The art of slow travel – why is it worth to take a breath?

The art of slow travel – why is it worth to take a breath?

7 in the morning. You wake up on a sudden alarm, thinking where you are, and why so early. Oh, yes, you are on holiday! A quick shower and you run downstairs to grab some breakfast. No time for coffee, you will grab Starbucks, though there is so much to do today. Museums, instagrammable spots, and the famous Modern Art Gallery. Not that the art is something you like, but it’s in the top X places to see, so what will you tell your friends? Most of the time you use Uber, there is no time to walk, the schedule is really tight. You come back to your hotel in the evening, completely tired. Lying in bed, you start to think how nice would it be to go back home, to rest a bit from this holiday. 

“I need a vacation after this vacation” – who never said that, cast the first stone. Before, I thought that exhausting traveling is a standard. Though I am a traveler but not a random tourist, staying in all-inclusive hotels. Today I know it’s not about forcing myself to get to another ‘must-see,’ ‘must-do’ or ‘not to miss.’ 

Usually, at the beginning of any adventure with traveling, we intend to collect as many experiences as we can. The first foreign country you have visited amazed you the most, so you wanted to see as much as you could in a short period. But the thirty-first visited place adds less new moments to your life. I have seen so many beautiful beaches, in the Maldives, Madagascar or Zanzibar. The next turquoise water and white sand paradise will still make me feel happy but will not amaze me anymore as it did a few years ago.

Sometimes when you are running from one place to another, you feel suddenly more connected to the spot. Thinking: I love this place, I wish I could stay here for a week. But there is already the next plan in your schedule. So what if we delete some of them and decide to live a beautiful moment? There comes the idea of slow traveling.

What does actually ‘slow travel’ mean? 

Slow travel is the opposite of the busy, sometimes stressful way of traveling. Skipping some must-sees to benefit from things we are really interested in. Immersing more into the culture, taking time to experience the place. Going out of the tourist bubble by connecting with people, local culture, food, and music. Making conscious choices. Prioritizing quality over quantity.

Slow travel is more staying in cottages or Airbnb’s rather than hotels. It’s sometimes cooking your lunch at home, going to the local bazaar, and discovering small places around. Exploring without the pressure of “leaving tomorrow.” Enjoying the moment much more and being wherever you want to be.

My slow travel journey – when did I decide to take a breath? 

Not that long time ago, I was really proud of my super busy schedule. I used to consider visiting 5 cities in 10 days as my travel achievement. Packing and unpacking, moving from a hotel to another, checking the place superficially, and moving to another one. There was never an opportunity to know the area deeply. My lifestyle of a flight attendant also had an influence. Sometimes I had only 24 hours to rest after a flight, have a drink with colleagues, do some shopping and go sightseeing. Usually, I had to compromise it with sleeping, so often, I come back home tired. At some point, I felt that my free time must look different, and I needed to relax. 

Why is it worth trying? 

  • Slow travel can be less exhausting for the environment. Though if you have more time you can move by bike or boat, walk or just stay in one place.
  • Fast travel is costly. Less time pushes you to take cabs, choose expensive hotels in the city center instead of a vibrant neighborhood. 
  • You become more relaxed, so the quality of your journey and life will rise.
  • Connections with people are deeper. Friendships can last longer as you have time to get to know people better.
  • You can discover and see things you could never know about when you travel fast. Noticing a small next-door bakery with delicious and fresh bread in the morning. Or a little local cafe in the neighborhood. You have a chance to discover a shortcut to your temporary home, and you start to say hello to your neighbors. 


Everything starts from small steps. How to embrace the slow travel mode? My tips:

