Middle East travel advice
Cultural advice
Danniell Saunders, from our supplier Encounters Travel, shares his Israel travel advice:
“With so many religious sites to visit and an inherently conservative outlook, women should cover up as much as possible, so long sleeve shirts and baggy pants are recommended. Saturday is the Jewish day of rest and it starts at sunset on Friday and finishes at sunset on Saturday. This means shops will be shut and no buses will run. And learn a few words of Hebrew, it helps break the ice.”
“With so many religious sites to visit and an inherently conservative outlook, women should cover up as much as possible, so long sleeve shirts and baggy pants are recommended. Saturday is the Jewish day of rest and it starts at sunset on Friday and finishes at sunset on Saturday. This means shops will be shut and no buses will run. And learn a few words of Hebrew, it helps break the ice.”
Our Middle East Holidays
Family culture & adventure holiday to Egypt
An Egyptian adventure the whole family will remember
From
£1199 to £1449
12 days
ex flights
Tailor made tour of Jordan & Israel
A tour of Jordan & Israel with breathtaking sites & fascinating history
From
£2695
15 days
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Exciting family holiday in Jordan
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Jordan
From
£970 to £990
9 days
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Tailor made tours of Oman
Privately escorted mystical trip of stunning Oman
From
£1850
8 days
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Petra and Wadi Rum by bike, Jordan
Cycling trip through stunning desert scenery
From
£1699 to £1879
9 days
inc UK flights
Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday
Some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world
From
£1559 to £1669
8 days
inc UK flights
Iran holiday
Discover the rich culture and famed hospitality of Iran
From
£3695 to £3795
14 days
ex flights
Iran holiday, private departure
A private, tailor-made tour of historic Iran
From
£2735
9 days
inc UK flights
Jordan and Egypt budget holiday
Adventure through historical landscapes of Jordan & Egypt.
From
£965 to £1095
9 days
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Egypt cultural holiday, small group
Discover Egypt on this amazing 9 day tour
From
£879 to £1149
10 days
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Jordan highlights & camel safari, small group
Taste the real life of Bedouin at Mars on Earth, Wadi Rum!
From
US $1915
10 days
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Egypt Nile and Red Sea Tours
Cairo, Giza, Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise & Red Sea Holiday
From
£935 to £1822
12 days
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Oman small group tour
Ancient spice trails, Wahiba Sands, superb coastal scenery
From
£1799
8 days
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Jordan holiday, a week in Jordan
A week to explore the spectacular sites and scenery of Jordan
From
£1499 to £1849
9 days
inc UK flights
Jordan self drive holiday
Be independent & explore Jordan at your own pace
From
US $1125
10 days
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Iran holiday, Persian Explorer
A 10 day trip to some of Iran's most fascinating highlights
From
£2295 to £2795
9 days
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Jordan holiday on a shoestring
Great value tour covering all Jordan's major sites
From
£499 to £549
6 days
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Nile cruise holiday in Egypt
Discover ancient temples & tombs & travel by Nile cruise boat
From
£1349 to £1749
9 days
inc UK flights
Iran holidays, small group tours
Trace the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
From
£2190 to £2260
11 days
ex flights
Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea
Learn to dive, safely, in the warm waters of the Red Sea.
From
£630
7 days
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Highlights of Jordan, small group tour
The most amazing highlights of Jordan in one go!
From
US $1098
8 days
ex flights
Jordan holiday, small group
Visit Jordan from cities to mystic desert landscapes
From
£850 to £1000
8 days
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Iran cultural holiday
A captivating land dripping with history and culture
From
£2795 to £2995
15 days
ex flights
Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday
Get a true taste of Egypt & the Middle East
From
£1785 to £2099
15 days
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Linda Maguire, from our supplier Undiscovered Destinations, shares her Iran travel advice:
“Iran is surprisingly easygoing. Female visitors in particular must adhere to the dress code but at no time was the atmosphere oppressive or threatening and I was thanked on occasion for respecting the local traditions. The people are very warm and welcoming and seemed genuinely pleased to see visitors in their country. As tourists we were not aware of any political tensions or anti-Western sentiment.”
