Middle East Vacations & Travel

What to See

UAE: Dubai is a futuristic-looking city, one of the world’s most popular destinations and home to man-made islands such as stunning Palm Jumeirah, breathtaking beaches and the tallest building on Earth, Burj Khalifa. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and home of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a universal museum in the Arab world, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the Emirates. Al Ain is an inland oasis city and UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “Garden City” due to its abundance of greenery, particularly its palm groves.

Jordan: Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan and also the country’s economic and cultural capital, as well as one of the Arab world’s most westernized cities. Here you will find the Citadel, comprised of a plethora of ancient structures such as the Roman-era Temple of Hercules, the ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine church, and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace; and the Roman Theater, which was built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. Petra is a hand-carved city of stone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. At more than 1,000 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea Region is also home to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, widely regarded as the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist; and Wadi Mujib, an awe-inspiring gorge located in the lowest nature reserve on the planet.

Overview

United Arab Emirates: Dubai is an ultra-modern city and home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa; and Palm Jumeirah, a palm-tree-shaped archipelago of man-made islands. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country, contains the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of Middle East's largest and most beautiful mosques; and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, one of the most unique and visited museums in the Arab world. Jordan: Petra is a hand-carved city of stone, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. At more than 1,000 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, and is dotted with spa and wellness resorts. Jordan's capital, Amman, aka the "City of Seven Hills," is the largest city in the Levant and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

When to Go

The best time to visit the United Arab Emirates is November to April when the temperatures are more pleasant. Keep in mind that in July and August the average temperature soars over 100 degrees and can be quite humid. The best time to visit Jordan is during the spring and the fall when the weather is tolerable. Summers can be scorching and uncomfortable, especially in the desert regions.