Middle East & Africa Travelers Recommend

Once you’ve experienced the glitz and extravagance of Dubai, plan to spend at least a day in the Dubai Desert taking in this beautiful natural landscape. As a nation made up of mostly desert, the United Arab Emirates have become a top destination for desert adventures, many available just outside of Dubai. By far the most popular desert experience near Dubai is sandboarding. On a Dubai 4x4 Sandboarding Safari, you’ll get to experience the rolling dunes of the Dubai Desert two ways. First, you’ll enjoy the scenery from a 4x4 vehicle as it takes you from the city into the desert. Next, you’ll strap on a board and experience the exhilaration of gliding down the dunes. Sandboarding is actually easier to master than snowboarding, so it’s a great family friendly activity for any age.

Dubai may be best known for its ultra-luxurious hotels, upscale eateries and world-class shopping, but the city packs a major punch when it comes to outdoor adventure as well. As you might expect from a city lying in within the Arabian Desert, many of the area’s outdoor attractions revolve around sand. Sandboarding, one of the most popular sports in the desert, has become a quintessential Dubai experience in recent years. After making the journey via four wheel drive into the scenic desert, you’ll strap on a board for the fun and exhilarating coast down an Arabian dune. Another adventurous option for visitors who prefer to stay behind the wheel is taking on the dunes on an ATV or dune buggy. Extend your desert safari overnight for the chance to sleep under the stars. Seeing Dubai from above might just be more impressive than seeing it on the ground, and one of the most thrilling ways to capture that bird’s eye view is in the basket of a hot air balloon.

Though it is strangely off the radar for many Western tourists, the Emirate of Dubai has grown into a fantastic travel destination, particularly for vacations with the family. Located roughly 25 minutes by car from the center of Dubai City, Jumeirah Beach features some of the best white sand beaches in the region, as well as panoramic views, waves, pools, parks, picnic spots and shower facilities. Like Al-Mamzar, it is also a good place to take children, as the main swimming areas are all carefully monitored by lifeguards. One of the most astonishing and unforgettable activities in the area is to take part in one of the many hot air balloon cruises. You’ll want to get in early or even the night before (the better cruises typically depart at dawn); but rest assured, the extra effort is worth it. Since the discovery of oil in the mid-1960s, Dubai has experienced a population explosion and an increase in wealth that has rarely been rivaled in the historical record.

If you’ve explored the Marrakech medina and haggled for bargains in the sprawling souk, heard storytellers weave their magic in the Djemaa el Fna square, and dined al fresco on Moroccan cuisine, it’s time to travel further afield to discover more of the magic of Morocco. Marrakech sits in the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, North Africa’s chain of mountains linking Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Here, the High Atlas range is cut by the Draa River and Ourika Valley, 30km (19 miles) from Marrakech. The oasis-like Ourika Valley is a popular day trip destination from Marrakech, offering glimpses of waterfalls, unspoilt landscapes and encounters with Morocco’s traditional Berber people. The ancient Berber trails winding across the Atlas Mountains cover some pretty rough terrain, so it is best traveled by off-road 4WD on a longer day trip excursion.

The living home of the world’s three major religions, Jerusalem is also a vibrant city for outdoor sightseeing. The Old City is north of the City of David, and it’s here that you’ll get a shiver down the backbone as you walk through history. Old City highlights include the David Street souk for bargaining, the open-air market surrounding Damascus Gate in the Muslim Quarter. With so much history and so many faiths, Jerusalem has more than five dozen museums and hundreds of historic sites to explore. Admire swirls of calligraphy at the institute for Islamic Art, the archaeological discoveries of the British Mandate at the Rockefeller Museum, and imagine how life was lived in the days of Jesus at the Wohl Archaeological Museum. Many visitors to Israel make the pilgrimage to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus, only 10km (6 miles) south of Jerusalem. The Church of the Nativity is the focus, built on Manger Square over the grotto where Jesus was born.

