As summer approaches, I always wonder how I can run two businesses and still get away. Travel research shows that Americans are more likely to miss vacation days. The best solution I see is to combine business with pleasure on every trip abroad.

Having signed up for a conference in Dubai, I was intrigued by the modern Middle East and wanted to know more about its ancient cultures. After doing some research, I found a flight to Dubai via Jordan with a layover of a few days.

Leaving nothing to chance, I arranged an airport pick up and booked a well located 5 star hotel in a fancy part of Amman with multiple dining options near and within the hotel. Having studied Arabic, I was pleased to be able to practice it even though the Egyptian courses I studied differed substantially from the Jordanian dialect.

As a crossroads, Jordan has a remarkable history from the ancient Nabataeans to Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Arab cultures. Beyond its historical monuments, Jordan has a very vibrant culture today. Shortly after my arrival, I saw this firsthand when a local wedding party made its way through the hotel lobby to celebrate with dance and music.

The next day I headed out for a day tour of the capital exploring the Roman ruins of Amman. I stood paralyzed at the top of the city listening to the muezzin’s call to prayer. With only a short stay, I made the most of my time by taking a driver as a local guide for about 12 hours each day. Fortunately, the distances were quite close and the next day’s exploration focused on the Roman ruins of Jerash. Its popular history begins in the time of Alexander the Great, but it fell to the Romans under Pompey in the first century AD In mild October weather, my guide and I ate al fresco surrounded by vineyards. There was not a tour bus in sight!

The next day’s trip to Byzantine Madaba ended at the famous Dead Sea. Famous for its spa treatments, I only had time to gaze at the sea before retracing my steps to Amman.

Saving the best for last meant a full day in the pink city of Petra built by the Nabateans. Featured in Indiana Jones and other movies and in a mystery novel by British writer Agatha Christie, it is a World Heritage site to rival the pyramids. Beyond the large Treasury, there are a number of small buildings and conveniently located sidewalk cafes and handicrafts for sale. Of course, the tourist route back to the entrance had to be on camel back, which made for some great photo opportunities.

After a lovely week it was time to head to Dubai for a conference and a short tour afterwards. Dubai is famous for the unexpected, such as air-conditioned bus stops, the Palm development and ultra-luxurious hotels. For me, as an “intermediate intermittent skier”, I was fascinated by the indoor ski area located in a local strip mall. With limited expectations of actual training, I knew this would make a great story and the perfect place for a holiday card photo. After a feast of southern fried chicken in the Mall of the Emirates food court, I covered my summer clothes in a colorful ski outfit and rode up the escalator with skis and poles in hand. After a few runs I headed off for hot chocolate at the adjacent St. Moritz Café and the perfect end to my Middle Eastern odyssey.

As a female solo traveler in the Middle East, I followed two internships where I find work globally:

1. I arrange to be picked up at the airport before leaving home. In certain countries, taxis may not be safe for men or women. Having navigated a low-grade civil war in sub-Saharan Africa, I learned to ask my hotel what they recommended, especially when traveling solo. In the main capitals, when I arrive during the day, I often opt for public transport, especially trains/metros or take a taxi.

2. I choose a 5-star hotel that has multiple restaurant options, ideally both within the hotel and nearby. Alternatively, when it was affordable like I found in Cairo, I took a driver who waited for me or in Lisbon I took a taxi back and forth to sample the best restaurants. In any new place, I always ask plenty of questions, especially to get the opinions of the local women, before walking alone after dark.

While in the Middle East, he also had 2 additional rules of thumb:

1. Although he would be sightseeing and attending a business conference in a very hot desert climate, he was wearing long-sleeved shirts with pants.

2. When I was the only single woman at local restaurants, I always chose a seat/table right next to other couples, groups of women, couples, or families.

5 tips I’ve learned trying to combine business with pleasure:

1. To save on airfare, be sure to check connecting flights that allow long layovers.

2. Whenever possible, take care of business first, especially if complex flights can cause long delays.

3. Come on the weekend and take a test to locate the fastest routes to your meetings. Even with a GPS, it’s easy to get into trouble. In a city abroad, I found massive construction in the area surrounding my first meeting. Even walking, it was almost impossible to get through, and street addresses were hidden by construction scaffolding. In another foreign city, I found when I arrived for an appointment that the outer door was locked and I was having trouble communicating with someone inside via my mobile phone.

4. Fly or wear an appropriate business suit or look in case your luggage doesn’t arrive on time.

5. Set multiple alarms on a travel clock, on your mobile phone, and with the hotel operator. Even at the best hotels, I’ve had a missed wake-up call or room service error before a flight for a quick day trip. (If you can’t function without coffee or breakfast, have a backup plan, as needed, if room service doesn’t show up.)

The key is to plan ahead when possible and have some time to survey your destination. If not, a video conference instead of a face-to-face meeting may be a better option.