Destination Guide

The Middle East

Ancient history meets futuristic ambition. The Middle East offers a contrast unlike anywhere else on earth.

The Middle East has transformed into one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations. Dubai’s skyline redefines what a city can be. Oman offers quiet, understated beauty. Jordan holds Petra and the Dead Sea. Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to tourism for the first time in history.

Beyond the headlines, this is a region of extraordinary hospitality, world-class hotels and experiences that range from desert camping under the stars to dining in the world’s tallest building. Winter sun from the UK is just six hours away.

"No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return."

Wilfred Thesiger, Arabian Sands

Why Visit

What Makes It Special

🏙️

Futuristic Cities

Dubai and Abu Dhabi push the boundaries of architecture, dining and entertainment. Every visit reveals something new.

🏜️

Desert Adventures

Dune bashing, camel trekking, overnight camps under the stars. The Arabian desert offers adventure wrapped in luxury.

🕌

Ancient Heritage

Petra carved into rose-red cliffs. The souks of Muscat. The ruins of AlUla. History here spans thousands of years.

🏨

World-Class Hotels

The Middle East has more five-star hotels per square mile than almost anywhere. Service standards are exceptionally high.

☀️

Winter Sun

When Europe shivers, the Middle East shines. November to March offers perfect temperatures of 22–28°C.

🛍️

Shopping & Dining

From the Gold Souk to the Dubai Mall, traditional markets to Michelin-starred restaurants. The shopping and food scene is outstanding.

Amman, Jordan — watching sunset over the Abdali skyline

Amman, JordanWatching sunset over the Abdali skylineCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — visiting Al Rahma Mosque on the Jeddah waterfront

Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaVisiting Al Rahma Mosque on the Jeddah waterfront

Petra, Jordan — standing before Al-Khazneh, The Treasury at Petra

Petra, JordanStanding before Al-Khazneh, The Treasury at PetraCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — looking out across the Palm towards Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAELooking out across the Palm towards Atlantis The PalmCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — Atlantis The Royal on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAEAtlantis The Royal on the crescent of Palm JumeirahCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

AURA SKYPOOL, Dubai — swimming at AURA SKYPOOL overlooking Palm Jumeirah

AURA SKYPOOL, Dubai, UAESwimming at AURA SKYPOOL overlooking Palm JumeirahCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai — the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel lit up at night

Dubai, UAEThe Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel lit up at nightCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Edge of the World, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia — standing on the clifftop at the Edge of the World

Edge of the World, Riyadh Province, Saudi ArabiaStanding on the clifftop at the Edge of the World

Dubai — driving the desert dunes in a 4x4

Dubai, UAEDriving the desert dunes in a 4x4

Sonara Camp, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve — Sonara Camp at sunset in the desert reserve

Sonara Camp, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAESonara Camp at sunset in the desert reserveCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai — cruising past the Burj Al Arab on a luxury yacht

Dubai, UAECruising past the Burj Al Arab on a luxury yachtCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aquaventure World, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — swimming with dolphins at Aquaventure World

Aquaventure World, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAESwimming with dolphins at Aquaventure WorldCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Downtown Dubai — the Burj Khalifa above the Downtown Dubai skyline

Downtown Dubai, UAEThe Burj Khalifa above the Downtown Dubai skyline

Dead Sea, Jordan — floating in the Dead Sea at sunset

Dead Sea, JordanFloating in the Dead Sea at sunsetCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Wadi Rum, Jordan — drifting over Wadi Rum by hot air balloon

Wadi Rum, JordanDrifting over Wadi Rum by hot air balloonCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Ambassador Lagoon, Atlantis, Dubai — walking through the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium at Atlantis

Ambassador Lagoon, Atlantis, Dubai, UAEWalking through the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium at AtlantisCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Abdali, Amman, Jordan — visiting the King Abdullah I Mosque in Abdali

Abdali, Amman, JordanVisiting the King Abdullah I Mosque in AbdaliCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Amman, Jordan — watching sunset over the Abdali skyline

