UNESCO World Heritage: The Desert Castles of Jordan Loop

UNESCO World Heritage: The Desert Castles of Jordan Loop

Most visitors to Jordan will visit at least two of Jordans UNESCO World Heritage site: The Nabataean City of Petra, and the Protected Natural Area of Wadi Rum. But  Desert Castles of Jordan? Have you heard of them? Qasr Amra, part of the “Desert Castles” 

How much is a trip to Jordan?

How much is a trip to Jordan?

Jordan is a wonderful country to travel. It offers rich Middle Eastern Culture, a friendly welcoming environment and last not least one of the “New Seven wonders of the World”, the ancient city of Petra. But how much is a trip to Jordan really? To 

Shopping in Jordan and how to find the best souvenirs

Shopping in Jordan and how to find the best souvenirs

Shopping in Jordan is  good for your purse! But does it mean there is nothing for the casual traveller to buy, or are things so cheap that you barely spend any money? Well…. a bit of both! I don’t want to knock the shopping in 

Our Turkey Road Trip Part 2:  Aegean Turkey from Kusadasi to Akyaka

Our Turkey Road Trip Part 2: Aegean Turkey from Kusadasi to Akyaka

After two nights in Kusadasi, and some mightily sweaty sightseeing at Ephesus, it was time to move south. We hired a car out of Izmir Airport for ten days and set off on our drive through Aegean Turkey  to Antalya. We would then return inland 

A Day in Amman: Walk, Eat, Shop!

A Day in Amman: Walk, Eat, Shop!

Although Amman is the capital of Jordan, and most visitors arrive at its international airport, most go straight to Petra and Wadi Rum. If you have a little time, Amman is a great Middle Eastern city to stroll, eat great meals, and do a bit 

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

It took several weeks of umm-ing and ahh-ing  to finally  steer away from our usual accommodation budget and to book  the Pera Palace Hotel. As much as holidays sometimes means to stretch out on huge comfy beds with the whitest, softest linen and sleeping in 

Is it safe to visit the Mount of Olives?

Is it safe to visit the Mount of Olives?

In peaceful times, a trip up the Mount of Olives is part of every itinerary of Jerusalem.  The views over the Old City and the Temple Mount are stunning . Wonderful vistas aside, the Mount of Olives is also one of the sites where Jesus 

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

When I planned my little winter sun trip to Jordan, I didn’t plan on visiting Wadi Rum.  My priorities were on Petra, catching some sun in Aqaba and viewing the Desert Castles east of Amman. So I simply ran out of time. However, after seeing 

Jordan in winter: a tale of adventure and incredible hospitality

Jordan in winter: a tale of adventure and incredible hospitality

Apologies for staying unusually quiet these last few weeks! After producing a few new blog posts over the quiet period of the holidays, work was unusually busy, and then I went on my much-awaited winter sun holiday. Or so I thought… Do you wonder what 

Our Turkey Road Trip: Kusadasi and Ephesus

Our Turkey Road Trip: Kusadasi and Ephesus

We leave home in a downpour,  me pulling my flimsy travelling coat around me as I pull my little case to the train station. A train and a flight later, we are greeted by golden evening light in Istanbul and fly into the sunset to 

An Ode to the Atlanta Hotel Restaurant

An Ode to the Atlanta Hotel Restaurant

The Atlanta Hotel is a special case. So, after writing my ode about that one, I felt serving up a huge extra portion about the equally special  restaurant in the same post would be a bit too much. Especially since I appear to have eaten 

What to buy in Turkey

What to buy in Turkey

Shopping in Turkey is a dream – if you know where to look. Here are my tips on what to buy in Turkey.  Four years ago, I spent two days in Istanbul and came home laden with spices and home wares, so with the festive 

Hotel Review: Boutique Hotel Minzifa, Bukhara

Hotel Review: Boutique Hotel Minzifa, Bukhara

Bukhara is perhaps the place with the widest choice of charming small hotels in Uzbekistan, and perhaps Central Asia. So, on my trip to Samarkand and Bukhara, it made sense to push out the boat a bit and book a characterful traditional small hotel.  I 

Hotel Review: Antica Samarkand, Uzbekistan –  a cosy unique guesthouse

Hotel Review: Antica Samarkand, Uzbekistan – a cosy unique guesthouse

Samarkand is a large city and it is harder to find charming accommodation close to the major sights. The Antica Samarkand is a welcome exception.  Samarkand hotels are typically large, business-orientated and geared towards tour groups. But if you are looking for somewhere individual on 

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

I had the opportunity to fulfill a big dream, thanks to an unexpected week off work and the end of the Uzbek visa rule in March.  And I had to act fast before this gift of extra time was to be booked up. Quickly I