Wadi Rum Bedouins Jordan’s Wadi Rum is a unique desert experience that can’t be fully appreciated unless you stay overnight. Accommodation is not plentiful and usually means staying in a Bedouin camp. In spite of the fact that I am not a fan of camping, I can say that it was a very memorable experience. … Read more
Along the Transhumana Trail The Abruzzo Apennines mountain experience is filled with tiny picturesque villages, spectacular views and ancient trails. A car will take you only so far, in order to experience the full impact of these hills, you need to go on horseback. The Maiella (Majella) Morrone Mountains of Abruzzo offer excellent horseback terrain, … Read more
Papua New Guinea is one of the least visited places on earth. Once you start planning you trip to the highlands you see why. It is not easy to get here and staying safe is a challenge. However, it is well worth the effort. It has one of the most diverse cultures in the world, … Read more
A camel market visit gives you insight into a unique cultural aspect of the middle east. The entire process, from the transportation and the treatment of the camels to the bargaining process and deal consolidation, is a sight to behold, but not a pretty one. Our travel coordinator located in North America, informed us that … Read more
A trip to Siwa, Egypt is an exploration into a remote Egyptian community consisting mostly of Berbers, a Muslim ethnic group. There are very few places on earth that have been as culturally and geographically isolated as Siwa. It is not an easy place to get to and staying there even for a few days … Read more
There is more to Cairo than the pyramids and sphinx. There are incomparable museums and sprawling neighborhoods with a fascinating history. We visited the individual neighborhoods that make up Africa and the Middle East’s largest city. As it has stood on the banks of the Nile for 1000 years, Cairo’s neighborhoods are full of historical … Read more
From the birthplace of Jesus to unbelievable local flavors, ancient cities and epic sites, the Palestinian Territories are captivating to visit. Whether you are fascinated by ancient biblical history or just curious about the political situation, the Palestinian Territories are not to be missed. Granted, tourism is not exactly the area’s focus and travel to … Read more
Israel is a place everyone should visit at least once. Whether you are inspired by religious reasons or merely historical and archaeological ones, Israel is filled with religious and non-religious sites that are pivotal to human history. Jerusalem (see our post on Jerusalem) is a great starting point. North of Jerusalem and the areas around … Read more
Everyone wants (and should) visit Israel at least once in their lives. If you want a religious perspective when visiting this area, you will simply hire a guide that shares in your beliefs. We wanted a secular, historical perspective, but knew it was going to be difficult for anyone who lives and works in this … Read more
Thailand is famous for its exotic beaches and ornate temples. Its capital, Bangkok has 22% of the country’s population (metropolitan area). It is the largest urban center in the country. We combined our trip to Thailand with Cambodia (see our post on Cambodia) and Viet Nam (see our post on Vietnam). Although Bangkok is filled … Read more
China is a huge country and a five day itinerary is far too limited. Nevertheless, this post discusses our abridged China trip. With only five days, we managed to visit the Great Wall of China as a day trip from Beijing, Tiananmen Square, the Beijing night market and various Beijing neighborhoods. Beijing, China Beijing is … Read more
Hong Kong has a very unique history and location, a visit to Hong Kong is a captivating experience. We concentrated on the various neighborhoods making up the cities of Hong Kong and Kowloon. Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841 to 1997. As a result, most of the political and administrative bodies established in … Read more
Japan travel is a mixture of ultra-modern skyscrapers and ancient temples, with gorgeous public gardens, crowded streets and a multi faceted people that are reserved but friendly. We visited Tokyo and its famous Meiji Shrine as well as the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Mt Fuji. We also visited the Kamakura/Shonan area, home of the … Read more
The famous temples at Angkor City in Cambodia are a world treasure and are not to be missed. Other interesting places to visit in Cambodia are the small floating villages along the Mekong River and around Tonle Sap Lake. Our trip to Cambodia included the temples at both Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom as well … Read more
The Mekong Delta, Chan May/Danang and Ho Chi Minh City are the three places we would definitely recommend to a first time visitor to this wonderful country. As most of Vietnam is on water, it is a great place to see via tour boat. We decided that part of the trip would best be done … Read more
