Of Uzbekistan’s three major tourism hubs, Bukhara has what’s arguably the largest intact and authentic-feeling Old Town in the country. While it may lack a single attraction that can rival Samarkand’s Registan Square,
Northern Afghanistan’s main hub, Mazar-i-Sharif, is home to the stunning Blue Mosque, one of the country’s most beautiful and spiritually significant landmarks. But for centuries, the main city here was Balkh. Once among Central
Peshawar, the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with a population of nearly 2 million, sits at the edge of the Khyber Pass – the historic mountainous route connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan. The
Amritsar’s glistening Golden Temple is the spiritual heart of Sikhism, a religion with nearly 30 million adherents. But visitors of all faiths and nationalities are more than welcome. In the following guide, we’ll
Chandigarh isn’t quite like anywhere in India – a country equally known for its chaotic traffic and its fascinating historical sites. Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, has little of either. While it may
From the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, the Mughal Empire ruled much of South Asia. But it was under the reign of Shah Jahan that Delhi took center stage, remaining the
Perhaps because it was built from scratch to serve as the empire’s capital and would only stay so for fourteen years, Fatehpur Sikri remains the purest example of a Mughal city. Unlike Agra,
First established in the 5th century AD, Gwalior Fort has been held by a myriad of different rulers, including various Hindu dynasties, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, and briefly, the British. But for most, the
Most travelers know Agra for one main reason: the Taj Mahal. And for those with limited time, it’s common to check out the Taj and then quickly move on. Admittedly, that’s exactly what
As one of the world’s most iconic structures, it’s hard to say much more about the Taj Mahal that hasn’t already been said. But upon visiting the Taj Mahal in-person, you’ll quickly understand
Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City,’ is Rajasthan’s largest and easily one of India’s most touristic. And for good reason. Its imposing forts, refined palaces, and scenic natural surroundings offer visitors with
Knowing that it was a bit off the tourist trail, I arrived in Bikaner expecting a relatively laidback and sleepy town. But Bikaner, it turns out, is actually Rajasthan’s fourth-largest city. Be that
It would be hard to argue against Jaisalmer, Rajasthan being one of India’s most picturesque towns. But perhaps the small city has gotten too popular for its own good, with awful traffic and
Jaisalmer, situated at the western end of Rajasthan by the edge of the Thar Desert, has long been touted as one of India’s top hidden gems. Today, however, the secret is very much
With a population of around 1.6 million, Jodhpur may be Rajasthan’s second-largest city, but it’s also one of the state’s most charming. Known as the ‘Blue City’ thanks to its vibrant blue houses,
Founded in 1559 after the sacking of Chittorgarh by Mughal Emperor Akbar, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s – and India’s – most scenic cities. Centered around five artificial lakes, it’s become a major tourist
A visit to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temple from Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most essential day trips. In a single day, you can enjoy one of India’s most impressive fortresses and one of
Bundi, while not totally obscure, is still somewhat of a hidden gem in Rajasthan. It has everything that draws tourists to the state – a hilltop fortress, an ornately decorated palace, ancient cenotaphs,
Some of India’s most scenic traditional towns remain well off the backpacker trail, largely ignored by social media hype. Madhya Pradesh’s Maheshwar is one such town. And you can even think of it
Having spent a cumulative 1.5 years of my life in India, I’d have to say that Mandu is my favorite Indian town. That honor previously belonged to Jaisalmer, a place which has since
There’s nowhere else in India quite like Mandu. Having been to over a dozen Indian states, I can safely say that Mandu is my favorite town in the country. Largely developed from the
Kailasa Temple is easily among the most stunning Hindu temples in India, and it arguably rivals Angkor Wat for the finest of them all. Like many temples, it features towers, multiple stories, and
Daulatabad Fort isn’t that well-known, and it hardly ever appears on lists of India’s top forts. But it’s arguably one of the country’s most enjoyable forts to visit. While it lacks the grandeur
Aurangabad is mainly known for being the base from which to visit both the Ellora Caves and the Ajanta Caves. But with a population of over 1 million and a rich history, consider
Mumbai may lack the old forts, palaces, and tombs of cities like Delhi or Jaipur. But the bustling port city is home to some of the country’s most unique buildings. Many of these
Visiting a major cemetery is often one of the best ways to learn about a city’s history and its former notable residents. And Milwaukee’s Forest Home Cemetery is no exception. Located in the
Omaha is located in the geographic heart of the US and has long been known as the ‘Gateway to the West’ (a nickname it shares with St. Louis). But though it may be
Santa Ana Volcano is El Salvador’s highest volcano, its third-highest peak, and arguably the country’s most popular day trip. In the following guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the
Antigua is easily the most iconic colonial town of Guatemala, and arguably of Central America as a whole. And that’s because from 1543 to 1773, it was the capital of the Captaincy General
The Mayan civilization was home to many mighty cities, but few were quite as influential as Tikal. Not only was Tikal a political and cultural powerhouse for centuries, but its iconic towering pyramids
