’s home, it’s considered impolite to leave your shoes on. Leave them at the door. The house rule applies in most formerly Soviet countries, for hygiene reasons. Guests are almost always provided with slippers.

25. It loves Christmas,

Moldova celebrates Christmas from December 24 to 26, unlike its Russian-Orthodox neighbours (their main event is in January). Traditional preparations start in November, with the baking of cakes and the slaughtering of pigs, and culminate in three days of feasting, parties and gift-giving. The Russian Father Frost fairytale was banned after Moldova gained independence: these days, children’s presents are delivered by Mos Craciun – who looks remarkably like our Santa Claus.

25 amazing things you (probably) didn’t know about Ukraine


25 amazing things you (probably) didn’t know about Ukraine.
1. It is large.

Not counting Russia, which has an ambiguous relationship with Europe, Ukraine is the continent’s largest county at 603,628 square kilometres, stretching from Russia in the east to Poland in the west, and sandwiched between the Black Sea in the south and fellow former Soviet state Belarus in the north. France is a respectable second at 551,695 square kilometres.

2. And boasts seven wonders.

Within its large borders, Ukraine has seven Unesco World Heritage sites, including the 11th century Saint-Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, the ancient city of Chersonesus and the primeval beech forests of the Carpathians. One of its sites is a Struve Geodetic Arc – one of 34 commemorative plaques or obelisks that mark the first accurate measurement of a meridian through ten countries, linking Hammerfest in Norway through to the Black Sea in Ukraine. Ukraine has five separate markers. Beyond its World Heritage sites it has a wealth of majestic Orthodox cathedrals, including St Michael’s in Kiev, pictued above.

Saint-Sophia Cathedral.
3. It likes a drink, but not as much as it used to.

Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranked Ukraine sixth in alcohol consumption, with 13.9 litres glugged per capita per year. The study from 2010 put only Belarus (top), Moldova, Lithuania, Russia and Romania ahead of Ukraine. However, initial figures for last year tell a different story, with the country falling to 15th place, with a figure of 11.8. In the estimate, the UK features above Ukraine, in 13th place.

4. But it’s not just vodka.

While we’re on the subject, it’s worth noting that Ukrainians do not drink vat-loads of vodka as one might assume. The national drink is called horilka, and though very close to vodka and used a substitute term for the clear spirit, it is actually slightly different. While vodka means “little water”, horilka means “burning water”, a nod to the fact that drink is often flavoured with chili pepper.
5. It loves Mcdonald’s.

Ukraine is not all about booze. The McDonald’s next to the main train station in Kiev, the country’s capital, is claimed to be the third busiest in the world.

A McDonald’s sign in the capital.
6. It is at the heart of Europe.

Put your tea down because this one is a gasper. Within Ukraine is the geographical centre of Europe. OK, it’s not quite as simple as that as a number of locations lay claim to the title and it depends on how you measure Europe, but the small town of Rakhiv in western Ukraine is one such place. Remarkably, the country has a second claimant in Transcarpathia, where an Austrian-Hungarian (who once ruled over the territory) obelisk marks the spot.
7. It’s not The Ukraine.

The English-speaking world commonly referred to the country as The Ukraine. That is, until independence in 1991 when the West gradually dropped the definite article. In 1993 the Ukranian government requested that the country be called just Ukraine. US ambassador William Taylor, who knew that addition of the “the” was considered insulting by some Ukrainians, said it implied a disregard for the country’s sovereignty.
8. It gets deep,

Arsenalna, a station on Kiev’s Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska line, is the world’s deepest at 105.5 metres below ground.

The escalator at Arsenalna.
9. But its capital’s main street tells a different story.

Kiev’s main street, Khreshchatyk Street, is often referred to as the shortest yet widest main drag in the world. At only 1.2km long but remarkably broad, the street, which was destroyed in Second World War, is a focal point of the capital.
10. Speaking of Kiev…

No, chicken Kiev does not come from Kiev. It is thought to be a 19th-century French recipe, brought to the east by Russian aristocracy fascinated by French cuisine.

Kiev’s centre, and not a chicken in sight
11. It was once a breadbasket

Bread, on the other hand plays a large part in Ukrainian history. The country was once known as the breadbasket of Europe, owing to its large agricultural industry. This title was to cause the country immense hardship when it became responsible for feeding the Soviet Union under Stalin. Collectivisation and unassailable grain targets were the main causes of the Great Famine, otherwise known as Holodomor, in 1932 and 1933 that killed as many as 7.5 million Ukrainians. The famine is considered a genocidal act by 25 countries, including Ukraine, Australia and Canada.
12. It has hosted plenty of history.

