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Desert Nights: Oman’s five-star luxury camp a sandy pleasure palace

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I treated myself and Marina to a five-star resort deep in the Omani desert. Desert Nights Resort has 88 tents accommodating 160 people and because only 16 guests were there during last week’s final week of Ramadan in March, they upgraded us to a villa suite. It’s expensive. There isn’t a lot to do. But to experience a sunset from atop a desert sand dune is worth the price.

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Video: Two nights of luxury in the Omani desert

Sometimes I admit videos tell a better story than words. That’s especially true in the Ormani desert where I treated ourselves to a five-star resort. Here’s a video from atop a sand dune. Stay tuned for a complete report next Tuesday.

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Oman: Birthday in the Switzerland of the Middle East

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We chose Oman to celebrate my birthday last week after so many people told me it would be my favorite Muslim country. It would be my 20th. They were close. We loved the friendly people, clean streets, beautiful mosques, great food and desert ambiance, Most of all we loved visiting during Ramadan, the Muslim fast. Oman was nearly empty.

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Bali: How to travel the Indonesian island like a celebrity

Luxury travel Viceroy

Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia for travelers. If you want to see how the other half lives, guest blogger Patrick Farrell lists all the luxurious ways you can make your visit a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From hotels to helicopter rides, this guide will get you in the right circles.

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Travel bucket list 2025: From Wales to Thailand and some “weird” destinations in between

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Since retiring to Rome in 2014, I average about 60 days of travel a year. I should top that in 2025. My travel bucket list has a trip either booked or tentatively scheduled nearly every month. They range from Wales this winter to Thailand next November with WAY off-the-beaten-path spots such as Turkmenistan and Syria in between. Take a look at my plan. Hope it inspires you to set sail.

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Palestine: Tourism trying to show another side of a country at war

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You like to get off the beaten path? Why not Palestine? Yes, you can visit. In fact, I visited with the marketing director of Palestine Tourism at the World Travel Market in London last month. He enlightened me about how safe Palestine remains outside Gaza. And there is so much to see and do. I’m ready to go. Read my blog and you might, too.

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Travel tales from hell: Disease, machetes and the lessons we learn

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(Director’s note: I’m traveling in Moldova, Europe’s poorest country which made me think of the worst trips of my life. I’m re-posting a blog I wrote five years ago on my travel tales from hell. I hope when I return I won’t add to it.”) To truly travel, one must truly suffer. It’s a backpacker’s […]

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Summer Olympics: My memories from Sydney, Beijing, London

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During my 40-year sportswriting career, I covered six Olympics. With the Paris Olympics opening Friday, I thought I’d share memories of the three Summer Olympics I covered in Sydney, Beijing and London. They range from covering Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals to riding on the back of a monk’s motorcycle to his hilltop monastery for tea.

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17 hours in Shanghai: Dumplings, Bund and a lot of concrete capitalism

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On our way back from Japan recently, China Eastern Airlines stuck us with a 17-hour layover in Shanghai. But with China’s handy 24-hour airport visa, we could get a glimpse of the world’s third-largest city. We had a great authentic Shanghai dumpling dinner then were amazed at the Bund and Lujiazui, the city’s areas with the spectacular trademark skyline. But too much concrete. Too much smog.

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Japanese cuisine: Tasty, healthy and — yes! — cheap

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Eating healthy while traveling can be challenging. Eating unhealthy in Japan is almost impossible. During our visit three weeks ago, Marina and I ate mostly raw fish, grilled fish, vegetables, rice, noodles and teriyaki. It was not only tasty and healthy but, thanks to the yen tanking, mostly cheap.

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