Category: Middle East

The National Aquarium at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi is now 70 percent complete and will open in 2020. The attraction is set to be the biggest aquarium in the Middle East, housing 33,000 marine animals. The 7,000-square-metre aquarium, made up of 10 zones, is being developed by Al Barakah International Investment. Home to more than 33,000 marine creatures, responsibly and ethically sourced from around the world, The National Aquarium will be led by a world-class team of 80 qualified marine experts and specialists. Through themed zones of learning, the journey will highlight the conservation required to protect the planet. ... Read more

The pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for Umrah will now be free to visit anywhere in the Kingdom during their stay, the Saudi Cabinet decided on Tuesday. “The Cabinet has decided to exclude people coming to perform Umrah and to visit the Prophet’s Mosque (in Madinah), of the prohibition of movement outside Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. A royal decree has been prepared to this effect,” the acting media minister, Issam bin Saeed, said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Previously, Umrah pilgrims were restricted to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and the port city of Jeddah ... Read more

Bust the myth, plan a spontaneous getaway and fall in love with summer again! Whether it’s walking along verdant terraced gardens and cool emerald pools, catching glimpses of turtles on a breezy, sandy beach, diving into blue seas to meet jewel colored fish, stingrays and eels, or hiking the spectacular, chilly heights of Oman’s highest point to find the perfect view of the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’; Oman has the ideal summer experience waiting for you. With a range of diverse destinations and attractions that will appeal to families, outdoor enthusiasts, thrill seekers and lovers of luxury and culture alike, ... Read more

Sharjah’s many offerings, from cultural and historical treasures, such as the Museum of Islamic Civilisation to the oldest souk in the region, from luxury stays in boutique hotels to fascinating displays of the age-old tradition of birds of prey displays all add up to an unforgettable array of memories. However, Sharjah also offers more for those travelers who wish to get off the beaten path and find even more unique experiences. Let us introduce you to some of the more wide-ranging locations of the emirate, totally worth the trek. Khorfakkan Set on a splendid bay flanked by photogenic rock formations ... Read more

In conjunction with the International Day of Yoga, The Flag Island, One of the popular leisure, tourist and family destination in the United Arab Emirates, will curate a special yoga event on 22 June, 2019. The event will be held from 05:30 p.m. to 07:00 p.m., in collaboration with Fitness First, Sharjah Triathlon, and Indian Association Sharjah. The activity is aimed at promoting awareness about yoga and its benefits for physical, mental and psychological health. Many other activities are also organized in the Flag Island this summer. With women’s run sessions and roller skating available, children, youth as well as ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: CNN In an effort to ease travel and increase the number of Saudi visitors to the country, the Indian government has made e-visas available for Saudi nationals. All applicants will need are valid identification documents, like passports, and a debit or credit card with which to pay the e-visa fee. E-visa application confirmations will be filed within a 24-hour period of submission, approval granted within 72 hours, and the visa will be valid for one year. The e-visa will then be sent via email, and can be used digitally or printed. The e-visas are issued for a period ... Read more

Israel recorded 1.14 million overseas visitors in the first quarter of this year, up 14 per cent from the corresponding period of 2018. With new travel friendly services initiated in the country, Israel is certainly set to welcome record millions by the end of 2019. Israel Pass – Make your trip smooth and easy and secure entry into six best national parks and nature reserves including Masada, Ein Gedi, Caesarea, Qumran and enjoy unlimited use of public transportation throughout Israel with the all new Israel Pass. Launched by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Ministry of Transport and Road ... Read more

ഇസ്രായേല്‍ എന്നും വാര്‍ത്തകളില്‍ നിറഞ്ഞുനില്‍ക്കുന്നൊരിടമാണ്. കേരളത്തിനോളം വലുപ്പമില്ലെങ്കിലും ചുറ്റുമുള്ള രാജ്യങ്ങളുടെ ആക്രമണങ്ങളില്‍ ധീരമായ ചെറുത്തുനില്‍പ്പുകള്‍ കൊണ്ട് എന്നും ലോകരാഷ്ട്രങ്ങളുടെ ശ്രദ്ധ നേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട് ഈ യഹൂദനാട്. യാതൊരു തരത്തിലുള്ള പ്രകൃതിവിഭവങ്ങളോ ധാതുസമ്പത്തോ അവകാശപ്പെടാനില്ല ഈ കൊച്ചുരാഷ്ട്രത്തിനെങ്കിലും വിനോദസഞ്ചാരികളെ ആകര്‍ഷിക്കുന്ന നിരവധി കാഴ്ചകളിവിടുണ്ട്. വിശുദ്ധ നഗരമായി കണക്കാക്കുന്ന ജെറുസലേമും, നടന കലകളുടെ ആസ്ഥാനമായ ടെല്‍ അവീവും, പ്രകൃതി സൗന്ദര്യത്താല്‍ വിസ്മയിപ്പിക്കുന്ന,അദ്ഭുതനഗരമെന്നു വിശേഷണമുള്ള ഹൈഫയുമെല്ലാം ഇസ്രേയലിലെത്തുന്ന സഞ്ചാരികള്‍ക്കു വര്‍ണകാഴ്ച്ചകളുടെ വസന്തമൊരുക്കും. നിരവധി ഗുഹകളുണ്ട് ഇസ്രായേലില്‍. അതിലേറ്റവും മനോഹരമായ ഒന്നാണ് ഉള്‍വശങ്ങളില്‍ മുഴുവന്‍ സ്റ്റാലെക്‌റ്റൈറ്റ് പാറകള്‍ നിറഞ്ഞ ഒരു ഗുഹ. പശ്ചിമേഷ്യന്‍ പ്രദേശങ്ങളില്‍ ഇത്തരം ഉള്‍ക്കാഴ്ചകള്‍ ഒരുക്കിയിരിക്കുന്ന ഗുഹകള്‍ വളരെ ചുരുക്കമാണെന്നു തന്നെ പറയാം. മുത്തശ്ശിക്കഥകളിലെ ഭൂതത്താന്‍ കോട്ടയെ അനുസ്മരിപ്പിക്കും ഗുഹാകാഴ്ചകള്‍. ഇന്ദ്രജാലങ്ങളെ വെല്ലുന്ന മായികലോകം. ഗുഹയ്ക്കുള്ളിലേക്കു പ്രവേശിക്കുന്നത് ഏറെ ശ്രമകരമായ ഒരു പ്രവര്‍ത്തിയാണ്. ചെറിയൊരു ദ്വാരത്തിലൂടെ നൂറടി താഴ്ചയിലേക്ക് കയറിന്റെ സഹായത്താല്‍ ഊര്‍ന്നിറങ്ങണം. അങ്ങനെ ചെന്നെത്തുന്നതു വിശാലമായ ഒരു ഹാളിലേക്കാണ്. ഗുഹക്കുള്ളിലെ സ്റ്റാലെക്‌റ്റൈറ്റ് പാറകള്‍ ഗുഹക്കുള്ളില്‍ ... Read more

