• Turkey

    Incredible Things to Do in Istanbul Turkey

    Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities. Historically known as Byzantium and then Constantinople, Istanbul straddles two continents and embraces multiple worlds—both geographically and culturally. The city is vibrant and cosmopolitan, and teeming with humanity. Minarets stud the sky, crowning Istanbul’s hilltops. Boats glide gently down the Bosphorus, while pigeons flock overhead. Exotic spice markets burst with color. Neighborhoods hold traces of the different empires that once laid claim to the Golden Horn.  It’s the kind of place where the push and pull of modernity and tradition collide. The…

  • Israel

    Tel Aviv Layover

    I first visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the Spring of 2011, during my semester abroad in Amman, Jordan. Though I didn’t spend long in the Holy Land, my three day stay was both rewarding and memorable. I remember being at once struck by the incredible history of the country and saddened by the palpable tensions that I witnessed firsthand. I remember feeling a sense of wonder as I visited some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. And I remember the lack of words I could muster…

  • Palestinian Territories

    Thoughts on Palestine

    While Jerusalem was awe-inspiring and beautiful, Palestine hit me like a slap in the face. I had originally hoped to visit the West Bank in order to become exposed to the two faces of Israel and gain a deeper understanding of the conflict that has torn apart the Middle East. Yet, I came back from my day trip with more unanswered questions than before and a nauseating sense of responsibility for the one-sided policies of the American government. We began our journey in Bethlehem by driving along the wall that separates…

  • Israel

    The Holy Land

    As the birthplace of Christianity, Promised Land of Judaism and important religious center of Islam, Israel is a country teeming with passionate religiosity and an eclectic mix of people. Its capital city, Jerusalem, is no doubt one of the most fascinating and overwhelming cities I have been to in my life. It is a place where one can see Hasidic Jews walking by the birthplace of the Virgin Mary as the Muslim call to prayer wails in the background. Yet, while Jerusalem is a cosmopolitan city with vast historical significance…

  • Lebanon

    Three Day Lebanon Itinerary for Beirut and Beyond

    Though it is the smallest country in continental Asia, Lebanon packs a lot of punch. The country is home to snow-capped mountains, cedar forests, lush green valleys and a beautiful coastline. It claims the oldest continually inhabited city in the world (though Damascus shares the claim), hosts a multitude of Roman ruins and boasts nightlife comparable to that of many cities in Western Europe. One might think that, with such a wealth of attractions, the small Middle Eastern country would be a magnet for travelers the world over. But Lebanon…

  • Oman

    Day Trip to Wadi Shab and its Surroundings

    If there is a paradise, I imagine it to look like Wadi Shab. A rocky canyon home to swimming holes that range from aquamarine to emerald, Wadi Shab is simultaneously an undiscovered gem and one of the top things to see in Oman. Wadi Shab’s scenery is breathtaking and certainly worth every penny that we reluctantly relinquished in order to hire our driver and personal guide for the day. Tour of Wadi Shab and its Surroundings from Sur The natural highlights of Oman are growing in popularity, they are difficult…