Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

Tired of the same “what should we do this weekend?” conversation? Dubai and Abu Dhabi are full of adventures and ways to have fun as a family. Whether you’re planning an indoor or outdoor weekend with kids, here are ideas that get everyone involved and having fun together. Family Activities in Dubai Explore the wild at Aventura Parks Dubai It’s where you can unleash your inner adventurer. Rope courses, balance challenges, and ziplines take you up into the trees, where every step needs focus. You’ll find different activities depending on how brave you’re feeling. Some are easier, some will test...

You’ve got three days, a packed film lineup, and a front-row seat to Emirati cinema. Sounds like a plan? The third edition of the I-Film Festival opens on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, taking over Yas Creative Hub at twofour54 on Yas Island. The programme features Emirati, Arab and Indian films, with screenings and premieres. Part of the lineup for this weekend (April 10-12) includes: Bab, directed by Nayla Al Khaja (opening film) Samson of the Arabs, directed by Nasser Al Dhaheri (closing film) The Place You Call Home (short film premiere) Light Safest (musical by IFA Academy students in...

Parking fees refunded? Sounds like a fantasy, right? Not this time. Parkin is introducing a new initiative starting May 1 that lets you get your parking fees in Dubai back when you shop at small businesses. The details are already out, so you can plan ahead. “Spots for Shops” links parking to what you spend at nearby businesses. Here’s how it works: Park in a Parkin space near a participating business Pay the parking fee Make a purchase at the shop Ask the merchant to validate parking through the Parkin app Receive the amount back as credit in the Parkin...

If early mornings usually include a battle with motivation, Yas Mall Walking Club gives you a reason to rise and shine. You can stay active without stepping into the sun and finish before the day gets busy. The club holds morning walks at the mall every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and anyone can join for free. Each session starts at 8 AM with a guided warm-up. After, the group moves through the mall, when everything feels quiet and open enough to walk without interruptions. You can walk at your own pace and still cover around 7,000 to 8,000 steps over...

Electric vehicles are already a common sight on Dubai roads compared to just a few years ago, and the city is adding more places to charge them. A new agreement between the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and Emarat EV Charging Stations Company brings charging stations to mosque parking areas in the city. Drivers will be able to charge their cars while visiting nearby mosques. The plan includes installation, maintenance, performance monitoring, and smart payment systems. The agreement spans eight years, with the option to extend. A mobile app will show nearby charging points in real time, so you...

Some of the best evenings in Dubai start without a plan. Add art and free entry, and you have a good reason to head out. If that sounds like your kind of night, DIFC Art Nights is back from April 23 to 26 for its 21st edition. No booking needed, just head to Gate Village in the evening and take your time with the installations. You’ll see paintings, digital art, sculptures, photography, murals, and other pieces, including works from Opera Gallery and Christie’s. Stick around and you might end up at a panel talk, a live performance, or even a...

Thinking about a European escape without dealing with visa paperwork? Albania just dropped the visa requirement for the rest of 2026. Qatari citizens can enter Albania without a visa from April 15 to December 31. Albania is located just across the Adriatic from Italy, but far less crowded, and prices are noticeably lower. You can focus on the coast, explore the cities, head into the mountains, or just combine all three. And with new visa-free entry to Albania for Qatar citizens, there’s no paperwork needed. You can just book a flight and go. If you, like many other travelers, never...

Ever wished a bus could come closer to you instead of the other way around? In Dubai, that is exactly how Bus On Demand works. The popular service has expanded to Al Qusais and JVC to meet growing demand. And you can use it for free in these two neighborhoods until Sunday, April 12. Instead of waiting at a fixed bus stop, you book a small vehicle through the app by entering your location and destination. The service works in a similar way to a taxi, but it is shared public transport and, like a regular bus, has a schedule:...

There’s a new dining app in Abu Dhabi, and it is not only about paying the bill at the end of dinner. SoSocial has officially launched in the capital and it aims to make dining out feel social again. Users can find friends or meet new people through a matching system that helps connect people with similar interests. At partner venues, users can split the bill and earn Social Cash, which can be redeemed across the SoSocial network. During April, selected venues in Abu Dhabi are also offering up to 100% instant cashback. SoSocial also connects with other loyalty programmes...

Riyadh has a new museum dedicated entirely to oil, and it’s now open to visitors. If you wanted to see how Saudi Arabia built its story around oil, you can now walk through it in one place. Black Gold Museum presents the story of oil through art, historical material, and visual narratives. The museum has four sections. Each one focuses on a different part of oil’s history and its use over time: The story starts with oil at its most basic level, from its molecular structure to its discovery as a raw material The next section looks at how oil...