Photos by David Paul Appell unless otherwise noted
Both my husband and I have always had something of a fascination for oddities of geography, and so Spain´s two cities of Ceuta and Melilla, on the coast of North Africa, had been forever on my bucket list. Since moving to Spain, we ticked Melilla off that list three years ago, and this past spring we finally made it to sister city Ceuta for a two-night visit. Perched on a narrow peninsula where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, th
north africa (17)
Found especially in Morocco´s big Imperial cities, riads are stately traditional Moroccan townhouses of aristocrats and wealthy merchants, with two or more stories around an interior garden courtyad, open to the sky and centred on a fountain, with exquisite tilework throughout and rooms with interior courtyard views instead of outward into the city.
A number of riads in Marrakech, Rabat, and Fez have been restored and turned into relatively small boutique hotels and/or restaurants, providing
Casablanca is one of the most famous cities in Morocco and is often known for its modern lifestyle, busy streets, and beautiful coastline. While many visitors explore popular attractions like the Hassan II Mosque and Corniche Beach, there are many hidden gems in Casablanca that most tourists never discover.
These lesser-known places offer a more authentic and peaceful experience of the city. From quiet gardens and local markets to artistic neighborhoods and cultural spots, Casablanca has much mo
This small North African country (pop. 12.3 million) is perhaps most famous as home in classical antiquity to the capital and heartland of the Phoenician-founded Carthaginian Empire, which lasted some 670 years until razed by Rome, and at its height ruled all of coastal North Africa as well as large swaths of present-day Spain and southern Italy. Today, however, it´s only as big as Florida and about two-thirds the size of England
After 75 years under French colonial rule, Tuni
Cars and motorcycles battled for space in the traffic, their horns raising a constant din. Lighted signs for McDonald’s, Burger King, and other well-known fast-food joints vied for attention with billboards touting trendy women’s fashions.
Gradually, less familiar touches of the destination began to catch my attention. Street vendors maneuvered pushcarts laden with foods that were new to my eye. Towering minarets pierced the skyline. Ramshackle apartment buildings festooned with laundry dry
Egypt is one of those rare countries where every corner whispers history. From massive pyramids and golden tombs to colorful bazaars and peaceful river cruises, it’s a land that connects the ancient world with the present. Visiting Egypt feels like stepping into a living museum — one filled with mystery, beauty, and timeless stories.
Whether you are fascinated by history, adventure, or just want to explore something completely different, Egypt offers it all. Let’s look at some of the best places
Morocco is one of the world´s great travel experiences, with its historic cities, adventure options, and excellent beaches. But if you have any doubts as to whether it´s a safe or appropriate to travel here as a family, put them aside, as there is a reason the kingdom has become a popular family in the past decade - it´s is very kid-friendly, and with the proper preparation it´s easy to visit iconic cities as well as natural allures of land and sea. There´s plenty to ignite your children imagin
Photos unless otherwise noted: ArabCountries.com
The 275-year rule of the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty was initiated by the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 305 BCE, and its second king, Ptolemy Philadelphus, had this great temple built on Philae Island in Nubia (Upper Egypt, paradoxically in the south) during his tenure (284-246 BCE). As he wanted the Egyptian people to love him as they did the previous Egyptian pharoahs of old , by showing them that he too believed in their great gods
Because they provide an authentic Moroccan experience, best riads in Fez Morocco are fantastic. Traditional Moroccan riads are world-renowned for their ornate design and craftsmanship. The exquisite, hand-laid tile work commonly associated with Morocco is visible everywhere. Traditional designs of riads offer a lively yet peaceful ambience, perfect for unwinding. You won't find better service or cuisine than this at any hotel you've stayed at. A riad is where you have your favorite Moroccan din
Luca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it
The territory of what is today Libya, along with Algeria and Tunisia, was once part of ancient Rome´s second most prosperous region after Italy itself, beginning with the Roman Republic´s conquest of Carthage and the rest of the Punic Empire in 146 BCE and lasting until 439, when it was in turn conquered by Germanic Vandals. Its legacy (as well as that of ancient Greece, which had its own colonies along this coast) lives on today in some extraordinary archaeologic
A Tranquil Paradise Awaits at Marseilia Beach 5 North Coast Village
Welcome to Village Marseilia Beach 5 North Coast, a captivating coastal destination developed by Marseilia Group. Nestled within the picturesque region of Ras Al Hikma in Egypt's North Coast, Marseilia Beach 5 offers a golden opportunity to own a unit in this exquisite village. With its remarkable villas and chalets, Marseilia Beach 5 North Coast Village provides an idyllic setting for an unforgettable vacation or a lucrative i
photos | David Paul Appell
When good friends asked my husband and me to join them to spend New Year’s Eve in Morocco’s Sahara Desert, it was hard to say no. We’d visited this country many years ago and had been utterly entranced by its culture, architecture, food, and people – yet we’d not yet gotten to the vast dunes of its northeast. And quite a trip it turned out to be..
Flying into Marrakesh, we spent a couple of days exploring its exotic, labyrinthine medina; its expansive Jamaa El-F
by Felice Hardy
I daresay snow sport will come to no one's mind when contemplating the fascinating North African country of Morocco. But more adventurous types might know that the high, craggy Atlas Mountains sweep across a goodly swath of this country, giving rise not just to a robust trekking and climbing scene, but even some pretty good skiing and snowboarding, with the season running January to early April - and what's more, even within convenient distance of Marr
Besides being a splendid soukful of exotic cultural and ecotourism experiences, Spain's next door neighbor to the south, across the Strait of Gibraltar, shares with it a unique attribute: coasts on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. And both are lined with an alluring array of beaches for all tastes - whether you're looking for mild or wild, castaway or hopping - and increasingly popular with Spaniards, the French, and other Europeans. Here are a half dozen of my t
Al-Muizz Street
In addition to its bustling shops, cafés, restaurants, and street life, this street is also home to the greatest concentration of medieval treasures in the Islamic world and one of Egypt's greatest Islamic open museum. The charming Muizz street was built by 969 AD and holds many castles and mosques the features the masterful architecture design of the Ayubid, Mamluk and Ottoman dynasties.
Old Cairo Nightlife
During the daytime, Cairo offers countless number of monuments and ar
Oguz Dikbakan
In the West these days, we rarely if ever spare a thought for North Africa's largest and second-most populous country, but as this blog has reported several times, Algeria is an underrated gem, from the history and culture of capital city Algiers to ecotourism to ancient Roman ruins to amazing ecotourism. The world was much more aware of it during the middle decades of the 20th century, though, thanks to the works of Paul Bowles and French Nobel-prize-winning writer Albert Camus
