Category Archives for "Middle East"

Madaba is famous for its mosaics. Or, rather, the Madaba mosaics are famous.

This small town in Jordan, nineteen miles southwest of Amman and on the Kings Highway, smells of cardamom, rosewater and ancient sighs. It earns its place on the map of the world today with a map of the world from yesterday: one of the oldest maps of the Holy Land, built out of two million pieces and embedded in the floor of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church.

When it comes to visiting Israel, all international flights arrive in Tel Aviv. But the city’s pristine beachside views, culture-rich neighbourhoods and authentic cuisine mean there’s every reason to stay and explore. Here, guest writer Cacinda Maloney shares her perfect itinerary and guide to two days in Tel Aviv.

Sharjah. It may only be 20 minutes from Dubai but it’s an Emirate with a character of its own. Traditional souks, mosques and rising ,sweeping, scarlet desert dunes, of course.

But also: world-class art installations, archaeological remains and a bid for a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the works.

Swirling desert sands, raspberry ripple rock, ancient ruins, a thriving capital and some fantastic food. Welcome to Jordan.

Let’s face it, the Dead Sea has a depressing name. It also fizzes the synapses by sounding too much like Red Sea.
Red Sea, Dead Sea. Red Sea. Dead Sea.

Usually, I manage to find something beautiful, something that moves me wherever I go. But last night, in Petra, that didn’t happen.

Sparks hissed from the fire where we clustered beneath the stars. The group fell silent, waiting for Hussein to finish his story. He sat cross-legged, wearing the traditional thawb and keffiyeh, his deep eyes lined with kohl.

“My darling,” he said, fixing his eyes on the girl in front of him. “Forget the astronomer. Come with me. I’ll show you the stars in the day.”

Dawn in the Desert at the Al Wadi Across the sand, something is moving. Slowly. Stuttering. But real. An oryx, I think, white flanks caked in dust, horns piercing the air. It’s almost as though she’s following the sun, appearing with its quiet, dawn-like shift across the dunes. It’s early, but as a new mum, […]

My work with the airline Royal Brunei highlighted an unusual travel destination to explore: the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. This Ritz Carlton Al Hamra review forms part of a project produced in partnership with Royal Brunei, RAKTDA and Ritz Carlton. As ever, as always, I kept the right to write what […]

What is it like to go dune bashing? Through one window, the horizon tilts back and forth in shades of golden rose. Through the other, red dust blocks all that can be seen. And through the windscreen there is almost nothing at all. My work with the airline Royal Brunei highlighted an unusual travel destination […]

My work with the airline Royal Brunei highlighted an unusual travel destination to explore: the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. This article forms part of a project produced in partnership with Royal Brunei, RAKTDA and Ritz Carlton. As ever, as always, I kept the right to write what I like. Now let’s […]

It is, as the ads say, like floating on air. Our hired jeep trembles slightly before falling, falling, softly over the edge into the cushioned sunset sands.

No roads, no traffic, no parking problems.

This is driving in Oman.

Things to do in Amman Jordan Oldest City on earthGreat Things to do in Amman, JordanVisit The CitadelThe citadel is to Amman what the Statue of Liberty is to New York: a city-defining icon (although that is where the similarities end.) Instead of a tall green fire-bearing maiden, Amman’s citadel involves crumbling stones and walkways through […]

It’s a common question. Is it safe to travel to Jordan?“People want to talk to me a lot,” he said, as blue and yellow danced across the coffee from the stained glass windows overhead. “Because I’m a Christian,” he went on, “and am interested in political science. “And because I live in Madaba, Jordan – and because […]

Traditional Jordanian food may not be the most famous in the world but it’s definitely something I look forward to every time I travel to Jordan. It’s built to share, making mealtimes a wonderfully social experience, full of flavour and stories fit to hear beneath starlight. Here’s some Jordanian food to look out for, plus some recipes to try at home that I picked up at the amazingly entertaining Beit Sitti cooking lessons in Amman. Bon appetit!

Dust rose from the ground as the horse thundered past and the sun began its ablutions. It painted pinks and pomegranates, amber, pistachio, charcoal and soft apricot rust across the walls of Petra before calling it a day and turning in for an early night…