Remi Lucidi, a sergeant in the French Army, died far from a battlefield. His body was found last week aside a Hong Kong skyscraper where he had been spotted near the rooftop.
21.07.2023 - 08:42 / roughguides.com
Travellers can’t seem to get enough of the Middle East. Recent reports highlight strong tourism growth in many of the region's countries – and that's despite continued unrest and the travel restrictions that have come with it.
Flights served by Middle Eastern airlines and their international counterparts continue unabated, and the wider industry is taking note of the trend: small-group operator Intrepid Travel is one of many to up its tour offerings by adding seven new Middle East options for 2018, while hotel groups including Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt and Dusit International are all expanding rapidly across the region.
Rather than being limited by travel bans, it seems travellers are seizing the opportunity to explore the Middle East’s lesser-known corners – here are five under-the-radar cities worth adding to your itinerary.
Thanks in part to last year’s opening of the Jordan Trail, a spectacular 650km-long hiking trail that spans the country from tip-to-tail, the Kingdom of Jordan has never been more popular. Yet in their rush to explore the rock-cut caves of Petra and float in the Dead Sea, many travellers fly in to the nation’s capital – and promptly leave again. But this is a mistake, for the “White City” (top image) is well worth a look-in.
The Amman Citadel, which dates back to Neolithic times, and the beautifully preserved 2nd-century Roman Theatre, are both within walking distance from the centre, which can be safely explored on foot. Don’t miss the excellent Jordan Museum, nor the opportunity to sample some of Amman’s best restaurants, from rough-and-ready falafel joint Hashem to the cafés and restaurants on trendy Rainbow Street.
Opened in March 2018, the W Amman now provides a stylish spot to rest your head in Amman if you’re due for a splurge, while top-notch local operators such as Experience Jordan and Engaging Cultures can help to arrange everything from homestay experiences to hiking tours from the vibrant capital.
Jordan has a wide variety of cultural experiences to offer. To find out more, read our guide to the best things to do in Jordan.
Jordan Trail
©
Svitlana Sokolova/Shutterstock
Wedged between the glistening blue Gulf of Oman and the craggy peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains, Muscat is just an hour's flight (or five-hour drive) from Dubai, but couldn’t be more different from its flashy Emirati cousin.
Mindful development and religious tolerance reign in this low-slung and laid-back coastal capital, where new buildings are required to reflect tradition, and the main place of worship – the resplendent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – was especially designed to be accessible to non-Muslim visitors. The newish Royal Opera House and National Museum are just two examples of the cutting-edge
Remi Lucidi, a sergeant in the French Army, died far from a battlefield. His body was found last week aside a Hong Kong skyscraper where he had been spotted near the rooftop.
Flying to the United Arab Emirates from the United States just got easier. Etihad Airways, one of the national airlines of the UAE, just announced new service between Boston and Abu Dhabi, beginning on March 31, 2024.
A French man known for taking part in extreme sports has died from what appears to be a fall from a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong, local police confirmed to Insider.
I’ve noticed a worrying trend among airline passengers lately. After an emergency landing, when flyers must evacuate out of a plane, videos emerge in the news of people fleeing the plane while carrying their luggage.
When it comes to the world’s most popular destinations, two travel hubs have been in a tug-of-war match for the title of ‘most-visited’ over the past few years.
Emirates has announced it will reduce service between Dubai and almost half its destinations in the U.S. Flights to Boston, Seattle, and Los Angeles will be reduced from two per day to one, and daily flights to Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale will be reduced to five per week each. The total number of weekly flights cut comes to 25.
Though I pride myself on being an independent traveler—I was in the United States Peace Corps in Paraguay for two years, have been to six continents, and spent multiple years reviewing hotels across the U.S. and around the world, by myself— India is one country that I’ve never considered visiting as a solo traveler.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Lost City of Petra hides coyly behind Southern Jordan’s pink sandstone cliffs. The rock-cut ruins of the lost Nabatean Kingdom feature Corinthian pillars, Hellenistic urns, and, in the case of the Treasury, classical relief sculptures fit for a king. The contrast between the jagged desert cliffs and the grand edifices that adorn them is as jarring as a crop circle perfectly etched into a field of corn.
In stressful times like this global pandemic, it’s easy to get caught up in fear, confusion, and the never-ending news cycle. But perhaps the best way to escape it all is to mentally dive into a good vacation. Researching your dream trip of choice is a helpful reminder that the world will go back to normal again—and when it does, you’ll have a decisive plan of action for a trip you’re excited to take. Whether it’s a new type of travel for you (sailing, hiking, train itineraries, or road tripping) or a destination you’re unfamiliar with, now’s the time to tackle all your wildest travel ambitions.
Autumn enthusiasts are constantly on the hunt for that first sign of changing leaves. Fall looks a little different in every part of the country and dedicated leaf peepers don’t want to miss a thing. From golden aspens amidst the Rocky Mountains to classic New England foliage along the East Coast, here are seven destinations where leaf peepers can catch the best fall colors.
You will finally be able to live in a ‘Barbie World’ when Mattel Adventure Park opens in Glendale, Arizona next year.
If you know someone who’s been to Saudi Arabia, chances are they visited AlUla. There’s a good reason for that. Located in the Medina province in northwest Saudi Arabia, AlUla is defined by its almost surreal landscape of canyons, wadis (dry valleys), sandstone cliffs, and ancient Arabic rock dwellings and tombs that trace the 7,000-year history of people living in the region. It’s also the home of Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, a city built by the Nabataeans – the same civilization that built Petra – over 2,000 years ago. Thanks to this concentration of geographic and historical wonders, it’s no surprise that AlUla has become the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism push.