Crossing Boundaries

“Aziz Abu Sarah rightly reminds us that it's not more travel we should be after, but the right kind of travel—one that treads lightly, highlights multiple perspectives (including traditionally marginalized ones), and fosters personal transformation, which is the key to a better world.” 
—Norie Quintos, Editor at Large, National Geographic Travel Media

How can we bring together a world polarized by so many seemingly intractable conflicts? Through tourism?

Yes, but a different kind of tourism, one that harnesses the power of travel to create a more connected and peaceful world. Aziz Abu Sarah argues that it's through one-on-one contact that we'll begin to heal divides. And he knows this firsthand. A former Palestinian radical, he cofounded a tour agency with a Jewish American that originated the Dual Narrative Tours, which are co-led by guides from different communities, including Israel and Palestine, Ireland, Vietnam, Colombia, and many other countries.

A guide for going beyond museums and monuments to more transformative, sustainable, and responsible travel experiences, this book is for both the first-timer and seasoned veteran. Starting with his own moving story of creating connections across his divided hometown of Jerusalem and expanding to stories from all over the world, Abu Sarah offers tips on how to meet people naturally and safely, design an inclusive itinerary, shop to support the local economy, deal with setbacks, and much more. He shows that if you put down your phone and strike up a conversation, you can break through the walls that separate us. You'll discover shared values, build lasting relationships, and realize that ultimately far more unites us than divides us.