Bahrain

Ships berth at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, whose modern cruise terminal includes a duty-free shop and other services.

Manama lies at an approximate distance of 13 kilometres (8 miles).

Taxis and other arranged transport serve the port. A shuttle into central Manama generally costs around $10 and takes 45 minutes.

Mina Salman Port, which stands nearer the city, is sometimes used instead.

This small island nation has 688,000 residents and an international Formula 1 circuit. The King Fahad Causeway, extending for 18 miles, connects it with Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain is a group of 33 Arabian Gulf islands where old and new meet. Tower blocks share the skyline with grand mosques expressing Islamic culture, art and architecture. Manama, the capital, is modern and dominated by a Manhattan-like skyline. Near the Bab al-Bahrain archway, its old-town souk retains a traditional street pattern despite the contemporary development around it. A'ali Burial Mounds, recommended for a glimpse of the past, is the world's largest cemetery. Other ancient places include The House of Al Jasra, described as a birthplace...

Although Bahrain's taxis are metered, the meters are frequently absent or faulty. Negotiate an hourly charge for longer trips, which can be expensive, and remember that the weather may become extremely hot.

Mina Sulman port is located in Bahrain's capital, Manamah, a haven for Arabs, expatriates and tourists who want to enjoy its lively nightlife, which includes alcohol.

On the city's eastern coast, Corniche al-Fateh is a seafront promenade with shisha cafés, fairground rides and excellent skyline views.

Strong flavours and spices characterise Arabic cooking. Lamb is the main meat, with duck, turkey and chicken also eaten. Beer and arak, an aniseed-flavoured grape spirit, are the most common drinks.

One dinar is worth nearly three US dollars; the fixed rate is US$2.66, to be precise.

The language is Arabic.