Most people think of traveling to Europe, Australia, or New Zealand for their vacation. Few venture to the Middle East, particularly after hearing tales about the climate and inhospitable living situation. But, today, the latter has emerged as one of the best and luxurious travel destinations, and it has much to offer to tourists. Everyone knows that Dubai is one of the most famous shopping destinations, but there is of course more to Dubai than that. So, which are the countries that fall under the category of Middle East? This region encompasses some portions of Asia and Egypt. It includes the countries of Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Tajikistan, Iraq, Algeria, Western Sahara, Turkey, Morocco, Sudan, Iran, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait. All these countries have much to offer in terms of travel and tourism. Popular Vacation Spots While planning of traveling to Middle East, you should remember that summers are extremely hot and arid, and the winters can be freezing. So, the best time to travel in this region would be during the spring or fall. The temperatures are quite temperate and pleasant; in fact, it is ideal for vacationing there. Here are a few destinations that are ideal places to visit at least once in a lifetime: Morocco One of the best Middle East tourist places is Morocco. This country was traditionally not considered as part of this region. Morocco conjures up images of walled cities, Berber tribesmen small souks, fragrant spices, beautiful glass lamps, camel caravans, Arab sultans, and tall date palms. This country gained independence in 1956, and it has many things to offer to tourists. Some must-see places in Morocco are the High Atlas mountains, the beautiful whitewashed fishing ports of Essaouira and Asalh, the Rif Mountains, the sand dunes of Fez, The Dades Valley, and El Badi Palace. Do not miss the medina of Fès el-Bali, which is the largest living Islamic medieval city in the world. Morocco is also well-known for its great shopping experience. Bazaars in Marrakesh and Casablanca that are crammed with shops carry everything, right from spices, food items, clothes, to jewelry, gold, carpets, and artifacts. Jordan This country boasts of some of the most spectacular ruins, and any traveler who wants to experience them should come to this place. One of the best places to visit in Jordan is the prehistoric Nabatean city of Petra. Other great spots that are a must see on every seasoned traveler's list are the ruined Roman cities, the brook where Jesus was baptized, desert citadels, the fortress where Herod beheaded John the Baptist, the ancient city of Jerash, the mountain top where Moses cast eyes on the Promised Land, and of course, the Dead Sea. Jordan is one of the most culturally rich countries, and if you are a fan of prehistoric and ancient cities and archaeological sites, then you would simply love visiting this place. Istanbul Another popular destination that simply cannot be missed is Istanbul. It is one of the most important cities of Turkey and boasts of many great places to visit. The Old Town, which is mostly the region around Sultanahmet, is a must-visit place in Istanbul. Other places that are some of the best to visit in this city include Sultanahmet Camii (the blue mosque), Hagia Sophia Süleymaniye Mosque, Taksim Square, Basilica Cistern, and the Galata towers. Shopaholics can have a great time buying things in the Grand Bazaar in Kapalicarsi, which has more than 58 streets, with over 4000 shops. You can purchase anything right from clothes, handicrafts, carpets, to jewelry, leather goods, and much more. For the more culture-loving traveler, historic buildings, art galleries, and museums are also plentiful in Istanbul. Some Other Vacation Spots There are many more tourist destinations in the Middle East that are exciting and worth a visit. Some of these include:

• Oman
• Syria
• Cyprus
• Damascus
• Palmyra
• Baalbek
• Dubai
• Muscat
• Egypt
• Ephesus
• Lebanon
• Tunisia
• Persepolis

Thus, this region has a lot to offer to both seasoned travelers, as well as travelers who are seeking new thing. You can find many vacation packages and vacation tours for the same that can be availed at a very low price.