Bilal Hassan is the founder of Best Travel Tale and one of its writers. He started the publication in 2018 to share what he had learned on his own travels: the practical details that make a trip easier, and the places that are worth the effort.
He studied Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and later at the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg in Germany. Living and working between Egypt and Europe gave him a strong intercultural perspective – one that shapes how he writes about Egypt, the Middle East and Turkey for travellers who want to understand a place, not only see it.
Bilal has worked as a tour guide and customer advisor, and today works in the tourism industry on Egypt's Red Sea coast, where his companies arrange airport transfers, island boat trips and excursions for travellers from Europe and beyond. That daily contact with visitors – what they ask before they book, what surprises them on arrival and what makes a trip memorable – shapes the practical focus of Best Travel Tale.
He has also worked extensively with international communities, supporting young people and families in intercultural settings, and built an online platform for German learners known for its practical exercises and active community.
As an author, Bilal writes about travel and about stress, anxiety and finding inner peace, blending personal experience with academic knowledge. His books include:
You can find them on his Amazon author page.
The Falklands' stone runs, Gypsy Cove penguins and Stanley's coloured roofs, made famous by an RAF technician's drone film, plus flights, seasons and costs.
Ten of America's best outdoor bars, from Charleston's highest rooftop and a Central Park lakeside to Gulf Coast beach clubs, with what to order and when to go.
Why turbulence injures passengers and crew, what the NTSB recommends, whether climate change is making flights bumpier, and the simple habit that protects you.
Hurghada Airport to your hotel in 2026: taxi, Uber, shuttle or private transfer compared, with real prices to Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay.
Plan a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota's badlands: the South and North Units, bison and wild horses, the best hikes and drives, and Medora.
How to choose a family resort with a great kids' club – age groups, hours, costs, safety – plus the best destinations in Turkey, Spain, Greece, Egypt and the Canaries.
Bulky coats don't need a huge suitcase. Eleven practical tips for packing light for a winter trip, from layering and fabrics to what to wear.
A 4-day Dubai itinerary: Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai's souks and creek, the desert, beaches and the Palm – plus where to stay and getting around.
Get through airport security faster in 2026: the new TSA shoe and ID rules, where the 100 ml liquids limit has gone, trusted traveler programs and smart packing.
Window, aisle, exit row or bulkhead? How to choose the best seat on the plane for sleep, legroom, a smooth ride or a quick exit – and how to get it without overpaying.
Practical ways to manage a fear of flying: understanding turbulence, breathing techniques, choosing the right seat, talking to the crew and taking a confidence course.
A practical checklist for the day before your trip: documents, entry requirements, money, home, packing and phone – so you leave relaxed and nothing gets forgotten.
Going on your first cruise? From what to pack in your carry-on to booking shows, choosing excursions and avoiding seasickness – 21 tips for a smooth first sailing.
Mega-ship, premium, luxury, adults-only, expedition or river? The main types of cruise line and how to choose the right one for you.
Balat in Istanbul, Tempelhof in Berlin, Yanaka in Tokyo, LX Factory in Lisbon and more – lesser-known spots in ten of the world's coolest cities.
Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam explained: the ship at a glance, cabins and suites, restaurants, Music Walk and the Rolling Stone Rock Room, itineraries and tips.
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas explained: the seven neighbourhoods, the Ultimate Abyss slide and other additions from its makeover, dining, cabins and tips.
Quad bike, dune buggy, Super Safari, private jeep or stargazing – the Hurghada desert safaris compared, what a typical trip includes, what to wear and safety tips.
Orange Bay, Paradise Island (Abu Minqar), Mahmya and the three-islands cruise compared – beaches, snorkelling, crowds and which Hurghada island trip suits you.
How to see the Pyramids of Giza from Hurghada: distance, bus vs plane, a realistic itinerary with the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the two-day option.
Discover Hurghada beyond the resorts: the El Dahar old town and bazaar, Sakkala, the Marina, El Mina Mosque, the Hurghada Museum and the Grand Aquarium.
