Visiting a Muslim country can present some challenges, especially if you're gay or a woman.

Hi, I'm Rick Steve's. In the hour ahead, we're taking an intimate look at the challenges women and gay travelers encounter when they're traveling through Muslim societies in the Middle East and North Africa.

We'll find out creative ways that locals and visitors

circumnavigate the local taboos to enjoy the culture on their own terms.

I'm joined today by two American travelers.

Malilla Masood is an American Muslim.

She'll fill us in on the surprises she found in conservative Middle Eastern societies

as a solo woman traveler.

And Michael Longo is a travel writer in New York City.

He spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq and recently edited a collection of essays called

Gay Travels in the Muslim World.

Stay with us for the hour ahead as Malleha and Michael share their experiences, discoveries, and lessons learned

after traveling as outsiders in the Muslim world.

It's all on travel with Rick Steves.

Hi, I'm Rick Steves.

Last year I've traveled through Turkey, Iran, and Morocco.

Traveling through Islamic countries offers an invaluable first-hand insight into an important

faith and way of life that many Americans struggle to understand.

After actually traveling there, I overcame fears and misconceptions,

and I gained an appreciation of a rich and friendly culture.

Whether visiting popular destinations such as Turkey and

Morocco or being stationed in the military in the Middle East, many other Americans

...