Ukraine has played the stage for much destruction during its history. But it was also the host of the Yalta Conference in 1945, where Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt met to discuss the organisation of post-war Europe. Livadia Palace, which hosted the meeting, is open today as a museum. Today, Yalta is part of history once again as it lies on the disputed Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. The Crimea is one of three areas the Foreign Office advises against travel to.
A statue to commemorate the visit of Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt

13. It is home to ghost towns

Another Ukrainian claim to history is Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear power plant disaster. The location in northern Ukraine is now the centre of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, established by the USSR soon after the accident in 1986. Within the zones are a number of abandoned towns that draw interest from all over the world. Tours of the area, including the power plant are available, at the risk of the traveller. Radiation levels remain dangerously high .

14. Cafe capital of the world

The city of Lviv is sometimes claimed to have the most cafes in the world per capita. “Though Livivians of today are known for both their fervent nationalism and for their churchgoing, their city has an easy-going, almost frivolous air, filled with university students, embellished by its frothy confection of Renaissance, Baroque, Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau buildings and scented with aromas from its hundreds of Viennese style coffee houses. We only had to step out from our hotel, the Opera, and stroll with the crowds along Lviv’s central spine, Svobody (Liberty) Avenue, to find out how relaxed the place is.”
15. It invented the gas lamp.

Lviv also boasts to be the home of the first ever gas lamp. Invented by a local pharmacist in a store called At the Golden Star, today the achievement is remembered by a café called Gasova L’ampa found in the same building.
16. Recognise this?

The Tunnel of Love, excellent Instagram fodder and vital travel inspiration, is found in the forests of Ukraine near the town of Kleven. The rail road is for a private train that provides wood for a local factory.

17. It built a superlative plane

Kiev was home to the world’s biggest plane, the Antonov An-225 Myriya. It has the largest wingspan of any aircraft, at 88.4 metres and weighs 640,000kg. A brainwave of the Soviet Union, only one was ever made.

18. And has a huge military

Ukraine, which inherited a large nuclear arsenal after the break up of the Soviet Union, has the second largest military in Europe behind Russia.
19. You can ski there.

It’s no French Alps, but Ukraine has about four or five ski resorts to shout about, including Bukovel in the Carpathian mountains, with 55km of slopes and 15 lifts.

The ski resort of Bukovel
20. Its capital is a hero.

The capital Kiev was given Hero City status by the Soviet Union following its resistance to the Nazis in the Battle of Kiev in 1941. The Germans encircled the city in July of 1941, eventually capturing it in September and taking more than 600,000 soldiers captive. Despite the battle being seen as a huge victory for Hitler, the city was rewarded for its defence with the title of Hero City in 1965.
21. It is big on easter eggs.

Ukrainians are pretty big on easter eggs. Less so, stuffing their faces with low-quality chocolate: they favour more intricate designs using wax on ornaments known as pysankas. Different regions of the country have different styles and methods of decoration. The practice was banished by the Soviet Union, but continued in north and south American by Ukrainian immigrants.

22. Its music inspires.

George Gershwin’s Summertime was inspired by an old Ukrainian lullaby.

23. It has a mighty Soviet relic.

Armed with a 16-metre sword and a great slab of a shield, Mother Motherland clearly isn’t to be messed with. While Communist symbols and street names were outlawed from Ukraine in 2015, Second World War monuments – like this titanium statue in Kiev – were allowed to remain.

Mother Motherland, a suitably imposing 62-metres high, was built in the 1970s – and now forms part of the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II (catchy title). The monument’s fire pit is supposed to hold an eternal flame, but due to funding issues it now only burns on the biggest national holidays.

24. It has a cool coastline

The Black Sea, home to Ukraine’s only coastline, is popular with holidaymakers and this perhaps due to its still, calm waters, as the massive lake lacks a tide. The water level never changes.

25. And a surprising claim to political history

Ukraine was home to one of the world’s first ever constitutions, in the form of the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk, written by a Ukrainian Cossack in 1710. It established a democratic standard for the separation of powers in government between the legislative, executive and judiciary branches, an idea perhaps made more famous by Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws, which was published in 1748.

