In a country that doesn't believe in serving budget travelers, Rob's Guest House is a super option to expensive, impersonal hotels in Oman. At Rob's - you feel like you are staying with friends. I stayed here and it was a perfect budget way to experience Muscat. Plus - Rob is well versed on Oman (he's a British expat and lived there over 15 years), plus as a bonus he's an expert hiker, diver, and adventure enthusiast. He's eager to provide advice and assistance for your holiday. You get internet access and breakfast is included! I would recommend that you rent a car though as his guesthouse is not on any public transportation routes, but it is close to the airport. You'll need a car in Oman anyway to get to all of the spectacular places! It's located in the Al Khoud district, north of Muscat. There is no website - but you can contact Rob directly at rob@holiday-in-oman.com and get info on staying there.

Every summer, throughout the rural hills of northeast Italy, cows are herded from dairy farms in the valleys to mountain huts called “malghe.” All summer long, cows graze in tranquil Alpine pastures, providing their milk twice a day for the making of “formaggio di malga.” One of many malghe to also serve as an agriturismo, offering both food and lodging, Malga Pramosio is located near the Austrian border not far from the Creta di Timau peak. While it is accessible by car from the hamlet of Laipacco, I chose instead to hike from the town of Timau, 2300 feet up a steep mountain path through the beech forest called Bosco Bandito. At the summit, the woods gave way to a rolling, green meadow surrounded by towering granite peaks. Inside the red-roofed, stone malga, a fire roared, filling the entryway with thick smoke. I sat at one of the communal tables and ordered a plate of frico (cheese and potato pancake) with polenta. Following my meal, I tagged along with a few other guests for an informal tour of the malga’s cheese-making rooms. Ricotta—made from reheating whey and extracting the curds—was wrapped in cheesecloth and piled onto wooden planks; heavy iron weights sat on top to press out the excess liquid. In the next room, rounds of cheese were soaking in a vat of salted water to make formaggio salato (salted cheese), while many more wheels, in various stages of aging, were stacked high to the ceiling.

From this point on, I was going where no vehicles can go – I had to rely on my feet – and occasionally my hands. But little did I know that what I really had to rely upon was my mind to get me through the next hiking days along the Oman coast. With an organized group I hiked between Sifah beach and the fishing village of Quriyat where there were no roads. Because it was along the Oman coast and cliffs, we were slowed down trying to get up and down the steep wadis along the coastline and of course we had the heat to contend with too. Along the coastline the temperatures get to of 40 C or 104 F – and no shade. Even if you don't go the full distance (which would take a solid 11 hours), you can hike a little ways out of Sifah and experience the incredible coastal views and turquoise waters lapping against the cliffs. Just follow the coast line and pick your way up and down the wadi's carefully. My group actually camped halfway on a secluded beach and enjoyed the views and remote setting. Advice - take plenty of water and food as there are no facilities or even roads - so be prepared and I would advice to go with buddy or two. You can use Holiday in Oman to organize such a coastal hike like I did in Oman - http://www.holiday-in-oman.com/

A day spent at the refurbished souqs in Nizwa and the surrounding fort is definitely worth it. There were produce stalls, butchers, pottery, date shops, gun shops (for hunting), hardware stores, tourist shops, jewelry, tailors, and there is even a live goat and cattle market held every Friday. However, as I was marveling at the bright colors of the watermelon, eggplant, and tomatoes against the cream-colored backdrop of the Nizwa souq buildings – I felt that something was ‘off’ – but I couldn’t put my finger on it. As I looked through my camera viewfinder and framed up a shot – it hit me. I pulled the camera from my face and looked around once again – there were no women in this market. Not one. I asked our guide why there were only men at the market and he simply said that traditionally the men did the shopping and the women took care of the children. I asked him if the women or men cooked at home and he said that traditionally the women cooked meals. So this was a first for me – a souq full of men doing the shopping. As a woman though you are free and welcome to visit it - just dress respectfully and cover your shoulders and knees! More Information: http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/nizwa-souq-and-fort-oman/

While I am not generally a fan of zoo's I did give this one a chance due to its history of taking animals that would be otherwise unable to fend for themselves. While a bit overpriced, the zoo does offer an interesting layout, diversity of colorful creatures and a humorous and educational approach to zoo keeping!

In ancient times everyone wanted a piece of what Nizwa had. Niza had a natural wealth and a strategic location in Oman at the crossroads of vital caravan routes. The fort was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Yaarubi in 1668 AD. The design was forward thinking in many ways but the higlight was the myriad of booby traps that were built into the tower to withstand an attack. Pits, murder holes (holes where scalding date syrup was dripped down on intruders from above), and other traps awaited any intruder. Make sure when you visit that you dress respectfully and cover your shoulders and knees even though it will no doubt be very hot. There's plenty of shade as you walk through the old rooms of the Imam and his family. There is also a museum and coffee shop on the premises. Don't miss walking up the tower stairs and seeing the beautiful view of Nizwa - just be careful of the murder holes! Nizwa Fort Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 9am – 4pm; Friday 8am – 11am Admission price: Adults, 1 Omani Rial; Children, 500 baisa (no refunds if the murder hole gets you)

Lanquin is a beautiful little out-of-the-way town and yet its somehow still not off the beaten track. While the "resorts" here will be filled with young western teenagers and backpackers it is still a beautiful spot to spend a couple of days relaxing and floating down the river...

