The southwestern part of Saudi Arabia surprised us with the fascinating contrasts of Jeddah, the stunning mountain landscape that parallels the Red Sea, the unexpected Farasan Islands off the coast, and our return to the…
In brief: The northwest spans eternities, from the timeless grandeur of sandstone formations to the architectural sensibility of the Nabataeans to the spiritual centers of Islam. As the sun slid beyond the bulbous hills, and…
In brief: We explore the desert cities in the east: Riyadh, the expanding capital; Buraydah, a crossroads for trade; and Hail for ancient art. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a land with a rich…
In brief: On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, alongside magnificent landscapes, we explored ancient cities that were important some 2000 years ago and still revelatory today. Greco-Roman Cities "I am Alpha and Omega, the…
In brief: Our swing to the south of Turkey led us to its lovely Mediterranean coast and two very different cultural heritages. Neolithic Çatalhoyuk: The origins of community They established a model for how to…
In brief: Our drive through western Turkey first covered the north and central regions – a land of ancient empires, magnificent artistry, and geological wonders. Hittite Empire & Ankara Museum The Hittite Empire – possibly…
In brief: Istanbul has many monuments to show for all its storied past, while its population comes alive outdoors at its bazaars and cafes. Walking for a week around the historic city of Istanbul uncovers…
In brief: The bounty was unexpected. This fall we found a wide range of new things to do in Lisbon after all the time we’ve been here. A Presidential Palace. A weekend of drama and…
In brief: For a couple of days, we enjoyed seatrekking, hiking among schist towns, flopping, and even talking into the night. It was a weekend filled with rivers and rocks. With eight other hardy, young…
In brief: While exploring the Douro River valley, we found other enticements in the vicinity - Bragança, Viana do Castelo, Arouca. Our main goal was to do the Douro River valley and its towns, as…