The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating and rewarding travel destinations. It is the birthplace and spiritual center of the Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Yezidi, and in Iran, Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and the Bahá'í Faith.
The Middle East lies at the juncture of Eurasia and Africa and of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The landscapes of the region are spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of sand dunes and palm-fringed lakes in Sahara desert to the stunning mountains of the north and the underwater world of the Red Sea.
While Dubai has long been seen as the jewel in the crown of the Middle East tourism industry, there are a host of other attractive destinations. Oman coming through in the near future, with a new focus on tourism, Qatar as well, will be very strong. Bahrain has also been making progress.
Bahrain | Iran | Iraq | Israel | Jordan | Kuwait | Lebanon | Oman | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Syria | United Arab Emirates | Yemen
Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Middle East is likely to be its people. Their gracious welcome, many kindnesses and boundless hospitality speak of an altogether more civilised age.
If you decide not to visit, you'd be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.