“Iran is surprisingly easygoing. Female visitors in particular must adhere to the dress code but at no time was the atmosphere oppressive or threatening and I was thanked on occasion for respecting the local traditions. The people are very warm and welcoming and seemed genuinely pleased to see visitors in their country. As tourists we were not aware of any political tensions or anti-Western sentiment.”
Danniell Saunders, from our supplier, Encounters Travel, shares his Egypt travel advice:
“Egypt is Africa, which is important to remember – the people are so calm and relaxed and friendly that not necessarily everything happens to a rigid timetable or as you would expect. Be inquisitive. Don’t be afraid to ask local people questions – if you have a question about Islam or about what it was like to live during the revolution, ask your guide; they’ll tell you. Another thing to bear in mind is that not all of Egypt is Islamic; we have many guides that are Coptic Christians, which opens a whole new avenue for interesting discussion. Don’t be scared to find out information – you won’t get an angry response and it shows that you’re interested. Egyptians won’t shut you down; they’ll let you have a conversation.”
“Egypt is Africa, which is important to remember – the people are so calm and relaxed and friendly that not necessarily everything happens to a rigid timetable or as you would expect. Be inquisitive. Don’t be afraid to ask local people questions – if you have a question about Islam or about what it was like to live during the revolution, ask your guide; they’ll tell you. Another thing to bear in mind is that not all of Egypt is Islamic; we have many guides that are Coptic Christians, which opens a whole new avenue for interesting discussion. Don’t be scared to find out information – you won’t get an angry response and it shows that you’re interested. Egyptians won’t shut you down; they’ll let you have a conversation.”
Marc Leaderman, from our leading Palestine holidays supplier, Wild Frontiers:
“Having led tours in over 50 countries, my trip to Palestine was amongst the most rewarding and insightful I’ve ever had. It offered an incredible diversity of scenery and historical wonders over such a small area, and more importantly a window into the rich cultural heritage of a people whose voice is all too often associated with conflict and suffering rather than warmth and hospitality. Come with an open mind and you’ll be sure never to view the Middle East the same way again. I would certainly suggest reading up on the Israeli-Palestinian situation (ideally from both sides) although it can be quite challenging to find balanced sources. Good films include ‘The Lemon Tree’ and ‘Five Broken Cameras.”
“Having led tours in over 50 countries, my trip to Palestine was amongst the most rewarding and insightful I’ve ever had. It offered an incredible diversity of scenery and historical wonders over such a small area, and more importantly a window into the rich cultural heritage of a people whose voice is all too often associated with conflict and suffering rather than warmth and hospitality. Come with an open mind and you’ll be sure never to view the Middle East the same way again. I would certainly suggest reading up on the Israeli-Palestinian situation (ideally from both sides) although it can be quite challenging to find balanced sources. Good films include ‘The Lemon Tree’ and ‘Five Broken Cameras.”
Itinerary tips
Anthony Horrobin from our supplier, Encounters Travel, offers tips on where to go in Israel:
“If you have time whilst in Tel Aviv definitely walk along the promenade to the small town of Jaffa, perched on a headland close to central Tel Aviv. The walk might take around an hour (maybe a bit less) but the contrast to Tel Aviv is immense. There’s also a small (but high-tech) underground museum in Jaffa and a great fish market to have a wander around.”
“If you have time whilst in Tel Aviv definitely walk along the promenade to the small town of Jaffa, perched on a headland close to central Tel Aviv. The walk might take around an hour (maybe a bit less) but the contrast to Tel Aviv is immense. There’s also a small (but high-tech) underground museum in Jaffa and a great fish market to have a wander around.”
Liz Pepperell, Managing Director of our supplier Odyssey World, discusses Oman:
“Oman is such a special place but is sometimes perceived as being a five star beach holiday only, with people not being aware of what the country has to offer. I really advise people to look beyond the sun and sand as there is so much more to the country than this. In the fjords in the North you can see dolphins and whales, and the region is ideal for scuba diving.”
