Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[A Traveler In The Foreign Service: Meet An Intrepid Diplomat]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/04/a-traveler-in-the-foreign-service-meet-an-intrepid-diplomat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/04/a-traveler-in-the-foreign-service-meet-an-intrepid-diplomat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/04/a-traveler-in-the-foreign-service-meet-an-intrepid-diplomat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

photo of american diplomatIn our ongoing attempt to demystify the Foreign Service, we're going to occasionally introduce you to diplomats living in various parts of the world. Amy Tachco is a 36-year-old Foreign Service Officer (FSO) originally from Southern California and Central Ohio who joined the Foreign Service just over ten years ago.

Amy and I joined the Foreign Service at the same time and were part of the same A-100 class, which is essentially a two month long intro to the Foreign Service. As I described in December, at least one of our classmates shed tears over an assignment to Jamaica, but Amy was unfazed when she was sent to Karachi, Pakistan, her 19th choice.

Over the last ten years, she's also served in Casablanca, Madrid, Beirut and Damascus. She arrived in Karachi just days after a suicide bomber struck the embassy, flew into Beirut on a helicopter during the height of the 2006 conflict and recently had a Bashar Assad thug pelt her with a tomato. She was evacuated from Syria in mid-January as the conflict there intensified and recently returned from a brief stint in Istanbul, where she continued to report on the situation in Syria.

Why did you join the Foreign Service?

I did my junior year overseas as an economics and French major and then went to Geneva for grad school. It's an international city and I worked at the World Economic Forum for a while. The lifestyle of the Foreign Service appealed to me - you have a job, but you get to move all the time and constantly do something different. After I graduated I worked for a company that did asset management and then I worked for a hedge fund. I was earning more than my initial salary in the Foreign Service.

Your first assignment was Karachi - your 19th choice. But you took it like a champ. Were you disappointed to be sent to Pakistan right out of the gate?

No. I wasn't upset. Jerusalem was my first choice - it's been my first choice many times but it's never happened.

And the day you were set to leave for post the consulate in Karachi was bombed?

It was a car bomb, a suicide bomber. A car pulled up right in front of the building and blew a 30-foot hole in the front wall. Thirteen people were killed. My parents called and said, 'Turn on CNN, it's your consulate.' I made the executive decision not to call anyone at the State Department, because I was afraid they'd tell me not to go.

Continue reading A Traveler In The Foreign Service: Meet An Intrepid Diplomat

A Traveler In The Foreign Service: Meet An Intrepid Diplomat originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A Traveler in the Foreign ServiceAmy TachcoAmyTachcoATravelerInTheForeignServiceBashar al-Assadbashar assadBasharAl-assadBasharAssadforeign serviceForeign Service Officers BlogForeignServiceForeignServiceOfficersBlogFSOkarachilebanonMadridMoroccopakistanspainsyriaWed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancient city of Palmyra under threat from Syrian army]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/11/ancient-city-of-palmyra-under-threat-from-syrian-army/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/11/ancient-city-of-palmyra-under-threat-from-syrian-army/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/11/ancient-city-of-palmyra-under-threat-from-syrian-army/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Palmyra

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra may become the latest victim of the ongoing violence in Syria, according to a Global Heritage Fund report.

Palmyra, an ancient oasis city in the desert northeast of Damascus, remained untouched by the conflict until last month, when the Syrian army moved in. According to several reports by refugees since then, units from the army have taken up position at the medieval citadel overlooking ancient and modern Palmyra and have been shooting at anything that moves. Both machine guns and tanks are being used. One can imagine what a few tank shells can do to a 2000-year-old city.

Little is known about damage to this or other historic sites in Syria. Given the government's eagerness to level modern cities such as Homs, it's doubtful they're showing any care for their national heritage. Sites in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya have all suffered irreparable damage during recent conflicts.

Continue reading Ancient city of Palmyra under threat from Syrian army

Ancient city of Palmyra under threat from Syrian army originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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St. Bride'sI am not a Christian. I have read the Bible twice and have attended the services of several denominations and remain unconvinced. Despite this, any time I'm in London I go to an old church off of Fleet Street to pay my respects.

Fleet Street used to be the center of London's journalism industry and St. Bride's was the journalists' church. The newspapers have since moved away to less expensive neighborhoods but St. Bride's still maintains its connections to the journalistic profession.

At this point I would usually launch into my historical song-and-dance and tell you how St. Bride's was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, how its steeple may have inspired the shape of wedding cakes, and how there's a Roman building in the crypt. None of that makes me go there. I go there because to the left of the altar is a memorial to journalists killed in the line of duty. A few candles illuminate photos and cards and a list of names. Yesterday two more names were added.

Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik were killed yesterday in the besieged city of Homs, Syria, when the house they were staying in got shelled. They were both seasoned war correspondents. Colvin had lost the use of an eye while covering the Sri Lankan civil war in 2001. Both knew the dangers and both went to Syria anyway.

I was familiar with their work because I've been watching the carnage in Syria closely. I spent a wonderful month there back in 1994 enjoying Arab hospitality and seeing the country's many historic sights. I was there when the dictator's heir apparent Bassel al-Assad died in a car crash and the nation pretended to mourn. His younger brother Bashar now rules Syria and is ruthlessly suppressing his local version of the Arab Spring.

