Spanning many very different countries, the Middle East is teeming with architectural treasures and cultural delights to stimulate and amaze you when you visit. Also stunning are the landscapes and the beauty of the natural world, from deserts to dunes, seascapes to sunsets, and a shimmering splendor that soothes the soul.

The Middle East is, of course, the birthplace of the three monotheistic religions -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- and there are echoes everywhere of this rich heritage. Visiting the wonders and treasures of this huge region is inspiring and educational, with a shrewd mix of the ancient and the modern to attract travelers from all over the world.

Israel

Israel's capital, Tel Aviv, is a vibrant city on the Mediterranean coast. It is cool and cosmopolitan and ideal as a base for touring the country. You can settle yourself with weekly apartment rentals in Tel Aviv for vacation and then travel to Jerusalem to take in the incredible architecture of The Dome of the Rock. Built in the seventh century, it is one of the holiest sites in the world and is hugely important to followers of both Judaism and Islam. With an octagonal structure and a spectacular golden dome, the shrine also features extraordinary tile work in the Byzantine style.

A trip to the Dead Sea should also be on your itinerary – it's so salty, you can lie in the water without sinking!

Egypt

Up the River Nile and some 400 miles south of the country's capital lies Luxor, often referred to as the world's greatest outdoor museum. Luxor is a remarkable city full of temples, mosques and ruins, and it is a jewel in the crown of the Middle East. Explore the Karnak Temple with its rows of iconic sandstone columns and preserved friezes. The Valley of the Kings, a 30-minute drive from the city, has over 50 tombs, including the world-famous tomb of Tutenkhamen.

If you visit Cairo, then the top of your list of attractions should be the Pyramids located just outside the city. There are three, and the largest is the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Pyramids are watched over by the cat-like and enigmatic gaze of the Sphinx, a huge statue carved out of a single block of stone.

Jordan

One of the world's most famous archaeological sites is Petra, with its vibrantly colored sandstone providing the name of the rose-red city. It was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and an important cultural and trade center for many centuries before it was largely abandoned. Much of the city was destroyed, but you can get a flavor of its past through the numerous tombs, streets and temples. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, although you can hire camels, donkeys, or horses for a different way of exploring this ancient metropolis. 

Photo: John Goodrick, 5 Places to Travel in Jordan

Citadel Hill

Lebanon

For a breathtaking experience of the world of nature, visit Lebanon and head for the Jeitta Grotto. It's in the Nahr al-Kalb Valley and consists of two limestone caves that are interconnected. You can walk to the upper grotto and then see the lower one from a rowboat on a lake that winds through the cave. You'll see stalagmites and stalactites in mushroom shapes, curtains and columns, and the multi-colored rocks pitched against the glittering water and dramatic formations create an otherworldly, ethereal atmosphere.

Outside of Beirut, the country's capital, you can head to the mountains at Zaarour for spectacular views and to hit the slopes for skiing in the winter.

Photo Wikimedia Commons: Elie plus

Iran

The city of Shiraz in Iran is the setting for the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known also as the Pink Mosque. It's considered to be one of the most striking places of worship in the world thanks to its intricate tile work and sensational windows made of colored glass. If you visit in the early morning, then the sunlight that streams through these windows casts pools of bright color over the Persian carpets and tiles, making a constantly changing patchwork of light, color and patterns.

Wikimedia Commons: Omid Jafarnezhad

Oman

A visit to Oman should include a trip to the Musandam Fjords. These are separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. They match the dramatic scenery that you find in the fjords of Norway, with the Arabian Peninsula's natural beauty and mountains that march down to the sea on the Strait of Hormuz.

There are many other wonderful places to visit in the Middle East, which consists of countries that offer genuine hospitality, as well as give you the opportunity to explore rich and varied cultures. This region can figuratively transport you back to see and understand the great civilizations that existed long ago, as well as learn about the modern cultures that have grown from them.

Have you been to the Middle East? Where did you go?