Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
World's First Gold-Dispensing ATM
Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.
Places I've been
Places this traveler has marked as been there.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The world’s largest LED display, built over an F1 race circuit.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."
Mezairaa, United Arab Emirates
Over the dunes of the Empty Quarter, the mysterious music of the desert.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This artificial archipelago was supposed to resemble a map of the world.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.
Diyarbakir, Turkey
Balanced on four stone pillars, this historic tower was the site of a tragic political assassination.
Istanbul, Turkey
Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.
Istanbul, Turkey
1513 Turkish world map, full of European state secrets and snarky commentary.
Istanbul, Turkey
Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.
Istanbul, Turkey
The ornate miniature mansions were built for Istanbul's feathered residents.
Istanbul, Turkey
This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.
Istanbul, Turkey
A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.
Denizli, Turkey
Roman ruins top white travertine terraces formed by ancient hot springs.
Aksaray, Turkey
In this historic region, homes and churches are carved into ancient volcanic rock formations.
Jitta, Lebanon
A monumental underground karstic wonderland is also the water source for over a million citizens of Beirut.
Beirut, Lebanon
Mummies preserved naturally for seven centuries.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut's thinnest building was the result of feuding brothers.
Baalbek, Lebanon
The largest hewn stone in history.
Beiteddine, Lebanon
After this one-of-a-kind palace was built the architect's hands are said to have been cut off to keep it that way.
Shakaria, Jordan
A refurbished locomotive from a bygone era in the middle of the Jordanian desert.