Middle East

Globe Trekker. (Double DVD) Hosted by Egyptian-born, award-winning chef Bobby Chinn, World Café Middle East delivers a stylish fast-paced show which uncovers the recipes, history and culture behind some of the region’s most famous foods. Bobby, a restaurateur, known for his trademark sense of humor, takes us on an entertaining trip as he visits markets, hangs out in the hippest nightspots, and cooks some delicious, interesting and sometimes downright strange street food. As well as sampling the culinary delights, Bobby explores the main cornerstones of Middle Eastern life in this exciting and informative series. Episodes included: Istanbul, Turkey Damascus & Aleppo, Syria Jordan & The West Bank Cairo & Alexandria, Egypt

Travel through the Wadi Rum Desert and the ancient ruins of Petra, swim in the Dead Sea, see the oil fields of Kuwait, tee off at a desert golf course in Abu Dhabi, marvel at the awe inspiring structures of Dubai and discover a warm welcome in Beirut then visit the ancient Syrian trading centers of Aleppo, Damascus and the Greco-Roman city of Apamea, experience the beauty of Iran, the ancient relics of the Persian empire and the modern day Holy Lands. Globe Trekker’s Ultimate Middle East offers all these experiences and more. Our roving Globe Trekkers, Ian Wright, Megan McCormick, Zay Harding and Holly Morris have traversed the Middle East region to find the most interesting and exciting places, leading you off the tourist track and into a world often missed by package tours.

DVD. Legacy of Ancient Civilizations. 30 Minutes. Located at the southern end of the Arabian peninsula, the countries of Yemen and Oman sit at a strategic crossroads. The Horn of Africa lies just a few miles across the southern end of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf is off to the East, and the Arabian Sea, an arm of the Indian Ocean, gives ships easy passage to India and points east. In ancient times, this advantageous location gave the area, then known as Saba, access to wealth and power. Today, it is easy to think that ancient societies were, because of their technological limitations, relatively isolated from other parts of the world. But the study of ancient Arabia proves otherwise. The Sabaeans received goods from distant China and India and shipped them to the Mediterranean and beyond. They also produced their own luxury goods that were highly prized in other lands. Their wealth enabled them to build imposing cities, the ruins of which are treasured archaeological sites.

Globe Trekker Video. 4-episode set on 2 DVD's. 3 Hours. Double-DVD set contains four shows: The Arab Gulf States, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, Israel & the Sinai Desert, and a Short History Special. Known as the "cradle of civilization", the Middle East is the meeting point between Africa, Europe and Asia, and contains some of the most beautiful and mystical scenery in the world. Unfortunately, due to cultural and political complexities, only a handful of visitors get to experience the genuine hospitality of the people and see the region's stunning ancient cities. Traveler Ian Wright starts his journey in Jordan's Wadi Rum Desert, traveling south past the ruins at Petra and then on to Beirut in Lebanon. He ends his journey in Syria at the ancient town of Palmyra. Further south, traveler Megan McCormick visits battle scarred Kuwait before traveling on to Dubai and finally Oman. Justine Shapiro completes the journey traveling through Israel and the Sinai Desert. Along the way... $_$_START_LIST ? Witness a Sufi ritual and the mystical order of the Whirling Dervishes. ? Revel in the festivities of Liberation Day on the streets of Kuwait City. ? Play a round of golf with one of the most flamboyant sheiks in Arabia. ? Spend the night in a stable in Jerusalem. ? Climb Mount Sinai in Egypt. $_$_END_LIST Additional Short History Special Join regular Globe Trekkers Justine Shapiro, Ian Wright and Megan McCormick on a historical whistle stop tour of the Middle East. Follow them discovering the major historic sites that have shaped its empires, religions and conflicts. Approximately 3 hours.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The oldest Arabian trading city, Dubai is a pulsating desert metropolis in the Middle East which is today synonymous with High Tech and Bedouins plus tall desert sand dunes, rocky terrain and the blazing sun. The Al-Fahidi Fort is Dubai's oldest building and was built at the beginning of the 19th century and now houses the Dubai Museum.Narrow alleys lead through the Goldsuk, the traditional covered bazaar, in which shops and stalls are packed closely together, with merchandise worth millions glittering in tempting shop windows. But for those who wish to experience something a little different, the sand dunes of the desert are the perfect setting for Dune Riding, an exhilarating extreme sport that's off the normal tourist trail. Setting off in convoy in four-wheel drive vehicles, at first the track is smooth, though undulating and, to get into the mood, this initial terrain is usually tackled with caution.And then it begins: as though on a continuous roller coaster set on sand, the horizon moves constantly as the ride follows deep ruts and then, at high acceleration, ascends high dunes, only to return downwards at stomach-churning speed.Then, in the mountains, the Wadi Water Drive follows craggy riverbeds and bumpy gravel tracks followed by further thrills in the fascinating Hajar Mountains. After all this, a camel ride turns the frenzied ridiculous into tranquil sublime and a Bedouin barbecue rounds off a perfect day in an ancient land that offers more than just a holiday!

Travel Video. DVD. Extravaganza. Dubai, once a pirate coast, today is a high-tech city of Bedouin flair, its old dwellings, narrow winding streets and Al Fahidi Fort providing an atmospheric insight to its historic past. In the souks there is much haggling and noise and from tightly packed bags of spices, the aroma of cardamom, cinnamon and cloves fills the air. This is a city of many contrasts, with old wooden dhows anchoring in front of futuristic skyscrapers made of chrome and glass. The new symbol of the Emirates, the Burj Al Arab, is an Arabian tower that extends high into the sky, the only seven star hotel in the world built upon its own artificial island in the Persian Gulf. The hotel's exterior is shaped like a gigantic sail bent by the wind, a wonder of hotel design that is without equal. The sound of water fountains mingles with Arabian melodies and combines to produce an almost meditative ambience, while dry ice silently emits mystique and enchantment. Expensive mosaics vie with mirror smooth surfaces and imaginative combinations of color. This exclusive hotel is mainly frequented by clientele from the oil-rich Gulf States and its long list of VIP guests is no surprise, especially when considering that a night's stay costs between 1,500 and 10,000 dollars! The Al Muntaha Restaurant towers 200 metres above the Arabian Gulf and is reached by an express lift made of entirely of glass, its tables offering the finest Mediterranean cuisine as well as outstanding panoramic views. This new symbol of Dubai, the Burj Al Arab, is a truly unique and exceptional world-class luxury hotel of the highest order.

DVD. Modern Times Wonders The latest symbol of the Emirates, Dubai's Burj Al Arab, is an Arabian tower that extends high into the sky, the only seven star hotel in the world built upon its own artificial island in the Persian Gulf. The hotel's exterior is shaped like a gigantic sail bent by the wind, a wonder of hotel design that is without equal. The sound of water fountains mingles with Arabian melodies and combines to produce an almost meditative atmosphere, while the aroma of incense brings to mind the story of the 1,001 Nights. This exclusive hotel is mainly frequented by clientele from the oil-rich Gulf States and its long list of VIP guests is no surprise, especially when considering that a night's stay costs between 1,500 and 10,000 dollars! Created from the inspiration of Arab oil sheikhs, the Burj Al Arab comprises 202 suites on 28 floors and at 321 metres high, it is currently the world's tallest hotel. It's d?cor includes 2,000 square metres of gold leaf, here it can truly be said that all glisters with gold! This new symbol of Dubai, the Burj Al Arab, is a truly unique and exceptional world-class luxury hotel of the highest order.

DVD. World Destinations. 27 Minutes. Dubai is one of the world's richest and newest countries. It is an enchanting balance of tradition and culture.

Travel Video. DVD. Extravaganza. Spectacular architectural masterpieces, combined with Arabian elements, dominate the city of Abu Dhabi and have turned it into one of the most modern metropolises in the world. However, one of the city's buildings surpasses all others. The legendary Emirates Palace is truly a hotel of the superlative and has no less than seven stars. Reminiscent of the Thousand And One Nights, the hotel is a fusion of both contemporary and Arab-Islamic elements and the colors of the complex harmonies with the surroundings in all the shades of the Arabian desert. It is not difficult to understand how the Palace cost 3 billion dollars to build. Imported marble and numerous magnificent chandeliers of the finest Svarovski crystal create a luxurious and extravagant atmosphere. To top it all, a private butler is on hand for each guest and the bathrooms have taps of gold! The most expensive hotel in the world is more like a palace than an hotel. An extravagance of service, design and architecture. The Emirates Palace is surely an Arabian dream come true!

DVD. Modern Times Wonders Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and due to its immense natural resources of oil and gas, has seen much transformation, although age-old traditions are still much respected. Even so, the city has developed a truly cosmopolitan atmosphere and contains more foreigners than locals. A mighty triumphal gate leads visitors into a fascinating Oriental fairytale world, the Emirates Palace, which has made Abu Dhabi world famous and has also assisted greatly in establishing it as a centre of tourism. Despite its name, the Emirates Palace is not in fact a royal palace but a luxurious seven star hotel of the superlative and at three billion U.S. dollars, it cost more to build than any other hotel ever built anywhere in the world. Both the hotel's main building and side wings are crowned by several cupolas, a hundred and fourteen to be precise! The Emirates Palace has taken Abu Dhabi out of the shadow of nearby Dubai and although further developments are planned, nothing will outdo the Emirates Palace!

DVD. Digging for the Truth. 188 Minutes. Host Josh Bernstein continues his quest to unlock the world's greatest secrets as he searches for the real Queen of Sheba investigates the truth about Troy, uncovers secrets of the hotly debated novel, The Da Vinci Code, and hunts for giants in Patagonia. The Real Queen of Sheba Traveling back through time along the ancient incense trails of the near and Middle East, Josh seeks to unearth the real story behind the legends of the mysterious Queen of Sheba. Troy: of Gods and Warriors Josh travels to Greece and Turkey in search of the mythical city of Troy, and uncovers a city in northern Turkey that might just prove that Homer's legendary lliad is more than just a great story. The Da Vinci Code: Bloodlines A Unique quest to analyze Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code will lead Josh to seek the DNA evidence that might prove - or disprove - one of the most sensational claims in modern history. Giants of Patagonia Josh journeys across the glaciers of Patagonia ("The Land of the Big Feet") on a quest to determine whether the "giants" reported by European explorers could have existed in the region.

DVD. The World Atlas. 48 Minutes. The Atlas steps into the digital age. A new one-of-a-kind World Atlas covering all parts of the globe with animated maps from Rand McNally and in-depth cultural and historical information. Each episode is dedicated to different countries, containing four distinct features - physical geography, political geography, popular locations, and thematic maps. The new digitally animated one-of-a-kind version of an Atlas of the World like you have never seen before!