17 photos of glorious Ireland


17 photos of glorious Ireland

1.Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy on the Antrim Coast inNorthern Ireland.

2.Also in County Antrim, Giant’s Causeway is a popular spot for Northern Ireland visitors.

3.The Ring of Kerry is a must for any trip to Ireland, with its spectacular views all along the way

4.This is a look upward through an old chapel in the Old Graveyard at Cloghane on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.

5.The spectacular Gap of Dunloe near Killarney is a narrow mountain pass between MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain in County Kerry.

6.Uninhabited Great Blasket Island is accessible by ferry from the Dingle Peninsula. Before the last handful of residents left in 1953, the island was home to several celebrated writers.

7.Ruins of stone buildings remain as evidence of the former residents of Great Blasket Island.

8.Ballynahinch Castle “surrounded by an incredible estate which we all loved exploring is located in the rugged Connemara area of County Galway on Ireland’s west coast.

9.Kylemore Abbey in Connemara has been home to a community of Benedictine nuns since 1920. Originally a castle, the stunning lakeside dwelling was built by Mitchell and Margaret Henry from 1867 to 1871.

10.We couldn’t put camera down while in Connemara. “There were sheep everywhere and it was like they were posing for us.”

11.At Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, memory stones are found all over the place


12.An empty road winds along the Atlantic Coast near Doolin, in County Clare.


13.Blarney House, a Scottish baronial-style mansion, was built on the grounds of Blarney Castle in 1874. Located in County Cork, the mansion’s namesake castle is home of the much-kissed Blarney Stone.

14.The view from the top of Blarney Castle is breathtaking,” 

15.The Fastnet Lighthouse has guided many ships off Ireland’s southern coast near County Cork.

16.Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, sits on the east coast.

17.Trinity College Library in Dublin is the country’s largest library. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university.

 

20 more places in France you never thought to visit


20 more places in France you never thought to visit (but really should).

The coastline south of Calais.

21. Corbières, Languedoc.

“These are the country’s forgotten mountains,” says Anthony Peregrine. “Full of good wine, lost villages, vertiginous Cathar castles, Dan Brown weirdos congregating at Rennes-le-Château, worries about the end of the world, and mountainscapes of quite staggering beauty.”

22. Moselle, Lorraine.

Another tip. “No-one holidays there, any more than they do on Teesside,”. “A serious mistake. The place was smashed during the wars but retains interesting vestiges: great Maginot Line forts (extraordinary engineering feats); the citadel of Bitche (one of best historical sites in France); the Malbrouk château; the brilliant military town of Metz, with the most glorious Gothic stained glass in its cathedral; and then the Vosges mountains, belying the image of the place as industrial. I’d go back there in a shot.”

23. Tourtour, Provence.

One of the great hilltop towns of the Var,” . “It’s fairly well known if you’re a frequent visitors to the Var, but still counts as lesser-visited Provence.”

“Tourtour calls itself ‘the village in the sky’ (Tourtourans don’t get jokes about naming it twice),”. “It’s too picturesque not to have been art-and-craftily colonised and between the twee boutiques Sotheby’s peddles real estate. But dense Provençal forests – holm oaks, cypress, rock roses and myrtles – still hug its outer edges.”

24. Gartempe Valley, Limousin.

“It’s an absolute cracker, east of Poitiers, about which no-one knows anything,” . “Yet it’s studded with wonderful villages, great archeology and, at Saint-Savin sur Gartempe, the greatest Romanesque frescoes anywhere. This valley really is a hidden treasure – hidden even from French people, who have never heard of it.”

25. Lake Geneva, Rhône-Alpes

“Most people forget that a good wedge of Europe’s largest Alpine lake is in France, not Switzerland,” . “Its southern shore is a delight to explore: the spa waters and baths of Evian-les-Bains, the intact medieval walled-village of Yvoire, the joy of catching an old-fashioned paddle steamer across the lake to Switzerland, paddle-boarding and other water sports on local lake beaches, and eating local lake-fished filet de perche.”
26. Côte d’Opale, Pas-de-Calais.

“The coast running south from Calais – via Caps Blanc and Gris Nez to Boulogne and beyond – features wild heathland, punctuated by farming and undoubtedly seductive villages and little towns,”. “People invariably blast through the Pas-de-Calais, keen to be elsewhere. This is not always wise. The Côte d’Opale has both grandiose and endearing moments.”

27. Ploumanac’h, Brittany.

“For its entire length, the shoreline of Brittany is extravagantly indented, with each successive little inlet concealing another wooded cove or sandy beach,”. “It’s at its most spectacular halfway along the northern coast, in the section known as the Pink Granite Coast and the village of Ploumanac’h is the pick of several delightful seaside resorts that lie in this surreal rockscape of glistening rose-tinted crags, cliffs and misshapen boulders.”

28. The Gers, Languedoc.

“This is the thinking person’s rural alternative to the Dordogne,”. “Every time I arrive amid the curved hills and sleepy valleys of the heart of Gascony, I feel I’m coming home. Every time I leave, I’m full of food, drink and friends whose existence I hadn’t suspected a few hours before.

“The landscape helps. Fat, rounded agricultural territory spangled with lakes and rivers, it is utterly charming but doesn’t overwhelm. The historical department’s the same. There’s plenty of interest – fortified medieval villages such as Larressingle, castles, the legacy of local boy D’Artagnan, the Eauze Roman coin and jewel hoard – but little that demands awe.Which leaves ample time for the things you really want to do – like walking (notably in the Haut-Astarac), boating, swimming or, especially, gathering round a table. This is the county of foie gras, of confit de canard, of Madiran wine and of Armagnac. And, in my French experience, only the Beaujolais rival the Gers folk in their keenness to share it with all comers. You’ll need hours to spare, and an ability to stagger.”

29. Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne  .

“The capital of the Auvergne could scarcely be called one of France’s most famous cities, but there is something of the A-list to the scenery that surrounds it, as the Massif Central spreads its swarthy arms,”. “Revelling in dramatic terrain on the city’s doorstep are Puy de Dome and the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne.”

30. Villes-sur-Auzon, Provence.

“In the lee of the Mont Ventoux, you’ll find this village with some of the best wine tourism ideas in France,”. “Blast off round the vineyards in a motorised bicycle, for instance, while people come out to meet you with wine tastings and a picnic. Terrific. Evidently, the Ventoux is also to hand, as is the village of Mazan. The Château de Mazan, once home to the Marquis de Sade, is now perhaps my favourite hotel in all of Provence.”

31. Île de Sein, Brittany.

“As the ferry heads out into the swirling Atlantic mists, from Audierne near the southwestern tip of Brittany, you really do feel as though you might sail off the edge of the world,”. “Instead, an hour out to sea, you come to a tiny sliver of land, home to a low huddled village and a solitary lighthouse. At high tide, this gloriously isolated spot, so far from the mainstream that it’s said to have been the last outpost of pre-Roman paganism in France, seems in danger of disappearing altogether. Visit for a day, and you’ll get a real sense of its ongoing traditions; better still, spend a night here, and leave modern Europe far behind.”

32. Sète, Languedoc

“It’s the most rewarding town on the French Med (and I include them all, St Tropez and the rest),” he says. “Why? Because it’s a proper fishing and commercial port, so lives its life, whether visitors show up or not. It’s a gritty agglomeratioin of pretty much all the peoples from around the Mediterranean but also has a fine cultural heritage (Brassens, Paul Valéry, oysters, mussels, etc) and then, also, endless beaches on the finger of land between the sea and the Étang de Thau lagoon. Bracing is the word.”

33. Villequier, Normandy

“This tiny village beside the Seine was once home to Victor Hugo,”. “A lovely riverside promenade through the village segues into a peaceful park with a tragic past; at the end of a gentle avenue of trees, a memorial marks where Hugo’s daughter and her husband drowned, in the days when the Seine was subject to a treacherous tidal bore.” He recommends visiting on a road trip from Le Havre, via the medieval market town of Caudebec, and then on to to the ruined abbey of Jumièges, Rouen, Les Andelys and Giverny.

34. Haute-Loire, Auverge

“France profonde at its deepest,”. “Gorges, uplands, the home of Lafayette, one of France’s best restaurants at the Pont-d’Alleyras, wildness, memories of the beast of Gevaudan and the extraordinary monastery at La Chaise-Dieu. Also the Clos St François b&b at Beaune-sur-Arzon, one of the loveliest, and remotest in France.”.
35. Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Provence.

