Tehran is currently among the most densely populated capitals on the planet, yet for many centuries Tehran was nothing more than a small, insignificant city on the stage of world history.
Aga Muhammed Khan, founder of the Qajar dynasty, chose Tehran as the capital of the Persian Empire in 1795, largely because of its location on the cool Elbur hillsides. And so it has remained to this very day. Only after a terrible earthquake in May 2004 was there heated discussion of moving the seat of government from Tehran to a less earthquake prone region of the country.
Palaces and museums
The bulk of Tehran’s older buildings date back to the period of Qajar rule in the nineteenth century. Foremost among these structures is the Golestan, or Rose Garden Palace, the old seat of the shahs until 1979. Today it serves as a museum, and its most famous exhibit is the stunning Peacock Throne. Exactly 26,733 precious stones decorate this amazing throne of the former Persian rulers. While there are always crowds in the museum, the palace garden is a peaceful and beautiful oasis in the heart of Tehran.
The Iranian capital has a large number of museums worth seeing in addition to the Golestan Palace, including the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Many other cultural sites are inviting and worthy of a sojourn. Tehran’s bazaar is legendary and one of the biggest in the world.
The traditional Zurkhaneh (House of Strength) in the center of the bazaar is a special kind of sports venue: up to twenty five athletes at a time emulate their forebears, swinging maces and rings to the accompaniment of drums and tribal music. This distinct form of athleticism, called bastani in Persian, originated under the yoke of the Mongols, who prevented the locals to engage in any kind of physical training. The Persians trained in secret in order to be ready for the day when they would free themselves from Mongolian rule.
Modern Tehran
Impressive testaments to Persian rule in this city include not only historical monuments and the traditional souk, but also numerous modern structures. The symbol of modern Iran is a more recent building, the Shahyad (Freedom) Tower on Azadi Square, built in 1971 during the reign of the last shah.
From the observation deck one has a fantastic view of the entire city, and can see all the way to the distant, white capped Elbur Mountains. Another important symbol of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini Mausoleum, is located in southern part of the city. Four narrow minarets, each 90 metres high, surround its shining gold cupola.
Those who would prefer to leave the noise of the city head out of Tehran travelling north, toward Darband and Darrake at the foot of Tochal Mountain in the Elbur Range. While en route through the northern neighbourhoods of Tehran, a visit to the Saadabad Palace, the summer residence of the last shah, is definitely worth making.
Once you reach your final destination, there is a chance to enjoy the clear mountain air and to sojourn at one of many traditional cafes and restaurants. For a taste of adventure, you can also take the longest cable car ride in the world up Mt. Tochal, and come down via one of the five ski slopes.
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Tags: Travel
by Ferdinand Okeke
As long as food is concerned, the notion of national specific spices and seasonings sold all over the world aid you travel in space and also in time without leaving the kitchen. The Greek seasoning is a marvelous way of cooking your meal and getting a taste of the Greek culture. Just in case you do not know where to purchae Greek seasoning, then you can prepare your your own mixture as follows. Combine two teaspoons of salt and two of dry oregano with one and a half of onion powder and one and a half of garlic powder. Add one teaspoon of cornstarch, one of pepper, one of bouillon granules and one of parsley flakes. In the end add half a tea spoon of ground cinnamon and another half of nutmeg. This mixture will certainly make the Greek seasoning you are looking for.
If you want to make sure that your seasonings spices and herbs are still fresh, then you should check the appearance, the taste and the smell. These three are very good indicators of freshness and you can make use of them even when deciding what to pick from a shelf in the superstore. If the color is faded, most likely so is the flavor. Moreover, if the fragrance is not strong even when crushing seeds or leaves in your hand, then you should definitely doubt the freshness of those seasonings spices and herbs.
Admittedly the American cuisine is not totally American because there are so many national influences which came with the immigrants. It is acknowledged that there are differences, as well as similarities between the different cuisines represented in America. There are Creole, Cajun, Chinese or Mexican cuisines, to mention just a few of them. When we talk about Mexican food, for example we must say that this cuisine brought about certain ingredients, typical dishes, among which the fajitas and fajita seasoning, too, as well as the preference for certain vegetables and certain condiments to prepare the foods. The Mexican cuisine covers the bottom third of North America.
The selection of recipes on the internet from which you can choose an old bay seasoning recipe, to use when cooking, is incredibly wide. So, after doing some research on the internet, you will be able to find a good old bay seasoning recipe to help you prepare a wonderfully tasty meal for your family and friends. To make your own old bay seasoning mix you need an old bay seasoning recipe and, obviously, the necessary ingredients. One old bay seasoning recipe can be done in fifteen minutes. In this old bay seasoning recipe you will need to combine the following ingredients: one teaspoon of ground bay leaves, 2-1/2 tsp of celery salt, 1-1/2 tsp of dry mustard, one teaspoon of ground cardamom, one teaspoon of ground mace, one teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, and one teaspoon of paprika.
