The 1958 discovery of oil transformed Abu Dhabi from a rural backwater into a modern metropolis with one of the world's highest per-capita incomes. Today it features skyscrapers, malls, luxury hotels, tree-lined boulevards, and gardens, while retaining an Arabian mystique. Cruise the Gulf and nearby islands on a traditional dhow, visit Heritage Village to see traditional crafts, or browse the souk for gold and Bedouin silver jewelry.

The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, neighboring Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In 1970, the son of Sultan Said bin Taimur overthrew his father's government and renamed the nation the Sultanate of Oman. During the Persian Gulf War, Oman served as a landing base for the allied forces. Salalah is gateway for visitors to explore the site of "Jebel Qarra," fabled to be the tomb of the biblical Job.

Archaeological finds show 5,000 years of civilization in Jeddah, whose mix of old and new makes Saudi Arabia's "bride of the Red Sea" so appealing. Explore Al Balad's narrow medieval alleys, built from Red Sea coral blocks. Browse the bustling Souq Al Alawi, the kingdom's largest bazaar. Stroll the Corniche past green landscaping, cafes, piers, and King Fahd's Fountain, then try kabsa, Saudi Arabia's national dish.

Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankhamen's tomb and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. Take a jeep safari into the desert to a Bedouin settlement for sweet tea and flatbread, and watch the sunset over the sands. Shop for hand-painted papyrus, mother-of-pearl boxes, alabaster trinkets, jewelry, and ancient-style replicas. Enjoy lamb, falafel, and other Middle Eastern and Egyptian specialties.

Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankhamen's tomb and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. Take a jeep safari into the desert to a Bedouin settlement for sweet tea and flatbread, and watch the sunset over the sands. Shop for hand-painted papyrus, mother-of-pearl boxes, alabaster trinkets, jewelry, and ancient-style replicas. Enjoy lamb, falafel, and other Middle Eastern and Egyptian specialties.

Aqaba, in southwestern Jordan, is Jordan's only seaport and the gateway to Petra. Petra dates back to perhaps 7000 BC, was one of the earliest farming communities in the Middle East, and was built from solid red rock with intricate carvings. Once the capital of the Nabataean civilization, it stretched from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Enter through a half-mile chasm and see the magnificent Treasury.

Aqaba, in southwestern Jordan, is Jordan's only seaport and the gateway to Petra. Petra dates back to perhaps 7000 BC, was one of the earliest farming communities in the Middle East, and was built from solid red rock with intricate carvings. Once the capital of the Nabataean civilization, it stretched from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Enter through a half-mile chasm and see the magnificent Treasury.

Explore Galilee: the Jordan River, Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Nazareth. In Haifa, see the Bahai Gardens and shop at Panorama Center or Massada Street. South of Haifa, Ein Hod offers hand-blown glass, pottery, silver, gold, and crafts. Dining ranges from French and Continental to Middle Eastern, with fresh fish, grilled lamb, and homemade kanafeh-baked sweet cheese with pistachio and honey.

Explore Galilee: the Jordan River, Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Nazareth. In Haifa, see the Bahai Gardens and shop at Panorama Center or Massada Street. South of Haifa, Ein Hod offers hand-blown glass, pottery, silver, gold, and crafts. Dining ranges from French and Continental to Middle Eastern, with fresh fish, grilled lamb, and homemade kanafeh-baked sweet cheese with pistachio and honey.

Limassol is the jumping-off point for Cyprus's ancient riches: ruins, lemon, orange and olive groves, mountains, and beaches. Visit Lemesos Castle, where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre, and its museum. Explore ancient Curium for mosaics, theater, basilica, and sea views. In Nicosia, see St. John's Cathedral, Venetian fortifications, the old town, mosque, and museum. Shop for lace, copper, jewelry, and pottery, and enjoy appetizers, fresh seafood, and local wine.

Renowned as the site of the former Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Rhodes was home to the Knights of St. John from the 12th to 16th centuries. Their famous Palace of the Grand Masters remains a "must-see," as are many of the inns occupied by the Crusaders and the replica of the old church. For a more in-depth look at the city, visitors can take in the Archeological where the Acropolis of Rhodes and the ancient stadium offer perfect photo opportunities.

Europe's classical metropolis, Ephesus, was one of the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire, boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Explore the ruins of its massive Theater, the Temple of Hadrian and the magnificent Celsus Library.

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens, the "Cradle of Western Civilization," famed for its lasting cultural and political influence. Driven by tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites. Athens remains a historian's delight, with the Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka's winding streets, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum's renowned ancient artifacts.

Sorrento is one of the world's most beautiful towns, with breathtaking coastal views and rich history dating back to the 11th century BC. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, it is a key point on the Sorrentine Peninsula and a top destination in Campania. Also plan a day trip to Capri, one of Italy's most celebrated islands, known for its natural beauty.

Rome offers endless choices: enjoy street performers at the Spanish Steps, wine and people-watching in colorful Trastevere, or the city's rich history and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica is a full-day visit, with the Sistine Chapel and panoramic views from the dome. Don't miss the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and Aventine Hill, which overlooks the Imperial Palaces ruins and the Circus Maximus.

One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.

There is something for everyone in Alicante. The historic Mediterranean port city is located in renowned Costa Blanca, within the region of Valencia. From outdoor cafés to white-sand beaches to museums that house rare masterpieces, this town has everything one would expect of a Mediterranean escape. Be sure to visit the picturesque town of Guadalest, one of the most unique destinations in all of Spain.

Málaga, on Spain's Costa del Sol, is the region's capital and a popular holiday base. It is Picasso's birthplace, and his works are displayed in the Museo Picasso in the Palacio de Buenavista. Visitors can also sample sweet Málaga dessert wines from nearby hillside vineyards. The city is a pleasant place to explore and a common starting point for trips to Granada and the Alhambra in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and industrial center. Its renaissance came with the French protectorate under its first resident general, Lyautey. It was largely his ideas on public works and the layout of the new city which gave Casablanca its wide boulevards, public parks and fountains, and imposing Moresque civic buildings.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, blends history, maritime charm, and great dining. Visit Halifax Citadel, the historic waterfront, or the Public Gardens, Canada's oldest Victorian gardens. Enjoy local lobster and seafood. Known to the Mi'kmaq as "Chebuctook" ("Great Long Harbor"), Halifax's natural harbor made it a key convoy base in both world wars. Across the water, scenic Dartmouth is reached by Canada's oldest saltwater ferry.

The 'City that Never Sleeps' beckons - renowned museums and sites galore by day; the glittering sophistication of clubs, theaters and restaurants by night. Explore Chinatown, Greenwich Village, the United Nations, Central Park's Museum Mile and Wall Street's towering steel and glass monuments to commerce, then hop into a cab for an afternoon of world-class shopping along Park and Fifth Avenues.