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Time Out Abu Dhabi
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Your guide to the best things to do in Abu Dhabi this June
June in Abu Dhabi is many things: hot, humid and the perfect excuse to fill your calendar with seriously cool things to do indoors (and the odd al fresco soirée if you're brave). Whether you're craving world-class concerts, A-list premieres, indie film vibes, or a festive Christmas-in-June brunch (yes, really), the capital is rolling out a lineup of unforgettable happenings this month. We're talking Hans Zimmer live at Etihad Arena, Brad Pitt's F1 film premiering where it was actually filmed and ABBA bangers booming from Mamma Mia! the musical. There's also a sleek jazz-and-chess night at the Louvre, a themed brunch with a Greek island buzz and Pete Davidson cracking jokes in his UAE debut. Oh and in case you missed it, Eid Al Adha brings a four-day holiday – perfect for a staycation, fireworks, or feasting your way around Yas Bay. Here's your ultimate guide to what's hot in Abu Dhabi this June – and we're not just talking about the weather. Best things to do in June in Abu Dhabi Get mesmerised at a Hans Zimmer concert The film score maestro, who was already due to make an Abu Dhabi performance on May 31, has officially added a second show at Etihad Arena – and it's happening the very next day, on June 1. The German composer is basically Hollywood royalty at this point, having scored some of the most emotionally charged, spine-tingling soundtracks of all time. Think Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator, Dune, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King… honestly, it's a playlist of pure goosebumps. And yes, he's bringing it all to Yas Island with a full live orchestra. From Dhs399. May 31 and June 1. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Try a film festival Clear your calendars and prepare to lean into the art of storytelling, because CineMAS 2025 is back and it's bringing serious indie film energy to Manarat Al Saadiyat. Running from May 26 to June 1, this weeklong festival of independent cinema isn't just about watching movies – it's about sparking conversations, honouring heritage, unpacking identities and maybe even rethinking your place in the world. From Dhs30. Mon May 26 to Sun June 1. Manarat Al Saadiyat. …And then tuck into a movie-inspired menu Dinner and a movie? How about dinner as the movie? A whimsical new dining experience is rolling into Abu Dhabi and it's bringing the big screen to your plate. Running alongside this year's CineMAS festival at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Taparelle has teamed up with Dine-W/Me and CineMAS to launch Le Cartoon – a nostalgic, movie-inspired dinner series that's straight out of an animated dream sequence. There are just 15 seats per slot, so make sure you book ahead to secure your spot. Dhs200 per person. Mon May 26-Sun June 1. 7pm-8pm; 8.15pm-9.15pm; 9.30pm-10.30pm; 10.45pm-11.45pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, @taparellerestaurant (02 657 5832). Head to a Korean contemporary art exhibition Contemporary Art from Korea: 1960s to Today lands in the capital from May 16 to June 30, offering a deep dive into Korea's radical art movements and their legacy of experimentation, hybridity, and bold expression. Curated by Kyung-Hwan Yeo and Maya El Khalil, and designed by acclaimed studio Formafantasma, the show features standout works from the Seoul Museum of Art's collection. Expect layered media, sensory installations, and a journey that moves from the personal to the planetary – touching on identity, gender, tradition, technology, urbanisation, and the environment. Until Jun 30. Manarat AL Saadiyat. Celebrate Eid Al Adha Starting the month off with a bang are all the festivities for Eid Al Adha. Having already been confirmed by the UAE government, we will have four days off to mark Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha in Abu Dhabi – between June 5 and June 8. Whether you're plotting a poolside BBQ, eyeing up a luxe hotel escape, or just chasing the best lamb shoulder in town, the capital's got something for every kind of celebration. Yas Island is pulling out all the stops with stay-and-play deals, theme park thrills and fireworks lighting up Yas Bay. Meanwhile, beachside brunches are bringing the beats (and the bite), with live DJs, Churrasco platters and views that deserve a Boomerang. There are also plenty of staycation deals with perks like free theme park tickets, buffet blowouts and kids-stay-free offers – so you can splash, snooze and feast all in one go. Here's your ultimate guide to making this Eid Al Adha one for the books Take the kiddies to Disney Jr. Live DISNEY JUNIOR LIVE ON TOUR: COSTUME PALOOZA – Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume PaloozaÓ Friends and Family event at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on Thursday, September 1st. (Disney/Phil McCarten) PETER PARKER, MILES MORALES, GWEN STACY Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play! is heading to Abu Dhabi for the very first time, and it's landing just in time for Eid weekend. From June 6 to 8, Etihad Arena on Yas Island will be packed with giggles, dancing, and all the Disney Jr. magic you could wish for. Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ariel, Ginny and Bitsy, the SuperKitties, Puppy Dog Pals, and Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends for a high-energy, interactive show where your kids can sing, cheer, and dance along with their favourite characters. From Dhs95. June 6-8. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. Try your hand at chess at a super suave jazz night Love the sound of jazz, a bit of friendly competition and a venue dripping in artistic vibes? Then clear your schedule for Saturday June 7 because Chess Night at Marta is back – and it's cooler than ever. Tucked away in the heart of Louvre Abu Dhabi (yes, that Louvre), Marta is hosting the final Chess Night of the season and it's shaping up to be the most sophisticated soirée in the capital. Think: smooth jazz, sleek moves across the board and an atmosphere straight out of a speakeasy. Dhs250 (ladies), Dhs400 (gents). Sat Jun 7, 8pm-1am. Marta, Louvre Abu Dhabi. (052 280 5885). Watch Jesse Cook live Guitar wizard Jesse Cook is bringing his world-famous flamenco fusion to the capital for one night only, and it promises to be pure musical magic. Hot off a European tour that wowed crowds in London, Munich, and Vienna, the Canadian maestro is landing at the Cultural Foundation for an unforgettable evening of rhythm, soul, and serious fingerstyle finesse. Dhs150. Sat Jun 14 8pm. Cultural Foundation, Al Hisn. info@ (02 657 6348). Watch Mamma Mia! live on stage Calling all dancing queens (and kings) – this June, it's time to don your platform boots and embrace the glitter because Mamma Mia! is hitting the stage at Etihad Arena, Yas Island. From Wednesday June 11 to Sunday June 22, the global phenomenon will bring ABBA's iconic hits to life in a show-stopping production that has captivated audiences for nearly 25 years. With over 65 million viewers worldwide, 50 productions, and translations into 16 languages, Mamma Mia! is a certified musical marvel – and now, it's Abu Dhabi's turn to join the party. From Dhs125. Wed Jun 11-Sun Jun 22. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. @etihadarena (0600 511 115). …And if that's not enough, you can head to a Mamma Mia!-themed brunch For two weekends only – June 13-15 and June 20-22 – a pre-show event called Bites & Bubbles will be warming things up before the evening performances at Mamma Mia! kick off. Think Mediterranean nibbles, a splash of sparkle and the kind of upbeat buzz you'd expect at a party on a Greek island (just swap Santorini for Yas Island). Dhs250 per person (groups of 4+), Dhs280 per person (single ticket). Mamma Mia! tickets from Dhs125 (weekdays) and Dhs200 (weekends). June 13-15 and June 20-22 (Fridays & Saturdays only). Etihad Arena, Yas Island. Head to a Christmas brunch (yes, really) Think you have to wait until December for roast turkey, stuffing and a side of Mariah Carey? Think again. Abu Dhabi's Coopers is throwing the calendar out the window with its gloriously unhinged – and undeniably brilliant – Alternative X-Mas Brunch, happening not once but twice this June. Mark your diaries for June 21 and 22, when Santa swaps snow for sand dunes and your favourite festive beats get a sunny remix. Yes, it's Christmas. Yes, it's summer. And yes, there will be gravy. Dhs249 (soft drinks), Dhs379 (premium beverages). June 21-22, Cooper's, Park Rotana. @coopersabudhabi. Catch Brad Pitt's film premiering in Abu Dhabi Okay, this is one you can't actually attend (unless you get an invite, lucky you) but good to know so you can do some celeb spotting. Brad Pitt's high-octane F1 The Movie is officially making its regional premiere in Abu Dhabi on June 25, and it's a full-throttle moment for the capital. Why? Because not only will the city be rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood royalty, it's also the place where key scenes of the movie were filmed – from high-speed drama at Yas Marina Circuit to high-stakes moments at Zayed International Airport and twofour54 Studios. The premiere takes place a day before the film's official Middle East release – so expect flashing cameras, fast cars, and maybe even a glimpse of Brad himself. Giggle with Pete Davidson Pete Davidson is making his way to the UAE for the first time ever and it's going to be one seriously unmissable night of comedy. The Saturday Night Live legend, stand-up icon and all-around comedic wild card is set to take over Etihad Arena on June 25, as part of this year's Abu Dhabi Comedy Season. From Dhs295. Wed June 25, 8pm. Etihad Arena, Yas Bay. Hear Dave Chappelle's cracking jokes If you thought last year's set from Dave Chappelle was something special, buckle up. The comedy kingpin is coming back to Etihad Arena on Thursday June 27, for a show that's about to go down in Abu Dhabi's stand-up history books. Last year, Chappelle kicked off the first-ever Abu Dhabi Comedy Week with a sold-out performance that drew over 14,000 fans – the largest comedy show the region's ever seen. Now, he's set to top it. From Dhs275. Thu Jun 27. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. More going on in Abu Dhabi You can now get a robotaxi from Zayed International Airport Trips to the airport just got an upgrade Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted 20 incredibly fun ways to explore Abu Dhabi after dark The city is at its most fascinating once the sun goes down
