The air was unusually clear for Cairo, a city notorious for its polluted, hazy skies. Perhaps it was only because it was my first time seeing all the Christmas decorations set up for the bazaar that it felt like a crisp winter day. The bazaar was an opportunity for refugee women to showcase their skills and talents. Many of them were selling handicrafts, and others were dishing up food from their home countries. The smells mingled throughout … [Read more...]
Highlights of the Spanish Andalusia Region
The enduring appeal of Andalusia is easy to understand. It’s a region that has almost every single Spanish cliché from barrel-aged sherry to flamboyant flamenco dancing and vibrant fiestas. Andalusia is home to the sun-baked patios of Seville, the gorge-poised city of Ronda, and the red-tinged Alhambra in Granada. On top of the tourist-rich highlights, dig a little deeper to find blissfully quiet and crowd-free, off-the-beaten track hidden gems … [Read more...]
Sea of Galilee and Redemption
The sea, the sea! That was my miraculous view for at least four Galilean days staying in a hotel on the outskirts of the ancient city of Tiberias, Israel. That was the Sea of Galilee or Lake Tiberias or Buhayrat Tabriya in Arabic or Yam Kinneret in Hebrew. This is the sea of abounding stories; biblical, archaeological, economic, political and of personal testimonies. One Night I was awakened by a dream. I was swimming in the sea’s deep … [Read more...]
Incomparable and Magnificent Istanbul
“If a blind man should gaze upon the world but one day, he should gaze upon Istanbul.” – Alphonse de Lamartine Few places elicit the “It's the most beautiful city I have ever seen!” reaction as frequently as Istanbul. Those were also my exact sentiments the first time I visited back in 2004. Today, 15 years later, as I stroll the empty streets of downtown Istanbul in the middle of the night, I remember why I have ever since felt this way. I … [Read more...]
Sarah Dandashy, Founder Ask A Concierge
I first discovered Sarah's Ask a Concierge website when reviewing the list of speakers at the annual Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show (held every February). I was intrigued by her impressive background including extensive international travel experience especially in Europe and the Middle East. She is a prolific writer, creates entertaining travel videos and is a well-regarded concierge. In 2015 Les Clefs d'Or named her "The World's Most … [Read more...]
The Moroccan Sahara. A Sunset Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi.
It has been a long day, yet one that has been extremely enjoyable. Two days in a car would not have been a preferred choice after my disastrous week of cycling in the Atlas Mountains but Mousa, my guide, has made the right calls with stops for both the sights on the way and for breaks, as well as sensing when to chat and when to leave me to doze. The further we drive - the further into the desert we go - the better the scenery. We are roughly … [Read more...]
Manhattan’s Korean Way
What I love most about New York, is the diversity of people and cultures that mix and mingle without even thinking twice about it. Walking down the street, you are more likely to hear any one of a large array of foreign languages than you are to hear English. This could include Chinese, Indian, Russian, German, Hebrew, Arabic, Portuguese, Urdu.... You name it and you'll probably hear it. And each group brings with it its own culture and history … [Read more...]
Xi’an Belongs to the World
Chinese culture belongs not only to the Chinese but also to the whole world,” said former Chinese president Hu Jintao. If Chinese culture does indeed belong to the world, then, without a doubt, the place to explore it is Xi’An. If you’ve never heard of it before, you’re probably not alone. Oddly, one of China’s most interesting and unique cities is not particularly well known to the outside world, especially considering its historical … [Read more...]
Quiet Rome: underground houses, secret gardens and amazing artworks
If you know where to look, Rome is one of the most peaceful capital cities in the world. Get away from the traffic and the crowds queuing to get into the Vatican Museums, and you’ll discover quiet piazzas, tranquil parks, and museums where the statues outnumber the visitors. I’ve spent the last three years living in Rome, exploring the city on my own or in the company of a tour guide from my company, Through Eternity. Nothing beats exploring … [Read more...]
Living in the Age of Airplanes: A Film by Brian J. Terwilliger
As Bill Gates said, “The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together,” and that’s exactly what this film proves. LIVING IN THE AGE OF AIRPLANES brings to life the vision of the Wright Brothers, encouraging us to appreciate the luxury we have today to be able to walk onto a plane and walk back off halfway across the world. “You have a lot of disgruntled passengers where their focus is on the … [Read more...]
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