Asia is the largest continent in the world, covering approximately 44.5 million square kilometers of China, Japan, Thailand, India, and the Middle East. Not surprisingly, it’s also the most populous continent on Earth, with over 4.5+ billion people, all trying to stream Netflix at the same time. With such a vast array of cultures, languages, and religions, Asia can lay claim to many of the world’s most important historical and cultural sites, too (see the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, and Angkor Wat). Asia’s diverse landscapes range from frozen tundras to tropical rainforests, and from soaring mountain ranges to scorching deserts. Whatever you want to see or do, you can see or do in Asia. And it’s probably legal there to boot.
Turkey’s ancient city of Ephesus is so intact, the locals probably don’t know the Roman Empire fell yet.
This ancient Greco-Roman city is the oldest and most complete site ever excavated while people probably still lived there.
Antalya has the same weather as other Mediterranean beach towns, just not their exchange rates.
Turkey’s city of Antalya is proof that the Mediterranean climate doesn’t end just because Europe does.
Turkey’s Cappadocia region would be the perfect place to trip on ’shrooms.
Do you like deserts and phalli, but can’t afford to attend Burning Man?
The megacity of Istanbul borders on Europe, Asia, and the inexplicable.
There’s no way to explain the scale of Istanbul, Turkey without making the city feel bad about its weight.
It’s hard to believe Petra still exists, considering that the place is basically water-soluble.
The sandstone city of Petra would’ve washed away if it had rained for any length of time in the last two millennia.
Jordan’s Wadi Rum is like visiting Mars without being the billionaire CEO of a rocket company.
Why visit the Red Planet when you can experience all its inhospitality and desolation right here on Earth?
Israel’s Masada would make an amazing Airbnb if its last occupants hadn’t trashed the place.
If there’s one thing I know for certain, the Ancient Romans aren’t getting their security deposit back.
Everything you were told about Bethlehem as a kid was a lie.
Bethlehem is nothing like the place they told you about in the Bible.
Jerusalem may be popular with Christians, but Jesus probably hated the godforsaken place.
People have been returning to Jerusalem for almost 2,000 years, but why would Jesus ever go back?
The Holy Land inspired three bestselling books that have more devoted fans than Harry Potter.
Visit the only place that’s a more popular backdrop for blockbuster books than Hogwarts.
The visions people had in Jaffa were inspired by either religious fervor or a ton of opiates.
St. Peter had a vision in Jaffa that changed Christianity forever. Or was he just high?
Tel Aviv is located in the Holy Land yet, weirdly, it’s never once mentioned in the Bible.
Find out why ancient religious authors entirely passed on writing about Tel Aviv, Israel.
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