The death of North Korea's Kim Jong-il has led to some very strange television--the Dear Leader lying in state, throngs of North Koreans weeping uncontrollably, even rumors of miracles such as grieving birds.
The images coming out of North Korea led to a discussion with ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Syria
Syria memories: grieving for a dictator
The death of North Korea's Kim Jong-il has led to some very strange television--the Dear Leader lying in state, throngs of North Koreans weeping uncontrollably, even rumors of miracles such as grieving birds.
The images coming out of North Korea led to a discussion with ...Introducing Far Europe and Beyond
Far Europe and Beyond, a Gadling series in partnership with bmi (British Midland International) launches today.
Europe's eastern borders cannot be defined simply. The western, northern, and southern perimeters are easy: The Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Mediterranean ...Ancient city of Mari in Syria under threat
Last month we reported that the Biblical city of Nineveh is falling apart due to the ongoing war in Iraq. Now it turns out another ancient Mesopotamian city is in danger of being lost.
Mari, in Syria, was one of the great cities of Mesopotamia. It was a trading center on ...Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati
Pavia Rosati is the founder of Fathom, a recently debuted travel website. Fathom is smart and beautifully designed. It's full of exciting short briefs about various destinations across the globe.
Rosati, as you'll see from her answers below, is an experienced editor and ...How to get a second passport
A second passport sounds glamorous. And in point of fact, it is glamorous. There's no debating the matter. Possessing a second passport gives its bearer bragging rights and the ability to feel a wee bit like a spy, especially when he or she is traveling with both passports ...Archaeologists in Syria discover Byzantine mosaic
Just when you thought all news coming out of Syria was bad, an archaeology team has discovered a Byzantine mosaic in a medieval church.
The mosaic was discovered last week at the Deir Sounbol Church on al-Zawieh Mountain. Syrian investigators say the mosaic measures 4x5 ...Syria unrest: will there be another massacre in Hama?
Syrian army tanks 'moving towards Hama'.
Just another headline about unrest in the Middle East. I've read so many, but this one made me shudder. One thing travel does for you is make the world more than just a headline. I've been to Hama.
I visited Syria back in 1994 ...Q & A with travel and food writer Zora O'Neill
Zora O'Neill is a travel and food writer, an editor, and the co-founder (with Tamara Reynolds) of an underground Astoria supper club so successful that it eventually spawned Forking Fantastic!, a cookbook and entertaining guide.
Zora has authored guidebooks for Lonely ...Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj
Two Muslims from South Africa mixed adventure travel and spirituality this year by cycling to Mecca for the Hajj. Natheem Cairncross, 28 and Imtiyaz Haron, 25, cycled through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Turkey, Syria and Jordan. ...Weekending: Beirut
One of the best things about life as an expat in Turkey is easy access to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with many previously far-flung destinations only a few hours' flight away. I might not plan a week-long vacation in, say, Kosovo, but if I can be there for Friday ...Travel Q&A with author & cook Tamara Reynolds
Tamara Reynolds is a the co-founder (with Zora O'Neill) of The Sunday Night Dinner, an Astoria, Queens-based supper club. The Sunday Night Dinner, which continues to thrive, was well ahead of what has become a supper club trend. Out of the Sunday Night Dinner came a fabulous ...Daily Pampering: Seven chances to try a new job around the world
Do you feel a bit confined by your gig? Sure, the cash is great, but you are held hostage by it. You can't throw it all away and chase your low-paying dream. Well, now you have a chance to turn the paycheck that keeps you in the office 14 hours a day into the chance to try ...A smoking ban... in Syria!?
The War on Tobacco has struck the Middle East.
The government of Syria has implemented a ban on smoking in public places such as cafes, restaurants, and other buildings where the public gathers. It's the latest in a series of measures to reduce tobacco's role in society. ...Interfaith tourism in Syria
Who says the Middle East has to be a place of religious tension?
Not the worshipers at Deir Mar Mousa monastery. This medieval Christian monastery is a pilgrimage center for Christians and Muslims alike thanks to an open policy of worship and tolerant religious ...Oprah's 10 terrific reads for 2009 showcase diversity and travel
Regardless of what one thinks of Oprah, it's hard to argue that the woman doesn't have her thumbprint on some mighty great stuff. Her "10 Terrific Reads for 2009," for example, is filled with suggestions that capture the flavor of travel, adventure and diversity. Many of ...The ten toughest castles in the world
Castles make a pretty backdrop to any vacation. They conjure up images of brave knights and damsels in distress, but the reality was less romantic. Castles were fortifications built to defend important cities, ports, fords, or mountain passes. The best military minds in the ...Top Destinations for Independent Travelers in 2009
BootsnAll, a great online resource for independent travelers, has put together their list of top 10 destinations for 2009. The locations on the list are lauded for the options they offer the experienced traveler who is looking to explore on his or her own. Last year's list ...Syria's Sexy Side
Bras with flashing lights, transparent g-strings, underwear that is made from little more than fake butterflies and plastic flower petals. No, it is not the dressing room of a Las Vegas gentleman's club, it's a shop in a Damascus souk. BBC correspondent Martin Asser recently ...Before Rough Guides and Lonely Planet
Thanks to everyone who commented on my recent post about how to deal with old guidebooks. I've decided to keep only the most recent edition of any particular country. It may sound like a big deal but I've actually ending ditching a grand total of two books. Hey, it's a ...Dirt Cheap Rental Cars in Europe
It is sad, but true. The cheapest rental cars in Europe typically come equipped with stickers advertising the rental car company. And, no, we are not talking subtle advertising here. The car companies, Alimex in the Czech Republic, and others, such as Sixti (renting ...
