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Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, had its golden age around the 14th century, when it was a powerful center of intellectual and cultural achievement. While its heyday has long passed, Mali retains the relics of the era amid its ancient towns. For full richness, just add in the fringes of the Sahara Desert in the north, the powerful Niger and Senegal Rivers in the south, and a rich musical heritage that's agreeably ubiquitous.

Visiting Mali

Hotels in Mali are concentrated in its capital, Bamaka, a city on the Niger River. Major landmarks include Bamako Grand Mosque, with its two tall minarets marking the heart of the city; Bamako Cathedral, built during the French colonial era; and the National Museum of Mali, where you can learn about the long history and rich culture of the nation, see ritual objects and musical instruments, and admire archaeological treasures. Bamako Zoo and Bamako Botanical Gardens are nice destinations for families. Spend time in the bars and nightclubs of the city before retiring to Bamako hotels, and you're sure to catch performances by local musicians in a diversity of styles.

Concierges at higher-end Mali hotels can assist you with visits to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cities of Djenne and Timbuktu in central Mali. Both were important centers of Islamic learning during the 15th and 16th centuries. Djenne, notable as one of the oldest towns in sub-Saharan Africa, features some 2,000 traditional buildings that are rectangular constructions of smooth, sun-baked mud over timber trusses. Timbuktu, a place of legend and mystery, retains three great mosques and 16 mausoleums representing a mere fraction of the mighty city that was, for centuries, the gateway to the Sahara. Mali resorts in the central region put you within reach of the Land of the Dogons, a region of almost 300 traditional villages where the Dogon communities embrace masked rituals and ages-old ceremonies.

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