Middle East holidays

Petra, pyramids and ancient Persia make Middle East holidays a feast for the mind as well as the soul. Educate yourself through first-hand experiences, from Egypt and Oman to Iran and Jordan. And if you’re longing to include a dusty desert adventure or Islamic artistry in your next itinerary, organised tours hold the key to the kingdom.

461 Middle East holiday reviews

Nile cruise holiday in Egypt
From
£2,449
including UK flights
5 stars (more)richard jeffery
Brilliant. And all credit to our guide Ahmed D. (more)Katie Gray
Very good and comprehensive. (more)Frances Stokes
Jordan holiday, a week in Jordan
From
£2,149
including UK flights
Be prepared to walk 10 miles around Petra if you want to explore all parts of it, very well worth it over a whole day. (more)SARAH BAKER
Two days exploring Petra, meeting Bedouins living there in caves. Camping in moonlight in Wadi Rum and riding a camel across the desert... Great. (more)Anne Tee
Terrific, full-on trip - skilfully planned and guided. (more)Lyn Pemberton
Oman small group tour
From
£2,395
excluding flights
The combination of varied geography (coats, mountains, deserts), welcoming culture, history, and the views. Excellent. When our flight from Khasab to Muscat was cancelled at the last minute (the incoming flight had to return to Muscat), we were initially left stranded at Khasab airport with nowhere to stay, and the prospect of our plans for Muscat being impacted. The local operator tried to be helpful, but when I called host company and left a message (on Saturday afternoon), Jim [the ... (more)David Nussbaum
An extremely good experience in a very friendly and safe country. (more)Alan Key
We had a really wonderful time. Having no expectations as to what was on the agenda, we were surprised all along the way at the beauty of the country, the kindness of the people. (more)Meryl Lloyd
Egypt Nile and Red Sea Tours
From
£1,641
excluding flights
Outstanding. The trip of a lifetime. We're already looking at other destinations available through this operator. (more)Gill Inglis
Visiting the pyramids at Giza and the Nile cruise (more)Helen Wallace
Excellent.... the setting and temples are magnificent, the weather was great, and the tour guides lovely. (more)Mark Dukes
Iran holiday
From
£4,495
excluding flights
Most memorable was seeing and being introduced to the wonderful Islamic architecture, tiling, mosaics, and painted interiors with excellent guides. (more)Ann Alderson
We really enjoyed this trip. The history is fascinating, the architecture is beautiful, and the people genuinely welcoming and friendly. (more)Lydia Watkinson
Wheelchair accessible Nile cruise, Egypt
From
£2,529
excluding flights
Overall, it was worth the over-zealous shopkeepers and lack of accessibility because of the historical significance of seeing these ancient wonders. (more)KENNETH SYRETT
This was an excellent trip. We are thinking of coming back and I would definitely use the operator again. The care they provided for my handicapped husband and I was unparalleled. Very good natured people that really strive to make our stay so enjoyable. (more)Emily Duvall
No problems (more)David Smith
Egypt 10 day tour with Nile cruise
From
£1,619
excluding flights
The sites in Egypt are unbelievable and they are forever in our minds, but it's the people that make the tour, one to talk about for the rest of our lives. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience. (more)Kay Quinn
Fabulous! (more)Helen Ip
Brilliant. Hectic, but we expected that. (more)Andy Reeves
Oman tour, a week in Oman
From
£3,149
including UK flights
Beautiful scenery, kind weather and good company. (more)Rosie Morgan
Excellent... Good guide and well organised (more)Anne Higgins
Cultural tour in Oman
From
£1,995
excluding flights
Excellent holiday, highly recommend anyone who wants to experience the Middle East. (more)Joanna Choong
The trip to the desert was fantastic. So beautiful and peaceful... Fantastic memorable holiday, we will return! (more)Sarah Langley
Marvellous (more)Rosemary Mynors
Lebanon small group tour, 10 days
From
£1,999
excluding flights
It was all great - walking in the mountains, swimming in the sea, a huge variety of places to visit and sleep, excellent guide and driver, the food and the welcoming Lebanese. (more)Stella Embliss
We enjoyed the lebanese food and the variety of sights to see in Lebanon and travelling in a small group with a knowledgeable local guide. (more)Gaynor Verity
Tailor made holidays to Jordan
From
£1,695
excluding flights
10 out of 10! It was well planned and well executed. The driver we had was wonderful and very knowledgeable and flexible. We built up a very strong rapport with him right from the start. (more)Emma Thomas
Go now. An amazing beautiful place, felt very safe. Take your time, especially Petra.There is more to it than you think. (more)Sue Cutler
A very nice break, total change of scenery, culture, food, and a lot of history. a very good mix (more)Edith Hurst-Earl
Jordan holiday, highlights & hidden gems
From
£2,550
