Discover travel itineraries, detailed guides and first-hand stories about visiting destinations in the Middle East.
The ancient Roman city of Jerash (also known as Gerasa), and the current modern city by the same name, are located about 48km north of Amman, Jordan. It’s the second most-visited site in Jordan, with Petra being the first. Background People have inhabited this area as far back as the Neolithic Age, around 7500–5500 BC. Archaeological… Continue reading
Everyone has heard of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx that guards them. But the pyramids of Saqqara aren’t nearly as famous. This actually makes them a great place to visit, since they aren’t nearly as touristy as the Great Pyramids. It’s also the place where pyramid building got its start. So… Continue reading
While in Egypt, we visited probably a half dozen temples. After a while, they can sort of blur together. The Temple of Kom Ombo, however is one that is particularly interesting in design. The Temple of Kom Ombo is located in Upper Egypt in the Aswan Governorate. The temple was built in the 2nd century BC,… Continue reading
The Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. It’s also the second largest temple in all of Egypt, with the Temple of Karnak being the first. History The Temple of Edfu was originally dedicated to the falcon god, Horus of Behdet (the original name for Edfu). It was built on… Continue reading
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are some of the most iconic and fascinating man-made architectural achievements in the world. They are also overrun with tourists, fake security guards, aggressive camel drivers, and vendors selling cheap and chintzy souvenirs. But don’t let those drawbacks stop you from seeing these engineering marvels. They’re worth visiting, even… Continue reading
The Dead Sea is one of the most unique places on earth. It’s also one of the most fascinating and mysterious! Here are a handful of tips and facts that you should be aware of before visiting the Dead Sea! 1. Step in and soak up centuries of history Straddling the borders of Israel, Jordan… Continue reading
Abu Simbel is the site of two ancient temples located in Aswan, Egypt. At least, this is where they’re located now. This isn’t their original location. And how they got here was no easy feat. First, a bit of history: The ancient Egyptians built the two temples in the 13th Century BC under the reign… Continue reading
Climbing Mount Sinai in Egypt is an unforgettable experience. Just be aware that if you’re not an early-riser, you’ll be in for a shock at just how early you need to get up to make it to the summit in time to watch the sunrise! I’m the first to admit that I am NOT a… Continue reading
One can hardly walk through the ancient city of Petra in Jordan without connecting it to the pivotal ending of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. That movie brought even more fame, and tourists, to this site than ever before. And this fact is not lost on the local merchants: Disclosure: This post contains affiliate… Continue reading
Reaching the ancient Citadel in Amman requires a short hike through the striking city of Amman, Jordan. Jabal al-Qal’a, (Jabal is Arabic for “hill”, and Amman is built on seven hills) is a national historic site with evidence of settlement as far back as the Middle Bronze Age (1650-1550 BC). Numerous civilizations occupied this land.… Continue reading
