Looking for a Travel Guide to the Middle East, here is the comprehensive guide for you. The region of the Middle East always had a certain allure to Western travellers. Ever since ancient times, the old Roman and Greek wrote volumes about the wonders of this region and things didn’t change throughout the Middle Ages. Even after the Industrial Revolution, people coming here were soon conquered by the vivid culture, stunning nature, and immensely rich history of the region.
The famous British officer T.E. Lawrence came here with the Western worldview, only to come home to England as “Lawrence of Arabia.”
Things haven’t changed a bit even to this date. The Middle East region still attracts countless people all over the world, still invites them to explore its endless wonders, and leaves impressions that last a lifetime.
Still, immersing yourself in this rich cultural kaleidoscope can be intimidating and complex for first-time travellers. Let’s see if we can help you crack this puzzle and make your journey easier with our travel guide to the Middle East
Cracking the Middle East
The first thing we need to move off the table is the very definition of the Middle East. Usually associated with Arab-speaking countries, this term is very broad and covers the Arabian Peninsula, Levant (the eastern shores of the Mediterranean), Turkey (although partially located in Europe), Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Suffice it to say, that all these have their unique flavours and opportunities to showcase your travel memories.
Egypt, for instance, is coloured by the African culture, and remnants of the ancient Egyptian Empire. Turkey is one of the best places to see old Ottoman, Roman, Greek, and Byzantine monuments, while Iran presents the successor of the ancient Persian state.
These cultural influences have left their mark on local culture, tradition, cuisine, and all sorts of other areas. We encourage you to explore these nuances in great depth. Since there is no such thing as a unified Middle East experience, find the corner of the region that appeals to you the most.
Prepare yourself for a culture shock
This issue is not exclusive to the Middle East. The United States, Europe (different parts of Europe for that matter), East Asia, and other regions have their quirks as well. You just need to research some of the local specifics to make your transition smoother. So, you would be surprised that the local countries don’t use the Arab numerals used in the rest of the world (although predominantly Arab), public displays of affection are usually discouraged, alcohol consumption is very regulated, and showing thumbs up may offend some people.
Hospitality, on the other hand, is off the charts, no matter where you end up going. So, try to learn more about these specifics. The more time you spend researching local customs, the more enjoyable experience you’ll get.
Avoid crowded tourist sites
We are talking about things like the Great Pyramids of Giza, Mecca, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, etc. While these sites are immensely stunning and you should pay them a visit (preferably off-season), they are stacked with tourists and you will sometimes spend hours waiting in line just to rush through them without having any time for actual enjoyment.
So, we encourage you to be a bit more original and peek beyond these powerhouses. How about the Saudi gem, Al Ula? This Arabian open air museum presents a perfect blend of cultural monuments, stunning nature, and desert excitement. It showcases a rich tradition of Saudi Arabia in a nutshell and it’s still novel enough to allow you to immerse yourself in the vibe fully.
Look for places like this to get the real Middle East kick.
Take into consideration the local climate
What’s the first thing that crosses your mind when thinking about the Middle East? Desert vistas? You’re on point. Although not entirely clad in sand and harsh climate, the Middle East is a very hot region and, unless you are going to get lazy in some Mediterranean Egyptian sea resort, June is probably not the best time to tackle the region. If you are planning an active vacation and a lot of sightseeing, we suggest you move your travel to March and May, or even September to November. Being situated in the milder semi-arid Mediterranean belt, Turkey presents a good option all year long.
Give your journey some theme
The Middle East is a massive region and trying to get everything, everywhere all at once will leave you exhausted and bankrupt. So, try to give your journey some theme and a sense of purpose. You will keep your journey streamlined but still get all the things that make the region special.
For instance, Biblical travel will get you all the way from Turkey to Cappadocia in Turkey to Israel and Cairo, Egypt. Famous movie locations are scattered from Istanbul (too many movies to count) to Petra (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and Wadi Rum (Dune) in Jordan to Burj Khalifa (MI: Ghost Protocol). Ancient Roman sites are scattered all over the eastern Mediterranean.
Giving your journey some theme won’t make the whole affair more immersive. Most of these themes are already explored through organized guided tours which can make itinerary so much easier for people who don’t want to deal with small organization details.
Plan your activities very carefully
The region of the Middle East may present obstacles to people who are used to always-available amenities. These challenges may come in various forms ranging from data coverage and language obstacles all the way down to availability of drinking water and personal safety in foreign locations. So, try to make all trips well-planned. Research how much money you need to take with you, which are the easiest routes to visit popular tourist locations, download the maps on your phone, figure out how much water you should take with you, and things like that.
Speaking in broader terms, Turkish Airways is the local juggernaut and Istanbul makes the perfect hub for exploring the region since it packs all the amenities you might be used to and offers flights to pretty much any location in the region.
Conclusion
Well, we hope this short travel guide helped you out a bit to get a better understanding of the region we know as the Middle East and plan your future journey to get the most kick out of it. And this is the corner of the world, you should, by all means, explore at least once in your lifetime. The fabled world of hospitality, excellent food, mystery, and rich history is just waiting to open its doors for you. Your job is to plan your travel as meticulously as it gets and make the Middle East the place where you will keep coming back in many years to come.