  1. Slow travel can start from your home too. Do you remember that small cafe you always wanted to visit? Or the art gallery which you always pass by but never have time to come in? Taking a trip outside of the city to enjoy nature? 
  2. Do research before you travel. Ask people around how many days is enough to stay in that particular place – and double the time. The more you know before you go somewhere, the more you will blend into the culture, and you will spend less time to get used to it. Make the list of things that you really want to see and the ones you can skip with no regrets. Be selective! I love as well to check Youtube and Netflix if there are interesting documentaries about any place. You will notice much more if you have an idea about the history of the country or the culture you deal with. Get some knowledge about Che Guevara before going to Cuba. Watch a movie about Hinduism before coming to India. Read a book about the history of slavery before you visit Jamaica. 
  3. Walk. Walk rather than taking a taxi or uber. You will discover so many places on the way. Or take a subway. I remember my time in Tokyo when I saw two old and cute ladies traveling casually in kimonos. That was a perfect opportunity to see the local raw culture. Travel slow – take a car, bus, or boat. You will not miss a small village, beautiful view, conversation with locals, or a small stall with fresh fruits on the way.
  4. No more FOMO. Never feel guilty that you missed out on something. Who said that you will never go back? You can’t see everything in this world. Instead, live in a moment and relax. It’s ok to come back to the same spot! There are many places which I have visited, and I feel that it’s enough. But some of them I can come back over and over again. I’m never enough of Andalucia in Spain or Chefchouaen in Morroco.
  5. Don’t waste the day – wake up early. Start with a good breakfast or sports to feel energetic for a full day. 
  6. Celebrate the unexpected. Delayed trains or missed connections create new opportunities, new ways, and new adventures.
  7. Choose the place with the character. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling on a low budget or you can spend more. If you plan a city break, search for a loft or traditionally decorated apartment. You can stay with a conventional family that cooks regional meals. While going for a tropical trip, search for a beautiful beach hut. Make an effort and try to find cute small boutique hotels rather than expensive chains. Don’t be afraid of hostels. We live in amazing times when staying in a hostel doesn’t mean staying in a cheap and dirty room with 10 strangers. I go for nicely designed boutique places, or hostels with the best vibe to mix with people who share a similar mindset as mine.
Slow travel in Cuba
I stayed in Cuba in less popular neighborhood, but thanks to it all my neighbors were locals.

8. Don’t follow the guidebooks blindly. Do what the locals do. I’m still a big fan of Lonely Planet, but let’s face it – the moment when the restaurant or ‘best-kept secret’ lands in there, it will already be changed. It will become crowded and, most likely, a commercialized place.
9. Take the risk and travel during the offseason. The places are less crowded and cheaper. It’s easier to be spontaneous, and you don’t have to book everything in advance. 
10. Disconnect yourself sometimes from the world. Switch off your phone, and don’t do drama over a poor wifi connection. Even if You can’t do a full digital detox, give it a try for one afternoon. And if you are in a group, try to go out for dinner without smartphones. At first, it might feel weird, but then you will enjoy deep conversation without posting your dinner on your instastory 🙂 
11. Make a theme for your travel. Adjust it to your hobby. I love photography, and my Bali trip was all about shooting. If you like food, take cooking classes, visit local markets. If you love nature and sports, choose active travel. Party lover? Go for a festival or find a unique event around. Take classes or volunteer if you want to learn something new. Traveling is a pleasure, not an obligation. Don’t choose the places, because they look great on the picture, but they will make a great memory for you. 
12. You don’t have to plan your trip entirely, day by day. Plan arrival and leave a few days for spontaneity. Maybe you will fall in love in a small village on the way, or the vibe of the hotel, and decide to stay a couple of days more. Leave some time for the magic of the unexpected. 

13. Don’t give up on your daily routines. If you are into meditation, keep doing it while traveling. You might discover the whole new meaning for you. Drinking a smoothie every morning? Find local versions of it. Look for a gym, and don’t forget to take your book to the beach if you are a bookworm. 
14. Don’t seek to stay only with tourists. Though you don’t need to leave your country if you want to meet people from there. Use websites like Airbnb Experiences. They help you to find a local to show you around. You can as well try couchsurfing.org to meet someone for a coffee and spend the afternoon with. Ask people – not only locals but expats living there for a while. And if you have an invitation from a local family to their house, don’t miss the opportunity. 
15. Sit and observe. Be at the place. Find a busy square, take a snack, and watch it like a cinema movie. Relax at cafes and parks. Imagine you live there for a while. 
16. Try to shop locally, supporting the local community. You can discover unique stuff and bring something more original than a cheap souvenir made in China. Take a walk to the fresh local market or a small grocery store. 

local bazar Madagascar
Local bazaars are the best opportunity to watch everyday life.

17. Search for local events and activities. Maybe a small movie festival or a local rock music event? 
18. Choose alternative travel destinations. Take off beaten paths. 
19. Don’t forget your experience. After you go back home, stay in touch with amazing people you met on your way. Bring new tastes and lifestyle into your life. Research more about the things which made you interested. Though:

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

Slow Travel - Tanzania
My tiny local guide in Tanzania 🙂

Slow travel is not for everyone, and it doesn’t have to happen every time you take a journey. But it’s getting popular as a remedy for a fast lifestyle. Remember, there is no correct or wrong way of traveling. It depends on you and how you will make it right for you.

