The Middle East is a land of mighty rivers, mightier deserts and green landscapes of exceptional beauty. Exploring these areas - from snow-capped summits in Turkey to the kaleidoscopic waters of the Red Sea - lies at the heart of the region's appeal.

In the Middle East, history is not something you read about in books. Here, it's a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks of Ancient Egypt, and the carved tombs and temples from Petra to Baalbek.

It is in the region's cities that you find the stirring, aspirational architecture that so distinguishes the three great monotheistic faiths. There they sit alongside the bazaars and coffee shops that seem to embody all the mystery and storytelling magic of a land that gave us The Thousand and One Nights. Add to the mix the modern glitz and glamour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and there is a vibrancy to the region that continues to attract new visitors.