Category Archive: Middle East

Up Next: Traveling to Israel

I’m just back from two weeks in Athens, the first week for TBEX related work, the second week for traveling and touring about the country. Although I miss Greece already – the food, the people, the sights, did I mention the food – I was glad to be home to family, pets, and the real world of work and running a business. I’m sleeping a lot, getting caught up on laundry, and wading through my email inbox. I’m not a nomadic traveler, and I have no interest in becoming one. I find joy in quick weekend trips as much as I do in longer, extended trips. And at the end of the day, I like having a home to return to after my travels. So while I’m missing my daily baklava and coffee fix from Greece, I’m looking ahead to […]

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Dubai Mall Offers More Than Shopping

Sure there’s a lot of historical sites, intriguing architecture, refreshing beaches, and a panoply of culture in Dubai, but still, the primary tourism draw is centered around shopping.  Dubai is the most populated of the United Arab Emirates (there are seven emirates) and is the emirate most focused on tourism.  With over 70 shopping malls, as well as an impressive souk district, Dubai has rightly earned the moniker of the “Shopping Capital of the Middle East.”   Your Dubai holidays will give you a chance to sample both modern and traditional types of shopping. For modern day shopping, the Dubai Mall has everything you could possibly want.  It is the world’s largest shopping mall (based on total area) and attracts over a million visitors per week.  That’s more people than visit any of the U.S. theme parks, Times Square, or Niagara […]

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Dubai Delights Shoppers

One of the seven emirates of the UAE, Dubai is probably better known for its shopping than for its many cultural sights and activities.  What is it about this spot in the desert that has earned it the reputation as the “shopping capital of the Middle East” attracting shoppers from around the world? Dubai has over 70 shopping malls, including the huge Dubai Mall, offering everything from jewelry to electronics to upscale fashion. Most of the shops and boutiques in the mall operate on a a fixed-price basis, so if it’s some friendly haggling you’re looking for, head to one of the souks. The souk districts are located on both sides of the Dubai Creek and are traditional Arabic markets (in photo above).  Although perhaps not as over-the-top as those found in Marrakesh or Istanbul, it’s still a shopping experience […]

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Coral Reefs and Ancient History: Exploring Egypt

Today I have a guest post about a fascinating part of the world, Egypt.  It offers so many things to see, do, and experience, it’s hard to know where to start.  Amanda starts with diving in the Red Sea. —- When vacationing in Egypt there are countless wonders to capture the imagination. From the natural coral reefs to ancient historical sites, Egypt will never fail to amaze. Despite the geological structure of the Red Sea often constraining the development of coral reefs, coastal Egypt is rich in these wonderful natural formations. As a consequence of this, the area has recently become a hot spot for divers with the area around Sharm-el-Sheikh fast becoming one of the best dive sites in the world. The site boasts 65 km of long reefs which are among the most spectacular of any on the […]

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