Recommend March 2011 - (Page 62)

exploring ANTIQuITy africa & the middle east travCOa Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Jordan. For hundreds of years, travelers have journeyed to Egypt, Israel and Jordan to experience first-hand the birthplace of Western civilization. Even in contemporary times, nothing has taken the sheen off its appeal of antiquity—not regional wars or political turmoil and certainly not the recent tumult in Egypt, which is once again ready to welcome eager travelers to its age-old treasures. I sergio ortiz In fact, for those who treasure antiquity, visiting Egypt, Jordan and Israel—three modern countries that can rightfully boast of being the cradle of Western civilization—is like stepping into an ancient, illuminated manuscript. Legendary and noteworthy spots are abundant within the borders of these countries, places that have enthralled historically minded travelers for centuries and sound like the roll call of historically significant sites. historic trio Among those history-rich spots that never fail to captivate, Cairo’s lMui’zz Ii-Dan Alla Street stands in a class by itself, reflecting the glory days when Cairo was unmatched in wealth, supremacy and allure. Flourishes from those bygone days are evident at practically every turn. The street was named after the commander who captured the city in 969 and named it al-Qahira. History lovers treading along its uneven paving stones will feel as if time has stood still for centuries. The street is a marvelous old ribbon full of tombs, fountains and minarets, epitomizing Cairo’s starring role in the Islamic world. 62 march 2011 When it comes to historical splendor, the Bab Zuweila Gate, rising at the southern end of the street, is among the most beautiful in a land known for beautiful marvels. Legendary Islamic scholar Taqui al-Din alMaqrizi, in his meticulous study of 15th century Cairo, wrote: ‘’People who have toured all the cities of the Orient tell me they have never seen a grander gate than Bab Zuweila.’’ That assertion still holds, even some 600 years after the fact. The gate’s beauty is best appreciated at twilight, when the harsh North African sunlight reflects off the minarets of the dominating nearby Sultan al-Muayyad mosque, built three centuries after the gate. On the other side of the coin, as far as more celebrated sites is concerned, is Jordan’s Petra, the imposing ancient trading city hidden away in the mountains between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It is one of those places where, for once, the hype preceding it is justifiable. Built in the seventh century B.C. by the Nabataeans, a Semitic tribe who monopolized the trading route between the Middle East and Africa, Petra flourished until the Romans conquered it and left it to decay in the sun-baked Jordanian wasteland. continued on page 64 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Disney Dream
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Baja Airventures
Central Gems of Japan
2011 Guide to Latin America
The Tastier Side of Central Japan
Ireland With Brian Moore International Tours
Exploring Antiquity: Egypt, Israel & Jordan
Sailing Into Antiquity on the Nile
Florida's Ever-Changing Hotel Landscape
Riding North America's Rails
Small Ships in the Old South
Turks & Caicos Keeps Expanding
St. Lucia—Beyond the Pitons

Recommend March 2011