From the Medina of Tetouan World Heritage inscription: Tétouan was of particular importance in the Islamic period, from the 8th century onwards, since it served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish. This is well …
From the Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville World Heritage inscription for the Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville: Together, the Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias as a series, form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. They perfectly epitomize the Spanish “Golden Age”, incorporating vestiges of Islamic …
This week’s guest is Alison Bing of Lonely Planet. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
From the Historic Center of Cordoba World Heritage inscription for the Historic Center of Cordoba: Cordoba’s period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings were built to rival the splendors of Constantinople, Damascus, and Baghdad. In the 13th century, under …
I have spent well over 1,000 nights in hotel rooms since 2007. You could say I’ve become a minor expert on the subject of hotel accommodations. Many of the things I look for in a room are not the things that most hoteliers seems to care about. There seems to be an obsession amongst some …
From the World Heritage inscription for Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada: Unique artistic creations, the Alhambra and the Generalife of Granada bear exceptional testimony to Muslim Spain of the 16th century. They form an exceptional example of royal Arab residences of the medieval period: neither destroyed nor changed by the alterations of radical restorations, the …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza: The examples of architectural and urban design in Úbeda and Baeza were instrumental in introducing to Spain of Italian Renaissance design criteria but had their origins in the Islamic period. The exceptional feature of this cities lies on the fact that …
From the World Heritage inscription: Sian Ka’an is situated on the eastern side of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo. Where possible, boundaries were defined to coincide with natural features: the site is bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the barrier reef to a depth of 50 m in the east; by …
I’ve been extremely fortunate traveling. In over five years traveling in over 100 countries, I have never been robbed, mugged or even had anything stolen in my hotel room. Cross my fingers, I’ll be able to keep this streak going indefinitely. That being said, I try not to do anything that will get me in …