If you are traveling in El Salvador, you cannot miss the weekend food festival in Juayua. Every Saturday and Sunday the main square of town turns into a giant food bonanza with amazing grilled meats, homemade chorizos, fresh fruits, excellent coffee and so much more!

When visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque don't miss the tiilework! Walk through the north and south riwaqs (along the perimeter of the mosque) which has a lovely display of tilework. Each niche represents specific themes and styles from the Arab Islamic eras and countries from Spain to Central Asia. Have fun and try to guess which country each of the tile-work displays are from...it's harder than you think!

Try every date you can get your hands on in Oman - it's their most popular food! You might think that dates are all the same, but you'll quickly learn that in Oman - no date is the same. They are harvested in the early summer and come in shades of red and yellow. The date palm tree is completely utilized by Omanis. The tree parts are used for food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. But the best part is of course the dates themselves! You will be offered dates everywhere you go in Oman, and they are typically served with little cups of arabic coffee spiced with cardamom. Sharing dates in a local's home is a great way to bond in the Omani culture.

Getting to Bilad Sayt took a little work – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the unique places to see in Oman . It was literally off the beaten path as we had to get there by 4×4 and then by foot through a water filled canyon and steep rocks. As I hiked, I was surrounded by jagged canyon walls jutting up from the pools of water and shading me from the sun. I wondered if it could get any more beautiful than this – and my answer to that question came as I rounded the corner out of the canyon and stepped out into the sunlight. This is when I saw my first glimpse of Bilad Sayt – a fairy tale like village typical of the old Omani communal settlements of the past. I was stopped in my tracks, “wow” slowly and quietly rolled out of my mouth as my eyes scanned the area and took it all in. A little haze blanketed the village that was built up on a hill with closely clustered homes made of mud and stone. Jagged brown mountains surrounded and loomed over Bilad Sait, dwarfing the whole village. You can hike along the perimeter of the village which was surrounded by date palms making it look like a dessert oasis. You can also walk through the village and interact with the locals - they love visitors! More Info: Bilad Sayt is a mountain village in Oman located on the NE slope of the Hajar Mountains near the highest peak in the Sultanate of Oman, Jebel Shams. I used Exodus to take me there - http://bit.ly/Y31qte http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/places-to-see-in-oman-bilad-syat/

Frankinsence, indigo, vanilla beans, saffron, coriander...shopping for spices in Egypt gives insights into the food culture and they make a great souvenir. Recreate the scents and flavors when you return to share the essence of your journey with family and friends. The proprietor pictured gave an overview of all the spices and customized blends with good tips for packing and storage.

This is the perfect place to unwind and chill by the Nile, especially after a day of touring. Watch the sun slip behind the Valley of the Kings as the call to prayer echoes across the river. Great dining on at the restaurants on property and spa services restore muscles that need a little help after climbing through the temples and tombs. Do yourself a favor and go here!

Without the crowds busling through, we have access to compose some phenomenal shots and take advantage of the perfect light. Here, at Medinet Habu, Temple of Ramses III, we captured the detailed reliefs and vibrant color remaining on the columns in Peristyle Hall.

Located just a short drive -- by California Standards -- from the desert oasis of Palm Springs, lies the Joshua Tree National Park. When we talk about escaping from the world, Joshua Tree is one of those places that automatically ought to come to mind. A beautiful, remote and somewhat otherworldly landscape, Joshua Tree lets you leave the world behind the gates and discover an open and ethereal setting of strange trees and bizarre boulder formations. The park is a land of the lost in many respects, though with a large number of campgrounds and well-paved roads. The park is especially appealing to younger children with plenty of places for them to explore and climb rocks (though make sure you keep a watchful and parental eye on them, the nearest hospital is -- obviously -- miles away). They will love the stark landscapes and oddly shaped Joshua Trees. As noted, there are many camping areas. It's best to consult the website and make reservations during the high season. My own favorite time to visit is in the late winter, before the crowds and heat can invade the park. In planning your visit, make sure to include the side trip up to Keys View -- it looks to be well out of the way on the map, but the ten minutes each direction are more than worth the stunning view overlooking the San Jacinto Mountains with the Palm Springs metro area at their base.

Brussels has a vibrant art scene with hundreds of small galleries scattered throughout the city. It can be hard to know where to begin and can feel intimidating if you aren't an art expert. Enter Brussels Art Walks - guided tours of several of the city's galleries, by a trained art historian and curator. These small group tours offer a look inside some of Brussels best (and most hidden) art galleries. The insights into the exhibitions are invaluable and sparked some lively discussions about the nature of art, during our recent tour. Tours last half a day, include 3-4 galleries and are given in English (although other languages may be available on request). The best part, each tour takes in different galleries and exhibitions so you can never take the same Art Walk twice.