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Holidays Israel Middle East 2011/12 Palestinian Territory Travel Stories

The Travesty That Was Christmas Eve in Bethlehem: Part II (A Very Wet Night)

Rain sure does have a way of putting a damper on your plans, doesn’t it? As a hardened traveler, I’m a pretty firm believer in making the most out of any situation. After all, rain can bring some pretty wild experiences (see: collapsed bridges in Laos…). But this wasn’t just any experience. This was Christmas […]

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Holidays Israel Middle East 2011/12 Palestinian Territory Travel Stories

The Travesty That Was Christmas Eve in Bethlehem: Part I (The Good)

“Millions of the faithful gather in Manger Square to celebrate the birth of Christ,” scream the headlines. After all, if there’s one place in the world that you would want to spend Christmas Eve, wouldn’t it be in Bethlehem? No, not Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, I mean the real Bethlehem. You know, the one where Christ is […]

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Holidays Israel Middle East 2011/12 Travel Stories Videos

Hanukkah in Jerusalem’s Old City (VIDEO)

Hanukkah (or Chanukah, depending on which transliteration you go for) is a pretty exciting time in Israel. The candles, the cheer, the doughnuts… Yes, the doughnuts, a special Hanukkah treat that Israelis are down right obsessed with. See, I went to Israel expecting to find that Israelis ate latkes as a Hanukkah treat like their […]

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Holidays Nevada Photos

Photo Essay: Christmas in the Desert

If you’re outside of Las Vegas, then you’ve probably never heard of the company now known as Ethel’s Chocolate, or of Henderson, Nevada,  the Las Vegas suburb where its factory is located. But what if I told you that Ethel’s Chocolate used to be called Ethel M. Chocolates and that the “M” was short for […]

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Holidays NYC Photos

NYC Holiday Magic: Holiday Windows

The holidays in New York City. That phrase alone exudes romanticized visions of grandeur. After all, NYC is known for two big things at this time of year: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and those infamous and extravagant holiday window displays that all those fancy stores put up. Many of these can be seen on […]

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Holidays NYC Videos

NYC Holiday Magic: Snowflakes & Stars (VIDEO)

You’ve all heard of Saks Fifth Avenue, right? Well that name has to come from somewhere, right? That’s right folks! Saks Fifth Avenue is located on…Fifth Avenue! In fact, if you go visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, you can simply turn around and look towards Fifth Avenue and you’ll see this: That is the […]

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Holidays NYC Photos

NYC Holiday Magic: Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has got to be one of the most iconic images of New York City at Holidays. Its lighting is the subject of a star-studded NBC TV special enforcing to all visitors that this is the number one thing to see here. And so, the tourists flock. Of course, that doesn’t […]

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Holidays NYC Photos

NYC Holiday Magic: Avenue of the Americas

Ah the holiday season! Such a magical time here in the Big Apple! Simply take a walk along “Avenue of the Americas” (more commonly known as 6th Ave) between Bryant Park and Central Park and you encounter a corridor where a number of major corporations are based. With their hefty profits, why not give a […]