“Oman is such a special place but is sometimes perceived as being a five star beach holiday only, with people not being aware of what the country has to offer. I really advise people to look beyond the sun and sand as there is so much more to the country than this. In the fjords in the North you can see dolphins and whales, and the region is ideal for scuba diving.”
Andrew Appleyard from our supplier Exodus:
“My favourite place in Palestine is actually Jericho, probably because it is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the entire world, dating back to about 5000 BC. And it is an amazing old site. It is also one of the places where Israelis and Palestinians get on incredibly well and no one interferes with any of them. But Jericho is a fab town, and there are great restaurants there too. It really is an amazing place.”
“My favourite place in Palestine is actually Jericho, probably because it is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the entire world, dating back to about 5000 BC. And it is an amazing old site. It is also one of the places where Israelis and Palestinians get on incredibly well and no one interferes with any of them. But Jericho is a fab town, and there are great restaurants there too. It really is an amazing place.”
Food tips
Marianne Grimshaw, from our supplier Wild Frontiers:
“Iranian food is generally very good – though I’m vegetarian and in the smaller places it’s always a bit of an issue. Sometimes we were on the road and we’d stop at little truckers’ cafes and I’d just eat rice and salad. In the towns and cities they are big on rice dishes and there are lots of aubergine and vegetable stews, chickpeas… there are a lot of kebabs. There are some nice delicate flavours using the spices. They’re big on their saffron as well.”
“Iranian food is generally very good – though I’m vegetarian and in the smaller places it’s always a bit of an issue. Sometimes we were on the road and we’d stop at little truckers’ cafes and I’d just eat rice and salad. In the towns and cities they are big on rice dishes and there are lots of aubergine and vegetable stews, chickpeas… there are a lot of kebabs. There are some nice delicate flavours using the spices. They’re big on their saffron as well.”
Thidara Udomritkul, from our supplier Exodus:
“If you do find yourself in Jordan’s Wadi Rum, try a dinner cooked in a zarb. It is a traditional Bedouin cooking practice using an underground oven with layer upon layer of baked potatoes, seasoned vegetables and slow cooked meats. The food is buried and placed upon a bed of hot coals, with the sand sealing in the heat.”
“If you do find yourself in Jordan’s Wadi Rum, try a dinner cooked in a zarb. It is a traditional Bedouin cooking practice using an underground oven with layer upon layer of baked potatoes, seasoned vegetables and slow cooked meats. The food is buried and placed upon a bed of hot coals, with the sand sealing in the heat.”
Danniell Saunders, from our supplier, Encounters Travel:
“There are a couple of things that I think people should definitely try when they visit Egypt, but they are often a bit scared to. The first one is shisha – which was originally invented in India – ask your guide to explain what it is and give it a go. Definitely try local foods and snacks too. I always recommend that people try kushari, which is a pasta and lentil based dish that’s virtually free it’s so cheap. You get a bowl with rice, lentils and pasta in it and then they give you chili oil, garlic sauce, béchamel sauce, tomatoes – whatever you prefer flavour-wise and then you just mix it all up and eat it. It’s delicious, filling and very nutritious.”
“There are a couple of things that I think people should definitely try when they visit Egypt, but they are often a bit scared to. The first one is shisha – which was originally invented in India – ask your guide to explain what it is and give it a go. Definitely try local foods and snacks too. I always recommend that people try kushari, which is a pasta and lentil based dish that’s virtually free it’s so cheap. You get a bowl with rice, lentils and pasta in it and then they give you chili oil, garlic sauce, béchamel sauce, tomatoes – whatever you prefer flavour-wise and then you just mix it all up and eat it. It’s delicious, filling and very nutritious.”
Accessible tourism
Ahmed Fayez, from our supplier Memphis Tours in Egypt and expert in accessible tourism:
“Many tours are accessible these days in Egypt. Boat trips are adapted to disabled passengers with assistance always available. Even the ancient sites in Egypt are now accessible to wheelchairs and walking with just a few limitations at certain sites. The Red Sea resorts also offer a range of activities which disabled clients can also be involved in with diving and snorkelling. Accessible tourism is much higher in demand these days due to disabled people being more adventurous in travelling, so adapting to suit their needs has become commonplace. Standards have improved greatly over the last 10 years.”
