Volar Travels

27/01/2023

16/01/2023

23/12/2022

Set amidst the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen – also known as the blue city is a small town in a huge landscape. Amongst all the Morocco cities to visit, this one is popular for solo travelling and exploring the town’s famous blue and white painted houses.

The people are also super friendly, so you will surely get to revel in some sweet hospitality here that makes this one of the top places to visit in Morocco. Don’t forget to check out the secluded and quiet Ras El Maa, one of the most fascinating and secret places to visit in Morocco.

How To Reach: To reach here take a flight from Marrakech to either Tangier, Tetouan, Fes, or if you must, Casablanca. From airport take a taxi to the CTM bus station
Visit For: Shopping handicrafts and best Morocco souvenirs.
Tourist Attractions: Kasbah

Things To Do: Go for hiking and wild swimming in the surrounding countryside Enjoy a drink amidst the architecture of the Outa el Hammam square Soak in the fascinating waterfalls of Ras El Maa

22/12/2022

Essaouira is one of the top Morocco tourist attractions. And not just because it’s a great city to get away from the heat and monotony of the big city’s lifestyle, but also because it’s the place where season three of Game of Thrones was shot!

What makes it more popular is that back in the 60’s, this seaside town was a popular beach hangout for celebrities like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. You never know, you might just end up meeting your favourite celeb on your visit to Essaouira! If not, do not miss the Gnaoua, one of the most vivid beach festivals in the world.

How To Reach: You can reach Essaouira by bus since there is no train station
Visit For: Your Love For Game Of Thrones And Beaches
Tourist Attractions: Essaouira Citadel

Things To Do: Stroll through the medina or wander along the wall to take in gorgeous views of the Atlantic ocean Explore the ramparts Go for horse riding, or windsurfing and kitesurfing If possible, attend the Gnaoua World Music Festival

21/12/2022

Being North Africa’s highest mountain range, High Atlas is popularly known as the mountain of mountains. This place is a paradise for trekkers, especially from spring to autumn. It runs diagonally across Morocco for approximately 1000 km, and its saw-toothed Jurassic peaks act as a weather barrier.

Out of all the best places to visit in Morocco, this one is so beautiful that it will take your breath away! Get your hiking shoes out and set off on a journey you’ll remember for life!

How To Reach: Take a bus or taxi to reach here.
Visit For: The love of mountains and trekking.
Tourist Attractions: Jebel Toubkal

Things To Do: Go for a hiking trail in the Toubkal National Park Explore the souvenir shops and restaurants in Imlil Enjoy spectacular views from the Tizi n’Test Pass

20/12/2022

Situated on Morocco’s North Atlantic coast, seaside Asilah is popular amongst the tourists and citizens as a hot summer spot. Apart from the sandy beaches, the city walls covered in colorful murals also make this city one of the top Morocco places to visit! This is one of the awesome reasons why a honeymoon trip to Morocco should be on your bucket list!

If you are here during August, don’t forget to attend the town’s vibrant annual Arts Festival which makes it every youngster’s favourite city in Morocco during this time!

How To Reach: Asilah is located on the rail line linking Tangier to Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Meknes, and Fez. Board train from any of the mentioned places to reach here.
Visit For: Enjoying some respite from the heat.
Tourist Attractions: Paradise Beach

Things To Do: Shop in the little souk Head to Restaurant Oceano Casa Pepe for a fancy lunch Visit Aplanos, the famous art gallery

19/12/2022

Despite its old age and architecture, Meknes makes its way to the list of the top best places to visit in Morocco. It is located in the north of Morocco, and is a 9th-century medina and also one of the country’s previous capitals.

On your visit here, while you might feel that it’s not as fine as the other cities to visit in Morocco, but the royal palace and other major historical sites are an ideal stop to learn about Morocco’s culture. Don’t forget to visit its charming attractions that make it so popular among tourists looking for exotic Arabian experiences.

How To Reach: Board a local train or hire a taxi to reach Meknes comfortably.
Visit For: Exploring the major historical sites like Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Bab Mansour, Dar Jamai Museum, etc.
Tourist Attractions: Roman ruins of Volubilis

Things To Do: Take a day trip to the hilltop pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss Visit the Dar Jamai Museum to learn about Morocco’s architecture Capture pictures of the magnificent Bab Mansour Gate

16/12/2022

The ancient Hippodrome was begun by Septimius Severus in CE 203 and completed by Constantine the Great in CE 330.

This was the center of Byzantine public life and the scene of splendid games and chariot races but also factional conflicts.

Today, there isn't much of the Hippodrome left to see, except for a small section of the gallery walls on the southern side, but the At Meydanı (park), which now stands on the site is home to a variety of monuments.

On the northwest side is a fountain, presented to the Ottoman sultan by the German Emperor William II in 1898.

Then, heading southwest are three ancient monuments: a 20-meter high Egyptian obelisk (from Heliopolis); the Serpent Column brought here from Delphi by Constantine; and a stone obelisk that originally was clad in gold-covered bronze plating until they were stolen by the soldiers of the 4th Crusade in 1204.

