Cafe. The Old Sana'a Market

There is nothing more rich then experiencing the uniqueness of the Middle East and what it has to offer. As frequent fliers to Sana'a now is the perfect time to visit the city. With its unique souqs and untouched market, the experience is extremely rich.

Should you visit the old souq, pass by the Oud Qotor, opposite the honey quarter on the right passage. Known to brew the best tea with mint in the City.

Moroc - Rock n Roll

The Gnawa music inspired a number of great musicians such as Jimmi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and others. Gnaoua music is a pentatonic music very similar to Blues music because both are rooted in the heart of Africa.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant went even further to create No Quarter in 1994. No Quarter is a fusion between gnaoua music and rock, following the steps of Randy Weston who was the first musician to fuse his jazz music with gnaoua in the 60's.


The Gnawa Festival takes place in Essaouira - The Wind City - that hosted the hippy movement in the 70's. Essaouira is a very vibrant place to be from its rich culture and history to its beaches and weather that makes it a heaven for windsurfers.


"Gnawa are the descendents of slaves originating from Black Africa who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco. They are made up of master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants, mediums and their followers.
They are at the same time musicians, initiators and healers, blending African and Arabo-Berber customs. Despite being Muslims, the Gnawa base their ritual on djinn (spirits) straight from the the African cult of possession.
The most spectacular and important ceremony is the Lila, whose function is essentially therapeutic.
During the celebration the maâlem and his group call on the saints and supernaturel entities to take possession of their followers who fall into trance."

Travel: Faraya, Lebanon

The snowy peaks of Mount Lebanon await you with their 80 Km of sun-drenched skiing trails. This is the home of The InterContinental Mzaar Resort & Spa, the only 5 stars hotel in the region, located at less than an hour drive from Beirut. Nestled between sky, mountains and sea, it is surrounded by a dazzling palette of leisure and archaeological sites. The Mzaar InterContinental is a palace of excitement when it comes to ski pleasures, but it also offers year-round indoor and outdoor activities. From its famous spa to its international cuisine and the late night entertainment at the in-house and nearby clubs, The InterContinental hotel cannot disappoint.

Hotel booking.
Hotel 11 - Faraya Kfardebian, Ouyoune Al Simane
+961-70-103222

Travel
Emirates
Dubai > Beirut
AED 1650

Contemporary Istanbul 2008

A rising star in the world of art fairs, Contemporary Istanbul ’08 has established itself as one of the most dynamic and promising art events in the region

contemporaryistanbul.com

Dubai > L.A

Operating daily, connecting us literally to the other side of the globe, this service will be the first non-stop operation connecting Dubai to Los Angeles.

Services will start in september.

emirates.com

Freak store . Harajuku

Harajuku's freak store is filled with unique and rare products from the middle east sold to the world's most consumer driven market. The store is filled up with products such as watches pointing to Mecca, gitra scarfs and much more.

Freak strore,
Harajuku, off of omotesando

www.freaksstore.com

Greens

Doha's best vegetarian cuisine, and hotel’s “signature restaurant. Greens offers unique and tasty “green” cuisine- the menu include dishes such as a warm amuse of asparagus and cepes with garlic rubbed virgin fried bean curd tart fine of celeriac with goat cheese fondue for starters, and white pepper crème brulee with fig and prune compote for desert.

Ramada Palace hotel

Doha, Qatar

+974 4281428

La Fontaine - Manama

The center of contemporary art la fontaine offers Bahrain its first private museum, where international contemporary artists exhibit their paintings, sculptures, photographic work, designs and architecture. Please check our events page to find out more on any forthcoming exhibitions.

www.lafontaineartcentre.com

Dar Beida

Dar Beida

Essaouira, Morocco

RED CITY - MARRAKECH BAZAAR

Marrakech's largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco with its busiest square in the entire continent of Africa, called Djemaa el Fna is starting in season. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians by day; and food stalls by night, becoming a huge open-air restaurant.

Dubai > Marrakech (via Casablanca)
AED 3010.00
Emirates airlines

Living in a Dream - Beit Al Mamlouka

Within the Bab Touma district in Damascus lies a historical marvel that vows to provide guests with a unique experience in hotel accommodation.Renovated from a 17th century family house, the 8 bedroom boutique hotel Beit Al Mamlouka has been garnering international interest for its stylized interiors and startlingly accurate reincarnation of old Syrian time periods.
Each of the eight rooms have been appointed different names such as Suleyman I and Ibn Sina- all are names of Pioneering figureheads that have existed within Syrian history. Each room is delicately furnished according to different time periods or rather, the time period that each character the room is named after existed. As a result, no two rooms are the same and each room possesses a highly distinct and individual feel.This hotel is breathtaking escape in a historical city. We can assure you that you will have no trouble in wanting go back over and over again to revisit Beit Al Mamlouka.

