Kuwait is a classic Persian Gulf petro-state with all the things you'd expect from luxury malls to car dependant transport. But at-least the artificial islands they're building don't completely destroy the marine life.
Next door you'll find Iraq and the autonomous region of iraqi Kurdistan which for all intents and purposes is a defacto independent country protected by the Peshmerga.
Recently ravaged by ISIS, the nation is still reeling and trying to find it's footing, the Kurds in the north continue to fight for independence but even so you'll find them warm, inviting and above all relatively safe.
Kuwait: 1 day / Iraqi kurdistan: 2 weeks
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD / Iraqi Dinar IQD
November - February
Kuwait: $200usd / Iraqi kurdistan: $40usd
The Kuwaiti Dinar is the most expensive currency in the world due to their oil exports, don't come poor
The food is some of the worst I've ever experienced, getting a decent feed is hard and the chance of sickness quite high
Speak with the locals in Iraqi Kurdistan. They're incredibly friendly and willing to host. Just make sure to share the love
Don't stay in the Kuwaiti sun too long, it's one of the easiest places in the world to suddenly die of dehydration without ever feeling thirsty