“On the French Riviera, this is one of my favourite low-key resorts that not that many people seem to know about,” . “It is right next door to Monaco, so makes a great base for exploring the pricey principality but is also a must for art and architecture buffs: this was the stomping ground of star designers Le Corbusier and Eileen Grey in the 1950s and their summer houses, newly restored and accessed by a tiny coastal path, can be visited as part of an informed guided tour. English-owned Hotel Victoria is a superb place to stay.”

36. Morvan, Burgundy

“These isolated uplands in Burgundy possess no vines but lots of forest, remoteness, fabulous heathland walking, lakes and a sense of being withdrawn from the 21st century,”.
37. Montparnasse, Paris

“Most of Paris is all too well known,” says Natasha Edwards. “But perhaps it’s time to rediscover what’s left of the artists’ Montparnasse of the early 20th century: Musée Bourdelle, Musée Zadkine, the streets of studios around Montsouris, cafés like Le Select and the Closerie des Lilas (where Trotsky was a regular).”

38. Créquoise Valley, Pas-de-Calais

“This is a brilliant, hidden valley in the Pas-de-Calais – bucolic, be-wooded, more rustic than you’d ever expect this bit of France to be. It leads towards the splendid walled town of Montreuil to the south, and is not far from Agincourt to the north.”

39. L’Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez, Bordeaux

“Directly opposite La Grande Maison, Joel Robuchon’s hotel/restaurant in Bordeaux, L’Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez is a contemporary art museum housed in a grand 18th century townhouse,”. “It’s tasteful, beautifully curated, with permanent collections and seasonal exhibitions – and it was deserted when I visited, as if nobody knows it’s there.”

40. The Sarthe, Pays de la Loire.

“If you’ve never heard of the Sarthe, you’ll surely know its capital, Le Mans,”. “It’s where folk drive fast for 24 hours, ending up where they started. I don’t have that kind of patience, so much prefer the town’s world-class potted meat (rillettes du Mans) and wandering in Northern France’s finest medieval centre. Beyond Le Mans, the region runs to rural rhythms ditched by most of France during the Fourth Republic. To the south, the Loir valley meanders through a past of wildflowers, forest and hills, wine and small towns where a chain store is still the local ironmonger’s. To the west, the Sarthe river runs to Solesmes, whose abbey is world HQ of Gregorian chanting. Then it rises to the Alpes Mancelles hills which, if not quite Alpine, might pass nicely as the Black Forest. To the east, the Perche district is so deeply bucolic that one is surprised to find colour television.”

18 reasons to visit Iran


18 reasons to visit Iran

Air France resumed flights to Tehran yesterday, the latest sign that Iran is well and truly back on travel itineraries. The Foreign Office lifted its advisory against trips to the country last year, and British Airways will begin flying there in July.

Wondering what all the fuss is about? Here are a few of Iran’s highlights.

1.Tehran.

This metropolis is home to art galleries, museums and some striking architecture, such as the Azadi Tower monument.

2.Tehran’s lavish Golestan Palace complex, a World Heritage site, is a masterpiece of Persian decorative arts and crafts.

3.Isfahan.

Robert Byron, in The Road to Oxiana, wrote: “Isfahan [is] among those rarer places, like Athens or Rome, which are the common refreshment of humanity”.

The “Friday mosque” (Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan) is one of the city’s two World Heritage Sites.

4.Naqsh-e Jahan Square is the other.

5.Shiraz.

Further south lies Shiraz, home to the Eram Garden, which dates back to the 13th century.

6.Equally spectacular is the Nasir ol Molk Mosque, famous for its coloured glass windows.

7.Persepolis.

The ruined city of Persepolis, which dates from 515BC, is one of the world’s finest examples of ancient architecture, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. It was discovered in the 1930s by Andre Godard, a French archaeologist.

8.Yazd.

Around 170 miles south of Isfahan, the desert city of Yazd is known for its ancient windcatchers – building whose design creates natural ventilation. Pictured here is the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, home to a mosque, bathhouse, well, and confectionary.

9.Pasargadae.

Another ancient city and World Heritage Site. The Mausoleum of Cyrus II, shown here, is one of the most notable remains.

10.Kish.

Beach holidays in Iran? It might surprise you, but the country has some spectacular stretches of sand. Kish, an island resort on the Persian Gulf, is visited by one million people annually and features numerous hotels and shopping malls.

11.Ramsar.

This city on the coast of the Caspian Sea, is another popular spot for tourists. Attractions include hot springs, the holiday palace of the last Shah, and the forest of the Alborz Mountains.

12.Shemshak.

Even more suprising is the sight of ski slopes in the country. Shemshak, within easy reach of Tehran, is Iran’s second largest ski area.

13.Mashhad.

Iran’s second most populous city is home to the world’s largest mosque, the Imam Reza shrine.

14.Susa.

One of the country’s newest World Heritage Sites (added in 2015), Susa comprises the remains of a settlement that was founded around 4200 BCE, but abandoned in 1218.

15.Ardabil.

Iran’s has 12 World Heritage sites in total, including the Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, a city close to the border with Azerbaijan.

16.Tabriz.

The bazaar of Tabriz, the former capital of the Safavid kingdom, is also recognised by Unesco.

17.Tchogha Zanbil.

As is Tchogha Zanbil, the remains of a ziggurat, dating back to 1250BC, in the south east of the country.

18.Bisotun.

This small city is best known for another World Heritage Site: the Behistun Inscription, written by Darius the Great.  

And the world’s best place to visit is ….


And the world’s best place to visit is ….

1. Great Barrier Reef (Australia) – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It tops U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the world’s best travel destinations for 2016-2017. Click through the gallery to see the rest of the rankings.

 

2. Paris (France) – Despite last year’s terrorist attacks, Paris came in second place in the U.S. News rankings.

3. Bora Bora (French Polynesia) – The tiny island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, which came in third place, offers lush jungles and picturesque beaches. A number of resorts feature overwater bungalows, such as the Four Seasons Bora Bora.

 

4. Florence (Italy) – Visitors to fourth place Florence can feel the spirit that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance. The Piazza di Basilica Santa Maria Novella, pictured, is one of many impressive city sights.

5. Tokyo (Japan) – People walk along a shopping street in the Harajuku area of Tokyo, Japan, which came in fifth place.

6. Cusco (Peru) – Sixth place Cusco, Peru is the starting point for those making the journey to Machu Picchu, the 15th century city located about 8,000 feet above sea level. Many people take a train to get to the stunning archaeological site.

7. London – Seventh place London (and the rest of the UK) is now cheaper than ever for Americans to visit. The British pound crashed to its lowest levels in decades after the country voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum.

8. Rome (Italy) – Actors dressed as ancient Roman soldiers stand near the Coliseum in eighth place Rome.

9. New York – There’s always something happening in Manhattan’s TImes Square, but ninth place New York has plenty more to explore. Visitors can hit the Bronx Zoo, ride the Staten Island Ferry and take in a meal in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park or Jackson Heights in Queens.

10. Maui (Hawaii) – Surf’s almost always up at Ho’Okipa Beach in 10th place Maui, Hawaii.

11. Cape Town (South Africa) – Kite surfers take part in the Kitesurfing Armada in Cape Town, South Africa.

12. Barcelona (Spain) – It doesn’t matter that Barcelona’s Basílica de la Sagrada Família, designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, isn’t finished. It’s still Barcelona’s most popular attraction.

13. Sydney (Australia) – Every year, stunning lights are projected onto the Sydney Opera House as part of the annual Vivid Sydney festival.

14. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Despite fears around the zika virus, the 2016 Summer Olympics are still coming to Rio de Janeiro. The Cidade Maravilhosa, or “Marvelous City,” offers high fashion, fine dining and spectacular views.

15. Yellowstone National Park – There’s no time like the centennial anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service to visit Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. It was created in 1872, 44 years before the park service was born.

16. Amsterdam (Netherlands) – At first blush, Amsterdam’s Red Light District is an obvious draw for the college crowd, but the city has so much more to offer. Exploring the maze of canals is a great way to get acquainted with the city.

17. Hong Kong – The home of Bruce Lee, divine dim sum and more skyscrapers than any other city on the planet, Hong Kong is a hot draw for tourists.

18. Cairo (Egypt) – Despite the current challenges facing national governance, the old city district of Cairo, Egypt still beckons.

18A. Washington, D.C. – Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial in celebration of Independence Day, July 4, in Washington, D.C.

19. Grand Canyon National Park – Grand Canyon National Park is the second most popular national park in the United State, with 5.5 million visitors in 2015.

21. British Virgin Islands – Many visitors arrive in their own sailboats at Jost Van Dyke, one of many islands within the British Virgin Islands.

