Latest news with #Nabatean
CairoScene
16-06-2025
- CairoScene
Travel Through Time at the Oldest Taverns in MENA
Pull a stool and fill your stein with fine, ice-cold ale, we're taking a look back at some of the MENA Region's oldest bars. The first taverns in the Middle East weren't the kind of places you'd casually stroll into for a cocktail. Thousands of years ago, beer halls in Mesopotamia were often dark, windowless rooms where workers gathered to drink barley brews ladled from enormous clay jars. Over time, the idea of the bar evolved—from modest drinking dens to opulent lounges—and in cities across the MENA region, history is still being poured into glasses every night. These bars have survived wars, shifting politics, and changing tastes, yet their doors remain open. Some are grand, others unassuming, but all have stories worth raising a glass to. Here's a look at some of the oldest drinking spots in the region. Cave Bar, 1960s 📍Wadi Musa, Jordan Before the Romans, before the Ottomans, before almost everything else that shaped the modern Middle East—there was Petra. And within its ancient rose-red rock sits the Cave Bar, housed in a 2,000-year-old Nabatean tomb. It's hard to beat the feeling of drinking amid stone-carved walls that have been standing since the first century, their surfaces lit by flickering candles and the soft glow of lanterns. By day, it's a stop for weary tourists exploring Petra's wonders. By night, it becomes something else—a place for laughter and clinking glasses. Tarihi Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi, 1890s 📍Istanbul, Turkey Opened the same year the Turkish Republic was founded, this Istanbul meyhane has seen it all. The walls, covered with old photos and tobacco-stained memories, have heard countless toasts over plates of grilled fish and meze. Intellectuals, poets, and politicians have all passed through, their voices rising over glasses of raki. It's the kind of place where conversations last for hours and where tradition is part of the fabric of the place. Le Churchill Bar, 1923 📍Marrakesh, Morocco Winston Churchill didn't just paint the gardens of La Mamounia—he also drank here. In fact, the prime minister loved this Marrakech hotel so much that they named the bar after him. Le Churchill is all about dim lights, deep leather armchairs, and an air of old-school glamour. The drinks are stiff, the service impeccable, and the sense of history undeniable. Estoril, 1950s 📍Cairo, Egypt There's something about Estoril that makes it feel like it's been around forever. Maybe it's the dim lighting, the creaky chairs, or the quiet hum of conversations that seem to have never stopped. Found deep within the labyrinthine streets of downtown Cairo, it has long been a haunt for journalists, artists, and thinkers looking for an unpretentious spot to unwind. The food is simple but reliable, the drinks steady, and the atmosphere—well, that's something you can't manufacture. You either have it or you don't, and Estoril has it in spades. The Barrel Lounge, 1950s 📍Cairo, Egypt Tucked away in the heart of Cairo, within the timeless walls of the Windsor Hotel, the Barrel Lounge exudes an old-world charm that whispers stories of a bygone era. Established in the 1950s, this intimate haunt, with its dimly lit corners and the soft hum of jazz, has been a sanctuary for those who seek the elegance of a slower time. The air is thick with the scent of aged whiskey and the echo of late-night conversations, where Cairo's intellectuals and dreamers once gathered. In every clink of a glass, the Barrel Lounge preserves a piece of history, inviting all who enter to savor not just a drink, but a taste of nostalgia. The Garden Bar, 1900s 📍Istanbul, Turkey Some bars feel like an escape from the world, and The Garden Bar is one of them. Hidden behind a curtain of trees, it's a place where people come to disappear for a few hours—just the sound of clinking glasses, occasional laughter, and the strumming of a guitar. It's not the kind of bar you stumble into by accident; you come here because you know about it. And once you do, you'll find yourself returning, because places like this—easy, effortless, and timeless—are harder to find than they should be. Spitfire Bar, 1880s 📍Alexandria, Egypt Step inside Spitfire and you'll feel it immediately—that smoky, no-frills magic that only comes with age. Tucked in a side street just off Alexandria's once-glamorous Corniche, this bar has been around since the 1880s, opened by a Greek settler when the city still swayed to a Mediterranean rhythm. The walls are plastered with dusty memorabilia: vintage currency, faded flags, postcards from eras long gone. The same family has run it for generations, pouring drinks for everyone from expats and artists to old sea captains and wandering diplomats. It's not trying to be cool. It just is—by accident and by history. Baron Hotel Bar, 1910s 📍Aleppo, Syria Built in the twilight of the Ottoman Empire, the Baron Hotel is a relic of another era—and its bar, tucked within creaking corridors and faded grandeur, carries the weight of the 20th century on its shoulders. Here's where Agatha Christie supposedly wrote parts of Murder on the Orient Express. Where Lawrence of Arabia signed in under his real name. Where Arab leaders once sipped strong drinks and made quiet declarations. The war may have scarred Aleppo, but the Baron endures—part ruin, part legend. To have a drink here is to touch the pulse of a city that refuses to forget its past.
