Author: Monica Bonalto

Sixty years ago, Dubai was a small pearling and trading town on the Creek. Today it’s one of the most recognisable cities on the planet — a skyline most people can identify from a thumbnail, a name that’s become shorthand for a particular kind of ambition. The journey spans desert winds and towering cranes, dhow sails and jet engines, pearl divers and tech entrepreneurs. Walking through modern Dubai feels surreal when you consider its humble origins. Fifty years ago, camels wandered where skyscrapers now pierce clouds. Traditional wind towers cooled homes where air-conditioned towers now house millions. The contrast captures…

Dubai transforms each morning into a culinary adventure that mirrors the city’s extraordinary diversity. The best breakfast in Dubai spans from humble street-side eateries in Old Dubai to sky-high dining rooms overlooking the Arabian Gulf. This comprehensive exploration reveals 65 exceptional venues that define morning dining excellence across the Emirates’ most dynamic metropolis. I’ve chased breakfast all over Dubai for years — early mornings in Deira when the streets are still quiet, rushed hotel buffets before a meeting, lazy brunches with friends on a Friday when the whole city seems to slow down. Some days I crave the crispy paratha…

The New Restaurants & Bars in 2025 are shaping Dubai into an even more global food and nightlife capital. Already renowned for pushing boundaries, Dubai’s hospitality scene thrives on constant reinvention. The year 2025 is no different. The city is set to welcome Michelin-starred chefs, daring new bar concepts, and unique venues that embody both Dubai’s appetite for luxury and its taste for the avant-garde. As someone who has walked through DIFC on a Thursday evening, the energy is palpable — and these new openings will only amplify that buzz. I’ve been walking into new openings in Dubai for years…

The UAE has become one of the most reliable stops on the global touring circuit, and 2026 is a bumper year. Between Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena and Etihad Park on Yas Island, the calendar runs from intimate singer-songwriter nights to stadium-scale spectacles. Here are the shows worth planning around — and where to book them. Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Downtown Dubai’s 17,000-seat arena keeps the hits coming in 2026. Air Supply bring their 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour and its timeless ballads (“All Out of Love”, “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”); Josh Groban arrives with his…

Moving to UAE first time transforms your life completely. This comprehensive guide addresses every concern, challenge, and opportunity awaiting new UAE residents. From visa requirements to cultural nuances, we explore the practical realities of relocating to this extraordinary nation. The United Arab Emirates attracts millions seeking career advancement, lifestyle enhancement, or educational opportunities. Yet moving to UAE first time requires careful preparation and cultural understanding. This guide provides insider knowledge gained from countless expatriate experiences across all seven emirates. The Seven Emirates Unveiled Each emirate offers distinct characteristics that shape your UAE experience. Abu Dhabi commands respect as the capital,…

Get ready for an evening of mesmerizing music and captivating performances. Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena will host a spectacular concert on June 21, 2024. It features two of the Arab world’s most beloved music icons, Hussain Al Jassmi & Sherine Abdel Wahab live. This event promises to be a highlight in the cultural calendar of the UAE. It offers an unforgettable experience for fans of Middle Eastern music. Fans interested in witnessing Hussain Al Jassmi & Sherine Abdel Wahab perform live will find it especially exciting. Hussain Al Jassmi, affectionately known as “Al Jabal” (The Mountain), is a celebrated Emirati singer.…

PARTNER CONTENT Continue Reading Sundowners @ SOLAIRÈ, SOBE Every Sunday

For years, “O Beach is coming to Dubai” was one of the city’s most-repeated nightlife rumours. That wait is over. Ibiza’s most famous day club — the one with the orange cups, the aerial performers and the pool parties that run from noon to night — is open and firing on the Dubai Marina waterfront. Here is the up-to-date 2026 guide: which days it actually parties, what a pool pass costs, and exactly how to get there. Quick Venue Reference DetailInformation LocationHabtoor Grand Resort, Dubai Marina / JBR waterfront Getting thereMetro Red Line to DMCC or Dubai Marina, then Dubai…

The Soho Garden Festival is in full force with the keinemusik family Continue Reading Rampa & Adam Port at Expo City

Key Facts Headliner: Kadim Al SahirVenue: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, DubaiDate: 23 May 2024 — this event has already taken place Experience the magic of Kadim Al Sahir Live on 23 May 2024 at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena for an unforgettable evening of rich Arabic melodies, romance and nostalgia. Elevating Arabic Music: Kadim Al Sahir Returns to Dubai Dubai welcomes back a living icon of Arabic music on 23 May 2024 when Kadim Al Sahir takes the stage at the Coca‑Cola Arena. Known as the “Caesar” of Arabic song, his performance promises an enchanting journey through decades of love, passion and poetic expression. This concert brings to life not…