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Middle East Bed and Breakfast Cheap Hotel Guest House Accommodation
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The gateways to the Middle East have been flung open during recent years, now that a hint of liberalism is beginning to infiltrate the traditionally conservative social norms and mindset of many of the powers that be, to the extent that the potential of the tourist industry has been recognised in such states as the UAE, Bahrain and Jordan. They follow on from countries already well established on the travellers’ itinerary as a result of their unique significance within the religious, cultural and historical development of human civilisation: Israel, Lebanon and Turkey have long been places of pilgrimage for those fascinated by the well-preserved and still venerated holy sites of antiquity, the birthplaces of the three great global Monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Legendary destinations such as Jerusalem, Damascus and Istanbul bear witness to the co-existence of seemingly eternal and truly ancient relics which seem to refute the fickleness and instability of current affairs.
It was during the Middle Ages, or Islamic Golden Age, that this area was first unified as an entire and distinct region under the Arab Caliphates. This followed the emergence of some of the world’s earliest civilisations in the Levant, Persia and Arabian Peninsula, and the Macedonian, Parthian and Sassanid Empires. The modern Middle East began after World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was partitioned into separate nations and when later in 1948, the nation of Israel was established. During its recent history, the Middle East has acquired huge economic significance as a result of its reserves of crude oil, bringing alongside the burden of heightened strategic sensitivity and making it a politically turbulent area, thus deterring some potential visitors who are unable to see beyond the news headlines.
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There are now more opportunities to reach beyond the prejudices of contemporary culture, and be amazed at some of this continent’s natural beauty as well as the extraordinary hospitality and warmth of its people along with its great monuments which have as yet been veiled only by ignorance and indifference. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE, is the world’s tallest hotel, and just one example of the crop of fantastically extravagant towers in a country which can give you an insight into the traditional Bedouin lifestyle as well as exemplify the Middle East’s especially glitzy brand of actually very Western consumerism.
Attractions for visitors range from camel rides under star-filled skies to diving amongst the corals of the Persian Gulf. The Asir National Park in Saudi Arabia encompasses vast tracts of contrasting landscapes, ranging from the Red Sea coast to mountains of 3000m and inland desert. In Israel, you can relax at the beaches of some of the region’s most popular ‘mainstream’ resorts such as Eilat, or follow in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims and head to Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem. There are few experiences to rival the phenomenon of a bathe in the Dead Sea. Iran is a remarkable country which has so much more to offer than its image suggests, including the majestic city of Esfahan, the vibrant youth culture of the capital, Tehran, the ancient romance of Yazd and the ancient sites of Persepolis. Or why not pay a visit to the souk in Tripoli, Lebanon, and witness some of the Phoenician monuments in Tyre. Beirut is widely regarded as the Middle East’s most vibrant capital. And beyond the spectacular lost city of Petra, Jordan’s outstanding historical sites are like a catalogue of Biblical scenes.
Middle East Countries
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