Asia

March 28, 2023

Traveling in Muslim countries: Today’s trip to Istanbul reminds me of what lures me back to land of Islam

I’m going to Istanbul today. Turkey is one of 17 Muslim countries that I’ve traveled in, much to the chagrin of many Americans. I love traveling in Muslim countries for a variety of reasons, from the history to the architecture to the fact that they are just so different. I give 10 reasons why I’m lured to the land of Islam plus some travel tips for worried travelers.

March 27, 2023

Asia: Three countries you have to visit before you die

Asia is not only the world’s biggest continent, it’s also the most diverse. Cross a border and you’re in a totally different world. It has something for everyone: foodies, budget backpackers, adventurers, history buffs. Guest blogger Elizabeth Long talks about three of her favorites: Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

February 17, 2023

India journey: From the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas

River,At,Turtuk,Village,,Diskit,,Jammu,And,Kashmir,,India

India is world’s largest democracy and within its borders lies some of the most diverse landscapes and cultures in the world. Indian guest blogger Arpit Jain offers some suggestions on what to do and where to go.

April 26, 2021

10 things I miss about travel — as Italy’s lockdown ends

I’ve traveled to 107 countries but none in the last 14 months. I miss it more than anyone can know. Here is why.

September 8, 2020

My 10 favorite islands in the world: Your dream list for the post-pandemic 2021

Let’s face it, folks. It’s time to punt 2020. You’re not going anywhere. Americans have been banned everywhere from Poland to Pluto and even here in Italy our curve has spiked a bit after a flatlining summer brimming with optimism. It’s time to plan for 2021. Well, at least dream. That’s all many of us […]

June 17, 2020

Madain Saleh: Saudi Arabia’s 2,000-year-old UNESCO Heritage Site and sister city of Petra

Me in front of one of Madain Saleh's 131 tombs left over from the Nabataean Civilization 2,000 years ago.

Madain Saleh is the crown jewel of a Saudi Arabia that is trying to make its first inroads in mass tourism. It’s Petra’s sister city without the crowds.

June 3, 2020

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea jewel opening its gate even wider for the world

Jeddah is Arabia’s cosmopolitan capital on the sea (This is the second of a three-part series on travels through Saudi Arabia.) JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The plane begins to fill and I wonder if this domestic Saudi airline has a dress code. I look around the Flyadeal jet and realize I’m about the only person […]

May 29, 2020

Saudi Arabia: The kingdom finally opens its doors to tourists and I stepped through

Saudi Arabia is shining a light toward a bright future while trying darken its controversial past.

November 19, 2019

Abu Dhabi: World’s richest city per capita is more than just skyscrapers, opulence, shopping and tourists

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — I don’t believe time machines will ever exist but I came the closest to experiencing one. I just traveled from one of the oldest cities in the world to one of the newest. Flying six hours from Rome (founded 753 B.C.) to Abu Dhabi (founded 1971), I felt like […]

June 26, 2019

Uzbekistan: Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo as the world discovers the old Silk Road

(Last of a four-part series on my three-week journey through Central Asia) TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — The Silk Road stretched from eastern China to what is now western Turkey, a 4,000-mile highway of transported goods that connected East with West like no time ever before. It was the 2nd century’s version of Amazon.com. Genghis Khan did […]

June 21, 2019

Tajikistan: USSR’s poorest ex-republic stands tall with pretty peaks and a sparkling capital

(Third of a four-part series on my three-week trip through Central Asia.) ARTUCH, Tajikistan — The Artuch Mountaineering Camp sits in a deep bowl in the middle of postcard-perfect snow-capped mountains and a forest of juniper trees. A small river babbles down the valley into a little village below. I’d feel as if I was […]

June 15, 2019

Almaty: Kazakhstan’s former capital a beacon of post-Soviet modernization — if only the government kept step

(Second of a four-part series on a three-week trip through Central Asia) ALMATY, Kazakhstan — I was sitting in what can only be described as an Arabic gazebo. My table sat under a pointed roof with drapes on four sides pulled back like on a square four-poster bed. It looked more like a harem tent […]

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