Nada Raphael is a Lebanese journalist, storyteller, and traveler, who, together with her partner Joelle Sfeir has co-founded Tourleb, a socially responsible tour operator that aims to promote local, women-owned and family operated businesses while changing the narrative about Lebanon. Get ready to travel to Lebanon with Nada and me and dismantle some myths about it while we’re at it.

This is Part 1 of our two-part episode and next week, we’ll share Part 2 of our Lebanon conversation with Nada.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The complex narratives and histories of Lebanon
• How Nada’s book project led to the eventual launch of Tourleb
• Starting a new kind of tourism in Lebanon
• What the west gets wrong about the Middle East
• Nada unpacks the statement "It's complicated"
• Dispelling the myths and misconceptions about traveling to Lebanon
• Is it safe to travel to Lebanon now?

Featured on the show:

• Check out the TourLeb website
• Nada's book, Hyphen Islam Christianity
• Joe Sacco's Gaza comic book
• Wanderful's Lebanon chapter announcement
• Follow TourLeb on Instagram

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Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more.

Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.