I'm a Dubai-based writer telling stories about travel, food, culture, art, wellness, personalities, mental health & more for hospitality, travel, & in-flight magazines.
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
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.
5 Of The UAE’s Best Wellness Retreats By Correspondent Natasha Amar
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 ...
6 Architectural Marvels Not To Miss In Dubai
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...
7 most over-the-top experiences in Dubai
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...
Dubai in 5 Shops: ethical fashion, eclectic furniture and books by the beach
In our 5 Shops series, we'll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world's best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we've found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces.
As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, the richness of Dubai’s diversity truly shines through in its contemporary shopping scene, just as it once did in the souks of yesteryear.
Looking to ...
5 Of Abu Dhabi’s Best-Kept Secrets By Correspondent Natasha Amar
Abu Dhabi’s diverse experiences surprise first-time visitors. Most come to see awe-inspiring sights such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, chase thrills at Ferrari World and partake in the world-class shopping and dining in this cosmopolitan capital. Still, other lesser-known sides of the city deserve exploration.
We’ll let you in on the city’s best-kept secrets — from the city’s tranquil green spaces to its vibrant art scene — so that you can travel deeper in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s ample gre...
6 Architectural Marvels Not To Miss In Dubai By Correspondent Natasha Amar
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...
How To Plan A Sustainable Trip To Zurich By Correspondent Natasha Amar
In Zurich, smart technologies, efficient urban planning and a cultural appreciation for the outdoors unite to create a well-rounded approach to sustainability that includes the environment, economy and society. Among the most sustainable destinations in the world, Zurich has its eye on becoming climate neutral by 2040.
The city also leads the way in sustainable tourism initiatives, so it’s not surprising that Zurich makes it easy for eco-conscious travelers. The Zurich City Guide App helps pl...
5 Must-Visit Museums In The UAE By Correspondent Natasha Amar
Museums in the United Arab Emirates offer an insightful peek into various aspects of the country’s identity — whether it’s the fishing and pearl-trading heritage, an understanding of contemporary history after independence from colonial powers or the contributions of Islamic scholars to humanity’s collective knowledge bank.
These museums provide vital context to the UAE’s present-day accomplishments and future ambitions, and meaningfully expand both conversations. From immersive visualization...
6 Hotel Restaurants You Need To Visit In Dubai By Correspondent Natasha Amar
When it comes to fine dining that boldly ventures into the experimental realm, Dubai is having a moment. Helmed by some of the world’s most talented chefs, several of the city’s restaurants have received recognition for their contribution to Dubai’s diverse — and frankly, fantastic — culinary scene. If you have a taste for the finer things in life, don’t miss these six hotel restaurants on your trip.
An underwater feast for all senses
Stepping into Ossiano, set in the basement of Atlantis, Th...
6 Geothermal Spas To Visit In Iceland By Correspondent Natasha Amar
A quintessential Iceland experience is a soak in the warm, comforting waters of a geothermal spa lost in a dreamy haze of steam, beyond which lie otherworldly landscapes. The Icelandic culture places much significance upon the ritual of relaxation — certainly a more appealing prospect when surrounded by moody mountains, pristine rivers and dramatic glaciers.
While the country’s natural hot springs and pools will always remain popular, these days, Iceland’s modern spas deliver ultra-luxurious ...
10 Top Iceland Attractions By Correspondent Natasha Amar
Trying to come up with an itinerary in a country that’s as chock-full of spectacular landscapes as Iceland can leave you scratching your head. After one visit, you will likely want to return a second (or third time) because it really is that beautiful.
For a first-time trip, begin with these 10 attractions, from the bird cliffs of west Iceland to the fabled canyons of the north.
Spend time in a cool Nordic capital
With quaint streets lined with colorful houses, cute boutiques, interesting art...
Dog Sledding, Ice Fishing, and Foraging: How To Experience Greenland’s Indigenous Hunting Traditions
The Greenland Ice Sheet covers over 80 percent of Greenland—the world’s biggest island— leaving its nearly 57,000-strong population to live in cities and villages along the coast. To get around between these small towns, you need to travel by helicopter and ferries, not cars, trains, or buses. Meaning that a trip to Greenland takes a lot of careful planning. Even to the first-time visitor, it quickly becomes clear that for every aspect of life in Greenland, the weather dictates where and when...
Living Off the Land in Greenland
I’ve barely just met him earlier in the day, but it takes only a minute to see that Salik Hard, one of my hosts in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland that lies 240 km south of the Arctic Circle, is a gifted storyteller. His eloquence lies not just in his words, carefully chosen for the greatest impact, but also in the many emotions that flicker across his face momentarily when he is telling a story—especially if that story is about food.
An eyebrow raised ever so slightly, a pause, uncertain and ...
A Mandyara Beats a Blender Every Time
Raised as a third-culture kid with Sindhi heritage in Dubai, I didn’t properly begin cooking Indian food until my late 20s. My husband professed that his love for Indian food was at least as great, if not more than, his love for me. I wasn’t completely inept in the kitchen; my creamy, well-seasoned hummus was “seriously impressive” (his words), and I could make a perfectly crispy za’atar-spiced zucchini burger. But Indian food, with all its complex flavors and textures, had remained, for the ...