This beautifully historic Bahrain fortress might not be the most popular attraction around, but that might make it all the better.

This centuries-old tree tells an unusual tale of vegetation and fertility in the desert.

A mesmerizing wonderland of salt-encrusted tree branches and pencil roots.

These beautiful historic watchtowers were used for both scanning the desert for enemy invaders and observing the celestial world.

Robot jockeys ride their humped mounts to victory as part of a 21st-century twist on an ancient desert sport.

A staggering number of rock carvings in an abandoned quarry.

A 19th century pearling and fishing village abandoned before Qatar's economic boom.

An abandoned fishing village in pre-oil Qatar.

Some of the ancient-looking huts among these strange rock formations aren't ancient at all, but built as part of a movie set.

A creepy, deserted mock Arabian village can be found in the middle of the Qatari desert.

This seemingly random 30-foot statue of an oryx in Qatar's capital was a mascot for the 2006 Asian Games.

Qatar's oldest market can trace its origins back more than a century.

This fountain pays homage to Qatar's history of pearling, the primary industry before oil.

A superb spot to appreciate the traditional boats of the Indian Ocean.

The shallow, salty inlet was a safe haven for 19th-century pirates.

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

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

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

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.

This beautifully restored fortification kept the city safe for centuries.

An imposing Omani fortress surrounded by date palm trees.

This spectacular mosque houses the second-largest chandelier in the world.

This bazaar is one of the oldest in the Arabian world.