Madaba, Jordan Madaba is a town in west central Jordan situated on a highland plain 760 metres above sea level, 32 kilometres south of Amman. It is famous today in historical cartography for the Madaba …
Shobak Castle, Jordan Shobak Castle is the name given to the ruins of a Crusader castle perched on a rocky hill in the modern town of Shobak (or Shoubak) in Jordan. The hill was formerly …
Wadi Rum, Jordan Wadi Rum in southern Jordan is the largest wadi (valley) in the country. About 60 kilometres east of Aqaba, this valley in the Jordanian desert, where famously Lawrence of Arabia was filmed …
The Dead Sea The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. It is located 430.5 metres (1,412 feet) below sea level in the Jordan …
Amman, Jordan Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan. It is the seat of government and the city where the king resides, and among the most modernised Arab cities. Built on the rolling …
Highlights of Jordan | The Jerash Ruins Jerash in northern Jordan is noted for its well-preserved Roman ruins, one of the largest in the world. Located 48 kilometres (30 miles) north of the capital, Amman, …
Highlights of Jordan | Petra Petra (“Rock”), situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was once the capital of an ancient kingdom of the Nabateans that flourished during Greek and Roman times, its …
Highlights of Jordan | Mount Nebo Mount Nebo is the highest point of the Abarim mountain range that cuts across Jordan and which culminates in the Arabian desert in the south. Located in the historic …
Highlights of Iran | Isfahan Isfahan (also spelled Esfahan) is an essential stop on a trip to Iran. Located about 340 kilometers south of the capital of Iran, Tehran, Isfahan was capital of Persia in …
Highlights of Iran | Shiraz Shiraz is a city of over a million people located in the southern part of the Zagros mountains, in the province of Fars. Once a much larger region, its language, …
Highlights of Iran | Persepolis Persepolis was once the capital of an empire that ruled a territory that covered Egypt to India. It is one of the wonders of the ancient world. The Achaemenid Kings …
History of Mosques in Iran and Central Asia As we’ve written in our previous article, Elements of Mosque Architecture, the word “mosque” derives from the Arabic word “masjid” which means “a place of prostration”, referring to …
Elements of Mosque Architecture
- 8 mins read
Architecture, Blog, Europe, History, Iran, Middle East, Turkey
Elements of Mosque Architecture The word “mosque” derives from the Arabic word “masjid” (same word used in Persian, Urdu and Turkish) which means “a place of prostration”, referring to the salat, the daily ritual prayer where Muslims kneel …
Visiting Iran | Small group tours Iran Women visit a carpet store in Shiraz, Iran. Throughout history, Iran’s position in the centre of the famous Silk Road has seen it crisscrossed by travellers, traders and …
Beauty and Artistry in Iran: The Persian Garden and Persian Mosaic Tiles
- 8 mins read
Architecture, Art, Blog, History, Iran, Lists, Middle East
Guide to Persian Mosaics and Gardens | Small group tours Iran Beauty and artistry can be seen everywhere in Iran, and its philosophy and religious beliefs are reflected in the country’s public and private spaces. …
Ten books to read about Iran Throughout history, Iran’s position in the centre of the famous Silk Road has seen it crisscrossed by travellers, traders and armies. In more recent times, its rich oil resources …
History of Persian Carpets: From the Nomadic Tribes of Iran to Europe’s Richest | Small group tours Iran In addition to its gardens and mosaic tiles, Iran (formerly Persia) is famous the world over for …
Tehran Through Time | Small Group Tours Iran Tehran, Iran at the foot of the snow-capped Alborz Mountains. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution that toppled its monarchy and paved the way for an Islamic Republic …
Legacies of Persia’s Safavid Dynasty | Small group tours Iran Modern-day Iran is full of tiled architectural gems and of immense artistry, textiles and culture. But this is all thanks to its to the legacy …
Questions About Iran Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for mature-aged travellers, providing adventure and educational programs to small groups since 1983. Odyssey has built up a reasonable knowledge bank to answer questions about Iran …
Eight Amazing Rail Journeys: The Definitive Guide
- 3 mins read
Asia and the Orient, Blog, China, Europe, History, Iran, Italy, Middle East, Spain
Eight Amazing Rail Journeys This article details eight amazing rail journeys that you may wish to consider when planning your journeys. Humans have been travelling by sea since ancient times, but on land, humans were …