The Middle East is the place to explore and experience the wonders of history. Put your walking shoes on and let’s go.
This is an awe-inspiring place to visit and be amazed at the architecture this part of the world has to offer.
Where do we start? So many countries, so many options! How about Ancient Egypt and the amazing Pyramids, Sphinx or cruise the Nile in style and don't forget Luxor, Aswan or Alexandria. Whether it's a desert adventure, a beach getaway, or the unfolding of history you are interested in, Egypt will be the destination that sparks a burst of inspiration in your heart and mind. The Egyptian Museum in bustling Cairo is a feast for one's eyes and intellect, housing over 120,000 artifacts from Egypt's illustrious past. Possibly the biggest drawcard in the museum is the veritable treasure trove of artifacts discovered by Howard Carter in 1923 during his excavation of the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Exquisite jewellery, mammoth statuary and intricately-carved sarcophagi are among the numerous treasures to be seen here. An exquisite collection.
Israel. From the massive gates to the Via Dolorosa, from the Holy Sepulchre to the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem richly abounds in historical, archaeological and religious significance. Here you can touch the Western Wall, the last remnant of Judaism's 2nd Temple, gape in awe of the shimmering Dome of the Rock, or stand in the very spot where the crucifixion of Christ occurred. It seems there is hardly any end to the sites of interest that Jerusalem holds. Mount of Beatitudes, as the name suggests, is the hill upon which Jesus was said to have preached the "Sermon on the Mount". There’s also the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Bethany, Jericho, Shechem, Nain, Nazareth, Haifa, Eilat, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee.
Jordan. Petra, Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Aqaba, read on to find out more about Jordan - a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts. Petra, the world wonder, is without doubt Jordan's most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Amman is built on seven hills, or jabals. Jerash lies on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas and fertile basins. A close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. The magnificent landscape of Wadi Rum is a must-see for any visitor to Jordan.
The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar. Perhaps Aqaba's greatest asset is the Red Sea itself.
Syria. Ancient Syria's cultural and artistic achievements and contributions are many. Archaeologists have demonstrated that Syria was the centre of one of the most ancient civilizations on earth. Around the excavated city of Ebla in northern Syria, discovered in 1975, a great Semitic empire spread from the Red Sea north to Turkey and east to Mesopotamia from 2500 to 2400 B.C. The city of Ebla alone during that time had a population estimated at 260,000. Scholars believe the language of Ebla to be the oldest Semitic language. Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world, and a fascinating place to explore.
Lebanon. Enjoy vibrant downtown Beirut, the many arches and sidewalk cafes of Maarad Street lead into Place de l'Etoile, which has a 1930s art-deco clock tower. Discover the archaeological sites of Tyre. Visit the courtyard and state rooms of Beiteddine, in the Chouf Mountains, which is the site of the palace built by the Amir Basheer in the 19th century. Visit the spectacular Jeita caverns, around 20km (13 miles) north of Beirut. On two levels, the lower gallery includes an underground waterway which can be visited by boat. Shop at the old souks (covered markets) in Tripoli, a town famous for its sweets and traditional olive oil-based soap. Enjoy delicious Lebanese food in the port area of Al Mina, where many seafood restaurants and fish markets can be found. Glimpse the sea castle built of stone from Roman remains in the small port city of Sidon. See one of the best-preserved temple areas of the Roman world that is still in existence in Baalbek, near the Syrian border. The columns of the Temple of Jupiter soar behind the complex of several temples.
And don't forget Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
The Middle East is for any type of traveler: singles, couples, families, groups. How much time do you have? How many cities would you like to visit? Join a tour and be guided through this fascinating part of the world or plan your own itinerary.
