Middle East

The UAE's capital offers remarkable cultural institutions, luxurious island resorts, Formula 1 and easy access to the desert.

Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Saadiyat Island with cultural experiences and a desert stay.

Dubai brings together extraordinary hotels, restaurants, shopping, beaches and an almost limitless range of entertainment and experiences.

Velvet Hippo recommends: Choose your hotel by neighbourhood and purpose — beach, downtown and desert experiences can feel completely different.

Israel combines ancient historical and religious sites with Mediterranean coastline, extraordinary food and the contemporary energy of Tel Aviv.

Best time: Traditionally spring and autumn for comfortable sightseeing.
Perfect for: History, culture, food and religious heritage.
Interesting fact: The shores of the Dead Sea sit at the lowest exposed land elevation on Earth.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Build any itinerary around current travel guidance and conditions at the time of booking.

Jordan contains several of the region's most extraordinary landscapes and archaeological sites, from Petra to Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.

Best time: March–May and September–November.
Perfect for: History, adventure, families and desert experiences.
Interesting fact: Petra was carved and constructed by the Nabataeans more than two thousand years ago.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Petra with an overnight luxury camp in Wadi Rum.

Oman provides a quieter and more traditional Gulf experience, combining Muscat with mountains, desert, wadis and a spectacular coastline.

Best time: October–April.
Perfect for: Couples, culture, adventure and winter sunshine.
Interesting fact: Oman was central to the ancient frankincense trade.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Combine Muscat with the mountains and desert rather than staying exclusively on the coast.

Doha combines striking contemporary architecture, impressive museums, beaches and desert experiences within a compact destination.

Best time: November–March.
Perfect for: Stopovers, winter sun, art, food and events.
Interesting fact: Qatar occupies a peninsula extending into the Arabian Gulf.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Use Doha for a luxurious few-night stopover rather than simply passing through its airport.

Ras Al Khaimah offers a more relaxed alternative, with beach resorts, desert landscapes and the dramatic Hajar Mountains.

Interesting fact: Jebel Jais is the highest mountain in the UAE.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Ideal as a quieter extension to Dubai.

Saudi Arabia is opening extraordinary landscapes and heritage sites to international travellers, with AlUla among its most compelling destinations alongside the Red Sea and major cities.

Best time: October–March for many areas.
Perfect for: Culture, archaeology, adventure and pioneering travel.
Interesting fact: Hegra at AlUla became Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Velvet Hippo recommends: Make AlUla the centrepiece of a first journey.

The UAE combines dramatic modern cities, desert landscapes, exceptional hotels and year-round luxury infrastructure across seven distinct emirates.

Best time: November–March.
Perfect for: Families, luxury hotels, shopping, beaches, stopovers and winter sun.
Interesting fact: The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates.