Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

Peppa Pig is heading to the capital this summer, and The Galleria Al Maryah Island is turning into her world. From July 18 to 27, families can explore a themed pop-up packed with interactive zones, live shows, and a special character appearance happening for the first time in the region. Here are all the details of this 10-day experience, taking place on Level 2, South Link Bridge.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Galleria Al Maryah Island (@thegalleriauae) Kids can step into Peppa’s town and try activities in familiar spots from the show:...

Saudi Arabia’s hottest race — literally — is back this summer. The third edition of AlUla Desert Blaze is taking place on August 15 and 16, 2025, in one of the Kingdom’s most scenic and historic regions. The event offers participants a rare chance to run through UNESCO World Heritage sites while testing their endurance in summer desert heat. There are four race categories to choose from: 5 km 10 km 21.1 km (half-marathon) 42.2 km (full marathon) The 5 km and 10 km races are open to runners aged 16 and above, while the half and full marathons require...

Dubai is once again taking art to new heights — literally. The Burj Khalifa is now home to the world’s highest graffiti exhibition, titled No One Knows I Am Here, by artist and designer Ferhat Kaz. The show is set up on the 108th floor of the world’s tallest building and features 11 original artworks, all created on-site by Kaz himself. One of the standout pieces will pay tribute to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ahead of his 76th birthday on July 15, celebrating his leadership and legacy.     View this post on Instagram   A post...

As temperatures rise in Dubai, BRIX Café has introduced a spot to cool down — a winter-themed summer pop-up at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. Inspired by the café’s recent venture in Davos, Switzerland, this temporary venue brings snowy scenes and alpine charm to the city’s waterfront. The pop-up is open throughout the summer months, offering an escape from the heat with ski-lodge visuals and a cosy vibe. The café’s green exterior is covered in white snowflakes, and the rooftop includes fake snow, snowflake disco balls, and seating decorated with skier-themed cushions.     View this post on Instagram   A post...

Kooya Filipino Eatery is back with another culinary pop-up — this time in Dubai’s Deira neighbourhood. From Friday to Sunday, running noon to midnight until the end of July, the pop-up is taking place inside the China Club restaurant at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. This seasonal concept gives diners the opportunity to try modern Filipino cuisine, with a menu by Chef JP Anglo, the founder of Kooya. Born in Bacolod City, Anglo brings together familiar flavours and lesser-known regional dishes in a lineup that reflects both heritage and creativity.     View this post on Instagram   A...

The Moroccan-born coffee brand Bacha Coffee is expanding to Riyadh. While the official opening date hasn’t been confirmed yet, the upcoming branch will be located in Solitaire Mall, one of the city’s newest high-end destinations. Bacha Coffee was founded in 1910 in Marrakesh, and quickly became more than just a café. It was a cultural and political meeting place for visitors from around the world — including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, who enjoyed Arabic coffee during their time in Morocco. After a long period of closure, the brand was revived in 2017 as a museum and in 2019...

Wizz Air has announced that it will stop all operations from its Abu Dhabi base starting September 1, 2025. The move follows what the airline described as a “reassessment of market conditions and operational challenges in the Middle East.” This news comes just one week after the airline suspended key European routes from the UAE. With its shutdown, all locally based Wizz Air flights — including routes to Europe, Central Asia, and beyond — will be discontinued. If you’re affected or simply looking for affordable travel alternatives, there are still several options to consider: Air Arabia (Sharjah and Abu Dhabi):...

Starting at the end of July, Dubai will implement a new public health law that updates how medical fitness tests are handled for residency, work permits, and driving licences. The changes come under Law No. (5) of 2025 on Public Health, a regulation that aims to unify health standards and improve screening processes for everyone living and working in the city. If you're applying for a residence visa, a job in the UAE, or renewing either one, requires an applicant to go through a standardised medical fitness test. These tests will include screenings for communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV,...

Sharjah’s Faya Palaeolandscape has officially joined the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, making it the second location in the UAE to receive this global recognition. The site, located in the central region of Sharjah, is now acknowledged for its continuous record of early human presence that stretches back over 200,000 years. The landscape preserves 18 distinct archaeological layers, each revealing how humans lived and adapted in arid environments over millennia. What sets Faya apart is its role not just as a migration route, but as a place where people settled and stayed — a rare pattern in prehistoric desert regions....

The General Directorate of Traffic in Saudi Arabia has released updated guidelines for foreign visitors and GCC residents regarding the use of international and foreign driving licences in the Kingdom. For visitors, the rules allow driving in Saudi Arabia using a valid foreign or international driving licence for up to one year from the date of entry — or until the licence expires, whichever comes first. However, the licence must be valid for the same category of vehicle being driven. To be accepted, all licences must be translated by an accredited body, ensuring all information is clearly understood by local...