Selcuk is home to many popular tourist destinations in addition to being within close proximity to Sirince and Kusadasi. Yet, Selcuk is easily overlooked by many tourists because the majority of them come to the area on cruise ships and are gone by the end of the day. Tourists that have more than a few hours to spend should stick around and see what Selcuk has to offer.

Ephesus, Selcuk’s Main Attraction

This ancient Roman city and former capital of Asia sees thousands of tourists every year. At one time there were over 200,000 people living there, including historical figures. Tourists can visit as part of a tour group

or walk the site individually. It is the most popular attraction in Selcuk, therefore getting there is not a problem.

House of the Virgin Mary

According to legend, the Virgin Mary spent the remaining years of her life nestled in a small house on Nightingale Mountain. It is said that her house faces St. John’s Church in order to easily notify the other if they were in danger. It is a pilgrimage site for Muslims and Christians alike and has been visited by three popes. The site holds a ceremony to commemorate Mary’s ascension into heaven on August 15th of every year.
Church of St. John the Evangelist (Basilica of St. John)

This is the site of St. John the Evangelist’s Church and his grave. He spent many years in Ephesus (now Selcuk) and brought Mary to the city in order for her protection. The ruins are not large, therefore visitors do not need to set aside a significant amount of time to tour it. The church’s shaded area has a great view of the Isa Bey mosque, which is about a five minute walk from St. John’s Church.
Isa Bey Camii (Mosque)

The Isa Bey Mosque is so close to the Church of St. John the Evangelist that most people visit both attractions in the same day. It was built in the 1300s and is still a working mosque today. When one enters, they will be greeted

by a large, fragrant courtyard with fruit trees and a fountain. Entrance to the mosque is free.

The Seven Sleepers

According to Sacred Destinations, “The “Seven Sleepers” were seven young men who had been walled up in a cave during the persecutions under Decius (c.250). They fell asleep, miraculously waking up around 435 in the time of Theodosius II. The seven men wandered into the city of Ephesus, amazed at all the churches and the freedom of worship for Christians. The Sleepers later died naturally (and permanently) and were buried in the cave in which they had slept.” This attraction is fenced off, but that does not keep tourists out. It is a minor attraction compared to the other ones in the area, but visitors that wish to see the grotto and the tombs should stop by.
Ephesus Museum

For those wishing to have a more complete view of Ephesus, without multiple visits, should tour the museum. The museum has many artifacts from Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Visitors should not miss the objects from Ephesus’s terrace houses and the large statue of Artemis. The Temple of Artemis is also located in Selcuk, but other than a field (which floods in the summer) and a few columns, most of the artifacts are in the museum.
Selcuk’s Storks

Less of an attraction than a symbol of Selcuk, the town has a local population of storks that take advantage of the town’s proximity to the water and the ancient aqueducts to build their nests. They are not year-round residents so the best time to see the storks is during the spring and summer months. Visitors that can’t find the storks need to only listen for the clack clacking noise which the birds make with their beaks.
Within 20 Minutes of Selcuk

These destinations can all be reached by minibus. Travelers should go to the minibus station (otogar) and find the buses labeled with their destination’s name.

* Sirince (4 miles/8 km from Selcuk)
* Kusadasi (12 miles/20 km from Selcuk)
* Pamucak Beack (5 miles/9 km from Selcuk)

With the holy month of Ramadan coming to an end, hundreds and thousands of Muslims in Egypt are gearing up for the big celebration of Eid el-Fitr.

Eid is a celebration that is done to mark the end of Ramadan, making it a joyous occasion for many around the world.
How Eid el-Fitr is celebrated

In Islam, there are two major Eid’s that are celebrated: Eid el-Fitr, which is the ‘festival of breaking the fast’ signifying the end of Ramadan; and, Eid el-Adha, which translates to the ‘festival of sacrifice’ relating to the Hajj and acknowledging prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of the sheep in place of prophet Ishmael.

Many Egyptians believe that Eid is a reward for those that have struggled through the Ramadan month right through to the end. Eid el-Fitr is normally a feast that takes places for over three days, where in Egypt it is now classed as an official holiday.

To start off their Eid celebrations, many Egyptians visit the mosque to pray a special prayer – this prayer reminds them of the good deeds they have performed during the Ramadan month, and to also make sure that from here on now, they perform good deeds to people that need them the most. Afterwards, friends; neighbours and relatives start their meet and greets with each other, often relaying the greeting ‘Eid Mubarak’ translating to ‘have a blessed Eid’.