When I visited Hama, I learned how the al-Assad family leveled the city to quash resistance there back in 1982. Once the fighting started in 2011, I feared Hama would be leveled again. I was right about the massacre and wrong about the city. It's Homs this time, or at least it's Homs for the moment. Syria's dictatorship would level every city it owns in order to stay in power.

Continue reading St. Bride's Church in London: a place to honor fallen journalists

St. Bride's Church in London: a place to honor fallen journalists originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agnosticagnosticismAnne Frankanne franks diaryAnneFrankAnneFranksDiaryArabArab hospitalityArabHospitalityArabschristianityChristianityAndSecularismEnglandEngland tourismEngland travelEnglandTourismEnglandTravelessayessaysfaithjournalismjournalistsjournalists attackedjournalists killedJournalistsAttackedJournalistsKilledLondonLondon churchesLondon tourismLondon travelLondonChurchesLondonTourismLondonTravelMarie ColvinMarieColvinop-edopinionopinion pieceopinion piecesOpinionPieceOpinionPiecespersonal essaypersonal essaysPersonalEssayPersonalEssaysRemi OchlikRemiOchliksecuritySt. BridesSt. Brides churchSt. Brides church LondonSt.BridesSt.BridesChurchSt.BridesChurchLondonUKUK tourismUK travelUkTourismUkTravelwar correspondentwar correspondentsWarCorrespondentWarCorrespondentsThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Syria memories: grieving for a dictator]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/syria-memories-grieving-for-a-dictator/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/syria-memories-grieving-for-a-dictator/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/syria-memories-grieving-for-a-dictator/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Syria
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 some of my Facebook friends over whether or not the outpouring of grief was genuine or staged. I lean towards staged, since the only news we're getting is from the state media, which has tried to raise Kim Jong-il and his father Kim Il-sung to the status of demigods. Then again, in the cloistered lives the North Koreans live, perhaps they do feel a sense of loss. Even the BBC discussed the issue and came to the conclusion that we can't know for sure.

SyriaThe whole thing made me remember my trip to Syria back in 1994. Pictures of Syrian dictator Hafez al-Assad and his family were everywhere--in shops, on the streets, in the front rooms of private homes--as you can see in this photo of what looks like a hotel lobby with portraits of Hafez and his son Bashar, courtesy flickr user Bombardier. Bashar now rules Syria (perhaps not for long) but it was his older brother Bassel who was supposed to take over. When I was there it was common to see photos of Bassel and Hafez side by side, and most Syrians assumed he'd rule Syria one day.

In Syria in those days, if you kept your nose clean the authorities generally left you alone. If you stood up against the government, they leveled your city. So Syrians toted the line in public. In private, however, many quietly told me how much they hated the regime. One admitted he'd never say such things to a fellow Syrian for fear that he may be a member of the secret police. In Syria, there are lots of secret police.

Then, on 22 January 1994, Bassel died in a car accident. I'll never forget the grim military music that played on the state radio and television for several days afterwards, and the constant coverage the state media gave to his life and unexpected death. As soon as the news broke that first day I went out onto the streets of Damascus. Shops were closed and there were far more soldiers and police on the streets than usual. A rally was already forming in one of the main squares.

Continue reading Syria memories: grieving for a dictator

Syria memories: grieving for a dictator originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure vacationadventure-traveladventuresAdventureTravelAdventureVacationBashar Al AssadBasharAlAssadBassel Al-AssadBasselAl-assadbudget travelBudgetTravelDamascusHafez al-Assadhafez assadHafezAl-assadHafezAssadKim Jong-ilKimJong-ilmideast politicsMideastPoliticsNorth KoreaNorthKoreaopinionopinion pieceOpinionPieceSyrai travelSyraiTravelSyriaSyria newsSyria tourismSyrian politicsSyriaNewsSyrianPoliticsSyriaTourismVáclav HavelVáclavHavelThu, 22 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing Far Europe and Beyond]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/introducing-far-europe-and-beyond/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/introducing-far-europe-and-beyond/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/introducing-far-europe-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

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 provide those boundaries, respectively. It's the eastern border that is more difficult to pinpoint. There are two basic definitions of the eastern border of Europe: the Bosphorus, which divides Istanbul; and the Ural Mountains. The problem here is that there is a gap of around 1200 miles between the point where the Ural River hits the Caspian Sea and Istanbul.

The former definition leaves most of Turkey outside of Europe and makes it difficult to draw a continental border from the Bosphorus northward. If one assumes the latter definition, then a piece of western Kazakhstan is in Europe, but the continent's Eastern flank fails to have a fixed boundary once the Ural river empties into the Caspian Sea. Does Europe's border then get drawn along Russia's southern edge or does it include the former Soviet republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, along the Iranian border? Increasingly, this is the working definition of Europe, with inclusion of the Caucasian trio; it is the definition, more or less, that the BBC and the Economist endorse.

