A spate of dust storms caused massive disruptions and several fatalities in the Middle East this week. In Pakistan, winds reaching up to 68mph struck the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, destroying roofs, uprooting trees, upending billboards, and reducing ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Afghanistan
Dust Storms Descend On The Middle East
A spate of dust storms caused massive disruptions and several fatalities in the Middle East this week. In Pakistan, winds reaching up to 68mph struck the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, destroying roofs, uprooting trees, upending billboards, and reducing ...Serena Hotels: Opulence amidst squalor and bloodshed
Anyone for a game of badminton and a round of emerald-hunting in Pakistan's Swat Valley? Or perhaps you fancy a beach resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, just minutes from the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The March/April issue of Foreign Policy features an interesting ...World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012
Update: Check out the World's Worst Places of 2013 here
What comes to mind when you think of the world's worst place? While it is easy to complain about rural Wal-marts, La Guardia, Applebee's, and any government office with motor vehicle in its title, none of ...Ten big travel adventures for 2012
A new year always brings new possibilities, particularly in the realm of travel. With 2012 now officially underway, it is time to start plotting our adventures for the year ahead. This year, rather than share yet another top ten list of adventure travel destinations, we ...Medieval Islamic manuscripts on display at the Morgan, NYC
The Middle Ages produced some amazing works of art. Some of the best are the illuminated manuscripts from the Islamic world.
The above image, courtesy Graham S. Haber and the Morgan Library & Museum shows a woman relaxing after her bath. It was painted in Herat, ...Major tourist site restored in Herat, Afghanistan. Please send me there!
While Afghanistan may not be high on your places-to-go list, the government is trying hard to offer more sightseeing opportunities.
A giant citadel overlooking the city of Herat has just reopened after several years and $2.4 million of restoration. The citadel dates ...10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit
We live in an increasingly borderless world and we have access to many countries that were closed (or non-existent) 20 years ago. As reported earlier this week, Americans are especially lucky with access to 169 countries visa free. Still, there are still many countries that ...Visa-free travel by the numbers
Visa-free travel is easy travel. Procuring visas takes time, energy, and money, and is beyond debate a pain for frequent travelers. The erection of visa barriers responds to a number of factors, though it can be said without too many qualifications that the citizens of ...Afghanistan reopens tallest mountain to climbers
In an effort to boost adventure tourism, and show off its spectacular natural wonders, Afghanistan has reopened its tallest mountain to climbers after years of conflict prevented travel in the region. The country now hopes to become a popular destination for mountaineers and ...Congressman talks Delta baggage-gate, supports soldiers
We've been following the unfolding events in a story that Gadling helped break on Tuesday where a group of soldiers returning from Afghanistan were charged $200 each to check their required luggage on Delta Air Lines.
Since then, the airline has taken several conciliatory ...Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags
A team of returning soldiers from Afghanistan was hit with an unpleasant surprise upon their arrival into the United States yesterday morning. The squadron, bringing a full load of gear with them back from the Central Asia was sacked with the baggage fees in place at Delta ...
Crowds flocking to Navy SEAL Museum
While Navy SEALs normally work in the shadows, they came into the international limelight on May 2 when they killed Osama bin Laden.
Now the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum has seen its daily attendance triple. The museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, documents the history of ...Travel group promoting Trusted Traveler Program
Should frequent flyers and business travelers get through airports faster than everybody else? Yes! says the U.S. Travel Association who is trying to convince lawmakers that big airport users need special attention.
"Travelers encounter much hassle at our nation's ...Three Cups of Tea author under scrutiny
His books have inspired millions with their tales of generosity, both given and received, but following a scathing 60 Minutes segment that aired this past weekend, author and philanthropist Greg Mortenson finds himself at the center of a controversy. The investigative piece ...Prince Harry begins arctic trek
Way back in January we posted a story about the possibility of Britain's Prince Harry going to the North Pole as part of a fund raising effort for charity. While the prince won't actually be heading to 90ºN as predicted, he did embark on an Arctic trek this week with a ...Buzkashi - goats and gladiators
In central Asia, men play a strange game on horseback. Instead of a ball, they use a goat carcass. Instead of goals, they must ride until free of challengers. Instead of minutes, the game can be measured in days. This is Buzkashi - goat grabbing.
Long established as ...The burqa and niqab: can travelers get used to anything? Should they?
Travel broadens the mind, at least for most people. As we explore different cultures and beliefs we see that for the most part they're OK. While there are always local customs we just can't follow, in general the more we travel, the more accepting we become.
But how ...Christmas in Afghanistan: Safer than New York City?
Nothing beats Manhattan for the holidays. I'm already seeing signs of Christmas appear all over the city. Lights are already wrapped around trees on W. 58th Street, and gigantic fir candy cane sculptures are beginning to adorn the city's skyscrapers. There's no doubt that ...Afghan archaeologists race to study Buddhist site before destruction
We all remember the Bamiyan statues, those giant stone Buddhas the Taliban blew up in 2001. One of the 1,500 year-old statues is pictured here. Pictures are all we have left of them.
Now another Buddhist site in Afghanistan is under threat of destruction. This time the ...Five ways to get to Kabul, Afghanistan
Does your definition of "adventure travel" involve a safety briefing and equipment to keep you safe? If so, there's a hard-core version of the concept that you've been missing. Chase the ultimate thrill in Afghanistan, and your world will never be the same. In case you ...
