{"id":45212,"date":"2022-01-13T16:21:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T16:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/?p=45212"},"modified":"2022-01-28T21:42:08","modified_gmt":"2022-01-28T21:42:08","slug":"introducing-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/introducing-the-middle-east\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Image capturing the desert mountain scenery of Jebel Akhdar, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman. Photo credit: Oman Tourist Board\" class=\"wp-image-45214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Al-Hajar-Mountains-in-Oman-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Sunset Over the Mountains of Jebel Akhdar in Oman. Photo credit: Oman Tourist Board<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p>The past two years have been difficult for most of us, and the travel industry is certainly no exception. Through these tough times we\u2019ve helped as many travelers as possible see the areas of the world that we love so much. We have also been researching, planning, and, whenever possible and safe, traveling to new areas, developing a passion for countries that lie just beyond the borders of our traditional confines. MIR has been exploring the countries at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and guiding fellow travelers there <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/the-mir-story\/\">since 1986<\/a>. It\u2019s our overriding passion, it\u2019s all we do, and that isn\u2019t changing. We do, however, want to introduce a new MIR region to you, one that also lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/region\/middle-east\/\">the Middle East<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Photos from Qatar<\/h6>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_61dd819659310-media-grid\" class=\"wp-block-xdf-standardmediagrid uk-section js-xd-components__media-grid uk-padding-remove\">\n\t<div class=\"uk-container uk-width-expand uk-padding-remove\">\n    <div id=\"media-grid-media-grid\" class=\"xd-component__media-grid  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open center\"  >\n\n      \n\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-feature-image  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd819659310\" data-slide-target=\"1\">\n\n            \n                          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Qatari Sand Dunes at Sunset. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                      <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-1  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd819659310\" data-slide-target=\"2\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x450.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Dhows Plying the Waters of the Persian Gulf off Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-2  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd819659310\" data-slide-target=\"3\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-3  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd819659310\" data-slide-target=\"4\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-4  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd819659310\" data-slide-target=\"5\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The National Museum of Qatar. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n        \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n      \n  <div id=\"block_61dd819659310-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_61dd819659310-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Qatari-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Qatari Sand Dunes at Sunset. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Qatari Sand Dunes at Sunset. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dhows-Plying-the-Waters-of-the-Persian-Gulf-off-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x450.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Dhows Plying the Waters of the Persian Gulf off Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Dhows Plying the Waters of the Persian Gulf off Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Katara-Cultural-Village-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abdullah-Bin-Zaid-Al-Mahmoud-Islamic-Cultural-Center-in-Doha-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center in Doha. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-National-Museum-of-Qatar-Credit-Qatar-National-Tourism-Council-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The National Museum of Qatar. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The National Museum of Qatar. Photo credit: Qatar National Tourism Council<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p>We have handpicked four countries on the Arabian Peninsula, destinations that we feel are uniquely appealing given their history, geography, and accessibility: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/oman\/\">Oman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/qatar\/\">Qatar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/saudi-arabia\/\">Saudi Arabia<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/united-arab-emirates\/\">the UAE<\/a>. We are also bringing back a country that was for years one of our favorites (and one of our travelers\u2019 favorites!): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/iran\/\">Iran<\/a>. This cluster of five nations straddles the Persian Gulf. Gleaming, modern cities, including the major air hubs of Doha and Dubai, dot the terrain, often in sharp contrast to the ancient ruins and verdant date palm-filled oases just beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Photos from the UAE<\/h6>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_61dd82c459311-media-grid\" class=\"wp-block-xdf-standardmediagrid uk-section js-xd-components__media-grid uk-padding-remove\">\n\t<div class=\"uk-container uk-width-expand uk-padding-remove\">\n    <div id=\"media-grid-media-grid\" class=\"xd-component__media-grid  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open center\"  >\n\n      \n\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-feature-image  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd82c459311\" data-slide-target=\"1\">\n\n            \n                          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"An Emirati Man Making Handspun Rope\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                      <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-1  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd82c459311\" data-slide-target=\"2\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Corniche in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-2  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd82c459311\" data-slide-target=\"3\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar.jpg 1344w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-1200x900.jpg 1200w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1344px) 100vw, 1344px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Modern yet Traditional Dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"1008\"\n  width=\"1344\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-3  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd82c459311\" data-slide-target=\"4\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x92.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x626.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x938.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x92.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x367.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1473x900.jpg 1473w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1768x1080.jpg 1768w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Dubai Skyline and the Iconic Burj Al Arab. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1173\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-4  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd82c459311\" data-slide-target=\"5\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-2880x1920.jpeg 2880w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1350x900.jpeg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1620x1080.jpeg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 2880px) 100vw, 2880px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"An Abra Water Taxi Crosses the Dubai Creek. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"1920\"\n  width=\"2880\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n        \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n      \n  <div id=\"block_61dd82c459311-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_61dd82c459311-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Emirati-Man-Making-Handspun-Rope-No-credit-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"An Emirati Man Making Handspun Rope\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">An Emirati Man Making Handspun Rope<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Abu-Dhabi-Corniche-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Corniche in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Corniche in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar.jpg 1344w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Modern-yet-Traditional-Dome-of-the-Louvre-Abu-Dhabi-Credit-Michel-Behar-1200x900.jpg 1200w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1344px) 100vw, 1344px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Modern yet Traditional Dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"1008\"\n  width=\"1344\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Modern yet Traditional Dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x92.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x626.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x938.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x92.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x367.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1473x900.jpg 1473w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Dubai-Skyline-and-the-Iconic-Burj-Al-Arab-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1768x1080.jpg 1768w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Dubai Skyline and the Iconic Burj Al Arab. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1173\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Dubai Skyline and the Iconic Burj Al Arab. Photo credit: Desert Adventures<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-2880x1920.jpeg 2880w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1350x900.jpeg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/An-Abra-Water-Taxi-Crosses-the-Dubai-Creek-Credit-Jake-Smith-1620x1080.jpeg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 2880px) 100vw, 2880px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"An Abra Water Taxi Crosses the Dubai Creek. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"1920\"\n  width=\"2880\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">An Abra Water Taxi Crosses the Dubai Creek. Photo credit: Jake Smith<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellent museums, public and private, document and preserve the region\u2019s history, art, and culture. Folds of craggy mountains divide seas of sand dunes, red and khaki under a frequently deep blue sky. Bedouins camp out in the desert beneath a dome of spectacular stars. Fleets of dhows fish the warm waters of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea. Arabic coffee is brewed with cardamom and saffron, and poured from elaborate ewers. The call to prayer emanates from towering, ornate minarets, echoing through bustling markets where both the familiar and the wildly unfamiliar are on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><strong>Photos from Oman<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_61dd845159312-media-grid\" class=\"wp-block-xdf-standardmediagrid uk-section js-xd-components__media-grid uk-padding-remove\">\n\t<div class=\"uk-container uk-width-expand uk-padding-remove\">\n    <div id=\"media-grid-media-grid\" class=\"xd-component__media-grid  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open center\"  >\n\n      \n\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-feature-image  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd845159312\" data-slide-target=\"1\">\n\n            \n                          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Nakhal Fort in Oman. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                      <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-1  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd845159312\" data-slide-target=\"2\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Camels in the Wahiba Sands\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-2  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd845159312\" data-slide-target=\"3\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Lush, Monsoon-watered Mountains in Oman's Dhofar Governorate. Photo credit: Oman Tourist Board\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-3  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd845159312\" data-slide-target=\"4\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Nizwa Friday Market in Oman's Interior. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-4  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd845159312\" data-slide-target=\"5\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x388.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1391x900.jpg 1391w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1670x1080.jpg 1670w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1242\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n        \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n      \n  <div id=\"block_61dd845159312-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_61dd845159312-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nakhal-Fort-in-Oman-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Nakhal Fort in Oman. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Nakhal Fort in Oman. Photo credit: Desert Adventures<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-in-the-Wahiba-Sands-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Camels in the Wahiba Sands\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Camels in the Wahiba Sands<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Lush-Monsoon-watered-Mountains-in-Oman_s-Dhofar-Governorate-Credit-Oman-Tourist-Board-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Lush, Monsoon-watered Mountains in Oman's Dhofar Governorate. Photo credit: Oman Tourist Board\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Lush, Monsoon-watered Mountains in Oman&#8217;s Dhofar Governorate. Photo credit: Oman Tourist Board<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Nizwa-Friday-Market-in-Oman_s-Interior-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Nizwa Friday Market in Oman's Interior. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Nizwa Friday Market in Oman&#8217;s Interior. Photo credit: Desert Adventures<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-600x388.