A Spiritual Sanctuary

Mecca and Medina are the holiest cities in Islam, revered by approximately 1 billion Muslims worldwide. The Kaaba, the cubical edifice first established by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, is located in Mecca, whereas Medina is home to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, whom Muslims believe is the final messenger of God in a lengthy chain of messengers that includes Moses and Jesus.

Non-Muslims are not permitted to visit the two cities, but if you are of the faith, they are a must-see. Spirituality, history, and a sense of oneness may all be extremely emotional. This is especially true during Hajj, when up to 3 million people converge for a very personal - yet collective - experience, a trip in which all become equal before God.

Many historic places in Medina can be visited, including Quba Mosque, Islam's oldest mosque, Al-Baqi' cemetery, where hundreds of Islam's revered personalities are buried, and the Mountain of Uhud, the location of the battle of Uhud. Unfortunately, the vast bulk of Mecca's historical sites has been destroyed in recent decades. Some were destroyed as the Grand Mosque expanded, while others were removed owing to religious issues.