15/12/2022

The Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul's most surprising tourist attractions.

This huge, palace-like underground hall, supported by 336 columns in 12 rows, once stored the imperial water supply for the Byzantine emperors.

The project was begun by Constantine the Great but finished by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century.

Many of the columns used in construction were recycled from earlier classical structures and feature decorative carvings.

The most famous of these are the column bases known as the Medusa stones in the northwest corner with their Medusa head carvings.

A visit here is very atmospheric with the columns beautifully lit and the soft, steady trickle of water all around you.

14/12/2022

Sultan Ahmet I's grand architectural gift to his capital was this beautiful mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque today.

Built between 1609 and 1616, the mosque caused a furore throughout the Muslim world when it was finished, as it had six minarets (the same number as the Great Mosque of Mecca). A seventh minaret was eventually gifted to Mecca to stem the dissent.

The mosque gets its nickname from its interior decoration of tens of thousands of Iznik tiles.

The entire spatial and color effect of the interior makes the mosque one of the finest achievements of Ottoman architecture.

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
A great sightseeing joy of a trip to Istanbul is wandering amid the gardens sandwiched between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia to experience their dueling domes in twin glory.

Come at dusk for extra ambience, as the call to prayer echoes out.

Directly behind the Blue Mosque is the Arasta Bazaar; a great place for a shopping stop as the handicraft shops here sell high-quality souvenirs.

Even if you're not interested in a browse, head here to see the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, which is tucked between the Arasta Bazaar and the mosque.

This small museum displays the 250-square-meter fragment of mosaic pavement that was unearthed in the 1950s here. Excellent information panels explain the mosaic floor's recovery and subsequent rescue.

13/12/2022

First built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century, this glorious palace beside the Bosphorus was where the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived and ruled from.

The vast complex is a dazzling display of Islamic art, with opulent courtyards lined with intricate hand-painted tilework, linking a warren of sumptuously decorated rooms, all bounded by battlemented walls and towers.

Of the many highlights here, the most popular are the Harem complex (where the sultan's many concubines and children would spend their days); the Second Court, where you can walk through the vast palace kitchens and stand in awe at the dazzling interior of the Imperial Council Chamber; and the Third Court, which contained the sultan's private rooms.

The Third Court also displays an impressive collection of relics of the Prophet Muhammad in the Sacred Safekeeping Room and is home to the Imperial Treasury, where you're greeted with a cache of glittering gold objects and precious gems that will make your eyes water.

To fully see Topkapı Palace, you'll need at least half a day.

12/12/2022

It's said that when the Byzantine Emperor Justinian entered his finished church for the first time in CE 536, he cried out "Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh Solomon, I have outdone you!"

The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya in Turkish) was the emperor's swaggering statement to the world of the wealth and technical ability of his empire.

Tradition maintained that the area surrounding the emperor's throne within the church was the official center of the world.

Through its conversion to a mosque, after the Ottoman armies conquered Constantinople, to its further conversion into a museum in the 20th century and its reconversion back into a working mosque in 2020, the Hagia Sophia has remained one of Istanbul's most cherished landmarks.

09/12/2022

On the Eastern tip of Garden Route lies Storms River, where the humongous waves crash like clockwork. There’s a suspension bridge you can check out and see the river from a height, as well as Tsitsikamma National Park, Africa’s first national marine park.

Storms River runs through Tsitsikamma, meaning the ‘place of much water’ in Khosian, one of twelve official languages across SA. From boat-rides to scuba and hiking trails, there are loads of things to do by the river mouth that’ll suit the more adventurous types.

08/12/2022

If you were wondering which towns to stop off on The Garden Route, don’t miss out Mossel Bay! This cute coastal town is slap-bang in the middle of South Africa’s most famous road. As the name cheekily hints, it’s also one of the best places to try mussels in the world due to a bountiful supply from the Indian Ocean.

Is it just me or do seals remind you of sea dogs? You can see hundreds by boat, all cosied up on Seal Island (another apt name). For those looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience, shark-cage diving is also available on Mossel Bay, while wine-tasting and the scenic Diaz train route are perfect for relaxing and watching the African sun drop low.

07/12/2022

Stretching languorously from the East to West Cape provinces is the Garden Route. Before you ask, the scenery is as pretty as the name sounds. Take a road trip down the 200km coastline and watch South Africa’s beaches, forests, lakes, and meadows pass by like a dream.

On the Garden Route coastline, you can also spot whales, dolphins, sharks and even penguins on a lucky day! Feeling a little hot and sweaty on your drive? I’d hope you have A.C in your vehicle, though the weather here usually stays below 25 C. Stop off for a swim at Nature’s Valley Beach to cool down and grab dinner in view of the sand-stone cliffs of Knysna, one of the best towns to visit in South Africa.

There’s an oyster festival every summer (usually July) to celebrate the peak of harvest, where you can sample the ‘fruit’ of the Indian Ocean. Even if you don’t like seafood, this festival is more of a cultural event instead of a foodie marathon… expect sports, games, and outdoor activities to be run during the 10 days of the festival.

