It can get extremely hot in Bahrain in the summer months, with temperatures pushing up to 40C and sometimes way past. The average temperature high for the year, however, is around 30C, with the lowest temperatures in January and February, when it’s around 20C.

Although a small country with a population of just over 1.2 million, half of whom are non-nationals, Bahrain is a major tourism destination. It’s increasingly attracting people from outside the region. Some two million people visit the country each year, drawn by the brilliant weather, wonderful culture and safe environment.

The wealthy Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain has been investing heavily in tourism as it moves beyond an oil-based economy and develops into other sectors. Officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, it’s an archipelago comprising of the main island of Bahrain, with the gleaming capital, Manama, in the northeast, and a grouping of smaller islands. The country lies just off the western shores of the Persian Gulf and is linked to its western neighbour of Saudi Arabia by a number of bridges stretching for 25km and collectively called the King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain holidays are an indulgent escape into a Persian paradise.

On the main Bahrain Island there’s no shortage of excellent accommodation, particularly in the capital, Manama, where you’ll find some of the best hotels in the region, including many international brands. The country’s second-largest city is Riffa, further south, and it has lots of historical attractions as well as good shopping. That’s followed by Muharraq as the third-biggest city, on the island of Muharraq in the northeast. Other major islands in the archipelago where you can stay on your Bahrain holidays are Hawar, just off the west coast of Qatar; Umm an Nasan in the northwest of the archipelago; and Sitrah, in the northeast.

Begin your Bahrain holidays by finding out all about this fascinating Arab country – visit Bahrain National Museum in the capital, Manama, where you can view a large collection of artefacts from antiquity as well as items from more recent history. Beside the museum is the National Theatre of Bahrain; its main auditorium has a grand total of 1,001 seats. Book tickets to a performance and take up some.

Qal’at al-Bahrain, or Bahrain Fort, is an important archaeological area that has been excavated since the 1950s and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discoveries at the location, in Karbabad in the north of the main island, reveal that people have lived there since around 2300 BC.

The enormous Al Fateh Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the entire world and is in the capital – go have a look and see it for yourself. The expansive building can hold around 7,000 people at any one time and has two towering minarets to broadcast the call to prayer. It was only built in 1987 and is one of the major tourism attractions in the country. Tours are available every day except Friday, the Islamic day of prayer.

If you’re on holiday with little ones, they’ll love Adhari Park, an amusement park in Tubli in the east of the main island. There are all sorts of rides, both indoor and out, as well as lots of cafés and restaurants.

Bahrain has a vibrant nightlife, some of the best in the region, and you’ll have a superb time in the many great restaurants, bars and clubs.