Middle East Overview
By Lynne Christen
Shrouded in history, the oil-rich Middle East is the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It is like a magic carpet ride on spice-scented breezes over colorful souks overflowing with treasures as the muezzin call to prayer echoes through the streets. It is a region that is both beautiful and war-torn. Obviously, Iraq and the Giza Strip are not safe leisure travel destinations. However, Qatar warmly welcomes visitors. Jordan’s wonders like the Dead Sea and Petra are Middle East must-sees. United Arab Emirates and its capital city Dubai is unabashedly one the world’s most exclusive resort destinations. And, Israel offers some of the world’s most revered sites. A visit to the Middle East requires careful planning. There are restrictions on travel such as Saudi Arabia’s policy of only welcoming visitors on special, hard-to-come-by visas and authorities strictly enforce bans on bringing alcohol, narcotics and anything deemed pornographic in their countries. Always check U.S. State Department warnings and alerts when planning a trip to the Middle East. Go!
