NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 16

All the clues in this post refer to one Ya’lla Tours destination: Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Turkey, or United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).

We’ll show you images of popular tourist sites in our mystery country, along with descriptions of those sites. Continue reading

WOW Places – Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Pamukkale, Masada

PAMUKKALE, TURKEY

Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale is located in southwestern Anatolia, a 4 to 5-hour drive inland from coastal attractions such as Ephesus, Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya. The closest major attraction is Aphrodisias, roughly halfway between the coast and Pamukkale (less than 2 hours driving). Dramatic travertine terraces formed by hot spring deposits of calcium carbonate give Pamukkale its WOW-effect. The Romans built a thriving spa town here, Hieropolis. Spend a few hours wading in the pools and tramping through the Roman remains. Continue reading

Foto Friday – Ya’lla Groups 4

Happy Friday. Some random shots of Ya’lla travelers:

at Ernest Hemingway's house in Cuba, Finca Vigia

at Ernest Hemingway’s house in Cuba, Finca Vigia

at Ernest Hemingway's house in Cuba, Finca Vigia

at Ernest Hemingway’s house in Cuba, Finca Vigia

in the Bastakiya district of old Dubai

in the Bastakiya district of old Dubai

at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt

at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt

at Caesarea, Israel

at Caesarea, Israel

at Caesarea, Israel

at Caesarea, Israel

at Masada, Israel

at Masada, Israel

at Bethany Beyond the Jordan in Jordan - likely baptism site of Jesus

at Bethany Beyond the Jordan in Jordan – likely baptism site of Jesus

a group on the tour bus in Oman

a group on the tour bus in Oman

in Oman

in Oman

at Pergamum, Turkey

at Pergamum, Turkey

Sodom & Gomorrah: Enter at Your Own Risk

the Dead Sea

the Dead Sea

Do the placid (and therapeutic!) waters of the Dead Sea harbor a distant memory of rampant brutality and fiery retribution? Maybe. According to the Bible, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located in the area known as the Plain of Jordan, which scholars place around the southern end of the Dead Sea, between Israel and Jordan.

Here’s the story: Continue reading

Foto Friday – More Cuban Cars!

Since the US embargo took effect in 1962, no American cars or car parts have been imported to Cuba and Cuban government regulations have restricted the purchase of new cars imported from other countries. For 50 years talented and creative mechanics have kept classic American models (Yank Tanks) rolling down the roads of Cuba. Many are in mint condition but even the clunky ones are lovely to behold. If you’re into classic cars, or beautifully designed objects of any sort, this is paradise.

Click for information on tours to Cuba for Americans.

photo by Steve Sherwood

photo by Steve Sherwood

photo by Steve Sherwood

photo by Steve Sherwood

Continue reading

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 14

All the clues in this post refer to one Ya’lla Tours destination: Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Turkey, or United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).

We’ll show you images of popular tourist sites in our mystery country, along with descriptions of those sites. Continue reading

Nasreddin Hodja’s Glass is Half Full

Across the Muslim world, stories and anecdotes attributed to or about Nasreddin Hodja are as much a part of the collective consciousness as the Grimm’s Fairy Tales in Europe and North America.

Nasreddin was probably a real man who lived in Turkey in the 13th century. Some sources say he was born in Turkey, others that he moved there from Iran. In any case, it seems agreed that he lived and worked as a judge and teacher in Aksehir, near the city of Konya in central Turkey. He is known for his sly wit, appreciation of the absurd, optimism and genial nature. The honorific Hodja refers to a wise teacher.

For a Monday – The Hodja Looks on the Sunnyside Continue reading

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 13

All the clues in this post refer to one Ya’lla Tours destination: Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Turkey, or United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).

We’ll show you images of popular tourist sites in our mystery country, along with descriptions of those sites. Continue reading