Lying at the juncture of Eurasia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East has always been the epicenter of civilizations. It is the birthplace of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other important minority religions like Zoroastrianism and the Baha’i Faith. It is also the region where man first learned to write. The rich history of the region is blatantly displayed throughout, with roadways dating back to the Roman times, ancient carved tombs hidden in the desert and ruins of great civilizations scattered everywhere. It’s a land that literally breathes history with some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities like Jerusalem, Cairo, Istanbul and Sana’a being a part of it. The 20th century saw a new clutch of cities gaining in importance because of the significant stocks of crude oil. Shiny new cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi emerged which have become prime tourist hotspots in recent years.
The Middle East is not just about human history and progress but also has an intriguing wilderness, ranging from the snow-capped peaks of the mountains in Iran and Lebanon, to the scorching deserts of Wadi Rum and the Sahara and the waters of the mighty Euphrates and Nile. One of the most striking characteristics of the Middle East is the warm hospitality that comes so naturally to people here.
Dubai, the world’s fastest-growing city ahond one of the leading cities in the world, is quickly becoming a top glamorous, spectacular and futuristic urban destination among both tourists and businessmen for its warm climate and all-year-round sunshine, white sand beaches, glitzy hotels and shopping malls, charming heritage attractions and a thriving business community. Dubai is…
Located in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth) and surrounded on all sides by valleys. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is one of the most ancient cities in the world with an intriguing history that stretches back thousands of years combined with a bustling modern…
At a height of 277 meters above sea level, in a narrow valley lies the city of Mecca. The holiest city in the world for 1.23 billion people or 23% of the world’s population as designated by the prophet Muhammad as well as the direction in which all Muslims should offer their prayers 5 times…
Manama is the capital city of Bahrain, the smallest among the Arabian countries yet one of the most powerful and richest not only in oil but in culture. This city offers an interesting mix of both Arabian and Persian cultures which shaped the history and way of life of its people. The prosperous economy of…
Abu Dhabi is rich in both natural beauties as well as in resources. While driving across the city and its surrounding oases, it feels like we are living the “One Thousand and One Nights”. Scenic wadis, colossal dunes and palm trees accompany tourists along with caravans of camels next to the roads. The city offers…
Just 1 hour from the shores of the Jordan Valley lies one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world where beautiful limestone houses shine all day long thanks to the eternal sun, this city is called Amman. It is the capital and largest city in Jordan as well as the country’s political, cultural and…
Though this city has had a recently troubled past, the Lebanese capital, once known as the Paris of the East, is busy reinventing itself again. Beirut, the only true cosmopolitan city in Lebanon, is a great place to start if you’re traveling to the Middle East for the first time, as the city symbolizes the crossroads…
Iran, an Islamic republic on the Persian Gulf is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations and Iranians are proud of their 5000 years of history, seeing themselves on par with Greece and Rome. Come and discover an unexpected beautiful land, ancient historical cities and unique cultural treasures, largely unseen by western eyes. Iran has…
Just over 400 km (250 miles) long and 112 km (70 miles) wide at its widest point, Israel can be covered in a matter of hours, but we can assure you that you will want to stay for much longer. Home to some of the world’s most famous historic sites, gorgeous coastlines and rugged deserts, Israel…
Dubai is a complete world in itself. You get everything from pin to plane and the city is loved by both, the ones who eat with the golden spoon and the ones who live in an economical lifestyle. But for the locals who stay in the city and the tourists who stay in Dubai for…
Kuwait sits atop the world’s 6th largest oil reserves, has a thriving culture and a modernized society that is not as extremely religious as most of the Middle-Eastern counterparts. The attractions that it offers are some of the finest you will see in the Middle East. If you want to experience warm Arabic hospitality, this…
The beautiful Eilat is located in Israel and it happens to be the only Red Sea resort of the country which sits on the teensy stretch of the Red Sea shoreline, one of the most sought after tourist attractions of the country. This city is very popular throughout the continent for its sandy beaches and…
Along the southernmost tip of the country of Jordan lie an exquisite and the country’s one and only coastal city, Aqaba. This happens to be a very important coastal city because of its strategic location between Asia and Africa. Aqaba has always been helpful to other countries with their trades, itself being such an important…
If one is ever fascinated by the lavish kingship of the Arabian Nights, Jeddah will represent you with the perfect modern version of the same. Jeddah is the largest urban center and commercial capital of Saudi Arabia. It is situated on the west coast of Arabia and happens to be the largest port on the…
Doha is the capital of Qatar, a modern and rapidly developing city, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. It is the richest country in the world per capita (according to Forbes) and considering the money being poured into construction, Doha looks like it is set to become one of…
Sitting at an elevation ranging from 1,712 meters to 2000 meters in the north, on the lower slopes of the Alborz Mountains, Tehran is the 9th highest capital city in the world. The wealth of cultural attractions in Iran‘s capital city is a huge draw for visitors to this part of the world. Over 250…
One of the most embattled regions of the Middle East is the country of Yemen, located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. From fighting an internal war against poverty and corruption to an al-Qaeda insurgency and Houthi rebellion, and a cholera epidemic, Yemen has endured a lot over the past few decades. However,…
Barring a small 26km stretch of coastline to the south, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a landlocked country with some of the most contentious nations at its borders. Despite the turbulence that surrounds it, Jordan has remained an oasis of calm and is one of the safest countries in the Middle East, Asia. Renowned…
Tel Aviv is often jokingly referred to as a ‘straight-friendly’ city because of the high population of gay people that live here. With an estimated 25% of the city’s population identifying themselves as gay, it is no wonder that the city was once touted as the gay capital of the world. Tel Aviv’s gay scene…
Decadent, dazzling, dynamic – these aptly sum up the gilded desert oasis city of Dubai. This city’s glass, gold, and steel splendor and deep-rooted traditions make for striking alchemy. As multi-culturally diverse Dubai is, it still has harsh anti-gay laws. That being said, Dubai is still something of a gay Mecca in the Middle East…
There cannot be enough said about Jerusalem, Israel‘s capital city, and one of the world’s holiest cities. Nestled in the Judaean Mountains between the Dead and Mediterranean Seas, the scarred spiritual city has seen destruction and resurrection beyond mortal belief, and still radiates enduring magnetism. One of The 11 Most Religious Cities in the World,…
The capital of Jordan Amman is one of the more modern Middle Eastern cities. While it has been somewhat overshadowed by Jordanian jewels Wadi Rum and Petra, exploring Amman gives you an insight into the country’s history. The city has everything from striking Roman ruins and international museums to leafy neighborhoods, coffeehouses, and souqs. Likewise,…
Dubai is ‘exotic desert glamour’ at its shimmering best. It’s hard to imagine that this ‘City of Gold’ overlooking the blue waters of the Persian Gulf is a former fishing village. Now, it is famous for its splendid shopping malls, scintillating souqs, culinary prowess, glitzy nightlife, and traditional splendor. The futuristic city is famous for…
Sitting at the head of an enchanting archipelago in the Persian Gulf is Manama, the fascinating capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The coastal city’s charm lies in the fact that it doesn’t feature gauche commercialism as seen in other Gulf capitals. At the same time, Manama bears all hallmarks of modern Middle Eastern affluence.…