My first ever trip to Oman and stay at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

Oman 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.

Travel, FoodNada BadranMarch 30, 2023Travel Guide, Oman, Nizwa, Anantara Al Jabal Al AkhdarComment

Travel Guide to Jordan

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.

Fun Things to Do in the UAE During The Eid Al Fitr Break

The 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.

3 Perfect Eid Holiday Getaways

Dreaming 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.

Aventura

Take 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.

TravelNada BadranMarch 2, 2022Travel Guide, Dubai, Aventura, Aventura Park, Ziplining in DubaiComment

Must-Visit Pavilions at Dubai's Expo 2020

Dubai’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!

Your Complete Guide to Dubai’s Expo 2020

The 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.

Travel, Travel Guides, DubaiNada BadranNovember 2, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Comment

Yusuf Bhai - Dubai's Artisanal Perfumer

Amid 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.

TravelNada BadranOctober 4, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Yusuf Bhai, Perfume Souq, Perfume Souk Comments

The Most Beautiful Religious Monuments in Istanbul

Turkey 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.

Travel Guide to Istanbul

Istanbul 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.

Solo Travel Fears and How to Overcome Them

Many 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.

TravelNada BadranAugust 6, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Solo Travel, Solo Travel Fears, Dining alone, Solo female travelComment

How to Get Luxury for Less in Dubai

Living 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.

Infinity des Lumières

Dubai’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.

Travel, ArtNada BadranJuly 16, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Infinity des Lumières, Vincent Van Gogh, Dubai Mall, digital artComment

5 awesome things to do in Dubai this weekend - July 8 to 10, 2021

Looking 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!

The best things to do in Sharjah

Looking 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.

Mirzam Chocolate Factory

If 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.

Birthday Freebies and Offers in Dubai

Celebrating your birthday in Dubai? Well, while we may not be blowing out candles the way we used to before (secretly super glad that’s on pause with hopefully no return in sight), there are plenty of ways to have a great time with friends and family. Some which involve birthday freebies and offers that you can indulge in, especially tasty ones, from wonderful restaurants and attractions who want to spoil you on your big day!

Here’s a list of venues who I’ve contacted that reportedly offer birthday perks, with promised offers exclusive on the date and others valid within a certain time period.

Rumba

Rumba at the Palm Jumeirah’s Vista Mare is a place that effortlessly transports you from Dubai to one of the most incredible destinations of all time, Cuba, set in the 50’s. It’s a mix of tropical paradise and charming nostalgia with photos of Havana’s colorful homes, salsa clubs, cigars, and vintage American cars.

Travel, FoodNada BadranJune 10, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Rumba, Cuba, Havana, Club Vista Mare, Palm JumeirahComment

Being Van Gogh

The Theatre of Digital Art (TODA) is an incredible one-of-a-kind digital art space based in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It focuses on the intersection of art and tech by showing visitors classical art in an immersive way. Most art in galleries is an object sitting in a frame or a thing, so here, they work with something that is intangible. TODA uses this incredible lighting and sound system and hanging projectors that are hidden carefully from the public eye, and it turns the walls and ceiling into digital animations based on famous artworks by artists like Vincent Van Gogh or Claude Monet, animated to a soundtrack. Find out more about their latest exhibition, Being Van Gogh.

The View at The Palm

There’s a new tall tower on the Palm Jumeirah block called The Palm Tower. At 240 m high and 52 storeys, it’s the tallest building on the island. Like the Burj Khalifa, it’s also a ‘vertical city’ albeit shorter, and is home to the Nakheel Mall at its base, followed by the St. Regis Hotel, the Palm Tower Residences, Starbucks café, yet-to-open Sushisamba restaurant, a Skypool, and the Level 52 observation deck which you can visit to see jaw-dropping views of the city.

Travel Guides, TravelNada BadranMay 29, 2021Travel Guide, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, The View, Nakheel Mall, Level 52, The View at the PalmComment