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Opening HoursWhere To Go in the Middle East
The Middle East boasts deserts, beaches, ancient sites, spectacular mosques, exciting cities and much, much more. Our experts have visited the best of the lot and are on hand to recommend the very best places to visit and things to do throughout the Middle East. Discover more below.
Where to go in Middle East
Dubai
Shop the souqs and the malls, stay in a luxury hotel and enjoy water sports and a desert safari.
Egypt
Egypt is rightly famous for its extraordinary ancient world heritage: the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel...
Jordan
For a small country, Jordan packs an impressive punch in terms of history, culture and scenery, and the proximity of its key sights makes a holiday...
Oman
A wonderful destination combining beautiful beachfront properties and dramatic mountain and desert landscapes to explore.
Abu Dhabi
With an almost guaranteed 300 days of sunshine a year, Abu Dhabi is the ideal winter break destination.
Israel
It's time to visit one of the most vibrant destinations in the Middle East.
Lebanon
Back with a vengeance, Beirut is the ultimate party town, and there's plenty more to do besides in Lebanon from skiing to cultural sites.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 destinations
What to do in Middle East
Showing 1 - 3 of 16 activities
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Falconry
You can witness displays of falconry if you are staying in one of the two excellent desert hotels, Bab al Shams or Al Maha.
Desert Safari
Explore wadis and the desert in a 4x4 expedition with an expert guide.
Driving Safari
After seeing the sites of Amman, explore the King’s Highway with a knowledgeable driver or guide.
Jerash
One of the finest preserved Greco - Roman cities in the Middle East and within easy reach of Amman, it truly is a place to let your imagination...
Floating on the Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth lies at 1,200 feet below sea level, where the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea.
Wadi Rum
Explore the vast, hugely romantic swathes of desert made famous by 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
Petra
Petra was carved from pink sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans some two millennia ago, and left undisturbed until its rediscovery in 1812.
Diving Oman
Oman has some excellent and – relatively – unspoilt diving along long stretches of its coastline, and there are sure to be new dive sites...
Tel Aviv Art Tours
In celebration of Tel Aviv’s flourishing art scene our Expert-Led Art Tours take travellers off the typical tourist trail on an intimate exploration...
Dolphin and Whale spotting
The waters of the Arabian Gulf are home to a staggering number of dolphins and migrating whales.
Paragliding
Only available at the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, and quite some way to arrive into the hotel.
4x4 Adventure
A tailor-made guided desert safaris is the ideal way to take in the very best scenery that Oman has to offer, and Original Travel can personalise...
Explore the Saiq Plateau
Now that there is some seriously comfortable accommodation in the Hajar Mountains, we recommend extending your stay in the region to explore...
Nizwa & the Livestock Market
Friday sees the ancient Omani capital of Nizwa come to life for the weekly livestock market where farmers and traders arrive from as far afield...
Empty Quarter 4x4 Adventure
A four-wheel drive tour into the breathtaking Empty Quarter, of Wilfred Thesiger fame, where a mobile camp awaits.
Beach
Original Travel has exclusive access to the private camps on the beach near Salalah and the Empty Quarter.
Showing 1 - 3 of 16 activities
Load moreLuxury Hotels in Middle East
Showing 1 - 3 of 30 hotels
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Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
The resort was designed to resemble a Bedouin encampment, and overlooks open plains and dune belts, with the Hajar Mountains in the distance.
Bab al Shams
The resort is styled as a traditional Arabian fortress, with the rooms located in clusters of two-storey buildings around the atmospheric complex.
Jumeirah Beach Club
The luxurious suites, each with its own Jacuzzi and private balcony or garden, are housed in Polynesian-style low rise buildings, set amidst...
Madinat Jumeirah
The impressive Madinat Jumeirah is split into four areas, and even though the resort is quite large, each one of the hotels leaves the guest...
One&Only Royal Mirage
The Royal Mirage is one of a handful of traditionally stylish hotels in Dubai, with Arabic architectural influences and sophisticated decor....
Ritz Carlton Al Wadi
We know, we know – the Ritz Carlton Al Wadi is not technically in Dubai but actually neighbouring Emirate Ras Al-Khaimah, but it’s a mere...
Anantara The Palm
Beautifully set on the eastern crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the Anantara Palm Resort & Spa truly is a place which can only be described...
Atlantis the Palm
This mega five-star hotel is situated on the famous Palm, convincing with its grand iconic appearance in the azure lagoon.
One & Only The Palm
When we hear ‘Dubai’ we think excess, for better or worse. At One & Only The Palm you’ll get the calibre of service you’d expect from...