22. Bali (Indonesia) – The Indonesian island of Bali offers miles of coastline, sacred Hindu temples and an active volcano.

23. San Francisco (California) – San Francisco offers a booming farm-to-table restaurant scene as well as the iconic cable cars and Alcatraz Island, a National Park Service site.

24. Argentine Patagonia (Argentina) – At the edge of the Antarctic travelers will find Argentine Patagonia, including Los Glaciares National Park, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, in Santa Cruz province.

25. Budapest (Hungary) – The courts and courtyards of the Buda Castle are open 24/7. The Castle Hill neighborhood dates back to the 11th century, when settlers built walls to keep Mongolian attackers out. Cars are prohibited on the cobblestone streets.

World’s top 10 cities


World’s top 10 cities
1. Charleston, South Carolina – Travel + Leisure readers picked Charleston, South Carolina as the top city to visit in the world and the city’s Spectator Hotel as the best continental U.S. hotel in its annual readers’ World’s Best Awards. Nearby Hilton Head Island, also in South Carolina, took top honors as best continental U.S. island. Click through the gallery to see the rest of the top 10 cities in the world.

2. Chiang Mai, Thailand – “There are gorgeous temples with distinctive peaked roofs, and barefoot Buddhist monks going about their business. Chiang Mai gets a lot of tourists, but manages to feel laid-back,”. The town is well-known for the Yi Peng Festival, where people release paper lanterns to pay their respects to the Buddha and clean out their bad luck.

3. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico “is the most charming town, with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture,”. “There’s a vibrant art scene here, and you can eat everything from traditional Mexican fare to Asian fusion food.”

4. Florence, Italy – “It’s an absolute must for art lovers — home to Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Venus, plus oodles of Renaissance frescoes,”. “But Florence also has distinctive architecture (the Duomo of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore and the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio shown here), luxurious hotels and even great street food. And don’t forget about the Tuscan wines.”

5. Luang Prabang, Laos – A combination of French, Chinese and Vietnamese cultures that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang, Laos is “a wonderfully serene town, at the confluence of the Meking and Nam Khan rivers. You can wander around the city, gaze at the gold-plated temples, shop for hand-woven silk, and eat incredible Laotian food—for relatively little money.” The Hmong night market includes a view of Haw Pha Bang temple.

6. Kyoto, Japan – “You might think of geishas when you consider Kyoto—and while you can get a taste of geisha culture, there’s much more to the city,”. “There are more than 1,000 Buddhist temples here (including Toji Temple shown here), plus gorgeous gardens, artisanal shops and refined seasonal food.”

7. New Orleans, Louisiana – While revelers pack Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, anytime is a good time to enjoy the region’s distinctive jazz and cuisine. “It’s impossible not to love New Orleans—the food, the fun, those balconies in the French Quarter,”. “These days, there’s so much going on outside of that neighborhood, in the artsy Warehouse District, the grand Garden District and leafy Audubon Park.”

8. Barcelona, Spain – “In addition to its surreal Gaudi architecture, amazing seafood and pleasant beaches, Barcelona has a wonderful energy,”. “It’s artsy, vibrant and easygoing. Travelers have to be willing to eat late—restaurants generally don’t open for dinner until 8:30.”

9. Savannah, Georgia – Savannah is “an iconic Southern city, with antebellum mansions sheltered by moss-draped live oaks,”. “First-time visitors must check out a walking tour. But Savannah doesn’t just live in the past; it has up-to-date cultural institutions like the SCAD Museum of Art, industrial-cool restaurants and minimalist boutiques.”

10. Cape Town, South Africa – “It’s a fascinating and cosmopolitan town, but Cape Town’s natural beauty is truly extraordinary,” . “There’s iconic Table Mountain (shown here), the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and beaches where enormous boulders form little coves you can have all to yourself.”

13 strange and beautiful Japanese islands you must visit


13 strange and beautiful Japanese islands you must visit

From a flower-filled heaven for hikers to Japan’s answer to the Galapagos, these strange and beautiful spots will fill you with wanderlust

1 .The ghost island from Skyfall.

Around 15km from Nagasaki, Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) was used as a coal mining facility between 1887 and 1974, with its population reaching a peak of 5,259 people in 1959. After petroleum replaced coal throughout Japan in the 1960s, it was abandoned, and is now known as “Ghost Island”. A small portion of it was opened to tourists in 2009, and sightseeing boat trips often stop here. It featured as the evil hideout of Raoul Silva (played by Javier Bardem) in the James Bond film Skyfall and became a World Heritage Site in 2015.