During the meet and greets Egyptians usually offer sweets made especially for the celebration – they are either homemade or shop bought. On the first day of Eid, the family visits are seen as the most important; this is so that the rest of the days can be spent going to parks; cinemas; beaches, some even go all out and engage in tours around the Nile, and as years go by, Sharm El Sheik is becoming a popular spot for many Egyptians to celebrate Eid.

Told by an Egyptian herself – How Aliaa celebrates Eid

Aliaa Abdou, a 14 year old living in Egypt told us how she likes to celebrate Eid: “When Eid is here it is a time for me and my sisters to go out and buy new clothes, we always like to dress nice for Eid because it is such a happy occasion. We all dress up, and then all our family including the children will go to visit relatives and then go to play in the parks. A tradition we have in Eid is old relatives give money to the children to make sure they are happy in life.”

Eid is a time for big family gatherings from the cooking to eating all kinds of Egyptian foods; to the travelling from village to village visiting. Whatever it is, this makes it the busiest time of year for Egypt’s highways and trains. Flocks of people from all over the country flood in to make sure their Eid is spent with their loves ones.

Whether you’re preparing an Eid celebration of you own or you’re simply fascinated by how it all works; enjoy it. Eid Mubarak everyone!

One of the most famous food recipes that people all over the globe look for on the internet is the Middle Eastern food recipes. For all what it has of the oriental and unique taste that specialize it from any other food recipes. People in non-Middle East countries look for Middle East food recipes as to try something new and different and some are just looking forward to trying the true taste of the oriental food.

Of course not all recipes give people what they want and fully fulfill their requirements by giving them the true oriental and Middle Eastern taste. For that matter we find a lot of websites that are all trying to give their best advices and recipes about the Middle East’s food. And each one of the websites, the one who are interested in delivering a clear and accurate recipes for those who are looking for it, try their best in finding the most accurate and easy recipes to post for those who are interested.

Among all the different Middle Eastern food recipes websites, there are a lot of categories that each of them specialize in a specific kind of Middle Eastern recipes, such as Egyptian recipes, Syrian recipes, Lebanese, etc., each one of the categories represent a different way of cooking.

You may also notice that there is one Middle Eastern dish that vary in the way of making it and the way it tastes from one Middle Eastern country to another, and that is, of course, is due to the differences between the cultures, history, the site, and so on.

The most famous one of the categories is the Egyptian recipes category. A large number of people around the globe look for a delicious Egyptian recipe every month. To try the true taste of culture, history, and oriental dish through trying one of so many delicious, amazing, and tasty Egyptian recipes.

The history of ancient Egyptians is always included in school curriculums, however I have noticed that they fail to comment on what the diet of the ancient Egyptians was.

Many people are surprised to find that a few of the foods ancient Egyptians consumed are being eaten still today! For example, ful medammes, a fava bean dish that is often a breakfast food is now the National Dish of Egypt was eaten in the Pharaonic periods. Hummus was also served in ancient Egypt as well.

What the ancient Egyptians ate varied depending of their social and financial stats. The more money and power you had, the better you ate.
Fruits
Several fruits were eaten in ancient Egypt, depending on the period. What was available depended on agriculture and trade. Popular fruits in ancient Egypt include:
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* dates
* grapes
* pomegranates
* peaches
* watermelon

Meats
Several types of meats were eaten, including pork in some regions.

Cattle beef was commonly eaten by the rich, along with sheep or goat, while the poor often ate geese, ducks and other fowl.

Animals that we consider to be exotic today we also eaten, such as gazelles and antelopes.

Because of religious stigma, many types of seafood were avoided.
Beverages
Beer was a common beverage and served at meals. It was made from barley and stored in specially made beer jars.

Wine was consumed at meals by the rich. The manner in which wine was made is very similar to how it is made today.

There is evidence of cow milk consumption, but may have been included in a recipe and not necessarily as a drink.
Breads
Bread was a very important part of the ancient Egyptian diet. It differed from the breads we eat today. Bread in ancient Egypt was very hard and gritty, not soft and chewy like we consume today. It was very damaging to their teeth.

There was a wide variety to eat in ancient Egypt. Egyptologists believe that even the poor ate well, and few starved.

The recipes native to each region differ based in the availability of ingredients from the past. It all depended on what was traded in the region and what was offered at the marketplace. In essence, Middle Eastern food today is defined by its past.
Middle Eastern Countries
The amount of land that encompasses the term “Middle East” is broad and there are many regions.

