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Historic coral stone buildings with wooden balconies in Al Balad, Jeddah
Travel

Al Balad, Jeddah: A Practical Guide to the Historic Old Town

Step back in time among coral-stone houses, intricate wooden balconies and bustling souqs in the heart of Jeddah's UNESCO-listed old town.
Traditional Bahraini houses along a narrow lane in Muharraq
Travel

Muharraq, Bahrain: A Practical Guide to the Pearling Path

Discover Bahrain's old capital, where narrow lanes lined with traditional houses tell the story of the Gulf's pearling era and a UNESCO-listed trail links historic buildings, seafront and souq.
Aerial view of Al Zubarah Fort surrounded by desert and archaeological ruins in Qatar
Travel

Al Zubarah Fort: A Practical Guide to Qatar's UNESCO Heritage Site

Explore the ruins of a once-thriving pearl fishing and trading town, protected by a restored fort and surrounded by desert.
The iconic Qasr al-Farid tomb at Hegra, Saudi Arabia, standing in a desert landscape
Travel

Hegra (Madain Saleh): A practical guide to Saudi Arabia's Nabataean city

Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a remarkable journey into the ancient Nabataean civilisation, with rock-cut tombs and desert landscapes that rival Petra.
Stone-lined water channel running through a lush date palm oasis, with traditional mud-brick walls in the background.
Culture

Falaj: The Ancient Water Channels That Still Sustain the Gulf

Discover the traditional irrigation systems of Oman and the UAE, where gravity-fed channels have brought life to arid lands for millennia.
A falcon perched on a gloved hand in the desert
Culture

The Art of Falconry: A Timeless Gulf Tradition

From Bedouin hunting to modern competitions, falconry has shaped Gulf identity for centuries. Explore the skills, rituals and symbols that keep this UNESCO-listed heritage alive.
Palm trees and a traditional mud-brick fort in Al Hasa oasis
Travel

Al Hasa Oasis, Saudi Arabia: a practical guide to the Gulf's lush heartland

Al Hasa, a UNESCO-listed oasis in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, offers palm groves, historic forts and a cool escape from desert heat. Here is how to plan a visit.
Frankincense trees growing in a rocky desert valley in Oman
Travel

Wadi Dawkah, Oman: a practical guide to the frankincense trees of Dhofar

Discover the ancient groves of Wadi Dawkah, a UNESCO-listed valley in southern Oman where frankincense trees have been tapped for millennia.
A shaded walkway between tall date palms with a narrow stone water channel running alongside
Travel

Al Ain Oasis: a practical guide to walking the UAE's great palm garden

Shaded lanes, ancient water channels and tens of thousands of date palms: here is how to make the most of a visit to Al Ain's historic oasis.
A narrow sandstone lane with carved wooden doors in an old Gulf town
Travel

Bahrain's Pearling Path: a walking guide to Muharraq's UNESCO heritage trail

A gentle walk through Muharraq's old lanes traces the story of Gulf pearling, from the merchants' homes to the waters where divers once worked.