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.
Tel Aviv is a city that blends different amusements and tourist attractions into one city. It’s a nice beach city where you can find hundreds of hotels overlooking the beach. On the other side, the nightlife there never stops. If you’re more into arts and galleries, there is always something there to check out. We…
Magical, mystique, and integration of faiths abound in Jerusalem, Israel, one of the world’s most ancient cities. It lies around an hour southeast of the cultural capital Tel Aviv, and its Old City is holy to Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. So, you can imagine our surprise when we found Jerusalem to be a very…
In the Old Town of Jerusalem, you can witness an amazing mix of tourist spots, curious historical heritage, beautiful archaeological finds, and imposing structures that are cherished by all people. Religiosity, history, sacredness, and everything mundane are miraculously combined in the pretty alleys of the city. The Old Town can give you a rich cultural…
Despite the global recession, Israel‘s economy is booming. Tel Aviv-Yafo, often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is also called The City That Never Stops. It has an influx of 3 million international visitors every year. The city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast is a cacophonous mixtape of heritage that offers an exciting melting pot of…
Bahrain is perhaps one of the most scintillating countries in the Middle East. Home to a burgeoning food and art scene, the country even has its own Formula 1 Grand Prix! What’s more, Bahrain is often considered one of the more tolerant of the Gulf States, especially when compared to its neighbor Saudi Arabia. So…
Other than being known as one of the most luxurious travel destinations in the world, Dubai serves as a major business hub for international travelers. Hailed as ‘City of The Future’, you’d find a vast of forward-looking buildings and anything the modern world has to offer in the city. As one of the busiest professional…
The gilded desert oasis that is Dubai is one indulgent and luxurious vacation destination. It’s been unanimously hailed as the ‘City of the future,’ and boasts the most luxurious aspects of everything the modern world has to offer. Since Dubai is a desert city with sun-kissed days throughout the year, the best way to beat…
Tel Aviv on the eastern Mediterranean coast is one of the world’s best beach destinations. The shimmering Israeli city means “Hill of Spring” in Hebrew. Aside from lip-smacking cuisine, it also boasts a melting-pot of a kaleidoscopic culture. Surprisingly, Tel Aviv is a perennial party playground with a nonstop nightlife. Also, its UNESCO heritage “White…
Best hotel pools in Dubai attract vacationers from all over the globe. And for a good reason. Be it the heat, or a number of things to do in the “city of gold,” hotels with a pool is an authentic form of escape on its own. Nothing beats the stress out, unlike taking a dip…
It’s hard to imagine that 40 years ago, Abu Dhabi was a fishing village in the Arabian desert. Today, the glitzy UAE capital is as glamorous as neighboring Dubai. In fact, its one of the 6 Neighbouring Cities You Must Visit While On Your Trip To Dubai. What’s more, Abu Dhabi has gained prominence as…
The capital of Qatar, Doha is one of the richest cities in the world. The gilded Middle Eastern city on the Persian Gulf puts a new spin on the word “luxury.” Think ostentatious shopping malls, cloud-touching architectural marvels, and grand cultural icons. However, its also known for traditional souqs, thrilling desert fun, and white-sand beaches.…
The sacred city of Mecca is Prophet Mohammed’s birthplace and the holiest city in Islam. ‘Makkah,’ as it’s usually spelled, is where Muslims arrive to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. What’s more, it also sees round-the-year pilgrims perform the Umrah pilgrimage. So, for those who live outside Saudi Arabia, Mecca is no less than a lifelong…
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.…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…