…Sitting atop Torre degli Asinelli, 100m up in the air above a sea of red-tiled rooftops and a ubiquity of terracotta brick medieval buildings that radiate out in all directions, affords an impressive panorama over Bologna’s characteristic medieval scenery. Back
Esfahan – Naqsh-e Jahan Square and its architectural wonders
Iran, once the land of the ancient Persians, nowadays is home to a wealthy legacy of culture and history that has endured time and again through many turmoiled centuries. And Esfahan, or Isfahan as Westerners call it, once an imperial
Esfahan – Jameh Mosque, Armenian Quorter and Zayadeh Bridges
Over the years we have traveled far and wide, all over Europe, Northern, Central and Eastern Africa, South America, and Central and Easter Asia, but few places have had such a profound, deep and lasting impression on us as the
Transformative travel – if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you!
>> versiunea în Română ”I’d rather climb another Kilimanjaro, or swim across another Bosphorus, than speak in front of a large audience :))” was echoing in my mind as I was readying myself to step on stage and deliver my speech-ul
Călătorii transformaționale – dacă nu te provoacă, nu te transformă!
>> English version “Mi-ar fi mai ușor să urc încă un Kilimanjaro, sau să trec înot încă un Bosfor, decât să vorbesc în fața unui public numeros :))” îmi răsuna în minte pe când mă pregăteam să ies pe scenă și să-mi livrez
Qom and Kashan – traditional Persian architecture
Dawn found us walking up between fragrant herbs, under the majestic towering shape of Damavand, this time watching it from far distance. A perfectly clear day was commencing, so clear we could easily distinguish the white gas cloud venting off
Damavand – Day 4
Deep into the dark and silent night the unearthly ring of our alarm clock removed us from the coziness of our sleeping bags. The time had come to start our summit bid. Outside, the camp was silent, still asleep. Damavand‘s tall
Damavand – Day 3
Rest day. In contrast to the Himalayas, where our rest days at mid altitude are quite active (yes ~6000m is considered mid-altitude :P), moving about all day, climbing higher and descending, making the daily altitude gain much easier to digest,
Damavand – Day 2
Finally, we were actually starting to climb Mt.Damavand, Asia’s highest volcano with its straight-up paths enlivened by friendly local Iranians. Ascending from Camp 2 to Camp 3 is a good opportunity for becoming more familiar with climbing on a volcanic
Damavand – Day 1
Still under the spell of Damavand’s impressive silhouette, before we could start our ascent, we first needed to get our climbing permits. Turning in 10,000 rials banknotes depicting Mt.Damavand for equally beautiful permits showing pictures of the same mountain, we were ready