The Middle East consists of: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

There has been debate over whether Armenia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan are considered to be part of the Middle East.
Fast Facts About Middle Eastern Food

* Pita bread is considered to be the oldest type of bread in the world.
* McDonald’s has their own version of falafel on their menu in Egypt; it is called the McFalafel.
* The eggplant is the most consumed vegetable in the Middle East.
* The Ancient Egyptians used the herb Fenugreek as embalming fluid. Today, fenugreek is used in cooking and in teas.
* The fava bean was once condemned because it was thought to contain the souls of dead people.
* Saffron is the most expensive herb in the world. By the time it hits the stores, it range from $600-1000 per pound. It is normally sold by the gram or ounce in markets.

Cooking Middle Eastern Food
Middle Eastern food is versatile and most recipes are made with ease. While you may have trouble finding certain ingredients, there are online stores that sell imported herbs, spices, grains and other types of food.

One of the great aspects of Middle Eastern cooking is the ability to substitute ingredients for what is available or for personal taste. Lamb can be substituted for beef, and vice versa. Spices like cayenne and cumin can be added for a spicier dish. Now with vegetarian ground meat in the freezer section at the grocery store, many dishes contain beef or lamb can become vegetarian!

Do you want to explore a city whose past you can retrace by wandering its streets? Where Roman ruins and Biblical sites lie side by side with eastern souks and mosques? Where you can end the day eating in a tranquil setting straight out of Arabian nights? You’ll find all this and more in old Damascus, the old town at the heart of the modern city of Damascus, as I discovered during a city break.
Cultural Tours of Old Damascus

Old Damascus has a unique character, which is fitting as Damascus is reputedly the longest continually occupied city in the world. Whereas in modern Damascus pedestrians risked their lives daily simply by crossing the street, I found the best way to explore old Damascus was to walk.

Straight Street used to be the main road of Damascus in Greek and Roman times. Now, it is the main artery of the old city, running straight the way through to the souks. Despite its modern road surface and signs of renovation, it could come straight out of biblical times with its whitewashed buildings hung with carpets and washing. It’s as if the ancient city walls, which still encircle the area, preserve old Damascus not from invaders but time itself.

Straight Street is surrounded by mysterious shady passages created in the gap between the buildings. These alleyways demanded exploration so I gave in to temptation and wandered off.

The allies were largely deserted but still I had the sense of being watched. Looking up, I noticed the benign face of the Virgin Mary, looking down on me from a small shrine overhead. Syria may be a predominantly Muslim country but about 17% of Damascus’s population is Christian. Old Damascus houses the Christian quarter.

Logically, it seems the Christians have made their home close to some of Damascus’s earliest Christian remains, including the sunken church of Ananias and Bab Kisan, the old city gate from which St Paul escaped after his conversion. Besides biblical sites and plenty of shrines to watch over the residents, the Christian quarter is also a thriving zone of bars and restaurants, making it the perfect place for visitors too.
The Umayyad Mosque

Further west and back on Straight Street, I came face to face with a solitary roman column. This fractured, graffiti covered fragment is all that remains of the eastern entrance of the vast temenos of the Roman temple of Jupiter.

In its day, the temenos dominated this area of Old Damascus. Today, the area is a lively hive of dusty roadways, discrete bathhouses and stalls selling clothing and carpets. The aroma of spices and cooked meats rise up from a roadside eatery. The streets are full of people. It wasn’t far now to the premier religious building of modern Damascus, the Umayyad mosque.

Built over the old temple of Jupiter, the mosque is one of the jewels of Islamic architecture. But entry is strict. So far in Damascus, I’d needed to do little more than cover my shoulders and legs. The mosque required a little more if I was to enter. My whole body had to be covered and whilst men can wear trousers, for women they are forbidden.

Having done my homework, I’d put together an outfit of long skirt, light cardigan, headscarf and borrowed socks. This eccentric ensemble passed muster with the strict lady who inspected us at the ticket office near the tomb of Saladin, saving me from the unbecoming dark hooded robes most other tourists were wearing.
Souks and Shopping

After visiting the mosque, I headed for the shops. Carpets hang off more much-abused Roman architecture, marking the entrance of the Hamidiyeh souk.

Inside is a mix of labyrinth and old fashioned shopping arcade. High vaulting ceilings cover avenues of emporiums, selling everything the modern shopper and trinket hunter could desire.

