We strolled around to visit the Coptic section of Cairo, a vibrant area rich in history and culture that reflects the deep roots of Christianity in Egypt. As we wandered through the narrow, winding streets, we were immediately captivated by the unique architecture that characterized this part of the city. And unfortunately, we were also surrounded by piles of trash and a city that is more slum than oasis. The buildings, many of which date back to the early centuries of Christ

The ship sailed gracefully along the winding waters of the Danube toward Passau, our final Bavarian stop before we would journey onward to Austria. This charming city, known as the "City of Three Rivers," boasts a rich history that dates back to its founding in the year 1219. Nestled at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau is steeped in cultural heritage and stunning architecture. During our exploration of this picturesque city, we visited the magnificent

We met our guide Robert, an expert on the Holocaust, who has a book set to be published by Fordham University later this year. As you can tell, the guides we hire from Context are all highly knowledgeable individuals who enriched our experience beyond merely touring the sites. Jewish Berlin has a rich history dating back to 1671, though few physical reminders remain. Remarkably, in the 1930s, Berlin, with over 4 million residents, had about 160,000 Jews, of which 55,000 were

Today, we spent 7 hours exploring Berlin with our guide Aaron, originally from Great Britain, who moved here after meeting his wife, calling himself a "love refugee." Aaron, educated as an archaeologist, has a clear passion for history. Strolling through Berlin with him was enjoyable, as he was a rather cheeky fellow, always entertaining and a walking encyclopedia on everything Berlin, both past and present. We began at the iconic Brandenburg Gate and concluded our day at the

Exploring the old Jewish ghetto, synagogues, and cemetery was profoundly moving and likely the most impactful tour. Census data from the 1930s indicates there were about 300,000 Jews in Czechoslovakia before WWII; today, it's estimated that currently only 2,300 Jews reside in the country. Around 86,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis, while a significant number escaped and never returned. The Jubilee Synagogue is also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue. It was built in 1906, de

The final significant site we toured was the Kariyee Mosque, originally constructed as a church in the 6th century. Following the conquest of Istanbul, it was converted into a mosque in 1511. The site is renowned for its frescoes and mosaics, which were created between 1310 and 1317. These Byzantine frescoes are remarkable and naturally religious, depicting scenes from the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospels.

The Süleymaniye Mosque is a magnificent hilltop structure built in the 16th century at the behest of, and named after, Sultan   Süleyman the Magnificent  in Istanbul , Turkey . It was designed by Sinan , one of the foremost architects of his era and the chief architect to Süleyman for nearly 28 years. Sinan's portfolio is extensive—79 mosques, 34 palaces, 33 public baths, 19 tombs, 55 schools, 16 poorhouses, 7 madrasahs (religious schools), and 12 caravansaries, along with gr

The Blue Mosque  was built between 1609-1617. It is a blend of Byzantium and Ottoman-style architecture influenced by the Hagia Sophia with a central dome, surrounded by four semi-domes and flanked by six minarets. It is adorned with over 21,000 blue tiles, hence the Blue Mosque. Considered one of the most sacred places on earth, it still functions as a mosque today. It is big with a capacity of 10,000.

Hagia Sophia (532-537) was initially built as a church and remained the largest cathedral for almost 1000 years until the Seville Cathedral was completed in 1507. Following the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, when the Ottomans captured Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. This transformation involved removing bells and altars and concealing images of Jesus, Mary, and the saints and angels. Large wooden black discs with Arabic calligraphy were place

To understand Japan, it is essential to acknowledge the values instilled by Shintoism  and Buddhism  over the centuries, along with the external influences on the Japanese population. We explored beyond Tokyo by visiting Kamakura , a coastal town an hour to the south. Our Context guide, Fabien, a French expatriate, took us on this journey. Kamakura is a charming town, renowned for its remarkable 13.35-meter-tall bronze Buddha at Kotoku-in , which was constructed in 1252. We p