The Middle East

Is the Middle East your next stop? Check out the advice, stories and tips I can offer after my two trips there, which have seen me visit Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey; as well as important tourist destinations like the Dead Sea, the Western Wall and the Lost City of Petra. Information about traveling the Middle East with an Israeli passport stamp.

Beirut’s Hamra Street Festival

Hamra Street in Beirut, Lebanon

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Although I never recommend you plan out travel too far in advance, I guarantee you won’t regret scheduling your visit to Lebanon around the time of the next Hamra Street Festival.

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7 Travel Tips for the Arab Middle East

Arab Woman Clothing

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If you find yourself frustrated when you land in Amman, Beirut or Cairo, keep these common-sense suggestions in mind to enjoy yourself more quickly and thoroughly.

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How to Travel Around Israel

Transportation in Tel Aviv, Israel

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Although some Israeli politicians view the state’s small size as an impediment to its national security, it makes traveling within Israel extremely quick and easy.

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Tel Aviv Travel Photos: The Bubble

Skyline of Tel Aviv, Israel on the Mediterranean

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Tel Aviv is definitely a bubble worth shielding: It represents the the very best of what’s possible in the Middle East, the actions of Israel’s government notwithstanding.

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How Many Shekels Per Day in Israel?

Street scene on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv, Israel

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Set realistic expectations about the cost of travel in Israel before you touch down so you aren’t disappointed when you arrive there.

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The Many Joys of Tel Aviv

Dog eating watermelon ice cream in Tel Aviv, Israel

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My intense and particular personal experiences notwithstanding, Tel Aviv is replete with scenery and serendipity that make it difficult to have anything but a great time there.

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Gay Travel in Muslim Countries

Gay couple holding hands on Ben Tsion Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel

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You probably won’t get laid or even noticed by other men in Muslim countries. You may even experience cajoling or harassment just for being yourself.

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Uncovering the Truth About Israel — One Man at a Time

English graffiti in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel

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How my romantic encounters with Israeli men have altered my perception of a place I grew fond of shit-talking.

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Beirut on the Cheap: Is It Possible?

Dollar store north of Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut is notoriously expensive, something I didn’t fully understand until I couldn’t find a hotel room anywhere in the city under $100 per night.

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Israel Travel Photos: Night of Hunters

Photo of kittens at night in Jerusalem, Israel

In spite of circumstances that proved increasingly unlucky, the primary truth I retain from my restless night in Israel is that the kindness of one stranger is more powerful than the collective disrespect of all the assholes around her.

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Enjoying Beirut Without Its Nightlife

Beirut Travel Photos

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Whether or not you take advantage of Beirut’s reputation as a nightlife destination, many a party are to be had in the Lebanese capital without setting foot inside a bar or club.

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