World ExpeditionsBig Adventures. Small Footprint.https://assets.worldexpeditions.com/BlogWhere East Meets West: Popular summer destinations on the border between Europe & Asiahttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/4935/holiday-destinations-border-europe-asiaActivities,Trekking/Walking,Destinations,Central AsiaMon, 22 Nov 2021 17:34:27 GMT<p>There are few classroom example destinations where East meets West – where Europe meets Asia and we are here highlighting some of the best. Starting with Georgia, we have a few more countries to showcase. Keep on reading if you’re an active traveller and interested in summer hiking destinations that are on the border between Europe and Asia. </p> <h2>Georgia</h2> <p><img alt="Hiking to Ushguli in the Svaneti Valley | <i>Julie Haber</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1093052" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x9" largestloadedsize="950" src="/croppedImages/Yomads/Georgia/Ushguli_-Georgia-1093052-950px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Yomads/Georgia/Ushguli_-Georgia-1093052-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>A summer destination that is growing in popularity is Georgia. The country is packed full of ancient cultural traditions, lush valleys, vibrant small towns, and complex history. It’s one of those places that surprise and make you feel alive.</p> <p><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Georgia" target="_blank">Read more about Georgia</a></p> <div> </div> <h2>Turkey</h2> <p><img alt="A walker in Cappadocia | <i>Erin Williams</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1093053" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x9" largestloadedsize="950" src="/croppedImages/Europe/Turkey/A-walker-in-Cappadocia-1093053-950px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Europe/Turkey/A-walker-in-Cappadocia-1093053-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Next, we’ve got Turkey for you. It’s an incredibly diverse country with a lot to offer. We’ve admired the ancient ruins and magnificent architecture, dazzling natural beauty, world-class cuisine, one of the world's greatest cities (Istanbul is so alive) and a unique culture combining European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. And it's also safe, affordable and remarkably family friendly.</p> <p><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Turkey" target="_blank">Read more about Turkey</a></p> <div> </div> <h2>Armenia</h2> <p><img alt="UNESCO listed Geghard, a medieval monastery partially hewn from the mountain." class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1093054" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x9" largestloadedsize="950" src="/croppedImages/Central-Asia-_-Middle-East/Armenia/Geghard_Church-1832512-1093054-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Central-Asia-_-Middle-East/Armenia/Geghard_Church-1832512-1093054-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>We are finishing our list with Armenia, another one of those special countries at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Every traveller that has visited is captured by this small landlocked country. People often refer to it as an open air museum because of the thousands of monasteries and other historical monuments that are scattered around the country. But there’s so much more: deserts, woodlands & alpine regions; there are high mountain peaks and green valleys; canyons, waterfalls and mineral springs, not to forget a history of wine making that goes back thousands of years. </p> <p><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Armenia" target="_blank">Read more about Armenia</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>Have you been hiking in any of these destinations on the border between Europe and Asia? What were your experiences? Or why do you still like to go?</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>  </em></span></p> 4935Romance in the Ancient Persian Empire: Why This Makes for a Perfect Valentine's Gifthttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2291/valentines-day-romantic-ancient-persiaAdventure Travel,Destinations,Africa,Middle East,ActivitiesThu, 11 Feb 2016 17:40:30 GMT<p>Persian poets have created some of the world’s oldest literature and in two-and-a-half millennia the area that spans Iran, Iraq, the Caucasus and Turkey has served as the décor for love verses by poets such as Hafez, Rumi and Ferdowsi.</p> <p>This is why the countries of the former Persian Empire create the perfect setting for <a href="http://worldexpeditions.com/Iran/Adventure-Touring/Iran-to-Tbilisi-via-Armenia?utm_source=Blog%20post&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Blog%20traffic&utm_content=Romance%20in%20the%20Ancient%20Persian%20Empire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of our most romantic trips</a>. It goes from mystical Iran to the wonders of Mtskheta via other hidden gems in Georgia and Armenia travelling historical sites, scenic splendours and vibrant cultures…</p> <p> </p> <h2>Darband: Charming Cafes</h2> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Cafe-in-Darband-Tehran-c-mi.jpg"><img class="responsiveImageLimited" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Cafe-in-Darband-Tehran-c-mi.jpg" alt="A cafe in Darband in Tehran, Iran" width="640"></a></p> <p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>© mi)</em></span></p> <p>From Darband, meaning ‘gateway’ in Persian, it’s possible to take in the vastness of the Iranian capital’s sprawl.  