Gertrude Bell, one of the most famous travelers to the Middle East, said: “Few such moments of exhilaration can come as that which stands at the threshold of wild travel.” The Middle East is, without a doubt, adventure country par excellence. Wide expanses of desert dotted with lush green oases, colorful underwater seascapes, and hidden cities carved in stone inspire exploration in the grand tradition of Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones. The Middle East’s long-standing and dynamic socio-political canvas is just as colorful as its landscape: ancient civilizations have left rich archaeological records of human struggle and achievement that are no less compelling than the contemporary drama of the Middle East peace process. Four of the seven wonders of the ancient world, numerous relics from three major faiths, and the first written alphabet are only pieces of the historical puzzle. The challenges of politics today range from the preservation of Bedouin traditional lifestyles in modern nation-states like Egypt to the push for modernization in traditional places like the Sultanate of Oman. Despite the vast diversity of political views, religious beliefs, and economic privilege in the region, all of its inhabitants adhere to one very strong belief: the profound importance of hospitality. As a traveler, you will encounter difficulties navigating shifty bus schedules, phantom trains, and stubborn camels. You will take in the Pyramids at Giza, gasp in awe at the lost city of Petra in Jordan, and admire Cappadocia’s natural splendor in Turkey. And yet, at the end of the journey, your most striking memory is most likely to be sipping a cup of ahwa (Arabic coffee) while discussing the meaning of life with a spice vendor in some small corner of a souq (market).

MIDDLE EAST FACTS & FIGURES

Population: 182 million
Land Area: over 2.9 million sq. km
Geography: Diverse—deserts, forests, beaches, mountains, plateaus, valleys.
LanguagSe: Arabic, Hebrew (Israel), Turkish (Turkey), Greek (Cyprus).
Religions: Islam, Judaism, Christianity

THE SWEET SMELL OF SOUQ-SESS

Bargaining is a fact of life in the Middle East, so it only makes sense that the region is a true shopper’s paradise. Almost every city has a souq, an outdoor bazaar that sells everything from spices to stilettos. Grab silver and spice and everything nice at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; head to Beirut for leather and gold; browse the intricately carved boxes and gold jewelry in Damascus; Sana’a’s silver astounds; and Cairo is the place for tapestries and sheeshas. Muscat is home to one of the last authentic souqs (don’t miss the khanjaris, or ceremonial daggers). For less luxurious goods, head to Petra for beautiful pottery or trek out to the camel markets in Birqash. At the other extreme, high-end fashions can be found in the sparkling new malls and boutiques of Beirut and Dubai, where Emiratis celebrate conspicuous consumption in a month-long shopping festival every March. Israel is also a haven for shoppers in search of modern luxuries: grab a pair of the world-famous Naot sandals anywhere in the country, and pamper yourself with mud baths and facial scrubs from the Dead Sea. The biggest mall in the Middle East is scheduled to open soon in Haifa.

Much of the Middle East embraces the Mediterranean Sea, and cradled in its arms are some amazing beaches. Bodacious Bodrum, in Turkey, is known the world over for its sizzling beaches (matched only by equally sizzling nightlife). For other perspectives on the Mediterranean: party on down with sun-soaked hipsters at youthful Tel Aviv; kick back for a few days on the enjoyable if busy shores of Jounieh in Lebanon and Herzliya in Israel; and be sure to hop over to the endless, sparkling beaches of Cyprus, in the heart of the Mediterranean. Don’t let the heat get to you: savor the lazy daze of summer at Dahab, one of the many beachside treasures along the coasts of the Sinai Peninsula, known the world over as a scuba-lover’s paradise. Tired of jam-packed sands and jammin’ discos? Weary travelers can slip into the embrace of countless stretches of undiscovered emerald coast throughout the Middle East: Marsa Matrouh offers spectacular Mediterranean serenity without the Mediterranean crowds; Aden’s breathtaking beauty is not to be missed; and the white expanses of Salalah, in southern Oman, make up one of the only tropical locations in all of the Middle East (steer clear in monsoon season, though).

Although the Middle East is better known for rising temperatures than rising peaks, there are many options for the alpine- and hiking-inclined. The Negev Desert and Golan Heights in Israel offer subtropical paths that cut through cliffside caves and breathtaking wadis. A trek through Yemen’s many hilltop villages offers breathtaking mountain views. No trekking itinerary would be complete without a climb up steep Mount Sinai in Egypt. For those of the skiing persuasion, Lebanon (known as “Little Switzerland” by those in the snow) boasts world-class facilities.