Amman, JordanWatching sunset over the Abdali skylineCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — visiting Al Rahma Mosque on the Jeddah waterfront

Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaVisiting Al Rahma Mosque on the Jeddah waterfront

Petra, Jordan — standing before Al-Khazneh, The Treasury at Petra

Petra, JordanStanding before Al-Khazneh, The Treasury at PetraCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — looking out across the Palm towards Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAELooking out across the Palm towards Atlantis The PalmCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — Atlantis The Royal on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAEAtlantis The Royal on the crescent of Palm JumeirahCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

AURA SKYPOOL, Dubai — swimming at AURA SKYPOOL overlooking Palm Jumeirah

AURA SKYPOOL, Dubai, UAESwimming at AURA SKYPOOL overlooking Palm JumeirahCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai — the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel lit up at night

Dubai, UAEThe Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel lit up at nightCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Edge of the World, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia — standing on the clifftop at the Edge of the World

Edge of the World, Riyadh Province, Saudi ArabiaStanding on the clifftop at the Edge of the World

Dubai — driving the desert dunes in a 4x4

Dubai, UAEDriving the desert dunes in a 4x4

Sonara Camp, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve — Sonara Camp at sunset in the desert reserve

Sonara Camp, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAESonara Camp at sunset in the desert reserveCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai — cruising past the Burj Al Arab on a luxury yacht

Dubai, UAECruising past the Burj Al Arab on a luxury yachtCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aquaventure World, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — swimming with dolphins at Aquaventure World

Aquaventure World, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAESwimming with dolphins at Aquaventure WorldCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Downtown Dubai — the Burj Khalifa above the Downtown Dubai skyline

Downtown Dubai, UAEThe Burj Khalifa above the Downtown Dubai skyline

Dead Sea, Jordan — floating in the Dead Sea at sunset

Dead Sea, JordanFloating in the Dead Sea at sunsetCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Wadi Rum, Jordan — drifting over Wadi Rum by hot air balloon

Wadi Rum, JordanDrifting over Wadi Rum by hot air balloonCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Ambassador Lagoon, Atlantis, Dubai — walking through the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium at Atlantis

Ambassador Lagoon, Atlantis, Dubai, UAEWalking through the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium at AtlantisCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Abdali, Amman, Jordan — visiting the King Abdullah I Mosque in Abdali

Abdali, Amman, JordanVisiting the King Abdullah I Mosque in AbdaliCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Kite Beach, Dubai — kitesurfing off Kite Beach

Kite Beach, Dubai, UAEKitesurfing off Kite BeachCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aqaba, Jordan — a luxury resort on the Red Sea coast

Aqaba, JordanA luxury resort on the Red Sea coastCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

AlUla, Saudi Arabia — exploring the mirrored Maraya concert hall in the desert

AlUla, Saudi ArabiaExploring the mirrored Maraya concert hall in the desert

The Chedi Muscat, Oman — lounging by the palm-lined Long Pool at The Chedi Muscat

The Chedi Muscat, OmanLounging by the palm-lined Long Pool at The Chedi Muscat

Dubai — tearing across the dunes on a quad bike

Dubai, UAETearing across the dunes on a quad bike

Aqaba, Jordan — diving the Red Sea reefs off Aqaba

Aqaba, JordanDiving the Red Sea reefs off AqabaCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Hegra, AlUla, Saudi Arabia — exploring the Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra

Hegra, AlUla, Saudi ArabiaExploring the Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai — dining on the seafront at Pierchic

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai, UAEDining on the seafront at PierchicCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aqaba, Jordan — a seafront luxury resort in Aqaba

Aqaba, JordanA seafront luxury resort in AqabaCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Abu Dhabi, UAE — walking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi, UAEWalking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — the sky pool at Atlantis The Royal

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAEThe sky pool at Atlantis The RoyalCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — skydiving over Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAESkydiving over Palm Jumeirah