Makadi Bay near Hurghada: house reefs, family resorts, the best day trips, how far it is from Hurghada airport and how to get there.
Where to snorkel and dive in Hurghada: Giftun, Dolphin House, house reefs, try-dives for beginners, what you'll see, sharks and how to protect the reef.
The best things to do in Fez, Morocco: the Fes el-Bali medina, Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, riads, food, day trips and tips for visitors.
Discover Samaná in the Dominican Republic: humpback whales, Los Haitises National Park, El Limón waterfall, Las Terrenas and Playa Rincón – and the local food.
The world's best value tourist attractions – free museums in London, cheap-to-visit wonders and must-sees with free days – plus tips to save on sightseeing.
Beach bars, waterfront oyster roasts and sunset drinks on Skull Creek and Broad Creek – plus beaches, bike paths and family days out on Hilton Head Island.
Eight of Morocco's best places beyond Marrakech – Fez, Chefchaouen, the Sahara at Merzouga, the Atlas, Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira, Rabat and Tangier – with a route idea.
When and where to see cherry blossom in Japan: typical sakura dates by region, the best spots in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hirosaki, hanami etiquette and booking tips.
Plan an island escape in the Seychelles: Mahé, Praslin's Vallée de Mai, La Digue's Anse Source d'Argent, island hopping, the best time to go and where to stay.
Follow Captain Jack Sparrow around Dominica, the Caribbean's Nature Island: the Indian River, Titou Gorge, Boiling Lake, Champagne Reef and sperm whales.
Nusa Dua is Bali's polished resort enclave: its calm beaches, luxury resorts including The Mulia, water sports, nearby Uluwatu and tips on when to go.
Ten quiet Thai islands for travellers who love peace and hate crowds – Koh Lipe, Koh Kood, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Mook, Koh Lanta and more – with seasons and how to get there.
The best resorts in and around Destin on Florida's Emerald Coast – from Henderson Beach and Sandestin to 30A – plus where to stay and when to go.
Snowy Bryce Canyon, quiet Yosemite, Yellowstone by snowcoach and warm desert parks – the best US national parks for a winter trip.
The best holiday destination for every month of the year – from the Red Sea and Thailand in winter to Japan's blossom, the Greek islands, Iceland and Christmas markets.
The best value winter sun destinations from Europe – Egypt's Red Sea, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Cape Verde, Dubai and more – with temperatures, flight times and tips.
Père Lachaise, Highgate, Recoleta, Prague's Old Jewish Cemetery, Okunoin and more – 12 of the world's most beautiful cemeteries and how to visit respectfully.
Kamala, Surin and Nai Harn beaches, Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi Islands, Old Phuket Town and how to choose a luxury resort – a guide to Phuket for high-end travellers.
Pizza slices, bagels, Chinatown dumplings, Lower East Side delis, Brooklyn food halls and inventive cocktails – where to eat in New York.
Bear Lake, the turquoise Caribbean of the Rockies: the best beaches, Logan Canyon, water sports, raspberry shakes and tips for a summer trip.
Plimoth Patuxet, Colonial Williamsburg, Mystic Seaport, Greenfield Village, Bodie ghost town and more – the best living-history sites in the USA.
Bangkok, Istanbul, London, Dubai, Paris and the other most visited cities in the world – why travellers love them and tips to beat the crowds in each.
Fifteen of the world's most charming small towns – from Hallstatt and Colmar to Chefchaouen, Hoi An and Positano – with tips on visiting without the crowds.
Kids' clubs, house reefs, family villas and seaplane transfers – how to plan a Maldives holiday with children, from choosing a resort to the best activities.
The best US cities for a workcation – Austin, Denver, San Diego, Asheville, Portland (Maine), Miami, Chicago and Santa Fe – with Wi-Fi, coworking and weekend ideas.
Baha Mar on Nassau's Cable Beach: its bumpy start, the Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood compared, the Baha Bay water park, golf, dining and tips for your stay.
