Middle East Archives - A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

14 of the best cities to visit this April

By Paul Johnson on Mar 22, 2018 in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Chile, Cuba, Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Oklahoma, Portugal, Regions, South Africa, South America, Spain, USA, Western Europe

April can be a fantastic time of year to get away and enjoy a city break. For many of our readers, it’s a time when temperatures are just starting to pick up a little, when destinations are beginning to open their doors more to tourists, and yet it isn’t a peak time to travel… meaning […]

5 nights of luxury in the Maldives, with two nights in Dubai ‘thrown in’!

By Paul Johnson on Feb 16, 2018 in Accommodation, Asia, Hotels, Maldives, Middle East, Regions, Resorts, United Arab Emirates

Regular readers may recall that when we went to the Maldives a couple of years ago, we stayed a few nights in Dubai on the way there. It’s a great way to break up the journey from the UK, allowing you to adjust your body clock more gradually and take in some of the ‘City […]

Top 5 yacht charter honeymoon destinations

By Geoff Moore on Jan 23, 2018 in Africa, Asia, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cruises & Boat Travel, Cyprus, Europe, France, Greece, Honeymoons, Maldives, Middle East, Regions, Seychelles, Speciality Travel, Turkey, Western Europe

For those looking for an unrivaled honeymoon experience, a yacht charter offers it all. With a dedicated Captain, crew and chef, all of your requirements will be catered for down to the most intricate of details and you can enjoy cruising in some of the world’s most stunning locations. Whether you are looking to dine […]

6 unique things to do in Abu Dhabi

By Sara Essop on Jan 08, 2018 in Accommodation, Attractions, Going Out, Hotels, Middle East, Regions, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and its richest city. Home to man-made islands, silver skyscrapers, mega malls and lavish palaces, it is a modern, cosmopolitan city and a popular tourist destination. Here are six unique things to do in Abu Dhabi: Ride the world’s fastest roller coaster If you are […]

10 reasons why Oman is more luxurious than Dubai

By Michael Edwards on Dec 05, 2017 in Attractions, Going Out, Middle East, Oman, Regions

Oman is more Arabia than Armani, more Lawrence of Arabia than Levi jeans, more Sultanate than Starbucks: a dreamy destination increasingly on discerning travellers’ wish-lists. South of brash and glitzy Dubai, Oman is the quiet good-living neighbour. Sultan Qaboos, the Mr Nice Guy of the world’s absolute rulers, who deposed his father in a coup […]

Video of the week: Watchtower of Turkey

By Paul Johnson on Nov 30, 2017 in Middle East, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Turkey, Videos

With more than 3500 kilometres travelled in 20 days, capturing landscapes from the bluish tones of Pamukkale to the warm ones of Cappadocia, Leonardo Dalessandri passes through a great variation of colours, light and weather, and through six other cities. He crossed Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Istanbul and Konya; and tasted baklava, kunefe, doner, the Turkish […]

The world’s longest and highest zip line

By Paul Johnson on Nov 01, 2017 in Adventure Travel, Attractions, Going Out, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates

The world’s longest and highest zip line will officially open on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, next month. With the exact length of the zip line remaining a closely-guarded secret until the multi-million dollar adventure tourism product’s opening, the zip line will propel the UAE’s most northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah into the […]

5 cool boutique hotels to visit in 2018

By Spencer Groves on Oct 19, 2017 in Accommodation, Asia, Hotels, Indonesia, Middle East, Oman, Regions, Thailand, Worldwide

Instagrammable gems of the accommodation world, the best boutique hotels deliver memorable escapes with bucket-loads of originality and panache. Warm, personal service is a given – as are bespoke, well-considered interiors. Read on for our top-picks to add to your wander-lust wishlist for 2018 and beyond: Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman This clifftop retreat rests 2,000m […]

5 of the world’s best serviced apartments for the business traveller

By Paul Johnson on Oct 18, 2017 in Asia, Business Travel, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Travel around the world on business a lot? If you do, you’ll no doubt appreciate the comfort of a good quality, long-term base when you travel – something that gives you more independence and privacy than a traditional hotel stay. We spoke to our friends at Vision Apartments to identify five luxury apartments that you […]

The world’s most exciting city? A compelling debate

By Paul Johnson on Oct 12, 2017 in Asia, China, Europe, Featured, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Middle East, North America, Regions, Turkey, United Kingdom, Western Europe

In partnership with The Platinum Card® from American Express® You may recall that I was planning to attend an event hosted by 1843 Magazine and The Platinum Card from American Express recently – a debate in which five different cities, proposed by five different panellists, were put forward as contenders for the title of the […]

11 of the coolest things about Israel

By Jennika Argent on Oct 06, 2017 in Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Israel, Middle East, Regions, Travel Miscellany

Before traveling to Israel, the only thing I knew was that I really enjoyed the company of the Israeli people I had encountered on my travels. Going by this, I assumed that Israel would make a great place to visit. Before even boarding the plane, an Israeli lady had started a conversation with me and […]

6 of the sexiest tented camps outside southern Africa

By Chinmoy Lad on Oct 05, 2017 in Accommodation, Africa, Asia, Australia, Hotels, India, Middle East, Morocco, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Worldwide

The rugged wilderness has always been a natural calling to mankind – after all, mankind was shaped by it before by inventing agriculture, creating colonies and discovering civilisation. But the adventurer has found a way to escape the chaos of cities and going back to mankind’s roots by roughing it out and camping in nature. […]

The most exciting city in the world?

By Paul Johnson on Sep 25, 2017 in Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Featured, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Middle East, North America, Regions, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Worldwide

In partnership with the Platinum Card® from American Express® Inspirational, intriguing cities are dotted all over the world offering visitors enriching experiences, brushing with fascinating eras of history, embracing different cultures and enjoying delicious culinary creations. I have been lucky enough to visit some of the world’s most iconic cities, as well as some lesser […]

10 picturesque places in Persia for practicing photography

By Jennika Argent on Sep 21, 2017 in Asia, Iran, Photography, Regions, Travel Equipment

Sanctions are slowly being lifted from Iran, and since 2015, it’s become easier to travel through this warm and welcoming land, its rich history and culture ripe for the picking. Autumn and Spring are the best times to go, as temperatures are mild and comfortable. In my two week visit I witnessed so much beauty, […]

10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit on a Mediterranean yacht charter

By Alexander Coles on Sep 20, 2017 in Attractions, Croatia, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, France, Going Out, Greece, Italy, Malta, Middle East, Regions, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, Speciality Travel, Turkey, Western Europe, Worldwide

A luxury yacht charter is the ultimate way to visit the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Mediterranean. Disembark by day to wander the villages of Amalfi, hike Sicily’s volcanoes, or walk the walls of Dubrovnik, before returning to your yacht, chatting excitedly about the wonders you’ve seen, dining on deck as the yacht […]

Dubai’s best brunches

By Spencer Groves on Sep 15, 2017 in Food and Drink, Going Out, Middle East, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Arab Emirates

In the UK, the term ‘brunch’ refers to a late morning meal – nothing particularly noteworthy – but in Dubai, Friday Brunch is an institution. It’s the week’s main event – the chance to kick the weekend off in style (weekends run Friday – Saturday in the UAE). It’s not breakfast, not lunch, but an […]

Category: Middle East