Middle East Travel Tips: Our Practical Guides

1. Go between October and April, when days are warm and evenings are perfect for dining outdoors; see when to go. 2. Check entry rules for your US passport before you book: some countries offer a visa on arrival, others an eVisa or electronic authorization. 3. Dress modestly away from the beach and pool, with shoulders and knees covered in souks, mosques and traditional areas.

4. Learn a few words of Arabic, such as marhaba (hello) and shukran (thank you); they are always warmly received. 5. Respect Ramadan: eating and drinking in public during daylight is best avoided in several countries, while iftar evenings are a highlight; our holidays calendar lists the dates. 6. Remember the weekend: Friday and Saturday in most of the Gulf, Saturday and Sunday in the UAE.

7. Alcohol rules vary: widely available in licensed hotels in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman; not generally available to visitors in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. 8. Ask before photographing people, especially women, and avoid photographing government buildings. 9. Stay hydrated and use high-factor sunscreen, even in winter. 10. Let your hotel concierge help: they can secure tables, guides and cars, and our guide to concierge, security and family services explains the options.