“Many tours are accessible these days in Egypt. Boat trips are adapted to disabled passengers with assistance always available. Even the ancient sites in Egypt are now accessible to wheelchairs and walking with just a few limitations at certain sites. The Red Sea resorts also offer a range of activities which disabled clients can also be involved in with diving and snorkelling. Accessible tourism is much higher in demand these days due to disabled people being more adventurous in travelling, so adapting to suit their needs has become commonplace. Standards have improved greatly over the last 10 years.”
Health & safety in the Middle East
HEALTH
SAFETY
Our top Middle East Holiday
Petra and Wadi Rum by bike, Jordan
Cycling trip through stunning desert scenery
From
£1699 to £1879
9 days
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Small group travel:
2019: 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec
2020: 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 16 May, 23 May, 13 Jun, 5 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
2019: 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec
2020: 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 16 May, 23 May, 13 Jun, 5 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Middle East or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Middle East tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Middle East travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Middle East travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Have really warm clothes if you sleep at 8 thousand feet at Jebel Shams, in the morning it was 4 degrees and I had to sleep in gloves! You can’t have bare shoulders out in public.
– Frances Hastings in Oman
"Take warm clothes for the night in the desert and the meal outside as it gets really cold at night in April. Loose long sleeved tops are best for daytime. I wore sleeveless tops but I did get looks - from men and women! There is not much to see in Amman but we did spend an extra day there at the end of the holiday and really enjoyed going to the Mosques and the Dukes Diwan, the oldest house in Amman."
– Lesley Wallace in Jordan
"Dress is more liberal than you might expect. Hair covering is compulsory but hair can show, and a woolly hat or turban covering a reasonable amount of hair is fine. Tight trousers are fine if worn with a top that covers your bottom - mid-thigh length tunics are ideal. Take wet wipes for toilets." – Julia Turkinson, travelling in Iran
“Just be aware of the FO advice for travelling to this area and then, as we did, notice that the experience is pretty much the opposite of what you're supposed to expect . . you think you'll have to be somewhat wary / on edge of potential problems and then find nothing other than a wonderfully friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”– Nigel Lamb, diving in the Red Sea
– Lesley Wallace in Jordan
"Dress is more liberal than you might expect. Hair covering is compulsory but hair can show, and a woolly hat or turban covering a reasonable amount of hair is fine. Tight trousers are fine if worn with a top that covers your bottom - mid-thigh length tunics are ideal. Take wet wipes for toilets." – Julia Turkinson, travelling in Iran
“Just be aware of the FO advice for travelling to this area and then, as we did, notice that the experience is pretty much the opposite of what you're supposed to expect . . you think you'll have to be somewhat wary / on edge of potential problems and then find nothing other than a wonderfully friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”– Nigel Lamb, diving in the Red Sea
Do go! Jordan is a very friendly and safe country with amazing things to see and do. Support them so they can continue to welcome Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
– Julia Pallant
More about Middle East
We’ve done the research for you so you can choose the best time to visit the Middle East according to your personal preferences.
The Middle East will confound your expectations and take you to a world far away from bad news headlines and Western stereotypes.
Deciding where to go in the Middle East can be difficult, but our highlights and interactive map should help you make up your mind.
Find out why the Middle East is about so much more than ancient ruins as you read our run down of the region's best activities.
This dynamic region is a fantastic place for adventurous families with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
Other than a few flashpoints the region is safe to visit, especially if you head here with a knowledgeable operator.
Our guide to safety in Egypt explains the current situation, with useful advice from the FCO as well as our own operators.
We highlight some of the issues affecting the region and include tips to make sure that your travels have a positive impact.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Marc Veraart] [Dome of the Rock: upyernoz]
[Jaffa Gate: Jorge Láscar]
[Food tips: Matthe Carson]
[Shisha: Filip Maljkovic]
[The Nile: Dan Lundberg]
[Jebel Shams: Marco Zanferrari]
[Petra: Andrew Kippen]
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