Cultural (23 community guides)

Conquerors, traders, tourists - Damascus has seen them all over the years. Today, visitors to the city will be impressed by their legacy and surprised by the warm welcome from everyone they meet... read more »

With its magnificent ruins, Palmyra is not just Syria's most visited site, but one of the finest tourist destinations anywhere in the Middle East. Best of all, it hasn't yet been over-exploited... read more »

With ambitious plans unfolding, the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi is aiming to become a major new cultural hub... read more »

Where can you slide down giant sand dunes, ski on snowy slopes, exhaust yourself shopping, swim in deliciously warm seas and enjoy sumptuous luxury - all in one day? It could only be Dubai! ... read more »

Wander the winding streets, sample delicious food, and discover the inspiring sights and sounds of one of the oldest cities in the world... read more »

There were plenty of people who warned us off going to Yemen, but we chose to ignore them - and discovered an architectural wonder forgotten by time, plus a whole lot of fun... read more »

Shopping in Dubai isn't all about absolutely enormous shopping centres (but only just). We've also a got a few traditional-ish Arabian souks worthy of an afternoon's wander... read more »

Watching the sun set over the vast ruins of Palmyra, an ancient wonder miles from anywhere, in the middle of the Syrian desert, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience... read more »

Friendly people, great food, some of the most uncrowded and beautiful sites of antiquity... all this and more awaits anyone who ventures east to Syria... read more »

Bethlehem is best known as the setting for the Christmas story, but this ancient city is also home to modern, vibrant culture, great (and ethical) shopping and good food... read more »

no pay, no news, no reviews!... read more »

The Syrian city of Aleppo makes a sensational destination for a short break, with an incredible souk to barter in, impressive citadels and castles to explore, and some great hotels and restaurants... read more »

No pay, no news, NO REVIEWS ... read more »

The ancient city of Persepolis, 'half the world' in Esfehan, and some of the friendliest people in the world await the intrepid visitor to ancient Persia... read more »

Iran may seem like an unusual travel destination, but taking the Trans-Asia Express from Istanbul to Tehran gives a real sense of travelling to a different world... read more »

With a history stretching back 10,000 years, magnificent desert panoramas and the famous Dead Sea, Jordan is a fascinating place to visit, and surprisingly easy to travel round... read more »

Glorious sunshine, tropical seas, beautiful beaches and more culture than you can poke a stick at. Welcome to Eilat and the real Israel... read more »

With a superb position on the Arabian Gulf, Sharjah is fast becoming a fashionable destination for a relaxing break. But it also has plenty to offer the culturally-inspired traveller... read more »

Stretching over 40 kilometres, the Aleppo souk in Syria is one of the largest covered markets in the world. Here's how to find the best buys...... read more »

Little-known Ras Al Khaimah has plans as grand as Dubai. Catch it now, while it remains the most traditional emirate in the UAE... read more »