Continue reading Introducing Far Europe and Beyond

Introducing Far Europe and Beyond originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlmatyArmeniaAzerbaijanbakubeirutbishkekbmiBritish Midland InternationalBritishMidlandInternationaldamascuseuropefar europe and beyondFarEuropeAndBeyondgeorgiakazakhstanKyrgyzstanlebanonrepublic of georgiaRepublicOfGeorgiasyriaTbilisiYerevanMon, 17 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancient city of Mari in Syria under threat]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/15/ancient-city-of-mari-in-syria-under-threat/http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/15/ancient-city-of-mari-in-syria-under-threat/http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/15/ancient-city-of-mari-in-syria-under-threat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Syria, MariLast 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 the Euphrates River and was founded some 7,000 years ago. Archaeologists have discovered the giant palace of a Sumerian ruler, a temple to Ishtar, and a huge library with more than 25,000 clay tablets written in Akkadian cuneiform.

Now Popular Archaeology magazine reports that erosion and neglect are returning the city to the earth. The people of Mari built with fired mud brick, using clay that was cheap and plentiful along the banks of the Euphrates. Wind and rain have been picking away at the bricks for thousands of years, and it doesn't help that more walls have been exposed by archaeologists. Dust to dust.

The Global Heritage Fund released a report on Syria's endangered heritage sites that lists Mari as the one in most need of help.

I visited Mari in the 1990s and it was one of the biggest archaeological orgasms of my life. To walk through a Mesopotamian palace, to visit one of the ancient world's biggest libraries, and to stand atop a ziggurat all in the same afternoon is something you can't do anywhere else outside of Iraq. It's one of many outstanding archaeological treasures in Syria that are in desperate need of protection and conservation. Crac de Chevaliers, one of the ten toughest castles in the world, is also in danger.

Sadly, with the Syrian government more interested in killing their own people, I don't think protecting the world's heritage is very high on their "to do" list.

[Photo courtesy peuplier via flickr]

Ancient city of Mari in Syria under threat originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amoriteancientancient historyancient palaceancient palacesAncientHistoryAncientPalaceAncientPalacesarchaeologyarchaeology newsArchaeologyNewsarcheologyarcheology newsArcheologyNewsconservationGlobal Heritage FundGlobalHeritageFundhistorichistoric preservationHistoricPreservationhistoryMaripalacepalacespreservationSumerianSyriaSyria tourismSyria travelSyriaTourismSyriaTravelTell HaririTellHaririThu, 15 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/02/traveler-q-and-a-pavia-rosati/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/02/traveler-q-and-a-pavia-rosati/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/02/traveler-q-and-a-pavia-rosati/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

pavia rosatiPavia 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 an avid traveler. Her enthusiasm for Fathom's subject matter is palpable and infectious. We love Fathom and can't wait to see how it's going to develop.

Q: Good day, Pavia Rosati, and welcome. How would you describe your occupation?

A: I am the founder and CEO of Fathom, a new travel website. It's my job to help connect you to places and experiences you didn't know you were going to love.

Q: Tell us about Fathom.

A: Fathom cuts through the clutter of the online travel space with stories and destination guides that are as practical as they are inspiring. People typically go to a travel website for one of two reasons: They know they're going to London, and they need to know where to stay and what to do. Or they think, "I have two weeks off...I like nature...Where should I go?" Fathom addresses both needs through two main sections: Guides and Postcards. Guides have quick information about the basics: hotels, sites, restaurants, and itineraries. Postcards are inspiring travel stories organized around the passion points of travel with a "I Travel for the ..." theme: I Travel for the Food, I Travel for the Thrill, I Travel for the Kids. We aren't motivated by what's expensive or what's trendy. We're interested in what's special and what's awesome. Sometimes that's a three-Michelin star lunch at Le Meurice; sometimes it's a five-euro falafel at L'As du Fallafel.

Q: What are you trying to do with Fathom that hasn't been done by other travel sites?

A: I wanted to create the one-stop travel website that I could never find. You know how the best travel guide is the email you get from a friend who lives there, detailing what you need to do and know? That's the spirit that motivates us. I used to spend 80 hours researching dozens of sites to boil my findings down to an essential nugget of information. Fathom aims to deliver that nugget. I don't want to wade through a list of 200 shops in Buenos Aires; I want 20 that are amazing. I want to know what locals know. I want pre-edited links to the best articles, websites, and online resources. Perhaps most importantly, Fathom recommendations are not driven by a mega travel agency's vast and impersonal database; our recommendations are personal and special.

Q: How do you anticipate Fathom developing? For example, will the city guides grow in number?

A: Absolutely. It's a big world, and we want to get everywhere. Postcards are updated continually, and we will launch several new guides every month. Reader feedback will be critical: We've had a lot of requests for Amsterdam since launching, so look for that soon. We want more Postcards from Fathom readers, a community we call the travel-proud. This fall, we'll launch Boutique, with our favorite travel products; Traveler Profiles, based on the popular Fathom Questionnaires; and My Itineraries, so readers can save the places they want to go.

Q: How did your decade at Daily Candy prepare you for this endeavor?

