I quite like having a popular tourist destination all to myself.

Unfortunately, this usually means one of two things; either I'm traveling in the off season and it is raining, or some recent catastrophe or civil unrest has swept through the region.

Or, it's the Middle East.

A recent article in The Guardian explores the lone silver lining behind the current dark clouds enveloping the Middle East since the most recent war started; empty tourist locations.

Kevin Rushby discusses the advantages that something horrific as war has for the adventurous travel; cheaper accommodations, far more welcoming locals, and even special treats like using historic bathrooms in house museums.

Sure, it's a bit sick to plug travel to such places during such times, but I have to admit, Rushby does make a good case for doing so.

Filed under: Israel, Jordan, Syria