BAHRAIN HOLIDAYS   >   MIDDLE EAST 


Municipalities in Bahrain : Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar and Sitrah.

Bahrain is a group of 33 islands situated in the Persian Gulf (*), off the east coast of Saudi Arabia.

The state takes its name from the largest island Bahrain. It is linked by causeways to Muharraq [ international airport ] and Sitra [ industrial area and tank-farm ].

There are numerous other tiny islands, but they are mainly uninhabited and are best known for the variety of migrating birds which pass through in spring and autumn.

Capital City of Bahrain: Manama


hotels, tour operators, travel guides, travel to bahrain

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Hotels in Bahrain

  Booking  -  Hotels in Bahrain   -   Hotel Guide Bahrain   -   Manama, Muharraq and Juffair

  Gulf Hotel  *****, Al Juffair street, Manama
Like Bahrain's 5000 years of exotic heritage, we are steeped in history…
The first and biggest five star hotel ever built on the Island, Gulf Hotel combines luxury and tradition to give you the utmost in comfort and service.
The impressive and unrivaled Gulf International Convention & Exhibition Center located within the hotel complex is a showcase of professionalism offering every facility and resource support for mounting any type of event to the highest standards.
  Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain *****, 143 Road 2403, Al Muharraq
There is something wonderfully unique about the Moevenpick Hotel Bahrain which blends the classic Swiss touch with Arabian hospitality. Strategically located opposite the airport, overlooking a lagoon, it offers a fine restaurant, international bar, an atrium lobby restaurant and a pool bar. With a spacious parking area, two outdoor tennis courts and a large pool, it lies within ten minutes driving distance of the city, making it ideal both as a leisure retreat and a business destination.

    -    Hotels Manama

 

 
Centrally located hotels ranging from small family run budget accommodation to world-class five star hotels.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators / Bahrain specialists

  British Airways   -   Holidays in Bahrein 
Watch traditional falconry displays or trawl modern malls on the oil-rich Gulf island of Bahrain. You'll be fascinated by Bahrain's rich cultural heritage from the narrow streets of Manama's souk bazaar to Bronze Age excavations and Portuguese forts. Take a camel ride through the desert, stopping for a rest under the shady iconic Tree of Life.

  Thomas Cook

 
Create your perfect trip to Bahrain   -   Flight, Hotel and Car



  Albadar Travel Agency
AlBader Travel & Tourism is one of the leading and progressive travel agencies in Bahrain, providing a wide range of travel and travel-related services for inbound and outbound travel.
  Aquatique Dive School
As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, AQUATIQUE offers the full curriculum of Snorkelling and Scuba education and experiences from a 'bubbling' excursion in the pool... to professional career and Instructor Training... and beyond.
Aquatique  also conducts dive experiences and excursions from 2 major resort hotel complexes. Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Bahrain and The Hawar Resort Hotel at Hawar Island. Both of these facilities offer a wide range of snorkelling and scuba diving experiences designed for the beginner and the virtuoso.

Travel Guides Bahrain / Related Books

Bahrain Mini Visitor's Guide
The little book that packs a big punch, the Bahrain Mini Explorer may fit in your pocket but it's bursting with information on this fascinating island nation. With excellent maps to aid exploring, a comprehensive shopping chapter with insider info on the best buys, sports and spas, and reviews on restaurants and the nightlife, this is an indispensable guide to an one of the most fascinating countries in the Gulf.
Paperback: 192 pages; Publisher: Explorer Publishing; 1 Pap/Map edition (15 Jun 2008); ISBN-10: 9948033191; ISBN-13: 978-9948033196.

Transport / How do I travel to Bahrain

  Bahrain International Airport

   -   Flights to Bahrain
Book cheap flights to Bahrain at ebookers and benefit from discounted airfares.

  British Airways   -   Flight tickets Bahrein 
British Airways flights to Bahrain land at Bahrain International Airport, just four miles north of Bahrain's capital city Manama. On the way into Manama after flights land you'll pass the UNESCO-listed Qalat al-Bahrain mound, topped by a Portuguese fort.

  Airline Tickets /  Bargain Flights   -   price comparison possible

Bahrain Mini Map
Map: 2 pages; Publisher: Explorer Publishing; 1 edition (15 Jun 2008); Language English; ISBN-10: 9768182709; ISBN-13: 978-9768182708.


Links 

  Bahrein Tourism
A.o. History,  Tourist Attractions,  Hotels & Apartments,  Restaurants,  Rent a Car,  Banks,  Travel Agencies,  Clubs & Resorts,  What's on in Bahrain, Search,  Enquiries,  F.A.Q's,  Conferences & Exhibitions and Photo Gallery
  Government   -   State of Bahrain

  Manama   -   Capital City Bahrain
Situated on the Persian Gulf, in the northeast of Bahrain Island

  Al-Jasra House
The house was built by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in 1907, and was the birthplace of the present Amir in July 1933. Restored in 1986 and are now open to the public.
  Al Jazaer Beach
  Al-Khamis Mosque
one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region, and the foundations are believed to have been laid as early as 692AD. An inscription found on the site, however, suggests a foundation date sometimes during the 11th Century. It has since been rebuilt twice in both 14th & 15th centuries, when the minarets were constructed.
  Arad Fort
This 16th century fort of Arabic construction is probably one of the first landmarks you will see upon arrival to Bahrain due to its proximity to the airport.
  Bahrain Fort
The first dwellings on the site are believed to have been constructed around 2800 BC, and have subsequently been overlaid by numerous fortified settlements. The last was built in the early 16th century to defend Portugal's recent acquisition of the islands-for this reason, it is also known locally as the Portugueese Fort.
  Beit Al Qur'an   -   House of the Qur'an
The House of the Qur'an was built to accommodate a comprehensive and valuable collection of the Holy Qur'an and manuscripts, a concept which is unique in the Arabian Gulf.
  Barbar Temple
Excavations, which were begun in the 1950s and 1960s, have revealed three stone-built temples dating from the second and third millennia BC. It is believed that they were built as a place of worship for the God of Spring Waters, Enki, and a sacred well within the complex strengthens this theory.
  Hawar Islands
  Museum of Pearl Diving
The 'Museum of Pearl Diving' building is regarded as one of the most important and historic buildings in Bahrain . Its importance derives from being the first official center for the Bahrain Courts.
  Salman bin Ahmed Al fateh Fort
Standing on a low escarpment, overlooking the valley between the east and west Riffa the fort held an ideal strategic position during the 18th century
  Shaikh Isa's House
Shaikh Isa's house, in the old town of Muharraq, was once the home of the Amir`s great-grandfather, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al khalifa . It provides a fine example of local architecture, complete with wind tower, wall carving and lattice work, and its representative of traditional 19th century life. One of the early forms of " air conditions" was the wind tower, a traditional landmark of local architecture. This would act as a funnel, catching the breeze and drawing it down it down into the cavities below, as well as allowing the release of hot air like a chimney.
  Soukhs in Bahrein
The Soukh, The Gold Soukh en The Cloth Soukh
  Siyadi House
One of the most impressive examples of a 19th century built by the pearl-merchant Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi and has many fine features to look out for, including ornate ceilings, stained-glass windows, carved screens and a large safe set into the wall of a small, upper reception room.

  Bahrain International Circuit
Grand Prix Bahrain [ F1 ] and more...
  Diving
Up to 30 species of coral and in excess of 200 species of fish can be found, in particular, on the northern offshore reefs of Bahrain. Here, divers, underwater photographers and snorkellers can discover a myriad of Indo Pacific species including clown fish, trigger fish, surgeon fish,turtles, rays, lion fish,grouper, snapper, crayfish and even whalesharks; while tuna, mackerel, trevally and barracuda cruise above. In addition to reef diving there are a number of wrecks around the island, including ships, planes, tugs and barges that have something special to offer the inveterate diver. Dugongs (sea cows) can also be seen feeding on the sea grass in the southern waters of Bahrain during the cooler winter months.
  Golf   -   Riffa Golf Club
Bahrain's first international 18 hole grass golf course, just 15 minutes from the country's capital Manama and 20 minutes from the King Fahad Causeway link with Saudi Arabia.
  Horse Racing
Bahrain's love of all things equestrian is further revealed in its splendid racetrack, together with a grandstand those seats 10.000 spectators. Meetings are held every Friday from October to March. Car parking and programs are free; however, betting is strictly prohibited.
  Newspaper   -   Akbar AlKhaleej   -   arabic
  Newspaper   -   Al Ayam   -   arabic
  TV   -   Bahrain television 
  Newspaper   -   Bahrain Tribune
  Newspaper   -   Gulf Daily News
  Pearl Diving
Recorded as far back as 5000 years ago, Pearl Diving has been Bahrain's heritage for millennia and ,today, these same productive oyster beds (the largest of their kind in the world) continue to flourish.

*) The controversial term Arabian Gulf, the subject of the Persian Gulf naming dispute, may refer to the : a.) Persian Gulf, the internationally recognized name and b) Red Sea, an older name rarely used by some European nations until the nineteenth century. See Persian Gulf naming dispute.

History of Bahrain

Known in ancient times as Dilmun, Bahrain was an important center of trade by the 3rd millennium B.C. The islands were ruled by the Persians in the 4th century A.D., and then by Arabs until 1541, when the Portuguese invaded them. Persia again claimed Bahrain in 1602. In 1783 Ahmad ibn al-Khalifah took over, and the al-Khalifahs remain the ruling family today. Bahrain became a British protectorate in 1820. It did not gain full independence untill Aug. 14, 1971.

  Bahrain's History   -   Wikipedia
Bahrain was once part of the ancient civilization of Dilmun and served as an important link in trade routes between Sumeria and the Indus Valley as long as 5,000 years ago.
In the first century AD, Bahrain was referred to by the Greeks as "Tylos", the centre of pearls trading...

The Land of Enki in the Islamic Era: Pearls, Palms, and Religious Identity in Bahrain 
Timothy Insoll 
Presenting the results of a recent archaeological survey of the region, this book attempts to uncover the history of Bahrain during the period between the 6th and 13th centuries AD, of which little is currently understood.
Hardcover 300 pages (November 1, 2004);  Publisher: Kegan Paul;  Language: English;  ISBN: 0710309600

  Oil Museum
Houses some fascinating exhibits, including drilling equipment, documents, old photographs and a working model of an oil rig.
  Oil Well No.1
As its name suggests, this is the first oil well in the Gulf. "Spurted" on 16th October 1931, the well finally began to blow heads of oil on the morning of 2nd June 1932, too much celebration on the part of those involved in the project. It is situated below jebel Dukhan, the Mountain of Smoke, which, at a height of 134 meters (450 feet), is the highest point of the island. Its name comes from the misty haze, which frequently surrounds it on a hot and humid day.

 
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