Category MIDDLE EAST
Mount Nemrut – A Royal Tomb Above the Clouds At 2,134 meters (7,001 ft) elevation in southeastern Turkey, Mount Nemrut’s summit reveals one of antiquity’s most spectacular sites – the monumental tomb of King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, surrounded… Continue Reading →
Cappadocia – Land of Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities The journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia transports you to another world. While an 11-hour bus ride is possible, the one-hour flight offers breathtaking aerial views of this UNESCO-listed region’s lunar landscapes… Continue Reading →
Istanbul: Where Continents Collide in a Symphony of History The only city spanning two continents, Istanbul’s 2,500-year history as Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Turkey’s cultural capital makes it a living museum of civilizations. Beyond the iconic sights, we’ll reveal fascinating… Continue Reading →
Traveler’s Guide: Navigating Complex Realities Israel’s Border Security – A necessary but intense experience. As a visitor, expect thorough security checks that reflect the region’s complex geopolitical reality. Officials conduct methodical interviews and luggage inspections—standard procedure given Israel’s security concerns… Continue Reading →
Israeli Kibbutzim – Socialist Utopia or Modern Success Story? While traveling through Israel, I had the unique opportunity to visit several kibbutzim – fascinating agricultural communes that represent the living legacy of early Zionist ideals. These collective communities offer a… Continue Reading →
Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery – Where Heaven Touched Earth One of Egypt’s most breathtaking spiritual experiences begins under the stars. Our sunset-to-sunrise pilgrimage to Mount Sinai’s 2,285-meter summit started at 10 PM with 25 fellow travelers and a… Continue Reading →
ISRAEL: Where Ancient History Meets Modern Identity Masada: The Unconquerable Symbol Perched dramatically on a plateau overlooking the Dead Sea, Masada stands as one of Israel’s most powerful historical symbols. Originally built as a luxurious palace-fortress by King Herod between… Continue Reading →
Jerusalem: Where Heaven and Earth Intersect Church of the Pater Noster: Where Prayer Was Born The Church of the Pater Noster commemorates where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Built over a 4th-century Byzantine church by Constantine’s mother Helena,… Continue Reading →
Via Dolorosa: Walking the Path of Redemption The Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) winds through Jerusalem’s Old City, tracing Jesus’s final journey from condemnation to crucifixion. More than just a historical route, this sacred path has been walked by pilgrims… Continue Reading →
The Dead Sea: Nature’s Miraculous Spa Floating in the Dead Sea is one of the world’s most surreal natural experiences. At 430 meters below sea level (Earth’s lowest elevation on land), this hypersaline lake contains a staggering 34% salinity –… Continue Reading →
Jericho: Where Redemption Met a Tax Collector As one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities (dating back 11,000 years), Jericho holds layers of biblical history beneath its modern surface. The city’s famous encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus reveals profound… Continue Reading →
Capernaum: Jesus’ Ministry Headquarters The fishing village of Capernaum (Kfar Nahum in Hebrew) became Jesus’ adopted home and the center of his Galilean ministry. Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, this strategic town was: “Leaving Nazara… Continue Reading →
Tabgha: Where Miracles Multiplied On the serene northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee lies Tabgha, a name derived from the Greek “Heptapegon” meaning “Seven Springs.” This quiet fishing village witnessed one of Jesus’s most famous miracles – the multiplication… Continue Reading →