maryszymczak's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Places visited in Yazd, Iran
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Places visited in Fars Province, Iran
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Places visited in Ercolano, Italy
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Nicosia, Cyprus

Cyprus Buffer Zone

This no man's land slicing through the island is strewn with abandoned relics of another time.
East Jerusalem, Israel

Immovable Ladder on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

A "miracle" that seems to produce more holy fistfights than holy revelations.
Caesarea, Israel

Hadrianic Aqueduct of Caesarea

Built by a king and rebuilt by an emperor, this aqueduct transported water for 1,200 years to this ancient Mediterranean hub.
Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.
Petra District, Jordan

Little Petra

A more chill but no less fascinating version of the famous ancient archeological site.
Petra District, Jordan

Petra

An ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years old and harbors many surprises.
Madaba, Jordan

Madaba Mosaic Map

The world's oldest map of the holy land gives us a fragmented glimpse of the layout of biblical nations.
Jerash, Jordan

The Ruins of Jerash

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.
Jordan

Qasr Amra

A bathhouse from the second Islamic Caliphate decorated with frescoes of constellations, pleasure gardens, and naked ladies.
Doha, Qatar

Souq Waqif

Qatar's oldest market can trace its origins back more than a century.
Doha, Qatar

Pearl Monument

This fountain pays homage to Qatar's history of pearling, the primary industry before oil.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Capital Gate

No building in the world leans as far as the so-called “Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi.”
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ski Dubai

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj Al Arab

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Gold Souk

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.
Misfat al Abriyyin, Oman

Misfat al Abriyyin

Traditional architecture and ancient irrigation systems are on display in this gorgeous mountain village.
Nizwa, Oman

Nizwa Fort

This beautifully restored fortification kept the city safe for centuries.
Muscat, Oman

Chandelier at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

This spectacular mosque houses the second-largest chandelier in the world.
Oman

Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Trees

These gnarly desert trees produce the prized aromatic resin traded along the ancient incense trail.
Hanoi, Vietnam

Phở Hàng Trống

For true northern-style phở with broth as clear as consommé, hunt for this restaurant hidden within a residential home.
Hội An, Vietnam

Japanese Covered Bridge

One of Vietnam's most iconic landmarks was built by Japanese traders and is now in danger of sinking.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phsar Thmei (Central Market)

One of the biggest markets in Asia, under one of the continent's largest domes.
Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Reclining Buddha of Baphuon Temple

Though it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple in the 15th century, complete with a massive hidden statue.