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Kathmandu in 3 days. Main attractions of this backpackers paradise.

Kathmandu in 3 days. Main attractions of this backpackers paradise.

Formerly known as Kantipur, Kathmandu city enchants its diversity. The diversity of cultures, religions, people, and landscapes. Treated sometimes only as a base to set off in the Himalayas, deserves to stay a couple of days to explore.

Kathmandu in 3 days – what to see and do?

Kathmandu - Darbur Square
Durbar Square

DAY 1- Dive into Thamel district

  • Thamel is the first backpacker’s choice and the best place to stay in Kathmandu. And even if your hotel is somewhere else, you can’t miss it for shopping and a fantastic vibe. For me, it was a perfect place to start my Nepalese adventure. I dare to say that you can come to Nepal naked, and it’s totally fine – Thamel has everything you need to complete your journey in style. From trekking gear, through pashmina (Nepalese cashmere) to ayurvedic cosmetics and great food. When you get there, you will be struck by the noise of the city, speeding scooters from every possible direction, colorful shop expositions, and the smell of incense from the roadside temples. Spend a couple of hours enjoying this bustling city district, and don’t forget to try out one of the famous Momos (traditional Nepalese dumpling) places. 
Kathmandu - Thamel
Thamel
  • Garden of Dreams – after busy Thamel, this place is like an oasis. Once you pass through the gate, you will feel like Alice in Wonderland. However, instead of a rabbit, you will find there super friendly chipmunks, waiting for you to feed them. This place is a beautiful neo-classical garden, built in the 1920s, in the style of English estates (Kathmandu was never conquered, so it’s just a copy). Bring a book, or yoga mat so you can enjoy the serenity. And if you feel still hungry, there is an excellent cafe and a bar. 
  • Try Thamel’s nightlife – I would not expect that before my trip, but yes – Kathmandu’s nightlife is pretty much exciting. Maybe I’m not talking about nightclubs (however you can find them too), but cozy bars filled with backpackers and live music. My favorite one is Sam’s bar – a mix of locals, trekkers, and backpackers.


DAY 2 – Old Kathmandu and Durbar square 

  • Durbar Square – the complex of beautiful temples, palaces and shrines, both Hindu and Buddhist. World Heritage Site of UNESCO, and for sure must see in Kathmandu. Even if you have just a couple of hours, surely you should consider visiting Durbar Square. This is the place where the kings of Nepal were crowned and used to live until the 20th century. The area is made of two sub-areas. The map of Durbar Square shows over 40 places to see, so it takes a couple of hours to mingle around them, especially that you can look at everyday life at the same time. And if you are lucky enough, you might take part in one of the many festivals.
Durbar Square
Durbar Square

Sadly, Durbar Square was severely damaged during the 2015 earthquake. Many temples were destroyed entirely, but slowly the situation improves, and the monuments are being rebuilt. That’s why you can see constructions around the place.

My favorite place in Durbar square was Kumari-Ghar, which is a home of the Hindu and Buddhist living goddess. Nepalese believe that the goddess called Taleju incarnates to a small girl’s body. A child must meet specific criteria to be selected, and she remains Kumari until her first menstruation. I was lucky enough to see her, but I couldn’t take a picture. As a typical westerner, of course, I thought that this poor girl should go and play with other kids instead of doing her ‘goddess’ duties.

  • Old City and Freak street
    The old city of Katmandu is a labyrinth of tiny streets with hidden temples. If you are there, don’t miss a cozy square with Kathesimbhu Stupa, less popular and crowded than Durbar Square, but worth to see. You might hear about Freak Street, located close to Durbar Square. Its name refers to the famous hippie trail in the 1960s and 1970s, as it was one of its final Asian stops. The place is not anymore like it used to be, but as the hippie in heart, I had to see it by myself, so you can consider it too. 
Kathmandu - Freak Street
  • Check Mandala workshop
    Mandala is a spiritual and ritual figure in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. An image full of symbolism, which helps with meditation and carries a mystical journey. Even if you don’t want to buy one for you, it’s such an essential part of Nepalese culture. It is very interesting to learn the basics about the meaning and types of mandalas. There are plenty of workshops around the old city. 
Mandala Workshop
Monkey Temple
  • Enjoy the sunset at Monkey Temple
    Known as well as Swayambhunath Stupa, but I dare you to pronounce it 🙂 Surrounded by hundreds of (not necessarily) friendly monkeys, it’s a great place to spend the afternoon. This sacred stupa is also a UNESCO heritage site. The temple is placed on the top of the hill so you can admire a fantastic view of the Kathmandu city. There are two ways to get there. I recommend starting from the staircase way, leading directly to the main platform of the temple. The view is worth climbing 318 stairs. To enjoy the sunset, you can go to the rooftop cafe hidden behind the main temple and square. You can as well spend some time in front of the monastery, watching young monks playing football. 
    To get there, take a taxi from the city, it cost around 500 rupees.

