Mid East & South East Asian Destinations

Did you know that Istanbul is situated on two continents: Asia and Europe? While it is not considered Turkey's capital it is their largest city.  Istanbul was originally the capital of their three empires, Roman, Latin and Ottoman. Istanbul's original name was Constantinople, but was changed in 1930.  In an effort to get people on board with the new name the post office refused to deliver mail with the name Constantinople.

Dubai was a fishing village where only 13 cars were registered here in 1968! At that time petrol (gas) and water cost roughly the same. Today fuel is only slightly more expensive than water! When the Dubai metro opened in 2009 it was the longest automated rail network in the world. The largest manmade island, Palm Jumeirah can be seen from space.

Tel Aviv is a coastal city in Israel, founded in 1909. Tel Aviv is not only the cultural hotspot in Israel it is considered the party city. Thursday nights draw the biggest crowds for parties. They have more museums per capita than anywhere else in the world. It is one of if not the most expensive city to live in the world.

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Christians Muslims and Jews have their roots in Jerusalem. It is Israel's largest City. Mount Olives is the oldest active

burial site in the world.  The city of Jerusalem is fully walled; it has many museums, art, science and history. For a city that's located in the 

desert area it's surprising that it has 1500 parks and gardens.

Jordan is a small country 34,000 square miles,  you can fit it into Texas 8 times! Most of the people live in the capital Amman, which is 

densely populated. You can walk across Jordan; it will only take 40 days. Oh by the way, unlike its neighbors Jordan has no oil!

Jordan is home to the Dead Sea, it is so salty you float when you enter this body of water. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, it is way

Qatar is the second flattest country in the world only the Maldives is flatter. Hamad, Qatar's airport is considered the best in the world and has the longest runway in Western Asia. Qatar Airways is considered the best airline in the world and is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents. Khorl Al Adad is very special since here the desert meets the sea, this you will not find

anywhere else in the world!

The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, the richest city in the world has their own Leaning Tower of Pisa named the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, its lean is more than the one in Italy. Abu Dhabi is the world's first zero carbon waste car free city. It is one of the safest cities in the world. Public transportation is great most bus stops have air conditioning seats and floor to ceiling glass panes. Abu Dhabi has its share of skyscrapers. 

Cairo, the capital city of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world is home to one of the original wonders of the world that still stands, The Grand Pyramid of Giza. Cairo which is on the African continent also is considered Middle Eastern. It has one of the densest population in the world, and Islamism the dominant religion. Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Alexandria is the largest seaport in Egypt welcoming many tourists. Alexandria has the oldest tram

system in Africa, one of the oldest in the world. Alexandria is the largest port in the country and has

a total of four harbors. Due to so many major battles in the city very little of old Alexandria is left. 

Marrakech is not the capital, largest or oldest city in Morocco, but it is the most interesting. It is Morocco's cultural capital. Marrakech is north of Africa's highest peak in the Atlas Mountains. Marrakech has served as a setting for many Hollywood productions.

The three main languages spoken in Marrakech, Arabic, French and Amazigh. Marrakech is famous for its souks (markets). The Hammam is a public bathhouse in a Moroccan institution; you'll find one in every neighborhood in Marrakech.