A: First and foremost, it's where I met my partner, Jeralyn Gerba, Fathom's editorial director. We had one priority at DailyCandy: We had to delight our readers every day. To achieve this, we had to be trustworthy, we had to recommend quality places, and we had to deliver information readers wanted in a way they wanted it. And it helped if we had a great time doing it. These are excellent editorial priorities. By the way, before DailyCandy, I spent four years running the Entertainment Channel at AOL. That taught me a thing or two about building and serving a big audience.

Continue reading Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati

Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaargentinaasiacambodiacanadacaribbeanChilechinacolombiaeuropefathomfranceHong KongHongKongindonesiaitalyJapanLaoslondonNetherlandsnew yorkNewYorkNorth AmericaNorthAmericaparispavia rosatiPaviaRosatiportugalShanghaisouth americaSouthAmericaSri LankaSriLankasyriatokyounited kingdomunited statesUnitedKingdomUnitedStatesvietnamZambiaTue, 02 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to get a second passport]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/27/how-to-get-a-second-passport/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/27/how-to-get-a-second-passport/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/27/how-to-get-a-second-passport/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

second passportA 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 in tow.

So you want to get a second passport and feel like an undercover agent? Not so fast. The US State Department allows Americans to obtain a second US passport under two circumstances only: [1] when a particular passport stamp will prevent entry into certain other countries the bearer intends or needs to visit, and [2] when a foreign visa application's processing time interferes with upcoming international travel.

The first loophole addresses diplomatic barriers to travel. The chief example here is the Israeli passport stamp. Several countries refuse to admit travelers with an Israeli stamp (as well as Jordanian or Egyptian entrance or exit stamps from Israel's land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt) in their passports.

With an Israeli stamp in your passport, you may be refused entry to Algeria, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Anecdotal evidence from friends and various online sources indicates that some countries are stricter than others, with Lebanon and Syria particularly unbendable. The bearer of a second passport can alternate between passports selectively, thus making sure that he or she will not be refused admission for a years-old Israeli passport stamp at, say, the Damascus airport.

The second circumstance addresses the problem of bureaucratic delays. People with upcoming travel scheduled while their passports are unavailable as a consequence of a foreign visa application (or another procedure involving a foreign government) can apply for and receive a second passport.

The second passport is only valid for two years. In addition to the required form and photographs, applications must include evidence of upcoming travel and a letter explaining the applicant's specific need for the additional passport.

How to get a second passport originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Israelsecond passportSecondPassportunited statesUnitedStatesUSAFri, 27 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Archaeologists in Syria discover Byzantine mosaic]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/15/archaeologists-in-syria-discover-byzantine-mosaic/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/15/archaeologists-in-syria-discover-byzantine-mosaic/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/15/archaeologists-in-syria-discover-byzantine-mosaic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ByzantineJust 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 meters (13x16 ft.). While portions are damaged or missing, floral and geometric shapes are clearly visible and there are inscriptions in Greek. These are prayers that include the names of the owner of the church and the person who supervised the creation of the mosaic.

The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire. Long after the Western Empire collapsed, the Byzantines continued Roman culture with a distinctive Greek flair. Syria was Byzantine territory and was the battlefront in the Empire's grueling war with Persia.

The war weakened both sides so much that they were easy pickings when the followers of Mohammed burst out of the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century. Persia quickly fell, but Byzantium held on, shrinking gradually until the end came in 1453. In that year the capital Constantinople, modern Istanbul, fell to the Ottoman Turks.

One of Byzantium's greatest achievements were its sumptuous mosaics. Made of little colored tiles called tesserae, they depict elaborate scenes and some have tesserae made of gold. A copyright-free image of the Syrian mosaics was not available. You can see them here. This picture, courtesy of Berthold Werner, shows a mosaic floor in Jerash, Jordan. It's interesting in that it contains swastikas, a symbol of peace and harmony for centuries before the Nazis twisted its meaning.

I love the fact that Syrian archaeologists are continuing to dig despite the chaos and repression going on in their country. These guys obviously love their work and won't let anything stop them from doing what they feel is important. It reminds me of a literary journal that was published in Beirut during Lebanon's civil war. The offices were right next to the no-man's land between two factions, and yet they still managed to publish literature on a regular basis. The name of the journal escapes me. Any Lebanese out there remember it?

Archaeologists in Syria discover Byzantine mosaic originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 15 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syria, Hama, Syria unrestSyrian 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 as a young college graduate with a backpack, a bit of Arabic, and no responsibilities. I spent a month exploring archaeological sites, chatting in smoky cafes, and debating religion in the cool shade of mosque courtyards. Syria is a fascinating and welcoming place, and if the regime of Bashar al-Assad gets ousted and peace returns, I highly recommend you go.

I marveled at the beautiful Umayyad Mosque in Damascus before going to a nearby cafe to listen to a hakawati, a traditional storyteller, recite his tales to a rapt audience. I looked out over the green hills of Lebanon from the turrets of Crac des Chevaliers castle and took a dusty bus ride to the oasis of Palmyra. And for two days I stayed in Hama to see the famous noria, or waterwheels, as seen here in this Wikimedia Commons photo.

There was something strange about Hama. It was supposed to be an old city yet most of the buildings looked new. Plus the tourist map on the wall of my hotel lobby was wrong. I'd copied parts of it into my notebook to help me get around but soon found the names of the streets had changed. Even their layout had changed. It was like a map of a different city.