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1391x900.jpg 1391w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Sultan-Qaboos-Grand-Mosque-in-Muscat-Credit-Desert-Adventures-1670x1080.jpg 1670w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Photo credit: Desert Adventures\"\n  height=\"1242\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Photo credit: Desert Adventures<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p>The Orientalist imagery draws one in, a colorful veneer that can be both familiar and exotic. Beyond that veneer the region proves to be a deeply fascinating place, and a surprisingly dynamic and diverse one. Diversity is found in religion, in language and dialects, in cuisine, and in landscapes. This is true even in countries like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/iran\/\">Iran<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/saudi-arabia\/\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> that are often thought of as monolithic by outsiders. Dynamism is evidenced in myriad ways, including the changing role of women in public life; diversifying economies and a move towards green energy; and even in newly relaxed rules for travelers in places like Saudi Arabia. The way these countries present themselves to the outside world is similarly complicated. Some, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/united-arab-emirates\/\">the UAE<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/qatar\/\">Qatar<\/a>, highlight their modernity and development first and foremost. Others, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/saudi-arabia\/\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/oman\/\">Oman<\/a>, place a greater emphasis on preserving and showcasing their heritage. In neither case does the delineation between modernity and tradition approach a straight, easy-to-follow line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/saudi-arabia\/\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> kept outsiders at arm\u2019s length, allowing in very few tourists. It has just recently reversed that policy and is now welcoming travelers in a measured and conscientious way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><strong>Photos from Saudi Arabia<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_61dd7b055930c-media-grid\" class=\"wp-block-xdf-standardmediagrid uk-section js-xd-components__media-grid uk-padding-remove\">\n\t<div class=\"uk-container uk-width-expand uk-padding-remove\">\n    <div id=\"media-grid-media-grid\" class=\"xd-component__media-grid  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open center\"  >\n\n      \n\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-feature-image  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7b055930c\" data-slide-target=\"1\">\n\n            \n                          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Market in Saudi Arabia. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                      <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-1  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7b055930c\" data-slide-target=\"2\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1440x1080.jpg 1440w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Oasis at Al Ula's Old Town. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"1440\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-2  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7b055930c\" data-slide-target=\"3\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-150x106.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1024x725.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1536x1087.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-150x106.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-600x425.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1272x900.jpg 1272w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1526x1080.jpg 1526w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Nabataean Tombs at Al Ula. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism\"\n  height=\"1359\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-3  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7b055930c\" data-slide-target=\"4\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpeg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Traditional Najdi Architecture at Ushaiger. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-4  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7b055930c\" data-slide-target=\"5\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpeg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Camels at the Buraydah Livestock Market. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n        \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n      \n  <div id=\"block_61dd7b055930c-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_61dd7b055930c-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Market-SaudiArabiaTourism-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Market in Saudi Arabia. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism\"\n  height=\"1280\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Market in Saudi Arabia. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Oasis-at-Al-Ula_s-Old-Town-Credit-Annie-Lucas-1440x1080.jpg 1440w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Oasis at Al Ula's Old Town. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"1440\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Oasis at Al Ula&#8217;s Old Town. Photo credit: Annie Lucas<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-150x106.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1024x725.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1536x1087.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-150x106.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-600x425.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1272x900.jpg 1272w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Nabataean-Tombs-at-Al-Ula-Credit-Saudi-Arabia-Tourism-1526x1080.jpg 1526w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Nabataean Tombs at Al Ula. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism\"\n  height=\"1359\"\n  width=\"1920\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Nabataean Tombs at Al Ula. Photo credit: Saudi Arabia Tourism<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Traditional-Najdi-Architecture-at-Ushaiger-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpeg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Traditional Najdi Architecture at Ushaiger. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Traditional Najdi Architecture at Ushaiger. Photo credit: Annie Lucas<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Camels-at-the-Buraydah-Livestock-Market-Credit-Annie-Lucas-600x450.jpeg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Camels at the Buraydah Livestock Market. Photo credit: Annie Lucas\"\n  height=\"600\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Camels at the Buraydah Livestock Market. Photo credit: Annie Lucas<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the Persian Gulf, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/country\/iran\/\">Iran<\/a> is politically opposed to the West and especially the U.S., while simultaneously one of the most welcoming destinations on the planet for Americans (and travelers in general). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><strong>Photos from Iran<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e-media-grid\" class=\"wp-block-xdf-standardmediagrid uk-section js-xd-components__media-grid uk-padding-remove\">\n\t<div class=\"uk-container uk-width-expand uk-padding-remove\">\n    <div id=\"media-grid-media-grid\" class=\"xd-component__media-grid  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open center\"  >\n\n      \n\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-feature-image  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e\" data-slide-target=\"1\">\n\n            \n                          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x127.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x127.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x509.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Two Friends at the Ancient Achaemenid Capital of Persepolis. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"543\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                      <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t          <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-1  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e\" data-slide-target=\"2\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Spices for Sale at a Market in Kerman, Iran. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-2  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e\" data-slide-target=\"3\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Rock Reliefs at Naghsh-e Rostam, Necropolis to Achaemenid and Sassanian Royalty. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-3  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e\" data-slide-target=\"4\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Pomegranates for Sale at a Market in the North of Iran. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"xd-component__media-grid-4  js-xd-components__media-grid-lightbox-open \" data-lightbox=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e\" data-slide-target=\"5\">\n                          \n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Iconic Imam Square in Isfahan, Among the World's Largest Public Spaces. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>            \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n        \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n      \n  <div id=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_61dd7ccc5930e-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x127.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x127.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Two-Friends-at-the-Ancient-Achaemenid-Capital-of-Persepolis-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x509.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Two Friends at the Ancient Achaemenid Capital of Persepolis. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"543\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Two Friends at the Ancient Achaemenid Capital of Persepolis. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Spices-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-Kerman-Iran-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Spices for Sale at a Market in Kerman, Iran. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Spices for Sale at a Market in Kerman, Iran. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rock-Reliefs-at-Naghsh-e-Rostam-Necropolis-to-Achaemenid-and-Sassanian-Royalty-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Rock Reliefs at Naghsh-e Rostam, Necropolis to Achaemenid and Sassanian Royalty. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Rock Reliefs at Naghsh-e Rostam, Necropolis to Achaemenid and Sassanian Royalty. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Pomegranates-for-Sale-at-a-Market-in-the-North-of-Iran-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Pomegranates for Sale at a Market in the North of Iran. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Pomegranates for Sale at a Market in the North of Iran. Photo credit: Jake Smith<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-Iconic-Imam-Square-in-Isfahan-Among-the-World_s-Largest-Public-Spaces-Credit-Jake-Smith-600x399.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Iconic Imam Square in Isfahan, Among the World's Largest Public Spaces. Photo credit: Jake Smith\"\n  height=\"426\"\n  width=\"640\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Iconic Imam Square in Isfahan, Among the World&#8217;s Largest Public Spaces. Photo credit: Jake Smith<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is of course so much more to it than that, far more than the scope of a blog permits. The Middle East is a place that must be experienced firsthand to understand.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignwide has-background-dim\" style=\"min-height:250px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-45400\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit.jpg\" style=\"object-position:56% 41%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"56% 41%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/A-Caravan-of-Camels-Crossing-the-Desert-in-the-UAE-No-credit-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Travel to the Middle East with MIR<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you are a first-time traveler (with MIR or in general), or an experienced world explorer with dozens of countries under your belt, let our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/tour-managers-guides\/\">expert guides, tour managers<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/mir-near-far\/\">travel planners<\/a> work with you to get you over there to see it all for yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have crafted an initial offering of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/?tt=small_group_tour&amp;r=44137\">four small group tours<\/a> that focus on the region, including one that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/once-forbidden-lands-of-central-asia-iran\/\">links it with Central Asia<\/a>, as well as an array of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/?tt=private_trip&amp;r=44137\">private, customizable package offerings<\/a> for each individual country. Our travel planners can also work with you to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/?tt=build_your_own&amp;r=44137\">handcraft your own journey<\/a>, whether focused on one country or a multi-country odyssey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please look through the links embedded in the blog to read more about these new destinations and the trips we have planned to them in 2022 and beyond, or take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/request-a-catalog\/\">2022\/2023 digital catalog<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Narenjestan-Gardens-in-Shiraz-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg\" alt=\"Narenjestan Gardens in Shiraz. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\" class=\"wp-image-45386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Narenjestan-Gardens-in-Shiraz-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Narenjestan-Gardens-in-Shiraz-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-300x277.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Narenjestan-Gardens-in-Shiraz-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-150x138.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Narenjestan-Gardens-in-Shiraz-Credit-Lindsay-Fincher-600x553.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Narenjestan Gardens in Shiraz. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you have some initial questions, have read a bit and are ready to start planning, or already know exactly what you want, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/contact\/\">we\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Chat with one of our destination specialists today!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/contact\/\">contact us!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MIR has been exploring the countries at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and guiding fellow travelers there since 1986. It\u2019s our overriding passion, it\u2019s all we do, and that isn\u2019t changing. We do, however, want to introduce a new MIR region to you, one that also lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia: the Middle East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":45436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Introducing the Middle East | MIR Corp<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"MIR has been exploring the crossroads of Europe and Asia since 1986. We now want to introduce a new MIR region: the Middle East.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/introducing-the-middle-east\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Introducing the Middle East | MIR Corp\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"MIR has been exploring the crossroads of Europe and Asia since 1986. 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