Africa & Indian Ocean

Dubai, The Pride of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the southern Arabian Gulf. The subtropical climate sees blue skies, temperatures reaching the mid-40s, and little annual rain. The city is all about contemporary shopping with more than 70 shopping malls in the city and indoor entertainment. Read more about Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sir Bani Yas Island lies in the Persian Gulf, 170km W of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. It is a nature-based destination alive with wildlife and adventure activities, and many interesting historical sites. The island is one of eight that make up the Desert Islands in Al Gharbia (Western Region). Read more about Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates

Manama is Arabic for 'sleepy place', but the city is certainly not so. Here is the capital of Arab culture, and the financial hub in the Middle East. The country attracts foreigners and almost one third of the population come from abroad. Read more about Manama, Bahrain

Kuwait City is the capital of the emirate of Kuwait, on the shore of the Persian Gulf. It is a bustling metropolis of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, wide boulevards and well-tended parks and gardens. Kuwait was first settled in the early 18th Century and quickly became a successful and thriving sea port, with its own dhow fleet of about 800 and trading relations to Baghdad and Damascus. Read more about Kuwait City, Kuwait

Doha, in the State of Qatar, is a multicultural city and home to most of the country's population, as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. It lies on a small peninsula (80 km by 190 km) in the Persian Gulf, off the Arabian Peninsula and border with Saudi Arabia. Doha is Qatar's largest city and capital, and is the economic centre of the country. Read more about Doha, Qatar

Doha, in the State of Qatar, is a multicultural city and home to most of the country's population, as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. It lies on a small peninsula (80 km by 190 km) in the Persian Gulf, off the Arabian Peninsula and border with Saudi Arabia. Doha is Qatar's largest city and capital, and is the economic centre of the country. Read more about Doha, Qatar