Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a highland epic where ancient history and wild geography collide. In Lalibela, rock-hewn churches lie hidden beneath the earth like stone labyrinths. Axum whispers of lost kingdoms and towering stelae, while Addis Ababa buzzes with coffee ceremonies, jazz, and bold fashion. Trek the Simien Mountains to see gelada baboons and knife-edge cliffs, or descend into the Danakil Depression, a surreal palette of salt, sulfur, and lava. Along the Rift Valley, lakes shimmer with flamingos. Ethiopia’s cuisine, led by injera and berbere, turns every meal into celebration. Festivals fill streets with drums, white shawls, and fierce pride at night.