When to Go: Pre-monsoon (March or April) gives you the rhododendrons in bloom and lots of climber action, but post-monsoon (November) gives you drier weather. Go with guide services that use local Sherpa guides, cooks, and porters—it’s part of the experience.
This is an absolute must see in Turkey and interesting fact, there is a heavy chain at the entrance on the west side for the ruler of the mosque who was the only one allowed to enter. It is a symbol of humbleness for a ruler in the face of the Divine.
I actually booked a trip here last August and had to cancel it for work (wait, what!?) so this is right at the top of my wish list for the next stamp in my passport. And it makes me wonder, do I get two stamps in my passport since half of Istanbul is in Asia and the other half Europe???
Arguably it is more beautiful from a distance lit up at night than it is in person - call me a philistine if you will, but from a rooftop bar with a Mythos in hand I found it more impressive!
Tel Aviv is a spice playground for cooks and at a cultural intersection to draws heavily from the diverse population. The Levinsky Market is a must stop on the shopping list.
This has gotten a lot of flack over the years but I'm kind of into it. Also kind of cool that this museum combines music and science fiction. And what other museum hosts exhibits about both Bing Crosby and Queensryche.