Summer season is ending, but for Londoners who love travelling, that is no reason to stop embarking on a new journey. With just a few months left of 2023, you might plan for one or two more trips until the winter holiday frenzy rolls in. So, what are some of the best destinations you should travel to, considering that your home town is getting colder by the day, and what are some of the things you could see and experience there? Let’s have a look.
Egypt
There are few places on the globe as emblematic as Egypt. Since it is such a popular destination, you want to look into Stansted parking before you leave and start planning for accommodation and transportation in advance to get the best deals. You’ll most likely instantly think of the pyramids, and there’s no denying that no trip to the country would be complete without gazing upon the Great Pyramid of Giza, the tomb of the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, Khufu.
The Pyramid of Menkaure retains the damage inflicted upon its northern face in 1196 by Al-Aziz Uthman, a son of Saladin who attempted to demolish the pyramids but found the task virtually impossible due to the weight of the stones. The Karnak Temple Complex still has many of its ancient pylons and chapels. The Great Hypostyle Hall, situated within the temple, is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt contains many inscriptions and reliefs, including a record of the Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty created by Ramesses II.
The Valley of the Kings is home to rock-cut tombs of pharaohs and nobles added over 500 years. Although nearly all appear to have been desecrated and robbed as far back as the Antiquity, they still paint a clear picture of the luxury and splendour the monarchs enjoyed back in those times. Some of the other landmarks that should be on your list are the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh whose rule was almost erased due to a campaign initiated by Thutmose III, the Philae temple complex located on an island downstream of the Aswan Dam, and Old Cairo, which includes the settlement of Coptic Cairo.
Tibet
Many tourist destinations worldwide boast about having stunning landscapes that you only have to see one to remember for the rest of your life. When it comes to Tibet, that is actually true. The view towards the Himalayas, home to Earth’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is a sight to see, even if you’re not an avid mountaineer. The Tibetan plateau is an ideal destination for those looking to embark on a trekking adventure.
The traditional culture and customs of the area are also incredible, with Buddhism playing a prominent role in the development and themes of Tibetan music and art. Most Tibetan monasteries and religious structures are decorated with complex wall paintings, as well as sculptures made from wood or stucco. The dramyin is a traditional musical instrument from Tibet, a lute with six strings used to accompany singing. The Tibetan horn, or dungchen, is widely employed in Buddhist ceremonies. The Potala Palace in Lhasa is a beautiful example of dzong architecture. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas between 1649 and 1959 and has been a museum ever since. The traditional materials used are stone, wood and clay.
Visiting Tibet is also an excellent opportunity to sample some of the region’s traditional dishes, including yak meat, butter tea made with salt and yak butter, and chura loenpa, a soft cheese made from curds. Thenthuk is a famous noodle soup, and if you’re looking for a sweet treat, try thue, made from dairy and brown sugar.
Morocco
Over the past few years, Morocco has become an increasingly popular destination among tourists. If you’ve been thinking about journeying here as well, have a look at https://parkos.co.uk/ to get the best spots for airport parking. One of the most important places to visit is the city of Marrakesh, the fourth-largest in the country and one of the imperial Cities. It is located just west of the Atlas Mountains.
It is a luxurious travel destination with numerous luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, the perfect place for those who want to travel in style. The city is also great for shopping lovers, with many traditional markets offering a wide selection of many different objects. The Souk Zrabi is the best location to purchase beautiful rugs or carpets featuring complex, intricate patterns and bold colours. Souk Semmarine is home to many antiques, mainly jewellery and furniture.
At Souk El Attarine, you can shop for perfumes and spices. All you have to do is let the seller know what kind of food you’d like to make, and they’ll give you everything you need. If you’ve spent some time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen pictures of Chefchaouen, famous for its many buildings painted in striking shades of blue. But apart from the picturesque qualities of the city, you can also enjoy a wide range of traditional and international foods and explore the town on foot.
And, of course, no visit to Morocco would be complete without a desert trek. You can join a tour across the Sahara and challenge yourself, or just make a brief visit to see the sun setting on the horizon behind the dunes.
Japan
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Japan allows you to experience both highly urbanised areas and pristine natural landscapes. Western Japan is the area you should set your sights on this year. The region is home to Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan and the 13th oldest in the world, being approximately 4 million years old. The Itsukushima Shrine, known for the floating torii gate, is accessible by ferry from the Miyajimaguchi Station.
There’s also a five-tiered pagoda you can see, as well as a bridge. The shrine’s maze of pathways and halls is a piece of artwork in and of itself. The well-known cities of Kyoto and Osaka are also located in the region, as is the hilltop castle complex of Himeji, which has remained intact for about 700 years, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995.
When you set out to travel to a different country, you must plan in advance to visit as many landmarks as possible and enjoy a truly unforgettable trip.
