The Middle East

One of the first Westerners to visit Syria after its civil war finds beauty amidst the destruction. “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Syria. British…

After enduring years of social isolation, a woman experiences a sense of reconnection in a Hamam, a traditional Turkish bath. I close my eyes, lean back against the warm marble…

A traveler sees a pair of headlights disappear near the Black Sea in Turkey and goes to investigate. This story was chosen as a runner-up of the Wrong Turns travel writing…

During a cruise down the Nile River, a traveler and her fellow tourists watch as a small boat pulls up alongside theirs. What could these strangers want? It’s day two…

As part of Intrepid Times’ “What It’s Like” series, today we take you to the Middle East, pulling from the perspectives of both locals and travelers to show you what…

After arriving in an Acre, Israel, a traveler is invited to see the city from a perspective few foreigners are offered. Young couples were strolling along the seafront, illuminated by…

After traveling in Iran for a month, a writer visits the province of Kurdistan and finds herself in a whole new world. We stopped for a beautiful view of the…

Stuck in Aqaba, a traveler makes his way to Jordan’s celebrated “lost city,” where the ancient ruins leave him in awe — and a little poorer. Aqaba is a city…

A lone female traveler hiking through Afghanistan finds more than her fair share of adventure. “Well, fuck,” I muttered to myself as I adjusted my weight on the rock I…