The Middle East emerged as a hot travel destination in this weekend’s press, so we’ve given it its own category in the press round-up. If it’s a city trip you’re after there’s plenty of choice, from Berlin and Madrid to Juneau in Alaska. And for those seeking paradise there’s the six best tropical islands in Latin America. This week we have City, Escape, Outdoor/Adventure, The Middle East and Art.

Quick links:

• MIDDLE EAST
  
• CITY
• OUTDOORS/ADVENTURE
• ESCAPE
• ART

MIDDLE EAST

• The Middle East is emerging as one of the hottest travel destinations. Annabelle Thorpe asks five experts from Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordan to reveal The best of the Middle East.
• As the Middle East garners much attention this weekend, Chris Haslam asks Family holiday + Jordan. Does it work? Despite a few early tears and frowns, the Dead Sea, lost city of Petra and a camel ride won over some very tough critics.
• “The restored 1920s Villa Belle Epoque has plenty of Cairo’s exotic allure yet none of its irritants” explains Teresa Machan of the Villa Belle Epoque, Cairo, “this is one of those owner-run gems where you can squander precious sightseeing hours without feeling at all guilty.”
• If you’re after a mobile phone free break, the Winter Palace, Luxor could be the hotel for you. With mobile-free zones, high tea and jasmine-filled garden, Teresa Machan reviews this Egyptian hotel.
• “You could be forgiven for thinking you’d washed up at the home of an ancient Arabian” says Teresa Machan of the Al Moudira, Luxor. Close to the Valley of Kings, the hotel is a maze of arches, domed ceilings and hidden courtyards.
• The Hilton Resort and Spa Luxor, a chic Nile-side has just undergone a $45 million revamp. Teresa Machan reveals the highlights and lowpoints of this luxury hotel in Egypt.
• Ruined forts, remote villages and dramatic canyons are the highlights of Oman.
Annabelle Thorpe tells us that visitors are missing out in Oman by sticking too close to the luxury hotels and private beaches. Her advice? Take the high roads to find Oman’s hidden treasures.

CITY

• If the Parisians have put you off Paris, allow Pauline Harris and Simon Kuper to explain. Both residents of Paris, Harris and Kuper have created A user’s guide to understanding Parisians. This enlightening guide sheds light on the interesting behaviour of those in France’s capital.
• Jane Ure-Smith reveals the best of Berlin in Berlin’s Coming of Age, and finds a city that changes on every visit.
• “Residents of Juneau brag that their town is the most beautiful capital city in America, and they have a strong argument” says Cornelia Dean after 36 Hours in Juneau, Alaska. With its rainforest, glaciers and whales, perhaps the residents are right.
• Lionel Beehner looked beyond the garbage and torn-up streets of Lipscani, a small pocket of Bucharest, and discovers a hub of arts, culture and night life. As Lipscani, a Bucharest District, Struts Again, Beehner finds the best watering holes to soak up the atmosphere.
• In Spain, Ben Ross does Travel By Numbers: Madrid. From the Temple of Debod to the oldest restaurant in the world, it all adds up perfectly. Apart from the 0 complimentary drinks on the flight.

ESCAPE

• If you enjoyed a round of golf this sunny bank holiday weekend, and are thirsty for more, Brian Viner heads out the USA for a game. Despite vultures, alligators and snakes on the course, he maintains that There’s nothing finer than golf in Carolina…

• If you’re on the hunt for an island hideaway and all its tropical trimmings, the Independent can help. The Big Six: Latin American island retreats features six island escapes in places such as Belize, Honduras and Ecuador.
• The Villa Lucia health spa in Tuscany isn’t all about pain and denial. On the contrary, Adrian Mourby enjoys Wine and chocolate on the ultimate health retreat.
• Joshua Stein ventures into the mountains of northern Italy, discovering tiny villages that have fostered different culinary specialities. From white beans to wild boar, porcini to brusso, Stein gives us A taste of rural Liguria.

OUTDOOR/ADVENTURE

• Amelia Hill goes kayaking on the Dordogne and takes the river at a gentle pace. In idyllic solitude, amidst dragonflies and kingfishers, she wonders where all the Brits have gone.
• Taking A road trip across Namibia’s unexplored south, one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth, John Gimlette finds that it’s not all tough and rough. Chic does exist in the desert.
• As a 45ft yacht glides through the blue waters, Gareth McLean would be forgiven for thinking he was in the Cote D’azur or the Seychelles. No, he was Sailing the tiny islands off of Lanzarote – a far cry from Lanzarote’s tacky image.

ART

• If you think Tintin is merely childs’ play, think again. Charles de Gaulle, the Dalai Lama and Andy Warhol have all been influenced by the Belgian character. Andrew Mueller visits Belgium where The Hergé Museum celebrates Tintin. He discovers that there’s more to Tintin than Tintin, and more to the Herge than Tintin.
• Artists of the world descent on Russia for the forthcoming Biennale of international modern art. Tom Parfitt guides us through the exhibition spaces and edge hangouts and reveals The top spots for catching up with Moscow’s new art elite.
• Every year in autumn art-lovers descend on the German capital for Art Forum, a contemporary art fair exhibiting works from around the world. As Art Renews Another Strip of Berlin … Kimberley Bradley picks out the best of the galleries.