DAY 3 – go outside of the city 

  • Bakhtapur UNESCO city
    Well preserved and partially restored after the 2015 earthquake, Bakthapur city is worth seeing while you are in Kathmandu. The town was on the way of the old trade route from India to Tibet. The main attractions are divided into three different squares – Dhurbar, Taumadhi Tole, and Potter’s Square. Don’t miss spectacular Nayatapola Temple, as its the tallest building in the Kathmandu valley. Another must-do in Bakhtapur is trying their traditional dessert, famous especially here, called juju dhau. It’s kind of sweetened and spiced yogurt, served in most of the restaurants around. This medieval city is also known for its pottery production. You can find little, traditional manufacturers and pottery drying in the sun of Potter’s Square. To get there, take a taxi (around 800 rupees) or a bus from Kathmandu. The entrance fee: 1500 rps.
Bakhrapur city
  • Bodhnath Stupa
    On your way back to Kathmandu, you can stop by the largest stupa in Asia. It’s a place visited daily by thousands of pilgrims from the whole continent. The best way to meet the Tibetan Buddist culture and watch its religious rituals. The square is surrounded by small monasteries, workshops producing butter lamps, and other accessories. Don’t be surprised by Westerners wearing maroon robes – the monasteries here are open for foreign students, so if you are interested in exploring the secrets of Buddhist knowledge, this is the place for you. The stupa by itself is stunning, and the atmosphere with the crowd circulating around it is intriguing. The round square’s buildings remind me of European city architecture, but with the touch of Asian vibe. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, visiting colorful monasteries, checking the shops, and sipping coffee on one of the rooftop cafes next to the stupa. Entrance fee: 400 rps.
Bodhnath Stupa

*My tips: where to eat in Kathmandu? Recommended restaurants.

  • Langling restaurant – a family business, famous for momos and thenthuk – Nepalese broth with traditional noodles.
  • Momos Hut – a paradise for momos lovers. Dumplings of every kind, I recommend trying their vegetarian version with cheese. And don’t forget to order a dessert – momos with chocolate. It was soooo good that we came back again.
  • Gaya restaurant – located in a side street, super nice place for breakfast or dinner.  

Madagascar – paradise of Nosy Be. Things to do on the island and around

Madagascar – paradise of Nosy Be. Things to do on the island and around

Nosy Be – called the busiest and the most touristic part of Madagascar, still not as crowded as the islands of Thailand or Zanzibar. Nosy Be literally means Big Island, as it is the biggest one among hundreds of small archipelagos surrounding Le Grand Terre – the main island of Madagascar.

 

The best things to do in Nosy Be and the neighbouring area 

 

Visit the most beautiful beach on the island

Andilana is located on the north-west coast of Nosy Be and it is definitely its most beautiful beach, easy accessible by scooter or tuk-tuk. There is one big bar&restaurant just at the entrance and you can find another small place to eat between souvenir shops. Sunday is a popular day for local picnics so you can also find some food stalls. Don’t be fooled by the guy sitting right next to the parking — trying to charge you for the entrance to the beach – just tell him you are going to the restaurant. And just to let you know – Andilana beach is still nothing to compare to the beaches on the islands surrounding Nosy Be so your next ‘must do’ is to…

 

…discover the neighbouring Islands

The best advantage of Nosy Be is the fact that it’s a perfect base to see paradise neighbouring islands. You can do it as a daily excursion or stay overnight in some of them.

