Travelling in the Middle East
The rich blend of history, culture and sunshine can all be found in little over four hours flying time from London. The romance of the Orient, coupled with the hospitality of the people leads many travellers to visit the region again and again. You don’t need to look far beyond the resorts to find the real experience, the ancient sites to explore, the reefs to dive and mountains to climb!
Some Middle Eastern Highlights
• Trekking or jeep safari in Wadi Rum- Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia.
• Beirut- Cast away pre-conceptions and experience the nightlife in the regions most cosmopolitan city.
• The Pyramids of Giza- No introduction needed, the only one of the original “seven wonders of the ancient world” still in existence.
• Egypt’s Red Sea- dive or snorkel in some of the best reefs in the world.
• Damascus old city, bustling souqs ringing with the call to prayer, all the romance of the Orient in the world’s oldest city.
How best to get around
There are plenty of options to get around the region using local transport – mainly by road but trains and boats offer a different perspective. Bus services, many very comfortable with air-con, have handy connections between the major cities and between countries. Shared (or service) taxis are the preferred mode of transport for the locals within cities and towns and can usually get you to most of the places of interest. They also provide you with a great opportunity to interact with some of the most hospitable people you’ll come across. The harsh terrain to be found throughout much of the region, gives you the opportunity to test out your camel riding skills; or get as far off the beaten track as possible in f our wheel drive safaris through the desert.
Tours and Passes
For details on some great tour options within the Middle East, take a look at our round the world travel essentials section.
Money
Costs vary greatly in the region, what you’d spend on a bottle of water in Oman could last you all day in Damascus and the cost of a night in one of Dubai’s premium hotels could fund a week in a Dahab hostel. As is the case the world over the US dollar is widely accepted although the Euro is beginning to emerge as an alternative. Exchanging money is very straightforward with bureau de changes widely available.
Top 3 activities
• Marvelling at the grand spectacle of the Pyramids of Giza.
• Desert trekking through Jordan’s Wadi Rum.
• Haggling for bargains in the old souqs by the Ummayaad Mosque in Damascus.
Top 3 overland routes
• Istanbul to Cairo is the classic, snaking through the majority of the region from European Turkey ending in North African Egypt.
• Cairo to Kathmandu takes the old hippy trail from the trailblazers of the sixties. Travel this way is perhaps for the more adventurous, choose your route carefully.
• Take a felucca down the Nile. Avoid the roads and the hassles and see Egypt the way it’s been seen for centuries on transport that’s changed very little over time.
Top 3 nights out
• Sipping mint tea around the campfire, in the wilds of Wadi Rum.
• Enjoy a sheesha pipe and coffee in one of Cairo’s ahwa’s (coffeshops). Try Fishawai’s in Khan il Khalili Souq
• Hit the countless bars and nightclubs of Beirut, enjoy it as well, as the all night partying isn’t found anywhere else in the region.
Top 3 sunsets
• After a full day spent exploring the vast site of Petra, round it off by watching the colour of the Treasury building change from pink into a deep red.
• Standing on top of the battlements of the Krak des Chevaliers castle, looking out towards the Mediterranean.
• The Pyramids (obviously!)
Do’s and don’ts
Do
• Try and learn a few basic words and phrases in Arabic. Local people really appreciate the efforts you make and consider it respectful.
• Muslim culture is conservative and as guests you must respect this. Generally speaking in the cities t-shirts are acceptable, but in the rural areas you should not wear shorts (women especially) or short sleeves. When visiting mosques women will be expected to wear a hajib (headscarf)
• Get involved in haggling when shopping in the souqs, pure theatre and a great way to interact and get great bargains (sometimes) in the process.
• Get the correct visas - more
• Travel responsibly - links
Don’t
• Mention politics. There’s much more to the region than the media often portrays - don’t offend your guests with your own solution to world peace that they may not necessarily agree with.
• Show public displays of anger or over affection if you can help it. Keep your sense of humour in situations and remember the conservative sensibilities of the people.