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In November 2014, just in time for the Formula 1 Grand Prix a new retail destination opened its doors in Abu Dhabi - the spanking new Yas Mall. It has very quickly become the most happening place in Abu Dhabi. Yas Mall has 370 retail, food and entertainment outlets including a 20-screen Vox cinema with the largest IMAX screen in Abu Dhabi. It is directly connected to Ferrari World and is near Yas Waterworld…
If you wanted to visit Africa and admire its charm but did not want to step into the "dark continent" now you can experience the lively culture, art and vibrancy of Africa in Dubai. This year's annual Global Village in Dubai features an Africa Pavilion which will make you want to visit Africa. Complete with colorful paintings, delicately carved wooden statues and hand dyed fabric along with masks, drums and…
Mexico City is generally not considered to be a place where you can easily find Halal restaurants but the Al Hassan Cafe is different. It serves a wide range of food and drinks put together by following recipes compiled from Morocco, Tunisia, Syria and Turkey. Their Turkish Taco is made from finely spiced ground beef, rolled into a thin flour tortilla and sealed with olive oil. Al Hassan Cafe Parque Manuel…
If you were thinking of a surprise vacation in early January, the surprise is on you. Most airlines in the region are fully booked. For popular destinations like Dubai-New York and Jeddah-Dubai, Economy seats are priced sky high or are not available at all. So, if you were planning a surprise vacation - put it on hold, or go on a long drive. Until mid-January there is a seasonal rush of airline passenger…
Thor Heyerdahl is the most famous Norwegian that ever lived. And if you do not know who he is, it is time to find out. On April 28 1947 Thor Heyerdahl set off from Peru with five other men to cross the Pacific Ocean in a primitive raft made of balsa logs and reed to demonstrate that the Pacific Islands of Polynesia may have been populated by settlers from South America. The National Geographic Society thought…
If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine in Dubai, you should go to PAX Ristorante and Lounge at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai. PAX has just received a certificate of authenticity based on the Ospitalità Italiana standards. Now you can experience authentic Italian food without having to travel to Italy. Dusit Thani Dubai’s Italian Chef Carmelo Rosselli and Executive Chef Antonello Manca are happy that…
While Sydney's Harbour Bridge and its iconic Opera House feature in all television reports of the arrival of the new year, the first place on earth which welcomes the new year is actually Kritimati in the Republic of Kribati. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is not an easily accessible destination for tourists. Kritimati is the local word for "Christmas" as "ti" is pronounced as "s." So…
It is not every day that you can see Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Cassilas and Isco in Dubai. But if you are lucky you can catch them and other members of the Real Madrid team at The Beach near The Walk in JBR, Dubai, when they come to officially launch the Real Madrid Cafe - the first and only restaurant in the world named after and in collaboration with the popular football club. After its soft launch earlier…
Have you been to Abu Dhabi lately? Did you tweet about your visit? Abu Dhabi Tourism now wants you to tweet your experience using the #inAbuDhabi hashtag. A new 20 metre long and 2.6m high illuminated billboard near Abu Dhabi International airport is aimed at reminding both residents and tourists about the new hashtag. Abu Dhabi with its Formula 1 and Ferrari race tracks, its child friendly Yas Marina, its…
Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to receive the new Airbus A350 XWB when the aircraft touched down in Doha from France. The world’s first Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) and Qatar Airways’ fourth A380 arrived in Doha simultaneously. The A350 aircraft, for which Qatar Airways is the global launch customer and has ordered 80 of them, is set to commence service on the Doha–Frankfurt route…
If you are in a hurry to get to the ski slopes in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, Lufthansa has just the right solution for you. Fly to Munich on board Lufthansa and get whisked away to the ski slope of your choice on a helicopter. In Munich, Lufthansa customers will be collected directly from their aircraft and looked after by Munich Airport’s VIP service. The company HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH will…
If you have kids then the Dubai Marina Mall is the place to go. For kids wanting to enjoy the festive season, the Dubai Marina Mall has put together a unique and interactive Festive Play Doh Activity Zone. Children will be provided with a tub of doh and expert Play Doh facilitators will help them make festive items. The facilitators will have special tools and moulds to help the children create their perfect…
Since 1998 Sharjah has been holding an annual Islamic Arts Festival at the Sharjah Art Museum. The 2014-2015 festival was inaugurated on December 17 2014. Sharjah was declared the Islamic Culture Capital for the Arabian region for 2014 in view of the state's rich cultural heritage. Holding an Islamic Art Festival is part of an established tradition in Sharjah which has always maintained and preserved its rich…
Since the last three years the United States has gone on the offensive in its efforts to attract tourists. In 2013 the marketing efforts of BrandUSA attracted additional 1.1 million tourists who spent upwards of US$3.4 billion creating 53,000 new jobs in the US. The US Congress just passed a spending bill that renews Brand USA, America's public-private travel promotion partnership. The US Travel Association…
Inspired by the geographic coordinates of the city (21.5433°N, 39.1728°E), and held under the patronage of HRH Princess Jawaher bint Majed Al-Saud, Chairwoman of the Saudi Art Council, ‘21,39’ Jeddah Arts will showcase art which depicts the history of Saudi Arabia’s modern and contemporary movements. Launched in February 2014, the second edition will begin with a week of cultural activities from January 22-25,…
Ground transportation is an essential part of every traveler's itnerary. On Irhal we have been listing trains, metros, buses, taxis and car rentals. It is now time to change. The biggest disruption to ground transportation has been caused by a technology upstart that has taken the world by storm. Uber. Valued at over $40 billion, this 5-years old company is now worth more than double the value of Hertz and…
The Art Institute of Chicago has unveiled its new Islamic Art gallery with a collection of more than 100 items ranging from small tiles and utensils to a pair of 12ft tall wooden doors from 14th century Morocco. Rotating presentations of Islamic painting, calligraphy, textiles, and carpets will supplement the items on permanent display. “I believe visitors will be astonished by the high quality and creative…
Do you have any award winning photographs in your collection? Now is the time to gain international recognition for your photographic skills. The organizers of the Sony World Photography Awards are accepting submissions until January 5 2015. Travel photography is one of several categories in which you can submit your photographs. In the 2015 Awards, professional and enthusiast photographers will compete…
