The UAE's capital also wants to become the major cultural capital of the Middle East. For that it's creating new homes for the Guggenheim and Louvre museums, and that alone will make it one of the world's must-go cities. Set in a series of islands, it's already an attractive destination,

Being in this fascinating city is going back 3000 years in history. It's the spiritual center of the world, holy to the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Whatever your religion

The lowest point on earth borders Israel and Jordan and allows you to experience a natural phenomenon -- floating weightlessly. It's best experienced on the Jordan side, where there are some wonderful

It's one of the world's most surprising cities, combining a bit of New York, Rio, and Miami. Although it's unique for being a mostly Jewish city, it likes to see itself as a cosmopolitan place, always with the feeling of being on holiday. It buzzes for 24 hours, with impressive nightlife

All of Jordan (with the exception of the unattractive capital) is filled with magic and wonder, culminating in Petra. This ancient city hewn from rock is unlike anywhere else on earth, with great sculpted temples created by desert tribes. This is one of the most remarkable cities ever built,

You'll soon be hearing a lot more about Doha. Qatar's capital is working to become a major world city, building grand hotels, an impressive skyline with stunning modern architecture, and world-class cultural attractions

It's in Europe and in Asia and it's the place that mostly mixes East and West in the Middle East. A great imperial capital for almost sixteen centuries, this is old Constantinople, still filled with architectural splendor. There's the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

The city of the future is already a city of the present. It's all about the new and the newer, the big and the bigger, and trying to outdo itself and the competition. Hoping to become