Great Places to Visit in the Middle East

Today, more people are choosing to travel than ever before, especially young adults who are curious to know more about the world. Generally, this culture of curiosity and a desire to see the world is a good thing, as it breeds a civilization that is more understanding of different cultures and customs.

However, lots of this travel is, sadly, being relegated to Europe and certain parts of Europe. The wider world often still remains strange and mysterious to young Westerners. In particular, one place that many have concerns about traveling to is the Middle East, as they hear stories about a land that is rife with political turmoil and brutal warfare.

While this is certainly true for many parts of the region, it only tells a small part of the story. Indeed, there are many places in the Middle East that are ripe with culture, and remain incredibly peaceful and fruitful. To help in this understanding, here are some great places to visit in the Middle East…

Qatar

By some standards, Qatar could classify as the richest country in the world, as it has the highest income per capita of any country, by far. This small country is on the Northern coast of the Persian Gulf, where it’s only neighbor by land is Saudi Arabia.

Qatar is so successful due to its enormous reserves of natural gas, which the country uses as exports to fuel the high incomes of its citizens. For travelers, Qatar is a small country that is full to the brim with gorgeous landscapes and beautiful scenery, as well as an inviting culture that is driven by beautiful Muslim art and history.

Turkey

For those travelers who love the European experience, Turkey represents a gateway between the cultures of the Middle East and southern Europe.

In terms of countries in the region that are a bit more progressive, Turkey is a great example of how future Middle Eastern economies might look, if they are to flourish and diversify beyond an oil-based economy (for more information on that particular subject, check out this informative article here).

Traveling to Turkey is a wonderful experience, thanks to the charismatic and friendly locals, who are a blast to share a beer with. The beautiful scenery of places like Cappadocia, as well as the ancient architecture, make Turkey a must stop location for world-travelers.

Egypt

Although the land of Egypt has seen its fair share of difficult situations over the past several years (the results of its part in the Arab Spring have yet to be fully understood), the country is definitely one of the definitive countries to visit in the Middle East.

When people think of the ancient world, Egypt is almost always one of the first countries to come to mind. Seeing the ancient Pyramids at Giza Necropolis is a cultural experience that is hard to rival. Visiting Cairo is also an incredible experience, as it is one of the greatest metropolitan areas in the Middle East, and full of interesting events.

As a note of caution, it’s generally a good idea to dress rather modestly in Egypt, especially if you are outside of a resort, as the population is a little more on the conservative side.

Cyprus

Many people are surprised that Cyprus is a part of the Middle East, as it is also a member of the European Union and the Schengen Zone. However, as an island in the Mediterranean that sits south of Turkey, it is certainly in that region of the world.

Cyprus is small, but one of the most culturally rich places that you can visit in the Middle East. The beaches in Cyprus are considered the best in all of Europe, in terms of their beauty and cleanliness. Traditionally, Cyprus is a cultural mix of Turkey and Greece, which makes it one of the more progressive countries in the region.

For festival lovers, the Limassol Carnival Festival, which starts 50 days before Easter, is an incredible experience, as it consists of parades full of colorful costumes, dances, feasts, and masquerades. The second week of the festival is called “cheese week”, and it lives up to its name, as thousands of cheeses are eaten and cooked in the streets before the start of lent.

Tags: Dubai, Middle East, Persian Gulf, places to visit in the middle east, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

Category: Vacation