When you picture the major metropolises of the Gulf region, what comes to mind? Glass high-rise and glitz à la Dubai and Doha? Fair enough. And yet, less than an hour’s flight (around 4-5 hours by road) from Dubai, is a city that has decided to channel its country’s oil wealth a little differently. You … More 5 unmissable things to do in Muscat, Oman
When looking to book my most recent trip to Doha for the F1 grand prix, I noticed a few new hotels had popped up in the city since my last visit. One of those was the Andaz Doha by Hyatt, which opened in early 2025. Boasting the vibrant, edgy décor the Andaz brand is known … More Andaz Doha: My comprehensive review
Some will say Dubai is superficial and cultureless, and while certain aspects of it certainly do feel artificial and generic, you can scratch a little below the surface to find it is definitely not entirely devoid of culture. You just have to look in the right places. As a melting-pot of a city with a … More 5 great places to enjoy the Dubai art scene (for free)
So you’ve booked a trip, or are considering booking a trip, to the Islamic world, only to discover your travel dates happen to fall during the holy month of Ramadan. The first question to spring to mind will likely be: Is Ramadan a good time to visit an Islamic country? Read on to find out … More Is Ramadan a good time to visit an Islamic country?
When planning a visit to a new city, one of the most important things to figure out is where to stay. Finding somewhere that fits your budget, ideally gets good traveller reviews, and is well located for accessing local attractions can sometimes be harder than it seems, especially when you have no bearings of the … More Hotel review: Fraser Suites Doha
The rise of Qatar Airways over the last decade has seen Doha, the capital of Qatar, become a major Middle Eastern aviation hub. Its state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport (which now also boasts a lush rainforest precinct known as The Orchard) is right up there rivalling its Gulf neighbour Dubai International Airport, and even took out … More 8 things to see in Doha: why it’s worth more than a transit stop
If you decide to stay out at the Dead Sea when visiting Jordan, you’ll likely find yourself choosing from the handful of resorts that line the coast at the sea’s northern end. And if you want to truly indulge, you may want to splurge on a few nights at the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, widely … More Hotel review: Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea
It was an arid sprawl of sand and swirling dust that unfolded beneath me as I pressed my face to the plane window. As an Australian, I was not totally unfamiliar with the sight of dramatic, dry landscapes while coming in to land. But this was the Middle East – a region of undisputed complexity … More Travel memories: Visiting Jordan
