The Middle East is the cradle of civilization. The people who lived in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates and in the Levant were the first to use the alphabet.

The most visited countries in this region are probably Turkey with exquisite palaces and mosques of Istanbul; and its beaches on the Mediterranean and Aegean coast and Israel with its modern city of Tel Aviv, the holy city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Other Middle Eastern countries which are easy to visit are Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. They are very small countries with many sights to visit amongst a friendly population.

Round Trip One Way Multi-City

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TURKEY
Travel to Istanbul: Istanbul, the city on the straits, the city connecting two continents, Asia and Europe. The best time to visit the city is between May and September. Make sure take a boat tour along the Bosphorus.

Sights worth seeing in Istanbul: Galata Tower, the Covered Bazaar, Suleymaniye Camil Mosque, Dolmabahce.

ISRAEL
Travel to Jerusalem: Jerusalem is a city where the first century rubs shoulders with the twenty-first century. In this holy city you will see priests, nuns, mullahs and rabbis all over the place. Churches of every possible denomination dot the town. The old city of Jerusalem is not just a holy place; it is also a very busy market place with many tourist shops and bustling Arab markets.

Sights worth seeing in Jerusalem: The Wailing Wall, Temple Mount, The Mount of Olives, Temple of Solomon, Mount Zion, Church of the Ascension.

JORDAN
Jordan is a very exciting and safe country to visit in the Middle East. It has incredible sights, friendly people and the sun always shines.

Travel to Amman: Amman, the capital city of Jordan is a modern city with ancient roots. The city is built on seven hills. It is one of the cleanest cities in the Arab world.

Sights worth seeing in Amman: The Roman Amphitheater, an ancient Citadel, The archeology museum

SYRIA
Syria is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and still relatively undiscovered by tourism. Landscape ranges from forests in the northwest to beaches on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Syria is often called "The cradle of civilizations"; there is no civilization in the east or west throughout world history that didn't pass through Syria to leave a mark, but also to be deeply affected by Syria's long history.

Travel to Damascus: Damascus is the capital of Syria and one of the oldest cities in the world that is still inhabited.

Sights worth seeing in Damascus: Azzam Palace, Ommayad Mosque, Mt Kassioun

LEBANON
Lebanon is a small country in the Middle East (10 452 km²) its capital is Beirut. Until the mid 70’s, it was a very popular destination and was considered the Switzerland of the Middle East. Civil war changed everything for many years, but now the tiny country is getting back on its feet.

Travel to Beirut: Beirut, a city of over a million inhabitants, remains the cultural and commercial center of the country. The city center was left in ruins by the war: however, in the 1990's plans were made to reconstruct and develop this war-ruined area. Over a period of 25 years the redevelopment project will turn Beirut into a city that is modern yet retains its familiar eastern flavor.

Sights worth seeing in Beirut: Martyrs’ Square, Parliament Building

THE PERSIAN GULF
The countries of the Persian Gulf listed here are somewhat less visited. Oman,United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Their societies are still pretty conservative except for Bahrain; and have all benefited from the oil boom.

Travel to Oman: Oman is one of the few Arab countries that ever distinguished itself in its history as a major seafaring nation. Most of Oman lies along the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and the proud seamen of Oman colonized the coast of East Africa as far Zanzibar and even further south.

Travel to UAE Dubai: Dubai is one of the seven states which make up the United Arab Emirates. The city attracts travelers seeking something new and different, offering international facilities combined with the adventure of the Middle East, and exotic destination with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Four wheeling on the dunes and "wadi bashing" are some other things visitors can enjoy. These activities involve driving up huge sand dunes and through springs called "wadis" in 4WD vehicles, mainly Toyota Land Cruisers. It is a great way to experience the desert from within the comfort of a luxury vehicle.

Travel to Qatar: Qatar is a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf. The country is small but offers quite a few interesting things to the visitors. Doha, the capital, is a nice town with good beaches nearby and lively markets. The city itself has a beautiful developing skyline: whether you want to go shopping in one of Doha's many huge malls, or whether you want to tan in one of the many different hotels with beautiful beaches, there is always something to do. There are many activities you can pursue in and around Doha such as game fishing, dune bashing, scuba diving, sailing and sand boarding.

Travel to Bahrain: A group of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf (or the 'Arabian Gulf', as the Arabs call it), Bahrain is the name of the largest island of the bunch, most of which are tiny and uninhabited, apart from migratory birds visiting twice a year. It is linked to neighboring Saudi Arabia by a causeway and separated by a small strait from Qatar. The capital city and by far the most popular tourist destination is Manama. All other sights can be visited from there.

Travel to Kuwait: Arab in tradition and culture, Muslim in beliefs and religion, Kuwait offers something rarely seen by the average traveler. Kuwait is a modern bustling country mixed with old world traditions and desert Bedouin tribes. From camel races and women dressed showing only their eyes to cell phones and the latest Gucci handbags, Kuwait offers an interesting taste of both old and new.

Travel to Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has a rigid admission policy due to fundamentalist Islam. Saudi Arabia is incredibly difficult to visit, there's no tourist visa in this country. Best way to get in is by invitation of a Saudi person or company, or, if you’re a Muslim, on a pilgrimage to one of the holy cities.