The 5 places in Europe and the world to see once in a lifetime

From the Hamami in Istanbul to the Taj Mahal in India, passing through Bucharest: the 5 places in Europe and the world to see once in a lifetime.

I think the best part of the trip is returning home. After days, or months, the layered memories of the place we visited suddenly resurface in our mind: an image, a scent or a sound that we relive kilometers and kilometers away. And it is precisely at this point that we realize what the journey has left us, what we will always carry with us beyond the photo or souvenir. I want to share with you my 5 most beautiful memories, in no particular order, as they come to mind...

1.The drops of steam from Cagaloglu Hamami in Istanbul, Türkiye

In this wonderful Hammam ofIstanbul, Capital ofTurkey, built in 1741 at the behest of Sultan Mahmut I, time stands still: enter the central room (reserved for women), explore the small marble niches that open on the sides, where you can rinse with fresh water, and finally lie down on the large central marble platform. From here your gaze is lost through the large perforated dome from which a magical light enters, your body becomes light, a drop of steam falls from above right above you, and you feel at peace with yourself and with the world , at least for a moment.

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2.The deserted road immersed in fog to get to the Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the modern world and is, in its own right, among the places that must be seen at least once in a lifetime. During your visit, we advise youa private excursion with guideto better understand this place.

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Agrait is an extremely polluted city, there is so much smog and dust in the air that every time you take a breath it feels like you are smoking a cigarette. But, like everything inIndia, this "profane" detail joins the sacred: in the early morning, around 6, the smog becomes fog, the noises are muffled, making the atmosphere more muffled. The road that leads to one of the entrances of theTaj Mahalit is long and flat, flanked by small tourist shops, and at 5.30 in the morning it is still immersed in darkness. You find yourself walking in the dark, without seeing anything in front or behind you, you simply continue in silence, asleep, every now and then a bike or a cart passes by, some start to open the shops, some pass by in a hurry... it's a slow and mysterious awakening before dawn arrives and wonder manifests itself...

3.Greek dinner at Taverna Kostas, Zia, Kos island, Greece

The village of Zia, on the island of Kos, inGreece, it is decidedly touristy. Its restaurants are famous for the stilt terraces perched on the hill, from which you can admire a wonderful view of the plain that descends to the green and blue sea, and you can watch the sunset accompanied by the omnipresent sirtaki. However, if you leave the beaten track and climb a steep path behind the main street, you reach the top, among olive trees and semi-abandoned houses, up to theTavern Kostas Zia…. one of the must-see places (at least in my opinion!). Here there is a small covered terrace, with 6 or 7 tables: the owner (a sunburned Greek who feeds the embers with a hairdryer) and his son welcome guests with silent kindness, while preparing a few genuine traditional dishes Greek. No fake sirtaki in the background, just peace.

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4.The apple pie at the Grand Café Van Gogh, Bucharest, Romania – Places to see in Europe

Bucharestit certainly won't be famous for its apple pie, let alone the Sacher diVienna, but if you happen to pass through the capital of oneRomaniathat is awakening, stop at the Grand Café Van Gogh. Dutch atmospheres certainly have nothing to do with Romania, but this small square overlooks many buildings with a Nordic and Parisian flavor (the guides will in fact tell you that Bucharest is known as the “Parisof the East”), the sun reflects on the neighbor's windowsHotel Rembrandt, the benches are comfortable, the staff are very kind and knowledgeable and the blankets provided to stay outside even in the coldest weather are pleasantly warm. But she is the queen:a perfect apple pie, served in a small round hot pan, with a crunchy crust, a filling of soft cinnamon apples, topped with a delicious portion of vanilla ice cream. It may not be a Romanian classic, but it really stays in your heart.

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5.The sound of wrought iron in the souqs of Marrakech, Morocco – Places to see in the world

Among the places to see at least once in your life, the souqs stand outMarrakechthe Morocco, a maze of streets where to survive, you have to accept getting lost, close the map and let go. The streets twist around each other, often the sky is no longer visible, there are approximately three directions for pedestrians, plus one for motorbikes passing at full speed and one for carts pulled by animals. This on a road about two meters wide, without asphalt. The souqs of Marrakech are divided into different areas, often named according to the shops present, among these, the blacksmiths' souq. This area is full of small dark caves, where crouching men cut, smooth, assemble, in a continuous concert of clanging, blowtorches, hammers. Stopping for a moment in the center of this vortex is a strange experience, it seems to be in front of a moving photo, in slow motion: the twilight is vivid, every now and then silver flashes catch the eye, a ray of sunlight suddenly filters through and hits a small blacksmith who noisily continues his daily work in this underwater world.

READ ALSO: Travel itinerary in Morocco

Marta Vassallo