When many people dream of the Arabian Desert, they dream of exotic belly dancers, camel riding and, more recently, tearing through the dunes in a 4x4. The 1001 Arabian Stars Private Safari is a great option. Starting in the early afternoon, you are taken through the dunes in a 4x4 to a camel farm. After riding the camels, you will watch the sun set across the sand. As night falls, the camp becomes alive with belly dancing, delicious barbeques and sheesha smoking. This is a great way to experience how life was for the Arab settlers in the Dubai desert. The next morning, you will be returned to your hotel. If you’re tight for time or don’t fancy sleeping in the desert, then there are several one day tours available too, in which you drive towards the Hatta village, which has existed since the 16th century. The Hatta village lies on dry river beds, which wind up the mountain towards a glorious oasis, where you can cool off in the turquoise rock pools.

Tel Aviv has transformed over the last century into a vibrant, modern city on the sea. Walkable, bike-able and diverse in its dining and entertainment options, Israel's second-largest (and rapidly growing) city makes an excellent base for exploring the rest of the region and all of Israel. Whether you're interested in delving into ancient history, floating in the Dead Sea or climbing a dormant volcano, you can do it on a day trip from Tel Aviv. Go Back in Time at Masada Perched atop a plateau surrounded by towering cliffs, the ancient fortress of Masada is one of the nation's most historically significant sites (and the first to become a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001). The journey between Tel Aviv and Masada cuts through the rugged Judean Desert—a perfect place to stop and watch a sunrise or sunset.

With its show-stopping architecture, glamorous shopping malls and palm-fringed beaches, Abu Dhabi is deserving of its reputation as the rising star of the Middle East. At less than two hours drive from Dubai, Abu Dhabi also makes a good choice for a day trip. The most thrilling way to cross the border is with a 45-minute seaplane flight, affording unbeatable views of Palm Jumeirah, World Island and the F1 Grand Prix Circuit. For a thorough overview of Abu Dhabi, opt for a city tour that covers all the main sights and marvel over the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, drive the scenic Corniche coastal road and get a feel for life in a Bedouin encampment at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. Alternatively, discover modern Abu Dhabi on an architecture tour of Masdar City, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island; visit the Falcon hospital or get your adrenaline pumping at the Ferrari World. Finally, for a VIP experience, why not combine an Abu Dhabi City Tour with lunch at the opulent Emirates Palace Hotel?

Dubai has transformed in the last 100 years from a port town to the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, and a center for great shopping, glitz and glamor and high romance. With tall skyscrapers filling the skyline, this is where Tiger Woods famously teed up from the helipad of the tallest hotel in the world – the Burj Al Arab Sailboat Hotel. Make your way over to the Dubai Museum to take in four millennium’s-worth of discoveries. After learning about how Dubai transformed from a small fishing town to the business hub it is today, take an abra across to Deira. This water taxi is a well-used form of transport and will give you a great opportunity to take in the sights of the city as you cruise across the creek. Make the most of the many souqs (markets) in Deira to haggle for anything from a belly dancing uniform to a block of gold! This fantastic tour will give a real taste of what the United Arab Emirates is like outside of Dubai.

Marrakech makes an excellent base for venturing into the rolling dunes, palm groves, beaches and foothills of the Atlas Mountains for some thrilling outdoor adventures. When you think Morocco you probably also think desert, and rightfully so. Camels still serve as a primary mode of transportation here, and a camel trek through the Palmeraie just outside the city is one of the best ways to experience this striking landscape. To contrast old and new, combine camel trekking or horseback riding with some 4WD quad biking as well. You can also take a trip to the mountains, the Atlas Mountains' proximity to Marrakech makes them a perfect day trip destination for adrenaline-seeking travelers. The Atlantic Coast of Morocco is also within day-trip-distance of Marrakech. But you don't even need to leave the city to enjoy the great outdoors. Bicycle, Segway and walking tours are fun, easy and eco-friendly ways to explore the city.

Start your scenic exploration of Dubai on the water. Before you begin, take a moment to imagine the city as the somewhat sleepy fishing port it was 40-odd years ago. Now get out on Dubai Creek, the city’s major waterway, on a customized version of a dhow, a traditional Arab boat, and marvel at the soaring, constantly-changing skyline. Return at night for a dinner cruise to see Dubai’s concrete colossi blazing with light. It was the distinctive shape of dhow sails which inspired one of Dubai’s defining landmarks: Burj al Arab, standing proudly offshore, bills itself as the most luxurious hotel in the world. Whether you fall for the extravagant swirls, royal blues and acres of gold leaf of its interior is a matter of taste, but few could remain unmoved by the incredible views from its summit. The restaurant Al Muntaha (“the highest”) is on the 27th floor, and is one of the best places to get a view of Dubai’s skyline and those extraordinary man-made features.

