One of the many exciting aspects of life at NYU Abu Dhabi is the opportunity for travel over Eid break. With Eid al Adha break less than a month away, now is the time to plan an itinerary. Intrepid travellers from NYUAD have explored within and beyond our local region, and have shared their insights and tips on destinations that work well over Eid break.

Jordan is always a popular destination. Amman is one of the oldest inhabited places on earth and history buffs will have more than their fill of Roman ruins. Sophomore Rodrigo Ceballos, who went to Amman last fall, recommended the Abbasi Palace hostel because the owners supplemented his stay with trips to the towns surrounding Amman. For some, the main draw of Jordan is the amazing city of Petra, a town hewn out of the rock. While the oft-photographed gates of Petra are the symbol of the site, Ceballos recommended exploring beyond the gates and discovering something new.

The ancient city of Isfahan has some of the most impressive examples of Islamic architecture. One of the main attractions is Naghsh-e Jahan Square, which is surrounded by buildings from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, all of which are in pristine condition. Junior Ilya Bozhenkov travelled to Iran and was particularly impressed by the open and hospitable people that he met and said that it is likely to get invited into a family home. The metropolis of Tehran is also worth visiting to begin developing an understanding of modern-day Iranian culture, something that is not commonly presented to the outside world.

“It forces one to think critically of the stuff they hear on the news,” Bozhenkov said.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Randone

With affordable food and hotel accommodations, Sri Lanka remains another popular destination for students. For those interested in hiking through lush and beautiful scenery, Sri Lanka is filled with options for individuals of all athletic levels. Sophomore Veronica Houk travelled to Sri Lanka last year and recommended Sigariya. Despite its appearances, Houk said it was not that hard a climb. Additionally, at the top of Sigariya are the remains of a palace and monastery that include one of the earliest and most important examples of urban planning. Colombo will fit into any trip to Sri Lanka. However, to experience this city in a more laid-back neighborhood, Mount Lavinia is a quaint and accessible suburb with nearby beaches.

Via flickr.com

Ethiopia has also been a favorite for its convenience and beauty. Take a journey up to Lalibela to see the churches cut out of rock, or stop past Lake Tana with its island monastery. Gondar is also worth seeing as it was the capital of seventeenth century Ethiopia and has stunning architecture from that period.

“[Our] car halted really quickly, and we had to stop to let a pack of hyenas cross, and I remember thinking how much bigger they were,” Neubauer said.

Coffee lovers will enjoy visiting the capital city of Addis Ababa. Try Ethiopian coffee in the place where the coffee bean originated, as well as other culinary delights like the unique Ethiopian dish of injera.