Amalfi coast in Italy

The Amalfi coast is Italy's secnic seaside highway

The Amalfi coast is Italy’s scenic seaside highway. The drive begins in Sorrento and there are shops along Sorrento’s alleys where tourists can buy items of embroidery among many other things. If you are only in the mood for sightseeing then going to the island of Capri instead would be a better option. There you’d see Grotta Azzurra, also known as Blue Grotto. It’s a famous tavern where light refracts from an opening under the water making it look dramatically blue. The Amalfi coast has endless stunning places for tourists to enjoy. Even if you miss seeing Blue Grotto, you could visit the Emerald Grotto, which is located east of Positano. An elevator from the coastal road would take you down to this cavern after which you could ride a boat past rock formations that are dazzled with light.

The town next in line would be Amalfi, where you’d be able to relax yourself and take a break if needed. Heading east from there would take you Ravello, which is a Cliffside retreat for writers and a few miles from Ravello comes, the A3 highway. This highway was started in 1929 but was completed only in 1974. It has been a subject of controversies within Italy because of questionable contracts.

The Amalfi Drive, also known as ‘State Highway 163’ does not only reward visitors at every turn but is also challenging as a drive considering that the road is only two cars wide. The most beautiful section is 40 kms long between Amalfi and Positano. It is advisable to honk after every turn as well as to pay attention to the honks coming from oncoming curves.

Pasargadae

Ruins of the ancient city of pasargadae, Iran

Once the first capital of the the Achaemenian dynasty, the ancient city of Pasargadae now lies in ruins. The archaeological site is located in what is now southwestern Iran, northeast of Persepolis.

The location was chosen by Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) who founded the Achaemenid Empire and ruled until his death. The particular site was selected for its significance as the scene of Astyages victory against the Mede in 550. Pasargadae was chosen to be the capital of the first multicultural empire in the region of Western Asia. The empire once spanned all of the Eastern Mediterranean plus Egypt up to the Hindus River, and its diversity is reflected in the architecture found from this period. The architecture at Pasargadae represents the early period of Achaemenid art and architecture.

Building on Pasargadae began around 546 BCE and continued after the death of Cyrus around 530 or 529 BCE. Now his mausoleum is located on site, as the most prominent structure at Pasargadae today.

His sepulchre is set high above its surroundings, atop a platform with six large steps, resembling a ziggurat. Nothing identifies the tomb as that of Cyrus the Great, but Alexander III of Macedon visited the grave site and had a warrior investigate. Inside were gold and riches along with an inscription, identifying the body within the tomb as that of Cyrus. The inscription has never been found. To save the monument from destruction during the Islamic conquest, guardians of the site claimed it was the tomb of King Solomon’s mother.

Other features of the ruins of Pasargadae include Tall-e Takht: a fortified terrace in the hills of the city’s northern boundaries. The fort is constructed of limestone, and uses architectural styles of Asia Minor. The site also features the royal ensemble, including the Four Gardens. The architectural details include large columns and porticos, and bas-relief representations of people and other creatures. There are palaces, a gate house, audience hall, and the residential palace of Cyrus II, built around 535 to 530 BCE.