This segment is now a poignant historical record, featuring high-definition footage of the ancient city of Palmyra and the bustling streets of Damascus before the Syrian Civil War.
The special is remembered for its blend of humor, mechanical failure, and cultural exploration:
During filming in Syria, May suffered a concussion after being knocked over by a tow rope. He was famously collected from the hospital by Clarkson and Hammond, who were disguised in burqas. top gear - middle east special full episode
To survive the terrain, the cars were heavily modified. Hammond's Fiat was turned into a "nomadic tent," Clarkson’s Mazda featured a "Technicolour Dreamcoat" paint job, and May’s BMW was camouflaged.
Presented as a Christmas special, the trio was tasked with purchasing second-hand two-door convertible sports cars for under £3,500. Their journey began in , after being dropped off by a Russian cargo plane with no prior knowledge of their starting location. Car Selected Jeremy Clarkson Mazda MX-5 Richard Hammond Fiat Barchetta Riviera James May The Route: From Iraq to Bethlehem This segment is now a poignant historical record,
Upon reaching the Sea of Galilee, the presenters joked about performing "miracles," including an unsuccessful attempt by Clarkson to walk on water.
The journey concluded by passing through the Roman Hippodrome in Jerash and eventually reaching the West Bank barrier and the Mount of Olives. Key Challenges and Highlights To survive the terrain, the cars were heavily modified
Following a beam of light to a stable in Bethlehem, the trio presented their gifts—a gold-relief medallion, "Frankincense" shampoo, and a Nintendo DSi—to find that the "baby Jesus" was actually a Baby Stig .
The , originally aired on December 26, 2010 , is widely considered one of the most ambitious and visually stunning episodes in the show's history. Spanning approximately 1,200 miles, the 76-minute extended episode follows Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they retrace the biblical journey of the Three Wise Men across the Middle East to Bethlehem. Episode Overview and Premise
The Middle East Special was a ratings success, watched by approximately in the UK, making it one of the top ten most-watched episodes of the series. Jeremy Clarkson has since described it as the best of the adventures to watch, and it remains a staple of holiday television marathons. Today, the three main cars from the special are part of the World of Top Gear exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.