2. This incredible volcanic island.

Aogashima, a volcanic island and the most isolated in the Izu archipelago, lies around 220 miles south of Tokyo and is home to 170 people according to a 2013 census. The most recent eruption was in 1785, when around 140 islanders perished.

3.The islands filled with cats.

The preponderance of feline residents on Tashirojima (in Miyagi Prefecture) and Aoshima (in Ehime Prefecture) has led to them both being given the (rather unimaginative) nickname “Cat Island”. Locals believe feeding cats will bring wealth and good fortune and on Tashirojima there is even a small cat shrine (Neko-jinja) and 51 stone cat-shaped monuments, while dogs are prohibited from stepping ashore.

4. These islands that look like they’re in the Caribbean.

With white sand beaches like these, it’s no surprise that the Yaeyama Islands, in the far south of the Japanese archipelago, have been compared to the Caribbean. The waters are home to coral reefs, dolphins, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays – though its dugong population has sadly been wiped out.

5.The island filled with rabbits.

Okunoshima is a small island located in Japan’s Inland Sea that has become something of a tourist attraction due to its floppy-eared population. Sources claim they were brought here during the Second World War, when the island (and the rabbits) were used to test the effects of poison gas. They have since flourished in the predator-free environment, and there are hundreds roaming free.

6. Arty Naoshima.

Despite its diminutive size – just five square miles – and off-the-radar location, Naoshima has a contemporary art haul that would turn the Tate Modern green with envy. It was in 1992 that a wealthy Japanese publishing magnate set about transforming Naoshima from sleepy fishing island to international art centre with the launch of the first of a string of galleries. Over the past three decades, a growing number of art projects have sprung up across Naoshima, with the region’s status as a major art hub confirmed in 2010 with the launch of Setouchi Triennale, a three-yearly art festival that takes place across 12 fishing islands with the goal of boosting the quality of life of its elderly residents.

7. The island of the gas masks.

Another island of the Izu archipelago, Miyake-jima’s most prominent feature is its active volcano, Mount Oyama, which has erupted several times in recent history. Since the most recent explosion, in 2005, the volcano has constantly leaked poisonous fumes, requiring residents to carry a gas mask at all times. Sirens go off across the island when the levels of sulphur rise sharply.

8. Beautiful Itsukushima.

Also known as Miyajima, this island in Hiroshima Bay is home to the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known for its mapel trees, which turn the island crimson in autumn.

The generation game in Japan

9.The islands with the elixir of life.

A group of islands in the East China Sea, and part of the Ryukyu Arc, the Okinawa Islands are home to beautiful beaches, ruins, rare cats, extensive limestone caves and coral reefs. The residents here also live longer than anywhere else in the world. There are 34.7 centenarians for every 100,000 inhabitants, five times more than the rest of Japan. Explanations have included diet (low-fat, low-salt foods, such as fish, tofu and seaweed are popular here), low-stress lifestyle, and the spirituality of the inhabitants. Head there and some of it might rub off on you. BA flies (indirect) from Gatwick and Glasgow to Okinawa Naha.

 
10.This smoking island.

Another volcanic island, Sakurajima (Cherry Island), is technically no longer an island. A lava flow following the eruption of its highly active volcano in 1914 created a connection to the mainland (the southern Japanese island of Kyushu). It has been erupting almost constantly since 1955 – yet 680,000 people still live within a few miles of it.

11. This impossibly green island.

One of the Osumi Islands in southern Japn, Yakushima was awarded World Heritage status in 1993 thanks to its unique ancient rainforest and colossal cedar trees. It is visited by 300,000 tourists each year.

12.This snow-capped, flower-filled adventure playground.

Rishiri Island, off the northern tip of Hokkaido, is dominated by a 1,721m extinct volcanic peak, and is a magnet for hikers. Further west lies Rebun Island, known for its alpine flowers.

13.The Galapagos of the Orient.

The Bonin Islands, also known as the Ogasawara Islands, have been described as Asia’s answer to The Galapagos due to their many unique species of flora and fauna. They have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2011. “The islands offer a variety of landscapes and are home to a wealth of fauna, including the Bonin Flying Fox, a critically endangered bat, and 195 endangered bird species,” says Unesco.