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According to the second annual Chinese International Travel Monitor released by Hotels.com, China has now overtaken the US and Germany to become the world’s biggest travel spenders. The survey was conducted among 3,000 international Chinese travelers and 1,500 hoteliers around the world in June 2013. It found that Chinese travelers spent US$102 billion on international travel in 2012, an increase of 40%…
One of the biggest problems that Muslims have while travelling abroad is to find halal food. Many Muslims avoid beef and chicken because they are not sure if the animal has been slaughtered in the proper way. What do you do when you are abroad and cannot find a halal restaurant? Seafood is a healthy and halal alternative. Salads and vegetables can become tiring for someone used to eating meat, so it is always…
Tourism accounts for 10% of all jobs in the world and according to the latest statistics announced by the UN World Tourism Organization, tourism grew by 5% in the first half of 2013 showing that tourism can be a major engine of growth for the world economy. “The fact that international tourism grew above expectations confirms that travelling is now part of consumer patterns for an increasing number of people…
Caffe Lavena has been a favorite meeting place for tourists in Venice since 1750. Situated in St Marks Square - Piazza San Marco - near the clock tower, this boutique coffee shop has attracted musicians like Wagner and writers like Honore de Balzac. Mortal tourists can also share the glory of the past by sipping coffee in this illustrious cafe. But those on a budget better watch out. Drinking coffee while…
With the political crisis simmering in Egypt and bomb blasts in Lebanon, several Middle East countries have issued travel alerts advising their nationals not to travel to Egypt or Lebanon. Irhal.com would advise its visitors to take all necessary precautions when traveling. If possible, avoid traveling to areas where there are disturbances. If you have to go then at least avoid those areas where protest…
Airline passengers in the United States were stopped at the security gates by Transportation Security Administration officials with 69 loaded handguns. Another 8 unloaded guns were also found in carry-on baggage. A number of swords and knives were also found besides 27 stun guns. And that is the tally over just two weeks in July 2013. Carrying firearms and dangerous weapons is of course not allowed in hand…
Eid al Fitr, the holiday celebrating the end of the month of fasting is now over and people are getting ready to get back to work. But the smart ones are already booking their flights for Eid al Adha which is just over two months away. Flights will be filling up soon and airlines will start increasing their fares. If you plan now, you can still take advantage of early booking discounts and save some money to…
The German consumer products company Henkel faced an embarrassing situation when it was informed that the color scheme of its Bref toilet freshner had an uncanny resemblance to the Ukrainian flag. The product was being sold in Russia but some Ukrainians who watched a TV commercial for Bref expressed their displeasure. Henkel promptly withdrew the product from Eastern Europe. They will probably come back soon with…
The days of the traveller's cheque are gone. Credit and debit cards are now the norm. But did you know that your bank usually charges a premium of as much as 3% every time you use your credit card abroad. And that does not include the profit they make by converting your foreign currency shopping at an exchange rate that you know is not in your favour. Gocash by UAE Exchange in association with Mastercard is your…
The summer travel rush is now almost over. Does that mean an end to travel? No! For those who do not have school going children this is the time to take a break. Hotels in the United States generally offer discounted rates after the first week of September. Lines in museums and other tourist attractions are short and the weather across most of the US remains pleasant. CityPass, a company that provides discounted…
Steamboat Geyser, the world's largest geyser came alive after 8 years at Yellowstone National Park spewing steam and water over 300ft into the air. The park famous for Yogi bear is a major tourist attraction not just for its geysers - particularly Old Faithful, which faithfully works up its magic every 90 minutes - but also for its wildlife. Although Yellowstone National Park has become immortalized by its…
Located close to the Islamic Centre of Norway, the Asia Kebab Grill and Pizza Hus is a place where even the Imam of the Islamic Centre masjid can be seen occasionally having lunch after Friday prayers. This is not a fancy place. It is a no-frills restaurant where you can find tasty kebabs which are economical and filling. Asia Kebab Grill & Pizza Hus Grønlandsleiret 10 0190 Oslo Neighborhood:…
Laurent Aigon, from Lacanau, France always wanted to be a pilot. When he was a little boy he would see planes landing and taking off because he lived in Beutre, just 200 meters from the Merignac Airport. His childhood dream to become a pilot became a reality at the early age of 12 when he got his first Flight Simulator computer game. He never went on to become a pilot but what he did for his own son is a…
When we travel we capture memories. Some are saved in digital archives as images in a camera. Others are saved in your mind's eye. The mere mention of a city or a street name can bring back memories of the time spent there. "We will always have Paris," is a line from one of the world's most watched movies - Casablanca - which evokes enchanting memories of the time spent in Paris by the two main characters in the…
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is still a work in progress. The museum is not going to open to the public until 2015. But that has not stopped its organizers to give visitors a taste of what is to come. "Birth of a Museum," is an exhibition taking place at the Saadiyat Island - Manarat al Saadiyat, Cultural District in Abu Dhabi. Birth of a Museum is an exhibition displaying about 130 items that have been acquired by…
A revolution is taking place on the roof of a building in East London. No "Irhal" signs are expected but if you are in the mood for drinks and food - all non alcoholic and vegetarian - you can join. Starting Sunday, July 21 2013, for the next 10 Sundays an alcohol free bar appropriately named "Redemption," is opening its doors to Londoners. And the first day is already sold out. Launched by Catherine Salway a…
If you are in New York City on July 20 2013 then watch out for flying tomatoes. Tide, the detergent, is sponsoring a Tomato Battle where you can come and throw tomatoes at each other. The event will be held from 12 noon to 6pm at the Aviator Sports & Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave, New York, NY 11234. Entrance tickets cost about $50 and include unlimited supplies of tomatoes - the organizers have promised that…
Near the masjid are several halal restaurants where you can have halal burgers. You can even find delicious Egyptian Kucheri (lentil and pasta combination with fried onion toppings) nearby. If you are staying in a place where you can cook your own food, there is a halal butcherie near the masjid as well.
