4 vacations you can take around the Arab world that aren't Dubai

Do you feel like taking a trip somewhere but dread the long visa process and expensive tickets? 

Well, it may not seem like it, but there are plenty of vacations you can take around the Middle East that will have you feeling like you're far, far away.

Whether it's a beach destination or a city escape, you'll want to add these four places to your bucket list and tick them off as soon as you possibly can. 

It's the fourth largest city and probably the most touristic destination in the country. From architectural landmarks to a breathtaking scenery,  Marrakesh is definitely the place to be this summer. 

Make sure to taste foods like couscous and bastilla, visit the lively and colorful markets and bazaars, and meet the locals. 

Located in northern Tunisia, 20 kilometers away from the capital, this town was named after a religious figure who lived there, Abu Said al-Baji. 

Most notably known for its blue and white color scheme, this attraction is slowly becoming more popular for tourists as the Arabic version of Santorini, Greece. 

Before Bora Bora and the Amalfi coast, there was the famous El Gouna located on the Red Sea in Egypt. 

El Gouna, where the weather is sunny all year long and the sunsets are breathtaking, is also home to many activities like snorkeling, kite surfing, and desert safaris.

Named the Best International City for Food by Travel and Leisure, Beirut beat Paris, Florence, and even Rome as the city that loves to eat and is good at doing it.

It's a city that everyone should visit at least once, if only to get a taste of what tabbouleh and kebbeh taste like when they're homemade. 

Enjoy a stroll down Mar Mikhael or Ashrafieh and stop for street food on the way.