High on a hill, dominating the sea, Loreto is a small city that lives solely for the "Santa Casa", one of the most famous and revered monuments of Christianity. According to tradition, it was the Virgin Mary's birth house, which up until that time was kept intact and venerated in Palestine, then flown by angels from Nazareth to the Adriatic Coast and set on a green hill of laurels on the night of December 10, 1294; hence the name Loreto.
Indulge your taste for romance, drink in the clear mountain air, walk through the world-famous bushland or just relax in front of a roaring log fire. Located less than two hour's drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer a natural wonderland of untamed bush, spectacular rock formations and native wildlife.
The Fann Mountains are a high mountain range in western Tajikistan, forming part of the Pamir-Alai system between the Zeravshan and Hisor ranges. The region is known for steep peaks, deep valleys, glaciers, alpine lakes, and juniper-covered slopes. Several summits rise above 5,000 meters, including Chimtarga, the highest peak in the Fann Mountains. The range is accessible from settlements such as Ayni and Panjakent and contains some of Tajikistan's most recognized mountain landscapes.
Taormina, with its hilltop location above the Ionian Sea, is easily one of Italy's most beautiful places. As it's packed with people in the summertime, recommended months to visit include April and September.
Lake Mburo National Park is a protected area in southwestern Uganda, situated between Kampala and the western highlands. It is centered on a chain of lakes and a landscape of rolling hills, open grassland, woodland, wetlands, and rocky outcrops. Lake Mburo is the largest of the park’s lakes and forms an important part of its ecosystem.
Photo Credit: Photo by Ahmet Demiroğlu on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Burak Oskay on Unsplash
Pergamum, or Bergama, was a Hellenistic city state that once rivaled Athens and Alexandria as a cultural center. It is the site of one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It became an important missionary center after the adoption of Christianity.
Pergamum is best known for its famous library, believed to have a capacity of 17,000 volumes at the height of its prosperity around 200 BC. The Egyptians banned the export of papyrus when they got word of the growing library. This led to the use of parchment, and the production of paged books.