Middle East articles

Bird festival, Israel
Travel Briefs, September 2013 issue.
For bird-watchers, the third International Hula Valley Bird Festival, organized by the Israel Ornithological Center, takes place Nov. 10-17, 2013.

Natural caves worth visiting
Looking outside from within Vindija cave.
, August 2013 issue.
Travelers describe beautiful or fascinating caverns they have seen (2 of 2)

EatWith locals program
, August 2013 issue.
A program called EatWith offers travelers to Spain, Israel and Brazil the chance to book meals with local hosts.

Tips for first-time visitors to Turkey
Hot-air balloons over Göreme. Photo: Stephen O. Addison, Jr.
Travelers' Intercom, July 2013 issue.

"Iran: The Ancient Land Of Persia"
Tours, July 2013 issue.
19 days / 17 nights, Oct. 10-28, 2013 & April 17-May 5, 2014. Highlights: Peacock Throne, Crown Jewels in Tehran / copper-gilded, mirror-tiled tomb of Imam Reza in Mashhad / ruins of Persepolis, Pasargad / Kerman Bazaar / in Isfahan, Royal Square, Friday Mosque / Ramsar on the Caspian Sea.

Seeing more in Turkey
Travelers' Intercom, June 2013 issue.
My wife, Carol, and I took the 15-day “Legendary Turkey” tour with Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765), May 29-June 13, 2012. The cost, including round-trip air from San Francisco, was $4,592 per person.

Journey into antiquity: cruising the Greek Isles and Turkey
The Louis Cristal in the harbor of Patmos, Greece.
Features, May 2013 issue.
Walking in the footsteps of the ancients — the classical world of philosophers and poets comes to life on a cruise-tour of the Mediterranean

Not delighted with Turkey tour
Travelers' Intercom, May 2013 issue.
A friend and I booked the 15-day tour “Turkish Delight,” April 21-May 5, 2012, with Pacha Tours and got a great price, $1,490 per person, not including airfare. I asked the Pacha agent to book my airfare. 

‘Wonderful’ Iran
Travelers' Intercom, May 2013 issue.
I was very pleased to read Marvin Primack's letter "Misconceptions of Iran" (March'13, pg. 26). How lovely to read of someone else's pleasant experience in that wonderful country.

Iran ‘interesting’
Travelers' Intercom, May 2013 issue.
I agree with the letter written by Marvin Primack (March '13, pg. 26) concerning misconceptions about Iran.