The Middle East is a region that stretches from Egypt to the edge of Western Asia, filled with magical desert landscapes, unique cultures and historic cities. Travel to the Middle East is the chance to immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and complicated lands on earth.
Dubbed the ‘Cradle of Civilization’, the region known as the Middle East includes the countries of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. With such an array of destinations to explore, it’s little wonder that the Middle East is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and rewarding travel destinations.
Lying at the meeting point of Eurasia, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Middle East was the birthplace of many of the worlds major religions and has been at the centre of some of the most pivotal moments in history such as the Crusades, the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the construction of the Suez Canal, to name a just a few. The ‘Fertile Crescent’ of the Levant gave birth to a number of early civilizations inclusive Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt and the Kish, so a tour of the Middle East is a journey through lands as old as time. On the other hand, history is unfolding in this region every day, and although the region has a turbulent reputation, most countries are extremely safe travel destinations, where you’ll encounter friendly locals who are always ready to share their culture with visitors.
Of course, any Middle East holiday is sure to focus on its captivating cities, be it the holy city of Jerusalem, the Mediterranean capital of Beirut or even the lost city of Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Exploring the ancient streets of Cairo’s old town or admiring the famous marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Omani capital of Muscat are just a handful of unique experiences that await you if you take a trip to the Middle East.
In the Middle East, you can get lost in labyrinthine bazaars, traverse lonely deserts, hear the melodic, five-times-daily call to prayer and enjoy some of the warmest hospitality on earth. Whether you’re tracing the Roman heritage of Jerash in Jordan, uncovering the inspiring ruins of Persepolis in Iran or gazing, awe-struck at the gravity-defying Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai, travel to the Middle East is thrilling and rewarding in equal measures.