Then I saw the same map in the lobby of another hotel, and in an antique shop. One night I asked the manager what was going on. He looked around to make sure nobody was within earshot and whispered, "This map shows Hama before the massacre."

Continue reading Syria unrest: will there be another massacre in Hama?

Syria unrest: will there be another massacre in Hama? originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure travelAdventureTravelArab revolutionArab uprisingArabRevolutionArabUprisingassad familyAssadFamilyBashar AssadBasharAssadcastlecastlesdemocracydictatordictatorsdictatorshiHafez AssadHafezAssadHamaHama massacreHamaMassacrehuman rightshuman rights violationsHumanRightsHumanRightsViolationsIslamic revolutionIslamic uprisingIslamicRevolutionIslamicUprisingmassacremassacresMiddleEastmuslimMuslim BrotherhoodMuslimBrotherhoodmuslimsopinionopinion-columnopinion-piecepoliticsprotestprotestssyria newssyria protestsSyria tourismSyria travelSyria unrestSyria unrest 1982Syria unrest 2011syrianaSyriaNewsSyriaProtestsSyriaTourismSyriaTravelSyriaUnrestSyriaUnrest1982SyriaUnrest2011unrestWed, 11 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Q & A with travel and food writer Zora O'Neill]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/14/q-and-a-with-travel-and-food-writer-zora-oneill/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/14/q-and-a-with-travel-and-food-writer-zora-oneill/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/14/q-and-a-with-travel-and-food-writer-zora-oneill/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

travel food Zora O'NeillZora 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 Planet, Moon, and Rough Guides. Her expertise runs from Egypt to Amsterdam to her home state of New Mexico and on to the Yucatán, though her range of interests under the umbrella of food and travel is infectiously broad, sincerely passionate, and very fun to read. (Want evidence? Check out Zora's observations on Greek food and drink and her "walkabout" ode to various culinary delights of Queens.)

Q: Describe your profession.

A: I've been calling myself a "freelance writer" since I quit my full-time job in 2000, but it's only in the past four or so years that I've really felt like I've grown into the job, in that the bulk of my income really comes from writing. I usually tell people I'm a guidebook author, although that's only part of it. It's just what I've been doing the longest, and whatever reputation I have as a writer has really come from that.

I'm also an editor. It's work I really like doing, so I always have some on the side, even though at this point I could probably manage without it. It's a break from staring at an empty page, and it helps me feel like I'm actually helping people, using my freelance word powers for good! And it helps me keep sharp on editing my own work.

Q: From the outside, it looks as if you've managed to craft the perfect career, equal parts travel and food. How do your endeavors actually settle on the travel/food divide? Or is your personal hybrid of the two so far developed at this point that you no longer attempt to differentiate?

A: For the most part, it has been an organic development and works out just fine--although my blog has always been a little schizophrenic, and so never really fit the "travel blog" or a "food blog" mold. I also had a little bit of an identity crisis last year when Forking Fantastic!, the cookbook I wrote with Tamara Reynolds, was published. For 20 years, cooking had been my sideline, my creative outlet. When I made it my full-time gig, over the year and a half it took to write the book and get it off to the printer, it was on the brink of becoming drudgery. I was really happy to get back to the travel side of things after that, just for the variety. But of course full-time travel writing gets to be a grind too.

I do get the biggest kick out of finding new foods on the road and talking with the people who cook them. The trick is finding a little bit more of an outlet for that, as my guidebooks would bloat horribly in the restaurant sections if I shared all I knew.

Q: You made a break from an academic career. Why did you shift gears? Any regrets?

A: Ah, yes, my secret grad-school past! Lots of people have one, I've discovered. I was on track for a PhD in Arabic literature--it had started out as modern Arabic novels, and then I found myself whisked back to pre-Islamic poetry. While I was toiling away on five lines of obscure (but beautiful) sixth-century poetry in the middle of Indiana, the first dot-com wave was ramping up, and I started feeling awfully out of the loop. And then my funding got cut and my department nearly dissolved due to a ridiculous academic feud.

So I took that all as a sign to pack the van and flee to New York City, and I've been glad every day since. I've used my Arabic skills a bit in the service of guidebook research, and just general travel and picking people's brains for recipes. And recently, I've been thinking about studying it
again, now that the trauma of grad school has finally evaporated.

Continue reading Q & A with travel and food writer Zora O'Neill

Q & A with travel and food writer Zora O'Neill originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forking fantasticForkingFantasticIndiaJapanMexicoMoroccosyriathailandvietnamyucatanTue, 14 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/adventure-travel-meets-faith-cycling-to-mecca-for-the-hajj/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

adventure travel mecca 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. Visa problems with Sudan and Ethiopia meant they had to take a plane from Kenya to Turkey, but that doesn't lessen their achievement.

In an interview with the BBC, Cairncross said the 6,800-mile journey was a life-changing experience. Both had to sell possessions to raise money for the trip. Cairncross even sold his car. Yes, he had a car and he decided to go by bike.

