{"id":1125,"date":"2016-09-07T21:37:43","date_gmt":"2016-09-07T17:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?page_id=1125"},"modified":"2026-06-03T10:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T08:25:39","slug":"against-the-compass","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Beaten Track Travel Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#555555\">MY TRAVEL ADVICE HAS BEEN FEATURED ON<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/media\/\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/EN-As-seen.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/EN-As-seen.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/EN-As-seen.jpg\" alt=\"List of publication&#039;s logos including Lonely Planet, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Times, Sky News, France 24, Daily Beast, Buzz Feed, and El Pais\" class=\"wp-image-54792\"><\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<!-- <\/div> -->\n<div class=\"homepage-tours alignfull pb-3\" style=\"background:#efefef;\">\n\t<div class=\"mx-lg-auto\">\n\t\t \n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"text-center\">my favourite countries<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"row p-5 p-xl-0 mx-0 mb-3 \"> -->\n\t\t\t<div id=\"container-homepage-destinations\" class=\"row row-cols-1 row-cols-sm-1 row-cols-md-4 row-cols-lg-4 row-cols-xl-4 mx-2 mx-lg-auto g-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/syria\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/syria-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/syria-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/syria-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Syria<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/pakistan\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pakistan-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pakistan-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pakistan-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Pakistan<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/kyrgyzstan\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/kyrgyzstan-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/kyrgyzstan-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/kyrgyzstan-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Kyrgyzstan<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/iraq\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iraq-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iraq-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iraq-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Iraq<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- <div class=\"container\"> -->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<!-- <\/div> -->\n<div class=\"homepage-tours alignfull pb-3\" style=\"background:#efefef;\">\n\t<div class=\"mx-lg-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"row p-5 p-xl-0 mx-0 mb-3 \"> -->\n\t\t\t<div id=\"container-homepage-destinations\" class=\"row row-cols-1 row-cols-sm-1 row-cols-md-4 row-cols-lg-4 row-cols-xl-4 mx-2 mx-lg-auto g-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/mauritania\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mauritania-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mauritania-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mauritania-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Mauritania<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/mali\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mali-1200x707.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mali-1200x707.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mali-1200x707.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Mali<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/eritrea\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/eritrea-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/eritrea-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/eritrea-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Eritrea<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col mb-2 mb-md-3\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/afghanistan\/\" style=\"position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card h-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/afghanistan-1200x801.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/afghanistan-1200x801.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/afghanistan-1200x801.jpg\" class=\"card-img-top\" loading=\"lazy\" alt><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"homepage-destinations-location-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"homepage-destinations-location\">Afghanistan<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- <div class=\"container\"> -->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull has-custom-font-size bg-grey my-0 py-5 has-normal-font-size is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-11db0663 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/countries\/\" style=\"border-radius:0px;background-color:#31541d\"><strong>VIEW ALL COUNTRIES<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column mt-5 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p style=\"font-size:25px\"><strong style=\"margin-top:4rem;line-height:1.1;\">JOIN OUR<br><span style=\"color:#31531E;font-size:6rem;\">EXPEDITIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"width:30px;margin-top:-20px;border-bottom:3px solid #31531E\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Syria, Iraq, Mauritania, Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">After years of exploring the most off-the-beaten-path destinations, <strong style=\"color:#31531E\">Against the Compass<\/strong> is now running epic expeditions to the world\u2019s most adventurous places, focusing on local people and culture while creating outstanding travel families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Join an international community of travelers from more than <strong style=\"color:#31531E\">60 nationalities<\/strong> across all five continents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0b6d66c5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/expeditions.againstthecompass.com\/tours\/\" style=\"border-radius:6px;background-color:#31541d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEE UPCOMING EXPEDITIONS <span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"arrow-right-long\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-arrow-right-long \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M502.6 278.6c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3l-128-128c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3L402.7 224 32 224c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32l370.7 0-73.4 73.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0l128-128z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full homepage-side-photo\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/tourphoto.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/tourphoto.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/tourphoto.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-58205\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-atc-primary-green-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-atc-primary-green-background-color has-background is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">our travelers say<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><script defer async src=\"https:\/\/cdn.trustindex.io\/loader.js?829248b91c86959f595b010cd5\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"homepage-tours alignfull pb-3\" style=\"background:#efefef;\">\n\t<div class=\"mx-lg-auto\">\n\t\t \n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"text-center\">browse by region<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row p-xl-0 mx-0 mb-3 \">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/central-asia\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Central Asia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Central-Asia-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Central-Asia-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Central-Asia-category.jpg\" alt=\"Central Asia\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/central-asia\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Central Asia\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCentral Asia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/horn-of-africa\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Horn of Africa\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Horn-of-Africa-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Horn-of-Africa-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Horn-of-Africa-category.jpg\" alt=\"Horn of Africa\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/horn-of-africa\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Horn of Africa\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHorn of Africa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/middle-east\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Middle East\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Middle-East-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Middle-East-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Middle-East-category.jpg\" alt=\"Middle East\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/middle-east\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Middle East\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMiddle East\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"envelope\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-envelope \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" color=\"#31551d\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M48 64C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112c0 15.1 7.1 29.3 19.2 38.4L236.8 313.6c11.4 8.5 27 8.5 38.4 0L492.8 150.4c12.1-9.1 19.2-23.3 19.2-38.4c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48zM0 176V384c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H448c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V176L294.4 339.2c-22.8 17.1-54 17.1-76.8 0L0 176z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> JOIN our Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:23px\"><strong>Subscribe to our email list, and receive:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"thumbs-up\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-thumbs-up \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" color=\"#31551d\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M313.4 32.9c26 5.2 42.9 30.5 37.7 56.5l-2.3 11.4c-5.3 26.7-15.1 52.1-28.8 75.2H464c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48c0 18.5-10.5 34.6-25.9 42.6C497 275.4 504 288.9 504 304c0 23.4-16.8 42.9-38.9 47.1c4.4 7.3 6.9 15.8 6.9 24.9c0 21.3-13.9 39.4-33.1 45.6c.7 3.3 1.1 6.8 1.1 10.4c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H294.5c-19 0-37.5-5.6-53.3-16.1l-38.5-25.7C176 420.4 160 390.4 160 358.3V320 272 247.1c0-29.2 13.3-56.7 36-75l7.4-5.9c26.5-21.2 44.6-51 51.2-84.2l2.3-11.4c5.2-26 30.5-42.9 56.5-37.7zM32 192H96c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32V448c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32H32c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32V224c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> Upcoming expeditions before we run out of spots<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"thumbs-up\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-thumbs-up \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" color=\"#31551d\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M313.4 32.9c26 5.2 42.9 30.5 37.7 56.5l-2.3 11.4c-5.3 26.7-15.1 52.1-28.8 75.2H464c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48c0 18.5-10.5 34.6-25.9 42.6C497 275.4 504 288.9 504 304c0 23.4-16.8 42.9-38.9 47.1c4.4 7.3 6.9 15.8 6.9 24.9c0 21.3-13.9 39.4-33.1 45.6c.7 3.3 1.1 6.8 1.1 10.4c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H294.5c-19 0-37.5-5.6-53.3-16.1l-38.5-25.7C176 420.4 160 390.4 160 358.3V320 272 247.1c0-29.2 13.3-56.7 36-75l7.4-5.9c26.5-21.2 44.6-51 51.2-84.2l2.3-11.4c5.2-26 30.5-42.9 56.5-37.7zM32 192H96c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32V448c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32H32c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32V224c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> Access to <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\">Against the Compass<\/a> email list, where I regularly share tips not found on my blog<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"thumbs-up\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-thumbs-up \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" color=\"#31551d\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M313.4 32.9c26 5.2 42.9 30.5 37.7 56.5l-2.3 11.4c-5.3 26.7-15.1 52.1-28.8 75.2H464c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48c0 18.5-10.5 34.6-25.9 42.6C497 275.4 504 288.9 504 304c0 23.4-16.8 42.9-38.9 47.1c4.4 7.3 6.9 15.8 6.9 24.9c0 21.3-13.9 39.4-33.1 45.6c.7 3.3 1.1 6.8 1.1 10.4c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H294.5c-19 0-37.5-5.6-53.3-16.1l-38.5-25.7C176 420.4 160 390.4 160 358.3V320 272 247.1c0-29.2 13.3-56.7 36-75l7.4-5.9c26.5-21.2 44.6-51 51.2-84.2l2.3-11.4c5.2-26 30.5-42.9 56.5-37.7zM32 192H96c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32V448c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32H32c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32V224c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span> Personal trip announcements.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"homepage-tours alignfull pb-3\" style=\"background:;\">\n\t<div class=\"mx-lg-auto\">\n\t\t \n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"text-center\">latest posts<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row p-xl-0 mx-0 mb-3 \">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/lessons-travel-father\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James.jpg\" alt=\"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/lessons-travel-father\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/five-years-expeditions\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 5 Years of ATC Expeditions: How it all started\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/featured.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/featured.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/featured.jpg\" alt=\"5 Years of ATC Expeditions: How it all started\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/five-years-expeditions\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 5 Years of ATC Expeditions: How it all started\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 Years of ATC Expeditions: How it all started\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-iraq-federal\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about A guide to traveling in Iraq in 2026\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC_8185.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC_8185.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC_8185.jpg\" alt=\"A guide to traveling in Iraq in 2026\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-iraq-federal\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about A guide to traveling in Iraq in 2026\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA guide to traveling in Iraq in 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull has-custom-font-size bg-grey my-0 py-5 has-normal-font-size is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-11db0663 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/countries\/\" style=\"border-radius:0px;background-color:#31541d\">All POSTS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"homepage-tours alignfull pb-3\" style=\"background:#efefef;\">\n\t<div class=\"mx-lg-auto\">\n\t\t \n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"text-center\">travel tips<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row p-xl-0 mx-0 mb-3 \">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/travel-guides\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Country Guides &amp; Itineraries\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Travel-guides-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Travel-guides-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Travel-guides-category.jpg\" alt=\"Country Guides &amp; Itineraries\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/travel-guides\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Country Guides &amp; Itineraries\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCountry Guides &amp; Itineraries\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/safety-travel\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Safety Travel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Safety-travel-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Safety-travel-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Safety-travel-category.jpg\" alt=\"Safety Travel\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/safety-travel\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Safety Travel\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSafety Travel\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4 mb-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article style=\"position: relative;overflow: hidden;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/unrecognized-country\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Unrecognized Countries\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tour-image\" style=\"position:absolute;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Unrecognized-country-category.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Unrecognized-country-category.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Unrecognized-country-category.jpg\" alt=\"Unrecognized Countries\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"><\/picture>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"darkened\" style=\"position:relative;z-index:2;aspect-ratio:1\/1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/category\/unrecognized-country\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Unrecognized Countries\" class=\"darkened-text\" style=\"width: 100%;height: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"tour-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnrecognized Countries\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MY TRAVEL ADVICE HAS BEEN FEATURED ON Syria, Iraq, Mauritania, Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and many more. After years of exploring the most off-the-beaten-path destinations, Against the Compass is now running epic expeditions to the world\u2019s most adventurous places, focusing on local people and culture while creating outstanding travel families. Join an international community [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53568,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1125","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1125"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58233,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1125\/revisions\/58233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}