Whether you live in one of the region’s modern megacities or you’re an outsider looking in and what the possibilities are, we aim to help you on your journey to the Middle East.
A little more about “us” – who is Family Travel in the Middle East?
Us is far more than one person! This website will not just be a personal blog; it will be a collection of stories from our community. We already have an active online community that enjoys discussing the ins and outs of Middle East travel.
You can see our current list of website contributors here
The website was founded by Keri Hedrick, an expat mum of three who has called the UAE home since 2012. She has been sharing her families story over on her personal blog “Our Globetrotters” for many years, but time has come where so many stories pertain just to the Middle East region, it deserved a little spot on the internet all of its own!
People have been awed by our stories, but we consider them nothing more than a great way to fill our leisure and recreation time. We learn so much more about where we live as we travel and gain a deeper appreciation of why things are the way they are!
Speaking to many other families who travel regionally, we realised that the challenges are often great: lack of information, language barriers, or simply fear of the unknown. Once you break those barriers down and give yourself comfort, there are some amazing places to discover and so many hidden gems in the Middle East that just aren’t ‘in the guidebooks’.
What you will find on Family Travel Middle East
Destinations. We aim to bring you destination information you may not have seen before. Our guides by country will set out the basics you need to know before visiting each country, from safety to visas, as well as the practical stuff that matters to families: suitable accommodation, distance and time information and suitability by age group.
You will note there are a few countries absent from our detailed coverage, namely Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Yemen. At present, civil unrest and acts of war make it challenging for us to recommend travel by families to these countries. It’s not discounting that there are areas of interest to tourists in these country but as at 2024, tourism is not recommended for family travellers (and/or allowed by most international Governments).
Reviews. Based on experiences from our community, we will have accommodation, dining and activity reviews to share.
Inspiration. Looking for ways to spend a long weekend somewhere new? Finding hidden gems? Longer breaks away from the Middle East using the great airline networks?
What this site isn’t for
Politics and Religion. This site WILL NOT discuss political or religious rights and wrongs. There are plenty of other places on the internet for these sorts of conversations. If we see negative, hateful, political, or religious views being expressed in either the commenting section of this site or our community platforms, they will be deleted. It just isn’t the place. We are family-friendly explorers, that is it.
Booking your travel. We are not a travel agency! We do not personally book tours or arrange your itineraries. We can provide you with recommendations and suggestions, but we expect our readers to use this information to self-plan their trip or seek a travel agent to implement their ideas.
We include links to third-party booking sites with whom we have an affiliate relationship (i.e., we earn a small income if you eventually book something) on this site. This will be clearly stated if we are ever sponsored or provided with gratuities in exchange for our views.
Safety advisories. We will not skirt over the fact that not all parts of the Middle East are safe for family travel (you can see our current safety advice here). We will guide you on safety precautions and advise behaviours to fit in with cultural, moral and religious norms, but we are NOT a Government advisory body. Wherever possible we will push you to the correct, most current international advisory.
We really look forward to growing the family travel community in the Middle East.
Want to be part of it? Visit our JOIN US page to learn how you can get more involved.
This page may contain affiliate links to third parties. If you click on these links and make a purchase we may make a small commission. All opinions are those of the stated author and the material on this page remains copyright to Family Travel in the Middle East. You can read our full disclosure policy and terms of use here.
The Family Travel in the Middle East team of travel writers are all parents based in the Middle East, sharing first hand experiences and reviews from across the region to help you plan your next family adventure.
