Middle East Travel

Tripology is a matchmaking service for travelers, pointing you in the direction of travel agents connected through the site's network. Start by checking the boxes in the orange area on the front page (these include flights, accommodation, sightseeing, car rental, and more, depending on what you'd like included in your package). From there, you're prompted to select your departure and arrival destinations and specify your airline preference. For more on the process involved, visit the FAQ, starting with "How does Tripology work?" Be sure to read the accompanying articles on the Middle East, which take the form of guides and tips by knowledgeable agents.

Kayak caters to a long list of Middle Eastern airports, so you may want to compare Kayak's prices to prices found on airline sites. Head to the link we've listed, click on your desired destination's airport, and you'll see the flights currently on offer to that destination. The results include price, airport name, and airline name.

Economytravel.com has a breadth of airlines in their search results and a knack for finding good deals. The site's coverage of Middle Eastern destinations is one of the most thorough, and you'll find airlines like Lufthansa (based in Germany) and Emirates (based in the UAE) in their search results, as well as many more you may not have thought would cater to the Middle East. The site specializes in flights, but there are also car rental and ski package searches.

Emirates is the largest airline based in the Middle East, catering to "more than 90 destinations worldwide." The site provides thorough coverage of destinations in the areas in and around the Middle East. Emirates flies out of major U.S. hubs like New York City as well as Asian hubs like Singapore and Tokyo. Often, the U.S. flights connect in Europe on the way to the Middle East. You can book flights and browse schedules through the airline's Web site.

Gulf Air is a larger carrier in the Middle East, and while it doesn't offer flights from the United States, you can connect to a Gulf Air flight in a European city like Athens or London. Gulf Air also offers vacation packages in the Middle East, and all these offerings can be purchased on the Web site. Visit the "Arabian Experience" section to see the different vacation itineraries available.

Cruise Critic is both an online travel magazine and a cruise search engine, allowing you to read reviews from experienced cruise travelers and book your cruise. The Middle East section is thorough and informative, giving you "Fun Facts" [] to introduce you to the idea of taking a Middle Eastern cruise. You'll also learn about the various itineraries and themes on offer.