Standing on top of Mt. Sinai, a trekking guide looks over the St. Katherine’s Protectorate, situated about a two hours’ drive from Dahab, Egypt. He is a member of the Jabaelya tribe, one of the seven tribes of the South Sinai region. This unique tribe is a mixture of Arab and Eastern European blood, descending from the soldiers of Emperor Justinian, who he brought to guard the Monastery of St. Katherine.

Situated in the east of Europe, Ukraine remains a mystical and misunderstood land. A simple west-to-east cross of this country and you are bound to get the most intriguing history lesson. Along the way, you will discover that there are plenty of cultural myths and stories, the kinds about unique local archetypal characters that will capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more local travel experiences in Ukraine.

Uzbekistan is a premier cultural heritage destination sought out each year by more and more travellers wishing to immerse themselves in the magic of Central Asia’s Great Silk Road. How do you keep your bearings? Learn the unique stories behind the buildings. In each of Uzbekistan’s three Silk Road cities – Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand – a landmark minaret has a myth behind it, adding a touch of intrigue to the present-day wonder.

In a place called Shakhrisabz, about 80 kilometres south of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, a giant monument to the 14th-century Mongol khan Temor (Tamerlane) marks the place he was born. The towering statue of Temor cues what is to come: in the city of Samarkand itself, even more references to one of the country’s most important historical figures are to be found, including the heavily-restored mausoleum where he was buried.

The coastal city of Kotor, Montenegro is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it has a unique character that has been determined by its history, it was always a place of mixture and it is visible at the first glance: western European and Byzantine style are reflected even in the building blocks themselves with the varying textures and marble hues.