Socotra Island tourism has always sounded a little mythical to me. An island off Yemen that people call the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” with species you can’t find anywhere else? Dragon’s blood trees that actually bleed red, bottle trees shaped like they came from another planet, and miles of pristine empty beaches (be still,…
Can you visit Socotra? Yes, but not in the way you might imagine. This isn’t the kind of place where you hop online, grab a cheap flight, and go explore on your own. Socotra is a remote island where independent travel isn’t possible. You can’t even book your own flights. You have to go through…
Why Socotra? Why this guide? Some call Socotra Island the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean.” It’s long been an off-the-beaten-path kind of travel destination — the kind only the most intrepid travelers bothered with. But that’s changing. Today, it’s gaining popularity as one of the most unique destinations in Yemen. How to get to Socotra,…
Socotra is one of the most unique and otherworldly places I’ve ever visited and one of the safest to travel in Yemen. With dragon blood trees, turquoise beaches, and almost no crime, it feels far removed from the country’s ongoing conflict. But since Socotra is part of Yemen, travelers often ask: “Is Socotra safe?” Here’s…
Why Visit Socotra Is everyone talking about Socotra yet? I’ve known about this remote island for decades, but in recent years it’s become one of the must-see places to visit for adventurous travelers — and for good reason. Socotra Island, part of an isolated Yemeni archipelago in the Arabian Sea, feels like nowhere else on…
Think there’s no reason to visit Baghdad, Iraq? Think again. I spent several days in the capital during my 10-day trip through Iraq—and let me tell you, Baghdad is buzzing with life. Before visiting, everything I’d ever heard about the city focused on war, politics, and yet another missile strike on the news. But once…
Iraq is probably not on your bucket list. But maybe it should be. For decades, most headlines about Iraq focused on conflict and chaos. Western media painted such a grim and one-sided picture that few people ever considered it a travel destination. So, why visit Iraq? As someone who went recently, I can honestly say:…
👋🏼 Welcome to Just Wanderlust—where we go beyond the obvious tourist destinations. I wanted my first post to break some myths wide open, and what better place to start than Iraq? Iraq is a country most people misunderstand, but one that completely changed how I see the world. If you associate Iraq with headlines about…
