Travel: Meet the hermit who lives in a sacred valley, watch Hong Kong's dazzling fire dance, and go inside a goth-filled seaside town

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Meet the hermit who lives in a sacred valley, watch Hong Kong’s vibrant fire dragon dance, and go inside the quiet town that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula

|       FEATURE      | Meet the Quirky Hermit Who Lives on a Sacred Cliffside Lebanon’s Qadisha Valley has long been a refuge for those seeking solitude and safety. Father Dario Escobar, an 83-year-old monk, has become something of a niche tourist attraction since he set up residence in a mountainside enclave 17 years ago, explains Abby Sewell. ENTER THE SANCTUARY SHARE

TRAVEL TIP “Mosquitoes feed from dusk to dawn,” explains Karen Barry, National Geographic nurse. “Stay in well-screened areas, use insecticide-treated bed nets, and cover up. Travel clinicians can identify which medications are effective in the specific areas you’re visiting, as resistance to some drugs has developed in parts of the world.” — Karen Barry

|    VIDEO    | Watch Hong Kong’s Dazzling Fire Dragon Dance Every fall this neighborhood comes alive with a 67-foot-long dragon. FEEL THE BEAT |    DESTINATIONS    | This Hotel Wants to Save the Rain Forest The fabled Inca city of Machu Picchu is set among a global gem of biodiversity. THE GRASS IS GREENER

GO FURTHER Learn how our student travel program aims to inspire and educate—from community service to photo workshops . ›› Restore balance this holiday season in one of the most remote and relaxing places on the planet.  ››

|    VIDEO    | Watch Hundreds of Colorful Hot-Air Balloons Fill the Sky See the illuminating glow of colorful balloons soar over the Southwest. FLOAT ON |    TRAVEL TIPS    | 7 Ways to Travel Local in a Foreign Country Even the most visited destinations offer extraordinary experiences when you go beyond the usual sites. GO LIKE A LOCAL

Morocco’s tree-climbing goats ascend up to 30 feet to eat the fruit of Argan trees. TWEET THIS

PHOTO GALLERY

Visit the Crossroads of Jerusalem's Most Unique Neighborhoods The physical border that used to split east and west Jerusalem is long gone. Yet, the division is still present. CROSS THE DIVIDE SHARE

WHERE TO NEXT? Take me on a private trip to... AUSTRALIA ›› EUROPE ›› SOUTH AMERICA ››

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