Thoddoo is a local island in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives, distinguished by its unusually strong agricultural tradition. While coral reefs, beaches, and lagoons surround the island, much of its interior is covered by productive farmland, with watermelon, papaya, eggplant, chili, drumstick, breadfruit, and other crops cultivated for local consumption and markets. The island’s broad green interior sets it apart from many smaller Maldivian islands where available land is more limited.
Spello sits high on the slopes of Mount Subasio in the heart of Umbria, where visitors step into a place shaped by centuries of history. Each year, Spello’s streets become a living canvas during the Infiorate di Spello, a long-standing celebration tied to Corpus Christi. Residents work through the night before the feast to lay flower petals along the town’s main thoroughfares, creating patterns and images that stretch for over a mile.
Malang, located in East Java, Indonesia, is a city known for its cool highland climate, colonial architecture, and rich Javanese heritage. Nestled between volcanic peaks and fertile valleys, it has long been a retreat for travelers seeking both cultural depth and natural beauty.
In the heart of Oman lies Nizwa, a city once considered the country’s capital and a hub of learning and trade. Its iconic round fort, built in the 17th century, remains one of Oman’s most visited landmarks.
Photo Credit: Photo by Hisham Zayadneh on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Eyad SR7AN on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Hisham Zayadneh on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Matt Jones on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Hisham Zayadneh on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Hisham Zayadneh on Unsplash
Jerash is reached by a short drive (29 miles, 47km) north of Amman and is an ancient Graeco-Roman city, once known as Gerasa. It has been dubbed the 'Pompeii of the East', because of its extraordinary state of preservation. Jerash is a vast city, which flourished in the centuries immediately preceding and following the Christian era.
At the approach to the city, the visitor is greeted by the imposing triple-arched gateway, built to honour the Emperor Hadrian when he arrived there in 129A.D.
Jerash formed part of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities built by the Romans and dating from the first century B.C. Today, visitors may wander among the original temples, theatres, plazas, public baths and colonnaded streets complete with sculptures and fountains, all enclosed within the still-remaining city walls.
The great oval forum, once the centre of social activity within the city, is impressively well-preserved and is approached by means of the Street of Columns. The city's 14 churches with their beautiful mosaic decoration all date from the Byzantine era.
The annual Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is held for two weeks
every summer and is an important cultural event, featuring performing artists from all over the world. This event has international
recognition and is a source of great pride to the culturally-minded
people of Jordan. There is also a daily sound and light show in English French, German and Arabic.
Other Popular Destinations in Jordan
Amman
Situated near the Dead Sea, Amman is the capital of Jordan and a cultural and historical hub in the Middle East. Explore this sprawling city, replete with historic landmarks, museums, and mosques, and you’ll soon be enraptured by its blend of metropolitan and ancient beauty.
Petra
Tucked between Jordan's sandstone cliffs in the southwestern desert, Petra was carved directly into rose-colored rock more than 2,000 years ago. Visitors approaching through the narrow gorge known as the Siq are rewarded with their first glimpse of Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, a towering facade that seems to appear from another world.