gardnstate's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Kuşadası, Turkey

Cave of Zeus

This Turkish cave boasts some rather bizarre associations with the King of Mount Olympus.
Added by Rachel Gould
Çanakkale, Turkey

Troy

This famous city eluded concrete detection until the early 2000's.
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser
Istanbul, Turkey

Ottoman Bird Palaces

The ornate miniature mansions were built for Istanbul's feathered residents.
ahvenas Added by ahvenas
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dale Chihuly Sculpture

A unique configuration of blown glass can be found inside this hotel lobby.
Added by ANEI
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Al Wathba Fossil Dunes

These otherworldly formations were shaped over millions of years by the forces of nature.
Added by klarfeher
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Jebel Hafeet Beehive Tombs

The cluster of igloo-like domes forms the remains of an ancient burial ground.
Lynsey Eames Added by Lynsey Eames
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Masdar City

Planned as the world’s first zero-carbon city, it had lofty ideals—but is only 5 percent completed and aiming for 50 percent carbon-neutral.
lewblank Added by lewblank
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.
atimian Added by atimian
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj Al Arab

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."
lewblank Added by lewblank
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Miracle Garden

Billed as the "largest natural flower garden in the world" this Middle Eastern show field has little competition at 45 million flowers.
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser
Sana'a, Yemen

Dar al-Hajar

Yemen's "Stone Palace" looks like it was carved right out of the tall stone column on which it is built.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Jiblah, Yemen

Queen Arwa Mosque

One of Yemen’s oldest and most beautiful mosques was named for the incredible, historical queen buried inside it.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Zabid, Yemen

Brick Buildings of Zabid

Elaborate patterns adorn the city's disappearing traditional architecture.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Yemen

Hababah Water Cistern

A mesmerizing reservoir nestled at the heart of a pre-Islamic Yemeni village.
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Yemen

Socotra Island

The most alien-looking place on Earth.
tralfamadore Added by tralfamadore
Belize

Great Blue Hole

A massive underwater sinkhole made famous by Jacques Cousteau.
anhie Added by anhie
Belize

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Sparkling, calcite-covered skeletons of children who may have been sacrificed to appease an angry god.
Ambergris Caye, Belize

Shark Ray Alley

This portion of a lovely Belize beach is infested with (harmless) sharks and rays.
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser
Rock Stone Pond, Belize

Altun-Ha

An important Mayan religious and trading center dating back to 200 BC.
rfadley26 Added by rfadley26
Chapayal, Belize

Caracol

This massive Maya archaeological site is home to the tallest man-made structure in Belize.
Shiv Added by Shiv
Belmopan, Belize

St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park

A natural swimming hole that was once a ceremonial center for Mayan priests.
AaronLaLux Added by AaronLaLux
Dump, Belize

Lubaantun Archeological Reserve

A devastated ruin in the south of Belize where British explorers claimed to unearth the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull.
mdbroderick Added by mdbroderick
Monteverde, Costa Rica

Ficus La Raiz

In Costa Rica's cloud forest, the roots of a woody ficus create a botanical bridge.
Added by coreyblosser
Costa Rica

Genius River Bridge

One Costa Rican island is so beset by illegal shark poachers that the local rangers have built an entire bridge with their confiscated gear .
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser