A historic sanctuary in the last refuge of the Aramaic language.

Also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, this is one of the world's largest and oldest mosques.

One of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is also one of the most unusual; it's made of black volcanic rock.

One of the oldest monasteries in the world is a key pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Christians.

This ancient mountain monastery welcomes all manner of faith in an effort to keep Christians in Syria.

What is left of the pillar of Saint Simeon, the voluntary martyr who climbed the column to give his sermons, remaining perched there for thirty-seven years.

Amid the rubble of Aleppo's Old Quarter, part of a historic market has been restored and re-opened.

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.

The Syrian headquarters of alleged hashish-smoking assassins.

A 1,500-year-old ghost settlement is slowly fading away.

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.

One of the world’s largest suspended aquariums, located in Dubai Mall.

Dioramas retell the obscure local legends and ghost stories of Sharjah, from a living palm tree to a headless camel.

Every December, this stretch of dusty desert road transforms into a catwalk for a camel beauty pageant.

The United Arab Emirates's biggest and oldest fort pays homage to a lost era.

The oldest surviving mosque in the UAE has mysterious origins and unusual architecture.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

If you dare visit this fort, fire-breathing hyenas might devour your camels.

The ruins in this village were caused by something more sinister than neglect.

Where artisans use centuries-old techniques to build traditional Arabian ships.

This remote British Imperial telegraph relay outpost drove men insane.