Bahrain

Travellers to the Middle East are often attracted by the fables of exotic markets, locally known as Souqs. A hap-hazardly connected labyrinth of alleyways and stalls selling everything from rare oils to bizarre spices. Well, there aren't that many old-school markets left. The one in Manama is undoubtedly the closet things the country has to this type of portal to yesteryear. Bab al Bahrain (gate of Bahrain) is the entrance to the city's souq. And while you're more likely to find stalls with socks and underwear or cheap plastic toys from China, there are still a few hidden corners that would belong in the Arabian Nights. The best way to explore is to do away with any sort of map and wander until you're lost, then found, then lost again.

There are few sites of historical relevance in the Gulf region. Instead, icons of modernity erupt from the desert sands. The Emirates has its Burj Khalifa. Kuwait has its Kuwait Towers. For Bahrain, its iconic building is the World Trade Centre. Marketed as the country's first SMART building, the symbiotic 50-storey towers (240 m) boast a fully integrated IT infrastructure. But beyond that, its the expansive views, business facilities and high-end shopping and dining options that are the attraction for most visitors. Frankly, the Centre's space age appearance is probably what most people will remember most. In a country lacking in major attractions, the WTC in Manama would have to qualify as a highlight.