Little island, big flavors: Sri Lankan food finally gets its due

Experience Abu Dhabi has teamed up with legendary artist, songwriter and producer will.i.am to unveil and celebrate its biggest events season yet, with more than 150 back-to-back events taking place across the emirate over the next six months. Packed with a diverse line-up of activities and experiences for every resident and visitor, the latest edition of Abu Dhabi Calendar combines perfect sunny weather with highlights including Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts headlined by Ava Max, Tiësto and Foo Fighters, thrilling NBA and UFC events, cultural festivals, interactive family shows, and more unmissable performances.

Most mornings, around 6:30, Tharshan Selvarajah arrives at the Élysée Palace, seat of the French presidency, and unloads around 30 baguettes into the security scanner.

Once upon a time, Uzbekistan was a real hassle to visit. Travelers faced labyrinthine and opaque visa processes, expensive letters of invitation and complicated registration requirements. Luckily, those days are long gone. Uzbekistan now makes life as easy as it can for tourists, starting with a streamlined visa process. 

For most travelers from the United States, going to Europe is a relatively smooth experience, without the need to apply for visas or pay steep fees for short visits.

The Maldives’ most well-kept surprise opening, Ifuru Island Maldives, celebrated its official opening on 23 September 2023 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the owners, the resort’s All-Star team and the very excited first official guests. A lush natural island boasting a 1km long stretch of white sandy beach with spectacular sunset views, the Ifuru Island concept brings unique and engaging experiences for guests seeking social connections and everything the Maldives has to offer in one place.

Qatar Airways plans to expand its flight schedule across U.S. airports and has its sights set on reaching 250 destinations worldwide, CEO Akbar Al Baker told reporters at a news conference in Seattle earlier this month.

Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today launched ‘Can’t Wait to Winter’, a global campaign promising an unforgettable experience with back-to-back events that cater to all interests - combined with the perfect weather.

When I reach Galaha in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, the sun is high in the sky and the streets are clouded with dust. Tuk-tuks rattle around women in red saris flecked with gold, narrowly missing the one-eyed dog sleeping in the road. Amid the honking and coconut selling, I hear a familiar sound — Beethoven’s Für Elise — moving closer, crackling from a tuk-tuk selling fish buns, and bringing with it the smell of freshly baked bread. 

Australian airline Regional Express on Friday suspended more flights from Sydney and accused competitors such as Qantas Airways of “pillaging” its regional pilots, allegations which the flag carrier dismissed.

Earlier this year, Airbnb shook things up by rolling out 53 new features based on user feedback, including fee transparency and lower fees for monthly stays. Now, some four months later, the home-sharing platform is back with additional updates — and even more overhauls in the pipeline.

Think of the Indian Ocean, and it's likely you'll conjure images of pristine sands scattered with coconut palms, surrounded on all sides by turquoise sea. Such desert islands — worthy of Robinson Crusoe — are easy to find in the region, offering sun, sea and perfect seclusion, far from the rigours of everyday life. From the pancake-flat atolls of Alphonse in the Seychelles to the wildlife haven of Comoros, here's where should be on your radar.

“Shall we jump in?”