Long before I got to Jordan, I knew I’d be impressed by the Lost City of Petra. Everything about this ancient city fascinated me, from the history, the architecture, and of course the iconic sights of the Treasury and the Monastery. In 2007, Petra was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of The […]
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Petra: The Treasury, Monastery & More! Read More »
I’m a big advocate of traveling in the off-season and reaping the benefits: lower prices, fewer crowds, a more local experience. But as I sit here in Turkey, I’m disappointed at my decision to come here for three weeks in late November. Istanbul was great if a bit cold, Cappadocia was freezing cold and creepily
Traveling in the Off-Season: Sometimes Great, Sometimes Awful! Read More »
Of all the outstanding views in Jordan, my favorite was from Jerash, seen at the top of the amphitheatre: I loved it. The ancient city’s colonnade in the foreground, the modern city in the background — this, in a nutshell, is Jordan! The ruins of the ancient city of Jerash are some of the most
Jerash: The Coolest Ruins You’ve Never Heard Of Read More »
What should a woman wear when visiting Jordan? As this was my first time in the Middle East, I didn’t want to make any missteps, so I erred on the side of caution and dressed somewhat conservatively. Since it was November and cool, it made it easier. Unlike Iran and Saudi Arabia, women in Jordan
What Should Women Wear in Jordan? Read More »
Jerusalem, Beirut, Dubai, Damascus — these cities of the Middle East are wild and vibrant, and probably sit closely on your radar. As for Amman, Jordan? Not so much. But being one of the lesser-visited cities in the Middle East doesn’t mean that it’s boring. Amman was my introduction to Jordan — as well as
Welcome to Amman — and the Middle East Read More »
I’m not in the best mindset when I arrive in Istanbul. Things aren’t going well. It’s freezing cold. Nobody will exchange my Jordanian dinars. As I ride the crowded metro into the city, I quickly learn that deodorant isn’t exactly a “thing” here. And to top it off, everyone is glaring at me for bringing
Arrival in Istanbul: From Uninspiring to Irresistible! Read More »
Greetings from Jordan! I am four days into my trip here with the Jordan Tourism Board. It’s been a whirlwind, almost nonstop trip and I feel like I should wait and let things coalesce before getting into any in-depth posts, but I wanted to share my thoughts on how my first trip to the Middle
First Impressions of Jordan Read More »
Early evening is a magical time in Italy, when everyone comes outside to walk the streets — that evening ritual is called the passeggiata, and it goes on throughout the country. Then darkness falls. Bologna, as fascinating a city as it is during the day, becomes positively magical at night. Here are some of my
Photo Essay: Bologna at Night Read More »
Shortly after arriving in Florence for my semester abroad, I met a guy wearing a gold belt buckle shaped like a lion’s head, a pair of boot-cut jeans tight enough to cut off circulation on top, a shirt unbuttoned almost to his navel, and the trendiest near-mullet I’ve ever seen. And he was American. This
Haircuts Around the World Read More »
Hunting for truffles with dogs in the mountains of Italy was definitely something I never imagined myself doing. Yet when it was revealed as one of our Delicious Emilia-Romagna activities, I was ready to jump right in! I pictured myself with a huge, hyperactive dog on the end of a leash, running all over the
Hunting for Truffles with Dogs Read More »