For around ten days recently I traveled through the country of Morocco. I started my trip in the fabled "blue city" Chefchaouen (population around 43,000), just inland from Tangier. It’s cool to get lost in the old medina (old town) - founded alon
When you think Dubai and the UAE, it's mostly manmade marvels that spring to mind - the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Palm Islands, and the like. But there is a more "eco" side to the Emirates, as well - and not just parks and gardens like Dubai
Blue skies, blue seas...this is a colour which we associate with open spaces, freedom, expansiveness, and inspiration. Blue's cool tonality also invokes, among other things, rest and tranquillity; it's even been shown to lower blood
Whether if it’s your first or tenth time, a visit to Dubai always brings a sense of joy and ends up being a mesmerizing experience. With all its fascinating modern buildings, awesome beaches, beautiful man-made islands, and massive malls, Dubai st
“There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” ― U.S. novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, & cultural criticWendell Berry
One of Morocco's Imperial Cities and past capitals, Fez (locally spelled Fes) positively exudes culture and history, especially its emblematic medieval medina, a huge, no-car warren that can at times seem overwhelming to some visitors but
Kashan is an city of some 397,000 in north central Iran's Isfahan Province, some two hours south of capital Teheran, known for its rose water, silks/textiles, and rugs. Its history stretches back into ancient times, as one of the main places settl
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 ris
Interesting piece not long ago in The Guardian on how some tour operators are promoting normalization of tourism in war-torn Syria and why some locals affected by the war are against it. How do you feel about this issue? Read it here.
As you've no doubt hear, the most famous of the United Arab Emirates is a city that must be seen to be believed. Record-breaking architecture stands alongside traditional quarters, while huge man-made islands jut out of the coastline. There is a d
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 Ocea
Egypt is one of the most distinctive countries of the African continent as well as the Middle East, with an impressive civilization stretching back more than 5,000 years. From its pyramids and palaces to its art, artifacts to its bustling cities,
The tiny Arab country of Lebanon (not even three-quarters the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut) on the Mediterranean borderingJordan,Syria, andIsrael, has been in the news this week thanks to universal street protests - peaceful and held in
Kashan is an ancient city of some 433,000 in north central Iran, some two hours south of capital Teheran, and its name is tied in the minds of Iranians to its carpets, silks and other textiles - but also golab (rosewater), with its annual rosewater
The Guardian reports that as part of a push to diversify the economy away from oil, the Saudis are pushing to develop tourism, with visas available as of tomorrow. But it also points out that it's a "hard sell," due to factors including restrictions
Dubai, located in the Middle Eastern desert. is not well known for its parks and gardens. So it may come as a surprise that Dubai does in fact have several beautiful parks and gardens located throughout the city, and make a fabulous and inexpensive
The Arab world's most famous capital of glitz in the desert is full of man-made wonders surrounded by dramatic dunes and great beaches. And with all the breathless chatter about towers such as the Burj Al-Arab and Burj Al-Khalifa; the Dubai Mall and
Iranian architecture reflects the rich history and culture of the country, especially its ornamental tiles and clever engineering masterpieces, yielding for example an amazing 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are ten that visitors to Iran shoul
Argan oil is part of the Moroccan way of life - as well as prized by quite a few international chefs. Apart from a few isolated places in Mexico, the argan tree grows only in Morocco. It yields a lemony-yellow fruit, from the kernel of which argan o