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A writer travels to the Horn of Africa to find the source of a global obsession.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent writer Ryan Knighton to Egypt’s sprawling capital with just 24 hours’ notice.

Discover what makes Zanzibar’s capital a destination worth visiting.

At a working cattle ranch in Northern Patagonia, visitors can ride horseback, eat traditional Argentine asado, and yes, stay the night.

A trip to Dubai can feel like a visit to another century. Or even another planet. From futuristic architecture to indoor skiing to camel races to stunning Arabian Sea beaches, Dubai offers lots of distinctive sights and activities.

A refugee-turned-doctor takes the trip of a lifetime, tracking gorillas through the wilds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Writer Lisa Abend discovers that Malta is a dream of Europe past, all faith and firepower.

Kamal Mouzawak created Souk el Tayeb, the first farmers’ market in downtown Beirut, and Tawlét, a cooperative restaurant, where each day a guest chef from a different region of the country dishes up authentic Lebanese cuisine. Here’s his guide to the dynamic city.

A journey into the ethnic neighborhoods redefining the City of Light

Palermo, Sicily’s capital, is a marvelously jumbled, crumbling blend of old and new—a canvas upon which the region’s complex and ever-shifting history has been painted. Over the centuries, the port of Palermo was controlled by forces from the far corners—from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, to Arabs from North Africa, and then Normans from France, who oversaw a renaissance during which many of Palermo’s iconic landmarks and modern tourist attractions were built.

To see some of the vestiges of ancient empires, take a day trip from Palermo to the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Greek and Roman ruins, including the Temple of Concordia, remain wonderfully intact. Within the city itself, explore the attractions in historic neighborhoods such as the Arab district of La Kalsa, home to the finery-filled Palazzo Mirto. The Quattro Canti (Four Corners) lies in the heart of the old city, with Piazza Pretoria on the corner. From there it’s only a short distance to Palermo’s Norman Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Palermo’s star attractions, which houses the Palatine Chapel, famous for its intricate mosaics.

Palermo is also a perfect jumping-off point for sightseeing excursions to the idyllic beaches of Mondello, the medieval coastal town of Cefalù and the mountain village of Monreale, which is known for its exceptional Norman cathedral.

The most luxurious way to experience Dubai’s desert may smash an entire holiday budget, but a stay in the Bedouin-inspired tented suites at Al Maha might well be worth it. It’s one of the best places to see desert conservation in action: Al Maha is in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, home to the UAE’s largest free-roaming herd of Arabian oryx, a species brought back from extinction in the wild through rehabilitation initiatives. Guests should keep their eyes peeled for gazelles, too—300 Arabian and 100 sand gazelles inhabit the dunes, and the more inquisitive ones often come right up to the 42 tented accommodations. Water recycling, biodiesel, and solar panels all contribute to Al Maha’s efforts to tread lightly on the fragile desert ecosystem.

Cairo Beyond the Headlines

A journey through one of the world’s last, best travel secrets.

The true gateway to southern Italy, Naples is home to some of the world’s most famous foods, but it’s also the base of a cultural collision that would make a surrealist happy. Nearly anyone who is anyone in the history of the Mediterranean has tromped through the city and left their mark including Spaniards, Ancient Romans, Arabs, Fascists, and American GIs after the war.

Mexico’s first and only Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Luis Barragán is best known for his modernist work in Mexico City. However, his hometown of Guadalajara, where he and his contemporaries developed their signature Mexican-Arabic-Islamic style, features some of his most interesting early work. While much has been built over, you can still tour private homes and repurposed spaces—or even stay in an Airbnb designed by Barragán—to get a sense of his remarkable legacy.