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Guide to Ephesus Turkey and its Surroundings
Ephesus Turkey offers a captivating window into Greco-Roman civilization. Once a thriving metropolis, Ephesus was an important center for culture and trade during its heyday. Today, the ancient city on Turkey’s western coast stands as one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Walking through its marble-paved streets—past towering columns and the iconic Library of Celsus—transports you back to a time when Ephesus was not only a center of learning and trade, but also an important place in early Christian history. The Ephesus Archaeological Site If you tend…
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Three Day Lebanon Itinerary for Beirut and Beyond
Though it is the smallest country in continental Asia, Lebanon packs a lot of punch. The country is home to snow-capped mountains, cedar forests, lush green valleys and a beautiful coastline. It claims the oldest continually inhabited city in the world (though Damascus shares the claim), hosts a multitude of Roman ruins and boasts nightlife comparable to that of many cities in Western Europe. One might think that, with such a wealth of attractions, the small Middle Eastern country would be a magnet for travelers the world over. But Lebanon…
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Weekend in Syria
Legend has it that upon laying his eyes on Damascus, Prophet Muhammad refused to enter the city because he wished to only enter paradise once. And, after my trip to the city this past weekend, I can see exactly what he meant. While the Damascus city limits extend for miles and miles, the old city of Damascus is contained within ancient walls. It is a place where lattices of vines create a canopy over picturesque cobblestone streets that are lined with vendors selling colorful fabrics, barrels of sweets and spices and…
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The Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan
The eastern desert of Jordan is flat, desolate and barren. In this large swath of land near the Iraqi border, towns and villages are few and far between, trees are nonexistent and distinguishing features are difficult to come by. Yet, scattered throughout the endless fields of dust and rocks are impressive ancient structures that have been collectively deemed as the Desert Castles of Jordan. In reality, the castles are primarily a collection of caravan inns and fortified palaces that were constructed during the Umayyad Dynasty and still remain relatively intact…
