DESTINATIONS BUCKET-LIST ALTERNATIVES | ESCORTED TOURING
LIKE THIS? THE ACROPOLIS
Set high on a rocky outcrop above Athens, the Acropolis is a set of buildings considered to be the finest surviving examples of Ancient Greek architecture. Its most notable building, the Parthenon, was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and is considered a lasting symbol of democracy, as well as of the arts and culture of Greek Antiquity.
VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES
WHAT IS IT? These remarkably well-preserved Hellenistic structures are situated in Agrigento on the Italian island of Sicily. There are remains of seven temples at the site, all built in Doric style, with the Concordia, complete apart from its roof, bearing a striking resemblance to the Parthenon.
WHY GO? A jewel in Sicily’s archaeological crown, the site once known as Akragas was a flourishing Greek cultural centre, founded in the 5th century BC and described as “the most beautiful of mortal cities”. The remaining temple complex is easily manageable and offers great views of the surrounding ocean. There’s also a museum showcasing thousands of artefacts from the time, including lion sculptures and collections of clay masks. Beyond the Valle di Templi, Sicily boasts a unique food culture (think fava bean stew and all types of cannoli); one of the world’s most active volcanoes in Mount Etna; and a well-preserved medieval capital in Palermo.
BOOK IT: Riviera Travel offers an eight-day classic tour of Sicily from £1,439, including flights from Gatwick, departing April 19.
rivieratravel.co.uk/agent-welcome
TRY THIS ANGKOR WAT
The largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat is the defining symbol of Cambodia, featuring on everything from its currency to its national flag. Covering more than 160 hectares, the 12th-century complex is filled with lotus-shaped towers, decorative columns and arches, and thousands of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities.
BOROBUDUR
WHAT IS IT? Set in the heart of Indonesian island Java, this is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Built in the ninth century, it is said to blend indigenous traditions based on honouring one’s ancestors with the Buddhist goal of achieving nirvana. It was abandoned after it was covered in volcanic ash sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries before being rediscovered in 1815.
WHY GO? The striking design features five tiers of pyramid- shaped blocks, topped with three circular platforms and finished off with a monumental stupa (a mound-like structure containing relics). Around the main building are 72 further stupas, each containing a beautifully carved Buddha statue. Zoom out and – thanks to its location in the volcanic Kedu Valley, close to the city of Yogyakarta, an arts and cultural centre in its own right – fertile plains and lush green peaks give this captivating Unesco-protected temple complex an equally stunning backdrop.
BOOK IT: The nine-day Best of Java tour with G Adventures starts at £711, excluding flights, with departures from April 29.
gadventures.com
TRY THIS
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travelweekly.co.uk
9 FEBRUARY 2023
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PICTURES: Shutterstock/Sergey-73, AlexAnton, Petr F Marek, DaLiu, Guitar photographer, Adel Newman
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