The United Arab Emirates rolls history and invention into a seamless experience. In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands out with its reflective pools, marble columns inlaid with floral patterns, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet beneath domes that glow by night. On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi shelters art that spans civilizations, all beneath a dome designed to scatter sunlight like palm fronds.
Red Sea beaches, world-class snorkeling and spectacular desert environments are all reasons to visit the port city of Aqaba, Jordan. Take a quick walk from the city's lovely waterfront promenade and behold its Old Town, which features the 14th century Mamluk Fort and the Aqaba Archaeological Museum.
Parma, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is a city where art, history, and gastronomy intertwine. Known worldwide as the birthplace of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, the city has long been a culinary capital, but its cultural depth extends far beyond the table.