Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest metropolitan area in both Africa and the Middle East. From eating koshary at Abou Tarek to jumping on random local buses going the direction I wanted, I consistently found the non-touristy city sections vibrant, exciting, dirty, pushy, and friendly. My best advice is to not treat it as a sightseeing destination. Here are the best things to do in Cairo.
Read MoreLuxor (Thebes) was the capital of Egypt from 1570 to 1069 BCE. Often called “the world’s greatest open-air museum,” it is the epicenter of Ancient Egyptian heritage sites - including over 60 tombs of pharaohs, the second largest religious complex in the world, and an exquisite selection of smaller temples. If anything, Luxor offers far much to do. These are the best things to do in Luxor.
Read MoreAswan was the southernmost city in Ancient Egypt and the source for much of its construction stone and marble. Many of the city’s heritage sites were flooded by the Aswan High Dam - and were saved by being relocated. Entire temples were deconstructed and rebuilt - sometimes hours away. Here are the best things to do in Aswan.
Read MoreCasablanca can feel like a dense, rich Florida suburb or a den of urban poverty - depending on which section you’re walking through. While the city can ring of promise, it often fails to deliver. My best advice is to skip the city if you can. But if you can’t, head to Hassan II Mosque and grab dinner in that neighborhood. Then relax in your room. Those are the best things to do in Casablanca.
Read MorePerhaps Morocco’s cleanest city, Rabat has a balance of urban beach escape, modern capital infrastructure, and a historical Medina. It offers a tame, non-overwhelming taste of all things Morrocco without many tourists - or the industries that pop up to pander to them. Here are the best things to do in Rabat.
Read MoreOf Morocco’s imperial cities, Fez to me strikes the best balance of tradition and comfort. Having the largest Medina in Morocco, the city offers a vast area to explore of souks, traditional restaurants, and Islamic architecture. Unlike Marrakech, because the entire area is pedestrianized, you’ll never be overwhelmed by passing cars and motorbikes. Here are some of the best things to do in Fez.
Read MoreAA trip to Morocco would feel incomplete without a tour through the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Here, you can take a peek at traditional Berber life, enjoy a sunset in the desert, and marvel at the Dades River Valley. Here are some of the most common things to do in the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Read MoreMarrakesh serves up the culture shock experience a tourist is likely hoping for from a trip to Morocco. Within its well-preserved medieval Medina, the city’s defining trait is chaos: zooming bikes, raised voice conversations, shops bursting with exotic wares, and aromas filling the air. It’s a bit high octane - but also magical if you roll with it. Here are the best things to do in Marrakesh.
Read MoreI’m 8 months into my 16-month round the world trip, and I’ve found something to love everyplace I’ve been in 98 cities across 34 countries. Month eight for me was about embracing the nonself - that I change moment to moment and that I’m not reducible to any simple description. This summary covers where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and how I’ve grown.
Read MoreFunchal is Portugal’s sixth largest city and the capital of the autonomous island region of Madeira. Showcasing the best of Portuguese discovery-era Old Town charm and island life, Funchal offers a relaxing, beautiful vacation escape. Here are the best things to do in Funchal.
Read MoreCadiz is a charming, small beach escape that offers all the architectural charms of an Andalusian city without the crowds - alongside some of the calmest, cleanest urban beaches in Europe. While Cadiz is one of Europe’s longest inhabited cities, the ancient history isn’t well preserved, so most visitors focus on the atmospheric Old Town. Here are some of the best things to do in Cadiz.
Read MoreMalaga is the unofficial capital of Spain’s Costa del Sol and the second largest city in Andalusia. Occupied for over 2,500 years, it boasts historical elements from Phoenician, Carthage, Roman, Moorish and Spanish rule. The overall result is that you get tastes of Andalusian culture amid a large, stunning coastal resort city. This summary provides you the best things to do in Malaga.
Read MoreCartagena (Spain) is the second largest city in Iberia and has been occupied for 2,000 years. While it offers tastes of regional attractions - like modernist architecture, a beach, and Roman ruins - the city is largely forgettable. You’ll most likely find yourself here if you’re on a cruise. If you do, my best advice is to shop and grab a bite to eat along Calle Mayor.
Read MoreI’m 7 months into my 16-month round the world trip, and I’ve found something to love everyplace I’ve been in 92 cities across 33 countries. Month five for me was about shedding all the shoulds and musts that I’ve inherited through my life - and starting to explore who I am when nothing I’ve been told is held sacred. This summary covers where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and how I’ve grown.
Read MoreFrom its cafe culture to its many vegan restaurants - and from its vibrant gay scene to its diverse graffiti - Tel Aviv is a youthful, trendy, livable city with a strong tendency to embrace counter culture movements. While it may not top a list of beautiful places, Tel Aviv is indisputably cool.
Read MoreJerusalem is arguably the world’s most important holy city - being an important historical site for the majority of the world’s population. Whatever your faith, experiencing Jerusalem is unavoidably spiritual - a journey through the beauty and horror of religious faith.
Read MoreEilat is Israel’s southernmost city - and its only destination along the Red Sea. As a beach destination, Eilat is lovely and unremarkable - a charming place to find yourself but not one I would recommend going out of your way to explore.
Read MoreJordan’s only coastal town, Aqaba is an unremarkable beach resort destination. For divers, though, it offers the northernmost coral reefs, light that penetrates 15 meters below water, a plane wreck and a sunken tank. A good bookend for an adventure-filled trip to Jordan.
Read MoreWadi Rum’s surreally beautiful red sand and granite rock formations have garnered it the nickname Mars on Earth. With the land being managed by native Bedouins, you’ll experience the area through the eyes of a local family while glamping in a modernized version of their traditional tents. Prepare to be wowed.
Read MoreEven as a New World Wonder, Petra exceeds its hype and delivers a once-in-a-lifetime adventuring experience. The Rose City carved into cliffs in a desert is larger that you’d expect - and has plenty of opportunities to explore remote tombs on your own.
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