A family rumor brought me to The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, where Ibrahim Al Midfa’s legacy lives. The Elephant Door (1944), a rare round barjeel, and a Majlis Thaqafi that welcomed poets and thinkers. On the wall, Al Midfa stands with my grandfather Abdul Razzaq Badran. With Noura Al Noman, his granddaughter, the story finally found its home.
Read MoreYou walk into Dubai Mall expecting a latte and maybe some light retail therapy. Suddenly you’re scanning QR codes, picking dance tracks, and stepping into rooms that glow, reflect, and quadruple you.
Welcome to House of Hype, where your mall visit takes a sharp left into a digital playground.
Read MoreIf you’ve survived an Arab Eid gathering, then you already know: refusing sweets is not an option, it’s just quietly ignored. Somewhere between your second round of knafeh and your aunt insisting you’re “looking too thin,”…you realize the only way out is through… another bite.
So in prep for Eid Al Fitr this weekend, I did what any sweet-seeker would do: I wandered, I taste-tested (you’re welcome), and noted 10 spots in Dubai that’ll make your glucose levels spike and your soul do a little dabke. So if you’re stocking up to impress the family and knock everyone’s Eid socks off, this guide’s got your back.
Bring stretchy pants. Maybe backup stretchy pants. Let’s go.
Read MoreFinally booked your Dubai dream trip? Ready to relax, hit all the landmarks, and savor the flavors? Most guides suggest splurging on observation decks, Michelin-star restaurants, and boozy brunches. But many visitors find these experiences pricey and overrated. Enter supper clubs—intimate dinners hosted by local chefs in their homes, offering authentic cuisine and spontaneous conversations.
Read MoreOman is a fascinating country of endless green forests, domes and minarets, rich culture, stunning natural scenery, and heartwarming hospitality. Only an hour’s flight from Dubai, I was amazed to discover its storybook scenery and its beehive-like medinas (cities).
Strolling through the Nizwa souqs and forts, soaking in the sunshine & fiery sunsets at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, hiking Wadi Al Masdara with the best guide, munching on the real deal Oman chips, and best part yet, meeting the kindest people.
A practically perfect vacation in every way. Here are my 2 fils on the trip.
Jordan, a country I’ve visited many times, and yet continues to amaze me. From the buzzing souks, to its ancient ruins, to its mouth-watering cuisine, and its deep blue sea. All mind-blowingly beautiful. Better yet, I was incredibly lucky to visit this time with the awesome wandering duo Kelly and Alex, whose friendship I will forever cherish. Here’s my guide to visiting this gorgeous country steeped in history.
Read MoreThe 3 day Eid break is a great chance to unplug, and discover your own backyard. Make the most out of it by venturing outside the comfort of your couch and exploring many of the events and activities happening across the UAE.
Here’s a shortlist of some cool things to do this long weekend.
Read MoreDreaming of a quick getaway over the upcoming Eid break? There are a few destinations nearby, only a few hours away from the UAE, which offer everything from grand bazaars to sulfur baths to mountain hikes.
Here’s a shortlist of easy jaunts from the UAE to satisfy your wanderlust and make most of your 3 days off.
Read MoreTake a walk on the wild side at Dubai’s largest zipline park, Aventura. Located in Mushrif Park, Aventura is a brilliant way to explore Dubai’s wonderful native forests which have been designed with a challenging combination of swaying sky bridges and zip line pathways that cut through.
Read MoreDubai’s Expo 2020 is nothing short of extraordinary. Postponed due to the pandemic, the event has finally arrived, one year later, at a time when people need its message of hope most. “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” is the official theme of the 6-month expo, with the sub-themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity. For the FIRST time in expo history, each country has its own pavilion, and so we’re talking about 192 countries in 1 magnificent venue with every corner designed to keep you wildly entertained. How do you wander about the expo and make the most of your visit?
Here’s a detailed guide or better yet ‘my 2 fils’ on the best pavilions to visit, delicious bites to munch on, and things to keep a lookout for. Happy wandering!
