Mesmerising  Middle Eastholidays

If you’re trying to decide when is the best time to travel to the Middle East, it’s easy to think that the region is hot year-round. Visit in mid-winter and you can encounter cooler temperatures, rain and even snow in some areas, such as Amman in Jordan, although Egypt usually enjoys winter sun. Visit in midsummer, and temperatures can rise to almost 40°c in Egypt, even higher in Oman and the UAE. The best times to visit are normally between February and April, or September and November. 

The Middle East stretches from the eastern edge of North Africa to the western edge of Central Asia, covering what was once known as Arabia. One of the most commonly visited destination in the Middle East is Jordan, but the area also includes Israel, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Egypt is often counted when considering Middle East package holidays, because of its location and as it can often be combined with Jordan.

Qatar is often considered to be the safest country in the Middle East, with low crime rates and strict laws. Not far behind is Jordan, which has its own reputation for being peaceful in a conflicted region and where the crime rate has been steadily falling in recent years.

Arabic is the official language of most countries in the Middle East but English is often spoken in tourist areas, at least sufficiently to communicate. Younger generations and city dwellers are also more likely to speak some English.

Customs and culture do vary across the many countries making up the Middle East but modesty is particularly important if you’re planning Middle East holidays, both in terms of dress and behaviour. While tourists may have more licence than locals, and attitudes are more relaxed at beach destinations, otherwise you’ll be expected to wear conservative clothing as well as avoiding any overt displays of affection or losing your temper in public. Be cautious about taking photos of people, especially women, unless you’ve been given permission, and if you’re greeting someone or passing items or money to another person, always use your right hand.

When eating out at it is customary to tip anything up to 10-15% of your meal. While we recommend tipping £4-5 per day for local guides and drivers.