Matera: European Capital of Culture 2019

Matera is one of the most interesting, unusual and memorable tourist destinations in Italy. In 1993, it was named a UNESCO World heritage site and this year, is one of the two European Culture Capitals. After Florence (1986), Bologna (2000) and Genoa (2004), Matera is the fourth Culture Capital of Europe to be located in Italy.

Plovdiv: European Capital Of Culture 2019

Plovdiv, which features on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, is not just an elegant city with many historic attractions, but also an active cultural center which in 2019 received the title of the European Capital of Culture.

Uzbek “non”: the art of traditional, baking bread

Uzbek non is widely considered to be the very best of Central Asian tandoor breads and is easily recognized by its round shape, shallow depression in the middle, soft chewy texture, distinct flavors, golden crust, and frequently intricate decorative patterns.

Celebrating the "Novruz" in Bukhara

This is a very symbolic holiday in Bukhara and many traditions and customs are associated with Novruz. A really immersive experience, as here you can feel the breath of feast every corner of the city with jolly local people walking and dancing in the streets.

Petra, a magical place to be

Petra, the  ancient Nabatean city should be on everyone’s must do list as it’s truly a unique and fascinating place to visit. Nothing  can prepare you for the intense emotion of seeing this immense archaeological wonder in person.

Nepal, Sherpa villages trek

  Trekking in Nepal is one of the greatest pleasures of a holiday one can imagine. Amongst the trekking areas one of the most popular regions is the  Everest area or the Khumbu Region.

Happy, colorful Holi.

Holi or faagu, is a Hindus religious festival, falling in the month of March, Faagu Purnima (full-moon day) according to Nepali calendar. Holi is considered as second biggest festival after Diwali, is also known as festival of Colors and is celebrated to enjoy the victory of good over evil. It welcomes spring season and hence it is also called a spring festival.

Nepal: The weavers of Sarangkot.

The women of Sarangkot hold a "monumental" art in their hands. On their looms, they weave silk pashminas that are considered traditional folk textile artworks. In this village, perched on the Himalayas, far from being locked in attics never to be used again, as in many parts of the world, looms are experiencing an unprecedented boom. One of the most famous and popular textiles manufactured here is the pashmina dhaka, a mixture of natural fibres of silk and wool, with rich ornate details and exquisite weaving.

Seydisfjordur: the most charming village in Iceland.

At a distance of over 700 kilometers from Reykjavík, the town of Seydisfjordur, tucked in the East Fjords, seems a world away. Its natural beauty, tight-knit community and vibrant art scene attract creative souls from all corners. Seydisfjordur is a small town situated at the innermost point of a fjord of the same name. It is one of the most beautiful places in East Iceland, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Hangzhou: the most splendid city in China.

Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, is considered the most elegant and beautiful city in all China. First built over 2.200  years ago, is one of the cradles of China's civilization, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritages.The digging of the Grand Canal between Hangzhou and Beijing made the city a hub of communications. Numerous philosophers, politicians, and men of literature, including some of the most celebrated poets in Chinese history came here to live and die.

Diyarbakir: The Gateway to Mesopotamia

     Diyarbakir, the city of culture and history, the pearl of the East, has been a political center for the region’s Kurds since before the Ottoman Empire.The city has been considered vital during every historical period, as it set in the (upper Mesopotamia area between the Tigris and the Euphrates river), is considered to be one of the oldest cities on Earth. It was a natural point passage and a gateway between Asia Minor, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Throughout history, it has variously been called Amida,  Amid,  Kara-Amid,  Diyar-Bekr, Diyarbekir  and Diyarbakir. Archeological excavations in caves in the environs of Diyarbakir have found historical traces from Paleolithic and Neolithic times.

Save Hasankeyf-Stop the Ilisu dam

The 12,000-year-old settlement of Hasankeyf is located on the banks of the Tigris River in western  Turkey, not far from the border with Syria. The canyons of Hasankeyf are as old as the Earth and the caves that shape them are as old as the human being. The tremendous cultural and natural heritage of Mesopotamia is in great danger due to the construction of the Ilisu Dam on the Turkish stretch of the Tigris River.

Erbil: The Kurdish dream.

Erbil, the capital of the oil-endowed Kurdish Regional Government, in northern Iraq, has been transformed from a dismal, impoverished place to a cosmopolitan city. Its economy has boomed in recent years, attracting investors from all over and yielding a shiny international airport and other glistering facilities.

Bhutan: The art of hand made paper.

Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory, the handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National Heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages.

Sanliurfa: The Land of Prophets.

One of Turkey’s most historic civilization, is considered the forth religious city after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem,  known as Edessa in ancient times was famous for its artists, musicians, writers, poets and handicrafts men.

Goreme, Cappadocia's diamond.

The incredible moonscape landscape of Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys, troglodyte dwellings and impressive valleys isn’t replicated anywhere else in the world.The Cappadocia region is vast, covering about 100 square miles, but the four main towns where people stay are Urgup, Uchisar, Goreme and Avanos.

Cappadocia’s must-see attractions.

Cappadocia, the region which born from the ashes, is a magical place, enveloped in mystery and charm. Is well-known for its amazing moon-like landscape, secret underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks.

The Ascetics of Shiva

Shaivites, the followers of Shiva, the "divinely intoxicated madmen" represent the ideal image of Sadhu as created thousands of years ago. They are dealt by great reverence, mimic the most extreme features of the god, wander the Himalayas or the cremation sites, they occasionally participate in abominable rituals and smoke "chillum", Shiva's nectar, in abundance.

India is...incredible.

  by Eleni Grigoriadou

INDIA /HIMACHAL PRADESH /DHARAMSALA  Tibetan children in traditional ceremonial costume, celebrating the Congressional Gold Medal for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.The Tibetan institution based in Dharamsala presented an endless list of colourful, cultural song and dance.