For travellers, weary after a long journey, a Bedouin camp was an oasis in itself. You might be surprised to know that those Bedouin nomads loved taking in almost anyone passing through their area. For Bedouins, this was more than just a “nice thing to do”; Arabic culture is based on hospitality...

In order to understand Dubai, you have to understand the holy month of Ramadan. During this (lunar calendar) month-long period, the social and cultural climate of the city transforms. Work days shorten, shops change their hours of operation, and things generally slow down. This is all in deference...

It’s sometimes easy to forget that people once looked at the cities of the Middle East the way we look at New York, London, and Sydney today; they were multicultural, international hubs, where everyone was accepted and ideas flowed freely. During the Middle Ages, cities like Damascus, Cairo, and...

You're all excited for your Dubai getaway. Then you realize something: your dates fall during Ramadan. Now, you’re worried you might somehow inconvenience the locals (or be inconvenienced yourself). Don't worry, you don't need to change your plans. In fact, this might just prove to be the best...

Despite Dubai’s rapid development in the last few decades, the emirate is not all skyscrapers and indoor ski parks. The government of the UAE knew early on that their land was special; focusing on sustainability has always been of the utmost importance. That’s why they established their first...