Who has not dreamed of visiting Greece? Who has not longed to lie in the sun on the Greek beaches and maybe have a boat cruise while enjoying the beautiful view of Greek dancers? And who has not ever dreamed of trying Greek food or at least Greek style cooked food?
Another good tip you can rely on is again related to storing and preserving the seasonings spices and herbs. You should replace the cap or the lid of the bottle or jar in which they are placed by the manufacturer immediately after you have opened it. It is also a smart idea to use only dry spoons when you measure the amount of seasonings spices and herbs while cooking and to avoid measuring while holding the jar or bottle above the boiling pot in which you prepare your meal. The steam will surely make the flavor quality decrease.
About the Author:
Everybody relishes the aromatic thirst of a well prepared meal. However, it might interest you to know that good cooking is no more the exclusive reserve of the so called “Gourmet” You can now cook highly delicious meals….
Seasonings And Spices This is a must have for every family and home
Seasonings, Herbs And Sauces
Tags: Hotels
by Mary Bush
Thinking of an exotic destination filled with adventure? Discover Sharm el Sheikh. This Egyptian destination is perfect for holidays for families and couples alike. With some of the best resort hotels in the world you can plan superb Sharm el Sheikh holidays without draining your funds. The memories will last a lifetime as you experience some of the finest foods, fun and sights. No matter your deepest desires Sharm el Sheikh can be the most rewarding holiday you’ve ever had.
Warm winters and hot summers make the climate of Sharm el Sheikh excellent year round. Imagine being able to leave the snow and rain behind you to relax in a world renowned location and climate. No matter what your pleasure might be, whether sight seeing, relaxing in the sunshine of the Sinai Peninsula, enjoying outdoor activities from swimming to golf, Sharm el Sheikh holidays are waiting to show you a wonderful time in the best weather you can imagine, year round.
The cuisine in Sharm el Sheikh has a lot to offer its guests. Many flavors of the world meet here and inspire the most robust and savory tastes imaginable. You can take advantage of the culture and experience what it is like to have authentic traditional Egyptian food. If food is your passion and you are looking for an adventure as far as food goes, Sharm el Sheikh holidays will surely have what you are looking for.
Between the rolling sand dunes in the distance and the endless ocean as far as the eye can see is an oasis nestled right on the beach and it is known as Sharm el Sheikh. This tropical paradise is one that can become a venture of love and togetherness. The foliage is lush and fertile, the gardens a beauty that is unbeatable, and the terrain that is simply mystical. All of these aspects and elements are distinct and that is what makes them so enchanting. It is really the best atmosphere for golfing. You can relax and spend the day putting a few holes and take in the sights of this enchanting land.
If your interests are in natural beauty, Sharm el Sheikh holidays will captivate you and keep you coming back again and again. The ancient majesty of the Sinai Peninsula is compelling and breathtaking. The scenery is beyond compare, whether you look out to sea, along the white sandy beaches, or inland to the wonders of ancient Egypt. There is so much to see and do and enjoy and experience on Sharm el Sheikh holidays that you won’t know where to start. Make sure you have plenty of time to sample all the wonders of Egypt during your dream holiday. Don’t neglect to try everything that Sharm el Sheikh has to offer. The sky, water, beaches and inland area each hold something of great value that you’ll want to explore, photograph, and remember forever. You’ll have wonderful memories and great stories to tell your family and friends, not to mention terrific pictures to prove it all was real!
The entertainment and the nightlife are a magnificent aspect to your Sharm el Sheikh holidays. If you crave a nightlife and cultural scene then you’ll adore the charm of this foreign rhythm. As the ancient tradition and modern tempo combine they blend beautifully to entrance tourists. This luxury holiday has the most alluring live atmospheres around.
As far as resorts go the Grand Azure of Sharm el Sheikh is where you should go. It is located on the northern coast of Sharm el Sheikh and has fully equipped rooms and full bathrooms that are superbly comfortable. The activities they provide go above an beyond what you would normally expect. You can take advantage of swimming pools, water slides, disco dancing, private beaches, volley ball, gym, and daily games just to name a few of the perks the hotel has to offer. So if you are a family looking for fun Sharm El Sheikh holidays or a couple wanting to get away on your first or second honeymoon, this is the place to be.
Tags: Travel