No trip to Egypt is complete without a visit to the pyramids. The iconic image of the towering Sphinx is one of the most recognizable in the world, and these tours from the capital city will ensure that travelers see these desert wonders up close before heading home. Group travel can be a blast, but sometimes visitors want to explore on their own. A private tour from Cairo lets travelers decide where to spend their time and leaves plenty of room for individualized attention. A professional Egyptologist provides hotel pick up and drop off, and guides tourists through a variety of the most famous landmarks in Egypt, including the famous Giza Pyramids, the iconic Sphinx, Egypt’s ancient capital, the oldest pyramid and the best example of the transition from “step” pyramid to “true” pyramid.

Outdoor adventure can be found all over Cape Town. Whether you're an animal lover or adrenaline junkie, a surfer or a cyclist, you'll certainly find something fun to do during your stay. Take a running, cycling or walking tour of the city to see its most significant sites, including 3,558-foot (1,084-meter) Table Mountain. This towering landmark is a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking. Wildlife enthusiasts have a host of game and nature reserves to choose from in their quest to see Africa's Big Five, while the Big Cat Sanctuary offers insight into the country's feline inhabitants, with a chance to observe lions, Bengal tigers, caracal and leopards. Meanwhile, the Atlantis Dunes, 30 minutes outside of Cape Town, set the scene for two more land-based adventures: quad biking and sandboarding. Cape Town also has plenty of aquatic adventures on the menu, including sea kayaking and surfing.

The Dead Sea is the second saltiest major body of water on earth, and it is this hyper-salinity, which causes swimmers to be super-buoyant within it, that makes it one of Israel’s major attractions. The Dead Sea lies 1,312 feet below sea level and is located about 98 km from Tel Aviv. It is fed by the River Jordan and has no outlets streams, causing its high salinity, which is too extreme for marine life and gives it its morbid name. So what’s there to do in such a salty calm and lifeless body of water? Well, it’s nearly impossible to sink in the Dead Sea, so a popular activity is to have your picture taken while floating on the surface of the water and reading a book. It is also a great place to give yourself a mud bath, as the Dead Sea is one of the world’s richest sources of natural salts. There are plenty of beaches to choose from.

Marrakech can take a bit of getting used to. It’s busy, it’s hot. Get a feel for the place and its rich history by heading into the medina. Visit the beautiful palaces including the 19th century Bahia Palace, intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Wander the maze of narrow streets and try not to be overwhelmed by all the activity in Djemaa el Fna square. Linger here until evening and sample the local foods. If gardens are your thing, or if you just need to see trees rather than people for a while, head out to the Majorelle Gardens, designed by expat French artist Jacques Majorelle. Of course, you must go shopping in the souk! The markets here sell everything you can imagine and it’s as much about performance as trade with haggling raised to an artform. You can buy everything from fruit and vegetables, to spices, clothing, leather, jewelry, furniture, and of course, souvenirs. Marrakech is also about hammams, relaxing and healing through water and massage.

With its futuristic skyscrapers, manmade archipelagos and vast stretches of sandy coastline, Dubai paints a striking picture. The most thrilling way to cover a lot of ground and enjoy sweeping views of these sights is by soaring overhead in a helicopter. Helicopter tours in this city definitely add another dimension to a sightseeing experience, but the aerial views also show off the city'€™s startling contrasts and inspired architecture. Take a 15- or 25-minute helicopter flight over Dubai and you'€™ll get an unbeatable bird's-eye view of landmarks such as the Dubai Marina and the grand Burj Al-Arab hotel. Best of all, you'€™ll fly right over the dramatic Palm Jumeirah and the World Islands archipelago. The two ambitious manmade island projects, one a series arranged in the form of a 17-frond palm tree and the other a collection of islands forming a map of the world, are equally mind-boggling feats of design that are most impressive from above.