My Middle East / Near East / Central Asia trips

Day 7: 26 December -Dadan & Jabal Ikmah – Medina We had an early start at 6:30 am and arrived at the visitor centre at Dadan to join a group guided tour by 8 am. Dadan was therefore the capital city of the Kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan. Some 2,600 years ago, the oasis in … Continue reading »

Why Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia which has been open to foreign tourists since 2019, was one of the few Islamic countries that I had not visited in the Middle East. I joined a 13-day Saudia Arabia Explore (20/12/2024 to 1/1/2025) offered by Exodus Travel that I have travelled with many times. I flew from Bergen, … Continue reading »

Dushanbe, Panjakent, Sarazm,  Khujand & Iskanderkul October 1 – 7

Murghab, Langar, Khorogr and Kaka Khum September 26 – 30

I don’t know Qatar though I have spent a few hours in Doha awaiting a connecting flight. As Qatar Airways has a direct flight to Maldives, I decide to make a brief stop-over in this rich Gulf country after Lebanon. 

January 2 &3, 2016: Tyre, Maghdouché, Sidon & Baalbak, Lebanon; January 4-6, Doha, Qatar

December 29, 2015 – January 1, 2016: Beirut, Jeita, Harissa & Byblos I have always been fascinated by Lebanon, home to a civilisation going back to around 3500 BC. Being one of the oldest countries in the world, it boasts a rich pre-Biblical history with five World Heritage Sites.

Israel: Nazareth, Sea of Galilee and Acre February 23-25

Israel: Jerusalem February 17 – 22

Israel: Tel Aviv and Jaffe February 14-16 Holy Land, the area where the State of Israel is today, is holy for all Abrahamic religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Bahὰ’i Faith.  It has been on my bucket list for decades. I was thrilled when I landed in Israel and met my Israeli friends, Nilly and … Continue reading »