Travel in county Gulf

Jutting northwards into the Persian Gulf, Qatar is one of the world’s smaller nations (about the size of Yorkshire, England), but it is also the world’s richest country per capita. Many will only see Doha’s skyline from afar during an airport transfer, and football fans will know Qatar as the controversial location of the 2022 World Cup, but its labyrinthine souks, intergalactic architecture and beautiful sand dunes are well worth a closer look.

The sun-drenched sepia photograph shows a dapper European, handkerchief in pocket, cigarette in hand, sitting among a row of men dressed in bisht and keffiyeh. The moment was captured during Jacques Cartier's first visit to the Persian Gulf in 1911, on his way back to London from Delhi—part of a sales trip encouraged by his father, Alfred, then the head of Cartier. The decline of the Ottoman Empire and the 1905 Persian Constitutional Revolution had flooded Europe's artistic centers with new influences, forging an aesthetic then known as “the Muslim arts.” Eager to learn more, Jacques spent four months traveling throughout Asia and the Middle East, rifling through bazaars and emporiums and mixing with high society.

Saudi Arabia’s spare-no-expense cruise brand Aroya is set to launch this December, promising cigar lounges, jacuzzis, 28 dining options, 20 venues for entertainment, a retail area, and wellness and spa facilities.

The head of Saudi Arabian tourism wants Taylor Swift to bring her tour to the Middle East. Of course he does; Swift’s Eras tour has a proven track record of boosting economies wherever it goes.

With 26 co-exhibitors uniting under the guidance of the Moroccan tourism office, Morocco aims to enhance its visibility as a top destination in the Gulf countries.

Emirates has signed a number of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the first day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with Tourism Malaysia, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. These agreements demonstrate the airline’s commitment to entice more travellers across its network of more than 140 destinations to experience the sights, culture and attractions of each destination, in addition to supporting travel opportunities for local UAE companies and SMEs.

Tourism Malaysia participates in the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, showcasing the country’s latest attractions and destinations to attract more tourists from West Asia. The four-day prestigious event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 6 to 9 May 2024 marks Malaysia’s 31st year of participation, demonstrating its enduring commitment to this burgeoning market.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) marked the start of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) by showcasing the Kingdom’s spectacular summer destinations to trade partners as the country’s tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength, said the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Settling yourself for a week or a weekend on a car-free island can come with unexpected benefits: the joy of getting around via bicycle, the conversations that happen while walking from one place to another, the hilarity of golfcart transportation.  But while we all love a good road trip, sometimes the car is just a means to getting from point a to point b. On these islands, even the getting around is part of the fun. Not to mention its stress-free and incredibly freeing for everyone coming along on the trip. 

A Taylor Swift tour is on Saudi Arabia’s radar. That’s not saying much of course – Swift is on every destination’s radar. But Saudi says such a concert could be in the country’s future if the wider Arabia does more to promote itself as a unified destination.

If you’re from Southeastern USA, you know what 30A is. If you’re unfamiliar, let me paint you a picture: 30A is a series of darling beach towns along a 24-mile scenic highway overlooking the white sands and turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Summertime in the Texas can really heat up. When temperatures spike, Texans and those who visit have two choices when they want to cool down. They can stay indoors and crank the AC, or head for water—if the drought hasn’t dried it up.

The small beachside city of Destin, Florida, suddenly finds itself a center of worldwide attention, thanks to its inclusion in the lyrics of one of Taylor Swift’s newest songs, “Florida!!!” on her “Tortured Poets Department” album that dropped on April 19.

Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas.

The domestic air passenger traffic in India during the 2023-24 financial year is estimated to stand at 154 million, according to credit rating agency ICRA. This figure surpasses the pre-Covid figure of 142 million domestic air passengers recorded in the 2019-20 financial year. The agency further stated that domestic air passenger traffic witnessed a 13% increase from last year. 

"Massive seaweed blob invades Florida beaches."

Tag Heuer, a star performer in the watches portfolio of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton last year, has opened a 550-square-foot boutique on Carnival Jubilee, marking the biggest standalone store for the luxury brand at sea.

Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best—That’s the motto as the Atlantic hurricane season comes to the Eastern Seaboard in less than two months.

Mobile is one of our Best Places to Go in the North America for 2024, part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.

In order to get the most bang for their buck and to free themselves from the hassles of flying, an increasing number of travelers are choosing to explore the beauty and wonder that lie just a short distance from home. Also, the ongoing chants of “Are we there yet?” from youngsters become a lot more tolerable when driving a manageable distance. The following destinations are ideal for travelers in various parts of the U.S. looking for the budget-friendly convenience of “in your backyard” vacations.

High in the mountains of Oman and along its pounding shoreline, I stumbled onto an unexpected slice of heaven thanks to a friend’s recommendation. I even sprang for a few extra amenities for a mash-up of pauper meets paradise.

From the banks of the Rio Grande to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the southern reaches of Texas are renowned for their incredible birdwatching opportunities—but there’s a wide array of species to be discovered in the interior of the state as well. Just 45 minutes from downtown Austin, the city of Bastrop is best known for its high concentration of historic buildings, but beyond the downtown core, the region’s sprawling forests and many water features play host to all sorts of native birds.