Middle East Travel

First-time visitors to Istanbul need to maintain a common-sense approach to both security and haggling to ensure they'll enjoy the world's most wondrous city.

Dec 3, 2009 - James Heywood

Planning a trip to Egypt? Here's useful information for travelers, including safety, currency, tipping, what to wear, what to buy, Egyptian foods, and helpful phrases.

Dec 2, 2009 - Diane Bair

The sleek shopping malls of Turkey can be reached using the underground metro system and there'll be absolutely no reason to haggle over the price. Ticketed items only.

Dec 2, 2009 - James Heywood

Take breakfast overlooking Rumeli Citadel and the Bosphorus before descending to visit Istanbul's most elegant museum, where an evening meal awaits at Müzedechanga.

Dec 2, 2009 - James Heywood

The museums, galleries and historic sites of Istanbul get ready to put the best foot forward in a program of art and culture. Prepare to be enraptured, Turkish style.

Dec 1, 2009 - James Heywood

The best stroll along the city's waterfront takes in the late-Ottoman Imperial residence, the shopping area of Besiktas, Ciragan Palace and the famous mosque at Ortakoy.

Nov 30, 2009 - James Heywood

With countless boutiques, cafe latte and cosmetic surgery, the visitor may wonder whether this neighbourhood is actually still part of Turkey. Fabulously superficial.

Nov 30, 2009 - James Heywood

Fresh and exciting SantralIstanbul is an art and cultural complex situated just outside the usual tourist-zone of the city. Ideal for mxing art, electricity and pleasure.

Nov 30, 2009 - James Heywood

As Istanbul becomes European Capital of Culture in 2010, the city's principal modern art gallery is celebrating its fifth birthday. After all the history, see the art.

Nov 29, 2009 - James Heywood

Istanbul Arkeoloji Muzeleri displays word-class Turkish, Hellenistic and Roman artefacts, in fascinating collections highlighting the cultural weath of civilisations.

Nov 28, 2009 - James Heywood

The Turkish language doesn't come easy to many, but in half an hour it's possible to master a few key words and phrases to have the essential basics. Buyurun!

Nov 28, 2009 - James Heywood

For first-time visitors to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport, the Havas Shuttle Service or the many taxi cabs are the best way to transfer to hotels and hostels.

Nov 27, 2009 - James Heywood

Istanbul provides tasty and appealing Turkish snacks, fast foods and takeaway all along Istiklal Avenue, where it's possible to eat 24/7. It pays to be adventurous.

Nov 27, 2009 - James Heywood

Too often Istanbul begins to wear out the over-zealous visitor. Yet two often-overlooked places are but a brief stroll from Topkapi Palace and Sultanahmet.

Nov 26, 2009 - James Heywood

Drinking coffee in Turkey majorly influences the nation's psyche and nowhere is this truer than in Istanbul. The history-steeped coffee houses here truly are world class.

Nov 25, 2009 - Luke Waterson

Turkey's famous avenue demands more than a single look. Leb-i derya restaurant offers gobsmacking views and bookshops stock that perfect coffee-table book to take home.

Nov 25, 2009 - James Heywood

Life in Istanbul is nowhere better witnessed than on the major artery that offers great boutiques, theatres, cinemas, cafes, pubs, nightclubs and galleries.

Nov 23, 2009 - James Heywood

For those who prefer a sit-down dining experience to eating on the hop, the best quality selection of the Turkish staple is easily accessible in the heart of Istanbul.

Nov 23, 2009 - James Heywood

A stroll that encompasses the ancient, impregnable walls and watchtowers of Constantinople and a visit to St Saviour that was once, literally, out in the fields.

Nov 22, 2009 - James Heywood

For those in search of pre- and post-dinner beverages in Istanbul, Tunel allows bar-hopping and food all night in a neighbourhood that doesn't go to sleep.

Nov 22, 2009 - James Heywood

Turkey's greatest city offers a great walk near the Golden Horn's old Genoese district, and Istanbul's most panoramic cityscape view is to be found in a rooftop cafe.

Nov 20, 2009 - James Heywood

The sweet-tooth visitor to Istanbul quickly becomes addicted for Turkey's stickiest dessert and confectionery stores. The original, outrageous sugar fix.

Nov 20, 2009 - James Heywood

Just a few minutes from Istanbul's entertainment nightspots, the Cihangir district offers Turkey's finest in cafes, restaurants, antiques, bric-a-brac and people-watching

Nov 20, 2009 - James Heywood

Filling up the laneways between Turkey's Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, a myriad of stalls and shops awaits. Istanbul's atmospheric, teeming crowd at its best.

