Natasha Amar

There’s something undeniably romantic about a long train journey. Far more than a means of transportation, these trips are a rare invitation to slow down and travel with intention around the world. From engineering marvels that wind through mountains and lush valleys to luxurious sojourns that offer a taste of the historical grandeur of iconic trains, these journeys celebrate the spirit of adventure.
While some of the following routes reveal breathtaking destinations often inaccessible by oth...

There’s something undeniably romantic about a long train journey. Far more than a means of transportation, these trips are a rare invitation to slow down and travel with intention around the world. From engineering marvels that wind through mountains and lush valleys to luxurious sojourns that offer a taste of the historical grandeur of iconic trains, these journeys celebrate the spirit of adventure.
While some of the following routes reveal breathtaking destinations often inaccessible by oth...

Coming to terms with unexplained infertility has not been an easy journey for Natasha Amar. But on a trip to Bhutan, time with a Tibetan Buddhist master allowed her to explore meditation, rituals and life’s deeper meanings, leading to a renewed perspective.
My right hand spins the golden prayer wheels outside the temple in a series of slow, intentional movements as I shift my shoulders slightly to adjust the weight on my back. Think hopeful thoughts, I remind myself with every step around the...

Dubai has mastered the art of having a good time every night of the week. Here, you can be mesmerized by flamenco dancers, let your hair down to samba at a fiesta, admire jaw-dropping aerial acts or sway to ’70s jazz, all while enjoying a sumptuous dinner at the city’s finest restaurants alongside views of the Burj Khalifa.
Whether you’re after an experience worthy of a birthday celebration or simply want to toast your holiday, here’s where to go for the most magnificent dinner shows in Dubai...

From 19th-century air con to a robot-made museum, Dubai’s buildings map its stylish rise. By Natasha Amar

Tucked away on the eastern part of the Great Himalayan Range between Tibet, an autonomous region of China and the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is the kingdom of Bhutan, known locally as Druk Yul, or ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. Often referred to as the world’s ‘last Shangri-La’, Bhutan wears its deep-rooted cultural identity with pride while taking a careful, nuanced approach to embracing modernization. With a rich cultural heritage, spectacular landscapes, warm, kin...

While growing up in Dubai in the early 1990s, our family's culinary adventures were mostly limited to shawarma and falafel takeaways, dining at Indian and Pakistani restaurants, or American fast-food chains.
Today, as a travel writer living in Dubai, I’m completely in awe of its wildly exciting dining scene filled with innovative restaurants, avant-garde concepts and bold chefs keen to show off their creative genius in a city where original ideas are favored and quickly accepted over old-fash...

The popularity of zero-alcohol cocktails has significantly increased in recent years in Dubai, even as the city’s dining and nightlife scene shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s a result of most of the local population’s culture or shifting lifestyle preferences, there’s never been a better time to browse the non-alcoholic drinks sections of menus around town.
Expect to sip on elevated mocktails at these Dubai hotel restaurants and bars.
Coya Dubai
Tucked away at the Restaurant Villag...

The popularity of zero-alcohol cocktails has significantly increased in recent years in Dubai, even as the city’s dining and nightlife scene shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s a result of most of the local population’s culture or shifting lifestyle preferences, there’s never been a better time to browse the non-alcoholic drinks sections of menus around town.
Expect to sip on elevated mocktails at these Dubai hotel restaurants and bars.
Coya Dubai
Tucked away at the Restaurant Villag...

With its rich cultural heritage, sublime landscapes, interesting museums, contemporary architecture, vibrant food scene and kind-hearted people, Abu Dhabi is a delight.
Abu Dhabi fosters a sense of unhurried living where people take the time to chat. They’ll even go out of their way to show you around an art gallery or point you in the right direction should you find yourself looking for a certain bakery in a maze of backstreets.
With a sizable expat population in the UAE, Emiratis are no str...

The vast desert landscapes, quiet beaches, verdant oases, heritage sites, interesting museums and thrilling theme parks of Abu Dhabi appeal to travelers who are after a deeper cultural experience in the UAE.
In summer, the emirate, like the rest of the UAE, experiences a blistering heat that makes visitors swap outdoor activities for shopping in air-conditioned malls, visiting museums, galleries and indoor theme parks, and eating their way around the city’s exciting food scene. Winter brings ...

I wrote the Abu Dhabi chapters and Day Trips from Dubai and Abu Dhabi chapters for the new edition of Lonely Planet's Dubai and Abu Dhabi (March 2024, print and e-book), their most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences.

While a Dubai holiday might conjure images of sleek skyscrapers, high-end shopping in swanky malls and gold-leaf-topped dishes, your trip to the United Arab Emirates could also be an opportunity to prioritize your wellness with specialized treatments.
With holistic wellness programs, regenerative therapies, guided yoga and meditation sessions, sound healing and nourishing meal plans, these resorts invite you to slow down and take the time for self-care, whether for a couple of hours or a few ...

It’s no secret that Dubai is a paradise for lovers of contemporary architecture. Futuristic skyscrapers and imaginative structures deck out its arterial roads, waterfront communities, glamorous islands and marinas. Whether it’s from the city’s love of superlatives or the desire to bolster its image as a forward-looking metropolis, the United Arab Emirates hub constantly broadens the horizons of engineering innovation.
We’ve curated a list of the most spectacular architectural marvels in a cit...

Skiing? Eating gold? You won’t believe what you can do in Dubai.
Growing up in Dubai in the 90s, I was taught that my hometown (and the city I still call home) was the City of Gold. As a 5-year-old, I strolled around the labyrinth lanes of Deira’s Gold Souk with my father, my eyes transfixed on the multilayered gold necklaces and dazzling diamond tiaras in shop windows. As a travel journalist, I’ve seen everything from gold leaf-topped ice creams and gold-plated bathroom taps at the Burj Al A...