The Hajj is the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim should do at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Currently the Empty Quarter Gallery in Dubai is exhibiting photos and recordings made by Dutch explorer Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje in 1885. Check out the link for some amazing early images and eerie recordings made on wax cylinders that had only recently been developed by Thomas Edison.


[Image courtesy Ali Mansuri via Wikimedia Commons]

Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure activitiesadventure traveladventure-outdoorsadventure-travelAdventureActivitiesadventuresAdventureTravelcyclingcycling through africaCyclingThroughAfricaEdisonexhibitionexhibitionsexplorationexplorerHajjislamMeccamuslimmuslimsphotographyreligionspiritualityThomas EdisonThomasEdisonFri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekending: Beirut]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/23/weekending-beirut/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/23/weekending-beirut/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/23/weekending-beirut/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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 happy hour and home Monday morning, why not? My main criteria for choosing weekend trips are easy access, no advance visa required, and access to sights and culture I won't find in Istanbul. Other than that, I pore over the Turkish Airlines timetable like a Stieg Larsson novel, choose a destination, and start planning.

The place: Beirut, Lebanon

All the travel mags have recently hyped Beirut as the "Paris of the Middle East," a title the city has long boasted but only recently regained after the 2006 bombings. Now it's *the* place for nightlife in the Middle East, a hot bed of new construction with luxury hotels opening like the Four Seasons and Le Gray, and a diverse mix of culture (Lebanon has 18 official religions, representing Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and the Islamic Druze sect), where you can often hear church bells and the mosque's call to prayer on the same corner. The downtown district has been beautifully restored, though it lacks a little soul; the Corniche waterfront is pleasant for strolling among Muslim families and locals drinking tea and smoking nargileh pipes; and the university area of Hamra is dotted with cozy pubs and cafes.

Gallery: Weekending: Beirut

Beirut landscape - church, ruins, construction, mosqueChurch and mosque BeirutDowntown BeirutDowntown constructionDowntown parking

Continue reading Weekending: Beirut

Weekending: Beirut originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiabeachbeiruteuropeexpatexpatsflea marketFleaMarketfour seasonsFourSeasonshotelskosovomiddle eastMiddleEastmuslimparisshoppingsightseeingsteig larssonSteigLarssonturkishTurkishAirlinesvisaweekendweekendingFri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Q&A with author & cook Tamara Reynolds]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/14/travel-qanda-with-author-and-cook-tamara-reynolds/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/14/travel-qanda-with-author-and-cook-tamara-reynolds/http://www.gadling.com/2010/07/14/travel-qanda-with-author-and-cook-tamara-reynolds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 cookbook, Forking Fantastic, which Reynolds co-authored with O'Neill. Travel is key to Reynolds' imagination as a cook. She shops for food in the international food markets of Astoria and travels to countries with great food traditions.

Q: Sum up your professions in a few snappy words.

A: Cookbook author, cook for hire, cooking teacher, television show shopper, and Hostess with the Mostess of The Sunday Night Dinner.

Q: How did the Sunday night dinners come to happen? And how did Forking Fantastic emerge from the supper club?

A: SND began when Zora O'Neill and I met in 2002. We worked at Prune together and discovered we were neighbors and both loved to cook. We began cooking on Sundays for friends, and the next thing we knew, we were consistently feeding 15-20 people every Sunday. We began asking for donations so we could afford to keep doing it, and the next thing we knew, we were running an underground supper club.

We became convinced that the next step should be to write a cookbook, with encouraging words on entertaining, for real life. Zora and I felt that everyone was so hung up on the Martha Stewart perfection ideal that no one was actually cooking dinner for friends for the fun of it. Plus, we thought that if we wrote a kick ass guide to entertaining, detailing how we taught ourselves to cook and our many many mistakes along the way, maybe we would get invited to dinner more often.

Continue reading Travel Q&A with author & cook Tamara Reynolds

Travel Q&A with author & cook Tamara Reynolds originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astoriacambodiafoodforking fantasticForkingFantasticgeorgiagreeceGullahCultureitalyLaosMoroccoportugalQueenssupper clubSupperClubsyriaTunisiaturbinevietnamWed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Pampering: Seven chances to try a new job around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/05/daily-pampering-seven-chances-to-try-a-new-job-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/05/daily-pampering-seven-chances-to-try-a-new-job-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/05/daily-pampering-seven-chances-to-try-a-new-job-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 something new, even if only briefly. Cox & King is offering several packages designed to give you a once-in-a-lifetime shot at living your dream.

1. The Textile Expert
The "Textiles of India" tour takes you to some of the most famous weaving centers in the country, including Varanasi (known for Benarsi silk wedding sarees), Kanchipuram (zardozi embroidery work on Mysore silks) and Jaipur (handmade block printed cotton fabrics). This experience lasts 22 days and comes at a cost of $12,735 per person (based on double occupancy).

2. Painting Papyrus
With the "Splendors of Egypt" and "Discover Egypt" tours from Cox & King, you can satisfy your jones for Egyptology and learn to paint, draw and write under the tutelage of one of the masters. Participate in the rare and fine art that dates back thousands of years (trips start at $4,075).

