Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sits on the Anatolian plateau and reflects the country’s layered history more quietly than Istanbul, yet with equal depth. Once an important settlement for the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Byzantines, Ankara rose to national prominence in the 20th century when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the heart of the modern Turkish Republic. Today, it functions as Turkey’s political center while preserving traces of its ancient and Ottoman past.
This coastal town in southwestern Namibia is known for its German colonial buildings, including the art nouveau Goerke Haus, built into the rock face on Diamond Hill. Nearby, Felsenkirche is a hilltop church with panoramic bay views stretching around to Robert Harbor. The Lüderitz Museum has displays about the town’s diamond mining past as well as local and natural history.
Amboise has 12,000 inhabitants and is in the heart of Touraine, in the land of chateaux. It is a town both traditional and modern, lively and quiet. In Amboise, there is a royal castle set above the Loire Valley and is a strong point extensively embellished during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Photo Credit: Photo by Krisztián Korhetz on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Photo by Gabriel Miklós on Unsplash
A resort town with a 14th century castle that has a magnificent view of the Danube Bend and the Borzsony Mountains.
Other Popular Destinations in Hungary
Budapest
The capital and largest city in Hungary, Budapest is a favorite European destination for millions of tourists each year. Once the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this cosmopolitan city and UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of historical and cultural landmarks to explore.
Eger
Eger sits in northern Hungary and is known for its well preserved Baroque center, historic castle and long tradition of wine and craft that draw visitors from across Europe. Just beyond the historic center, generations of winemakers have perfected local styles and offer tastings of local varieties. A casual afternoon here can feel like a gentle cellar crawl, with seasonal music or simple snacks adding to relaxed tastings under vine covered walkways.