The Brilliance of the Seas is one of the cruise ships offering Middle East trips, including a 16 day route from the UAE to Spain. This ship spends 9 of those 16 days at sea, which is a record for the operator Royal Caribbean. Egypt was canceled on this route due to the political unrest, although it still made the Suez Canal transit.

The cancellation of the Egypt port stop led to a wave of guest cancellations just weeks prior to sailing, and consequently prices plummeted for those willing to risk the trip. This cruise is like three holidays for the price of one. Guests get a taste of different Middle Eastern destinations, including Dubai, Muscat and Abu Dhabi, while also experiencing an ocean voyage with many days at sea.

There are some great deals on Middle East trips this year. For example, you can fly to Cairo on Egypt Air from Heathrow starting at around 375 pounds roundtrip. EasyJet has routes to Sharm el-Sheikh from Luton, Manchester, and Gatwick airports from around 300 pounds roundtrip all summer as well.

BMI offers cheap flights from major Scottish cities, as well as from Manchester and Heathrow. In terms of hotels, Cairo offers a good variety of lovely small boutiques, including the Talisman. This is a downtown building featuring 24 rooms which start at 82 euros. The Mena House Oberoi is another option on the high end. It features an ideal location adjacent to the pyramids, with rooms starting at 230 euros per night, and kids under 12 can stay for free.

Middle East trips offer the prospect of new friendships and incredible history lessons, not to mention unique cultural treasures. For example, Tunisia features many ancient Roman sites, along with exotic kasbahs and small towns surrounded by groves of date palms. The capital of Tunis is a modern urban hub with efficient public transit and tree-lined streets. The secular state appears stable on the surface, but economic pressures were roiling beneath and the corruption and unemployment eventually gave way to violent revolution.

This so-called Jasmine Revolution became the foundation for other popular uprisings throughout the region. Despite the recent unrest, Tunisian culture remains hospitable and friendly, reflecting the ancient desert traditions that transcend modern politics. The desert here retains its harsh beauty, even as growing industrialization is encroaching on its periphery.