We tend to think of pyramids as relics of the ancient world. After all, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was built some time around 2560 B.C., while Mexico's Pyramid of the Sun was completed in 100 A.D. But there's no rule that says pyramids can't be cool unless they're really old, so the oil-rich government of Kazakhstan decided to get in on the game and create its own. The result is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a modern, 77-meter high pyramid in Astana designed to house the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as well as a 1,500-seat opera house, a national center for Kazakhstan's various ethnic groups, and educational facilities. Designed by high-flying architects Foster + Partners and finished in 2006, the concrete, steel, and stained glass structure is at once the most traditional and futuristic shape in the city's skyline, hearkening back to the days preceding the establishment of the Abrahamic faiths while pointing toward a technologically-sophisticated tomorrow. Kazakhstan is a somewhat dicey place to visit these days, but intrepid travelers who are smooth enough to make it to the capital without displeasing the authorities can marvel at the palace from a distance, visit its museum, and even take in an opera performance. And who knows, with the right connections and a few well-placed "gifts," you might find yourself surveying the steppes and mountains of this former Soviet Central Asian republic from the top of the world's newest pyramid.

[Photo: Deputy Dog]

Related Stories:
· Palace of Peace and Reconciliation [Foster + Partners]
· Kazakhstan's Astounding Futuristic Pyramid [Deputy Dog]
· Steppe Pyramid Photos [Flickr/Tienshan]
· Pyramid Coverage [Jaunted]]]> Victor Ozols 2008-11-01T14:50:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/5/112958/380

A concert by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo went off without a hitch last night at Mexico's Chichen Itza archaeological site, silencing for the moment a controversy about whether the ancient Mayan ruins are an appropriate venue for such a modern spectacle. Prior to the event, a union of archaeologists pressed prosecutors to file criminal charges against the concert's organizers, saying that the event violated a law that states the ruins must be preserved for educational purposes. ]]> Victor Ozols 2008-10-05T11:29:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/4/125443/907

Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that there's still lots of cool stuff we haven't yet discovered in this world. Italian researchers announced on Friday that they had found an ancient adobe pyramid along the river Nazca, near Peru's Cahuachi Desert, along with two other structures that have yet to be identified. The three structures were likely built by the Nazca civilization, who occupied the area from about 100 B.C. to 500 A.D., when a series of disasters forced them to abandon what appears to be the world's largest mud city. ]]> Victor Ozols 2008-10-04T12:54:43-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/20/171637/291

Ever since French President Nicolas Sarkozy publicly frolicked on the beach with former super model (and the object of all men's affections in the early 1990s) Carla Bruni, we have been super jealous.

No, not of Carla Bruni but rather because it's "balmy weather" over in Egypt right now. During the day, temps are hitting 78 degrees.

The duo, now married, passed their time at the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor. And of course, they toured some of the ancient pyramids. We wonder if they toured the Mummification Museum?

Luxor depends on tourism to keep its economy afloat. And while it's been getting good tourism numbers, we read somewhere that more people actually visit the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas than the original Luxor. Sad but can you blame them? Drinking, dancing and gambling, versus ancient dead people? Hmm....

Anyways, we would be more than happy to help out Luxor by taking a trip over there. Now does Ryanair fly there?

Related Stories:
· Egypt's Pyramid Scheme [Jaunted]
· Ryanair Ready for Sarko-Bruni Honeymoon [Jaunted]

[Photo: Shelbyroot]]]> juliana 2008-02-20T17:34:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/14/225148/879

Think of this week's pick, "Jumper", is like a "Quantum Leap" for this generation--and for the big screen. Hayden Christensen plays a young man, David Rice, who has a genetic anomaly and can be transported anywhere, anytime and be stuck doing anything. Rachel Bilson is along for the ride.

Rice soon discovers that this gift has been around for centuries, and that he's involved in a war between "jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill him.

This one was shot all over the place because that's what you get with being constantly transported. We've chosen to focus on a cool spot: Cairo, Egypt.

Where To Stay: Mena House Oberoi Once a hunting lodge for Khedive Isma'il, the Egyptian ruler, Mena House is the place to stay in Cairo. If you can splurge on a suite, this is the spot to do it; the larger of the 523 rooms feature period furniture and insane views of the Pyramids themselves. Don't miss the stunning gardens and four on-site restaurants. The only drawback? It's about 45 minutes from downtown so plan to stick around for the evening.

Where To Eat (and Be Seen): La Bodega The hot spot in town, La Bodega ain't your corner deli. It's the hipster hangout with elegant high-ceilinged rooms and homemade specialties from the kitchen including gazpacho and glazed duck. If you can't swing dinner, at least spend some time at the bar.

What to See: Pyramids at Giza About 45 minutes by bus from Cairo, you do not miss the pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the world. Revel in their sheer size and age, but be careful with the locals, hawking everything--aggressively--from cold drinks to souvenirs to tours.

Related Stories:
· Pizza Hut Delivers to the Sphinx [Jaunted]
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> sedona 2008-02-15T08:51:34-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/20/191449/224

A change of government can be a nice thing for the tourists of the world, or at least that's how it sounds in Guatemala at the moment. Newly-elected president Alvaro Colom has announced plans to make the Mayan ruins at Mirador more accessible to tourists--currently we're talking a two-day jungle hike or a helicopter ride, and there are a few too many poachers and drug smugglers hanging out in the area.

At Mirador, there are extensive Mayan ruins, including hundreds of buildings, and the site is some three times larger than the World-Heritage-listed ruins at Tikal. There's also what they claim is the largest pyramid in the world, about three feet longer than the largest Egyptian pyramid.

Exactly what form the so-called "tourist park" at Mirador will take isn't clear yet, and we wouldn't go booking your flights just yet. Whether it's just an election promise, or a serious attempt that could be thwarted by the smugglers who want to keep that region of Guatemala for themselves, there are more than a few obstacles to Eiffel-Tower-like tourism at Mirador.

Related Stories:
· Guatemala to Open Park at Ancient Ruins [Reuters]
· Guatemala Field Trip [Jaunted]
· Guatemala Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Dave Kent]]]> amandak 2008-01-22T09:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/1/3/122956/8544

Ah, the Great Pyramids--one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Did you know that while you wait in line to climb inside one of the pyramids you can go to Pizza Hut right across the way?

One traveler took things to the extreme and had the Giza Pizza Hut deliver a pepperoni pizza and a Pepsi to the Sphinx.

Related Stories:
·   The Great Pyramids [43 Places]]]> markj 2006-01-03T12:29:56-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/