1. Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates. When we think of the UAE, we all think of Dubai. We might think of Abu Dhabi. But, small as it is, it's an entire country, and Sir Bani Yas Island is just off its coast and part of the country. This island was originally home to the Bani Yas Tribe, but is now a fabulous tourist attraction as well. There are luxury resorts, lots of activities both by jeep or on foot and on and on. What you shouldn't miss is a safari. That's right, a safari right on an island in the UAE. There are tons of endangered species on the island in its nature preserve area, and a safari is a great way to get an up close look at them. So, while in the UAE, check this out!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2144877-Sir_Bani_Yas_Island_Emirate_of_Abu_Dhabi-Vacations.html
2. Shahaniyah Camel Racetrack, Camel Races, Doha, Qatar. Believe it or not, there are cruises you can take around the Persian Gulf, so there is, in fact, a chance you might be in Qatar. If you find yourself in this magnificent city and country, check out the camel races. This will be nothing like you've ever seen. There are no jockeys on these camels. Instead, there's a robot on the camel's back throughout the race. The jockey, for lack of a better term, uses a remote control of sorts that works with the robot on the camel's back and they follow the camels around the track in cars. It's really different, so if you want to immerse yourself in some local culture, check out the camel races while in Doha.
4. Visit Wine Country in Georgia! When thinking of wine country, we often think of France, Napa Valley, Madeira, and even Long Island; but have you ever thought of the country of Georgia? Wine making is an up and coming attraction in Georgia, but they've been making wine there for centuries. They're known for Qvevri Wine, which is an amber wine, aged in clay pots and buried in the ground. Grapes grow wonderfully in the Georgian climate and they have 525 different varieties of grapes and there's something for everyone!
5. The Caves of Vardzia, Southern Georgia. While you might be visiting the up and coming country of Georgia, you shouldn't miss these cave dwellings. Dating back to the 1100's this cave city was built as many were for protection for its citizens. It was commissioned as a project by Queen Tamar and honestly looks a bit like something out of the Lord of the Rings. Carved into the side of Erusheli Mountain, it was a hiding place, a monastery, and is now partially survived as a monastery. It has 13 levels and once had 6,000 rooms. It was designed to ward of Mongols and was at one point devastated by an earthquake. It's a fascinating place to visit outside of Aspindza, and a great way to spend a day.
I do realize I went way off the beaten path this week, but I thought that these places needed to be mentioned. I know that parts of the middle east and the subcontinent seem taboo these days, but these countries are constantly being dragged into the conversation of the shenanigans of their neighbors. Most of the Persian Gulf is filled with friendly people who love to meet visitors. India is quite open to helping visitors learn about their culture. Georgia is nothing like you'd expect a former Soviet Republic to be. Don't rule out visiting a country because it has questionable neighbors or resides in a questionable neighborhood. Don't overlook it, because it used to be ruled by a country that we might not like the politics of. People are not always politics. Most of the time, people are people and love to meet other people and show them the wonderful things about where they live. So, when choosing a destination, make sure you go or don't go for the right reasons. Then pack your bags and enjoy!
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