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Located right on the soft natural sands of Jumeirah Beach, Four Seasons Resort is a typically luxurious Dubai hotel, with a chic contemporary twist.
Steam Ship Sudan
Possibly one of the most memorable boating experiences in the world, the Steam Ship Sudan is an authentic 19th century steamer which takes guests...
The Oberoi Zahra
The Oberoi Zahra is one of two boats in the Oberoi’s Nile cruiser fleet and is an incredibly luxurious way to see the ancient sites of Egypt.
Bedouin Camp Wadi Rum
Arranged around a central fireplace, our private camp offers simple but comfortable accommodation, and basic bathroom facilities.
Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea
All rooms and suites face the Dead Sea and have a spacious outdoor balcony, terrace or veranda.
Four Seasons Amman
The Four Seasons in Amman is arguably one of Jordan’s most luxurious hotels, and certainly offers some fantastic views of the cityscape below...
Movenpick Resort Petra
The hotel has a contemporary exterior and a luxuriant interior based on Arabic and oriental design.
The Chedi
The award-winning Chedi is one of the very best hotels in the Gulf Region, home to luxurious guestrooms and suites, some of the finest cuisine...
Al Bustan Palace
The luxurious Al Bustan Palace has the most comprehensive facilities in the region, including over half a mile of sandy beach and 200 acres of...
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah
Situated just outside of Muscat, the Al Bandar and Al Waha hotels make up the luxurious Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort which overlooks a private...
Anantara Al Baleed
This beach-front oasis is the first luxury hotel in Salalah and the hotel has been designed to reflect Dhofar’s rich heritage.
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
The luxury resort is perched 2,000 meters above sea level, making it the highest five star resort in the Middle East. Only two hours’ drive...
Six Senses Dhahab Dhow
Built in the style of a traditional Omani dhow, Dhahab is the Six Senses Zighy Bay’s latest accommodation and experience venture. A few days...
Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa
Originally conceived as part of the wider and neighbouring Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Shangri-La Al Husn is now hived off as an exclusive adults-only...
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara
Playing to Abu Dhabi's natural strengths, the Qasr al Sarab is situated deep in the dunes of the fabled Empty Quarter, the largest sand sea in...
Al Yamm Villas By Anantara
Located on the eastern shore of Sir Bani Yas Island, a private nature reserve just off Abu Dhabi’s coast, Al Yamm Villas is a boutique hotel...
Al Sahel Villas By Anantara
Opened in late 2013, the newest addition to the Anantara stronghold of Sir Bani Yas Island is a private paradise in the midst of the wild savannah...
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri
The Shangri-La is blessed with possibly the best view in Abu Dhabi, looking across the water to the imposing Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi wanted to make a big statement when it arrived onto the international tourist destination stage, and what better statement than the...
St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Saadiyat Island is arguably the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi's rulers' vision for the Emirate, and the St Regis is the place to stay on the island.
Showing 1 - 3 of 30 hotels
Load moreAt Your Service
We rarely boast about our service but we believe it's what sets us apart and makes us truly original, so please forgive this moment of unabashed self-promotion.
Top Six Things to do in Egypt
![Image of Tom Barber]()
From the pyramids in Cairo to the underwater wonders of the
Red Sea, Egypt is a short haul shoo-in.
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Off-The-Beaten-Track Holidays
![Image of Jessica Higgs]()
They say three is the magic number but really we all know it's 57,268,900. It is, after all, the landed area of Earth in square miles - positively spacious, we think you'll agree. It would seem that there's a whole world of, well, world out there to explore. Which can be hard to believe when…
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The Best Spring Holidays for 2020
![Image of Jessica Higgs]()
Want to put the spring back in your step after the dark
doldrums of winter? We've got just the ticket, and with Easter plus
two May bank holidays, spring is one of the best times of year for
an epic escape. Here's where to go in spring 2020…
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World Religion Day - Our Top Religious Sites and Festivals
![Image of Tom Barber]()
World Religion Day is on Sunday 19th January this year, with the organisers keen to stress the importance of religion and spirituality in unifying humans around the world. They've got a point, because despite a few very obvious on-going (and seemingly implacable) religious rivalries around…
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Dry Jan... Literally! Our Top Desert Destinations for 2020
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Dry January sounds a little… well, dry. But if the lack of
'moonshine' is already getting you down, we're here to show you
that dry doesn't have to be dull. Let us wet your appetite with
some of our favourite holiday destinations which also happen to be
some of the driest places on Earth…
View more on the blog
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Photo Credits
Steam Ship Sudan: Olivier Romano