The Middle East is a gem for women who love to travel. With its scenic landscapes, stunning architecture, varied cultural experiences, and delicious food, this region is a dream destination for several women travelers across the globe. However, owing to the differences in traditions, laws, and customs in the region, women travelers might sometimes need some help to navigate through this region.
Are you planning to travel in the New Year to a new destination that you’ve never explored before? If so, then the Middle East is a good option, provided you’ve never traveled here before. The weather in the Middle East during the month of January is pleasant. You will have ample sunshine that doesn’t prove to be scorching heat, along with clear blue skies.
This region is known for its desert landscape and warm climate, with minimal chances of rainfall. Hence, women who love to travel light and don’t want to carry an umbrella during their holiday will find this region a great destination.
Now that you know January is a good month to plan your vacation here, you need to get prepared for the same. Considering the cultural differences, it is necessary to keep a few dos and don’ts in mind. In this article, we will delve into a few factors that you should consider before you plan your Middle East vacation in January 2024.
Get the Best Hotel Deals
Since January is the first month of the year, there are chances that you can make the most of the hotel discounts and deals. And for that, you have to book early, as many others like you are trying to make the most of the deals. There are a few hotels that can offer discounts to women travelers if they are traveling in a group.
Other deals are available in the form of room discounts, complimentary breakfast throughout your stay, saving up to 40% on a kid’s stay if you intend to go with your family, buying one drink and getting the other free at the hotel bar, discounts on the chef’s special menu, and attractive deals on beauty and spa treatments provided by the hotel. You can explore Isrotel’s hotels on the Sea of Galilee to check out some deals that might attract you.
Isrotel provides you with unending choices in high-end restaurants, lavish hotel service, and easy online booking systems. According to the data collected in 2022, this hotel chain group operates 22 hotels linked to tourism services, which include shopping centers, restaurants, diving centers, and spas.
Refrain From Traveling Alone
Women often overlook this tip in their enthusiasm to explore the Middle East. Even though you might love traveling the world alone, think twice before doing that for this region. The reason might come as a surprise for many, but it seems to be a fact that you need to keep in mind.
Typically, Middle Eastern men aren’t very comfortable dealing with and speaking to Western women. So, you might have challenges communicating with the street vendors and other men that you might have to meet during your travel. It could be a vehicle driver or the owner of a local travel agency as well.
Therefore, you should have a male friend with you on this vacation. It can be a family member, your male best friend, or even a brother or a spouse. It will help you with your shopping adventures and excursions in this region. Additionally, it also ensures that you are safe while you travel.
Make Sure You Don’t Dress Too Bold
As a woman, when you are traveling to this region, you might want to show your respect for the local culture by dressing so that the region is comfortable seeing its women. Typically, women are covered from head to toe here. Therefore, you can count on your crop trousers, palazzos, quarter pants, tees, and even maxi dresses while you stay here.
The Middle East is known for several mosques, like the Al-Aqsa and King Saud Mosque. Most are known for their exquisite architecture and rich history. If you are planning to visit a few of them, ensure that your head is covered with a scarf and you wear a long dress. It will help you blend in with the region, which is also an interesting way to explore a region.
Furthermore, not every mosque permits women to get inside. Hence, conduct research, and know the mosques that permit women entry, and go when there are other women travelers like you. Ideally, the morning to afternoon time seems best for this.
Stick to The Dining Etiquette
Middle Eastern dining etiquette is slightly different compared to other destinations. After your meal, use the toothpick provided by the restaurant to pick your teeth. If you use your hand instead, it gets considered slightly impolite. Neither should you be stretching to the other end of the table to get your food, as it’s interpreted as rude.
You shouldn’t leave the meal before you get served coffee.
To sum up, these are some guidelines that women travelers should keep in mind when they plan a vacation to the Middle East in January 2024. Since it’s the new year, you will have access to festive deals and discounts in hotels, malls, and restaurants. Once you keep the guidelines mentioned above in mind, you can have a memorable tour.
