The Middle East – a true traveller’s destination

Dubai

Dubai is the entertainment, shopping, sports and culinary capital of the Middle East. Home to some of the world's finest hotel chains and dining options, which include a range of eclectic local and international cuisine, Dubai offers you the world on a platter. Recreational facilities are available in abundance, and the entertainment ranges from traditional celebrations to trendy nightlife options. The numerous shopping malls feature some of the world's best brands, at competitive prices.

Dubai boasts warm, sunny weather all through the year. Add to all this the pristine beaches and the timeless landscapes of the desert, and it is easy to see why Dubai is an exciting year-round destination.

Dubai is one of the Middle East's biggest success stories and has set precedents for the entire region with its vision and diversity. Known in the region as the "City of Merchants", Dubai has welcomed seafarers and traders to its shores for generations. Today, this tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on and has something to offer everyone, from holidaymakers seeking a quiet, relaxing break to adventurous tourists looking for a new, exciting adventure.

Jordan

Today tourists flock to Jordan to see the ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However this is not the only wonder Jordan has to offer - ruined Roman cities, Crusader castles, desert citadels and remarkable biblical scenes, as well as the under-appreciated capital city of Amman.

With a history dating back over two millennia, the country teems with mementos of many races, including walled Canaanite cities, Greek palaces, Muslim shrines, Byzantine churches, the huge Roman city of Jerash and the lost city of Petra, hewn by the Nabataeans from solid rock.

A well-travelled bridge between sea and desert, east and west, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a land of mesmerising beauty and contrasts. Nature in Jordan varies from the stunning desert landscapes of Wadi Rum to the green valley of the Jordan River and the unique, salty beaches of the Dead Sea.

The capital city of Amman spreads across 19 hills, many of which are over 800 metres above sea level. Downtown Amman is located around the King Hussein Mosque, at the lowest level of the city. The big, blue dome of the King Abdullah Mosque and the black-and-white-striped Abu Darwish Mosque are important landmarks of the city.

More spectacular than the capital city of Amman is the ancient Roman city of Jerash. It is remarkably well preserved, compact and easily accessible. The huge hippodrome for 15,000 visitors, the South Theatre with its amazing acoustics, the large Oval Plaza and the colonnaded street, as well as many other sites in Jerash make the city Jordan's major attraction after Petra.

Certainly one of the biggest attractions in the Middle East is the city of Petra. Visitors who walk to the As-Siq in the early hours of the morning, the dramatic, long and narrow gorge to the Treasury, can see the first rays of the sun shine on this marvellous building, giving it the pink colour it is so famous for, during the rest of the day. The Royal Tombs and the Monastery are further attractions in the imposing city and offer great views of the old city centre.

Bahrain

Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic and is thus defined by its relationship with the water. The water is so shallow that inhabitants often reclaim bits of land, filling in the parts underwater with sand bars.

It is popular with westerners for its unique Arab traditions without the strict application of Islamic law upon the non-Muslim minority. Learn all about Islam from the guides at the Al-Fatih Mosque, the largest place of worship in the country, capable of holding up to 7,000 people, and follow it up by a cold beer - yes, alcohol is allowed in Bahrain.

Bahrain has a history dating back 5,000 years, from the ancient Dilum period through the Islamic era. The country offers three forts which have been meticulously restored and opened to the public, though a lack of signs and general promotion by the country's tourist industry sometimes makes finding these sites difficult.

Before the discovery of oil, Bahrian's main source of income was the trade in pearls. The flooding of the market with cultured pearls from Japan in the 1940s saw the end to this industry, which means the oyster bed is now healthy. However the tradition of free-diving for oysters bearing pearls lives on. Travellers take advantage of this unique opportunity, scuba diving to collect oysters, enjoying a delicious meal of their own catch and even taking home a souvenir. If scuba diving is not your thing, the warm waters make Bahrain an ideal spot for sailing and water sports.

How to get there?

Emirates offers daily flights between Malta and Dubai, which is an international hub linking travellers to destinations worldwide, as well as a number of other countries in the Middle East. Flights to Dubai departing from Malta on 2 May and returning on 16 May were priced at €718.60 including tax, at the time printing. Total flying time is 7 hours and 15 minutes.