middle east, exotic holidays, jordan holidays, israel holidays, palestine holidays, holy land holidays, marrakesh holidays, syria holidays, lebanon holidays

The Beauty of Jerusalem and Visting the Holy Land

One of the most historical and spiritually charged cities in the world, Jerusalem has been a city where many civilisations, cultures & religions have fought over. The West of Jerusalem contains some of the most chic and fashionable stores, whilst East Jerusalem still has elements of the Old Ottoman history still prevalent through the stone buildings that have seen so many people come and go. East Jerusalem also is home to Palestinian Arab communities in places like Sheikh Jarrah and Salahuddin Street, where you get to walk through souks and bazaars and where sweet mint tea awaits you.

At the heart of Jerusalem is the Old City. Walled and holding ancient inscriptions from Ottoman Islamic text to Hebrew and Judaic historical signposts, the Old City of Jerusalem encloses the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Delarosa, the path along which Jesus supposedly walked on, on his way to the crucifixion and with a crown of thorns. The Via Delarosa which he walked on may have been about 6-8 feet below where the path lies now, but walking on this path takes you back in time as your mind wanders to what the City would have looked like under Roman occupation.

The Al Haram Al Sharif - (the Noble Sanctuary in Arabic), known also as the Temple Mount is holy to Muslims and to Jews. On this site lies the beautiful Dome of the Rock mosque with mosaics from the time of Saladdin and where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended the seven heavens and where he greeted other prophets of God. The site is also holy to Jews and where the Second Temple, it is suggested, was based until it was sacked by Rome. This holy spot is a must for those who want to feel the energy and the power of this site. At the far corner lies the silver domed Al Aqsa mosque, a site where Prophet Muhammad is said to have prayed when he visited Jerusalem. On Friday's these sites are full of people praying and invocating God and a visit to Jerusalem is not complete without gazing on these historic sites.

Finally, no visit to Jerusalem is complete without refreshing yourself at the American colony hotel. Situated in East Jerusalem, the hotel used to be the palace of the Turkish Pasha of Jerusalem under the Ottoman Empire until it was bought and converted into a hospital by German migrants to Jerusalem. British soldiers were treated here when Palestine was a British mandate and the hotel also contains a unique well stocked bookstore and antique store in which you can spend hours reflecting on this City. Remember to order the mint iced drink and kick back and let the cool winds of Jerusalem relax you at the American Colony. A visit to Jerusalem is a must and travel with us to this amazing destination.

Exhilarating Egypt & the Dawn of a New Country

The recent historic events in Egypt have been truly historic with some of the old guard of Mubarak being ousted. The changes in Egypt sweep in new opportunities, not only politically, but for the traveller, the country provides even more added value services than before. Travel and tourism to Egypt has had many benefits. The low costs, the all inclusive cheap packages, the high levels of service and the extra mile that Egyptians go to ensure that your holiday is as special as you want it to be, have seen over 1.5 million Brits travel to this destination on an annual basis. However, the recent political troubles in Egypt have meant that travellers to Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor have been more cautious, though things are much more settled and Egyptians understand the enormous value that travel and tourism brings to the country. So, in fairness Egyptians are well aware that travellers are the future lifeblood of the country and attacks on tourists are a direct attack on the future of Egypt herself.

Which brings us onto the next issue. Such a situation provides travellers to Egypt with even more value added for their money. With more activities thrown in at hotels and a trade in tourism that is fierce, Egypt can offer some of the cheapest opportunities allied with sites that are devoid of the mad rush so seen at many other country destinations. Imagine standing at the foot of the Giza pyramids and being one of only a handful of people? The chance to feel and sense the history of millenia can really be felt in the quiet of the Egyptian dawn when just three years ago you would have been unable to stand still because of camera flashes elicited by the usual array of armchair travellers looking for a quick camera shot before they got back on their coaches and onto another destination.

So if you are considering your next holiday and travel destination and money is a factor, you have to be seriously balmy to miss out on Egypt. At the very least, Egypt will capture your attention and engulf your sense. If you are unmoved by it all, I would suggest a swift visit to the doctor! A new dawn for Egypt has broken, be part of it and understand this country of a thousand histories through travel.

Have a holiday from boring old British pancakes with Middle East Journeys’ taste of abroad

Not another flipping pancake recipe

Ahhh pancake day. That special time of the year when you find yourself panic-buying flour and eggs just so that you have the right type of leftovers to use up before Lent. Praise be.

But before you belatedly realise that you don’t even like those slimy flobs of eggy mess that pass for a Great British tradition at this time of year (and only at this time of year), why not consider trying a slightly less dogmatic form of fried flour this February? That’s right! It’s high time you looked to the birthplace of baby Jesus himself for a proper pancake party, with the Arabic fasting staple of Katayef. With not a whiff of Jiff and none of the dangers of the toss, these aromatic pancakes are guaranteed to at least give some flavour to your flab fest. Plus it’ll make your friends think you’re well cultured. Read on for our no-flip recipe, just like MEJ used to make.

Katayef – Filled Arabic Pancakes

What you’ll need:

For the batter:

• 250g plan flour
• 500ml of milk
• One packet of quick yeast
• One teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

For the filling:

• 250g chopped walnuts
• 4 tablespoons of golden syrup
• 2 tablespoon of rose water
• 2 tablesoon of orange-flower water

For the syrupy coating goodness:

• 4 tablespoons of golden syrup
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 2 tablespoons of rose water
• Oil for frying.

Method:

Mix the batter ingredients together and leave to stand for 45 minutes, or until it is all bubbly.

Meanwhile, blend the filling ingredients into a knobbly paste. Heat the syrup gently, adding the lemon and rose water once it has slackened into a liquid. Keep warm, but be careful not to scorch it.

Now it’s time to pancake: Heat up a frying pan in the normal Shrovey way and pour in the batter - but keep the cakes small. Think Scotch pancakes, but slightly larger. Once bubbles begin to form, remove the cakes. Do not cook the otherside. I repeat: Do NOT toss!

Finish the mix and leave the cakes to cool.

Now dollop in a teaspoon of the filling mixture into each cake, and roll up like a Cornish pasty. The uncooked part of the cake should be on the inside – that’ll help it stick together.

Now either quickly deep fry the parcels or bake for 5-10 minutes in the oven. Finish them off by pouring over a teaspoon or so of sticky syrup and devour. Roll on Easter!