Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, claims one of the world’s oldest cultures, descending from an ancient civilization that emerged in the 10th millennium BCE. It is best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and - visible above all - its pyramids. Less well-known is Egypt's medieval heritage, courtesy of Coptic Christianity and Islam - ancient churches, monasteries and mosques punctuate the Egyptian landscape. Egypt stimulates the imagination of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide.

Jordan is an Arab kingdom in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River known by its ancient monuments, nature reserves and seaside resorts. Many travellers and tourists visit Jordan with its history in mind, and understandably so. It’s home to the famed archaeological site of Petra, the Nabatean capital dating to around 300 B.C.E. Everywhere you visit, you will hear heartfelt words of welcome, and will often be invited into shops or people’s homes for a glass of sweet tea and a conversation.