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Medaina Festival transforms Petra into a new frontier for electronic music
The ancient city of Petra -- carved into sandstone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago - played host this May to one of the most ambitious cultural events to arrive in the region in recent memory. Medaina Festival - a multi-day celebration of electronic music and contemporary culture - brought hundreds of international and regional visitors to southern Jordan, where the rose-red ruins of the Nabatean capital became an unlikely but striking stage for DJs, installations and panel discussions. Billed as more than a festival, Medaina straddles the line between boutique rave and cultural summit. Across six days and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Petra and, later, Wadi Rum - the event combined high-end production with a mission to rethink the format of global music gatherings. It's the second edition for organisers Tithorea, a production company whose previous work includes immersive events in Costa Rica, Romania and Turkey. But Medaina marks their most sensitive setting to date - and arguably their most ambitious. In Petra, the opening half of the festival set the tone with a deliberately restrained approach to programming and staging. Rather than overwhelm the location, performances were staged in low-footprint structures and timed around daylight to comply with heritage regulations. Sets from artists such as Patrice Bäumel, Aline Umber and Rolbac drew crowds into canyons and courtyards - the natural acoustics of the site giving a warmth and texture not found in traditional venues. The ancient city of Petra -- carved into sandstone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Photos: Reuters But the festival's programming wasn't solely focused on the sonic. Alongside DJ sets were talks on sustainable tourism, meditative workshops, and pop-up food experiences highlighting Jordanian culinary traditions. Festival co-founder Shahin Mani said organisers worked closely with Jordan's tourism board and cultural authorities to ensure the event maintained respect for the site's archaeological and spiritual significance. "This wasn't about spectacle," one attendee noted. "It was about atmosphere - about finding a rhythm that made sense in this setting." That approach, while commendable, also meant logistical limitations. Capacity was tightly capped, and infrastructure around Petra - never designed for events of this type - occasionally struggled under the weight of expectations. Still, what Medaina lacked in polish, it made up for in vision. The decision to prioritise Petra for the opening half of the festival lent the event a deliberate sense of scale and history. And while comparisons to Burning Man and other 'transformational' festivals are inevitable, Medaina felt more grounded - less about escapism and more about recontextualisation. In place of pyrotechnics and megastructures, there was subtle lighting, sandstone silhouettes, and soundscapes that seemed to emerge from the rock itself. The second half of the festival - held further south in Wadi Rum - brought a more familiar desert rave aesthetic. There, among the dunes and towering cliffs famously used as a backdrop in films such as Dune and The Martian, Medaina expanded into a looser, more nocturnal rhythm. Here, artists like HVOB, Sonja Moonear and Mind Against played into the early hours - the scale of the landscape allowing for bigger setups and more experimental audiovisual work. A highlight came in the form of a sunrise performance scored by live instrumentation and ambient drone - an echo of the restrained ethos from Petra, adapted to a wilder setting. Wadi Rum offered more space, but it also introduced new challenges. While the festival made efforts to offset its environmental footprint - using solar-powered rigs and minimising waste - questions remain over the sustainability of staging events in ecologically sensitive areas. Even so, for many, Medaina offered something increasingly rare in the festival circuit: a sense of place. By situating electronic music within a broader cultural and geographical context - and by foregrounding the heritage of its host nation rather than simply using it as aesthetic garnish - the event managed to avoid many of the pitfalls that plague destination festivals. Jordan - with its complex historical layering and relative geopolitical stability - is a compelling setting for such experimentation. Petra and Wadi Rum, long magnets for tourism, were here reframed not just as sites to be seen, but as environments in which new forms of storytelling - musical, visual, even philosophical - could take root. Medaina is not without its flaws. But it has ambitions that stretch beyond the dancefloor - and in a crowded global festival calendar, that may be its most significant asset. The Independent
New York Times
02-04-2025
- New York Times
A Remote Spot in Saudi Arabia That Won't Be Remote for Long
