Ramadan in North
Africa
Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam,
during which millions of Muslims around
the world abstain from food, water,
tobacco, and sexual activities from
sunrise to sunset. It’s a spiritual
month in which people are supposed
to dedicate themselves to prayer,
reflection, and, most importantly,
to community.
This time sees the biological clocks
of Muslim-majority counties invert, and
nighttime becomes a festival of lights,
food, and music until the very first
hours of the morning. Arab countries
during Ramadan are a perfect destination
for night owls - most people work short
hours during the day to open their
activities at night. Adventuring through
the bazaars of the Medinas during the
night is a privilege – tourists often
choose to visit those particular places
once Ramadan is over.
Many Arab countries, especially those
facing the Mediterranean, are a cultural
crossroad, which means there will
be plenty of historical attractions
to visit after hours. Ancient Roman
amphitheaters, ruins, and museums are
just one of the reasons for heading
to a Middle Eastern or North African
destination, alongside the numerous
festivals, live music, and traditional
Ramadan lanterns lighting up the streets
of the cities.
Whether sleeping under the stars in the
Sahara desert, touring the souks of the
Medinas, trying the best Mediterranean
street food, or visiting the world’s
most ancient ruins, libraries, and
universities, Ramadan is the best time
to visit an Arab country, especially if
you love living the night.
Finland
Some of us might actually enjoy the nighttime
over daytime, but a stubborn biological clock
or a day job prevent a change of lifestyle.
That’s why Finland is the perfect destination
for all tastes. Part of Finland lies north of
the Arctic Circle, which means that there are
practically no set sunsets or sunrises as we
know them. The country gets circa six months of
sunlight, usually from April until August, and
six months of darkness during the winter. That
means that you get to experience nighttime
without chugging huge amounts of coffee or
resisting your sleeping schedule. Imagine
having lunch while looking at the stars, or,
even better, at the Northern Lights.
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