Destinations: Discover the Middle East

Unlike Egypt, home to the pyramids of Giza, or Italy, where the colosseum stands in all its might and glory, Iraq is not on the world’s top list for tourist destinations

The magnificence and beauty of Isfahan is best reflected in the centuries-old Persian saying ‘Isfahan nesfe Jahan’, meaning ‘Isfahan is half the world’.

Known as 'the Bride of the Red Sea', Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia with a fascinating history that spans thousands of years of civilisation pre-dating...

Hosting more than 10,000 artefacts from across the Islamic world, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia was officially opened in 1998.

Much of Oman’s cultural heritage today is defined by its turbulent past. The country is home to nearly 1,000 forts, castles and watchtowers that stand as monuments to its rich history

Souq Waqif literally translates to 'Standing Market'. It is situated on the site of a historic trading hub which dates back more than a century, to a time when local Bedouin and merchants used to gather - standing - to sell livestock, fish, pearls, spices and other wares.

Hanging off the side of a valley in Turkey's picturesque southwest is a spellbinding snow-white cascade of travertine terraces where mineral-rich thermal water flows down from 17 hot springs

On the North Bank of the River Thames stands London’s most ancient monument. Older than the British capital itself, Cleopatra’s Needle dates back nearly 3,500 years.

Djenne is one of the oldest known towns in sub-Saharan Africa. Dating back to 250 BC, it flourished as an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade and is often described as the 'twin city' of ancient Timbuktu.

As Iraq continues to be embroiled in conflict, with decades of war and political instability fending off international visitors, it is easy to forget that this is the region where civilisation itself was born and the building blocks for the modern world were laid

Algeria is home to a plethora of jaw-dropping and hidden gems that showcase its long and rich history

Make tracks for one of the world's heaviest and longest trains...

The Mar Saba Monastery, set half-way between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, is the oldest monastery in the Holy Land and one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world.

Ravaged by two devastating wars in the 1990s, Grozny, the capital city of the Republic of Chechnya, became known as ‘the most destroyed city on earth’.

Known as ‘The Valley of the Moon’, Wadi Rum spans nearly 300 square miles of terrain across the southern Jordanian desert with sweeping red sand dunes!

Today, Carthage is a wealthy suburb of the Tunisian capital Tunis where the ruins of the once-mighty ancient city have attracted tourists for decades.

One would assume that the largest Roman temple ever built would be in Rome, but it is in fact the Middle East that is home to the biggest Roman...

The first mosque to be built in Japan which continues to serve as such today is Kobe Mosque

The small island nation of Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf is home to one of the world’s largest ancient cemeteries, dating back to the 4,000-year-old Dilmun civilisation.

The Great Mosque of Samarra with its iconic Malwiya (Arabic for “twisted”) Minaret was constructed in 848–852

On the northern Turkish side of the capital lies one of the oldest Ottoman buildings in Cyprus, and it is well worth a visit.

The Old City of Sanaa is one of the oldest cities in the world. Meaning ‘fortified place’, it remains one of the greatest treasures of Arabia.

Did you know that Sudan has more twice as many pyramids than Egypt?

The majestic church-turned-mosque-turned-museum, and now turned-mosque again, has stood the test of time and war for almost 1,500 years

Leptis Magna was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 because it was classed as one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman world

The stunning garden boasts hundreds of species of plants, decorated fountains, zoo and art museums.

Dubbed Morocco’s “Blue Pearl”, Chaouen is steeped in history and charm...

Undergoing Sumerian, Assyrian, Sassanid, Mongol, Christian as well as Ottoman rule, the Citadel has been inhabited by numerous religions and ethnicities making it home to various religious, residential and other educational and civil structures

Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, it is also the burial place of its founder Sheikh Zayed who died in 2004

If you are into history, this place is dripping with it

Step into Lebanon’s most captivating natural treasure

The Rose City of Petra is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Tucked away in the red-sandstone mountains of southern Jordan, this designated world heritage site with its indisputable beauty makes a trip to Jordan a must.