Cities of marble shimmer under a relentless sun. Dune drives draw you into an endless landscape where forts pop up like mirages. Fragrant souks around Oman and the Yemen invite your curiosity. Warm Red Sea waters reveal shoals of tropical fish as Egypt points to surprises the other side of Suez, once the haunt of Crusaders chasing the Holy Grail. Classical pediments and golden beaches line turquoise shores to journey's end in Istanbul.