Read MoreThe moment we’ve been eagerly waiting for has finally come! Dubai Expo 2020(21) will open its doors on October 1, 2021 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2022. The event was postponed last year due to public health concerns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now officially back on track with additional safety measures. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Expo with the new safety protocols in place.
Read MoreAmid the hustle and bustle of the souks of old Dubai, scent makers mix and match their potions to create fragrances customized to their customers’ tastes. Wander with me to Yusuf Bhai, both the name of the shop and Dubai’s artisanal perfumer, and watch the potion masters, Yusuf and his son Bilal, combine ingredients to create a bottle of your new scent.
Read MoreTurkey has an incredible history, home to some of the greatest empires and a strategic location that led to its control of some of the world’s most lucrative trade routes. Its rich heritage has left a number of ancient structures such as mosques, churches, monasteries, and synagogues, reminiscent of bygone eras. Inspired by @aljvd’s jaw-dropping photography and fantastic suggestions, I was seriously blown away. Here’s my guide to visiting a few of these monuments.
Read MoreIstanbul is simply breathtaking. It’s a must-visit destination hosting beautiful religious sites, colorful streets, historical bazaars, heavenly cuisine, and an endless number of cats. IMO, it’s not a city you can cover in 1 or 2 or even 3 days. The architecture alone is mind-blowing and can be easily gazed it for hours. In fact, I feel like I barely even scratched the surface. Come and wander in its narrow streets, sip on endless cups of Turkish tea, and discover an Istanbul that’s extraordinarily unique. Here’s my guide to visiting this ancient city.
Read MoreMany people put off their travel dreams until they find someone they can travel with. We make excuses and put off life-changing trips for ‘one day’ in the future. The honest truth is, a solo trip is probably one of the best investments in yourself that you can make. Sure. The idea of sitting alone in a buzzing restaurant for dinner while everyone’s socializing may sound terrifying. But it doesn’t have to be. Also, with the no. of blogs on the internet (because everyone’s a blogger) and the probability of you knowing someone who has already been to a destination, there’s far fewer unknowns. Here are the most common fears about traveling solo and how to tackle them.
Read MoreLiving in Dubai can be expensive, there’s no doubt about that. So I know how awesome it can be to find great discounts and bargains whether for shopping, dining, or anything really! That’s why I’ve searched high and low for the best Dubai deals. Find out how to get luxury for less at many of Dubai’s restaurants, spas, hotels, bars, movie theaters and more.
Read MoreDubai’s newest attraction, the Infinity des Lumières, is where you’ll experience the world’s greatest paintings in an incredibly immersive way, without a canvas in sight. It’s a space that has taken on the works of Vincent Van Gogh, letting visitors step straight into ‘Starry Night’. It brings his and other famous works to life from floor to ceiling with elements of color, sound and light using projectors, animations and more. Here’s a guide to visiting.
Read MoreLooking for awesome, fun things to do in Dubai this weekend? Well, whether it’s putting on your skates and channeling your inner Britney or learning to padel, here are some ideas to add to your list of things to do. Click to find out where you can wander off to!
Read MoreLooking for the best things to do in Sharjah? I’ve rounded up a few great ideas to add to your list for the foodies, architecture and art enthusiasts, and for those who just want a change of weather, quite literally. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but what I hope is a useful starting point! Even UAE old-timers will find something new to add to their to-do list, between the city’s essential museums, an ever-changing inventory of the best arts and culture scene, and even some off-the-beaten path secrets.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever read ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl or watched the movie Willy Wonka, you’ve probably dreamed of setting foot inside a chocolate factory one day.
Well, Mirzam Chocolate Factory in Dubai’s Al Quoz is offering the golden tickets to visit their factory, showing you everything there is to see about chocolate making from bean to bar.
The venue is a one-stop shop for many things. It’s a café with a small batch bakery, a shop where you can buy all sorts of different flavored chocolate, and a factory where you can see every stage of the chocolate making process from roasting the cocoa beans into making the beautifully wrapped chocolate bars.
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