Banteay Srei Temple

A beautifully decorated pediment of the east gopura of the middle enclosure with a bas-relief depicting time monster Kaala.

Known for its exceptional beauty, intricate carvings, and fine workmanship, Banteay Srei is a gem among hundreds of temples that dot the Cambodian landscape. Located 16 miles northeast of Siem Reap, it is relatively a small temple complex containing multiple single-story structures. Unlike many other temples in Cambodia, it is not built like a temple-mountain.Dedicated to Shiva, the Banteay Srei Temple has some of the stunningly beautiful bas-reliefs that depict gods, demigods and scenarios based on the episodes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. The bas-reliefs, most of which adorn the pediments, are deeply cut and finely carved. Even after 1000 years, most of the sculptures and bas-reliefs have retained their original sharpness.

Mycenae

Carving of lions on the pediment of the Lion Gate in Peloponnese, Greece

Mycenae is the site where a mysterious late bronze-age civilization rose from nowhere around 1900 BCE, flourished mostly in the Peloponnese peninsula, and then disappeared suddenly around 1100 BCE. Whatever little we know about the Mycenaean civilization is fascinating.The Mycenaean were a loose confederation of city-states, each of which was ruled by a king. The center of the Mycenaean civilization was the city-state of Mycenae. According to a myth, Perseus, a son of Zeus and Danae, founded Mycenae. Mycenae was also the capital of legendary King Agamemnon, who defeated Troy. Homer refers to the Mycenaean people as Achaeans.

Olympia

Stadium with the race track where the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece

Olympia – The Birthplace of the Olympic Games Located on the Elis region of the Peloponnese peninsula,Olympia in ancient times was a sanctuary famous for starting the tradition of the Olympic Games. The first games were held in 776 BCE, and they were continued to be held every four years until the 4th century CE. … Read more

Delphi

Ruins of Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece

Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassos in central Greece, Delphi was best known for its oracle in ancient times. Ancient Greeks treated this site with great reverence as it overlooks a spectacular and awe-inspiring landscape. Delphi was unique in that it was not a city-state but a religious center that was administered by an … Read more

Athens

Ruins of Parthenon in Athens, Greece

A Modern City with a Glorious Past Known as the birthplace of democracy, Athens is a city with a long and glorious past, which started as early as 1400 BCE as an important center of the Mycenaean civilization. Athens is where western civilization took roots. At its heyday, Athens was the leader of the Greek city-states. … Read more

Crete

Bastion of the Bull at Knossos in Crete, Greece

Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Crete is the biggest island in the Aegean Sea. This is where the Minoan civilization, a mysterious culture that was well ahead of their time, thrived more than 4000 years ago. Crete has many archaeological sites belonging to the Minoan civilization, including palaces at the following … Read more

Greek Islands

Scenic Oia village of Santorini, Greece

The blue waters of the Aegean Sea are home to a large number of islands belonging to Greece.  Only 227 among them are inhabited. Each inhabited island has its own legend, history, and culture. Crete, which was home to the Minoan civilization, is the largest and Santorini is the most popular. Mykonos The island of Mykonos … Read more

Lima

Larcomar Shopping Center in Lima, Peru

Founded by the notorious Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the capital of Republic of Peru.  It is located on the Pacific coast and is the largest city in Peru.Lima is a melting pot of many cultures, including Spanish, indigenous and Asian cultures,  and it is reflected in its food as well. It is known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas.

Machu Picchu

A view of the citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru

Built at an elevation of 8000 feet on a mountain peak, the citadel at Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the modern world.  No visit to Peru is complete without a trip to Machu Picchu, which lies in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Cuzco region. Founded by the great Inca emperor Pachacuti around 1450 CE and abandoned in 100 years later, Machu Picchu is one of the few sites the Spanish never discovered and therefore was left intact without the plunder and destruction by the Spanish Conquistadors. It provides a glimpse into the great Inca civilization that prospered around the Andes mountains before the Spanish conquest.

Cusco

Urubamba - Sacred Valley of the Incas

Located in the Andes mountain range, the Cuzco region of Peru is one of the most spectacular places on our planet. The city of Cuzco is the capital of the Cuzco region and lies at an elevation of 11,200 ft. The Cuzco region also includes the scenic Urubamba Valley, which is known as the Sacred … Read more

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