Indonesia is a hugely varied and intriguing continent and a one time visit is difficult to plan as there are too many captivating places to visit in one trip, unless your trip is an extended one. The island of Komodo, home to the infamous Komodo dragon should certainly be on the travel list. Komodo National … Read more
Hands down, Sumba is the most beautiful island in Indonesia, and surprisingly, not commonly visited even though it lies just east of Bali (see our post on Bali). Those who do visit are usually surfers because of its astounding surfing scene. Sumba’s history and traditions are very different from the rest of Indonesia and together … Read more
Zimbabwe’s has some great safari destinations, including he Hwange National Park and the Mana Pools National Park, and we recommend combining your Zimbabwe visit with a safari in Zambia (see our blog), South Africa (see our blog) or Botswana (see our blog). Despite Zimbabwe’s political and economic instability, which has dominated western news in recent … Read more
India’s Bengal tiger is an endangered species and to see one in the wild is a thrilling experience. The two main parks for tiger spotting, Kanha and Bandhavgarh have the added attraction of having tiny villages around them where you can explore the culture of the Indian countryside. It is a safari like no other. … Read more
Jordan’s Petra should be on everyone’s bucket list of must see places. When visiting Petra, Little Petra and Aaron’s Tomb should be added to the itinerary. When visiting this area, it is recommended that you visit Jordan’s other distinguished sites (see our post). Jordan is is one of the most progressive states in the middle … Read more
Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, a symbol of the old Inca civilization, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven world wonders is a marvel to experience. Sacred Valley, just a 40 minute shuttle bus ride, is a lesser visited site, but this beautiful, peaceful corner of the Andes is filled with quaint … Read more
Of the Scandinavian countries, Norway has the most spectacular natural beauty. A visit to Norway after or before a Baltic cruise (see our post) is an efficient way of exploring this area. Visiting the other Scandinavian countries around the same time gives you a glimpse into their differences and similarities. Oslo On the Inner Harbour, … Read more
In Mumbai, we wanted to explore the more organic aspects of the city, as we did in Kolkata (see our post on Kolkata) in order to absorb everyday life in the streets and neighborhoods. The city’s most iconic neighborhood landmarks include the Sassoon Fish Market, the Mumbai Dabbawalas (lunch delivery system) and the Dhobi Ghat … Read more
The city of Khajuraho offers a unique experience. The 25 temples are all built in close proximity to one another, with diverging styles and themes that give you an immediate snapshot of Indian religions and architectural styles throughout the ages, making it an inspiring experience. The city itself is very different from most Indian cities, … Read more
Our first visit to India a number of years ago included the cities of Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is the third stop on the most recommended tour of north India called the golden triangle. This is the tour that includes the iconic Taj Mahal (Agra). After hearing its praises for so long, I was expecting … Read more
Kolkata (Calcutta) is not on most people’s bucket list but it should be. It is one of the most interesting cities in India. It is a colorful, vibrant city that is on its way to regeneration. The perception of Kolkata for those who have not yet visited the city, is a place with overpopulation, extreme … Read more
When planning an Amazon river cruise, one important consideration is which country do you choose? Peru or Brazil? We chose Peru over Brazil for our Amazon River cruise. The main reason is that the river furthest upstream (Peru) offers most biological diversity and more animal species. It is narrower, so as you travel down by … Read more
Jordan has a famed crusader castle (Kerak Castle) and the famous Christian site of the Baptism of Jesus (Bethany beyond the Jordan). It is also home to Petra (see post on Petra) and one of the world’s most beautiful deserts (see post on Wadi Rum). It is is one of the most progressive states in … Read more
The Galapagos Island Reserve is a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. The islands are (or should be) on everyone’s bucket list of places to visit. They do not disappoint. Many travelers combine a trip to the Galapagos with a tour of Machu Picchu (see our post). Because the Galapagos archipelago is comprised of … Read more
A safari experience in Nepal (Chitwan or Bardia) is very different than India (see our post on Indian safaris). Many travelers want to know which country to visit if they want to see tigers, India or Nepal. Nepal is a very special place and Kathmandu is unlike any other city on earth, so a trip … Read more
