Kuwait!

Why go...Lots of awesome museums!  Malls!  Souks!  Scuba diving!

Failaka Heritage Village!  This is a former palace that has been restored and is now a museum.  



Grand Mosque!  Take a tour and learn about Islam!

Iraq!

Why go...The "Cradle of Civilization,"  containing Mesopotamia and the oldest continuously inhabited place on the planet!  




Erbil, the center of Kurdish culture!  The Citadel is beleived to be the oldest continously inhabited place in the world!  It is 7000 years old, and houses the Souk (bazzar).  Erbil also has cool museums exhibiting the history and culture of the area! 

Armenia!

Why go...Ancient culture on the Silk Road bridging the East and West, lots of pretty monasteries, beautiful land, reknowned hospitality, first Christian country in the world, and interesting food! 

Yeghegnadzor.  Selim Caravasanry - Built in 1332, ancient traders would stop here while traveling the Silk Road, like a truck stop for the ancient world!   

Goris.  Old Khndzoresk - a cave city that was inhabited until the 1960s!    

Jermuk.  Hot springs resort town popular in the Soviet era!  Armenia Jermuk Resort Sanatorium!  

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Dilijan.  "Armenian Switzerland!"  Lots of monasteries.  Awesome museums about the history and culture of the region!  Molokan villiages, the Armenian version of the Amish!  Ananov guest house; this awesome hotel arranges tours, hiking, cooking classes, horse back riding, fishing, and community projects in the village!  

Saudi Arabia!

Why go...To see a culture that seems so different from mine!




ETC.

Prayer times are observed throughout country; 5 times daily, shops and offices close for about 20 minutes!  You can go to the mosque at these times!

During Ramadan - 1 month in summer - no eating/business during the day, everything opens up at night.

Public places are divided up into men's or family hours/facilities.  

Women are advised to have a male escort when out and about.  The male escort is supposed to be someone who they are related to, or a professional sponsor if it's business-related. 

Ladies cover their hair with a veil, and wear a traditional over-garment called an abaya.  

Riyadh.  Historic sites, museum, Ladies Kingdom Mall, Souq al-Thumairi (traditional market/bizarre), Ladies spa at Rosewood Hotel.  4 Seasons Hotel has a floor just for ladies, the Pearl Floor.   

Wadi Hanifa (river bed park)

 Globe restaurant with a view of the city.

Najd Village Restaurant. 

Mecca.  The holiest city in Islam!  Non-Muslims are not allowed.  Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Sacred Mosque and Kaaba.  Movenpick Hotel in the Abraj al Bait has an awesome view of the Sacred Mosque!

Jeddah.  More liberal, beach resort city that used to be an ancient trading port!  Old town, souks, and scuba diving in the Red Sea!  Amusement parks and coffee houses to see daily life.  There are no bars in Saudi Arabia, so nightlife is coffee houses.  sailing. Park Hyatt Jeddah is a nice hotel with a ladies only spa, gym, and pool.  Some of the other hotels only have these facilities available for men.