SPONSORED BY
ULTIMATE DESTINATION GUIDE
Middle East
Whether it’s hours of world-class shopping, neck-aching skyscrapers or atmospheric villages and bazaars, this part of the world is primed to delight all who visit
arrow_outwardAbout
Straddling both the ancient and modern worlds, islands like Bahrain allow guests to witness history dating back 5,000 years before admiring the skyscrapers marvelled across the world.
Adventure lovers can explore the island of Sir Bani Yas and its wildlife park, or stop off in Dubai where the shopping centres are in fact a unique holiday destination in their own right.
Qatar Tourism's Craig Upshall says: “Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the Middle East, with 80% of the earth’s population within a six-hour flight.
"Qatar has an incredible variety of easily accessible tourist attractions, a plethora of fauna and flora including whale sharks and the majestic national animal the Arabian Oryx, and most experiences are a unique combination of cultural authenticity and modernity."
Salalah
The capital of Oman’s southern Dhofar region is a beautiful oasis set among sand dunes and beaches fringed with coconut trees and banana plantations.
Egypt
Some cruises navigate the Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Sailings can be twinned with a land-stay in Egypt where clients can immerse themselves in ancient history with a trip to the pyramids in Cairo or chill out at one of the coastal resorts.
Desert getaway
Escape from the bright city lights with an overnight stay or a night or more in the desert surrounding Dubai. Accommodation ranges from luxurious low-rise resorts decorated in traditional style to camping under the stars in a Bedouin tent. By day guests can embark on camel treks and birdwatching tours.
Don't miss this excursion
Explore the undulating desert and sand dunes with a thrilling desert safari in Dubai. A range of tours are on offer from dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles, quad bike rides, sandboarding and more genteel camel treks. Some tours also include a sunset barbecue with music and belly dancing.
arrow_outwardDestinations
Transport
Direct flights cut down on travelling time, ensuring that these destinations are more accessible than many think
Climate
Exotic destinations with guaranteed sun are sure to be a hit with sun seekers
Hotel stays
World-class hotels for luxe-loving clients that want to extend their stay provide added value – be sure to remind clients of pre and post options
arrow_outwardRelated News
MSC Cruises will add two further World class ships to its fleet at a cost of €3.5 billion, due to be delivered in 2030 and 2031 respectively The line will continue to work with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, which...
Crystal has revealed the name of its first new build ocean cruise ship in 25 years and under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) Scheduled for delivery in May 2028, Crystal Grace will embark on its inaugural...
In the first instalment of our new analysis series with our sister title World of Cruising, Raphael Giacardi looks at how consumers are shifting their focus from last-minute escapes to forward planning Every month, up to 180,000 people visit our...
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has expanded its UK sales team with the appointment of Karen Hollands to the newly-created role of expedition sales and concierge specialist Hollands, who joined the line last month, has a background in the travel and expedition...
The 11th annual Wave Awards ceremony is fast approaching, and with only a few tickets remaining, act now and secure your spot Taking place on 26 November at the stunning Dorchester Hotel on London's iconic Park Lane, the event by...
CTN October / November 2025
The adage that “age is just a number”rings truer today than it ever has. One of the key messages from our fourth annual Cruise Summit was that by 2030, the UK will have 1.3 million more retirees and, with inheritance…