This mountain area north of Tehran is famous fo the culinary delights that await you at the many cafes on the top of the hill. The area is very popular with local Iranians and Darband gets quite busy in the evenings when they gather for a sweet tea and <em>shisha</em>.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Jewellry Museum: Special Presents?</h2> <p>Did you know that in Tehran you can see the largest uncut diamond in the world? The National Jewellry Museum holds the best collection of its kind anywhere in the world. You might even get some inspiration for another very special Valentines Day present…</p> <p> </p> <h2>Alborz Mountains: Cherry Growing Village</h2> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Alborz-Mountains-in-Iran-c-ninara.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Alborz-Mountains-in-Iran-c-ninara-1024x543-200px.jpg" alt="The Alborz Mountains in Iran" width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Alborz-Mountains-in-Iran-c-ninara-1024x543-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a></p> <p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>© ninara</em></span></p> <p>The Alborz Mountains are home to the fabled Assassins Castles, one of which is located in the picturesque cherry growing village of Gazor Khan. The ancient mountain fortress above this charming village played a significant role in Persia's history.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Roodkhan Castle: Astounding Views</h2> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roodkhan-Castle-in-Ancien-Persian-Empire-c-ninara.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Roodkhan-Castle-in-Ancien-Persian-Empire-c-ninara-200px.jpg" alt="Roodkhan Castle in the ancient Persian Empire" width="850" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Roodkhan-Castle-in-Ancien-Persian-Empire-c-ninara-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a></p> <p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>© ninara</em></span></p> <p>Another romantic spot, also with a less pretty history, can be reached via a dense and spectacular jungle and pebble-studded stairs. With the beautifully preserved ancient brick and stone Roodkhan Castle and its unmissable views from the top it’s easy to imagine where the Persian poets got their inspiration.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Sareyn: Hot Springs with A View</h2> <p>After skirting the Caspian Sea there is the small hot springs resort of Sareyn. It is a fantastic place for an overnight as from here you can have mesmerising views of Mt Sabalan (4811 m) that sits on the plains above this Iranian village.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Areni: World's Oldest Wine</h2> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wine-in-Armenia-c-Zorah-Wines.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Wine-in-Armenia-c-Zorah-Wines-200px.jpg" alt="The oldest wine in the world is from Armenia" width="850" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Wine-in-Armenia-c-Zorah-Wines-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a></p> <p><em><span style="color: #999999;">© Zorah Wines</span></em></p> <p>Drive the serpentine road through Armenia’s deepest canyon to reach a family-owned winery in Areni, the country’s wine capital. This is also the site where world’s oldest wine-making facility is found. Although in the time of the ancient Persians, wine was probably rather used in burial ceremonies than to raise a glass on Valentines Day.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Lake Sevan: Pearl of Armenia</h2> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lake-Sevan-in-Armenia-c-Varmin1.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Lake-Sevan-in-Armenia-c-Varmin1-200px.jpg" alt="Lake Sevan in Armenia" width="850" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Lake-Sevan-in-Armenia-c-Varmin1-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a></p> <p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>© Varmin1</em></span></p> <p>Lake Sevan is also called ‘Pearl of Armenia’ and at 1900 meters it is one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world. If lucky, you may even witness the waters of the lake changing colours!</p> <p> </p> <p>Imagine taking in all these sights and being on this epic journey in the ancient Persian Empire from <a href="http://worldexpeditions.com/Iran/Adventure-Touring/Iran-to-Tbilisi-via-Armenia?utm_source=Blog%20post&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Blog%20traffic&utm_content=Romance%20in%20the%20Ancient%20Persian%20Empire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran to Tbilisi via Armenia</a> with your loved one. Our next guaranteed departure is in April and you can get in touch with one of our teams for bookings or more information.</p> 2291