Middle East Itineraries

If you only have time for a quick getaway, make sure you can fly directly to your destination, versus tacking on a layover. Israel, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE all offer non-stop flights from the U.S. For Israel, take El Al’s midnight flight from JFK to Tel Aviv, and arrive for dinner the following day. After touring Jaffa, relax on Tel Aviv’s beach before heading to Jerusalem’s Old City. If the security situation permits, spend time retracing Jesus’ steps in Bethlehem.

With two weeks you can tour the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo’s bazaars, and Alexandria’s coast. Take a short flight to Dubai for endless shopping sprees before heading to Salalah for some diving. Afterwards scour Muscat’s souk prior to a 4WD excursion through the endless desert dunes in Qatar. Fly to Tel Aviv from Qatar, via Amman. Spend two days touring the Old City before returning home.