Travel

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

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Fri, 2025-07-18 20:40

RIYADH: Each summer, as Aseer’s highland peaks erupt in fragrant blossoms, local beekeepers begin harvesting some of ��’s most coveted honey. Each variety is tied to a rare native plant and a fleeting blooming season.

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Wellness by the water: Exploring yoga in the Maldives

saffiyanews — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:55:49 +0000

article author:

Hams Saleh

Thu, 2025-07-17 07:51

 MALDIVES: There are few places in the world that truly embody serenity the way the Maldives does, and my recent yoga retreat at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort was nothing short of transformative. 

The resort — set among turquoise waters, white sand and swaying palm trees — was not just a getaway; it was a reset for the body, mind and soul.

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2025 travel ideas: This year’s great escapes

saffiyanews — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:02:24 +0000

article author:

Thu, 2025-06-26 11:48

Arab News writers share insights on some of their favorite destinations.

PARIS

Paris in the springtime? Non, merci. Summer is by far the best time to visit. With many Parisians away on holiday and fewer fellow tourists to compete with, the Metro, boulevards, boat trips, bistros, pavement cafés and museums will all be quieter.

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The hottest music festivals of 2025

saffiyanews — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 05:33:41 +0000

article author:

Fri, 2025-06-20 08:29

DUBAI: Make your summer travel plans with music in mind

Glastonbury

Where: Wiltshire, England

When: June 25-29

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Entertainment

For fans of film and TV, England offers countless nostalgia-stirring sites

shyama.kumar — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:54:41 +0000

article author:

Nada Hameed

Author:

Thu, 2025-06-19 09:21

JEDDAH: England is a place where cinematic fiction and reality often blur — its charming neighborhoods and historic landmarks have served as the backdrop to some of the world’s most beloved films.

In May, Arab News joined a press trip organized by VisitBritain in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, celebrating the launch of the airline’s new Riyadh to London route.

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Najran: A city of living memories

shyama.kumar — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 06:03:30 +0000

article author:

ROBERT BOCIAGA

Thu, 2025-06-05 08:57

JEDDAH: A dry wind carries the first sign: a curl of frankincense smoke, sharp and sweet, drifting over the desert flats. It seeps through windows, clings to clothes, lingers on skin. Najran once sat at the center of the incense trade, and the scent still clings to its streets like a memory too deep to wash away.

In Najran’s Old City, sun-drenched alleys wind between mud-brick towers etched with delicate patterns. The buildings lean into one another like elders sharing secrets, their thick walls cool to the touch, smelling faintly of clay and ash.

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Venice expands its day-tripper tax program in bid to combat overtourism

rbksa — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:22:46 +0000

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Author:

By COLLEEN BARRY | AP

ID:

1744989429969666100

Fri, 2025-04-18 18:21

VENICE, Italy: Venice is charging day-trippers to the famed canal city an arrivals tax for the second year starting Friday, a measure aimed at combating the kind of overtourism that put the city’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status at risk.
A UNESCO body decided against putting Venice on its list of cultural heritage sites deemed in danger after the tax was announced. But opponents of the day-tripper fee say it has done nothing to discourage tourists from visiting Venice even on high-traffic days.
Here’s a look at Venice’s battle with overtourism by the numbers:

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Saudi traditional crafts on show at Jouf camel auction

malawi — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 19:32:32 +0000

article author:

Sun, 2025-04-13 21:18

RIYADH: The art of making leather containers for storing food and drinks was just one of the attractions at the recent Jouf camel auction in Dumat Al-Jandal governorate.

With 2025 designated as the Year of Handicrafts, festivals across �� are providing important platforms for artisans to showcase and market their traditional skills.

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2025 ‘Year of Handicrafts’

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Saudi handicraft

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A look at NEOM’s prehistoric masterpieces etched in stone

malawi — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:54:45 +0000

article author:

Tareq Al-Thaqafi

Author:

Sun, 2025-04-06 20:33

MAKKAH: In the heart of NEOM’s Hisma Desert, where sandstone mountains and plateaus rise from the arid landscape, is an extraordinary collection of ancient rock art and archaeological inscriptions. These priceless treasures illuminate the cultural and economic vitality of long-lost civilizations.

Once a vital corridor for caravans travelling the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, this region preserves an invaluable legacy etched into its geological formations.

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��’s Hail poppy reserve attracts thousands of tourists

malawi — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:59:02 +0000

article author:

SPA

Author:

Fri, 2025-04-04 20:47

HAIL: With its vibrant array of wildflowers framed by golden sand dunes and majestic mountains, the Poppy Reserve in Al-Khattah is one of the Hail region’s most captivating attractions.

Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors, particularly during holidays, Eid and the spring season.

The attraction enchants guests with its sweeping fields of poppies, perfectly balanced in form and color. As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow over the landscape and create a natural wonder.

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Poppy Reserve in Al-Khattah

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Madinah Retreats: Culture, spirituality to power up the soul

malawi — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:27:42 +0000

article author:

Nada Hameed

Tue, 2025-04-01 20:27

JEDDAH: In the sacred embrace of Madinah, one of Islam’s holiest sites, a new culture-oriented wellness experience is offering a journey that integrates spirituality, culture, and heritage.

The inspiration behind Madinah Retreats stems from founder Moatassem Al-Bitar’s experience in the wellness and spiritual tourism industry in �� and beyond.

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High-end design with luxury service: The Jeddah Edition

saffiyanews — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:35:02 +0000

article author:

Afshan Aziz

Thu, 2025-03-20 09:33

JEDDAH: With its sleek, contemporary design that combines modern luxury with understated elegance, it’s no surprise that the Jeddah Edition won Best Hotel Design at last month’s Saudi Commercial Interior Design Awards.

The high-ceilinged lobby is gorgeous — its orange acrylic sphere, created by Vincent Leroy, really pops against the sunset and created such a perfect vibe as I walked in.

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Exploring Uzbekistan: a crossroads of cultures

saffiyanews — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:37:02 +0000

article author:

Jasmine Bager

Thu, 2025-03-06 09:28

BUKHARA: As a young Saudi girl, I didn’t often hear stories from my late Uzbek grandmother about her homeland. Instead, she shared her heritage through food. During family gatherings, she would pile our plates high with Bukhari rice, a fragrant dish as rich in history as Uzbekistan itself. But neither my father nor my siblings had ever been to her homeland, so when I was offered the chance to go — close to my birthday too — it felt like a gift from destiny. 

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