Mohammed Lafir
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– Saint Augustine
Travelling is a fantastic and beautiful experience, in many ways. Travelling enthuse us to visit more places, explore diverse cultures, indulge in various aromatic cuisines, and meet amazing people. Most of us think that we need to wait until our later years to explore the beauty of this world. However, we at FemAsia want to inspire everyone to travel – now!
‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’
– Mark Twain
We are sharing here a selection of a few beautiful places that you shouldn’t miss out on your next voyage to the Middle East. Spanning from the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the coasts of Palestine, the Middle East has some of the most extraordinary landscapes and cities in the world. The Middle East boasts of state of the art architecture, both modern and traditional. From awe-inspiring natural phenomena to beautiful historic sites reflecting the region’s heritage, culture and history, the Middle East is a region which should not be missed. We look at some of the fascinating places to visit in the Middle East.
The Empty Quarter or Rub’al Khali Desert, Arabian Peninsula
The world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert, which spreads across four countries in the Arabian Peninsula: The United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is a location for popular movie blockbusters. It will blow anyone’s mind with an overwhelming feeling of earth’s raw beauty.
Al Musandam, Oman
Known as the ‘Norway of Arabia’ for its beautiful rocky inlets, small villages and dramatic, mountain-hugging roads, Musandam lies in the east coast of UAE, and guards the southern Strait of Hormuz. This beautiful peninsula with its cultural eccentricities is isolated in character and worth a visit!
Ras Al Khaimah, The United Arab Emirates
With its pristine beaches, centuries-old traditional forts, and immersive archaeological sites, Ras Al Khaimah is one of UAE’s best-kept secrets. Ras Al Khaimah is located far north from its more famous neighbour Dubai, facing Iran across the Gulf. Visiting this historic city will please anyone who wants to see the landscape in its authentic Arabian beauty.
Doha, Qatar
With a blend of culture, diversity, food, ethnicity and tradition, Qatar is home to international cuisines and diverse lifestyles. A quick gateway to beautiful beaches, Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO heritage site, adventure in the form of desert safaris and water sports. Doha Corniche Skyline, The Pearl-Qatar, Souq Waqif, The Villagio, The Museum of Islamic Art and Katara Cultural Village are some of the other attractions in a small landscape. Not to forget the West Bay skyscrapers of Doha which are only second to Dubai in the region.
The Dead Sea, Jordan
A real treasure chest for those who are interested in history, to discover ancient mysteries and to visit the most fascinating archaeological and historical sites in the world. Famous for its high concentration of salts and minerals, the Dead Sea black mud is well-known for its healing properties for physical ailments and beauty treatment.
Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Egypt
The Giza necropolis is probably the most famous ancient site in the world. Situated near the southwestern suburbs of Cairo, the pyramids, together with the Sphinx at the base of the Giza plateau, are the iconic image of Egypt. Along with these significant monuments the city hosts many smaller satellite structures, known as ‘queen pyramids’, causeways and temples.
The above destinations are only a doorstep to the Middle East where the diversity, adventure and the rich cultures offer endless possibilities to explore.
Travel not only provides us with the experience of newness in each destination. It comes with a whole load of benefits as well. It adds uniqueness to everyone’s life and helps us realise how important it is to appreciate your own home.
You’ll realise how little we all know about the world, and that we all share similar needs. We will also understand that it is straightforward to make friends! Above all, travelling enables us to experience the interconnectivity of humanity.
