The Middle Eastern countries are increasingly becoming popular for taking vacations among global tourists. Most of the foreign visitors from the west flock here to explore the rich cultural artifacts, ancient relics, monuments, diverse cultures, pristine beaches, architectural wonders and the religions from the east. Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the Middle Eastern region is the birth place for three major religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam and so has a high spiritual significance and is one of the most visited destinations when it comes to pilgrimages. The food from the Middle East is delectable and it includes diverse cuisines like Arabic, Persian, Israeli, Cypriot and Turkish. Popular food items that shouldn’t be missed are falafel, kebabs, dolma, baklava, Yogurt, doner kebab, shawarma and hummus.
The Arabic civilization is quite ancient and early accounts of it can be found in China and traces of Viking goods and trade have also been discovered here in the Middle East. The Middle East has a lot to offer on luxurious five star hotels, shopping malls with designer brands and expensive restaurants. This place is ideal for sun bathing, sand surfing and sipping a glass of wine by the pool of your luxury hotel. If you land here in late spring or summer time, it is going to be sweltering hot and you are going to sweat so much in the burning sun around this time. Drink only mineral water when you visit this part of the world, avoid drinking tap water as it is not hygienic and you may fall sick.
Most destinations listed in this article are safe for foreign visitors, however the mass media in the west may not agree with my point of view as this region has a very bad place in the minds of westerners when it comes to safety. The bottom line is Arabs are very friendly and generous people, so there’s nothing to fear about!
The following nine destinations that are listed here will take you by storm, plan a journey to the Middle East to experience the diverse cultures of the East
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is one of the Middle Eastern favorites from tourists across the world. Dubai is considered by many as the hub for international business, popular for the architectural wonder- Dubai Frame and Dubai Skyline. When you are in this vibrant city don’t miss visiting the world’s tallest skyscraper – The Burj Khalifa. Tourists can drink alcohol in licensed venues like hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Abhu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is one of the most visited Emirates and is a great spot for luxury tourism, filled with expensive hotels and restaurants. The place boasts of stunning attractions like Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Khalifa Park, the souks, heritage village and many others.
Doha, Qatar
Doha like Dubai has a lot of global tourist visitors. Doha is the capital of Qatar and is mainly popular for activities related to golf sport. Some also come here for experiencing its pristine sand beaches and deserts.
Kuwait
Kuwait is one of the most visited Emirates, known for its tall skyscrapers and modern architecture. This country is the hottest point in the earth. When you are in Kuwait you can be sure of experiencing the authentic Arabic culture and monuments. Kuwait is another Middle Eastern country where drinking alcohol is banned.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, known for its mix of both eastern and western culture and is home to wonderful landmarks like Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and Basilica Cistern. Most people admire this city for its architecture.
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is famous on the international radar for its stunning architectural wonders like The Sphinx and the iconic Pyramids. Apart from visiting these take a felucca ride on the river Nile to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and is a very conservative city unlike most other Middle Eastern countries, while you are in Riyadh you cannot consume alcohol and be warned that illegal consumption of liquor is met with harsh punishment. Riyadh has some very good attractions like Clock Tower, Riyadh Water Tower, King Abdullah Park, Souq Al Jamal, Kingdom Center and Wadi Namar.
Manama, Bahrain
Manama in Bahrain is one of the most happening cities of the Middle East. The city’s main attraction for foreign visitors is the F1 Race- Barcelona International Circuit, every year race lovers from around the world come here to indulge in racing activities.
