One of the most spectacular canyons in the world.

A Moroccan getaway in the mountain range that plays the Himalayas' stunt double.

The remains of a magnificent medieval fortress that was the capital of a vast empire.

This former royal palace with gorgeous gardens became the first museum in Morocco.

The oldest known university in the world is in Fez, Morocco.

The other side is actually green.

Thousands of narrow alleyways in an ancient medieval city make up what's believed to be the world's largest car-free urban zone.

The courtyard of this small Marinid madrasa is a dazzling example of intricate Islamic architecture.

Traditional 11th-century outdoor tannery.

At this faithfully preserved medina off the Moroccan tourist circuit you can walk through six centuries of history in one day.

Founded as a refugee camp, now a popular tourist spot.

This unique temple complex remains off the typical tourist trail.

Named after a legendary garden called Eram in southern Arabia, built by order of Shaddad, an Arab king who wanted to compete with Paradise.

One of the holiest Shi'i shrines in Iran honors the life and death of a learned noblewoman who became a saint.

The cathedral stands in New Jufa, Isfahan's Armenian quarter that was established in 1606.

Burial site of a Jewish prophet revered in Iran.

Long before air conditioning, Persian architects found an ingenious way to cool off.

This ancient fortress in Iran was once the oldest and largest treasury in the world.

The tower in this 1,000-year-old mud-brick village seems to vibrate for no apparent reason.

This ancient burial site is believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world.

The hottest, driest, and most scenic desert on Earth.

One of the largest and oldest caravansaries in Persia.

These little castles each held thousands of pigeons.

The vertical-axis windmills of ancient Persia have been grinding flour for 1,000 years and counting.