Specialists

"Getting out to the peace of Siwa when I was living in the organised chaos that is Cairo made it more than just a favourite destination, as it probably also kept me sane; much as I love Cairo, it can be a bit wearing sometimes!

Consequently I've always thought of Siwa as an oasis in more than just the geographical sense - it really is the crystalisation of a side of Egypt that just can't be seen anywhere else. Where else can you cycle around on huge salt flats, see a ruined oracle visited by Alexander the Great, watch the sun set over the Saharan dunes and then listen to Berber music round the campfire?

A truly incongruous place that is made all the more magical by its wildly captivating parts."

"The opening of this hotel was overshadowed by a blaze of publicity, most of which concerned the recommended mode of entry: by paraglider. By the time I visited, Zighy Bay (and the guests) had adjusted to a more down-to-earth pace. I don't usually go for unabashed luxury; primarily because I am not used to it, but sometimes I am willing to be spoilt and that is what Zighy Bay sets itself out to do.

Those looking to see some of Oman's culture had better get their sightseeing done before they arrive: the Musandam peninsular is pretty remote. But a few days spent here at the end of a cultural tour would be a great way to finish: the spa was top notch, service was in a different league to most of Oman's hotels and, for a hotel whose main aim is to get guests as relaxed as possible, there were a suprising amount of activities on offer. Guided walks, snorkelling trips, and of course paragliding."

"I thought I knew the Middle East pretty well, and then I went to Syria. It cast any previously held claims of expertise into a pretty amateurish light.

Syria has everything for those who are interested in the history of the region, and as there are still relatively few people visiting you can often find yourself alone at some fantastic sites. And that is what happened to me at Marqab castle where I had one of the largest Crusader castles in the world all to myself.

Deserted apart from a gatekeeper, I was really able to piece the castle together in my mind. Devoid of signs, guiding notes or any kind of labelled description, my inner schoolboy ran wild with images of sieges, Saracens and treachery. What I thought was a gruesome torture chamber was probably in reality just a simple pantry, but it was a really great day in what was a fantastic trip overall.

Rounded off with some great food, charming people and the rest of the sights, this trip made me realise what a first-time visitor to Syria has been missing."