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Our refrigerator art is a gallery of our life as a family
There's our daughter smiling as she shares a wondrous gaze with the white-breasted nuthatch perched on her outstretched hand on a cold winter morning in Ipswich. And there we are, me and the kids, gathered high up in the Green Monster seats at Fenway days after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series as the duck boat parade was set to commence. So densely covering the surface of our Westinghouse that even the appliance's logo is obscured, the refrigerator is an album of our lives stationed strategically in a place where the images cannot be unseen. Advertisement I always stop to look at the refrigerator pictures at the homes of my friends and family. Nearly everyone indulges, adding drawings from grandchild artists and magnets from trips abroad. There are no rules. In a life filled with photographs, mostly digitized and on our mobile devices, shared on Facebook or stuffed away in dust-covered albums, these prints, held in place with magnets, are chosen carefully to create a daily notice of what matters. Even those who are gone remain in our sightlines every day as we reach for the milk, the eggs, the ketchup, or a beer. You can't get the mayo without glancing at Aunt Gloria, or our son and daughter-in-law, then newly engaged, or the brand new pictures of their baby, our first grandchild. My wife and her beloved sisters welcome anyone needing to grab the ice cube tray from the freezer. Advertisement Every picture is a life story, the opening paragraph of a narrative journey. The quality of the pictures is of less importance than the subjects. It's a retrospective of family connections, a sometimes static, occasionally changing collection of the faces of those who make or made our lives worth living. They remind us of the tensile strength of these relationships that formed the fabric of our lives. There's no official entry requirement but the space is sacred in its own idiosyncratic way. You don't get included if you are outside the circle. Our new son-in-law was thrilled when he first made it on the fridge. In our kitchen, a gathering place for company as in many homes, visitors often comment on the images while meals simmer on the stove and cocktails get mixed. There are moments of recognition or laughter or surprise, sadness co-mingled with joy. As we share the stories that each image evokes, our friends react to this compilation of lives well lived with the inevitable mix of happiness and sorrow that every family album conjures. Who is here? Who is gone? How much we miss them. Advertisement You can marvel at the Guggenheim or the Louvre, but there is an allure to the refrigerator pictures that is far more personal. The kitchen gallery demands a different kind of attention, based not on often-obscure subjects in a masterpiece but on the conventional images of shared love and devotion. Maybe it's the timelessness and that no one ever really dies if they remain forever in our field of vision. Maybe we just welcome the reminders, on full display, of who we really are. Glenn Rifkin is a journalist and author based in Acton. Send comments to magazine@ TELL YOUR STORY. Email your 650-word unpublished essay on a relationship to connections@ Please note: We do not respond to submissions we won't pursue.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Uniqlo announces 'Arigato' festival to engage Indian shoppers
Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo has announced the launch of its bi-annual Arigato Festival in India, set to run from May 30 to June 5. The event, named after the Japanese word for 'thank you', aims to express appreciation to Indian shoppers who have supported the brand's 'LifeWear' philosophy. 'We are pleased to extend our gratitude to our customers who have made Uniqlo a part of their daily lives," said Uniqlo India's marketing director Nidhi Rastogi in a press release. "Customers are at the centre of everything we do at Uniqlo, and we are honoured and deeply appreciative to have a growing community of loyal customers in India. Through the Arigato Festival, we express our appreciating by offering exciting deals, exclusive gifts, and special in-store experiences." During the festival, customers can shop key LifeWear essentials at limited-time prices, including women's linen blend trousers and shirts, Ezy jeans, Airism t-shirts, and bra tops. Shoppers spending over Rs 8,000 will also receive a Japanese-style hand towel featuring traditional motifs such as Mount Fuji and Sakura. Coinciding with the promotion, Uniqlo will release new seasonal collections on May 30, including Uniqlo x Anya Hindmarch and Louvre x Doraemon UT. Both will be available online and in stores across India. The initiative forms part of Uniqlo's wider strategy to deepen customer engagement and brand presence in the market.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Your favourite French holiday spots that aren't Paris, Cannes or Nice