Continue reading Daily Pampering: Seven chances to try a new job around the world

Daily Pampering: Seven chances to try a new job around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 05 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artBekaa ValeeyBekaaValeeydaily-pamperingdailypamperinggorillagorillasjewelrykigaliLebanonorigamiPapyrusphotographySilkwinewinerywinesWed, 05 May 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A smoking ban... in Syria!?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/22/a-smoking-ban-in-syria/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/22/a-smoking-ban-in-syria/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/22/a-smoking-ban-in-syria/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

While not as comprehensive as Finland's anti-smoking laws passed earlier this year, they're surprising for an Arab country, where a large percentage of the adult population smokes. Cafes in Damascus and other Syrian cities and towns are generally hazy with smoke from cigarettes and nargile, traditional water pipes.

But not anymore. The ban has had the same effect in Syria that it has had in other nations--pushing people outside to smoke in the street. Plus the series of laws isn't deterring people from smoking, with Syria Today Magazine reporting that the number of smokers has risen 15 percent. The Syrian Society for Countering Cancer reports that 60 percent of men and 23 percent of women smoke.

If smoking travelers can handle the restrictions, they'll find a fascinating country with hospitable people and many ancient monuments. Cities such as Damascus and Aleppo have traditional old quarters with labyrinthine medieval alleys, countless little shops and cafes, beautiful mosques. . .and grumpy smokers standing in the street.

Continue reading A smoking ban... in Syria!?

A smoking ban... in Syria!? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smokingsmoking banSmokingBanweirdThu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interfaith tourism in Syria]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/interfaith-tourism-in-syria/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/interfaith-tourism-in-syria/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/interfaith-tourism-in-syria/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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 discussion.

Christians make up about ten percent of Syria's population and there are churches in many cities, like the one in Hama pictured here. Byzantine monasteries dot the countryside, although most have been empty for centuries.

Deir Mar Mousa is located atop a rugged hill in the desert fifty miles north of Damascus. Long abandoned, its buildings and historic frescoes were restored over the past two decades and it's now open to all. Pilgrims are welcome to stay the night for free in a stone hut in exchange for light work such as cleaning the dishes. Much of the pilgrims' time is spent participating in long, patient discussions with people who believe differently than they do. Sounds a bit like the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

You don't have to be of a particular religion or indeed any religion to stay, but getting there is a bit complicated and you'll need some basic equipment. Instructions are on the monastery's website.

The monastery is run by the Jesuit priest Rev. Paolo Dall'Oglio and a group of monks, nuns, and lay volunteers. This group has taken a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience like in most monastic communities, but unusually they have also dedicated themselves to "being in service and love for the Muslim world." People gather regularly for prayer meetings that involve silent meditation, multilingual services, and interfaith discussion.

Father Dall'Oglio explains his life's work by saying, "Jesus loves Muslims, the same Jesus who is alive in me."

When speaking with the New York Times for a recent article, he put it more simply.

"We're all in this together."

Interfaith tourism in Syria originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christianityChristianity and secularismChristianityAndSecularismChristiansinterfaithInterfaithHolidaysIslammonasteriesmonasteryMuslimspilgrimpilgrimagepilgrimsreligionFri, 22 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Oprah's 10 terrific reads for 2009 showcase diversity and travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/29/10-terrific-reads-for-2009-showcase-diversity-and-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/29/10-terrific-reads-for-2009-showcase-diversity-and-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/29/10-terrific-reads-for-2009-showcase-diversity-and-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

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 them are about people from one country who have been brought to another by life's circumstances or their drive to explore.

If you read these 10 books, I'd say you'll have a thought-provoking and enlightening journey through certain parts of the world, particularly Africa. Before you head out on your next journey, pick up one of these and pass it on.

Here are the 10 books with the countries that provide the setting or settings. For a summary of each book, click each title.

  • The Bolter, Frances Osborne--Kenya (Great Britain connection)
  • Dreaming in Hindi, Katherine Russel Rich--India (U.S. connection)
  • Little Bee, Chris Cleve--Great Britain (Nigeria connection)
  • Blame, Michelle Huneven--U.S. (This one doesn't have a cross-cultural component but is compared to Sand and Fog which is one of the best novels showing cross-cultural connections gone wrong that I've ever read.)
  • Losing Mum and Pup, Christopher Buckley--U.S. (Another without a cross-cultural component, but loss of parents is cross-cultural and Buckley's dad, William F. Buckley certainly had a lot of opinions about the world.)
  • Zeitoun, Dave Eggers--U.S. (Syrian connection) I met Dave Eggers. He's as wonderful in person as his writing reflects. Truly splendid. I'm buying this one.
  • Say You're One of Them, Uwem Akpan--Kenya and Rwanda. Akpan is a Nigerian writer.
  • Some Things that Meant the World to Me, Joshua Mohr--U.S. Part of this novel takes place in Home Depot in San Francisco. Doesn't the bring up an unusual mix of images?!
  • The Invisible Mountain, Carolina De Robertis--South America. The reading guide mentions Argentina.
  • Strength in What Remains:A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness, Tracy Kidder--Burundi and U.S.

