West Asia is the region between India and the Mediterranean including what is often called the Middle East. Most of these countries are predominantly Muslim and not geared for tourism to the same extent as many other countries so that you go as a visitor or traveler rather than a tourist.

Like visiting someones house, its important to observe the proper etiquette which is fairly simple. Be polite and be modest in your dress, long skirts and long sleeve shirts for the ladies with head scarfs for visiting sensitive or sacred places. For men, trousers and long sleeve shirts are recommended although in tourist zones, tourist beaches and resorts one may generally revert to what is more comfortable.

Like any country in the world, if you display your wealth, you become a target for theft. Unemployment is very high in the entire Middle eastern region and therefore petty crimes like theft are common.

Many of these countries are still in conflict over political or religious control, or the struggle over border regions. As such you must do your homework and learn where you can and can't go as tourists can be targets for kidnapping or robbing and petty crime is common in many places.

While resorts like Eilat in south Israel suffer occasional rocket attacks and Algeria is recovering from a civil war, normality is slowly returning and the people of these countries appreciate respectful visitors who don't preach, criticize or get involved in their business. So as a general rule, be courteous, go and enjoy the scenery, buy some souvenirs and get to know the people.

This region is where you find a rich world history and you can explore the ruins of once great cities like Petra in Jordan and Palmyra in Syria.

• Afghanistan closed for war.
• Bahrain Mix desert and tropical waters.
• Iraq closed for war.
• Israel Explore the contrasts of the biblical past and sexy modern.
• Jordan Discover the past.
• Lebanon Enjoy time away from mass tourism.
• Pakistan partly closed by disasters and war.
• Saudi Arabia an Islamic Mecca.
• Syria Explore history and friendly people.
• Turkey with its rich history and mix of cultures.
• United Arab Emirates Dubai the ultra modern playground for the well to do.
• Still to come
  Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Georgia, Azerbajan, Armenia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Quata, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.