King Faisal Street is one of the main thoroughfares of Amman. On this palm-fringed strip, gold dealers from the Gold Souq weigh bracelets under neon lights, while juice vendors press pomegranates nearby and old men play backgammon at pavement cafés. The street’s charm lies in its contrasts: the 1924 post office (now The Duke’s Diwan) overlooks a row of buzzing local businesses, and the call to prayer from Al Hussein Mosque competes with taxi horns. At night, the air thickens with the scent of sizzling lamb from decades-old shawarma stands, and crowds gather at Habibah Sweets for knafeh so fresh it crackles.

Located only twenty minutes from Pescara, Chieti is a pleasantly provincial hillside town. A magnificent Gothic cathedral looms over Chieti, offering fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The local Archaeological Museum (Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Antichità) is particularly intriguing. It is situated in a villa surrounded by a park and contains various archaeological finds, such as Roman statues and tombs.

The MFA has some fantastic collections on display, ranging from the wonders of ancient Egypt to modern and contemporary American masterpieces. The museum also boasts the largest collection of Japanese art outside of Japan.