One of the most unique sights in Georgia, David Gareja is a rock hewn monastery complex that sits on the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is also one of the best day trips from Tbilisi that you could ask for. * * * * * * Location The David Gareja is a monastery complex located about 60 KM South East of Tbilisi (about 32 KM from Rustavi or … [Read more...]
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan
Unesco World Heritage Sites are locations that have been designated as having a significant cultural, natural, historical or scientific (or several other designations) impact for the world. Many of these places are unique in the world and have some sort of impact on world history or the like. Azerbaijan has 3 Culture UNESCO World Heritage Sites … [Read more...]
Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Al Ula Saudi Arabia
Al-Ula. The unique and fascinating city that sits in northern western Saudi Arabia about 3 hours north of Madinah has a long and storied history. Many ancient civilizations have passed through this area leaving their mark permanently on the desert landscape. Visiting here is a highlight of travel in Saudi Arabia and we wanted to help those … [Read more...]
Visiting Europe’s Oldest City – Plovdiv Bulgaria
“It’s the most beautiful city in all of Bulgaria” Orlina stated as we were making our way to Plovdiv Bulgaria. That seemed a lot to live up to for sure and as one of her favorite places I was excited to share this with a friend. Orlina while from Bulgaria was living in Jordan at the same time as I was so it was lovely to get to visit her in her … [Read more...]
Standing on the Roof of Africa – Simien Mountains – Ethiopia
I really did not even know such a place existed in Ethiopia. It was hard for me to realize how little I actually knew about Ethiopia prior to actually visiting there. Well basically nothing other than those news stories about the droughts and famines decades ago. So when I heard about the Simiens I really did not know what to expect. Nicknamed … [Read more...]
Into Madain Saleh (مدائن صالح) – Saudi Arabia
I’ve been wanting to visit Madain Saleh (مدائن صالح) for years. Ever since I heard there was another beautiful Nabataean place outside of Petra. The photos of Mada’in Saleh reminded me a lot of my time in Petra…but without all the tourists and infrastructure. Perhaps Petra before the fame and notoriety of being one of the “New World Wonders”. … [Read more...]
The Trials of Tourism in Saudi Arabia
It was early in Medina airport as I wandered among the arrivals halls. I barely slept on my 2am flight from Dammam, and slept even less following my 4am layover in Riyadh. But heck, I’m just glad I finally made it out here. Now if I could only figure out whom I was meeting. Travel in Saudi Arabia is a bit well…undeveloped. Solo … [Read more...]
Mount Nemrut and Beyond – Turkey
There is very little to do in Adiyaman you almost wonder why any would come here. If it wasn’t for the nearby Mount Nemrut National Park very few probably would. We arrived here on the morning bus unsure of how we were going to move forward. So what is Mount Nemrut and why would you come here? Honestly before coming I really only knew it … [Read more...]
Castle Česky Krumlov – Czech Republic – UNESCO World Heritage Site
![Cesky Krumlov Castle - Czechia [Czech Republic]](https://www.beyondmydoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Czech-07a-150x150.webp)
One of the best preserved castles and one of the loveliest to see, State Castle in Český Krumlov is a definitely must see for those who happen upon this city. The castle is hard to miss as it dominates the skyline of the small town and adds to the overall picturesque quality of this town. This 13th Century castle was the home of the poweful … [Read more...]
Egypt: Saint Catherine’s Monastery et al.
The way down was fairly uneventful for us. Whiskey seemed to reprise his role in our group or perhaps his uncanny body double. But the benefit of morning hiking is that you can actually see where you go. The clot of hikers slowly flowed down the mountain steps onto the trail below and Whiskey bounded along laden with our friend upon … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – Qasr-ain
In Arabic the word “Qasr” means palace. These were possibly palaces, although some were mere fortresses, and most were simply lodges and houses, which I guess could be seen as a palace. There were two famous examples on the outskirts of Azraq that see the most tourists (mostly from tour buses from the capital) and we opted to visit these before … [Read more...]
UNESCO: Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
One of the most impressive sites along the Dalmatian coast is Diocletian’s Palace within the city of Split, Croatia. The Palace actually constitutes much of the old town of Split. Built between the 3rd and 4th century AD by the Roman emperor Diocletian near the city of Salona (the Roman capital of the province of Dalmatia). The Emperor, … [Read more...]
