Middle East Things to Do Tips by JohnniOmani Top 5 Page for this destination

My Ultimate Top 10 List

The Middle East has some of the most spectacular cities and sights on the planet. Some cities have charming old quarters while others have exciting old bazaars and souqs. The cities themselves have a lot of charisma and most travellers find some of the old Arabian cities completely different than anything they have ever seen before. After visiting most of the major centers and sights Ive chosen 'my favorite' top ten experiences in the Middle East and they are not in particular order. (Some may be re peated from the previous list)

1. Old City in Sana'a Yemen (most incredible city Ive ever seen or experienced)

2. Petra Jordan (hard to put into words)

3. Damascus Syria (the old quarter is something out of a storybook)

4. Beirut Lebanon (so much style yet so much history)

5. Esfahan Iran (I could wander around that city for days upon days and not get bored)

6. Yazd Iran (a special old city made out of clay and mud that dazzled me for days)

7. Shaharah Yemen (one of the most memorable rides of my life)

8. The corniche in Muscat Oman (I love the place)

9. The Empty Quarter running from Oman to Yemen (amazing scenery) and 9 ties with Jebel Shams, Wadi Shab and the Wahiba Sands in Oman ( I could never choose from them)

10. Palmyra Syria (unlike anything most travellers have ever seen)

The Ultimate (man made) Highlight List

After backpacking the Middle East for the past three years, Ive come up with a list excluding Israel (due to the stamp issue and my job) that highlights the spectacular things (man made structures) to see while you are in the Middle East. There is a lot of debate among people about what is the best etc and it is a very challenging to 'categorize' the best of the Middle East but in my opinion here they are and in no particular order:

Petra Jordan
Giza, Karnak Temple and Abu Simbel in Egypt
Palmyra Syria
Roman Theatre in Bosra Syria
Baalbek Temple in Lebanon
Imam Mosque in Esfahan Iran
Crack des Chevaliers in Syria
Shaharah Bridge in Yemen
Ephesus Turkey