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In the Middle East we have two seasons - hot and less hot. We are now approaching the less hot season. However, in the United States - particularly in the north east - New England - you can catch a glimpse of nature at its best. Leaves turn into a rainbow of colors and then start shedding. If you plan to visit the US you still have a few weeks before winter sets in and bare trees with frost and snow will…
One of the memorable things about travel is that you come across many signs which bring a smile to your face. A "Polar Bear Crossing" sign may be commonplace in Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean - just as the sign above which prohibits the display of firearms in a store in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. For a European, a "Camel Crossing" sign may seem equally hilarious. Watch out for falling coconuts in the tropics and…
Henri Matisse, the French painter known for his unique usage of colour, after an extraordinary career spanning over 30 years became unable to paint due to ill health and began to cut into painted paper with scissors as his primary technique to create what is now known as the Matisse Cut-outs. For the first time ever, Tate Modern Gallery in London will be putting together 120 works by Matisse in an exhibition…
Thailand is already a favourite destination of Arabs and expats in the GCC but there is now one more reason to visit the Thai capital: it has won the Business Traveller's “Best Leisure Destination in the Asia-Pacific” award. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, commented on Bangkok’s receiving the award, “Our research shows that tourists love Bangkok because of the city’s great…
With the US government shutdown over, parks and national monuments are once again open for tourists. The Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian Museums and other museums, parks and national monuments across the United States are now open again after a 16-day shutdown. But it is not all over yet! The deal to end the shutdown is temporary. If by January 15 2014 the opposing Republicans and Democrats do not come to…
Hajj Mubarak to those who have performed Hajj. Eid Mubarak to the rest. May this Eid be a blessed one for all Muslims wherever they may be. May it bring peace, happiness, health and prosperity to all. Ameen!
Two million people have descended on the Plain of Arafat on the second day of Hajj. The Nimra Mosque and the surrounding areas are filled with pilgrims who on this day pray to the Almighty for forgiveness. According to a saying of the Prophet Muhammad, on the day of Arafat Allah frees more people from hellfire than on any other day. Those who are in Arafat on 9th ZilHajj - October 14, 2013 - will leave for…
When price is not a concern and you want the perfect escapade, fly to the Himalayan country of Bhutan on a private jet and stay at the COMO Hotels in Paro and Punakha, Bhutan. A luxury seven night stay for two inclusive of charter flights from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Bhutan and all meals will cost you a shade under US$100,000. Whitewater rafting on the Mo Chu river, a private conversation about Buddhism with…
If you are in Washington D.C. and you are worried about what to do since all the Museums are closed, there is one place which is still open. It is the International Spy Museum. Adult or child, you will have great spooky fun. This lesser known museum was built with the cooperation of former chiefs of the CIA, KGB and MI5 and has an interesting collection of spy gear. A Soviet lipstick gun, Bulgarian umbrella…
A series of spectacular concerts and events spread over five days, against the breathtaking backdrop of Asia's Best Fortress - Mehrangarh Fort - will be taking place in the Indian city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from October 17-21 2013. More than 175 musicians and performing artists from across Rajasthan will share the stage with musical royalty from around the world. The musical legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's…
If your children like this purple dinosaur, you can meet him at the Qurom City Centre and Muscat City Centre on October 22 2013. Barney and his friends (BJ, Riff and Baby Bop) will be putting on their first-ever show in Oman called ‘Barney Let’s Go! Live on Stage!’ at the Qurum Amphitheatre for four shows on October 25 and 26, 2013. Barney is a singing dinosaur that is loved by children around the world. If…
For those who love art, Zurich is where they should go. From October 10 to 13, 2013, Art International Zurich will be held at the Congress Centre, Zurich. More than 100 artists from 20 countries will exhibit their styles of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography. Rashid Khalifa: The Dark and Bright Side of The Moon / Courtesy: artBahrain
Stone forests, colourful dragons and balconies with eyes… these are all the designs of one man that you can see in Barcelona. Visit Park Guell and see where Antonio Gaudi lived and admire his architectural talent. Walk over to La Rambla and admire the frenetic pace of life - lived to the extreme as if there is no tomorrow. Look at artists and florists. Walk to the seaside and see the 60ft tall monument built…
The kiswah or black fabric which drapes the Holy Kaaba in Makkah is revered by all Muslims and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization has launched a two months long display of Islamic textiles: ‘Draping the Holy Places – Religious Textiles from Mecca and Medina’ Exhibition. The exhibition includes original historical and contemporary textiles that are used to cover sacred places inside the two holy mosques…
Due to political wrangling between the Democrats and Republicans in the United States, the entire government machinery is shutting down. While essential services such as air traffic controllers and federal law enforcement agencies will remain functional, major tourist attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, will shut down. The Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC generate more than 30 million visits…
Did you know that more than 50% of all pilots fall asleep while flying planes? According to a study conducted on behalf of the British Airline Pilots Association, a scary 29% of the pilots interviewed said that they found teh co-pilot asleep when they woke up! Maybe they need to put those oven timer alarms in the cockpit? The survey of 500 commercial pilots conducted by ComRes on behalf of the British Airline…
The UAE's luxury retailer, Paris Gallery, is giving away Eid gifts this year to customers who shop during the month of October. During the Eid and Hajj holiday season numerous tourists are expected to visit the UAE from the GCC and in more than 40 Paris Galery Stores across the country visitors will receive a Red Bag with goodies. For those spending over Dh 5,000 the gifts will range from Dh 2,000 to Dh…
If you always wanted to go somewhere where none of your friends would go, here is your chance of a lifetime. An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale shook Pakistan's Baluchistan province on September 24 2013. While this brought death and destruction in its wake, it also resulted in a new island off the coast of Pakistan near Gwadar. For your adventure of a lifetime you can take a flight to Karachi…