Plan the ultimate trip to Essaouira: the UNESCO medina, ramparts, fishing port, kitesurfing, the Gnaoua festival and getting there from Marrakech.
Rent a canal boat on the Erie Canal in upstate New York: how it works, the best stretch to cruise, locks, towns, bike paths and tips for first-timers.
From Mafia Island and Bazaruto to Príncipe, the Bijagós and the Red Sea coast – Africa's best beaches for snorkeling, surfing and getting away from it all.
The 25 best beaches in the United States – from Siesta Key and Hanalei Bay to Cannon Beach, Cape Cod and the Outer Banks – with what makes each one special.
The best things to do in Havana: Old Havana's plazas, the Malecón, classic cars, El Morro's cannon ceremony, Fusterlandia, live music and practical tips for Cuba today.
Sleep in the Sahara, get lost in Fez, walk blue Chefchaouen and trek the High Atlas – ten experiences that define a trip to Morocco.
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks, Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, hammams and day trips to the Atlas – the best things to do in Marrakech.
A one-week Jordan itinerary covering Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea – with tips on the Jordan Pass, getting around and the best time to go.
Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai or Molokai? What each Hawaiian island is best for and how to choose the right one for your trip.
Gardens by the Bay, hawker centres, Little India, Sentosa, the Night Safari and Jewel Changi – the 10 best things to do in Singapore.
Lantern-lit streets, cooking classes, cycling through rice paddies, basket boats, tailors and An Bang beach – the ten best things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam.
From Cappadocia's fairy chimneys to Patagonia's glaciers, Uluru and Costa Rica's rainforest – ten incredible national parks around the world and how to visit them.
From the Bellagio fountains and the Sphere to Fremont Street, Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam – the best things to do in Las Vegas, with practical tips.
Sunset at Mallory Square, Hemingway's house, the Dry Tortugas and the best reefs in Florida – the best things to do in Key West, with practical tips.
The Liberty Bell, the Rocky Steps, Reading Terminal Market, murals, cheesesteaks and Eastern State Penitentiary – a local's guide to the best of Philadelphia.
Siesta Key's white sand, Clearwater, South Beach, Cocoa Beach, the Dry Tortugas and quiet state parks – 13 of the best beaches in Florida, coast by coast.
The Old City, Flame Towers, Heydar Aliyev Center, fire temples, mud volcanoes and Gobustan's rock art – the best things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan, with practical tips.
The Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, the Red Sea and the desert oases – the best places to visit in Egypt, with tips.
Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay compared for families – plus the best boat trips, snorkelling, desert safaris and tips for kids.
Snorkel with turtles at Abu Dabbab, look for dugongs, dive Elphinstone and explore Wadi El Gemal – the best things to do in Marsa Alam on Egypt's southern Red Sea.
A day-by-day 10-day Egypt itinerary: the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor's temples and tombs, a Nile cruise, Aswan and Abu Simbel – plus how to add the Red Sea.
Cruise ship, dahabiya or Lake Nasser? How long to sail, when to go and the temples you'll visit between Luxor and Aswan – everything you need to plan a Nile cruise.
How to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids: tickets, how long to stay, Tutankhamun's treasures, Khufu's boat and how to combine it with Giza.
Snorkel Ras Mohammed and Tiran, dive the Thistlegorm, climb Mount Sinai at dawn and explore Naama Bay – the best things to do in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Escape to Zamalek and Gezira Island, sail a felucca at sunset, explore Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and the city's great museums – a practical guide to Cairo.
Koshari, ful medames, ta'ameya, molokhia, feteer, Alexandrian seafood and om ali – the Egyptian dishes and drinks you should try, and tips for eating out in Egypt.
Istanbul, Cappadocia's balloons, Pamukkale's terraces, Ephesus, the Turquoise Coast and Mount Nemrut – the most beautiful places to visit in Turkey, with tips.
