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Se si vuole intraprendere un viaggio, qualunque esso sia, reale o impossibile, realistico o di fantasia, la prima cosa è informarsi.

Leggere, studiare, capire, contestualizzare. Contestualizzare, ecco.

E quindi, dal sito dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica Islamica dell’Afghanistan in Italia, le informazioni sul Paese, oggi, sono queste:

General Information

Whether for business or pleasure, Afghanistan offers countless adventures to the curious traveller. From bicycle trips and boat rides, to museums and shopping, to overland trips through breathtaking mountain terrain, an Afghanistan experience promises a delightful journey.

For enjoying a tour of Afghanistan, consider the Gardens of Babur and a number of museums. The citadel Balai Hissar and its ancient walls is a rather fantastic attraction. The Valley of Paghman, an hour by road west of Kabul and, to the north, the gardens of Karez-i-Amir or a bit farther to Charikar are all well worth the visit. For those who make the journey, the mountains, valleys, and lakes provide dramatic scenery. Afghanistan is an exciting place to visit. Its unique experiences and breathtaking sights can change a visitor’s perspective on life. Regardless of how or with whom you come, travelling to Afghanistan guarantees a new adventure every step of the way.

RECOMMENDED READING:

1. Afghanistan: A Traveller’s Companion and Guide by Matthew Leeming and Bijon Omrani, June 2005.

2. An Historical Guide to Afghanistan, by Nancy Hatch Dupree, 1977.

PLACES TO VISIT

Afghanistan’s location at the crossroads of great civilizations in history has created a stunning diversity in food, arts, languages, and traditions. This diversity is demonstrated in each city of Afghanistan.

KABUL

An Afghan proverb says, “Everything comes to Kabul,” nothing could be truer of Afghanistan’s bustling capital city. Proud of its heritage as a major trading city between the East and West, today it is still the central marketplace for all Afghanistan. Although change with tall modern buildings and busy traffic has come rapidly to Kabul, the bazaars and other landmarks of the old city are still the centre of life. Baghi Balah, (Upper Garden), which is located inside Kabul on top of the hill and behind the Intercontinental Hotel, is the place where people go for sightseeing and swimming. From this hill, Kabul city is clearly visible. Qargha is another nice place for sightseeing, which is a 35-minute drive from centre of the city. Qargha offers canoeing, biking and hiking facilities. There are many hostels and Chai khanas (teahouses) around for families and people to go in a group.

Some of the major tourist spots in Kabul include:

– TV Tower Hill

– Darulaman Palace

– Kabul Museum

– King Nadir Shah’s Tomb

– Money Market

– Chicken Street

– Kabul Zoo

– Shamali Plain

– Istalif, 50 minutes drive north of Kabul

– Paghman, is a valley 25km west of Kabul.

– Quargha Lake

Other places of major interest to be visited consist of : MA ZAR SHARIF, HEART, BAMIYAN, KANDAHAR, GHAZNI, NOURISTAN BANDE AMIR.

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Ed io che pensavo….

Un posto idilliaco, quindi. Ideale per una vacanza culturale e di relax, immersi nella natura.

In effetti, a pensarci bene, se si fa giusto un “piccolo” sforzo per superare alcuni trascurabili eventi degli ultimi 20 anni in quella zona disgraziata, non si può fare a meno di pensare alla via della Seta, alle grandi esplorazioni del passato in cerca dell’Oriente sognato.

E vengono in mente odori di spezie esotiche e immagini di vecchie mappe polverose.

Ecco, la polvere. E’ la polvere…