Lonely Planet Arabian Peninsula (Travel Guides) - Softcover

Ham, Anthony; Gordon, Frances Linzee

4.08

13 ratings by Goodreads

9781741042948: Lonely Planet Arabian Peninsula (Travel Guides)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1741042941 ISBN 13: 9781741042948

Publisher: Lonely Planet, 2004

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Hot deserts and cool beaches, lush oases and clamorous bazaars, ultramodern cities and relics of fallen empires - discover Arabia's diverse attractions with this comprehensive guide to the Peninsula. Dive for Bahraini pearls, haggle for treasures in Dubai's Gold Souq, explore Oman's wilderness and wander the mountain villages of Yemen - Lonely Planet shows you how.

� GET THE WHOLE STORY - the only guide that covers the entire Peninsula

� BE INSPIRED - customized itineraries and preplanning information help you plot your Arabian odyssey

� CONNECT WITH CULTURE - history, culture and arts sections reveal the Peninsula way of life

� EXPLORE THE FAITH - special coverage of Islam, its heritage, traditions and customs

� GET AROUND - detailed maps and transport information help you get from Bahrain to Yemen and back again

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From the Publisher:

Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travellers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.

What We Do
* We offer travellers the world's richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
* We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
* When we update our guidebooks, we check every listing, in person, every time.
* We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
* We challenge our growing community of travellers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
* We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service of the travellers; not clouded by any other motive.

What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world.

Destination Arabian Peninsula

While mass tourism has reached the most remote corners on Earth, and lunar travel is now a reality, the Arabian Peninsula continues to be seen as a rather mysterious, exotic and alien place.

For those willing to 'risk' Arabia, the region may well hold a surprise or two. Built historically on trade - frankincense and myrrh in ancient times, and oil and gas today - are several great civilizations. Relics range from Yemen's 8th-century BC dam, and Madain Saleh, 'Saudi Arabia's Petra', to Bahrain's King Fahd Causeway, one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century.

Developing from Third World to First World fast - in around 25 years - the Peninsula truly contrasts the old with the new and this is its most fascinating feature. Bedouin tribesmen park 4WDs alongside goat hair tents; veiled women chat on mobile phones while awaiting laser hair removal; and children memorize the Quran while biting on a burger. But beneath the slick, hi-tech veneer lies strata upon strata of traditional Bedouin hospitality, unsurpassed in the world.

Equally diverse is the scenery. Much more than merely desert, there are fragrant forests, rich coral reefs, date-filled wadis and stunning mountain landscapes. Activities abound, from world-class golf, diving and trekking, to desert safaris and turtle watching.

The region also enjoys some of the best shopping in the world at some of the best prices; and some of the world's top hotels, resorts and restaurants at some of the best value.

If travel ever broadened the mind, then travel to Arabia certainly will. You may well learn more about the world from one trip to Arabia than a lifetime's travel elsewhere. And in the process, you might even become passionate about the Peninsula - many travelers do.

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