Must-see places in Amsterdam

“Ooohh, everything is so small,” sigh many travelers when they first set foot in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. With less than 800,000 inhabitants, Amsterdam may be dwarfed by other capitals, but the number of activities there make up for its size.

Jeddah Shopping Festival in full swing

Even as the owners and assistants of shops and outlets are keeping their fingers crossed over the prospects of their business during the ongoing month long Jeddah Shopping Festival, dubbed as “Hayya Jeddah 2012,” some of them are hopeful of reaping a rich harvest. Like people are increasingly visiting textile shops, there is a visible strong turnout at some of the jewelry shops, especially in the Gold Souk at Kandara, despite the rising gold prices.

Yanbu, a thriving haven for expats and locals

Yanbu, a major Red Sea port located in the Kingdom’s Madinah Province, has developed into a thriving industrial city and haven for expatriates and affluent locals.

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Chefs cooking at the opening. (AN photo)

Riyadh food fest tickles taste buds

RIYADH: The Riyadh Food Festival kicked off with a big variety of popular Arabic and intercontinental dishes served in several hotels. The cold weather in Riyadh has not dampened the spirits or appetites of cuisine lovers, which is evident from the large crowds coming out daily, braving the chill, to taste the culinary delights from several restaurants, which have pitched in with their own cuisine to tempt gourmets on the occasion.

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Residents and visitors enjoy different entertaining activities in the Kingdom. (AN photos)

Fun and frolic: Opportunities galore

Saudi Arabia is a country where a wide range of activities takes place for all segments of society. The Kingdom offers plenty of family-friendly activities as well as activities for singles in all its regions.

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Two drummers taking part in one of the many carnival parades held during the festival. (AN photo by Mohamed ElHebeishy)

Shop till you drop in Dubai, Middle East’s shopping capital

DUBAI: Long before sky-touching towers reshaped the horizon, Dubai has always been a trading hotspot.

A picturesque view of the famous Amber Fort.

Jaipur a hallmark of Indian town planning

JAIPUR may well be known as the Pink City, but here are places of contemplative beauty. It is a city of gems, stones, history, architecture, tradition, national integrity and insatiable dreams. Jaipur is a hallmark of Indian town planning in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh.

An exquisite range of flowers on display during the flower festival last year. (AN photos)

Taif: A city of roses with unique fragrance

In Saudi Arabia, roses are synonymous with the city of Taif, which is internationally famous for agriculture and in particular the cultivation and production of roses, dating back to 100 years. Stretched along the roads and streets of Taif are many vendors displaying cork boxes full of fragrant homegrown roses, fruits and other fresh produce.

Fantasy Castle: Part Disney, part Mogul, the intricate architecture of the Qas'r Al Maqar is both eccentric and compelling.(AN photo by Roger Harrison)

Asir’s eccentric gem

Qas’r Al Maqar museum provides visitors rare delight

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Rijal Village Figure: Rock solid foundations and walls of the buildings to rise up to seven stories high and make perfect defensive dwellings. (AN photos by Roger Harrison)

Rijal Alma invents itself ... literally!

JEDDAH: The winner of the Prince Sultan bin Salman Prize for Preservation of Urban Heritage in 2006, Rijal Alma literally invented itself.

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Views are spectacular from the rocky tracks that wander along the escarpment edge. (AN photos by Roger Harrison)

Ash Sharraf Park — a special weekend away

JEDDAH: The loosely defined Tanumah area lies 100 km north of Khamis Mushayt and Abha on the road that zig-zags its way over the hills of Asir to Al-Baha on the edge of the largely sandstone escarpment.

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China to start work on world’s highest airport

BEIJING: China will start work on the world’s highest airport next year, in Tibet’s Nagqu town, state media said on Tuesday, which will be about 100 meters (328 ft) higher than the existing record holder in another part of the remote and restive region.

FBI shooting range is popular deer hangout

QUANTICO, Virginia: Call it a playground for Bambi and G-Men, where imaginary criminals are hunted and deer are the spectators.

Huda Al-Sham, spread over a green area of 1,000 sq. km, has the potential to become a major tourist destination in the Kingdom. (AN photos)

Hada Al-Sham — a tourist attraction

JEDDAH: Hada Al-Sham in Al-Jumoum Governorate has the potentials to become a good tourist center.

Hail: City of green parks and modern shopping centers

JEDDAH: The northern city of Hail is one of the most beautiful cities in the Kingdom with breathtaking natural green sceneries.

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Clusters of three-meter high fingers, above left and right, of stone stand outside Sakaka. (AN photos by Roger Harrison)

Enigmatic standing stele of Al-Rajajil

JEDDAH: On a lonely exposed hillside a few kilometers outside the capital of Al-Jouf province, Sakkaka, stand clusters of three-meter high fingers of stone.

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Green groves of orchards and vegetables can be seen at the foot of the hills.

Deesah for lovers of natural beauty

JEDDAH: Deesah in Tabuk offers plenty of locations for those who love natural beauty.

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The Great Omani Outdoors

Now that the cooler season has arrived, it is a great opportunity to head to Oman and enjoy the multitude of different outdoor activities the Sultanate has to offer.

Al-Ahsa springs upgraded to tourist attraction. (AN photo)

Natural springs of Al-Ahsa

JEDDAH: The natural springs of Al-Ahsa, in the Eastern Province, have recently been prepared to serve as a tourist attraction.

Al-Ain Al-Harrah hot spring is known to have medicinal qualities. (AN photo)

Al-Harrah should ‘spring’ a surprise for Saudi tourism

JAZAN: Neglect and disrepair have almost ruined the health tourism potential of Al-Ain Al-Harrah, a hot spring in Jazan, south of the Kingdom.

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In this Aug. 27, 2011 file photo, Niagara Falls is illuminated in orange, to honor the late New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in Niagara Falls, New York. (AP)

Lighting Niagara Falls has long, colorful history

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario: You can’t take a boat ride into the roar and spray of Niagara Falls in the winter, but this time of year offers a different spectacle: Nighttime illumination of the falls in a changing array of colors — red, white, blue, purple, orange, amber and green.

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The historical Diriya region of Riyadh where the government plans to carry out a major development project to preserve the heritage site. (AN photo)

Diriyah — a symbol of Saudi heritage

JEDDAH: Defense Minister Prince Salman chaired a meeting of the King Abdul Aziz Foundation (Darah) in his palace in Riyadh on Monday.

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A view of the iconic Tower Bridge over the river Thames, right, and The Shard, left, a newly constructed high-rise building in London, on Tuesday. (AP/Lefteris Pitarakis)

UK’s tallest building adds drama to London’s sky

LONDON: Passengers stepping out of London Bridge tube station cannot help but crane their necks to gaze at the jagged tower under construction: The Shard is the tallest building in the European Union and looks like a slice of glass balanced on the edge of the financial district.

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