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, a Bosphorus ferry and the best neighbourhoods – the best things to do in Istanbul, with practical tips.
How to visit Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: how entry for visitors works, dress code, prayer times, what to see inside and how to combine it with the Blue Mosque and Topkapı.
Balloons at sunrise, the Göreme Open Air Museum, underground cities, valley hikes and cave hotels – the best things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon, Kaputaş, Patara, İztuzu turtle beach, Kaş, Antalya and Bodrum – the best beaches and coastal towns on Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
The Kordon promenade, Kemeraltı bazaar, the historic elevator, Alaçatı and day trips to Ephesus, Şirince and Pergamon – the best things to do in and around Izmir, Turkey.
Island boat trips, snorkelling, diving, desert safaris, the Marina and El Dahar old town – the best things to do in Hurghada, plus where to stay and getting around.
Is a Luxor day trip from Hurghada worth it? Travel time, a realistic itinerary for Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, and whether to stay overnight instead.
Kitesurfing, lagoon boat rides, Abu Tig Marina, Downtown, beaches and island trips – the best things to do in El Gouna on Egypt's Red Sea, and how to get there.
Kaleiçi old town, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, Düden Waterfalls, Aspendos, Perge, Side and Belek – the best things to do in and around Antalya, plus where to stay.
Bodrum Castle, the marina, Gümüşlük, Yalıkavak, Türkbükü and boat trips to hidden coves – the best things to do on Turkey's Bodrum Peninsula.
The Blue Lagoon, paragliding from Babadağ, Butterfly Valley, the 12 Islands boat trip, Saklıkent Gorge and the Lycian Way – the best things to do around Fethiye.
Northern wrecks, the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone, or the deep south – how to choose a Red Sea liveaboard from Hurghada, Port Ghalib or Sharm el-Sheikh.
Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye or Kaş? How a Turkish gulet cruise works, the best routes and coves, cabin vs private charter, and what to pack for a blue cruise.
Philae Temple, a felucca sail around Elephantine Island, a Nubian village, the Unfinished Obelisk and a day trip to Abu Simbel – the best things to do in Aswan, Egypt.
The Temple of Apollo at sunset, the ancient theatre, Side's beaches, Manavgat waterfall and river boat trips, and Aspendos – the best things to do in Side, Turkey.
Hurghada town, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay or Soma Bay? The best areas to stay on Egypt's Red Sea coast, with transfer times from Hurghada Airport.
What's free on a cruise, how to get free drinks on board, bring-your-own wine rules, and whether a drinks package is worth it – a practical guide for cruisers.
Why some cruise passengers get turned away at dinner – cruise dress codes explained by cruise line, what to wear on formal nights, and a simple packing list.
One hundred places to travel, region by region – from the Red Sea and Cappadocia to Kyoto, Patagonia and Iceland – with links to our full guides.
Ten books set in Turkey to read before you go – from Orhan Pamuk's Istanbul and Snow to Birds Without Wings, The Bastard of Istanbul and Kafka-esque classics.
The 1620 Mayflower voyage from Plymouth to Cape Cod, the Mayflower Compact, Plymouth Colony – and the places in England and Massachusetts where you can follow the story.
What to know before driving in Iran – travel advice, permits, traffic rules, city and highway driving, fuel, police checks and when a driver is the better choice.
Agree the fare first, use official ranks and apps, carry small cash and know when a pre-booked transfer is cheaper – practical tips to avoid taxi rip-offs on holiday.
Drinks, à la carte restaurants, room service and excursions – what all-inclusive really covers, the extras that catch people out and how to compare packages.
Airalo, Saily, Holafly, Ubigi and more compared: data packs vs unlimited, hotspot rules, phone numbers and which travel eSIM suits your trip.
Comparing Egypt's three big Red Sea destinations for beaches, reefs, nightlife, families, day trips and value – and which one suits your holiday.
Practical safety tips for women traveling alone: what to do before you leave, on arrival, at your hotel, on nights out and if something goes wrong.