Dubai Autodrome, Dubai — racing the track at Dubai Autodrome

Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, UAERacing the track at Dubai AutodromeCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve — meeting falcons and salukis in the desert

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAEMeeting falcons and salukis in the desertCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai — sleeping in the underwater suite at Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAESleeping in the underwater suite at Atlantis The PalmCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Wadi Rum, Jordan — sleeping under the stars in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, JordanSleeping under the stars in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum

Wadi Darbat, Dhofar, Oman — discovering the waterfalls at Wadi Darbat near Salalah

Wadi Darbat, Dhofar, OmanDiscovering the waterfalls at Wadi Darbat near Salalah

Kite Beach, Dubai — kitesurfing off Kite Beach

Kite Beach, Dubai, UAEKitesurfing off Kite BeachCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aqaba, Jordan — a luxury resort on the Red Sea coast

Aqaba, JordanA luxury resort on the Red Sea coastCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

AlUla, Saudi Arabia — exploring the mirrored Maraya concert hall in the desert

AlUla, Saudi ArabiaExploring the mirrored Maraya concert hall in the desert

The Chedi Muscat, Oman — lounging by the palm-lined Long Pool at The Chedi Muscat

The Chedi Muscat, OmanLounging by the palm-lined Long Pool at The Chedi Muscat

Dubai — tearing across the dunes on a quad bike

Dubai, UAETearing across the dunes on a quad bike

Aqaba, Jordan — diving the Red Sea reefs off Aqaba

Aqaba, JordanDiving the Red Sea reefs off AqabaCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Hegra, AlUla, Saudi Arabia — exploring the Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra

Hegra, AlUla, Saudi ArabiaExploring the Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai — dining on the seafront at Pierchic

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai, UAEDining on the seafront at PierchicCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Aqaba, Jordan — a seafront luxury resort in Aqaba

Aqaba, JordanA seafront luxury resort in AqabaCourtesy of the Jordanian Tourism Board

Abu Dhabi, UAE — walking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi, UAEWalking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — the sky pool at Atlantis The Royal

Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAEThe sky pool at Atlantis The RoyalCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai — skydiving over Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAESkydiving over Palm Jumeirah

Dubai Autodrome, Dubai — racing the track at Dubai Autodrome

Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, UAERacing the track at Dubai AutodromeCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve — meeting falcons and salukis in the desert

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAEMeeting falcons and salukis in the desertCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai — sleeping in the underwater suite at Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAESleeping in the underwater suite at Atlantis The PalmCourtesy of Dubai Economy and Tourism

Wadi Rum, Jordan — sleeping under the stars in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, JordanSleeping under the stars in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum

Wadi Darbat, Dhofar, Oman — discovering the waterfalls at Wadi Darbat near Salalah

Wadi Darbat, Dhofar, OmanDiscovering the waterfalls at Wadi Darbat near Salalah

Where We Send Our Clients

Middle East Highlights

Dubai

Dubai & Abu Dhabi

The ultimate city break with beach. Iconic architecture, luxury shopping, world-class dining and year-round sunshine. Six hours from London.

Oman

Oman

The Middle East's best-kept secret. Dramatic fjords, ancient forts, empty beaches and a genuinely warm welcome. More understated than Dubai, equally rewarding.

Jordan

Jordan

Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. Jordan packs an extraordinary amount into a small, safe and welcoming country.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

AlUla's ancient tombs, the Red Sea coast, Jeddah's historic old town. Saudi is opening to tourism with ambitious plans and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Planning

Best Time to Visit

UAE & Qatar Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

22–28°C peak

Oman Muscat, Salalah, Musandam

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

24–30°C peak

Jordan Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

18–28°C peak

Saudi Arabia AlUla, Jeddah, Red Sea, Riyadh

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

22–30°C peak

Peak Season Shoulder Season

From The Journal

Read More About The Middle East

Dive deeper with our destination guides and travel stories.

Browse All Posts

Ready to Explore the Middle East?

Tell us what draws you to the region and we will create an itinerary that balances culture, luxury and adventure.