including UK flights
The whole holiday was absolutely wonderful but Jerash, Petra and Wadi Rum stand out as fantastic experiences... It was an absolute holiday of a lifetime and far exceeded our expectations. (more)Fiona Cowieson
Excellent. Good itinerary, guides, driver/guide and accommodation. (more)Cicely Olive
Family scuba diving holidays in the Red Sea
From
£570
excluding flights
We had a fabulous holiday, all the staff at the tour operator are wonderful and looked after us really well... We came home refreshed, totally in love with the reef and being under the water, and keen to return! (more)Nicola Harker
We saw all types of fish from stingrays, eels, clownfish and lionfish along with larger shouls of silver and glass fish, which swarm around you in large numbers. (more)Maggie Carruthers
The most memorable was diving over the reef from Lighthouse bay with my teenage children. Feeling that we have only just touched the surface of a beautiful and fragile environment. Enjoying the gentle, humorous hospitality of the local Egyptians... (more)Kelly Pawlyn
Egypt and Jordan highlights tour
From
£1,628
excluding flights
Memorable parts? We travelled to Jordan to visit friends so not part of this review. Our two guides were/are the MOST memorable part of our time in Egypt. They were knowledgeable, fun and were on the spot for anything we needed or anticipated our needs. Tips? When booking be sure you and the agent are on the same page. IF phone connections are not good do not continue the conversation. It is your holiday NOT the agent's. Flowery words do not make up for lack of communication. The ... (more)Harrie Lerman
Red Sea diving holidays
From
£620
excluding flights
Truly memorable, we fell in love with Dahab, the hotel and people. We will most definitely be returning more than once which is extremely rare for us....The operator arranged a trip for us with local Bedouin to take us on an evening supper and visit to a canyon - a simple, authentic experience rather than the bigger more commercial tourist trips. Small group of us and really memorable. (more)Vanessa Phillipson
Seeing the bright colours and sheer numbers of different fish and corals under the sea was incredible - an experience I shall never forget... Excellent - a great experience and good value. The accommodation was lovely and the food was fantastic. (more)Sally Godden
I feel that I've found my paradise here... I'm planning to return often. (more)Lisa Walmsley
Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea
From
£760
excluding flights
Excellent. (more)Sandra Smith
Everything was provided by local operators, from the community, all living in Dahab. Diving, horse riding and quad bikes all from the accomodation, or within a couple of miles. (more)Dave Stapleton
5 star (more)Marlene Brüggemann
Jordan luxury adventure tour
From
£3,249
including UK flights
Memorable parts? Reaching Petra and the way our tour leader lead us to the first peek of The Treasury. Tips? Do book this holiday, you will not regret it. You will see breathtaking sites, get to know lovely people, taste absolutely delicious food and stay in amazing accommodations through the tour. Local benefits? Yes. We used local restaurants, local means of transportation and accommodations benefiting local population. We also used refillable glass water bottles in ... (more)Marjeta Dolinar
Nile felucca cruise in Egypt
From
€550
excluding flights
This was a fantastic trip in all ways. The boat was comfortable and the crew was experienced and hospitable. I have travelled in dozens of countries on five continents, and this was one of the best trips I’ve taken. (more)Jeffrey Moore
I have been to Egypt four times (including a year of living in Cairo) and this is one of the most memorable experiences I have had in the country. It is utterly unique and a chance to see the rural lifeblood of Egypt. (more)mitch rose
Travelling by felucca is by far the most environmentally friendly of experiencing the Nile. (more)Andrew Beardmore
Egypt boutique hotel in Dahab
From
£270
per person per week
It’s perfect if you love diving and boutique hotels where you can get a real feel of the place you are visiting. (more)Karen Birkin
Excellent! Everything I hoped for and much more! The whole holiday was amazing! The owners and team of staff are so friendly and welcoming, loved the atmosphere at the hotel and I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time (more)Fiona Fretwell
Trekking holiday in Jordan
From
£1,413
excluding flights
Memorable parts? Visiting Petra was incredible, as was trekking through the beautiful desert landscape at Wadi Rum and staying in the wonderful Bedouin 'Rainbow' camp. Our tour leader Wally was fantastic. He was an amazing font of knowledge and had great energy throughout the trip. Tips? Definitely bring your sleeping bag if you're visiting in the early Spring or late Autumn as the desert can get really cold at night. Pack for all eventualities - we had a couple of days of rain ... (more)Amy McGlinchy
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