Laura Pattara
Loquacious from birth and nomadic by nature, Laura holds a BA in Interpreting and Translation, focusing on linguistics and cultures from Sydney, Australia. For the past 20 years, she has tour-guided overland trips through South America and southern Africa and independently explored northern Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Far East Asia. Laura's adventures include a six-year motorbike journey from Europe to Australia and exploring the Arabian Peninsula in an old postie van. When she's not uncovering our planet's hidden gems, Laura moonlights as a freelance travel writer.
Articles by Laura Pattara
Why Samarkand and Bukhara Are Known as the Jewels of the Silk RoadFrom Samarkand's Registan Square to Bukhara's ancient market domes, Central Asia's most historic sites are some of the Silk Road's most extraordinary legacies.
What These 4 Historic Sites Reveal About the Seljuk EmpireRising from Central Asia’s Oghuz Turkic tribes in the 11th century, the Seljuk Empire reshaped medieval Anatolia, building a vast realm.
Rising from Central Asia’s Oghuz Turkic tribes in the 11th century, the Seljuk Empire reshaped medieval Anatolia, building a vast realm.
How to Visit Persepolis, Ancient Persia’s Ceremonial CapitalPersepolis is one of ancient Persia’s most breathtaking treasures and a remnant of one of history’s most formidable empires.
Persepolis is one of ancient Persia’s most breathtaking treasures and a remnant of one of history’s most formidable empires.
History Lover’s Guide to Yazd, IranOne of Iran’s most revered UNESCO sites, Yazd blends desert ingenuity and Silk Road heritage with ancient Persia's cultural and spiritual traditions.
One of Iran’s most revered UNESCO sites, Yazd blends desert ingenuity and Silk Road heritage with ancient Persia's cultural and spiritual traditions.
A Complete Travel Guide to Machu PicchuYour guide to Machu Picchu—the “Lost” City of the Incas in Peru, including information on what it is, and how and when to get there.
Your guide to Machu Picchu—the “Lost” City of the Incas in Peru, including information on what it is, and how and when to get there.
The History of Patagonia, South America’s Final FrontierPatagonia is South America’s southern frontier. It is a region of exquisite natural beauty and a tumultuous history that intertwines indigenous cultures with European conquest.
The 9 Best Cultural Festivals in South AmericaCombining ancient traditions with modern-day beliefs, the best cultural festivals in South America are incomparable history lessons. They are also exceptionally fun!
Combining ancient traditions with modern-day beliefs, the best cultural festivals in South America are incomparable history lessons. They are also exceptionally fun!
Stunning Historic Sites to Visit in ShirazAs a living museum of Persian culture, history, art, and architecture, Shiraz is an unmissable stop on a tour through Iran.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Chile?Long, narrow, and bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Andean mountains to the east — Chile is one seriously quirky country, geographically speaking.
Long, narrow, and bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Andean mountains to the east — Chile is one seriously quirky country, geographically speaking.
10 Must-See Historic Sites in South AmericaSouth America is an archaeologist’s dream destination, filled with ancient wonders that reveal the lives and accomplishments of mighty civilizations.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Mexico?Mexico is an outdoor lover’s dream destination, renowned for its world-class beaches and array of ancient Mesoamerican sites.
Mexico is an outdoor lover’s dream destination, renowned for its world-class beaches and array of ancient Mesoamerican sites.
Neolithic Wonders Along the Scottish CoastlineScotland’s windswept coast hides some of Europe’s oldest secrets: stone villages, burial chambers, and eerie circles that still hold stories from 5,000 years ago.
Scotland’s windswept coast hides some of Europe’s oldest secrets: stone villages, burial chambers, and eerie circles that still hold stories from 5,000 years ago.