If the itch to travel has fallen upon you and you’re seeking something more than just a holiday lounging on a beach, Photographer Ismail Sirdah has ten top places you need to discover for a cultural visit you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Ancient religious sites, Cambodia
Cambodia is a solid gateway to Asia with abundant cultural sites that recall Asia’s ancient past making it a must visit country from Ismail Sirdah’s list. The world heritage sites of Angkor Wat and the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear lay within Cambodia’s borders to stand in testament to the country’s spiritual past.
Palaces and Cathedrals, The Netherlands
European medieval delights await in Belgium and the Netherlands, the area has a rich cultural past overflowing with architectural wonders that house the artistic masterworks of Rubens and Rembrandt.
Mesoamerican wonders, Mexico and Central America
Mexico and other Central American sites overflow with travel sites both cultural and important to world history that Sirdah recommends should be visited at least once in a lifetime. The partial excavated Guatemalan site of Tikal blends seamlessly with other Mesoamerican sites like the Mayan cultural landmarks of Chichen Itza and Tulum for a travel experience unlike any other.
Sacred cities, India
There isn’t any place in the world quite like India. The Indian continent is not only home to a vast number of the world population, but it is also rich in sacred cities such as Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Rajasthan where Mughal wonders still wait to be discovered.
Festivals of wonder, Bhutan
Bhutan’s monasteries sit in the protected mountain range of the Himalayans making them a must visit during an Asian trip. The potential for great Photographic highlights abounds in Bhutan’s religious centers. There are also other annual religious festivals celebrating Bhutanese Buddhism that Sirdah advises shouldn’t be missed.
Path of Incas, Peru
The ancient sites of Peru continue to have something new to offer a traveler. The area is overflowing with clinging vines that cling to both rock and building in the Andes mountains cultural site of Machu Picchu. Its status as a Unesco World Heritage site is just one of the reasons it is one of Sirdah’s cultural trip favorites.
Footsteps of Gods, Greece
As a culture over 4000 years old, Greece gave rise to some of the world’s most enduring cultural legacies. The Greek pantheon of Gods gave rise to outstanding cultural sculptures which continue to endure making it an area Sirdah is sure travelers will want to visit.
History and art, Spain
Spain’s cultural highlights are too numerous to count, from viewing great artworks in the Guggenheim in Bilbao to the unrivaled design of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain has everything a photographer needs to create masterworks.
Beyond the Bible, Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a photographer’s paradise not only for its rich desert oasis type landscape but also for its outstanding historical sites of Aksum where obelisk-like stelae overlook a city site thousands of years old. Local legend says that the ark of the Covenant lays on the ground of the Churches of Saint Mary of Zion making Ethiopia an intriguing entry on Sirdah’s list.
Cherry Blossoms and Monuments, Japan
Japan’s cultural sites are rich in natural scenery. They are also abundant areas of solid architectural design from its feudal period castles to its wooden torii gates making Japan a solid place to experience the best in photography.
These places are among of the best places to experience great photographic opportunities according to Sirdah, let us know great places you’ve experienced in the comments below.