Travel: Cafe Arabe Morocco

Tucked away in an alleyway within the historic Medina district, Cafe Arabe is a scenic dining venue where guests can sample the sights of the old city whilst indulging in an array of delectable local and Italian dishes.
Opened in 2004, Cafe Arabe is the first official cafe to have opened in the old city area. The cafe has been built in a refurbished Moroccan house, and offers its visitors different dining areas to unwind, each with its own character and layout.
The main restaurant area is elegantly furnished and opens out to a romantic courtyard decorated with leafy orange trees. Colorful paintings by local artists enhance the walls inside the restaurant, and carefully-selected traditional objects give the dining room extra depth and detail.
Enjoy a range of freshly-made drinks and cocktails at the charming bar, or take a seat on the cosy and shaded outdoor terrace where you can savor the views provided by the city skyline and the Atlas Mountains.
The Italian owners of Cafe Arabe have ensured that all dishes prepared at the restaurant retain a balance of local and Italian tastes. Start your meal with a refreshing aperitif, and choose your mains from a long menu consisting of delicious pasta, quiches and homemade salads and pastries.
For dessert, try their range of home-baked cakes and select a drink from the long list of mint teas, coffees and cocktails.

184 rue El Mouassine Medina Marrakesh 40000
Tel: +212 2442 9728

Layali Oriental Restaurant

Located under a traditional Moroccan tent, the Layali offers a selection of Moroccan and oriental specialties with live entertainment.
Underneath the tent, guests can enjoy comfortable, low-level seating in a specially furnished restaurant with traditional interior.

Route De Malabata Baie De Tanger, 90000 Tangier, Morroco
Tel: 9716-553-8325
Open: Daily-7:30PM – 11:30PM

Travel: Ski tracks into Tehran

You could be in Banff, Aspen, St Mortiz or any other ski resort in the world where the skiing is prime and the lifestyle is pristine. Ski resorts are renowned places to frolic with the rich and famous, recline in the five star chalets and to experience first-class service and entertainment. It’s a chance to be pampered and to live extravagantly in a winter wonderland above sea level.

Now imagine that crisp snow-covered wonderland, but imagine it interspersed with gender-segregated queues. As you dash down the slopes, imagine your scenery of nature and woodland interrupted with signs stating rules and etiquettes you must adhere to.

These images belong to the newest alpine scene that is drawing huge success in Tehran. Although the city still resides under strict authoritarian rule, the ski resorts – all located a short commute away from the city – are drawing huge interest from locals and foreigners. The resorts, even with all their rules and regulations, are a place for the new, predominately younger generation of Iranians to unwind and relax, and to get away from the stifling city environment of Tehran.
Tehran’s main resorts – Dizin, Tochal and Shemshak, have been drawing huge crowds since the first resort at Dizin opened in 1979. The resorts have all gained global recognition for the having some of the best weather and snow conditioning for alpine pursuits.

Iran’s budding ski culture can be linked to the presence of the Alborz mountain range in Northern Iran. There is said to be something quite remarkable about the Alborz Mountains, a source of inspiration and worship for the Zoroastrians, the once dominant religion for most of Iran. The mountains are a source of peace and solitude, and most skiers find their very sheer presence as they trail down the mountain to be both humbling and engulfing.

The mountains also offers some of the last remaining unpolluted breathing spaces in Tehran, poking out like an oxygenated gemstone from the smog-encrusted skyline of the construction and traffic laden city.

The idea of skiing was initially introduced by foreigners – Germans who were working on the Iranian railroad around the 1930s decided to take advantage of the fine slopes. Returning Iranians who had been to western countries were thrilled to find such an activity available in their home country, and it eventually grew in popularity all over Tehran. In 1947, the Iranian Ski Foundation was brought into existence.

Although Tehran resort services may have a while to go before they start reflecting their Western counterparts, it is the basic ‘minimum fuss and maximum experience’ that is offered and manages to attract people year after year.
The resort of Dizin is one of the most well-known ski locations in Iran. Located just 60 km and over an hour away from Tehran, it’s also noted as being one of the more relaxed resorts in Tehran for Iranian youth to congregate together and socialise without any qualms.

Until recently, tales of the much feared Basiji, or religious police, struck deep fear into the skiers of the slopes. It was common to see these Basiji enforcing strict rules on the slopes, enforcing fines. Up until recently, the slope had been segregated into two sections – male and female.
This may not paint the best picture of prime skiing environment; however, you’ll be glad to hear that nowadays Dizin is regarded as one of the more ‘vibrant’ resorts out of the three, even with the religious police still dotted around the slopes. They still go on patrol of the resorts, however in recent times they have adopted a far less severe approach and the youth are beginning to rekindle their social freedom. If anything, the new generation of Iranian youth have gotten cheekier, and have even preyed upon the fact that not all members of the religious police are capable skiers. Young Iranians defying the guidelines of the authorities by not covering their hair, skiing with a member of the other gender, or even just wearing a t-shirt on the slopes are coming out of the woodwork and into the freedom of the 21st century.

Regardless of the religious police, the banners scattered around the resorts in Farsi pointing out the religious rules, the lack of flashy westernised amenities, Dizin is really just like any other ski-resort.

Music is now played loudly from speakers, people sit in cafés sipping tea taking in the atmosphere, laughter and chatter is heard from the ski lift gondolas – everything is a welcome veil that appears thrown over the backdrop of the stifling and grey Tehran city.
Dizin is a noisy, crowded hive of activity, especially on the weekends when the families from the city come out and play.

One of the main attractions about skiing is Tehran is the fact that it will not cause huge, immense holes in your budget. A full day ski pass at Dizin is around $4 – $5, and ski equipment and wear rental is around $10 – $30, although it is recommended that you bring your own equipment ad wardrobe, as a lot of rental equipment is believed to be actual relics from the 70s and 80s. Snowboarding equipment is also available – snowboarders are welcome on the slopes and their numbers are growing around Tehran as more locals begin to catch on.

Dizin, Shemshak and Tochal are all easily accessible via Tehran. The nearest airport to the resorts is the Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. Check your local travel agents for details of flights to Tehran. The resorts are accessible from the airport or Tehran city via coach.

The Scarlet a Boutique Hotel

The Scarlet Hotel

33 Erskine Road, Singapore

Boutique Cave Hotel

The Serinn a stylish hotel located in the enchanting landscapes of Ürgüp's ,Cappadocia, with just five guest rooms, each individually designed by renowned Turkish architect Rıfat Ergör to reflect the beauty of the natural caves while maintaining a very modern sensibility.

Travel: Townhouse gallery - Cairo

The Townhouse Gallery of contemporary art has been exhibiting work from the region’s contemporary artists since 1998. The gallery space has provided a fitting platform for visual arts, film, music and theatre.
Recent expansion has allowed the gallery to offer more space and depths to their installations and exhibits.
The construction of an annex in 2001 and a factory space in 2002 has helped turn the gallery into one of the largest private exhibition spaces in the Middle East. A library was later built in 2004 and gave the public access to a wide collection of up-to-date art resources and data such as text, journals and press.
Artists exhibited at the gallery include Amal Kenawy, Barry Iverson, Youssef Nabil and Lara Baladi. The gallery launched an artist residency program in 2000 to provide artists with a local studio space where they could work within an urban-based environment.

The gallery also has a series of outreach programs that aim to offer educational programs as part of the community development.

townhouse gallery
10 Nabrawy street, off Champollion street,
Cairo, Tel. (+202) 576-8086

Travel: Vice magazine's travel on Kabul

Vice Magazine's newly launched tv channel VBS.TV produced a series of regional travel guide in the middle east.

Travel: Café de Paris, Tunisia

Located on the main street in Tunis - Avenue Habib Bourguiba - this cafe is a famous installment on the Tunis sidewalks. The Cafe is famous amongst locals and travelers, luring in people from all walks of life. Located in the VIlle Nouvelle half of Tunis city, the cafe is filled with Tunis’s young and intelligent population, everything from life to politics can be heard discussed around the walls of the cafe.
Café de Paris is ideal for relaxing and watching one of the more vibrant and bustlings streets in Tunis.

Café de Paris - Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Tunisia

Travel: AL-Dar (111)

"It's not Beirut, but things are definitely changing here," says Soleiman Farkouh, the 42-year-old owner of Al-Dar 111, a popular restaurant in the Christian Quarter of the world's oldest continuously inhabited city. "Though Damascus is a quiet town, it's starting to develop a very sophisticated and cultured international scene."
Al-Dar (111) Restaurant
Bab Touma, Old Damascus
Assieh Street No (6)
Syria. Tel: + 963 11 542-3232