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Middle East

Middle East

Get Hippodrome

As ever, the world is swirled and twirled by events, people and time itself.  Even the most powerful must take our last breaths. And where would this addage be more appropriate than in the lands where kings, queens, power, priviledge and treachery were business-as-usual. Of course, we're talking about ancient history (as we do,) and in this…

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Fly the friendly skies of DIY Airlines

As the old phrase goes, "there's no getting around getting around."  We've all got to do it. Sometimes it's a pain, other times it's a pleasure.  Sometimes you have no choice. Getting around has been a real challenge during these times of the Covid-19 pandemic.  So much so, that many of us have simply opted not…

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Been green

We often have - often romantic - visions of the Sahara desert as a "destination" for our travels.  And rightly so,  as its wonders are legend and plentiful.  But it takes a certain kind of traveler to do that. But, this singular place on earth was not always the stark vision that we have in our…

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Muscat love

Muscat, Oman, is likely another one of those places that you've heard of, but have never visited.  Well, let us tempt you with a tour to remember. Discover the main attraction of Wadi Shab, a magical waterfall within a cave. Take a 40-minute hike to reach the destination, where you can also dive into a couple…

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Walk with the Pharoahs

Praise the Pharoahs!  At last, the miracle mile is cleared for us mortals. Egyptian authorities have unveiled a renovated ancient promenade in the city of Luxor that dates back 3,000 years. It's the latest government project undertaken to highlight the country's archaeological treasures. Read more here courtesy of ABC.net.au KLM fly to Cairo. Click above, Booking.com

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Watch for low-flying planes

Wanna get high? Dubai has turned breaking world records into something of an art form over the years, and the emirate now has yet another to add to its list. The world's first and highest 360-degree infinity pool has just opened at the Palm Tower, a hotel and residential building from developer Nakheel that offers showstopping views…

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Some people have all the luck

Etihad Airways, our affiliate friends, have launched the third step of its golden jubilee celebrations as the UAE (United Arab Emirates) proclaims fifty years since its establishment.  In a group of videos released over the next few weeks, Etihad will pull together experts from the Formula 1, music and fashion  pundits from around the world, with…

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Everyone, say hello to Hegra

Aren't we fortunate that our giant steps in technology allow us to see and touch things that were only dreams to our grandparents?  Above and beyond the "everyday" ability to travel to almost any corner of the world with consumate ease, we are - as humanity - unearthing new views into our past as every…

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Vamos a la Nabta Playa

Fair warning:  chances are good that you won't be able to visit Nabta Playa, but we know that our readers are curious types.  And, there are plenty of other things to do in the desert. The Nabta Playa archaeological site, one of the earliest of the Egyptian Neolithic Period, is dated to circa 7500 BC This…

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Prosaic mosaic

As we humans (supposedly) get smarter, we should also do smart things.  That's not always the case, but here it is.  In 2010, workers encountered an especially impressive mosaic while digging the foundation for a new hotel in Antakya, Turkey. They found an ancient mosaic measuring 9,000 square feet, making it the largest intact mosaic ever…

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Miles of tiles

Many specialist skills, those creating and molding incredible pieces over the decades, have long since disappeared into our overall void of mass-manufactured sameness.  But, fortunately, there are those who still carry the torch of the artisan.  Saied Hussain has been hand making tiles out of cement for over 50 years. He says he’s one of the…

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Watch your step

We think this is a good thing:  recycling is the way forward.  And here's an unusual and creative take on it. A massive new theme park is being built in the Middle East - on an oil rig. The project, called The Rig, will be spread over a whopping 1.6 million sqft in Saudi Arabia…

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Red Sea spree

The Middle East is a hotbed of activity and promise, that's for sure.   And it seems like every day something new that's exciting, innovative and - in some cases - larger-than-life is underway in the region.(Have a look at some of our articles here for more.) In this case,  the Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has…

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Falling in Louvre again

It's just around the corner, but soon we will see the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.  A spectacular - and complex design -  makes this one of the most stunning designs in the world. Located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It runs under an agreement between the UAE and France, signed in…

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Aqaba job

"I last found myself here, inadvertently, in March 2020. My planned journey from the Saudi tourism hub of Al Ula to the Yemeni island of Socotra collapsed when the flight to Cairo was cancelled as frontiers slammed shut. Rather than taking that as an early sign of an impending travel shutdown and seeking the fastest…

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Red sea speed

Egypt’s High Speed Railway Project Takes-off As we often talk about here (until we're blue in the face,) rail travel is the future.  In a world of diminishing resources and rising populations, the solutions that modern rail travel can bring for us all are too good to ignore.  That's why we're happy to see governments…

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An old book smells like ancient Egypt

A book has got smell. A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. An old book smells like ancient Egypt.  Ray Bradbury But a new Egypt is even better, and it is getting better every day, indeed, especially when it comes to new architecture. Contemporary Egyptian architecture draws from a rich history.…

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Radisson looks east …. Middle-East

Radisson Hotel Group has secured a record year in its fastest growing region, the Middle East & Africa, with 21 signings and seven hotel openings achieved thus far. The expansion drive includes the announcement of eight hotels in Morocco, the entry into Thakher Makkah with nearly 1,000 rooms, as well as the introduction of the Radisson…

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The green mosque

Gratifyingly, people are starting to understand that climate change is real.  Turn on the television every day and a new horrifying example of our changing world appears. On a very positive note, though, Dubai just got the world's first ‘green’ mosque. As per the reports, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) inaugurated the world's first…

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