Oprah's 10 terrific reads for 2009 showcase diversity and travel originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best booksBestBooksBlamebooksCarolina De RobertisCarolinaDeRobertisChris CleveChrisCleveChristopher BuckleyChristopherBuckleyDave EggersDaveEggersDreaming in HindiDreamingInHindiFrances OsborneFrancesOsborneJoshua MohrJoshuaMohrKatherine Russel RichKatherineRusselRichLittle BeeLittleBeeLosing Mum and PupLosingMumAndPupMichelle HunevenMichelleHunevenOprahSay Youre One of ThemSayYoureOneOfThemSome Things that Meant the World to MeSomeThingsThatMeantTheWorldToMeStrength in What RemainsStrengthInWhatRemainsThe BolterThe invisible MountainTheBolterTheInvisibleMountainTop 10 readsTop10ReadsTracy KidderTracyKidderUwem AkpanUwemAkpanzeitounSun, 29 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The ten toughest castles in the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/the-ten-toughest-castles-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/the-ten-toughest-castles-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/the-ten-toughest-castles-in-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 world devised ways to destroy them, when they weren't figuring out better ways to build them. Here are ten castles that proved almost too tough to take. Some took centuries before they fell, or cost the lives of hundreds of attackers. A few never fell at all.


Crac de Chevaliers
One of the best preserved Crusader castles in the Middle East, it protected the pass from the lowlands of Lebanon through the Anti-Lebanon Mountains and into the rich Orontes river valley of Syria. It's on the Syrian side of the border but its turrets afford fine views of Lebanon. Originally an Arab castle that was taken by the French during the First Crusade in 1099, it became the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, a knightly order that protected pilgrims in the Holy Land. They protected themselves too, by strengthening the castle and putting up walls that were up to 100 feet thick. It withstood more than one siege and even the great Saladin couldn't take it. It eventually fell back into Muslim hands in 1271 but remained the model for castle builders in Europe.

Masada
Facing the world's biggest empire with only a ragtag group of dedicated fighters? Go to the middle of the desert, find a sheer mesa, and hold up in it. That's what the Sicarii, Jewish resistance fighters, did when they rebelled against the Roman Empire in the first century AD. The location was perfect. The mesa had already been fortified by King Herod as a refuge in case of rebellion, but the Sicarii rebels got it instead. Sheer cliffs rise 300 feet (90 meters) above the desert at their lowest point, and in spots tower up to 1,300 feet (400 meters). The only way up are three winding paths that are exposed to arrows and rocks coming from above. The Romans, in their typical efficiency, built a rampart up the entire way so they could roll up battering rams to breach the walls. The Sicarii committed mass suicide rather than surrender. The Roman camps and walls used to cut Masada off from the rest of the world are still plainly visible.

Numancia
The Celts in Spain faced the same problem the Sicarii did. How to defeat the Roman Empire? Numancia was one tribe's answer. This hillfort at the headwaters of the Duero River held out for twenty years until the inevitable end came. The defenders had run out of food and had been reduced to cannibalism. Like the Sicarii, the Celts chose death before dishonor and most of them committed mass suicide in 133 BC. Spain became a Roman province. Today you can see reconstructions of the fort and Roman siege techniques at the site's musuem.

Osaka
The samurai were brave warriors ready to face death, but even they must have thought twice about attacking this castle. Completed in 1598, it was the base of operations for Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who made peace between Japan's many warring factions by beating them into submission. It took 200,000 soldiers more than a year to take this place in 1615, and when you look at this photo of the bare face of the ramparts you can see why. The castle combines form and function and is beautiful as well as impregnable.

Gallery: Ten Toughest Castles

Crac de ChevaliersMasadaNumanciaLand Walls of ConstantinopleSecond Military Gate, Constantinople

Continue reading The ten toughest castles in the world

The ten toughest castles in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlecastlescuzcoenglandincamedievalmiddle agesMiddleAgesmilitarysamuraitop tentop ten listtop ten listsTopTenTopTenListTopTenListswarworld heritage listworld heritage sitesWorldHeritageListWorldHeritageSitesFri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Destinations for Independent Travelers in 2009]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/09/top-destinations-for-independent-travelers-in-2009/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/09/top-destinations-for-independent-travelers-in-2009/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/09/top-destinations-for-independent-travelers-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

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 was compiled by the writers and staff from BootsnAll, but for the 2009 edition they opened it up for suggestions from their very well traveled community as well. The results are ten great suggesions for experinced, adventurous travelers hoping to go abroad this year.

Some of the places on the list are a bit more obvious than others. For instances, Tasmania comes in at number ten, as Australia has long been considered a great destination for independent travelers, and the remote island maintains helps to maintain that reputation. On the other hand, the number one spot is held down by Columbia, which has not always been a great destination for visitors, independent or otherwise. But in recent years, the country has undergone a bit of a resurgence, and has now become a favorite destination for savvy travelers everywhere.

The other eight locations on the list are quite ecclectic as well, and span the globe, offering a wide variety of experiences and settings. There is something for everyone, from the outdoor adventurer to the more relaxed traveler looking for a more quiet escape. If you're an independent traveler looking for a destination this year, you could do worse than starting with this list.

Top Destinations for Independent Travelers in 2009 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelFri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST