Middle East

May 14, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

Soaring a stomach-churning 828 metres (2, 716-feet) high, the Burj Khalifa isn’t just the world’s tallest building, it’s also 60% taller than the world’s second-tallest building. That’s quite the leap. It comprises 160 floors and boasts the tallest observation deck in the world too. How long did it take to

May 14, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

Lebanese food is some of the tastiest – and healthiest – food there is, highlighting all the best flavours of the Middle East. Dishes are fresh and fragrant, with meat kebabs, grilled, marinated seafood, salads, hummus, bread and grains making up the mainframe of the cuisine. Lebanese dishes include

April 15, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

Welcome to Dubai: a thriving and vibrant city located in the United Arab Emirates, known for its stunning architecture, luxurious lifestyle, and overall glitz and glamour. Dubai has experienced a huge surge in tourism in recent years, and an increasing number of expats have decided to give up their lives

March 27, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

Dubai is a melting pot of culture and cuisine. This is mostly thanks to its enormous and diverse expat community. In the heart of the UAE, you’ll find everything from tiny Italian eateries to bumping Vietnamese spots. However, of all the international cuisine Dubai has to offer, Indian is what

March 27, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

When arriving in a new city, one dish that many people turn to is the humble burger. It’s known all over the world and offers comfort away from home. But where are the best Qatar burgers that you should know about? We’ve done the hard work and narrowed it down

March 5, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

However, when exploring the capital city of Lebanon, you’ll find that there are so many things to see and do that you might not have time to sit down and enjoy an entire morning or evening of food and chats. If that’s the case, check out the best coffee shops

March 5, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

The first port of call for many when arriving in a new city is a good cup of coffee. Qatar coffee options are seriously varied, from large chains to small local independents so the choice is huge. Caffeine lovers rejoice: we’ve picked out the 7 best spots in Qatar for

March 5, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

From humble beginnings just a couple of decades ago, this is now one of the world’e great foodie cities and Dubai burgers are something truly special. Considering Dubai gave the world Salt Bae, you can be sure that meat is top notch here. From the high end restaurant to the

March 5, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

The food scene has exploded in this city over the last couple of decades and Dubai pizza is now right up there with some of the very best in the world. With chefs flocking from all over the world and importing the very best of ingredients straight from Italy, some

March 4, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

With a huge transition starting to take place in the country and a vibrant foodie scene, we thought we would focus on Saudi Arabia burgers. Mostly for the simple reason that they’re so tasty. When arriving in a new country with new cultures, a classic burger can be comfort food

March 4, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

When it comes to great food you are going to be spoilt for choice in the kingdom, and there’s nothing better than a perfect slice of pizza. So, we’ve focused on finding the best Saudi Arabia pizza spots. And oh-boy have we succeeded. From the traditional Italian Neapolitan-style pizza to

March 4, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team

United Arab Emirates burgers are ticking all the boxes in terms of choice and creative toppings, and there is serious competition in terms of quality. With so many chains, high-end hotels and casual restaurants offering great burgers, we set out to find the 25 best. No easy task! From huge

March 7, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team

With its central location, long sandy beaches and superb weather, there are no shortage of reasons to come to Qatar. Qatar hotels also happen to be among the best in the world with incredible standards of service and luxurious settings. We’ve made the job a little easier for you and

December 29, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Beyond the glitz and glam, Dubai has a super family-friendly feel. It’s a great place to visit with the kids, with tonnes of activities that specifically cater to the little ones. From educational complexes to splashing around aquaparks, a day won’t go by where you’ll have to hear those dreaded

December 5, 2022 - Allie D'Almo

Dubai is renowned for its sky-high hotels, Michelin stars and rooftop statement pools, lesser so for its beaches. That’s a shame, because the UAE’s best-known emirate boasts miles of talc-white sand, lapped by the (mostly) tranquil Persian Gulf. While the region may not be able to compete with the likes

November 24, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Dammam is the fifth largest city in Saudi Arabia. It is famous for being where oil was first discovered in the country. It is also one of the most famous port cities in the whole of the Middle East. With striking structures and idyllic artificial islands, Dammam is a great

November 24, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

One of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, Burj Al Arab is also one of Dubai‘s most iconic landmarks. The 320-metre high skyscraper was the tallest hotel in the world when it was built in 1999, though it slipped to number five in the past few years. It’s still 14

November 22, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

You’ll likely be familiar with the name but how much do you actually know about Iran? Known for centuries as Persia, the King re-branded it as Iran, which means land of Aryans, in 1935. Unlike most Islamic states, the national language in Iran is Farsi, not Arabic. The country fell

November 22, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

The Nabateans founded Petra over 2,000 years ago. However, it was rediscovered in 1812, which is why people sometimes refer to it as ‘The Lost City of Petra’. It is a myriad of temples, tombs and caves located in the rugged desert of southwestern Jordan. It is also an endangered

November 18, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, is in Medina in Saudi Arabia. It is the second holiest place in Islam after the Kaaba in Mecca. In the Prophet’s Mosque, you’ll find the Tomb of The Prophet Mohammad, and millions of Muslims come here to pray every year. Curious to learn more

November 18, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates or the UAE. Located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, squeezed between Oman and Saudia Arabia, this federation of seven emirate states was born in 1971. In the past five decades, it’s rapidly transformed from a quiet fishing

November 17, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Medina is a large city in Saudi Arabia and the second-holiest place in Islam. It is the city of the Messenger of God and where you’ll find some of the oldest mosques in the world and the tomb of the Prophet Mohamed. A site of pilgrimage for millions of Muslims,

November 4, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

The City of Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel and the capital of the country. Some 956,849 people call the city home. The first settlement of the area took place between 4500 and 3500 BCE, making Jerusalem one of the oldest cities on Earth. With so much history, there

November 3, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, home to two of the most important Muslim cities in the world – Mecca and Medina. It’s the 14th largest country on earth, measuring over 2.14 million squared km, which makes it roughly the same size as Western Europe or one-fifth the size

October 28, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Over 2,000 years old, the Western Wall is a limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a sacred site to the Jewish people and many come to the wall to pray on a daily basis. It is a very popular tourist site, attracting millions of visitors every

October 11, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team

Iran is home to an incredible patchwork of culture and history. Afterall, it boasts a whopping 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 22 of which are cultural ones. No matter how long or when you plan to visit, you’re sure to be surprised at every turn with just how rich the

July 6, 2022 - Allie D'Almo

Most people hotfoot to the country’s blockbuster cities Cairo and Luxor or opt for a fly-and-flop holiday on the Red Sea, but there’s plenty to see in between. If you’re headed to Egypt and want to find out the best way to get around, take a look at our tried-and-tested

November 1, 2021 - Allie D'Almo

Soaring a stomach-churning 828 metres (2, 716-feet) high, the Burj Khalifa isn’t just the world’s tallest building, it’s also 60% taller than the world’s second-tallest building. That’s quite the leap. It comprises 160 floors and boasts the tallest observation deck in the world too. How long did it take to

October 26, 2021 - Allie D'Almo

Of the UAE’s seven emirates, Dubai is arguably its most beguiling. Combining old-world Arabia with cutting-edge design and amenities, it’s home to seven-star hotels, award-winning restaurants, top retail haunts and some of the world’s tallest buildings. No wonder over 15.9 million people visit every year. But while it might be

October 20, 2020 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

Do you want to mix business with pleasure in Dubai? With a new one-year virtual working programme, you can live and work in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Remote working is the way forward for 2020. So, bet this new remote visa for Dubai is sure

September 16, 2020 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

After a six-month closure, Jordan is finally reopening its borders to tourists. The airport reopened on Tuesday 8th September to international visitors. So, if you still have the Lost City of Petra on your bucket list for 2020, you can now visit.All arrivals will have to present proof of a

August 13, 2020 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

Ask anyone not from the Middle East region to name the 7 Emirates of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and chances are they’ll get stuck after listing off Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While those two glittering cities are the most famous, they’re just a small sample of the UAE.The Emirates

July 27, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team

There is huge variety in the cooking of the Middle East and Emirati dishes are no different, with bold flavours and exciting combinations. With a melting pot of cultures and influences on the cuisine, the food here will have you instantly hooked. Traditional Emirati food includes meats (traditionally camel for

July 21, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team

Syrian dishes are mainly focused around the ‘mezze’ concept, of small dishes that are perfect to share amongst family and friends. Like other Middle Eastern cuisines, the food in Syria includes hummus, stuffed vine leaves and flaky, sweet baklava for dessert. Key ingredients include garlic, meat (mostly from lamb and

July 20, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team

Many Saudi Arabian dishes are similar to the Middle Eastern cuisine found in the surrounding countries of Yemen, Egypt, Oman and the UAE. As a Muslim country, the dishes here follow Halal practises so you won’t find any pork. What you will find, is fresh and fragrant food that features

March 6, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team

As the coronavirus outbreak goes global, with more than 97,000 infections across the world, some countries are experience more severe outbreaks than others. The countries most affected by coronavirus are mainly in Asia, Middle East and Europe. Want to know which countries to avoid? Here’s a full list. As always,

January 8, 2020 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

Following a recent escalation in relations between the US and Iran, major airlines have rerouted flights crossing the Middle East. The United States’ Federal Aviation Administration has a current ban on all commercial flights flying over Iran, Iraq and the Gulf of Oman. Several other countries’ national airlines have also

December 24, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team

Dubai sushi is right up there with the very best in the world with a huge selection being created by the most talented chefs. With the freshest ingredients being flown in from all over the world and a discerning global clientele, the levels of quality are off the charts.From high-end

December 17, 2019 - Elizabeth Thorn

Lebanon is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world, with the Phoenicians being responsible for the widespread distribution of Lebanese grapes over 4,000 years ago.Experts note that the Lebanese wine industry reflects the dichotomy of the country and its rich history. And, if you’re a true wine aficionado

December 12, 2019 - Elizabeth Thorn

Beirut recently made our list of the , in part due to the city’s rich nightlife and quality clubs. However, you don’t have to make it all the way out to a crowded club to enjoy the wilder side of this city. In fact, some of the best bars

October 24, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

There’s no better spot for brunch than in Dubai. As soon as Friday – the first day of the weekend in the UAE – comes around, everyone is ready to party hard. Live music, gourmet bites, bottomless drinks and all-round indulgence makes Friday brunch in Dubai one of the best

February 11, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team

The bar scene in Qatar is unique in that they are all based in 4 and 5 star hotels, due to the local alcohol licensing laws. The good news is that there are some incredible spots in the city for a drink, so we’ve rounded them up for you.From rooftop

February 11, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

Visiting Doha? A trip to this exciting market has simply got to be on the cards.A stroll down the bustling alleys of Souq Waqif provides an authentic taste of traditional Qatari life. The maze of small shops have dazzling Middle Eastern merchandise, from spices and seasonal delicacies such as fresh

February 11, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

People may have some preconceived ideas before they come to Qatar that it might just be desert and shopping malls, but really there is so much more to this unique and enchanting small country.Sure, going dune bashing is an absolute must, but you can also kayak through lush mangroves and

January 15, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea

We’ve teamed up with Rotana Hotels and Resorts to show you the very best of the UAE, with guides on where to stay, where to eat and what to do.While most people tend to only visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates has so many more amazing places

January 8, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team

As tourists hot spots go they don’t get much bigger or more spectacular than Dubai. The high-flying city of the U.A.E, Dubai is one of the most glamourous destinations you’ll ever visit. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline while traditional souks provide colourful photo opportunities. So