Tips For Visiting the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount in Jerusalem

I am sharing my tips for visiting the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount after my recent trip to Jerusalem so that your visit to this beautiful sight is as easy and memorable as mine was.

Seeing the UNESCO Heritage listed Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is at the top of many visitor’s wish list, and it was on mine also. In fact, on my recent trip to Jerusalem, I visited the Dome of the Rock twice so that I could get all the photos I wanted.

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PhotoPOSTcard: All That Glitters is Gold at Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock

Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and the rock on top of it is a sacred site to both the Jewish and Islamic faiths. In Judaism, the rock is where Abraham was preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac. For Muslims it is the location from which Muhammed started his journey to heaven. The octagonal Dome of the Rock which sits atop this Foundation Stone was built in 691 CE, though it has been rebuilt a few times since then. Visitors can tour the outside of the Dome of the Rock during non-Muslim prayer times, but cannot go inside unless they are Muslim. Even just seeing the outside, it was a beautiful structure to visit.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

My Yellowstone Road Trip – A 10 Day Salt Lake to Yellowstone Itinerary

As I was planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip focusing primarily on photography, I decided to do a one way Salt Lake to Yellowstone itinerary, which I am sharing here.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park twice in the last few years. On my first visit I flew into and out of Jackson and did one big loop through the two parks.  This time, I got a better flight deal into Salt Lake city so I opted for a one way route ending in Bozeman, Montana.

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A 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary – Discovering America’s Best Idea

Use my 4 day Yellowstone itinerary and my many photos as a guide to help you see all the best sights in America’s first national park. Find all the information and inspiration you need to get the most out of your bucket list trip.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to visit Yellowstone National Park a number of times in the last few years. A couple of times were in September, which I think is an ideal time to visit the park – the weather was pleasant and the park was not as crowded as it gets during the summer months. Mid to late September also has the added advantage of seeing the aspen and cottonwood trees turn gold. On my first trip to Yellowstone, I planned a detailed 4 day Yellowstone itinerary which I am sharing here.

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My Many Alaska Cruise Excursion Experiences

Alaska is a popular travel destination, and there is no easier way to see southeast Alaska than on a cruise ship. Use my Alaska cruise excursion tips for Alaska’s most popular cruise ship ports to help you plan your best bucket list Alaska trip.

I love cruising and have sailed all over the globe. But, I think that if you ever only take one cruise in your whole life, it should be to Alaska. This is a huge state with some of the least accessible national parks in the US, including the very popular Glacier Bay National Park which can only be visited by boat. The various ports of call and the many cruise excursion options offered on an Alaskan cruise provide opportunities to easily see more of this incredibly scenic state.

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A Date With a Chihuly Glass Exhibit at Kew Gardens

I love the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly, so I could not resist seeing the Chihuly glass exhibit at Kew Gardens in London.

I admit it-I have an obsession with all things made by master glass artist Dale Chihuly. I love the vibrant colors, the movement, and yes, the engineering and science that it takes to make his towering art installations.

Throughout my travels, I go out of my way to see his work if it is on display nearby. So, when I was in London the summer of 2019, I made it a point to have a date with the Chihuly glass exhibit at Kew Gardens.

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PhotoPOSTcard: The Red Vespa

There are over 1000 years of history in this photo. The round church in the background is the Rotonda di San Lorenzo in the city of Mantua, Italy. This is the oldest church in this UNESCO designated city, built in the late 11th century, and still has some of the original frescoes visible inside. The red Vespa in the foreground is another classic Italian legacy, but only since the 1940’s.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

A Day Trip to Essaouira from Marrakech, Morocco

On a recent visit to Marrakesh, I had the opportunity to experience a day trip to Essaoura from Marrakech, Morocco. I was surprised to find that this coastal town was so much more relaxed and laid back than Marrakech. Even with a short day in Essaouira, I discovered that its beach vibe felt more akin to being in the Caribbean than on the African coast.

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Rockin’ the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco

Visiting the UNESCO heritage site of Ait Bn Haddou was a stop on my three day trip to the Sahara from Marrakesh, Morocco. Ait Ben Haddou is a well preserved and restored example of a ksar, that is, a collection of traditional earthen houses surrounded by a defensive wall and protective corner towers. Here is my experience of Ait Ben Haddou in photos.

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