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Middle East

Balcony view of whitewashed Muscat from the Mandarin Oriental.

A five-star stopover stay in a neighbour beats bustling Dubai

This outstanding outpost of the venerable Mandarin Oriental brand impresses even more than most.

  • Anthony Dennis
Oman – understated and underrated.

Peaceful Middle Eastern country is underrated and understated, like its food

Oman is a rare creature of the Middle East. As I journey from desert camp to mud brick inn and five-star resort, dishes are as unexpected as they are fragrant.

  • Belinda Jackson
Take in Abu Dhabi’s futuristic architecture as you sail into Zayed Port.

Port guide: Abu Dhabi, UAE

It might be the conservative cousin of Dubai, but wealthier Abu Dhabi has rolled out ambitious tourism and cultural projects, and is a sight to behold.

  • Brian Johnston
Hegra is the site of more than 110 elaborate ancient graves.

Why this hidden oasis is the coolest luxury destination right now

Pilgrims, cameleers, incense traders, empire builders, and even Lawrence of Arabia have passed through these lands. Now, it’s the turn of curious travellers.

  • Belinda Jackson
Hamachi Sumac Sashimi at Moonrise.

Sorry, New York, this city’s food scene is better

Dubai is one of the world’s youngest cities, but its multifaceted food DNA tells a much deeper story.

  • Jenny Hewett
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Since Middle Eastern hubs are often used by Australian travellers, we have been among the most affected.

Middle East conflict has caused chaos for flights to Europe

Flights that should take about 20 hours have turned into three-day ordeals thanks to changing routes and cancellations.

  • Michael Gebicki
In port in Dubai.

Port guide: Dubai, UAE

Dubai is one of the world’s most spectacular, ultra-modern, ever-changing cities, and few ports are better for an eye-popping cruise stopover.

  • Brian Johnston
Al Seef Heritage Hotel.

This bargain hotel could be Dubai’s best spot for a layover

Just 10 minutes from the airport, this charming hotel is a refreshing antidote to Dubai’s signature forest of skyscrapers.

  • Belinda Jackson
Maalouba (a variant in spelling) at Cairo Takeaway in Enmore.

This Middle East one-pot wonder’s secret? It’s served upside down

The exact origins of dishes in this region are impossible to untangle. Indeed, many foods date back to times before modern borders existed.

  • Ben Groundwater
Just 40 minutes from downtown Dubai, but a world away in the desert.

Sleek desert nests an extraordinary twist on ‘glamping’

Dystopian, but make it chic. With personal butlers, fine-dining and French wine, the calibre has officially been raised on glamping.

  • Jenny Hewett

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/traveller/topic/middle-east-ljm