Let’s go to Sharjah’s picturesque mountain ranges over-looking crystal blue waters speckled with volcanic looking close-to-shore-islands. A short way off the east coast of Sharjah, lies a small rocky island that boasts of sandy beaches perfect for colourful aquatic life for snorkeling. Shark Island is an idyllic spot for swimming and sunbathing. Schools of fish, anemones and sea turtles make it a treat for snorkellers, while divers flock here for the beautiful rock formations teeming with moray eels, rays and Arabian angelfish. You can take a small boat to the island, where there are shacks on the beach to rent snorkels, ... Read more

Rain Room is a place where you can see the rain, feel the rain but you won’t get wet. Located in the Sharjah Art Foundation, Rain Room is a permanent art installation where motion sensors on the ceiling prevent the water droplets from falling on you, clearing a sort of path, roughly six foot in radius. The Rain Room is an unusual and evocative experience for visitors who will enjoy the sound and nearby feel of being in the rain without getting wet. When visitors enter the room, they are directed to navigate intuitively and carefully through the dark underground ... Read more

Built inside the Mall of Muscat, the aquarium is first of its kind in Oman and the largest in the Middle East covering 8,000 square meters of the mall and spanning three floors. The Oman aquarium opened doors to visitors this month showcasing around 1000 types of Omani fishes and 30,000 marine animals including sharks, lobsters, turtles, rays, local corals, penguins and crocodiles. The main tank has a walk-through tunnel for visitors to get an up-close and personal look at the variety of fishes inside. The ticket is priced at OMR 8.5 for adults and OMR 6.5 for children. In ... Read more

One of the emirates’ must-see during the festival is UAE’s top visitor destinations, Ski Dubai that has won plenty of awards since its opening in 2005. As one of the region’s best family-friendly attractions and lifestyle brands, Ski Dubai has been named the world’s best indoor ski resort for 2016 and 2017. At Ski Dubai’s Snow Park you can enjoy all the magic and fun of building your own snowman or just having fun in the snow! The 4,500-metre square Snow Park gives you the chance to go sledding and tobogganing or climb towers. You can also explore a beautiful ... Read more

The St. Regis Doha has opened one of the most prestigious Tennis Centres in Doha ‘The Bollettieri Experience’, in collaboration with tennis legend ’Nick Bollettieri’. The Bollettieri Experience Tennis Center aspires to become Doha’s finest Tennis Center and the leading sporting center for tennis programs that specialises in developing local talents and boosting the image of Qatar’s proficiency in tennis. “We are honored to collaborate with Nick Bollettieri, one of the biggest names in the world of tennis, to open our Tennis Center. We are very proud to continue raising the bar with our new facilities and offerings not only in ... Read more

Ski Dubai is home to its very own colony of King and Gentoo Penguins! Meet the waddling friends by experiencing a Ski Dubai penguin encounter during your visit. Get up close and personal with these incredible creatures to discover more about how the species survive in some of the coldest conditions on Earth. The daily March of the Penguins is held in the Snow Park. This gives guests a chance to see these beautiful creatures up close, as they take a starring role alongside their team of handlers. With a variety of packages available, visitors can meet the penguins and ... Read more

Rain Room is now permanently and exclusively housed in the Middle East through the efforts of Sharjah Art Foundation. Rain Room, an installation by Random International in Sharjah, immerses visitors in continuous rainfall! When visitors enter the room, they are directed to navigate intuitively and carefully through the dark underground space in order to protect themselves from the downpour. As the visitors walk through the room, which uses 1,200 liters of self-cleaning, recycled water, their movements trigger motion sensors that pause the rainfall when detecting movement. Founded in 2005, Random International is a London-based collaborative studio for experimental and digital practice ... Read more