Middle East - Middle East in December

I'm looking to take a trip, possibly to the Middle East, in December. Turkey and Lebanon are the ones I'm looking at the closest right now. Any suggestions from the seasoned Middle East travelers? Late November through early January are my potential travel dates and I'm trying to get a sense of climate, crowdedness, and other seasonal peculiarities for various Middle Eastern locations. Not looking to ski, but would like to do some other outdoor activities.

Thanks!

If this year is any indication of how the weather will be like in Lebanon next winter, then it's going to be cold, rainy and windy. Not sure about "other outdoor activities", unless you consider bar/restaurant hopping and singing in the rain as "outdoor activities" :D The mountains are where you would want to be in the winter for some skiing :)

Ditto for Istanbul. It's below-zero, snowing, unpleasant all around. The city doesn't handle these conditions well (e.g., power outrages are common). I would avoid it.

On the other hand, Dubai and other Gulf areas are quite nice this time of year. I don't know if "desert safaris" are the type of outdoor activities that you have in mind, but they can be fun. In Qatar, for example, you can take an overnight trip to the so-called inland sea and barbeque. It can get quite cold (nearly single digits C), so you can get some winter flavor within reason.

By the same token, it was nearly warm enough to swim in Dubai over the weekend.

In general, I would say that Lebanon and Turkey are far more interesting places to visit than Dubai or Doha, but not in December and January.

I'm looking to take a trip, possibly to the Middle East, in December. Turkey and Lebanon are the ones I'm looking at the closest right now. Any suggestions from the seasoned Middle East travelers? Late November through early January are my potential travel dates and I'm trying to get a sense of climate, crowdedness, and other seasonal peculiarities for various Middle Eastern locations. Not looking to ski, but would like to do some other outdoor activities.

Oman. Big country, warm, wide range of outdoor activities and some stunning scenery. Worth looking into (there's quite a bit on it in this thread)..

Thanks for the feedback. I might save the Middle East trip for a more favorable time of year.