12 April 2026
We arrive at the Houari Boumediene International Airport and use a concrete walkway to our hotel.
We stay at the Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport so no great hardship. Large, modern and luxurious, we eschew the beautiful indoor pool and fitness room. Instead, many of our group meet in the lounge for big cold beers!
8 April 2026
Today is what I call a kickback day. Nothing like sitting in a bus for hours. How can I enjoy 8 hours thru desert? Because my guide takes care of all the arrangements. And he promised an “enchanting oasis town” at the end of our drive.
Also, our itinerary says “surrounded by endless desert vistas and charming settlements, showing the timeless beauty and serenity.”
I just have coffee in my room. Gabrielle and I hop in the bus. In the memorable words of Stanley Tucci’s character Nigel, “Alright everyone, gird your loins!”
(more…)28 March 2026
We begin our morning maneuvering Sfax to its historic Medina. Sfax is not pretty in any obvious way. It feels more like a working, industrial city. It’s Tunisia’s second-largest city and its main commercial port, so the rhythm becomes industrial and purposeful rather than historic and touristic.
However, Sfax isn’t without character. In the old city, its medina quarter represents one of the best preserved in Tunisia, walled and refreshingly free of souvenir gloss and pressure to buy a rug or copper pot.
Built by Aghlabid prince Abu Abbass Muhammad between 849 and 851, it shows its age but continues to serve the community. The Medina acts as home to about 115,000 residents and dominated by the Great Mosque.
As we walk through the Medina, I’m told, to “soak in the vibrant atmosphere and rich history of this coastal town.” Having traveled a lot and visited dozens of medinas, I ask “sure, so what’s different?” At times like this, I sort of feel the guides are struggling to fill the day.
I hear the usual “welcome,” “where you from,” “my friend” but it’s friendly and less aggressive than in medinas I’ve been like Marrakech or Tunis. Venders quickly switch back to chatting with neighbors or scrolling their iPhones.
It feels more like merchants trying to make a living, not staging a performance. The displays of fish, vegetables, household wares, crafts and meats arranged artfully, creating lots of photo ops. Merchants smile and allow our guide to explain their wares.
We continue our drive North. Today’s travel consists of about 150 miles with a couple interesting stops along the way. Though we drive close to the sea, the land remans flat and arid. Massive olive groves interspersed with date palms and almond orchards, plus a plethora of cactus, line the highway. Less trash lines the roads.
More farms and green fields begin to appear. Most of these farms utilize modern irrigation including drip systems, wadi dams and underground aquifers. Modern orchard management in these regions use a “sustained deficit irrigation,” meaning only enough water is provided to guarantee survival and quality. Cell towers keep us connected throughout our journey.
(more…)23 March 2026
Climbing aboard a 4-wheel Landrover hints at what our day may be like. While we travel mostly on paved roads thru low hills, sand cliffs and dunes, we seem destined for a distant time and place: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” In reality, our destination – Tatooine.
In 1976, this desert region of Tunisia took on an entirely new look, not geologically but spiritually. Tatooine was born. Its life-forms became cinematographers, gaffers, foley artists, directors and Luke Skywalker.
(more…)20 March 2026
May your morning be as radiant as a blooming flower.
EgyptAir
EgyptAir blessed us to have a good day as it transported Gabrielle and I from Cairo. We return to Tunis. The plane departs slightly late, allowing for the crew’s Call to Prayer on this auspicious holiday of Eid Al-Fitr.
We arrive into the Carthage-Tunis Airport on Fête de l’Indépendance. March 20 marked the end of 75 years of French protectorate rule in 1956. We celebrate Tunisian Independence Day!
Brilliant Tunisian flags fly beneath a bright blue sky. The air is clear and clean, a very welcome change after the smog of Cairo.
Everything runs smoothly as we speed thru customs and are met by Kamel, the guide for our ElderTreks tour. For the next few weeks, our lodging, meals, and activities will be the onus of someone else. It always seems a relief as I surrender myself to my one responsibility of each day: “What time am I to be on the bus?”
(more…)19 March 2026
This morning, I see the pyramids from my balcony. This bodes well for cleaner air today. We join our guide, Galal, for a final day exploring some of Cairo’s most interesting museums.
I find it difficult to believe the GEM didn’t have it all. However, there exists several other sites around the city that warrant a visit.
(more…)18 March 2026
No traveler in centuries has visited all Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, recognized for their grand scale and awesomeness. As a reminder: