Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

Dubai’s appetite for unique luxury has found a new chapter with the opening of Sweden Beach Palace, an exclusive island resort set within The Heart of Europe development in the World Islands archipelago. Now available for bookings, the destination features 9 beachfront mansions that reinterpret Scandinavian elegance through a distinctly regional lens. Think sleek minimalism paired with Middle Eastern-inspired opulence. Each palace spans 21,000 square feet and comes fully fitted with interiors by Bentley Home, 6 floors of living space, and high-end amenities that include a private infinity pool, rooftop terrace, snow room spa, and panoramic views of the Arabian...

A new culinary experience is coming to Riyadh, and it’s not your typical fine dining restaurant. Julien by Daniel Boulud, set to open inside the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, will offer a highly exclusive chef’s table experience — limited to just 10 seats. This intimate concept is the latest creation from Chef Daniel Boulud, celebrated globally for his refined approach to French cuisine. Julien will take the idea of a tasting menu to new heights with a multi-sensory, live-cooking format that blends hospitality and performance. Guests will be seated around a marble-topped chef’s counter in a hidden...

A major new name in global shopping is about to land in Saudi Arabia. Westfield, the internationally recognised retail brand behind some of the world’s most visited malls, will soon be making its mark in the Kingdom — starting with Westfield Riyadh. This development follows a 10-year exclusive franchise partnership between Saudi Arabia’s Cenomi Centers and Westfield. Under the agreement, Cenomi Centers will rebrand up to eight of its existing malls across the country, bringing the Westfield experience to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Among the first to carry the Westfield name are the upcoming projects: Jawharat Riyadh Jawharat Jeddah Nakheel...

Abu Dhabi is diving into a new era of marine innovation with the creation of a massive artificial coral reef project, set to become the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Called the Abu Dhabi Coral Garden, this initiative will introduce 1,200 square kilometres of artificial reef structures to the emirate’s coastline — an area larger than 200,000 football fields. The project, spearheaded by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is part of a broader vision to restore marine habitats and strengthen biodiversity in the...

The desert beats are coming back. AZIMUTH 2025 has officially announced its dates, with the two-day festival set to take over AlUla from 25 to 26 September 2025. Held in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s dramatic desert landscape, AZIMUTH blends music, art and cultural experiences, creating one of the most memorable festival settings in the region. This year’s theme is “Until The Sun Comes Up” — a nod to the festival’s signature format of performances that stretch from sunset to sunrise. The event also coincides with Saudi National Day, giving it even more reason to celebrate.     View this...

Jeddah’s heritage-filled neighbourhood of Al-Balad is once again at the centre of the Kingdom’s creative spotlight as Balad Al-Fann returns for its second edition. Running every weekend until 13 June, this cultural festival brings together over 90 events, offering visitors a thoughtful blend of tradition and contemporary creativity in one of Saudi Arabia’s most historic districts. Organised by Zawiya 97 in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Balad Al-Fann transforms the UNESCO-listed area into an interactive art space, where cultural storytelling meets hands-on learning and artistic exploration.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Zawiya...

Dubai has welcomed a new addition to its waters with the official launch of Alishba Royale — a handcrafted, five-star dhow cruise offering a distinctly traditional experience at Dubai Marina Harbour. The launch event on April 11, 2025, drew media guests and well-known personalities, including Emirati influencer Khalid Al Ameri, who emphasised the importance of preserving heritage while delivering modern hospitality.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alishba Dhow Cruise (@alishbadhowcruise) Crafted entirely by hand, Alishba Royale is not just another luxury cruise. It’s built to reflect UAE’s maritime traditions, offering passengers a slow-paced,...

Dubai has just unveiled a new urban initiative that brings the spirit of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods into today’s cityscape. Announced on May 5, the Hewi Dubai initiative aims to reshape public spaces into hubs that foster stronger social ties and promote healthier, more connected lifestyles. Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the project takes inspiration from the fareej — a traditional Emirati neighbourhood concept built around shared spaces, intergenerational bonds, and daily communal life. First Project Under New Initiative: Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4 The first pilot under this initiative...

A familiar stop on the Dubai Metro red line just got a name change. As of May 5, 2025, the UAE Exchange Metro Station — located in Jebel Ali Industrial Area and serving as the last station on the red line in that direction — is now officially called Life Pharmacy Metro Station. The rebranding follows a 10-year naming rights agreement between Life Pharmacy Group and Hypermedia, with Mada Media involved as the RTA’s authorised concessionaire for station naming partnerships. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), updates to signage — both inside and outside the station — as...

Riyadh’s food scene continues to evolve, and now it’s making room for one of London’s standout burger joints. Supernova, the minimalist concept known for doing classic cheeseburgers right, is getting ready to open in Al Nakheel — and for fans of straightforward, flavour-focused dining, this one’s worth keeping an eye on. Supernova built its name in London by keeping things simple. The interiors are crisp and unfussy, and the menu stays focused on what matters: classic and house cheeseburgers (depending on the choice of sauce) hand-cut fries sundaes with caramel or chocolate topping for dessert     View this post...