Many travelers are driven by a desperate desire to reach the last great undiscovered place before the rest of the tourist hordes. In 2025, though, that elusive location is becoming something of a mirage. That is particularly apparent in Saudi Arabia, which opened itself to tourism nearly six years ago (before, only Muslims, traveling for religious reasons, had been allowed to enter). Things now are changing so fast in the desert kingdom that there has been a Dubai-esque feeling to its warp-speed transformation. My online visa application was approved in less than three hours. I almost thought it was a hoax. Nowhere is this 'get there before it's ruined' feeling more urgent than in Al-Ula, a vast desert landscape of towering sandstone and granite rock formations in the northwest of the country that is, for now, barely untouched by time. The wind- and human-sculpted tombs chiseled into these mountains were the southernmost reaches of the Nabatean empire, which famously built Petra, some 550 kilometers, or about 340 miles, to the north, in Jordan. But Petra now offers a glimpse of what Al-Ula will no doubt become in the next 10 to 20 years: dozens, if not hundreds, of hotels; donkey rides to overcrowded ruins; and tourists vying for the perfect Instagram shot. That is, of course, if Saudi Arabia's efforts to modify its global public image are successful. Its human rights violations, religious extremism and history of oppressing women already keep many travelers from even considering a visit. And alcohol still is banned, although there have been whispers that restriction is being reconsidered in light of the country's role as host of the 2034 World Cup and as part of Saudi Vision 2030, the country's ambitious project to diversify its economy. Much of the rest of the kingdom has been moving forward, regardless. Riyadh, the country's capital, and Jeddah, its major port, are both bustling modern cities, and women are now allowed to drive and travel freely around the country without a male escort, which was unthinkable even a decade ago. While the Red Sea coastline outside Jeddah is virtually undeveloped for more than 1,100 miles, a resort area known as the Red Sea Project has several new five-star resorts, including the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton with its over-the-water podlike villas. The Red Sea Airport, built in 2023, serves this area (Al-Ula has its own airport), as well as resorts farther inland, including the utterly isolated and pricey Six Senses Southern Dunes, with its mirage-like views of the rolling desert as it blends into the Red Sea about 45 minutes away. And the Desert Rock resort has villas with pools built into the sides of giant rock formations with views across seemingly endless valleys. Many of these resorts are not exactly packing in tourists yet, but they clearly are ready. For now, however, Al-Ula might as well be on Mars. It's far less developed than anything I have seen in the most remote parts of the Middle East, including the rugged mountainous villages of Oman, which now offer five-star resorts and hiking tours. The region is 22,550 square kilometers, or 8,700 square miles, though most of the 111 tombs are packed into an area of about six square kilometers. Here, there are glamping sites under glittering stars at night, and morning treks to the massive tombs where only a dozen or so other visitors may have gathered. Travel Weekly magazine recently described the rock formations: 'A gigantic elephant glows enchantingly at dusk, a guitar takes shape in the narrow crevice between two mountain peaks, a bowling pin juts over a sandstone outcrop.' The area has had a bit of a spooky reputation, though. Many Muslims consider it to be cursed since the Thamud people of the region, who flourished there from as early as the eighth century B.C., were later denounced by the Prophet Muhammad as 'wrongdoers.' The fact that Muslims have avoided the area for centuries, many local tour guides say, is exactly why it is so well preserved and seemingly trapped in time. The Nabateans were a nomadic Arab tribe that flourished for centuries before being conquered by the Romans in the second century A.D. — and the nearby region, called Hegra, is where they carved huge tombs into the sides of enormous rocks. One of the most famous is the so-called Lonely Castle, or Qasr al-Farid, a meticulously sculpted facade of four columns that is a dramatic entrance to a 72-foot-high boulder. Coming to the site offers a glimpse of what visiting Egypt might have felt like when the Western world was first learning about the buried treasures of an ancient kingdom. While Al-Ula offers a glimpse into a mysterious past, it already is focusing on the future. It has become an arts destination, with several galleries and public art spaces. A massive public art project of site-specific art and open-air sculptures is being created, scheduled to open sometime after 2027. It coincides with many celebrity architect-designed