Middle East Cruises

Summary Doha (population 700,000) is the capital of the State of Qatar, an emirate occupying the small Qatar Peninsula bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and otherwise surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Qatar was ruled by many different powers through the centuries, in fact historians have traced human habitation dating back 5000 years. From its earliest history, Qatar was a very important trade route connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Among its occupiers were the Portuguese, the Ottomans and finally the British during the turbulent years of the 20th century. Qatar gained independence in 1971, and with resources from oil exportation, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad made improvements in social programmes including education, health and housing. In 1995, his son, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed the throne and brought with him a modern and progressive approach that quickly transformed the country. Doha, home to 80 percent of the country’s population, was founded under the name of Al-Bida in 1850. It became the capital of the British protectorate of Qatar in 1916. When the nation gained its independence, Doha remained the capital. During the early 20th century, much of Qatar’s economy depended on fishing and pearling. But after the introduction of Japanese cultured pearls, Doha and the whole region suffered a decline. Only when oil was discovered, prosperity returned following World War II. Today, the country produces over 800,000 barrels of oil daily. Doha is situated halfway down the east coast of the peninsula. It is an intriguing mixture of old and new, with ultra modern architecture next to traditional souqs and historic forts. It boasts a university and the Qatar National Museum (currently closed for renovation), which opened 1975 in what was originally the ruler’s palace. As the country’s cultural and commercial centre, Doha enjoys excellent communications with the outside world through its modern seaport, airport and telephone links. The Al Jazeera Arabic satellite television news channel began broadcasting in 1996 with its headquarters in Doha. While Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken. Please Note: Conservative dress is required when going ashore. As a rule, women should not wear miniskirts, shorts or sleeveless tops and men should always wear a shirt in public. Please do not photograph people without their permission, especially women.You may not take pictures of government buildings, embassies or anything military in nature, including airports.

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'Aqaba is an exciting, multi-faceted city.

It is historic city on the Gulf of 'Aqaba, with mosques, castles and ruins. Mamluk Fort, which dates back to the 1500s, is often called Aqaba Castle, was built during the reign of Qansur Al-Ghuri, was once a military site and is now a popular tourist attraction. THe Shariff Al Hussein Bin Ali Mosque is a stunning mosque, inside and out, and ideal place to visit for anyone interested in Islamic culture. 

'Aqaba is also an idyllic seaside resort in Jordan and playground of the rich and famous, with a lively nightlife scene, long sandy beaches, extravagent resorts and a rich marina full of impressive yachts. 

It has an ancient souk in the centre of the city, which sells spices, artisan crafts and fresh produce.

The city's beachside location means it also offers dive spots, snorkelling and boat rides. 

It is located just two hours' away from Petra and Wadi Rum, so is often the port to reach these major attractions from. 

Summary Madaba is an ancient town in Jordan, southwest of the capital Amman. It’s known for its 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. The Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic eras. Northwest, the biblical hill of Mount Nebo overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

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The lost city of Petra is on many people's bucket lists. Walking through the narrow winding red sandstone rock pathways and coming out at the giant doors of the treasury is an experience of a lifetime. 

The iconic treasury of Petra was carved into the sandstone hill by the Nabataeans in the second century A.D and was originally used as a temple. 

The narrow, now abandoned city, was thriving thousands of years ago. The entire city was carved into the red, pink and white sandstone cliff faces and was the capital of the Nabataean empire and a bustling trade centre between 400 B.C and A.D 106. 

It was 'rediscovered' by a European traveller in the early 1800s and then the world began its fascination with the place once more. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and was named one fo the new seven wonders of the world in 2007. 

Only 15 percent of the city has been uncovered so far, including the Monastery and scrolls from within. 

 

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Wadi Rum is an exciting destination in the desert of Jordan. It offers one of the easiest and safest sights of the desert in the region, and can be visited in a day trip from the port of 'Aqaba. 

Its temperatures are extreme with stiffling summer heat and very cold winters. There are tall siqs (canyons) where rock and sand meet. 

Bedouin tribes live in the area, who understand how the desert works. It is an immense and exciting place to visit to feel the power of nature and being away from the ditractions of civilisation.

Summary Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons with San Francisco. The most striking landmark on the mountainside is the gleaming golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, set amid utterly beautiful garden terraces. The city is the world center for the Baha'i faith, and its members provide informative walking tours of the flower-edged 100-acre spot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of the hill are some small but interesting museums, the larger hotels, and two major universities. At the bottom is the lovingly restored German Colony, a perfect area for strolling.Israel's largest port and third-largest city, Haifa was ruled for four centuries by the Ottomans and gradually spread its tendrils up the mountainside into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East. The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly.You don't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city. In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union.

Summary Busy Ashdod is not only one of Israel's fastest-growing cities, it's also the country's largest port. Perched on the Mediterranean, it processes more than 60% of the goods imported into Israel. Home to many ancient peoples over the centuries, Ashdod today is a modern, planned city. It's also a convenient jumping-off point for exploring several of Israel's most interesting cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Bethlehem.

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Tel Aviv is located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, where it boasts some of the country's best beaches on the six-mile stretch of sand, which is divided into ten beaches. The beaches have varied appeal, offering watersports, relaxed chic beach bars, restaurants, host to summer music festivals, great spots for surfing, playing beach games and watching the sunset from. 

Its architecture is in the styling of the White City area with 1930s Bauhaus buildings.

It has world class museums, including Beit Hatfutsot Museum, which has multimedia exhibits which tell the history of Jewish communities worldwide, and the Eretz Israel Museum, which has exhibits on the country’s archaeology, folklore and crafts. It also has an on-site excavation of 12th-century-B.C. ruins, where visitors can see history come to life. 

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Jerusalem is one of the most interesting cities in Israel, for its religious and general history. The 12 stations of the cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are popular sites.

The Wailing Wall is the most visited and is sacred to millions of people worldwide of multiple faiths. People write and leave their prayers on the wall.

The city has many vibrant souks (markets) with local foods, handmade crafts, clothing, and trinkets.

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The southern Israel port and resort town of Eilat lies on the Red Sea, near to the border with Jordan.

It is known for its beaches, varied water sports and marine life. It is a prestigious centre for windsurfing and kite surfing. Reef  fish and coral are abdundant in Coral Reef and at Dolphin beach, which are excellent snorkelling spots. 

Dolphins are commonly seen close to the shore at Dolphine Beach, hence its name. Eilat is overall a fantastic place to visit for lovers of the beach, snorkelling and seeing marine life.