The Ruta Puuc, or ‘Puuc Route,’ is a term used to collectively refer to five Mayan sites located south of Mérida. Not only do they share similar histories, but each former city-state was built
Jalisco and its capital Guadalajara are where many of the things so commonly associated with Mexico – like sombreros, tequila and mariachi – were born. And with its metropolitan area consisting of 5,250,000 people,
The state of Guanajuato, home to San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato city, is one of Mexico’s premier tourism destinations. But despite its capital León being one of Mexico’s largest cities, few tourists visit. In
Aguascalientes, located in the state of the same name, is one of the lesser-visited cities of Mexico’s Bajío region. And frankly speaking, few would consider it the country’s prettiest big city. But among Mexicans,
As with nearby Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí, the city of Zacatecas grew immensely wealthy as a mining town, with much of that wealth being reinvested into beautiful buildings. As we’ll cover in
Photos alone can’t truly convey what a place is like, and without visiting, it can be hard to tell many of Mexico’s old colonial cities apart. But San Luis Potosí’s historic center is arguably
Known for its adobe buildings, thriving arts scene and fascinating blend of multiple cultures, Santa Fe is one of the United States’ most unique cities. And it’s also among the country’s most historic,
Just 7 km south of Kabah, the ancient Mayan city of Sayil shares a lot in common with neighboring sites in the Puuc region. The city, however, was founded in the 8th century AD
Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacán, is easily among Mexico’s most beautiful cities. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Morelia has a distinctive and unified look thanks to the
When it comes to eye-catching historic cities in Mexico, few places can top Guanajuato. Founded in the 16th century, the city was home to a booming mining industry for centuries, with much of
San Miguel de Allende may be one of Mexico’s most-visited towns these days, but it’s also one of its most divisive. But wherever your feelings lie, there’s no denying that San Miguel is
Throughout the three hundred years of Spanish rule, Puebla was often regarded as Mexico’s most important city after the capital. And its beautiful baroque churches and colonial-era houses are testament to that. Today, with
Mexico is home to 177 Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns) that were chosen for things like their scenery, history or architecture. But what, many wonder, is the most magical town of them all? In
Just south of central Oaxaca are two overlooked yet fascinating historical sites that can be visited together in a single day. The 16th-century Ex-Convent of Cuilapam is an architectural marvel, despite never having
Located about an hour east of the city of Oaxaca, Mitla is the second-most popular site of the Zapotec civilization. But the experience of visiting Mitla and Monte Albán couldn’t be more different. Monte
Overlooking the Valley of Ocosingo in the state of Chiapas is one of Mesoamerica’s largest and most unique structures. The Toniná Pyramid consists of seven tiers, many of which are home to temples, palaces
Located about 50 km south of Mérida, Mayapán could be considered the last of the great Mayan capitals. But despite its historical importance, the site remains well off the tourist trail. What makes Mayapán unique is
Located 62 km south of Mérida, Uxmal is one of Mexico’s most outstanding archaeological sites. Not only are its structures monumental in scale, but many are adorned with some of the most beautiful
Just 8 km from central Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci has a population of fewer than 10,000 people. But the small town is rich in beautiful architecture and historical monuments, not to mention a
Right along the border with Hungary is one of Serbia’s most endearing towns. Subotica has long had more Hungarians than Serbs, and their influence over the area’s architecture remains clear. Many of the remarkable
Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, is touted by many as the country’s most charming. Despite being just 70 km from the capital, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the 20th century,
Hidden in a canyon about 30 km south of Novi Pazar is one of the world’s most unique cave churches. Crna Reka Monastery was established as early as the 1200s and its current
For whatever reason, visiting Topola, a town situated about 75 km south of Belgrade, doesn’t appear on many travelers’ itineraries. But the town is intrinsically linked with the legendary rebel Karađorđe and his descendants, several
Belgrade, a bustling city with nearly 2 million people, is both the capital of the Republic of Serbia and the largest city in the Balkans. While the city has something for everyone, the
As cliché as it may sound, Sarajevo is truly a city where East meets West. Walking around Bosnia & Herzegovina’s bustling capital, you’ll find medieval mosques standing side by side with Central European
Mostar is arguably Bosnia & Herzegovina’s most scenic destination, and its rapidly increasing tourism numbers reflect that. The picturesque Old Town was largely developed in the Ottoman era before suffering heavy damage during
The Bay of Kotor is as historically rich as it is visually stunning. And just a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of central Kotor are two small towns where history,
If you could only choose one destination to visit in Montenegro, make it Kotor. Nestled between Lovcen Mountain and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, it’s undoubtedly the country’s most scenic town – and
Cetinje, Montenegro’s old royal capital, might not exactly take your breath away. But on the contrary, it’s one of the best places in Montenegro to take a breather, especially for those coming from
The small and unassuming city of Tetovo, less than an hour from North Macedonia’s capital of Skopje, is home to two hidden gems that largely get overlooked by tourists. It doesn’t matter if