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How to order from US websites and get delivery in France
Have you ever drooled over Sephora USA or Amazon USA, wondering why they don’t sell in Europe? Today, I’m going to share my tips for ordering from US websites and getting delivery in France. This article is not sponsored and is only intended to help you find what you need. The US market is huge, which is why many US websites and sellers prefer to sell only in the US rather than dealing with international shipping (with customs and currency issues). However: How to order from a US website that doesn’t ship to Europe/France? There are services that receive all your orders for you in the US. By signing up,…
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Two nights in Wadi Rum with a tour agency (Jordan)
We often travel without an agency, but in Wadi Rum, it’s impossible to travel without a guide. Whenever I have to choose an agency, I open Tripadvisor and pick one of the top 3. This time, we went with Wadi Rum Nomads, ranked #3 on Tripadvisor. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal A little annoyance The day starts with bad news. As I get ready to leave my hotel, I take out the cash from my wallet to set aside the 300JOD I owe the agency. And then, surprise: my wallet only has 400JOD, out of the 500JOD I left there a few days ago.…
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[Review] Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum: Luxury Hotel with Dome Tents (Jordan)
My hotel choices have been heavily influenced by my girlfriend H., who loves beautiful things, luxury, and watches Instagram reels of beautiful hotels. She recommended Our Habitas in Hegra, and now Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (Booking link) for our stay in Wadi Rum. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal After seeing this photo taken by a drone, I’m very interested. Sure, there are many dome tent hotels in Wadi Rum, but after looking closely at the photos, I get the impression that the tents at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp are built differently. They seem more “custom-made” than tents that you buy ready-made, or worse, completely…
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[Reflection] #17 Old Money, Quiet Luxury & New Money
I’m discovering this “Old Money” clothing trend very late, and I even think “quiet luxury” is no longer in style. I only hear about it now because I’m looking to refresh my winter wardrobe, and since I no longer go to stores, I’m only finding out now. A friend told me that the “Old Money” trend started with Sofia Richie’s wedding, while others mention the series “Succession” and its “quiet luxury” aesthetic. Add to that recent scandals where consumers discover that Dior sells bags for $2,800 that cost only $57 to produce under horrible working conditions (Armani is also implicated). More troubling still, the prestigious “Made in Italy” hides a…
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Visiting Petra (Jordan): the 7th new wonder of the world
In 2001, a private organization began reaching out to countries around the world to have them and their residents vote for the 7 new wonders of the world. In over 8 years of travel, it took us 5 years to visit the first 6 new wonders, but Petra in Jordan resisted us because we are rarely in the region. This time, we decided to visit the last new wonder on the list: Petra. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Saudi – Jordan The flight from Medina to Amman went wonderfully well because each passenger had at least 5 seats to themselves. Since the war in…
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Visiting Medina and the Prophet’s Mosque as non-Muslims (Saudi Arabia): Travel Diary
Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 8 (road trip continued) It takes us a little over 3 hours to drive from‘Al Ula to Medina. We decide to dress in traditional clothing in Medina. Before coming, we researched the dress code, and YouTubers all say you can come in loose, well-covered clothing. No need to veil. However, reading the comments, I found that some people are very reluctant to have tourists in Medina (which happens to be the second holiest site in Islam, after Mecca). Some sarcastically say “ahh, we must thank our prince for inviting these tourists”, and others say “please, we are pilgrims…
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Al Ula & Hegra (Saudi Arabia): Travel Journal
We continue our December 2024 road trip in Saudi Arabia, which we are discovering for the first time. We learned that the country was open to non-Muslims during the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, and the magnificent Saudi Arabia booth gave us a strong desire to go there. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 5 of the road trip (continued) Cairo – Al Madinah The airport in Cairo is not the most peaceful in the universe. Everyone has tons of luggage, is very impatient, and very rude. Luckily we get there 3 hours early because it takes us 1 hour of waiting to check…
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Cairo #4 (Egypt): The New Egyptian Museum & the Sphinx
Last time, I loved my hotel in front of the Sphinx so much that this time, JB found another hotel even closer to the Sphinx for me. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 3 (continued) I know everyone is impressed by the pyramids, but I find them lacking in special energy. On the other hand, the Sphinx impressed me a whole lot, and it has such a presence, such a special energy that I want to get as close to it as possible. Last time, we stayed at the Egypt Pyramids Inn guest house (Booking link), which I highly recommend because it looks the…
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Cairo #3 (Egypt): Visiting the Pyramids of Giza
After dropping off our luggage at Mena House, we grab our smartphones, cameras, and water bottles and walk to the pyramids. The taxis in front of the hotel offer to take us to the entrance for $10, but that’s way too much for just a 7-minute walk. We bought our entry tickets in advance on the official website, which saves us from waiting in line at the ticket office. In addition to the Giza Plateau entry, we also opt for the entry inside the two pyramids of Khufu and Menkaure (a surcharge that must be decided when buying tickets, not in front of the pyramid). Last time, we went inside…
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Cairo #2 (Egypt): Our Pyramid-View Room at the Marriott Mena House
In Egypt, there are three historic hotels that really appeal to me: Winter Palace, Old Cataract, and Mena House. Last time, we stayed at the legendary Winter Palace in Luxor. This time, we’re thrilled to spend a night at the legendary Mena House, at the gates of the pyramids. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Mena House Hotel (Booking link), located at the foot of the majestic Giza Pyramids in Cairo, is one of Egypt’s most iconic establishments. Built in 1869, originally as a hunting lodge for King Ismail Pasha, who wanted to host foreign dignitaries during the inauguration of the Suez Canal. Built in…
