With a vast history and accolades including the Sesame particle accelerator, the Middle East marries the past and present beautifully. Whether you’re wishing to venture for Egypt’s pyramids or Beirut’s culture, the Middle East offers a fascinating variety of sights and hotels to stay at during the last days of summer.
Here are just a handful…
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo captures an exciting slice of history with its citadel built by Saladin in 1176, complete with the white-stoned Mosque of Muhammed Ali. Alternatively, next to the Midan Tahrir, Cairo’s Egyptian Museum features treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb. For a more modern touch, the Khan Al-Khalili is a colourful bazaar of exotic spices and perfumes, well worth exploring in Old Islamic Cairo.
InterContinental Semiramis, Cairo
Featuring a stunning rooftop pool and impressive contemporary bars, the InterContinental Semiramis is a den of tranquillity next to Egypt’s River Nile. The hotel also boasts a state-of-the-art Semiramis Fitness Centre in addition to a soothing spa that promises to calm your mind and revitalise your body.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut is a city of both natural and historical beauty. Along the coast, the Corniche provides a seaside promenade leading to Beirut’s famous Pigeon’s Rocks. Meanwhile, Jeita Grotto awaits exploration beneath the city, full of natural stalactites and glistening limestone. If that wasn’t enough, the Roman city of Baalbeck (Heliopolis’s) picturesque ruins of Jupiter Temple are worth a breath-taking visit.
InterContinental Phoenicia, Beirut
Overlooking the Mediterranean, the InterContinental Phoenicia plays host to a grand ballroom, plenty of classic rooms and a restaurant with a diverse range of Lebanese flavours. Meanwhile, the hotel’s Spa Phoenicia features specialist treatments such as Balneotherapy and Thalassotherapy. Whether you’re after baths or neck reflexology, the spa’s organic products are sure to make you feel at ease.