Middle East holidays

Holidays to the United Arab Emirates are all about luxury resorts, grand architecture and endless activities. In Dubai, you can expect to find everything from huge theme parks and desert safaris, to gourmet restaurants and beachfront hotels. The so-called City of Superlatives is a wonder to behold, with the tallest building on the planet – the Burj Khalifa – and the world’s biggest shopping mall.

Or you could book a holiday to Abu Dhabi. The popular UAE capital boasts record-breaking rollercoasters, lively water parks, art museums and desert dunes.

If you’re planning a family getaway, consider a holiday to Ras Al Khaimah. This lesser-known Emirate is great for kids, with family-friendly hotels, safe beaches and the world’s longest zip line. Or book a break to Fujairah for dramatic mountains and fantastic snorkelling. Meanwhile, petite Ajman – just north of Dubai – is famous for its watersports, including surfing, diving and deep-sea fishing.

If you want to discover the ancient cultures of the Middle East, think about going on holiday to Jordan. This age-old country is steeped in history and myth. The ‘Lost City’ of Petra is Jordan’s most famous attraction. Built in 1^st century BC, this blush-coloured maze of ruins, monasteries and tombs is a must-see. But that’s not all Jordan has to offer – you’ll also find sweeping deserts, Crusader castles and the modern, lively city of Amman.

Or, for a different slice of Middle Eastern traditions, book a trip to Oman. Slightly off the beaten track, charming Oman is a patchwork of marble mosques, captivating museums and jaw-dropping mountains. The slow-paced capital city, Muscat, is the perfect spot to get your culture fix. And, after a day exploring, you can stroll along the beach and dine on freshly-caught seafood.

A holiday to Qatar is a great way to see both the traditional and modern ways of the Middle East. Old-meets-new Doha has everything from lavish resorts and glittering marinas, to labyrinthine souks and art museums. On a trip to Qatar, you can have the best of both worlds, as you tick off cultural attractions, enjoy fine dining in sleek restaurants, and see the impressive city skyline with a river cruise.

Or, for something completely different, why not look at our holidays to Bahrain? Officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain, this place is actually an archipelago – made up of 33 islands, it’s the only island country in the Middle East. So you can expect lots of white-sand beaches, brushed by warm waters. If you like to keep busy, though, Bahrain also has several museums and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

As you’d expect from somewhere surrounded by desert, the Middle East gets incredibly hot during the summer months. In July and August, it’s common for the mercury to soar above 40°C. So, it’s best to visit the Middle East during winter – November to April – when temperatures hover between 25°C and 33°C. You can go sightseeing in the cooler mornings, and then spend your afternoons relaxing on the beach.

But it’s not just the weather you need to consider. It’s important to check when Ramadan falls – it moves every year – as you may find that some attractions and restaurants close during this holy month. Well-trodden spots like Dubai and Abu Dhabi tend to be fairly relaxed, and most bars and restaurants will be open as normal. But more conservative places, like Oman and Bahrain, are slightly stricter during this religious period, particularly when it comes to eating and drinking in public.