Nov 20, 2009 - James Heywood

Sleepy, peaceful Burgazada is less than an hour from Turkey's largest city and the ideal location to escape the noise and traffic for a just few hours or a full day trip

Nov 20, 2009 - James Heywood

Whether travelling to Prince's Islands, sightseeing the Bosphorus or just crossing continents, ferries are the best way to navigate Turkey's largest metropolis.

Nov 19, 2009 - James Heywood

Istanbul has many world-class cultural sights but the following four essential Turkish experiences show that the city on the Bosphorus really has something for everyone.

Nov 18, 2009 - Julian Worker

Just a short ferry ride away awaits Turkey's holiest place, Eyup Mosque. Behind lies a hilly Ottoman cemetery, at the peak of which sits the leafy Pierre Loti Cafe.

Nov 18, 2009 - James Heywood

Whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish, the holy sites in Jerusalem, the holy city, are a must-see. For the less religious, Jerusalem has many places to learn and have fun.

Nov 16, 2009 - Joshua Price

Sharjah City, capital of a little known Arabian Gulf emirate, is only a short drive north of Dubai and is now gearing up to offer an alternative holiday experience.

Nov 15, 2009 - Kate Nivison

In 1998 Sharjah, UAE, was named UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World. Each year an increasing range of attractions is enticing more visitors for a Sharjah holiday.

Nov 15, 2009 - Kate Nivison

If you are going to experience a massage in a Turkish bath, it should be in the most famous baths in Istanbul. The attendants know their stuff and are used to tourists.

Nov 11, 2009 - Julian Worker

After a day walking around the Topkapi Palace or rubbing shoulders with hundreds of tourists in the Grand Bazaar, what better way to relax than by having a Turkish Bath?

Nov 4, 2009 - Julian Worker

Whether you prefer spending your vacation indoors or out, there's always an activity - from skiing to fishing and go karting - to keep on the shady side of the summer.

Oct 2, 2009 - Beverley Ann

Near the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls lies Masada Israel. Masada Israel was originally the site of a palace that was built by Herod the Great.

Sep 30, 2009 - Donald Lingle

With a rich history, Tiberias boasts wonderful ancient ruins juxtaposed with modern day attractions. One of the most wondrous places to see is the Sea of Galilee.

Sep 30, 2009 - Lucille Lever

Mutraq Souq, a traditional bazaar, in the Omani capital offers a fresh and relaxing way to buy perfumes and incense and also offers an insight into a different culture

Sep 18, 2009 - Michael Mackey

After visiting the mud packs of the Dead Sea and the ruins of Petra, go shopping in Amman. Amman has many shopping centers and huge mega malls.

Sep 12, 2009 - Barbara Trejo

Grabbing a bucket of popcorn and a huge fountain drink and heading into a movie theater sounds pretty simple. In Turkey, this favorite past time is a little different.

Sep 6, 2009 - Caroline Trent

In travel to Turkey, Istanbul is the logical centre. From Istanbul, Anzac House Tourism runs a well-organised one-day Gallipoli tour to this historic WWI battle site.

Aug 27, 2009 - James Parsons

Sharjah and Ajman are two small parts of United Arab Emirates that are less known but good to visit on a Dubai holiday.

Jul 27, 2009 - Kalpana Rangan

Yemen may have a slightly troublesome reputation, but the archipelago off its south-eastern coastline is as peaceful and alluring a destination as anyone could ask for.

Jul 21, 2009 - Duncan Forgan

Concerns about Mideast security, a lengthy trip, and lack of information deter many potential travelers to Israel. It's time to rethink the pluses and minuses.

Jul 15, 2009 - David Hornestay

A shopper in Dubai can begin the day touring the pyramids of Egypt, spend the afternoon traveling through Arabia and Asia, and end the day with a cafe au lait in Italy.

Jul 6, 2009 - Susan Z. Swan

Dubai's eating scene can be resolutely flashy and over-hyped, but the antithesis to this can be found in some of the city's sublime yet unpretentious Indian restaurants.

Jul 6, 2009 - Duncan Forgan

Visitors to Dubai during a long hot Persian Gulf summer need a break from heat and humidity. Snow skiing, ice skating, and a ice bar are top choices for cooling off.

Jul 5, 2009 - Susan Z. Swan

While traveling through Turkey, a stop at the great Roman city of Hierapolis on the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale hot springs is a must.

Jun 19, 2009 - Michelle MacNeill

Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, Dubai is the ideal tourist destination that offers an interesting combination of Arab charm and western comforts.

Jun 9, 2009 - Kalpana Rangan

How to find souvenirs which are works of art but at the same time useful or make nice gifts without overstretching the holiday budget when visiting Turkey.

Jun 6, 2009 - Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that only seems quite Western. Understanding cultural differences there related to time and its flexibility can make for a better visit.

Jun 4, 2009 - Susan Z. Swan