The souk sells everything from food and carpets to household goods and qurans. I smelled the spice and coffee market before I reached it; a delicious mix of heady and sweet spices overlaying the earthy richness of ahwa or Arabian coffee. And as a curiosity, I noticed that in the clothing souk, traditional headscarves and long robes were for sale not far from cheap looking western negligees.

Gold and silver jewellery abound but beware, you’ll have to barter. It’s an awkward art for most westerners to grasp. Luckily, I took an uninhibited companion and acquired a beautiful solid silver Bedouin style bracelet for just under £20.
Eating Out in Damascus-Syrian Food and Damascus Houses

Worn out with exploring and spending, I ended the day in style, back in the Christian quarter. The old houses of Damascus are relics of the eighteenth century, inward-looking courtyard houses where the wealthy Damascan elite lived their lives in opulent splendour. Many have been restored and are now open to the public as restaurants with Elissar, Al Khawali and Old Town amongst the best.

Although most serve European style cuisine, traditional Damascan delicacies are also common. There is no better place than a Damascan house to enjoy a plate of mezze and a glass of arak followed by local specialties such as chicken in lemon sauce or Makhlooba, a delicious combination of rice, lamb, chickpeas and onion cooked in stock and spices and served as a dome.

All served in a dimly lit courtyard garden of arabesque arches and lamps with nothing but the murmur of your fellow diners to compete with the fountains. The perfect end to the perfect day.

The 40-minute drive from the city centre can be a bit daunting when considering the traffic congestion that is generally faced on the roads of Abu Dhabi. However, with the new highway through Saadiyat Island on to Yas, the consideration as to whether or not it was going to be worth the trip becomes more reasonable. Plus, parking is easy in the parking garage at the Park Inn Yas, and the quiet of the island quickly begins to relieve any stress that may have been built up from the drive over.

Finding the restaurant on the ground floor, with its quiet ambience, diners are eagerly welcomed and can be seated on the terrace near the swimming pool looking out in the dark expanse of the man-made island or inside where the ambiance is slightly more intimate. The silence of the island feels a bit eerie when accustomed to the regular horn-honking and traffic noise of the city, but the nearby racing motorists on the Yas Marina Circuit remind you just enough that civilization is still nearby. Still, not to worry that the racing noises could spoil the mood, as there’s a dj spinning a wide range of tunes – though not always quite in keeping with the low-lit, peaceful atmosphere of the scene.
Mexican Fare

A perusal of the menu results in, as expected, finding traditional American-Mexican fanfare such as fresh guacamole, nachos, fajitas, etc., but also the unexpected listing of the restaurant’s special tuna ceviche, marinated so that it melts in your mouth along with the lemon and spice flavors. The main courses are not surprising, though carry the flavors required to fulfill the cravings that brought me here. Also, the dessert and specialty drinks menus offer a variety of options, though most would not be considered typical in an American-Mexican menu, but we won’t hold that against them as the fruit sorbets work to soothe the gastronomic juices enough for the drive home.

So, if you’re wanting to skip the touristy feel of the Sheraton or forget the consumerism mentality of a mall and crave a taste of Mexican, a trip to Yas Island might be what you need as long as you don’t lose that quiet calm on the drive home.

One of the most fascinating and overlooked tourist attractions to go to while visiting Istanbul is the Church of St. Savior in Chora (also known as the Chora Church or Kariye Muzesi). This Byzantine church, since converted into a mosque and now a museum, has some of the most amazing frescoes, mosaics and murals to be seen while visiting Turkey – even better than the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia). This Turkish museum with some of the best artwork to see in Istanbul is off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. The museum in Istanbul is definitely a place to go to see frescoes or to see mosaics, both of which are some of the best and most intricate.

How to Get to the Chora Church

The church is located in the Edirnekapi neighborhood in Fatih, Istanbul. From Eminönü – which is where the New Mosque and Spice Bazaar are – take bus 32, 37, 38 or 910 and ask for the Kariye Muzesi or Karyie Camii.

Note that the museum is closed on Wednesdays and has an entrance fee of 15 Turkish Lira.

History

The Chora Church was originally built in the early 5th century. However, throughout time, it has periodically been rebuilt. The current shape, a quincunx (also known as a cross-in-square) is from around 1077-1081. In the 1100s, the church collapsed partially, and was rebuilt. The frescoes, murals, and mosaics were put into the church between 1315 to 1321.

