Palestinian Territories

Split between the West Bank, with its sun-baked hills, chaotic cities and ancient biblical sites, and Gaza, a war-ravaged strip of coastal land sealed on three sides by Israel and Egypt, the Palestinian Territories has long been an unorthodox stop on a Middle East itinerary.

But while the West Bank often hits the headlines for the wrong reasons, it is a truly welcoming place. Bethlehem, as the birthplace of Christ, has always been a draw for religious pilgrims, but is nowadays home to a lively arts scene and excellent restaurants. Visitors can get lost in the addictive bustle of Nablus and Ramallah, or among the myriad historical sites of Jericho, before dropping in at one of the West Bank’s two hillside breweries.

Gaza, for the time being, remains totally off limits to tourists.