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Middle East Travel Blogs

Map of Middle East

Most Western definitions of the "Middle East" define the region as "nations in Southwest Asia, from Iran to Egypt". However, North African nations without Asian links, such as Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco, are increasingly being called North African — as opposed to Middle Eastern. On TravelBlog, we use a slightly narrower definition for The Middle East - the area stretching from the Bosphorus (Turkey) to Afghanistan, and the Red Sea.

In the Western world, the Middle East is generally thought of as a predominantly Islamic Arabic community defined by frequent war and upheaval. Yet the area encompasses many distinct cultural and ethnic groups, and seven main languages. As a result it holds some of the most diverse and vibrant population centers.

Highlights

• Jerusalem
• Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
• Beirut
• The Persian capital of Esfahan

Middle East

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By Steamy
November 29th 2009

Cyprus November 2009 Middle East » Cyprus » Paphos

Pegeia
Our new home

Well, it’s been a couple of months since I have blogged, so I am trying to think of what needs mentioning to update everyone. I suppose one of the key things to mention, is the continuing wonderful weather. There has been the odd spell of cooler times and we have seen some rain, but the average daytime temperature at the moment is about 22°C. Sitting in direct sunlight on the patio the temperature gets up to about 35°C. So we are still wearing shorts and T-shirts in the day time. The evenings are cooler and if you go out at night [View Full Entry]

By loxim
November 26th 2009

Day 1: Istanbul Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul

Sea of Marmaris

Finally in Turkey, the flight was fine. Turkish Airlines with the compulsory delay and the blunt staff. My seat wouldn't stay upright so I had to hold onto the chair infront and sort of lean in the crash position when we were taking off. This time the flight was delayed for only 20 minutes so I can't complain, yipee!!!. I don't know if it was the faulty chair but by the time I got to Istanbul by back was aching and I was starving (they forgot my vegetarian meal). My first impressions of Istanbul, just another Barcelona or Lisbon with a [View Full Entry]

By crumblybum21
November 25th 2009

The low point of the bell curve gets a boost Middle East » Jordan » North » Amman

PB210098

Well, I think I've broken my personal record for length of time between blog posts. It's been a bit rough lately in terms of my tolerance for the annoying little things that happen every day, although it is getting better with the idea of a short break for Eid al-Adha, the feast that celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God. We actually watched a video of the Quranic story today in Media class. Muslims believe it was Isma'il that was almost sacrificed, not Isaac. At this point, thou [View Full Entry]

By CharlieWood
November 21st 2009

Not a Birthright, an Obligation Middle East » Israel » West Bank

NOT A BIRTHRIGHT, AN OBLIGATION CHARLIE WOOD It is quite proper to resist and attack a system, but to resist and attack its author is tantamount to resisting and attacking oneself. M.K. Ghandi Six-months after leaving the Middle East nightmares keep my memories fresh. Growing up religion served as a supportive community and moral compass in a world that many times seems to be spinning in all directions. This is one part of the story of my own experience growing up in a Jewish community, visiting Israel and Palestine, and that ever present moral compass. My first memories of Judaism c [View Full Entry]

By davidt
November 19th 2009

Istanbul and the Cruise Start Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul

Wet arrival in Istanbul

Onward to Istanbul and the Cruise. Our overnight bus journey to Istanbul was relatively uneventful with several stops at roadside service centres catering to the Bus trade, The highways in Turkey are modern and there are of toll roads as we approached Ankara and later Istanbul. From Goreme there were 9 Buses leaving within a 1 hour time frame and much to my surprise most were full. This is the very end of the tourist season. Ticket prices varied from 30 TLY to 45 TLY. We chose one that promised hot and cold drinks on the journey, a new coach and [View Full Entry]

By Renzington
November 19th 2009

"Our Country is Modern Islam" Middle East » Turkey

Blue Mosque

If I was to wake one morning forgetting just what country I had found myself in that day, all I'd need do is listen to the discernable clues drifting on through the window to help decipher that conundrum. In Romania it was the trotting of the horse and cart as it cumbersomely made its way down the road, in Holland it was the quiet but distinguishable turning of the many bicycle pedals as their passengers whistled their way by and in Turkey- it was the slow reaching cry, of the muslim call to prayer. Arriving in Istanbul, I was more then [View Full Entry]

By Kirgor
November 18th 2009

Israeli music Middle East » Israel » Haifa District

I'm still studying alot, studying hard, every day. Next week I have a midterm and today I had a presentation. My presentation was about my travels to Tanzania and what I did there and it went very well:) I've also started printing out lyrics and practicing singing some hebrew songs. My favourite artist so far is Idan Raichel, his music is beautiful and the lyrics are not to difficult. [View Full Entry]

By nickkembel
November 16th 2009

The Real Iran Middle East

Eyes of Iran

In the Islamic tradition, guests are considered a gift from God, and must be treated accordingly. This might sound like yet another religion-based principle that sounds good on paper, but in the country of Iran, belief in this regard is put into practice. In the two weeks that I spent traveling across the nation, I was faced with daily examples of warmth and generosity to a degree that I have never encountered anywhere else in the world. Iranian people are desperately hospitable; at least that is the impression that is left on the visitor, as you are practically fending off near [View Full Entry]

Sandra (a Swiss Iranian friend) playing a traditional Iranian instrument

By davidt
November 15th 2009

Palmyra - Syria Middle East » Syria » East » Palmyra

Palmyra

Palmyra - Time now for some Roman ruins and a history lesson. After leaving our desert camp in Wadi Rum we drove further North into Syria until we arrived at the ruins of Palmyra which is also the name of the adjacent town. Palmyra dates to before the 1st century BC with many of the ruins and monuments having been built during the reign of the Nabateans and eventually the Romans invaded and conquered the area and built what must have been a magnificent outpost of the Roman Empire. We spent the afternoon wandering the site and eventually made our way [View Full Entry]

By turkishraf
November 15th 2009

TK 020. A journey to Peking, Via Istanbul of course. Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul

The journey began from this house in Milton

A journey in the making. Milton Massachusetts to the People's Republic of china. Via Istanbul. I really don’t know where to start on this. It all started in Wales. My wife Cisca was in Hospital having her appendix out. I was at a bit of a loose end, and so wandered down to a friend’s house to watch some TV. BBC2 were doing a program on the origins of the Chinaman. They went down to Guilin and up to Peking and proved that the Chinese, are, like everyone else, descended from Africans. What caught my attention, was not the genealogy of [View Full Entry]

The Aya Sophia Museum, as snapped while walking down the road.

Travel Blog » Middle East