The room was dark. As he tried to keep his children away from the cockroaches leaking through from the kitchen, Abou Adnan* looked at the door. A shaft of light was slowly appearing as it opened, offering some relief from the musty air impregnating the apartment. It was yet another family trying to squeeze in. About...
A city of contrasts, a city of cultural encounters, and the symbolic point where Europe and Asia shake hands, Istanbul offers a fascinating chance to delve into the secrets of not one, but three cultures: ancient Byzantium, Constantinople, and modern-day Turkey. There are fabulous things to see in Istanbul in one day; and here are the top 10: 1) With the...
Hidden at the heart of the Sahara desert in Egypt, rare fossils of ancient whales uncover the history of Wadi Al-Hitan, a remote valley located 150 kilometers southwest of Cairo. Also known as the Valley of Whales, the site offers a unique opportunity to embark on a journey through the history of evolution. The valley is located within the boundaries...
Home to the busiest square in Africa and the world’s most beautiful doors, Marrakesh is an old realm where fantasy and reality never find a divide. The medievalmedina, with its red fortified walls and tiny alleys, houses a community of snake charmers, fortune-tellers, and herbal-potion masters that bring Arabian legends to life. We spent a whole day...
02 September, 2015 In August 2015, as hundreds of refugees were found dead on the European shores, I met a Syrian woman who had embarked in one of the deadly boats and failed in the attempt. Her story is one of the most heartbreaking tales I ever heard. But it’s also a lesson of strength, resilience, and dignity. She wanted...
It’s a hot late-summer Friday and Cairo’s historic market, Khan el-Khalili, feels like a peaceful haven among the noisy urban hustle. The souq, built in 1382 by Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of the city, is surrounded by some of the most exquisite examples of Islamic architecture: 13th century madrasas (schools), ancient mosques, and Ottoman-era buildings draw...
It’s 4pm. The sun is merciless and the sand itches, but Herman Zapp and his family do not spare a minute. It’s been seven hours since they arrived to the pyramids and they keep exploring them throughout, inside and around. Suddenly, Herman stops. He leaves his backpack on the floor, opens his arms wide and...
Visiting Edinburgh means embarking on a voyage through fascinating mystery tales, dwelled by kings, princesses and pirates, and haunted by the spirits that the city brings to life. Take an online tour through the most captivating spots of Scotland’s Capital. First stop: Castle Rock. The tour begins in Castle Rock, a magnificent fortress built at the...
It was the capital of Western Germany during the Cold War, but Germans used to call it the ‘Hauptdorf’ (capital village) since it never lost its little town flair. Fatherland to Beethoven and host of the UN campus, Bonn is a lively student city where the cozy, the picturesque, and the cosmopolitan somehow match perfectly....
