Visit Baghdad

Visit Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (one of the world's largest mosques with 82 domes and capacity for 40,000 worshippers), explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi (art museum with a striking dome structure and global collections), drive the Formula 1 circuit at Yas Marina Circuit, and stroll along the Corniche waterfront with views of the city skyline.

Visit Doha, the capital of Qatar. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art (designed by I.M. Pei, housing one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Islamic art), stroll along the Corniche (7-kilometer waterfront promenade with views of the skyline and traditional dhows), shop at Souq Waqif (a restored traditional market selling spices, textiles, and handicrafts), and see the futuristic skyscrapers of West Bay.

Visit Tehran, the capital of Iran. Explore the Golestan Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site with intricate mirror work and royal history), see the Azadi Tower (iconic monument built in 1971 to commemorate the Persian Empire), browse the Grand Bazaar (one of the largest covered markets in the world with traditional crafts and spices), and visit the National Museum of Iran (housing artifacts from ancient civilizations like Persepolis).

Visit Mosul, a historic city in northern Iraq. Explore the ancient ruins of Nineveh (one of the oldest cities in the world, with archaeological sites dating back to 6000 BCE), see the Al-Nuri Mosque (famous for its leaning minaret and reconstruction after conflict), and walk through the old city markets (bustling with traditional crafts and local goods).

Learn Modern Standard Arabic and its unique script

Explore Mesopotamian heartlands, date-palm rivers, and golden minarets of Iraq

Visit Istanbul, Turkey's historic city straddling Europe and Asia. Explore the Hagia Sophia (a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral turned mosque and museum), marvel at the Blue Mosque's six minarets and 20,000 Iznik tiles, wander the Grand Bazaar (one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops), and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for views of palaces and bridges linking continents.

Visit Dubai, a futuristic city in the United Arab Emirates. Ascend the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building at 828m with observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors), shop at the Dubai Mall (one of the largest malls globally with an aquarium and ice rink), experience desert safaris in the Arabian Desert (dune bashing, camel rides, and traditional Bedouin camps), and admire the Palm Jumeirah (artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree with luxury hotels).