The Fascinating Jordan Museum, Amman
It’s remarkable in a country full of old stuff, like Jordan, to think how recently so much of it has been discovered. Since the re-discovery of Petra two hundred years…
Modern Architecture in Rome: Rebuilding the City
I don’t mind saying that travel has a way of reminding me how little I know. In Rome a few weeks ago (December 2014), we signed up to take our…
Saint Catherine's Monastery, Snow and Security in Egypt
Saint Catherine's Monastery is located in the middle of the Sinai Desert in Egypt–not exactly where you'd expect to find a Greek Orthodox church. But Saint Catherine's has been there…
Essential Museums in Jerusalem
I don’t care how many people tell you you must visit both the Israel Museum and the Tower of David in Jerusalem. We’ll tell you again. The fact is, there's…
Praying at the Western Wall, Jerusalem
On our first night in Jerusalem, Kris was ill, so I went out to explore the old city on my own. Jerusalem is an odd place, and probably the most…
Ruins of the Roman Camp Viewed from Masada, Israel
Many have heard the story of the siege of Masada, when Jews who escaped the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD retreated three years later to the stronghold on…
Watchtowers, Golden Bay, Malta
In the 16th Century, the Knights of Malta ringed the island of Malta with watchtowers just like this. Each was manned by four soldiers, and they looked out over the…
16 Places to Visit in Jerusalem
Sometimes it takes a while to get to know a new city. Such was the case with Jerusalem, but not for the reasons you might think. (No need to cry,…
Florence Italy Revisited: The Church Circuit
Note: This story was originally posted together with a summary of Florence's museums. But the post became unwieldy: that's how many significant churches and museums are recommended in Florence. Churches,…