Travel Guides: All Countries, Middle East.
 |  | Fact File : Middle East |
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| | | Middle East | | Did you know?
A common Arabic greeting is "ahlan wa sahlan" which loosely translated means "be one of the family and at your ease".
Language
Arabic in most countries; Hebrew in Israel.
Visas
UK citizens don't need a visa for Dubai. But visas, usually lasting two weeks, are required for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. An Israeli stamp in your passport can cause problems and you may be denied entry to some countries.
Getting there
Direct flights are available from the UK to Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Amman, Jordan and Damascus, Syria.
Flying time
Seven hours – Dubai; five hours – Syria and Jordan.
Getting around
Buses are frequent and cheap in Jordan, Syria and Dubai. Hire cars and taxis are also good in Dubai, but expect congestion at peak times.
Currency
UAE dirham – Dubai; Syrian pound – Syria; dinar – Jordan; shekel - Israel.
Costs
In Jordan and Syria, a bottle of beer costs around 60p, a moderate meal between £5-£8, a four-mile taxi ride less than a £1 and a 24 exposure camera film between £1 and £2.50. Prices are higher in Dubai, although this depends on where you go.
Weather
Dubai has warm, humid weather year-round but July and August can get extremely hot. Winter is pleasantly warm. Sandstorms occur but have minimal impact. Temperatures vary considerably within Syria and Jordan but range from oppressive summer heat to cool, occasionally rainy winters.
Time difference
Four hours ahead of GMT – Dubai; five hours head in Jordan and Syria.
International dialling code from the UK
00 971 4 – Dubai; 00 963 –Syria; 00 962 – Jordan.
Voltage
220V is standard. Bring a two pin plug for Syria and Jordan as well as an adapter. The British three-pronged plug is used in Dubai.
Opening hours
Shops, banks and post offices are generally open between 8am and 8pm, except for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Some close early on Fridays. Souqs or markets are open every day. During the holy month of Ramadan, which falls on different dates each year, business hours are shorter.
Health – before you go
Remember to buy adequate travel insurance. Jabs for hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are recommended for Jordan and Syria. There is a malaria risk in some parts of Jordan. Always check with your GP before departure.
Health- when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink everywhere, except in the Jordan Valley. Use sun block, a hat, drink lots of water, and consider buying sodium and potassium tablets for dehydration, particularly in the desert where heatstroke may be a hazard.
Warnings
Dress modestly and behave courteously. In Jordan, women should cover the nape of their neck and men should wear long trousers in public areas. In Syria, it's advisable to carry your passport at all times and to avoid taking photos of military installations. Many parts of the region can be volatile, and visiting Israel can be particularly risky. Check Foreign Office advice before travelling.
Emergency
Police – 999 Dubai; 112 Syria; 199 Jordan.
Customs
In Dubai, it's customary to stand when someone enters the room and offer your hand to shake. Touch your heart with the palm of your right hand after each shake.
Pets
Quarantine rules apply so leave them at home.
Tipping
It's generally 10% for restaurants and taxis and loose change for porters.
Tourist Office
Dubai Department of Tourism, 1st Floor, 125 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5EA. Tel: 020 7839 0581.
Syrian Embassy, 8 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PH. Tel: 020 7245 9012.
Jordan Tourism Board, Lee House, 2nd Floor, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH. Tel: 020 7371 6496.
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