Laboratory analysis of water and snow samples, gathered during a recent Greenpeace expedition to the Antarctic, has revealed the presence of microplastics and persistent chemicals, respectively, in the majority of samples tested. “We may think of the Antarctic as a remote and pristine wilderness,” said Frida Bengtsson of Greenpeace’s Protect the Antarctic campaign, “but from […]
You can get thrown in jail in Saudi Arabia for making out on the beach, but with its new leader’s mission to modernize the ultra-conservative Islamic society, Saudi Arabia may become one of the top 10 beach destinations in the world. Maybe even topless? Well, let’s not go that far. But it is located on […]
Home to more than 60 million people, the U.K is the first stop on any European road trip. Its capital, London, is perhaps one of the most famous cities on the planet and has a population of eight million. Enclosed by the North Sea on its North side, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the […]
The United Arab Emirates, the UAE, has embarked on a long-term national initiative to build a green economy for sustainable development. The initiative extends to every aspect of life in the UAE – green buildings that consume renewed energy and minimum electricity and a clean and pollution-free environment. This initiative is also targeting tourism, and […]
We are in Egypt right now… and know that travelling to a different country will always be daunting. You have to always keep the rules and local customs in mind in order to have a smooth trip to all the different places on your itinerary. The number of places to visit might just overwhelm you, […]
Today, we are in the unfortunate situation where the only thing we associate with the Middle East is political turmoil, strife, and extremism. However, this transcontinental region that spans so many different nations, languages, landscapes is steeped in history, culture, and even features a few of the world’s wonders. It’s easy to forget all about […]
Have you ever wondered what impact the crowds of tourists have on popular travel destinations? Of course, the first thing that springs to mind is a round sum they bring to the local budget. However, a lot of cities suffer rather than benefit from tourists. Local authorities don’t welcome tourist and already take certain measures, […]
As a frequent traveller, I always go out of my way to stay up to date with the latest air travel news! I’m literally obsessed with flying and try to take as many holidays as I can throughout the year. But this week, I was saddened to hear that one of my favourite UK airlines, […]
If there is one thing every human being that can travel should do, it’s travel to Morocco. And specifically to the Atlas Mountains. Of course there are many ways to get there: by taxi, donkey or hiking, or a combination of all three. Rural life is all around you but if you want a little […]
When you go on a vacation, and hopefully it will be one that treads light on this planet, be sure to have a credit card at hand to pay for your purchases in an easy and fast way. Gold coins are definitely in the past and carrying around traveller’s checks or cash isn’t safe. Of […]
Long considered a legend, an amateur geologist and meteorite hunter has determined and shown the astronomy community that we are all stardust, and that it can be found everywhere. In an illuminating book to be released this summer, Jon Larsen proves that micrometeorites are around us in cities, in the desert and everywhere we go. Below, we […]
You see a bear, moose or a turtle on the side of the road and hope that the car behind you doesn’t veer right and hit it. Car crashes caused by wild animals can be fatal, not only for the animals. But in a bid to save the animals from death by auto, a leading NGO […]
This week, 25 open water swimmers endured seven hours paddling throught the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea to draw world attention to the environmental degradation of that three million year old lake. Equipped with facemasks and snorkels specifically designed to protect them from the mineral-rich water, they dove in on the Jordan shoreline, and emerged in […]
Tomatoes are full of lycopene, the cancer-busting carotenoid responsible for the reddish colorations in vegetables and fruits. Red peppers are packed with phytochemicals and beta-carotene, which flood your system with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Meet a delicious concoction that combines both in an ancient Middle Eastern recipe with decidedly modern health benefits. Science says the sense […]
I remember that when I visited Byblos, in the Jbeil district of Lebanon, in the summer of 2011, I felt like a true beholder of history. Historians agree that it’s the second oldest continuously-inhabited city on earth, runner-up only to the Palestinian city of Jericho. I sat at Feniqia restaurant in the heart of the […]
Anyone who spends a good deal of time looking for eco-friendly solutions in everyday life probably also wants to do their part even when going on holiday. If you are among the growing number of people who are always seeking a way to accomplish what you want or need to do without further endangering the […]
Our planet is passing through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle, a once-in-133-years-or-so event happening this year from July 17 to Aug. 24. But this week we encounter the densest area of this celestial debris field when we’ll spot the most meteors in the shortest time period. So why are you reading this article? Grab a blanket, […]
He’s coming back! In 2011, artist Spencer Tunick incited hundreds of people to shed their inhibitions (and their clothes) to raise awareness to the environmental threats facing the Dead Sea. This September, five years after that mass naked photo shoot, at the request of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, he will return to check […]
Like Israel and Jordan’s Dead Sea, Iran has it’s own inland salty lake called Lake Urmia. Climate change and dam construction has caused its demise to about 10% of its of former glory. Local protestors who have dared called on the government to fix it have been tied up, beaten and tortured. One trusted source I […]
This year’s World Environment Day (WED) put a high beam on illegal trade of wildlife. Event sponsor, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), called on everyone to “go wild for life” and take action to help safeguard species under threat. In Saudi Arabia, a team of environmentalists and corporate volunteers took to a beach along […]
Environmentally friendly hotels not only save money for the owner, but also resources for the world, while at the same time letting their guests continue doing good things for the environment. For some people, like us, this is super important. In the lodging and hotel industry, green is the new black. In hotel business, initiatives […]
Jordan will waive its 40 dinar ($57) visa fee for incoming tourists to make visits to Jordan “more convenient and affordable for people of all nationalities,” according to a government press release. The action aims to boost tourism to kingdom attractions such as Petra, Pella, and the protected area of Wadi Rum. It’s just one of several new initiatives to reinvigorate Jordan’s […]
Record rainfalls dumped on the region in this winter’s storms rendered a remarkable makeover of the Judean Desert, turning it from a Middle East dust bowl into rolling English hills. Israeli photographer Nir Cohen captured the transformation in these stunning images; see before and after photos above.
Israel and Jordan have signed a historic deal to press ahead with a plan to save the Dead Sea. The ‘Red-Dead’ project will build a plant near the Jordanian tourist resort of Aqaba that will desalinate water to be shared by Israelis and Palestinians. The brine left over from the desalination process will be channeled […]
There’s been a revolution in Iran, and we’re not talking about the one that resulted in overthrowing the Shah in 1979! The latest one involves an Irish environmentalist and surfing champion, and her mission to bring the sport to Iran, and its women. When a young boy stood on the beach in a fishing village […]