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Best Places to Visit in Doha: Top Attractions and Landmarks
Doha, Qatar, City Breaks, City Guide, Middle East Sophie Alexander Doha, Qatar, City Breaks, City Guide, Middle East Sophie Alexander

Best Places to Visit in Doha: Top Attractions and Landmarks

Doha is a city that offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Set on the Arabian Gulf and often overlooked for its flashier neighbours, it boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant landscapes. Whether you’re drawn to its museums, bustling markets, or waterfront views, Doha has something for every kind of traveller looking to experience the best the country has to offer. These are the places that you should visit to truly discover the heart of Qatar.

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Review: Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas

Review: Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas

There’s something cinematic about arriving in AlUla for the first time. Set deep within the Ashar Valley, this design-led retreat brings a new kind of luxury to the desert: 45 gleaming Airstream caravans, each thoughtfully placed to blend into the Mars-like surroundings. The site itself is more than a place to sleepβ€”it’s a communal experience. Food trucks serve up regional flavours, gathering spaces encourage connection, and activities draw on local Bedouin traditions. For those chasing something different, Caravan AlUla captures the wild beauty of the desert without compromising on comfort.

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50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit AlUla

50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit AlUla

My husband and I were sitting in the otherworldly Our Habitas pool, discussing our top five favourite places we’d ever been. Less than 24 hours in, and we both agreedβ€”this Arabian gem was already at the top of our lists. With the likes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Monument Valley, Four Seasons Seychelles, and Iceland, one thing ties them all together: untouched natural beauty. And AlUla is no exception. It’s as if Monument Valley had a Middle Eastern twin.

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20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Qatar
Doha, Qatar, Middle East, City Breaks, Photo Inspiration Sophie Alexander Doha, Qatar, Middle East, City Breaks, Photo Inspiration Sophie Alexander

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Qatar

I’m not sure I can truly capture Qatar in just a few sentences. The country blew me away, far exceeding all my expectations. We visited Doha in 2022 for the FIFA World Cup, which itself was an unforgettable experience. The tournament was incredibly organised, keeping fans entertained and, most importantly, safe.

In my eyes, Doha is one of the best cities I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. It’s so clean, welcoming, and brimming with cultural attractions and places to relax – a rarity in major cities. Compared to other bustling capitals like London, Dubai, or New York, Doha had a laid-back vibe that never felt overwhelming.

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Honeymoon Destinations for 2025

Honeymoon Destinations for 2025

If you’re on the hunt for honeymoon inspiration, just like my hubby and I - then you’ve come to the right place. We got married in April 2024, and had our β€˜mini-moon’ a few months later in July. We spent 4 nights in Zanzibar which was exactly what we needed after a long year of wedding planning. But we both said we would save our big honeymoon for 2025, with plans in place to spend 3 weeks exploring South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. Sorry I don’t have inspiration for these destinations - yet! But watch this space! (I can’t wait!)

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50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Musandam, Oman

50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Musandam, Oman

If you’re based in the UAE, Oman - or heading this way on your travels, you must visit Musandam. Ever since I got my PADI license, people told me, β€˜You have to scuba dive in Oman.’ They weren’t wrong, as I was completely blown away. From the marine life, rugged mountains, calm waters and close proximity to Dubai, Musandam is no doubt the best dive spot in the region.

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Best Hotels in Dubai

Best Hotels in Dubai

Dubai, renowned for its opulence, innovation, and luxurious lifestyle, boasts an array of exceptional hotels that redefine hospitality at every turn. From gleaming skyscrapers gracing the skyline to pristine beaches along the azure Gulf waters, Dubai's hotels offer an unparalleled blend of modern comfort and Arabian hospitality.

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Moving to Dubai - Everything You Need to Know
Dubai, Middle East, Solo Travel, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander Dubai, Middle East, Solo Travel, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander

Moving to Dubai - Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered why so many people move to Dubai? It’s a baby compared to the other major cities in the world. However in recent years, it’s become a top destination for tourists and expats. It’s the most populous city in the UAE and boasts a luxurious lifestyle, of beautiful beaches, huge skyscrapers and most importantly, job opportunities. It is also in the top 10 of safest cities in the world.

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54 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Dubai

54 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Dubai

Are you still not sure if Dubai is for you? Then let me convince you, the best way I know how - through photos! Dubai has everything you could possibly need within a 20km radius, including every kind of landscape. Beautiful beaches, skylines of skyscrapers, dreamy deserts, and also mountains, can be found only an hours drive away from the city.

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Best Beach Clubs in Dubai
Dubai, Foodies, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, City Breaks Sophie Alexander Dubai, Foodies, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, City Breaks Sophie Alexander

Best Beach Clubs in Dubai

Whilst Dubai is known for being a modern metropolis, it’s also a coastal city which is a huge perk, as there are many fancy 5* hotels and beach clubs dotted all along the seafront. The city has over 300 days a year of sunshine and blue skies - spare a few days for sandstorms. Given the near-perfect weather all year long, Dubai is also famous for its brunches… on the beach! Any day or time of the week - unlimited food & drinks, DJs, infinity pools and a bloody good time awaits you. And maybe some crazy Brits…

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The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

Whether you have a trip booked or you’re planning to travel to Dubai, this ultimate guide will provide you with all the information you need. Dubai is the busiest and most exciting city in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is conservative, however, it’s not as strict as most Middle Eastern countries.

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Best Restaurants in Dubai
City Breaks, Dubai, Foodies, Middle East, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander City Breaks, Dubai, Foodies, Middle East, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander

Best Restaurants in Dubai

Whether you fancy drinking cocktails by the Burj Khalifa or if eating Greek food on the beach is your thing - Dubai has it all. The list of restaurants is endless! I always say that I will go back to the same place but that never happens - every week I end up finding somewhere new.

I’ve narrowed the list down to 12 - damn it, I think I need to stay at home more… Enjoy!

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Best Beaches in Dubai
City Breaks, Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander City Breaks, Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates Sophie Alexander

Best Beaches in Dubai

Dubai is known for being the perfect holiday destination with the beaches being the number one attraction. The city boasts a beautiful coastline with white sand, turquoise waters and calm waves. Swimming in the sea is ideal in the months of April, May, October and November. December to March are the cooler months of the year which is when the sea temperature is also colder. However, there aren’t many days of the year where I wouldn’t go to the beach!

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How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification

How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification

There are many reasons why I call myself a water baby. I learned to swim at age 4 and stayed with the same company until I was swimming competitively for them at aged 16. I then became a lifeguard where I actively worked in the position for 9 years, including countless jobs that took me all over the world, from Japan, China and the USA. In 2014 I then qualified to be a swim coach which is the main reason why I’m now based in the United Arab Emirates.

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Kayaking Day Trip to The World Islands
Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Activity Holidays Sophie Alexander Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Activity Holidays Sophie Alexander

Kayaking Day Trip to The World Islands

Ever heard of The World Islands? I hadn’t either until moving to Dubai. The World Islands is an archipelago of small artificial islands in the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is famous for its man-made islands and land reclamation. The most famous examples of this are the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, which are land extensions of the city connected to the mainland. This is where The World Islands are different. They’re located 4km off the coast of Dubai and the only way to get to them is by boat, helicopter or jet ski if you wish.

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