In brief: We did not know what to expect at this far eastern Saudi town within the desert of a supremely wealthy country. We found it highly commercial, quickly expanding, and very welcoming. Oil is…
In brief: The oohs, aahs, and wows keep happening when people visit the Al-Qarah caves, part of the World Heritage oasis of the Al-Hasa. The oohs, aahs, and wows keep happening when people visit the…
In brief: At the World Heritage Al-Hasa oasis we found more than palms nurtured by plentiful spring water. We tapped into the flow of Saudi history as well. Lured by the World Heritage status of…
In brief: Some of the most notable places in Qatar to experience its balance between modernity and tradition are its museums. Some of the most notable places in Doha to experience its balance between modernity…
In brief: Doha was perfect to finish our touring of the three Gulf States. Its many charms as well as its balance of new and old, consumption and culture, delighted us. There was so much…
In brief: In the newly wealthy Gulf States, history can seem just 50 to 100 years old. In Bahrain, we traced 5000 years from the Bronze Age to the flourishing pearl trade. Wandering through the…
In brief: Alongside the skyscrapers and new developments in Manama, the older parts of the city sit comfortably. (For our take on the older and oldest parts we loved in Bahrain, click here to go…
In brief: In visiting the glorious Grand Mosque of Kuwait City, we felt like honored guests – celebrated, entertained, and educated. Even your fingertip will be restored to you after death, says the Quran. Our…
In brief: One can visit many Kuwaiti cultural institutions though much of the wealthy society looks forward rather than backward. Kuwait has built “Cultural Centers” all along its Persian Gulf coast, places to celebrate the…
In brief: Kuwait can seem not quite tourist-friendly at times, but our experiences and its warm welcomes made us feel like royalty. Kuwait is the first of the three oil-soaked emirates we visited along the…