Marhaba! Hello and welcome to Middle East Journeys!

I am Soumya, a history buff and passionate traveler with a special love for the Middle East. Through my travel blog, Middle East Journeys, I want to share the region’s beauty with the world, especially its history, art, food, culture, and nature.

Middle East Journeys aims to be a resource for those looking to travel to all the fabulous Middle Eastern destinations, including but not limited to glitzy and glamorous Dubai, lesser-known ancient cities of Saudi Arabia, and the gorgeous beaches of Aegean Turkey.

Since the definition of the Middle East varies between organizations, and the number of countries included in the list also varies, we will try to cover the entire region and include as many countries as possible. Sometimes, the similarities between the countries may be geographical and sometimes cultural. And that’s what makes the Middle East so beautiful.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about traveling to the Middle East. I am happy to help.

Al Qatt art at the Fatima Museum in Abha
Beautiful Al-Qatt art representing the traditional architecture of the Asir region in Saudi Arabia. Al-Qatt is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

About Soumya

Soumya is a travel journalist (bylines in BBC Travel, Architectural Digest, Time Out, and more) with a special affinity for everything Middle Eastern. She has lived and worked in the Middle East (including Kuwait, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Istanbul) for several years and now calls Riyadh home.

Soumya is passionate about ancient history, art, architecture, and food. She runs a history and culture-focused travel blog, Stories by Soumya, where she talks about long-lost civilizations and historical cities. Architectural marvels such as the barjeels of the Middle East and colorful art forms such as Al-Qatt of the Asir region in Saudi Arabia fascinate her. When she is not traveling or writing, she is researching ancient cities such as Petra and Al Ula or trying delectable Middle Eastern sweets such as halawet el jibn.

Soumya’s favorite places in the Middle East

Abha – The Jacaranda Wonderland of the Middle East

Dubai Old Town – Beyond the Glitz and the Glamour of the City of Gold