Doing research and getting advice from your doctor before you go can make your trip smoother.

© Philip Lindeman

Times reporters who cover the war, diplomacy, energy and the broader Middle East are joining our “Ask a Correspondent” feature as the conflict nears the six-month mark. Let us know what’s on your mind.

The sky will go dark for six minutes or more over landmarks like the Rock of Gibraltar, the casbah of Tangier and the temples of Luxor, Egypt.

© Amir Hamja/The New York Times

If you plan to watch the solar eclipse, make sure your lenses offer enough protection. Alternatively, you can safely watch using household items.

© Juan Barreto/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images