Lebanon, an ancient land re-inventing itself once again in the aftermath of civil war, has much to offer to the inquisitive traveller. At the cross-roads of empires, commerce, civilizations and world religions, you cannot go far in the country without discovering any number of historical monuments. Lebanon also boasts many areas of great natural beauty.

Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium – three names for the same city, redolent of its past history as capital of two mighty empires for 1600 years, and still today one of the great cities of the world. Istanbul is extraordinary, East meets West here, the only city in the world located astride two continents. Around it, the waters of the Marmara Sea mingle with those of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

First published in 1882, this book offers a remarkably unprejudiced account of life in Tunisia towards the end of the nineteenth century. Touching upon oft-described “archaeological curiosities” only briefly, the author instead concentrates his attention on the country’s “present condition, its towns, districts and people”, making the book an invaluable historical document.

First published in 1877, this book recounts the author’s travels from Tripoli in present-day Libya to the city of Kairouan in modern Tunisia. Rae gives detailed descriptions of Tripoli, the plague, the Gulf of Syrte, Tunis, Sfax and the island of Djerba. There is also a chapter on Tripoli’s Jewish quarter and its inhabitants.

Of particular interest, however, is Rae’s daring visit to the holy city of Kairouan (Kairwan). Rae was one of the earliest non-Muslims to visit and offers a stirring account of his reception and a detailed description of the city and its main buildings.