Introducing Middle East
The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating and rewarding travel destinations. It was here that some of the most significant civilisations of antiquity rose and fell and where the three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - were born. Left behind is an astonishing open-air museum of ancient cities and historic buildings, the stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the faithful.
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The Middle East is home to some of the world's most significant cities - Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad and İstanbul. The ruins of the once similarly epic cities of history - Petra, Persepolis, Ephesus, Palmyra, Baalbek, Leptis Magna and the bounty of ancient Egypt - also mark the passage of centuries in a region where the ancient world lives and breathes.
The landscapes of the region are equally spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of sand dunes and palm-fringed lakes in Libya's Sahara desert to the stunning mountains of the north and the underwater world of the Red Sea.
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.
From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Esfahan, this is a region for discerning travellers, for those looking for the story behind the headline, and where the bridges between ancient and modern civilisations are everywhere evident. If you believe what the media tells you and decide not to visit, you'd be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.
Make it happen
Ready to go? These recommended partners make it easy:
Jordan- Off the beaten track to Petra and Wadi Rum
- Discover Jordan with the family
- Tour to Madaba, Mount Nebo and The Dead Sea
- Cycle to Petra and Wadi Rum
- Trek the jewel of the Middle East on a 5-day tour
- Trek from Iran to Istanbul via Georgia and Armenia
- See the best of Iran in 11 days
- Travel in fascinating Iran for 15 days
- Explore Egypt in 15 days
- Take a private tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Join an early-morning hot-air balloon expedition
- Travel by 4WD across the deserts of Dubai
- Take part in the most popular desert sport: sandboarding
- Explore fascinating Oman in 12 days
- Go on a enriching Oman family adventure
- Take a tour through Muscat
Last updated: Jan 20, 2012
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: The infamous cable from Venezuela ?
by greslogo 26 May 2012
Pick a Middle East country. Any, for a start. Add Afghanistan. What, you think the government is legitimate....lol I don't want to dwe…
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RE: living in barkha oman
by emma33 26 May 2012
Hi, I suggest asking this question on the Middle East branch, I think you'll get more responses.
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RE: Moroccan menu
by Midwesterner 26 May 2012
Not sure how authentic/accurate this is, but here's what's listed as a "typical" Moroccan menu from a page at [upenn.edu |http://www.africa.…
Middle East
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Our Top Picks For Middle East
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1 Esfahan, Iran
Shah Abbas's majestic capital, with its grand mosques, enchanting bridges and incomparable Imam Sq
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2 Palmyra, Syria
Be spellbound watching the sun rise over these glorious rose-gold ruins in the heart of the Syrian desert
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3 Jerusalem, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Follow the spiritual path of pilgrims in what could be the world's holiest city
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4 Beirut, Lebanon
Get into the groove of one of the Middle East's most sophisticated cities and certainly its most resilient
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5 Madain Saleh, Saudi Arabia
Watch the wind-blown sandstone of Saudi's Little Petra melt like treacle in the setting sun