06/12/2022

There are over 20 national parks and reserves across South Africa, but Kruger is usually the first you’ll hear about. It’s the largest by far, stretching over 19,000 sq kilometres, from sunlit savannah to lush grazing land for the zebras! Game drives to see the Big Five are popular all year round for tourists and locals alike (i.e lions, elephants, African buffalo, rhinos and leopards).

Kruger National Park isn’t too pricey (a day-pass entry is around 440 rand), plus there’s budget accommodation available alongside 5-star hotels and lodges for a taste of luxury. Or for something a little more unique… the Contiki Safari Lodge allows you sleep in luxury tents and chill around the campfire with fellow travellers, under a canopy of stars.

05/12/2022

Table Mountain, the jewel in Cape Town’s landscape and the most photographed landmark across the country. Take the cable car to the top and take in Table Mountain’s bounty of lakes and streams, wild flowers and dramatic cliffside views over Western Cape’s skyline.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway was built all the way back in 1929 and reaches more than 1,000 meters! If you get spooked by heights, take solace in the fact that literally millions of people have explored the mountains this way. Love hiking? You can reach the top of the mountain after a 1.5 hour walk – though more scenic routes will require a little more navigational prowess! Oh, and there are penguins on the mountain, too. Head to the Boulders and prepare yourself for a cuteness overload.

02/12/2022

One of Turkey's most famous natural wonders, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle" in English) cascade down the slope looking like an out-of-place snowfield amid the green landscape.

Although the travertines are themselves a highlight of a Turkey trip, the vast and rambling ruins of Greco-Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, lie scattered across the summit of this calcite hill.

After exploring the ancient theater, with its views across the countryside, and the remnants of the city's agora, gymnasium, necropolis, and grand gates, you can swim in the mineral-rich waters which made this ancient spa town famous, in the antique pool.

Afterwards, walk down the travertine hill, wading through the pools of water in the upper terraces, to the small modern village of Pamukkale below.

For the best photographs, come at dusk when the travertines glow as the sun sinks below the horizon.

01/12/2022

Sumptuous beyond belief, Istanbul's Topkapı Palace takes you into the fantastical, opulent world of the sultans.

It was from here, during the 15th and 16th centuries, that the sultans of the Ottoman era carved out an empire that would extend up into Europe and down through the Middle East and into Africa.

The interiors, with their decadently exuberant tiling and lavish jeweled decor, are an unforgettable peek into the Ottoman's power base.

In particular, don't miss the Imperial Council building, where the empire's business was conducted by the Grand Vizier; the arms collection displayed in the Imperial Treasury; the world-class collection of miniature paintings; and the dazzling Harem rooms, which were designed by the famed Ottoman architect Sinan.

The surrounding public gardens were once the sole domain of the Royal Court but are now open to the public and provide a tranquil, green respite from the city streets.

30/11/2022

The surreal, swooping rock valleys of Cappadocia are every photographer's dream.

Cliff ridges and hill crests are home to rippling panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles that have been formed by millennia of wind and water action.

And if you don't feel like hiking for the views, this is one of the world's top destinations to take a hot-air balloon ride.

Nestled in this unique lunar-like landscape are the frescoed rock-cut churches and cave-cut architecture of the Byzantine Era, when this area was home to monastic Christian communities.

In particular, the multiple cave-churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley are home to some of the best examples of surviving mid-Byzantine-era religious art in the world.

Cappadocia's villages, half hewn into the hillsides, where travelers base themselves to explore the surrounding countryside, are also an attraction in themselves, with their boutique hotels that allow you to bed down in a cave with full contemporary comforts.

29/11/2022

Not to be missed, the mighty ruin of Ephesus is a city of colossal monuments and marble-columned roads.

One of the most complete, still-standing famed cities of antiquity in the Mediterranean region, this is the place to experience what life must have been like during the golden age of the Roman Empire.

The city's history dates back to the 10th century BCE, but the major monuments you see today all date from its Roman era when it was a thriving commercial center.

In particular, the Library of Celsus, the complex of frescoed terraced houses, and the Great Theater all point to the wealth and importance of Ephesus during the Roman period.

A sightseeing trip here will take at least half a day to cover the major highlights and longer, if you really want to explore, so make sure you plan your visit so you don't feel rushed.

28/11/2022

Renowned as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the spellbinding Byzantine glory of the Hagia Sophia Mosque (Aya Sofya) is not only one of the top things to do in Istanbul, but also in Turkey.

Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE, it is renowned as the Byzantine Empire's greatest architectural achievement and has remained the world's largest church for 1,000 years.

The staggering bulk of its exterior is rimmed by the delicate minarets added after the Ottoman conquest, while the sumptuous and cavernous frescoed interior is a grand reminder of old Constantinople's might and power.

This famed monument is a must-do for every tourist visiting the country.

25/11/2022

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23/11/2022

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