Head off the beaten path this summer to one of our lesser-known French favourites (Picture: Getty Images) From glamorous beaches, to beautiful cities and the world's best restaurants, France has it all. It's no surprise then, that the European favourite is the most visited country in the world, and the second most popular for British travellers. Coming in second after Spain, latest figures show an estimated 9.2 million Brits flock to France every year. However, the country is feeling the effects of overtourism. In October 2024, Rachida Dati, France's culture minister, suggested placing a surcharge on tickets to popular attractions for non-EU nationals, including the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and the Musée d'Orsay. And in 2022, the Calanques National Park near Marseilles, which is known for its picturesque beauty, introduced a policy limiting visitor numbers to 400 per day at Sugiton Cove to allow the flora and fauna in the area to recover. So, there's never been a better time to venture off the beaten track. There's no gate keeping at Metro, and we're all about sharing 'hidden gem' locations that deserve their time to shine. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. With that in mind, we asked Metro readers to share their favourite French holiday spots that the typical hotspots like Paris, Cannes or Nice. Pyrénées-Orientales is a unique blend of French and Catalan culture (Picture: Getty Images) Metro readers have their say First up, Kimberley Beaumont couldn't give enough praise to Pyrénées-Orientales. Sitting on the Mediterranean coast, the French Department straddles the south of France and the northeast of Spain. Kimberley loves this part of the country because it gives her the best of both worlds. From beautiful beaches, forest-covered mountains, amazing wine, and French Catalan culture, it has the added bonus of Spain being 'right on your doorstep.' Plus, if you're an adventure-seeker, she says the region is a short drive into the Pyrénées for winter skiing. Holiday like a local: 'hidden' French town where UK travellers can fly for just £15 In the height of summer, when the southern French city of Toulouse is mobbed by more than five million tourists, locals quietly slip away to a nearby village called Rabastens. Drenched in sunshine from June to September, with temperatures often reaching 30°C, this charming town is everything you imagine rural France to be: cobblestone streets, dusty pink houses and secluded sandbanks along a flowing river. Read Metro's full report on Rabastens here. For Lynne Sullivan and Jackie Jones, Antibes – an overlooked resort town between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera – is the place to go. During peak seasons, the town is generally less crowded than its more famous neighbours. However, you still get that luxury feeling synonymous with the region in Antibes. You can marvel at yachts moored at the Port Vauban marina, gaze at grand villas mushrooming along the forested Cap d'Antibes peninsula, and soak up 16th-century history at Fort Carré, a star-shaped fort built in the Renaissance under the orders of Henri II, the King of France. Lynne and Jackie also recommend Juan Les Pins in the commune of Antibes. For those wanting a French Riviera beach experience, they say this is the place to go. Long sandy beaches are lined with seafront promenades that host chic al fresco eateries and boutiques. Your favourite European beaches without the tourists Metro recently asked you, our readers, to share your favourite European beaches that aren't swamped with tourists. One location that made an impression was Soorts-Hossegor. Often referred to as the surf capital of Europe, thanks to its reliable swells and powerful breaks, the French commune is also ideal for nature lovers. From endless golden sand beaches, crystal clear lakes, and verdant forests, spend your time swimming, biking and hiking. Find out our other best beach picks here. Cristiana Anca and Valerie Kerr love Bordeaux, a city in southwestern France, while Paula Allen says: 'Anywhere in Picardy. It's such a beautiful area with so much history.' For Joe James Geoghegan, the hilltop southern town of Carcassonne is a non-negotiable, as Jean Michel Poulain roots for the north, particularly Brittany. He describes the area as 'magic.' Even further north, Lynne spotlights Deauville, a seaside resort town in France's Normandy region. Since the 1800s, it's been an upscale vacay destination, complete with golf courses, grand casinos, a 1920s boardwalk, and a wide, sandy beach. In the town, charming timber buildings juxtapose against