resorts in the works, including Sharaan by the French architect Jean Nouvel, which is being built into the side of a mountain. The current offerings of glamping — let's just call them luxury hotels with a tentlike appearance and swimming pools that cozy up to the giant rocks around them — include the Banyan Tree and Our Habitas. I stayed two nights at Our Habitas, which also offers what it calls a more 'rustic' experience in luxuriously appointed Airstream travel trailers that are parked even farther into the sprawling valleys for that true sense of getting away from your fellow tourists. All of these glamping sites are nestled among the boulders and the thin, dry air that seems to hold the silence naturally. An early morning 'run' to the rock formations, which is standard before the heat of the day sets in (temperatures from May to October can reach 40 Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit), sort of reclaims that old safari term. Morning runs in Africa have morphed into traffic jams of all-terrain vehicles trying to get close to a lion or giraffe. Here, there is a sense of being a charter member of the Al-Ula Tourism Club. No tacky trinket shops, no groups of tourists flocking to get photos. Just a stillness among the Nabatean tombs as the morning light turns the beige rocks ever-shifting shades of orange. And there is nothing more refreshing than tomblike silence when discovering what could be the last great unexplored tourist spot just waiting to be developed.
Arab News
30-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's domestic tourism thrives as Eid travel peaks
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's domestic tourism sector is experiencing a sharp rise in travel during Eid Al-Fitr, injecting fresh momentum into the hospitality industry. A growing preference for local destinations is reshaping the market as residents seek immersive experiences within the nation's tourism landscape. The Kingdom saw a 45 percent rise in domestic flight bookings in 2024, driven by expanding tourism offerings and greater connectivity through low-cost carriers, according to Almosafer's latest travel trend report released in January. Domestic travel has surged in recent years, with Eid Al-Fitr becoming a peak period for local tourism, said Nicolas Mayer, PwC Middle East partner and global tourism industry lead. He noted that domestic flight bookings rose 45 percent year-on-year in 2024, highlighting a growing preference for local exploration. 'There are a few key reasons behind this shift. First, the Kingdom has made huge strides in improving its tourism offerings. With more affordable flight options due to low-cost carriers, travel has become a lot more accessible,' Mayer said. The report showed a 39 percent increase in domestic room night bookings, while combined local flight and hotel reservations accounted for over 40 percent of the travel market, up 11 percent year-on-year. The surge in domestic travel is fueled by a broader range of destinations, accommodations, and experiences attracting leisure visitors. Family and group travel have been major drivers, with bookings in these segments soaring over 70 percent. Saudi Arabia's mega-projects, including NEOM, a futuristic city on the Red Sea, and The Red Sea Project, which focuses on luxury and eco-tourism, further fuel domestic tourism growth. Cultural landmarks like AlUla, known for its ancient Nabatean heritage, and Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, are undergoing significant restoration to offer visitors rich historical and cultural experiences. 'Eid Al-Fitr is a special time for families and culture, and it encourages travel and experiencing something new. There are so many great options for people to celebrate within the Kingdom — it's a great opportunity to discover Saudi Arabia's rich culture and hidden gems right here at home,' he added. Mayer pointed to Saudi Arabia's massive investment in tourism infrastructure under Vision 2030, which is making it easier for residents to explore new destinations. The Kingdom's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb recently said that the nation's tourism accommodation is expected to double over the next decade. The country currently has around 400,000 guest rooms, projected to reach 800,000 by 2030. Al-Khateeb reiterated Saudi Arabia's goal of becoming one of the world's top seven tourism destinations by the end of the decade. At King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, officials have observed a significant rise in family and group bookings, which have grown over 70 percent across key traveler segments. Nour El-Shikh, media and public relations specialist in global branding and communications at KAUST, said travel groups are gravitating toward destinations that offer distinctive events and experiences. 