Many families traveling to Ethiopia to adopt a child don't have the luxury of staying for an extended amount of time. If you are fortunate enough to have enough time in Ethiopia to do some touring outside of Addis, there are some sites in Ethiopia that you should not miss.

Gondar
If you've always dreamed of seeing a real castle up close and personal, you'll love visiting Gondar. Gondar with its Portugese-influenced architecture was built in the 17th century, and was a political and cultural hub of Ethiopia for over two centuries. The two-story palace of Emperor Fasiledes is the most impressive of Gondar's many structures.


Axum
Here is a place of strange and beautiful monuments, some of which were built two thousand years ago. One of the oldest attractions at Axum was carved from a single piece of granite. It weighs hundreds of tons and stands over 100 feet tall.


Harar
The city of Harar, located in eastern Ethiopia, a day's drive from Addis, was built in the year 1520. Harar was an important trading center for many years. The original city walls still stand. There are over 90 mosques in Harar. One of Harar's main attractions is a man who feeds hyenas outside the city walls at night.

Lalibela
Lalibela is sometimes called as the eighth wonder of the world. Here eleven churches were hewn from solid rock almost 800 years ago. Worship is held in this churches even today. The church of St. George is perhaps the most spectacular of the churches, and is carved in the shape of a cross.


There's lots of beauty to see in Ethiopia. If you can't find time to visit some of these places when you go to adopt a child, I hope that you will consider a homeland tour with your child later on.

Related links:
Tourism Ethiopia
Ethiopian Treasures