sophisticated villas built in the Belle Époque era – a romantic and affluent period of French and European history that preceded the First World War. Deauville is also one of the closest seaside resorts to Paris. The 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem that costs £40 to fly to Love Paris but looking to city break on a budget? Metro recently heard rumours of a 'Paris of the East,' an underrated city with flights from the UK for just £40. Bucharest has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafes we associate with Paris — at a dramatically cheaper price. Recently ranked 9th in The Times' roundup of '24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe', Romania's capital and largest city is actively welcoming tourists. Read our guide here. Those who like their holiday towns a little older, specifically dating back to medieval times, Jackie loves Biot. It's a 20-minute drive from Antibes, meaning you could head there for a day trip if you're staying on the coast. Elsewhere, it's all about the city of Aix in the south for Gregory Phua. For Ani Ta, Rouen, Entretat, and Arras are standouts. Along with Christine McFall, she also recommends Honfleur, a medieval and impressionist town in the Normandy region. Turquoise oceans? Rugged coastlines? Stunning sunsets? Head to Entretat (Picture: Getty Images) What to do in Pyrénées-Orientales If you're after a smorgasbord of French and Spanish culture, Pyrénées-Orientales is the place to holiday. Also known as French Catalonia, its capital, Perpignan, is considered the largest Catalan city after Barcelona. While French is the official language, Catalan is also spoken and has a strong presence. It's in Perpignan where you'll find the 13th-century Palace of the Kings of Majorca. Complete with gothic-style architecture, it was once the centre of the Kingdom of Majorca. If you're interested in checking out the King's dining room, majestic banquet halls, royal chambers and galleries, visitors can take guided tours inside the palace. Entry costs €9 (£7.58). On the first Sunday of each month, October to June, under-25s go free. In the south of Pyréneés-Orientales, you'll find Collioure, a medieval fishing town. Landmarks include the Château Royal de Collioure, a royal castle on the beach, which offers dramatic coastal views. Beach lovers, Argelès-sur-Mer is a must-visit spot. Thanks to its position on the Mediterranean coast, send your stresses away with the sea and relax on the stunning stretch of sand. More of an adrenaline junkie? The hike up to the Tour de la Massane will be right up your street. The 13th-century stone watchtower is perched at 800m, meaning you'll get the most spectacular views once you get to the top. Culinary-wise, the region is incredibly unique. Expect a combination of French and Catalan influences, with dishes that blend both traditions. Those with a sweet tooth will especially love it, thanks to desserts like crème catalane and Pa d'ou, a type of Catalan flan being popular here. What to do in Bordeaux When you think of Bordeaux, the first thing that probably comes to mind is wine, right? The region is famed for wine-growing, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to try the prestigious products made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Of course, there are wine-tasting tours available. According to TripAdvisor, the Saint Emilion Wine Tour Tasting Half Day from Bordeaux is one of the best. It boasts five stars, and prices start from £82.29 per person. This tour takes you through the vineyards of UNESCO-listed Saint-Émilion, which are believed to produce some of France's finest wines. You'll explore the stunning French countryside from Bordeaux to medieval Saint-Émilion, sampling locally made wines in the cellars and vineyards along the way. Immerse yourself in the wine culture of Bordeaux (Picture: Getty Images) For the sober-curious among us, there's more to Bordeaux than just booze. Explore historical sites like the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, Place de la Bourse, and the Porte Cailhau, or relax on a cruise along the Garonne River. The Canelés cruise and UNESCO route starts from £14.57 per person, and lasts one hour and 15 minutes. This year, the Bordeaux River Festival will take place from June 19 to 22. The four-day celebration combines wine, French culture, cuisine, and the vibrancy of Bordeaux. The festival grounds are free to enter. However, you'll need a Tasting Pass to access wine tastings and other activities. The pass costs €23 (£19.36). What to do in Honfleur Experience a different side to France in Honfleur. It's also much closer to home, located on the estuary where the Seine River meets the English Channel. Visually, the historic Vieux Bassin harbour is a standout feature: colourful half-timbered houses and boats provide an Instagrammable backdrop to your morning coffee (or afternoon Aperol) at one of the many bustling cafes and restaurants. The old harbour was also one of the subjects for the renowned artist Claude Monet. From the harbour, head into the town to find narrow