Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi

26 April 2022 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Palaces, Castles, Manors, Parks Reading Time:  7 minutes

© Ismail.alghussein/cc-by-sa-3.0

© Ismail.alghussein/cc-by-sa-3.0

Ṣīr Banī Yās is a natural island located 170 km (110 mi) southwest of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It lies 9 km (5.6 mi) offshore from Jebel Dhanna, which serves as a crossing point to other islands such as Dalma. Sir Bani Yas is 17.5 km (10.9 mi) from north to south and 9 km (5.6 mi) from east to west, making it the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates. Located just off the shore of the western region of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas was originally home to Arabia‘s largest wildlife reserve. Spanning over 87 km² (34 sq mi), the reserve was established in 1977 by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Thanks to decades of conservation work and ecological investment, it is now home to thousands of large free-roaming animals and several million trees and plants. A bird sanctuary as well as a wildlife reserve, Sir Bani Yas showcases nature through activities such as adventure safaris, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking and snorkeling.   read more…

Dubai Festival City

8 December 2021 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai Reading Time:  5 minutes

Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall © Teeraza88/cc-by-sa-4.0

Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall © Teeraza88/cc-by-sa-4.0

Dubai Festival City is a large residential, business and entertainment development in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, owned by Al-Futtaim Group. Dubai Festival City is the Middle East‘s largest mixed-use development: all elements for work, living, and leisure will be contained within the project. Once completed Festival City will comprise a series of residential communities, numerous hotels, malls, a golf course and other entertainment sites, and a full suite of public services, including schools.   read more…

Dubai Gold Souk

19 April 2021 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Shopping Reading Time:  4 minutes

© flickr.com - Joi/cc-by-2.0

© flickr.com – Joi/cc-by-2.0

Dubai Gold Souk or Gold Souk, is a traditional market (or souk) in Dubai, UAE. The souk is located in Dubai’s commercial business district in Deira, in the locality of Al Dhagaya. The souk consists of over 380 retailers, most of whom are jewelry traders. Some of the shops are as old as four decades, while some are as new as a year. The major items of mall includes Gold, Platinum, Diamonds and sometimes also deals in silver.   read more…

Souq Waqif in Doha

7 April 2021 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Shopping Reading Time:  11 minutes

© Diego Delso/cc-by-sa-3.0

© Diego Delso/cc-by-sa-3.0

Souq Waqif (“the standing market”) is a marketplace (souq) in Doha, in the state of Qatar. The souq is noted for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to dozens of restaurants and Shisha lounges. Although it dates back at least a hundred years, it was renovated in 2006 to conserve its traditional Qatari architectural style. The area is very popular with locals and immigrants alike as it offers multiple dining options in the same location. It is located in the district of Al Souq which is situated in the center of Doha. As it was a market used for trading activities, the area used to be located immediately adjoining the shore to allow for boats to access it. Although still facing the water, the direct link to the water front for boats is now divided by a major road and the recently completed park.   read more…

Address Downtown in Dubai

23 June 2020 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Hotels Reading Time:  8 minutes

© flickr.com - Marcus/cc-by-sa-2.0

© flickr.com – Marcus/cc-by-sa-2.0

The Address Downtown, formerly The Address Downtown Dubai, is a 63-story, 302.2 m (991 ft) supertall hotel and residential skyscraper in the Burj Dubai Development Area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was built by Emaar Properties Group. The tower is the twenty-second tallest building in Dubai. It is a tall structure within the massive development named Downtown Dubai, which includes the centerpiece super-tall building, the Burj Khalifa. The tower was topped out in April 2008, and was then the sixth tallest building in Dubai. The AED845 million tower was completed in September 2008. The five-star hotel and residential compound features 196 rooms and 626 serviced apartments.   read more…

Golestan Palace in Tehran

3 April 2020 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Palaces, Castles, Manors, Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time:  6 minutes

© Peymanyeganeh/cc-by-sa-4.0

© Peymanyeganeh/cc-by-sa-4.0

The Golestan Palace is the former royal Qajar complex in Iran‘s capital city, Tehran. One of the oldest historic monuments in the city of Tehran, and of world heritage status, the Golestan Palace belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran’s arg (“citadel”). It consists of gardens, royal buildings, and collections of Iranian crafts and European presents from the 18th and 19th centuries. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls. Almost all of this complex was built during the 131 years rule of the Qajar kings. These palaces were used for many different occasions such as coronations and other important celebrations. It also consists of three main archives, including the photographic archive, the library of manuscripts, and the archive of documents.   read more…

Expo 2020 Dubai

24 January 2020 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Energy, Building Automation, Intelligent Buildings, Museums, Exhibitions, Sustainability, Environment Reading Time:  20 minutes

© expo2020dubai.com

© expo2020dubai.com

Expo 2020 is a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, opening on October 20, 2020. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host on November 27, 2013. In November 2019, the UAE permitted Israeli passport holders to enter the country during Expo 2020. Israelis are allowed to have their own pavilion at the event and to even visit the country afterwards.   read more…

Hatta in Dubai

4 December 2019 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Environment Reading Time:  4 minutes

Hatta Fort Hotel © Alexandermcnabb/cc-by-sa-3.0

Hatta Fort Hotel © Alexandermcnabb/cc-by-sa-3.0

Hatta is the inland exclave of the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It lies to the south-east of Dubai’s main territory and is about 134 km (83 mi) east of Dubai. It is located relatively high in the Hajar Mountains. It borders Oman to the east and the south, the Ajmani exclave of Masfout to the west, and Ras al-Khaimah to the north.   read more…

Dubai Opera

30 September 2019 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Dubai, Opera Houses, Theaters, Libraries Reading Time:  6 minutes

© flickr.com - Greger Ravik/cc-by-sa-3.0

© flickr.com – Greger Ravik/cc-by-sa-3.0

Dubai Opera is a 2,000-seat, multi-format, performing arts centre, which is located within The Opera District in Downtown Dubai. It was developed by Emaar Properties to host a variety of performances and events including theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, conferences and exhibitions. Its plans were announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in March 2012 and it was completed in 2016. It opened on 31 August 2016 with a performance by Plácido Domingo. Dubai Opera have flat floor capacity of 1800 square meters. This floor can be hired for weddings, gala dinners, fashion shows and exhibitions.   read more…

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