As with many Greek churches in Istanbul, after Constantinople was captured by the Ottomans, it was converted into a mosque; its beautiful frescoes and tiled mosaics were covered with plaster. When the modern Republic of Turkey came into being, many of the churches converted to mosques were turned into museums. The Chora Church was opened to the public as the Kariye Muzesi in 1958.

Interior

The Chora Church is a relatively small building – much smaller than the Hagia Sophia. However, the quality of the frescoes and mosaics makes this small church a much better place to see art than the enormous Hagia Sophia. The building has six domes, and is laid out with a main entrance area, the main part of the church, and the side chapel. Mosaics include depictions of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, Christ, St. Peter and St. Paul.
Warnings and Tips

* The museum has relatively low lighting, and flash photography is not allowed. If you are a photographer, you may want to bring a tripod with you to take the best quality pictures.
* There are relatively affordable tea gardens behind the church. If it’s a nice day, sit and sip on a cay and experience the true national drink of Turkey while visiting Istanbul.
* Consider visiting the city walls at the same time as the Chora Church – the two are very close to each other.

For the prophet Moses it was a journey that lasted 40 years. For my 40th birthday I gave myself just four days to cover the same territory.

Of course, I could have splashed the cash in New York or treated myself to some serious pampering at a top-notch spa. But I wanted the wow factor and I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s the lure of the ancient “lost” city of Petra and the dramatic sandstone deserts, made famous by Lawrence of Arabia that led me to Jordan.
Even so, I had not reckoned on the integral part the Old Testament prophet would play in this trip.
Jordan, a cosmopolitan country

Despite being bordered by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Israel, Jordan is a surprisingly cosmopolitan country. Ok, so stray shepherds still herd their sheep through the capital Amman but it’s a modern, welcoming city and the gateway to a country full of natural and man made wonder.
Mount Nebo

Travelling with a small adventure group the pace is fast and exhilarating. Our first stop is Moses’ final resting place. He never reached the promised land of “milk and honey” but he got a breath taking view of it from the top of Mount Nebo. Overlooking the valley of the River Jordan, with Jericho and Jerusalem clearly visible in the distance, it’s hard to tell where biblical mythology ends and the tourist trail starts.
Desert Highway

Driving south along the Desert Highway, said to follow the ancient track that Moses travelled along more than 3000 years ago, is like speeding back in time. It’s not unusual to see camels wondering across the carriageway, or the nomadic Bedouins pitching their tents at the roadside.

Its only the battered Jeeps and local tribesmen on their mobile phones that jolts us back to the 21st century as we pitched camp for a night under the stars in the Wadi Rum.

Wadi Rum
The Wadi Rum is an area of protected desert with dramatic red sandstone mountains and dunes.

Made famous by the epic film “Lawrence of Arabia” this is where the British officer T.E. Lawrence camped during the Arab Revolt in the First World War. Our guide is delighted to show us the rock formation named the “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” after Lawrence’s book.

But the reason to visit this desert is to watch the sunrise and set turning the stunning landscape blood red and to marvel at the 4,000 year old rock carvings. Of course, no visit is complete without the ubiquitous camel ride.
Petra

Our last stop is Jordon’s jewel in the crown, Petra. A UNESCO heritage site, this ancient city is hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains. At the top of the mountains, beyond the reach of most tourists, is a white tomb, said to be the burial place of Moses’ brother Aaron.

The approach to Petra is through a long, narrow gorge or Siq at the end of which is the our first glimpse of the massive facade of the Petra’s most famous monument, the Treasury.

The wonders continue down the valley. Hundreds of tombs and places of worship tower down from cliff faces on either side. Not to be missed is the huge and beautifully carved Monastery, an hour’s climb and 800 steps up from the city centre.
It was the Nabateans who carved the vast city out of the sand stone rock more than 2000 years ago. Today it’s beauty and size are still overwhelming.

The history of the area is as ancient as the Bible. As we pass a small spring on our way out of Petra our guide nonchalantly remarks that Moses struck the rock and with his staff causing water to flow out. True or not it’s a great story.

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination try this on for size. Trace the footpaths trodden by Lawrence of Arabia and escape to an unusual destination – the Liwa desert in the United Arab Emirates. Qasr Al Sarab is a resort village smack in the middle of this 18-thousand year-old desert built by Prince Mohammed, the brother of Abu Dhabi’s governor. Qasr Al Sarab is part of Thailand-based Anantara Spas and Resorts with resort hotels and Spas in Phuket, the Dead Sea and Bali, just to name a few. This surreal resort hotel and Spa is a fascinating oasis amidst the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world.

