Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

With Eid Al Adha and Hajj now behind us, the Islamic calendar is about to turn to 1448 AH. While the exact start of the new year will depend on moon sightings, Oman has already confirmed the public holiday. Public sector employees in the Sultanate will have the day off on Thursday, June 18. Because Friday and Saturday form Oman's weekend, the holiday creates a three-day break. Other summer news from Oman: outdoor work ban until August 31. This Summer in Muscat: Top Events Ready for a night out? Go loud with Metal Assault Vol. 3 and its heavy underground...

Riyadh summers are known for being hot, but August is about to bring a different kind of heat. Electronic music fans, this one's for you: Ministry of Sound is coming to the capital for the first time this summer. Fans who have spent recent years at Soundstorm and Balad Beast now have another date to look forward to. After all, Saudi Arabia has been a magnet for electronic music events in recent years, and there are no signs of things slowing down. The legendary dance music event will make its Saudi Arabia debut on August 7, 2026. For now, only...

If your feed could use some good news today, here's one: Saudi Arabia has recorded its first onager birth in more than 100 years. The announcement was made by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, home to the young newcomer. The onager is one of the world's rarest wild equids. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fewer than 600 remain in the wild. In 2025, the species was added to the Critically Endangered list as experts warned its population could fall sharply in the coming decades. The male onager was born in June 2025, but...

One of football's most famous names is starting a new chapter in the UAE. After finishing his playing career, Andrés Iniesta is returning to UAE football as the new head coach of Gulf United FC ahead of the 2026/27 season. Andrés Iniesta hardly needs an introduction. The Spanish midfielder spent 22 years at Barcelona FC, winning four UEFA Champions League titles, nine La Liga trophies, and numerous other honours. UAE football fans know him well, too. Iniesta spent the final season of his playing career with Emirates Club FC, making 20 appearances and scoring five goals before retiring from professional...

Need a little motivation to stay active this summer? Here's a community run in Abu Dhabi you can join this week. The best part? No marathon-level preparation required. Global Running Day is coming to Yas Gateway Park on June 4, and everyone is invited to spend this Thursday evening getting active. Races begin after 7 PM, so you can easily join after work and get some endorphins flowing before the day ends: 5km at 7:30 PM 3km at 7:35 PM 1km at 7:40 PM Registration costs AED 55 for the 5km and 3km runs, and AED 25 for the 1km...

Summer brings a traffic change to Al Dhafra, with a temporary lane closure now in place on Sheikha Salama Bint Butti Road (E45) in Madinat Zayed. Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced a partial closure on the road while roadworks and infrastructure maintenance are taking place. The right-hand lane heading towards Liwa is closed until 5 AM on Monday, June 15. Check the affected section on the map below. During the two-week closure in Al Dhafra, drivers can still use Sheikha Salama Bint Butti Road (E45), with traffic continuing through the remaining open lanes during the works. While the temporary closure...

Summer is just getting started in the UAE, and another public holiday is already on the horizon: Islamic New Year 2026 (or 1448 AH). While the exact date will depend on the official moon sighting, the occasion comes with a long weekend for UAE residents. So where does this long weekend come from in June 2026? The recently adopted UAE Public Holidays Law allows to move some holidays to the beginning or end of the week. The UAE has already announced that Monday, June 15, will be an official holiday for Hijri New Year for both private and public sector employees....

No Dubai bucket list feels complete without a trip to AURA Skypool and its famous skyline views. Planning a visit this summer? The popular pool has temporarily closed for renovations and won't reopen until September 1. AURA announced the closure on Instagram with the message, "A New Chapter Rises." The venue has not yet shared any details about the renovation, so the reopening will come with a few surprises. If you'd like to be among the first to see what's new, bookings for September are already open. AURA may be taking a break, but Dubai's summer fun certainly isn't. The...

Parking in Dubai Silicon Oasis changes from June 1. Drivers will now find new on-street parking zones near DSO and the University Residence buildings. The new areas use a ticketless parking system with automatic number plate recognition. Parking rates in Dubai Silicon Oasis: AED 4/hour from 12 AM to 4 PM and from 8 PM to 12 AM AED 6/hour from 4 PM to 8 PM There are no cash payment options in the new zones. Payment happens digitally through Salik or SMS. Other changes for drivers in Dubai: a 5% VAT now applies to parking services and Salik from...

There's a new app in the UAE, and if you enjoy a good deal, it's worth knowing about. Peekabox lets you pick up surprise boxes from restaurants, cafés, bakeries, grocery stores, and even hotel buffets for 50% to 70% less than the usual price. The catch? You won't know exactly what's inside until you collect it. At the end of the day, cafés, bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels pack fresh unsold food into surprise boxes. One day it could be pastries from a bakery, another day it might be sushi, prepared meals, coffee shop favourites, grocery items, or food from...