Nosy Iranja – the most beautiful and idyllic beach close to Nosy Be. There are actually two islands connected together during the day with the sand strip (due to the tides it disappears at night). It’s really a ‘must see’ while you are in Nosy Be. You can go there as a daily excursion from Nosy Be (1.5 hour by boat) but I highly recommend staying there for one night. The island becomes so peaceful and quiet after 3 pm, when daily trip boats leave with most of the tourists. You can use this time to visit nearby village, discover the view point or enjoy the night on the beach.

There are two hotels in Nosy Iranja. One is called Le Zahir de L’ile and is located right on the main beach. The night there cost 240 Euro and includes 3 meals per day. More adventurous and budget friendly is the hotel located on another beach, behind the football field. There are very simple and tiny huts just in front of the sea and the cost is around 20 Euro per night.

 

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Nosy Sakatia – if you want to swim with the turtles or stay in a quiet resort on beautiful remote island, that’s the perfect spot.
Nosy Tanikely – a very small island, popular place for snorkeling. There are no hotels and restaurants there, but you can go to the top of the lighthouse and check stunning view. Don’t forget to look around on the way there, I noticed few creatures including a lemur family.
Nosy Komba – a good place to see friendly lemurs, there are a few accommodation options there. The island does not have electricity, so eco friendly hotels run on solar power.

Watch the wildlife in Lokobe Natural Reserve

If you want to see the lemur in its natural environment, Lokobe is a perfect place to spot them. The natural reserve is a home for black lemur and few other species. There are also tiny chameleons (the smallest in the world – around 1 cm big), owls, boa constrictors, many birds and plants such as ylang-ylang or vanilla. You have to have a guide to visit reserve – you can find them at the entrance or buy a package tour (around 90 000 Ar per person).

Try diving

Madagascar is a paradise for snorkeling and diving. There are many schools around – we tried Oceans Dream in Ambatoloaka. The best spots are around Nosi Tanikely, Iranja and Sakatia.

Visit waterfalls

Skipped by many guides, deserve your attention if you are in Nosy Be for a few days. Beautiful place, away from crowds. To get there turn right around halfway between Helle Ville and Ambatoloaka. Ask locals about “La Cascade” and follow the signs. If you are lucky local kids will do the show for you and jump to the water. The mosquito repellent is a must.

 

Dojazd: skręć w małą drogę po prawej stronie, mniej więcej w połowie pomiędzy Helle Ville i Ambatoloaka. Spytaj lokalesów o “La Cascade” i podążaj za znakami na niewielkiej polnej drodze.

Mont Passot

The highest point of Nosy Be, great for sunset or admiring the view and crater lakes on the way there. Google maps show you two ways to get there. Don’t go thorough Dzamandzar as the road is almost impossible to pass, even by 4×4. Take the one going from Helle Ville.

Take part in local life – Helle Ville and Dzamandzar

Helle Ville is such a busy and vibrant city – mix of travellers, locals or foreigners who decided to stay in Madagascar. And all of this closed in bursting every day life, mainly centred around the port and main streets close to the market. This capitol of Nosy Be has little colonial charm which reminds me a bit of Stone Town in Zanzibar.

 

 

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Dzamandzar is a small village on the west coast, half way to the north of the island (on the way to Andilana beach). It’s known for Malagasy boxing competition called Moaringy which is an amazing experience to see if you are around. Just ask the locals about it and for less than 1$ for entrance you will enjoy your afternoon in Malagasi way.

Sacred Banyan tree

Not very far from Helle Ville, behind the small village called Mahatsinjo there is a huge and stunning Sacred Banyan Tree. It was planted by the Queen of one of the tribes in 1836 and has grown its roots to the size of 5000 sqm. As it’s a place of ancestors and nature worship, you have to remove your shoes and cover your legs with sarong provided by the guide. And if you need a quiet and magical spot for meditation this is the place to be.

Have an island tour on quad or scooter

Nosy Be is a perfect island to discover on a quad or a scooter. It’s not very big so you can do the tour around the island within one day. The roads are slightly better than The Big Land and it’s easy to find rental places. Prices depend on the rental period and your bargaining skills (scooter around 10 Euro per day, 4×4 around 40 Euro).

The beauty of Burning Man closed in Renwick Washington Gallery [PICTURES]

The beauty of Burning Man closed in Renwick Washington Gallery [PICTURES]

It`s very difficult to present the beauty and the atmosphere of Burning Man away from its natural place. Though it`s not only art but also nature, the people, and relations between them. Combining all of them makes this incredible experience very hard to reconstruct. All 5 senses are moved at the same time.