While chilling out in the desert may seem like a paradox, this enchanting village resort has the right setting and ambiance where guests can carve out their own leisure time in a number of ways. If the Spa’s gold powder massage won’t melt away your kinks then dining on world class Middle Eastern and International cuisine under the desert sky lit up with the stars of a thousand and one nights will. This is one place where where peace and a 360-degree view of the desert are guaranteed.

For centuries the mystery and fascination of the Middle Eastern desert has always been part of Western popular imagery and the creators of Qasr al Sarab Resort and Spa wish to recreate this fascinating mystique by affording their guests the opportunity to enjoy Emirati hospitality and Arabian culture in the place where it all began: the desert, and with a water supply directly from Abu Dhabi this is one desert experience that won’t leave visitors high and dry.

Qasr Al Sarab, the Hotel

Even though Qasr Al Sarab means “mirage palace” it is anything but a mirage. It’s a resort village composed of connecting sand-colored castle towers, burj, and other Middle Eastern style constructions, in which visitors will find the traditional Emirati ambiance along with all the comforts of a first class hotel and third millennium technology.

You too can spend time in the desert and feel like Lawrence of Arabia. Relax in any of their 70 rooms, over 40 deluxe-with-balcony rooms, 28 rooms with a terrace, 14 suites with king-sized beds, oversize bathtubs, rain showers and complimentary WI-FI. The villas offer their own delights: they come in 1-2-3 bedrooms, maximum privacy is assured with private sun decks, private pools, oversized bathtubs and private butler service. The resort’s 500 employees from 28 different nationalities will cater to guests’ wishes and offer quality health Spa pampering.

The resort’s three restaurants offer world-class cuisine. Al Waha is where guests can wake up to a morning breakfast buffet, Suhail is a rooftop bar and grill where you can enjoy seafood flown from all over the world and wine tasting at their walk-in wine cave. Ghadeer is a poolside bar and that offers grilled sandwiches and light meals. This beautiful island setting has bridges from the main guest area that are lit up with flame torches. From traditional Middle Eastern cuisine including hummus and ganoush, to nouvelle cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine with Italian, Spanish and Greek influences, guests will enjoy a unique desert dining experience. The resort’s culinary experience includes a choice of fine wines like Chablis and the prestigious Chateau Latour Paulliac 2001.

Antanara Health Spa

The resort boasts an area of complete desert relaxation, from saunas and jacuzzis to steam rooms and Arabian exotic wraps, this is where guests will find serenity physical and emotional well being. Rare and uncommon ingredients are used for Anantarai massages and rubs. With sand bath exfoliating treatments, a heated marble Hammam and Jacuzzi showers and fountains, guests are invited to indulge in Qasr’s special Spa packages or a la carte treatments.

The Spa’s signature treatments include a three-day Anantara recovery treatment, a Thailand-inspired healing philosophy treatment that includes a soothing milk bath, a floral foot bath and a facial treatment. If aromatherapy is your thing then you can enjoy a bath with delicate flower petals floating in your Spa tub. The massage room is where Qsar’s trademark Spa treatment takes place, a fatigue-shedding massage with gold powder and date pulp while enjoying a superb view of the desert.
What to Do and See at the Qasr Al Sarab Resort and Spa

What can you possibly do in a deserted…desert..? Plenty! You’ll feel like you’re at the world’s end by watching the Arabian sunset turn into a chromatic palette of purple, orange and pink. Go for romantic walks at dawn while the shamal, the northerly wind, blows on sand dunes that stretch out as far as the eye can see. Venture out into the desert and go camel-trekking through the dunes at dusk while the sun sets over the desert.

Desert wildlife watching could mean close encounters with scorpions, snakes, lizards and other small desert creatures. If camel back rides aren’t your cup of tea you can work on your tan by relaxing on any of the sundecks or by the pool with a refreshing drink. A state-of-the-art fitness room allows guests to continue their fitness routine or even begin one. There is also a yoga room for calm meditation. Invite a friend for a tennis match at the resort’s courts and if the daytime heat is too much for you, well-lit tennis courts are open for evening tennis under the stars.

Bookworms who forgot to bring their favorite novel may just find something at the resort’s well-stocked library. Families with children can keep kids busy at the “Kids’ Club” with games, activities, computer games, a flat-screen TV and a selection of age-appropriate movies and books.