'While major cities like Makkah, Riyadh, and Jeddah remain popular, emerging spots like Abha, Al Jubail, Jizan, Tabuk, and Hail are drawing increased attention for their unique landscapes and activities,' El-Shikh said. AlUla, a UNESCO-listed site, has also gained traction as a premier domestic and international destination, a sign of Saudi Arabia's continued investment in diversifying its tourism appeal. 'This has fostered a renewed appreciation for the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The combination of improved infrastructure, increased accessibility, and a growing emphasis on family-oriented activities has made exploring local destinations more appealing than ever,' El-Shikh added. The Haramain Train, which connects Madinah, Jeddah, and Makkah, is another example of how Saudi Arabia is reducing car traffic and improving access to Islam's two holiest cities, she added. Hotels, resorts adapt to demand With the surge in domestic travelers, Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector is evolving to cater to changing preferences. Mayer pointed out that hotels and resorts are focusing on personalized experiences rather than simply increasing room capacity. 'Take Eid, for example. It's a time when families want to be together, enjoy traditions, and make memories. Operators are catching on to that and offering packages and programs that feel more meaningful — whether it's culturally inspired dining, kids' activities, or even small touches that reflect the spirit of the holiday,' he said. The demand for alternative accommodations is also growing, with vacation rentals, villas, and hotel apartments gaining popularity, particularly among families. Meanwhile, digital innovation is playing a critical role in enhancing the travel experience. 'If the booking process isn't smooth or the service isn't responsive, people notice. Tech isn't a nice-to-have anymore — it's expected,' Mayer added. El-Shikh echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that many establishments are expanding and renovating to accommodate larger groups. 'They are also introducing special Eid packages with family activities, cultural events, and traditional culinary experiences,' she said. Mobile apps, virtual tours, and seamless payment methods such as Apple Pay and buy now, pay later options are also shaping consumer behavior. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are becoming a priority, aligning with modern travelers' values. Future of domestic tourism Saudi Arabia's domestic tourism market is set for further transformation, driven by technology and evolving consumer expectations. Mayer expects a rising demand for personalized, culturally immersive, and seamless experiences. 'On the business side, I'm seeing a lot of energy going into creating more curated, tech-enabled journeys. Travelers expect smooth bookings, helpful digital tools, and recommendations that feel relevant. It's no longer about just having a website or an app — it's about using tech to anticipate what people want before they even ask,' he said. The expansion of tourism beyond the well-known urban centers is also unlocking new opportunities. 'More regions across the Kingdom are starting to offer these kinds of experiences. We're moving beyond the well-known cities, and that's opening up a whole new set of opportunities for domestic tourism,' Mayer added. El-Shikh highlighted a growing trend toward experiential travel, where visitors seek immersive cultural experiences. 'Stakeholders are developing unique offerings that highlight the Kingdom's diverse heritage and natural landscapes,' she said. New infrastructure fuels demand The Kingdom's infrastructure expansion is proving to be a game-changer for domestic tourism. Mayer noted that investments in roads, airports, and public transport are making once-remote destinations more accessible. 'It's not just about building new airports or roads — it's about opening new areas of the country that people might not have explored before,' he said. Businesses are capitalizing on this momentum by designing experiences tied to local culture. 'Around Eid especially, we see more businesses take advantage of that momentum. They're creating experiences that feel connected to a place — whether it's a cultural festival, a family-friendly activity, or a beautifully restored heritage site that tells a local story. These touchpoints resonate with travelers because it's not just leisure — it's personal,' Mayer explained. El-Shikh added that in-destination activities such as guided tours, adventure sports, and cultural experiences are central to travel, enhancing engagement with local communities. 'By collaborating with local artisans, cultural institutions, and heritage sites, tourism businesses are creating unique experiences that resonate with residents and encourage them to appreciate their own cultural heritage,' she said. As Saudi Arabia continues to develop its tourism sector, a rising emphasis on domestic travel is expected to fuel sustained growth, further embedding Eid Al-Fitr as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's evolving travel landscape.
