Aksum was the capital city of the powerful Axum empire, which ruled from circa 400 B.C. into the 10th century. This ancient capital is famous for its stelae, or tall slabs, made of wood or stone slabs with inscriptions or carvings. The tallest one is 80 feet high.
Other attractions include the 17th-century St. Mary of Zion church, archeological museums and the ruins of two ancient palaces. Aksum is a UNESCO world heritage site, and Ethiopia's holiest city.
Founded in the 17th century, Gonder is referred to as Africa's "Camelot." It is known for the beautiful ruins of the walled Royal Enclosure, the former residence of the 17th-century rulers of Ethiopia, containing no fewer than five castles.
In 1936, Italy occupied Ethiopia. Over the course of the next few years, the Italians built numerous buildings in the city's downtown, including villas and a main piazza, making Gondor one of the few places in the world where, after exploring the remains of medieval African castles, you can have a cappuccino in an Art Deco Italian cafe.
Covering 1,418 square miles, Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile River that flows onward to Sudan. There are 37 islands in the lake. Many of these islands are home to monasteries and churches. Due to their relative isolation, many of these churches and monasteries stored and protected sacred religious artifacts.
Given the diversity of both local and migratory birds, Lake Tana is also known for its bird watching.
After Aksum, Lalibela is Ethiopia's holiest city. The emperor of Ethiopia intended the city to be a new Jerusalem, and the names and layout of many of its churches are said to reflect churches in Jerusalem the emperor visited as a child. The city is renowned for its rock-cut architecture and 11 monolithic churches, connected underneath by tunnels. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Located in northern Ethiopia, the Simien Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A nature lover's dream, the park offers beautiful vistas, intense hiking opportunities and abundant wildlife, including the Walia Ibex (a type of wild goat), the Gelada Baboon, the rare Simien fox and more than 50 species of birds. It's also one of the few places on the continent that receives snowfall.