I was very curious how is it going to look like when the tiny piece of Burning Man will be transferred to a closed building, right in the middle of the city. Surprisingly, it kept the spirit of it and became little representation of the big miracle which happens every year in the Black Rock desert.

 

Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery
Burning Man Renwick Gallery

Practical information:

March 30, 2018 – January 21, 2019
Renwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW)
Open Daily 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Free entrance

 

Inspired by Burning Man? Check this out:

Burning Man by night – 30 pictures that will encourage you to stay awake

Let there be colours – Burning Man

What to do in Amman? A list of 6 things you cannot miss.

What to do in Amman? A list of 6 things you cannot miss.

Shortly after leaving the airport we can notice the Middle Eastern ambience of the capital of Jordan. However, this is a different atmosphere than in Dubai or Muscat. The real one, unpolluted by too many tourists. There is a mix of new and old Jordan, as Amman was inhabited by not only Arabs, but also Romans, Turks and a few other warrior tribes.

 

 

What to do in Amman? Major attractions of the capital of Jordan.

 

1. Admire the panorama of the city from the hill of the citadel

The highest hill of Amman was inhabited already in ancient times, which you can see with your own eyes visiting a cave and an archaeological museum located in the same place. Next to them are the ruins of the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace. However, the biggest advantage of this place, is the amazing panorama with a 360 ° view of the entire city.

Admission: 3JD. The opening hours depend on the season. However, it is closed quite early (in summer it’s open to 6.30 p.m).

 

what to do in amman

2. Roman amphitheater.

It was built in the second century, hewn in the hillside and restored in 1957. It is still used by the city as a place of events, accommodating up to 6,000 spectators. The square in front of the amphitheater (New Hashemite Square) is also a popular meeting place for Jordanians, so it is worth stopping for a moment and observing everyday local life. You can go to the amphitheater right after the citadel – it’s only a 15 min walk down the hill.

3. Meze and Arabic cuisine

The cuisine of the Middle East, especially Jordan and Lebanon is a very healthy cuisine, rich in fresh vegetables. Meze is the equivalent of Spanish tapas, or small snacks. The most popular are hummus, falafel (chickpea chops), kebbeh (meat and bulgur groats), tabbouleh and fattoush salad and muttabal (mixed eggplant with spices). One of my favourite dishes in the Middle Eastern cuisine is fatteh, i.e. baked pieces of lamb or other meat and aubergine, poured with thick yogurt served with pine nuts and baked, crunchy bread pita on the top. The traditional alcohol in the Levant countries is arak.

 

Being in the city centre, it is worth visiting the local well-known restaurant Hashem Falafel to try the local cuisine. This very modest place, which was founded in 1952, hosted members of the royal family and diplomats. You usually have to wait a moment for a table.

 

4. Shopping in the city center

The center of Amman is full of vibrant shops with perfumes, spices, antiques and souvenirs. Turning into one of the side streets you will find traditional bazaars. It is worth looking even only for the atmosphere, especially after dark. The oldest of them is the souk Al-Bukharieh, where you can feel the real Arabian ambience of this place. In the very center there is also one of the most-known mosques – Al-Husseini (admission only for Muslims).

4. Kunafa and Arabic sweets

I have already written about Arabic cuisine, however desserts should have their own separate position. Although they have nothing to do with diet, because they they are soaked in sugar (literally!), they deserve at least one cheat day. The most famous of them – knafeh, made of cheese (ricotta, yellow or goat), covered with pastry, pistachios and poured with rose syrup – served hot. There is a large choice of other Arab sweets, called baklava.

It is said that you cannot visit Amman without visiting the most famous pastry restaurant in the city – Habibah Sweets. And all this for about $ 2 for dessert.

 

5. Rainbow street

It’s the most famous street for both – residents and tourists, with popular and vibrant pubs and cafes. There are also some worth visiting shops. When searching for a place for a drink, it is worth turning into side streets as well. We found Books @ Cafe – a pub and restaurant with a view of the city skyline and a bookstore in one.

Amman during ramadan

Although Jordan is not that strict and conservative country as Saudi Arabia, during ramadan you may encounter some difficultiesRestaurants usually open after sunset, most of them do not serve alcohol at this time (does not apply to restaurants in the hotels). Some hotels use Ramadan time to carry out renovations, so it may turn out that the swimming pool is closed at this time.