Cappadocia in central Turkey is one of the world’s most unique travel destinations. To visit Turkey and not visit Cappadocia means missing out on a huge part of the country’s history. Granted, it is far from Istanbul and the coast, but it so pivotal to understanding the country that it is worth the effort of … Read more
Whether you are an ancient history buff or merely want to understand Turkey’s historical diversity, a visit to Ephesus (and Didyma) is a must. Turkey’s history extends back thousands of years and the cities of Ephesus and Didyma provide a continuous archaeological journey through time. The drive from Istanbul to Ephesus is memorable. Ephesus Ephesus … Read more
There are a handful of cities in the world that are iconic symbols of world history. Istanbul is one of them. With a total population of around fifteen million residents in its metropolitan area, Istanbul is the world’s fifteenth largest city and the largest city in Continental Europe. It is also Turkey’s commercial and historic center. It is an exciting, … Read more
Kenya is a stunning country with many premiere wildlife reserves, in this post we will discuss the two most popular, the Maasai (Masai) Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. When visiting Kenya, one should also consider Tanzania. See our post on Tanzania. Maasai Mara National Reserve Named after the Maasai people (Masai), the Mara … Read more
For those Mondisti looking to experience the ‘Big Five‘ in the least amount of time, South Africa should be at the top of your list. See our posts on Botwana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia for nearby destinations, but in terms of Big Five sightings, a better comparison would be Kenya and Tanzania. The so-called Big Five … Read more
Morocco and Tunisia tempt the imagination with mysterious caravans, expansive deserts and romantic getaways. Our trip to Morocco included the cities of Marrakesh, Casablanca, Fez and the Atlas Mountains. In Tunisia we visited the cities of Carthage and Tunis. Like Egypt (see our post on Egypt), this area is rich in ancient history. The Sahara … Read more
Although Churchill, Manitoba is not technically in the Arctic (the Arctic Circle is 66.6 degrees latitude, while Churchill is 59 degrees latitude), polar bears have long gathered here in October and November of each year as they begin to move from their summer habitat on the tundra back to seal-hunting territory: the pack ice of Hudson Bay. This spectacular … Read more
Many tourists only associate Zambia with Victoria Falls, and that’s exactly what makes Zambia safaris so attractive, there are no crowds! In this post we describe the three main safari destinations we visited in Zambia: the Lower Zambezi National Park, Kafue National Park and the South Luangua National Park. (click here to read our post … Read more
Borneo – houseboat or lodge The best way to see Borneo is on the water. We debated a water only tour or a combination of hotel and houseboat. In the end, we opted for the water only option as the available hotel accommodation was not that enticing. It is a bit surprising that better accommodation … Read more
There are actually only 3 Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. However, 9 countries have a shoreline along the Baltic Sea: Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. Much like a cruise in Alaska (see out post), a Baltic cruise is an efficient and relaxing way to explore the maritime regions of … Read more
Prague and Budapest, together with Vienna, are probably the most popular among the tourists’ cities in Central and Eastern Europe. Combining the three cities makes for an efficient travel itinerary. We took a train between Prague and Vienna with several times per day to choose from, it was a 4 hour ride. We then took … Read more
Australia shouldn’t be described in a single post. Its landmass is 3 million square miles (7,682,300 km²), with 3 time zones and 8 climate zones ranging from desert to tropical to alpine. But this post is mainly for travelers, like us, who have been reluctant to visit Australia because of the time and effort to … Read more
The Island of Enchantment Bali is both an island and a province in Indonesia, a country with 17,500 other islands. It is the only Hindu majority province, in the otherwise muslim majority Indonesia. Islamic fundamentalists blew up two nightclubs in 2002 in the tourist hub of Kuta, but everything seems controlled now on that front. … Read more
We have traveled through Egypt via three different itineraries. The first trip was a cruise along the Nile, as discussed in this post, while the second concentrated on Cairo (see our post on Cairo) and Alexandria. This last trip we visited Abu Simbel and then west to Siwa, an oasis in the Western Desert (see … Read more
