Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

Step into Downtown Dubai and imagine slipping off your shoes, settling onto a tatami floor, and focusing on a single bowl of ramen made with serious care. Ramen Hisa is all about that kind of experience. It opens on May 7, with a concept focused entirely on one of Japan’s most loved dishes. This new Japanese haven comes to the city from the team behind TakaHisa. Don’t expect a huge venue filled with noise and crowrds. The space feels intimate, with only 28 seats available. Japanese hospitality begins at the entrance, where every guest removes their shoes. Staying true to...

If you’ve ever wanted to join a global running event, you can do it right in the Saudi capital this month, no travel needed. On May 23, thousands of people across the world will head out to run on the same day, and Riyadh is part of it. Planning to join? Here’s everything you need to know about One Run in Riyadh. One Run is known as the biggest half marathon in the world held on the same day. This edition includes runners from Lebanon, Egypt, Brazil, India, UAE, Qatar, China, and Chile. The route in the Saudi capital will...

Bahrain housing requests now take just one day thanks to a full digital upgrade by Bahrain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. The allocation request service is now fully online, cutting out manual handling and delays. Here's how it works: after choosing a housing unit or plot, the system moves straight to issuing the electronic contract. No printed forms, no in-person submissions, and no manual approvals. The update also simplified the process: Required documents were cut by 50%, so applicants submit fewer forms and papers Approval steps were reduced by 25%, meaning fewer internal checks before completion Bahrain has recently...

Missing travel over the past couple of months or planning a big getaway for Eid al-Adha? Good news coming from Emirates: the airline is back to operating 96% of its global flight network, which means far more options are open again when it comes to planning a trip. You can now fly to 137 destinations in 72 countries, including cities in Europe, the Americas, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East and GCC, the Far East, and Australasia. Emirates also offers a few booking perks: If you book from April 2, you get one free date change across all cabin classes...

Noticing bright orange-red colors popping up around Dubai? Flame tree season is back. And soon, you’ll be seeing a lot more of them. Dubai Municipality has started planting thousands of new trees across the emirate, following a directive from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The flame tree, scientifically known as Delonix regia, is one of the most recognizable sights in Dubai. It handles local climate well and needs around 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Blooming begins in late April and continues through July. The emirate already has more than 50,000 flame trees. New plantings are...

If you’ve ever wanted to try one of New York’s most talked-about noodles, you won’t have to travel for it too far. Momofuku is opening in Abu Dhabi in 2026. The restaurant will be located at Saadiyat Grove, an upcoming destination in the cultural heart of Saadiyat Island. Momofuku started in New York in 2004, when David Chang opened a casual noodle bar. Since then, he has picked up six James Beard Awards, appeared on the Time 100 list, and expanded Momofuku to eight locations across the US. One reason the brand caught so much attention came down to the...

If you’re on a mission to try all the stylish beach spots in Dubai, here’s a new one to check out. Bvlgari Resort Dubai has opened Serpenti Beach Club at La Spiaggia on Jumeira Bay Island. You can spend the day by the pool or on the beach, and you don’t need to stay overnight at the hotel to get in. Non-guests can visit Serpenti Beach Club during the day if space is available. Entry is handled on a first-come basis. On weekdays (Monday to Friday) access costs AED 500 per person, and the full amount can be used on...

With crowds and constant movement during Hajj, keeping track of important items and belongings isn’t always simple. Saudi Arabia is reducing one concern for pilgrims. The General Directorate of Passports confirmed that Hajj pilgrims can now use a digital visitor ID instead of carrying a physical passport while traveling within the country. Pilgrims can get the digital ID through the platform called Absher. Once issued, the ID stays on the phone and can be shown whenever needed. The digital version works the same way as a passport for movement inside Saudi Arabia. The update removes the need to carry a...

Summer is approaching, and rising temperatures are already hard to ignore. In the Middle East, just being outside in the afternoon can turn dangerous quickly. As part of its usual summer measures, Oman is taking steps to reduce heat exposure for outdoor workers. The Ministry of Labour has confirmed the annual midday work ban: Outdoor work must stop daily between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM The ban applies from June 1 until August 31 Authorities will carry out inspections at construction zones and outdoor job sites to check working conditions during restricted hours. Companies that don’t follow the rule can...

If your usual route passes through Abu Ubaidah Bin Al Jarrah Street in Al Ain, there’s a small update to keep in mind before you head out this May. A traffic diversion is in place on that road and will continue until Sunday, May 24. The change only affects part of the street, but it may slightly alter how traffic flows in the area. Check the map of road closures below to see exactly which section is affected. In neighboring Abu Dhabi, drivers may also notice a change this month, with paid parking expanding in MBZ City starting May 6....