Tag Archives: Middle East

Travel: ‘Dubai – United Arab Emirates’ (Video)

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.

Burj Khalifa – The 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. Everything about this majestic structure spells out opulence: the exquisitely landscaped Burj Khalifa park and the giant fountain system with its fifty colored projectors and over 6,000 lights. Check in at one of the hotels in Burj Khalifa and join the At the Top tour to watch the spectacular view of the metropolis from the observation deck.

Palm Jumeirah – Choose from any of the numerous hotels and resorts at Palm Jumeirah, a manmade archipelago that had cost $12.3 billion to make off the coast of Dubai. Shaped like a palm leaf, the artificial island’s fronds are home for many residential villas. Palm Jumeirah has scenic marinas, several luxury resorts and spas, as well as many upscale shopping districts.

Dubai Marina – This popular Dubai tourist attraction sports a breathtaking skyline, a picturesque beach, and numerous shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. Tour Dubai Marina’s two major walkways, The Marina Walk and The Walk, and then join a cruise on a yacht.

Wild Wadi Waterpark – If you travel with kids, consider spending a day at the Wild Wadi Waterpark. Beat the sweltering desert climate of Dubai with a frolic at the park’s water rides and waterfalls.

New Travel Videos: ‘Israel’

Israel, a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, is regarded by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land. Its most sacred sites are in Jerusalem. Within its Old City, the Temple Mount complex includes the Dome of the Rock shrine, the historic Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israel’s financial hub, Tel Aviv, is known for its Bauhaus architecture and beaches. 

Middle East Tourism: ‘The Red Sea Project’ – Island Archipelago, Saudi Arabia

The Red Sea Project is being created as a unique, luxury tourism destination that will embrace nature, culture and adventure, setting new standards in sustainable development and positioning Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.

The 90-plus pristine islands are a haven of natural beauty. 75 percent of the islands will remain undeveloped and nine have been designated as areas of special conservation interest.

With its own dedicated airport under development, the Red Sea Project will be easily accessible to visitors from around the world. At the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, 250 million people will be within three hours flying time. With an average summer temperature of 32 degrees and 360 days of sunshine, the Red Sea Project will be a truly year-round destination.

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Design: French Architect Jean Nouvel’s ‘Cave Resort’ In Saudi Arabia (Video)

French architect Jean Nouvel has revealed plans for a  subterranean resort and hotel that would be hidden within the rock dwellings of AlUla, a natural region of north-west saudi arabia. located deep within the sharaan nature reserve, the project references the nearby hegra — a famous archaeological location that forms the country’s first UNESCO world heritage site. set to be completed by 2024, the development will include 40 guest suites and three villas. meanwhile, a retreat summit center nearby will feature 14 private pavilions.

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New Aerial Travel Videos: “Saudi Arabia From Above”

Filmed and Edited by: Stef Hoffer

Did you ever see Saudi Arabia from above? In this short film, I travel through the country and explore some beautiful regions with a drone.

Saudi Arabia has long been off limits to foreign tourists and travelers. Since a few months, however, it’s possible to visit the country on a tourist visa. I made use of this opportunity and traveled solo to Saudi Arabia for 2 weeks. I also brought a small drone and captured shots from several regions, including: Riyadh, the Edge of the World, parts of the desert, Al Ula (camel races), Jeddah, the road to Mecca, Umluj and the Red Sea, and the ruins of Khaybar city.

Saudi Arabia is mostly known in the ‘Western world’ for its petroleum export, the birthplace of Islam, and unfortunately also poor human rights record. But as I discover there is much more to this massive country than first meets the eye. In these series I hope to give a glimpse into what was once an almost ‘forbidden place’ for independent travelers, and is now open for visitors from around the world.

Instagram: instagram.com/eyeingasia/

World News Podcast: Protests In Beirut, Tik Tok Sues, Slow Immigration

NPR News Now PodcastNPR News Now reports: Protests erupt in Beirut in aftermath of massive explosion, Tik Tok sues U.S., and other world news.

World News Podcast: Massive Blast In Beirut, Covid-19 Relief Issues

NPR Up First podcastNPR Up First reports: The death toll is rising from yesterday’s explosions in Beirut. A longtime incumbent loses in Missouri’s Democratic Primary. And, some U.S COVID-19 relief checks were sent to non-American workers overseas.

CITIES OF THE FUTURE: “The Link – A Conscious City-Forest For 200,000 People” (Luca Curci Architects)

The first smart city “conscious oriented”, that will prevent urban sprawl, produce and storage energy, improve air quality, increase urban biodiversity, and create a healthier lifestyle”. Arch. Luca Curci

With its 300 floors THE LINK will reach the maximum height of 1200 meters. The project combines sustainability with population density, and it aims to build up a zero-energy city-building. The city-forest is made of 4 main towers, connected one each other, equipped with green areas on each level, natural light and ventilation. 100% green transport systems. The vertical city allows its residents to get into a healthier lifestyle, in connection with natural elements, re-thinking the traditional concept of community and society.

The Link Luca Curci Architects 2020

Luca Curci Architects logoArchitecture firm Luca Curci Architects presents THE LINK, a vertical city for 200,000 people. The project aims to rise above the challenge of population density by successfully combining vertical expansion with economic innovation. A self-sustainable city-forest, that will absorb CO2, produce oxygen for cleaner air and increase urban biodiversity. With interconnected communities’ programs. No suburbs. Less poverty oriented.

Using an urban operating system with an AI (Artificial Intelligence), the vertical city will be able to manage the global city temperature, levels of CO2 and humidity, will control the global lighting system, and will storage extra energy produced by solar panels and other renewable energy resources.

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