16 Days Gulf Heritage and Modern Marvels

About the destination: Manama, located on the northeastern corner of the island, is the capital and largest city of Bahrain. Manama is a modern, fast moving city with high-rise buildings and a real authentic flair. Although the city is following the trend of the Gulf, the construction of skyscrapers, Manama has preserved a lot of its original atmosphere. Bahrain’s capital is an intriguing mix of old and new, excavated tombs from four thousand years ago lie a few short miles from modern skyscrapers. Manama Souq, full of multi-colored spices and exotic fruits, glittering jewels and luxurious silks, coexist with ultra-modern shopping complexes and top-notch restaurants and quiet coffee shops contrast with the best nightlife scene of the region. Manama has some interesting sites to see, including Al Fateh Mosque, Bahrain Fort, Bahrain National Museum, Barbar Temple, Corniche al-Fateh and the Museum of Pearl Diving, considered one of the most important historic buildings in Bahrain.

About the destination: Riyadh is the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia with population at about 5 million. The city has a rapidly growing center where you will find new high raise buildings, international restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, modern offices and many more. Although being a major a business destination, it has maintained a balance between culture, tradition and economic growth. The historical core of Riyadh, Al-Murabba, has some interesting sites worth visiting such as the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre, home to the National Museum and the Murabba Palace. The center of Riyadh, Al-Bathaa , is the oldest part of the city. Al Bathaa is home to the bus station, post office and Batha souk. Faisaliya Tower is one of the two iconic towers of the city of Riyadh. It contains a variety of attractions, including a viewing platform, a small photography gallery and a café known as the Top. Riyadh is a luxurious and prosperous city in the heart of the Arabic world. The city’s unique urban landscape makes it a true modern wonder.

About the destination: Kuwait City is the capital of Kuwait. Kuwait City is developing fast, there are skyscrapers built with interesting and unique architectures everywhere. Kuwait City has become a busy place with investments in hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, wide boulevards and beautiful parks and gardens The Kuwait Towers, a set of three towers looking out onto the Persian Gulf, are the main landmark of the city. Visit them at dusk to get day and night views and some great photos of the city. The Grand Mosque is the national pride of Kuwait and the largest place of worship in the country. The National Museum houses some ancient relics of Kuwait’s history. The Al Qurain Museum is also worth a visit. To soak up the city’s atmosphere, visit the the Souq area. Luxurious and lavish, Kuwait City is filled with modern shopping complexes, marinas, luxurious beach resorts and extravagant accommodations, as well as top-notch restaurants. This is what modern Kuwait City is about.

About the destination: Doha is the capital of Qatar. Qatar's capital is developing into a big metropolis and it is becoming a major business center. Doha is a delightful mix of traditional and modern Arab life. The city skyline still under construction, is very unique and are quite fascinating to look at. Each building is very distinct and yet doesn't seem to leave the Arabian feel too far behind. Life in Doha revolves along the Corniche, the long seaside promenade along Doha Bay, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the pretty views of Palm Tree Island and the city's skyscrapers. The north contains most of the historic sites, including Umm Salal Mohammed, a relatively large village dominated by the ruins of a 19th-century fort. Particularly interesting are the Grand Mosque with its many domes and the Abu Bakir al-Siddiq Mosque. On the west coast there are fine beaches at Umm Bab, Dukhan and Salwah near the Saudi border. The south is a region of sand dunes and beaches, offering opportunities to go pearl hunting, or to practice a variety of watersports. If you should tire of city life, the rest of Qatar is virtually on the doorstep, offering some splendid scenery and interesting historical attractions to those with a taste for adventure.

About the destination: Dubai is the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is a hive of activity and a cosmopolitan and modern city. The city of Dubai is split by a creek, with Deira on one side and Bur Dubai, the historical district, on the other. The luxury beach hotels are situated on the outskirts of the busy city center, in the area of Jumeirah. Dubai already exhibits some stunning architecture and it has the only 7-star hotel in the world, the highest building in the world, amazing beaches and luxury shopping centers. The Bastakiya Quarter, in the core of Dubai’s Old Town, is still traditional and evocative of Dubai’s past. Here you’ll find traditional Emirati houses, bustling souks, museums, galleries, and the only remaining piece of the old Dubai city wall. Another major attraction in Dubai is the Jumeirah Mosque, that although outside the Old Town, it is a wonderful example of traditional Islamic architecture. Dubai is forward-looking city in constant development yet it has managed to retain its traditions and culture. So it's fair to say that Dubai is one of the most exciting places in the world.