Jordan Times
25-03-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Nabataean influence revealed in excavations at Mughur Sabik, Mudayna Thamad
The aerial view of the Iron Age and Nabataean site of Khirbet Al Mudayna (Photo courtesy of Khirbet Al Mudayna Project) AMMAN — Mughur Sabik and Mudayna Thamad are located in the close proximity, just a few kilometres from each other. Both are surrounded by farmland, reservoirs, water installations and architectural structures with building blocks tooled in the Nabataean style. These two large settlements along with smaller sites in the region attest to a strong Nabatean presence in this rich agricultural region, said Maria-Louise Sidoroff, an independent scholar. Sidoroff added that analysis of painted fine ware from each site finds the greater percentage similar to decor phase 3b to indicate settlement phases in the second half of the 1st century AD. Pottery from Mudayna Thamad came from the Nabataean settlement and composed of a reservoir and villa. "There were two phases of occupation in the plastered reservoir. In the first phase the reservoir walls were deeply footed below the level of the floor. Superimposed layers of flat-topped boulders and cobble stones packed with mortar/cement were laid as the foundation for the floor." "The floor itself and the walls were coated with four to five layers of fine plaster," noted Sidoroff, adding that the second phase of occupation suggests reuse of the structure as a domestic or storage facility. The ten piers built on top of the plastered floor supported stone arches and created separate rooms. Eight seasons of excavations revealed that the villa was composed of two adjoining structures built in one stratum with two phases close in time. 'First a thick-walled two room sector was constructed and, a short time later using the similar construction techniques, a many roomed sector was built to completely enclose a central courtyard. The greatest number and variety of vessel types were excavated in the area around the doorway to the first structure,' Sidoroff said. "This doorway had a cut stone frame, which consisted of a pair of vertical doorjambs and a locking mechanism for the door. A stairway of eleven steps was immediately to the right of the entrance leading to a second and possibly a third floor." "One would pass through this entry area into a high status room with a finely dressed stone floor and three massive stone arches," the scholar explained. While all the pottery in villa was broken and widely scattered, due in part to the late, Ottoman period burials which were intrusive in the overlying debris, both diagnostic and non diagnostic sherds were kept for possible restoration. Work continues on the ceramic corpus stored in two locations with permission of the Jordanian Department of Antiquities. Pottery 'Most of the pottery studied from Mudayna Thamad came from the two excavated structures. Within the reservoir, in the area of an oven in the northeast corner, unpainted and painted fine ware were excavated,' Sidoroff continued. The scholar added that within the villa complex, the Nabataean pottery consisted of common ware, such as jugs, jars, bottles, bowls and well-fired thin walled cooking pots with exterior ribbing. Also present were Nabataean unpainted bowls and painted fine ware. "In a selection of diagnostic sherds from the villa representing 447 vessels, 60 per cent were small bowls with 39 per cent unpainted and 21 per cent painted. Other vessels include 9 per cent bottles, 8 per cent jars, 7 per cent storage jars and 1.7 per cent cooking pots," Sidoroff elaborated. Most bowls uncovered in the reservoir and villa were manufactured in the technological style of the well documented Nabataean bowls. 'Generally, the unpainted bowls are slightly smaller with thicker walls. Painted bowls have around base, while unpainted bowls have a ring base. The unpainted bowls are present at sites in greater numbers than the painted bowls, which were more laborious to produce,' noted Sidoroff. The scholar added that at Mudyna Thamad a few of the details on some unpainted bowls suggest they were manufactured by potters who had not perfected the technological style. "For example, some bowl interiors were unsmoothed, others had a roughly trimmed ring base, a few presented brushed reddish-brown bands on the interior, and dull fired colours, indicating low firing temperatures especially when compared to the red colours of Petra bowls," Sidoroff underscored.
