Middle East

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It sometimes feels like the news wouldn’t be THE NEWS without daily scare-mongering about the latest atrocity in the Middle East; and at the time of writing it’s still unclear how and to what extent the “Arab Spring” will reshape the region.

What’s less well known is that the Middle East is a varied, inspiring, and generally safe area in which to travel; with awesome ancient sites such as Petra in Jordan, Biblical locations such as the Dead Sea (in Jordan and Israel), the lively souqs of Damascus in Syria, intimidatingly beautiful deserts such as Wadi Rum, and the soft bubbling of water pipes in cafes across the whole region.

We have articles about teaching English in Bahrain during the protests, how to conduct yourself in a Syrian hammam, where to find the best mosaics, why you should visit Lebanon, daily life in Tel Aviv, and much, much more.

Trip Planning →

Any stereotypes you enter with will be quickly discarded at the border.

Photo Essay →

A rare look into everyday life during Iraq's transitional period.

Trip Planning →

Now relatively safe and becoming a popular destination for travelers in the region -...

Food →

A Middle Eastern Joke goes, "What is Arab hospitality?" Answer: "Eat meat!" "What is...

Nightlife Guides →

I was vaguely aware of the city’s reputation for debauchery before arriving.

Christianity →

I was struck by the rich breadth of cultural expression.

Photo + Video + Film →

Feels like a confession, or the last banal minutes before something crazy happens.

Activism + Politics →

While officials play war games, citizens send messages of love.

Judaism →

The end of a foreskin is not the end of the world.

Interviews →

When Israel entered the house, it entered as poetry’s guest.

Relationships →

I was a little uncomfortable since I'd recently been through a breakup.

Cityscape →

A look at one of the world's busiest cities at a less frenetic pace.

Judaism →

Conflict in Jerusalem is not just between Jews and Arabs.

 

This surreal video was Matthew Brown's reality traveling through Israel.

Photo Essay →

When she grows up, my little-kid self is going to be so psyched about this.

Running →

“Running is good for you,” he reasoned. “That’s not cultural, that’s a fact.”

Glimpse →

Syria felt like the last place in the world where anything “enraged” could happen

Islam →

Over tiny cups of cardamon-laced Arabic coffee, Maolim Salim showed us his amulets he...

Judaism →

The old Hasid in his long black coat has invited over a friend for Torah study and a toke.