cobbled streets and Saint Catherine's Church, the largest surviving wooden church in France. Dating back 500 years, the building was made with trees brought from the surrounding areas. For the art types, the Eugène Boudin Museum houses pre-impressionist and contemporary paintings by Norman painters who stayed in the town. Entry costs €9 (£7.58). And for the foodies, it's seafood central in Honfleur. TripAdvisor rates L'Escale as the best seafood restaurant in town, and customer testimonials back this up. One user described it as 'one of the best restaurants in Honfleur,' while another dubbed it a 'real restaurant that is not a tourist catch.' For just €30 (£25.25), enjoy the Captain's menu, which features dishes like homemade chef's terrine, Normandy oysters, homemade fish soup, and a seafood platter, to name a few. The establishment is very pretty too: luscious greenery and lilac plants line the entrance, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows give diners a view of the charming old streets. Of course, as you're in the Normandy region, expect a huge focus on Norman dairy products. This includes butter, crème frâiche, and creamy camembert. Finally, make sure to try the famous apple cider or the cider distillate calvados, a French apple brandy. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: The 'Venice of Eastern Europe' is a 'youthful' city with £29 flights — and 800 gnomes Arrow MORE: New train to span 745 miles linking five European countries — and tickets are just £40 Arrow MORE: France's 'most prolific paedophile' who abused hundreds of patients jailed
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
These remote desert oases are Egypt's hidden gems
The world knows Egypt for the Pyramids of Giza and cosmopolitan Cairo, the tourist-trodden temples of Luxor, and Red Sea resort towns. These coastal and Nile River Valley destinations are a narrow view of a country that's 90 percent desert. Few travelers venture into that 90 percent. The vast Western Desert, which blends into Libya and beyond, is Egypt's great unknown. Adventurers since Alexander the Great have braved the harsh clime and been rewarded with the untouched nature and unique culture of Egypt's oases. Seclusion has kept these desert gems, if not secret, then still wild. Egypt's oases are time capsules of millions of years of human and natural history, from when whales had legs to the Roman Empire. There are golden mummies at the Bahariya Oasis and tombs vandalized with ancient graffiti at Kharga. There are natural masterpieces like geode-like salt lakes in Siwa Oasis, hundreds of bubbling hot springs at Dakhla, and unearthly landscapes of dead volcanoes and limestone hoodoos near Bahariya and Farafra. (How to plan the ultimate adventure in Egypt, from Cairo to the Red Sea) Fayoum has remained relatively untouched despite being only an hour from Cairo. Its name may ring a bell for the Fayum Portraits, the mummy masks found in museums like the Louvre and the British Museum. Just two remain in their hometown, at the Kom Aushim Museum, the oasis's first stop on the drive in from Cairo. But it's natural phenomena that Fayoum should be better known for. It's home to the prehistoric Lake Qarun, whose saline waters are a magnet for wintering birds, including flamingos. The unofficially named Magic Lake, so secret you won't find it on Google Maps, lures humans looking for a swim or photo op. Its waters reflect the sky, providing extraordinary views of the Milky Way. The lake is part of Fayoum's most popular attraction, the Wadi Al-Hitan UNESCO World Heritage Site—the world's largest whale graveyard, dating back 40 million years. (This desert oasis is a time capsule of Egypt's grand past) Before the late 1980s, Siwa Oasis was accessible only by camel. Today, it's a 12-hour drive from Cairo. Yet, remoteness does little to dissuade those captivated by this mysterious oasis, just 30 miles from Libya. In antiquity, Siwa Oasis was a site for pilgrims seeking the wisdom of the Oracle of Amun. The temple's hilltop ruins are a highlight among the oasis's historic sites. Also notable are the medieval mud-brick Shali Fortress, towering over the city, and Gebel al-Mawta, the Mountain of the Dead, featuring hundreds of tombs carved into its face. But diving into Siwa Oasis' salt lakes easily surpasses all of them as a must-do. They look like liquified geodes, their electric-blue waters ringed by sparkling, crystallized shores. You can swim and float in hundreds of salt lakes, some large and others hardly big enough for one person. Bahariya Oasis is the most well-known of the five Western Desert oases in part because it's the easiest to reach from Cairo, but also because it has fascinating relics, hundreds of hot springs, and off-roading among volcanoes. It's said that Alexander the Great commemorated his visit to Siwa's Oracle of Amun with a temple of his own, which he built in Bahariya. It lies in ruins that you can visit, but more impressive is the Valley of the Golden Mummies burial site. Hundreds of gold-covered mummies have been uncovered there, and many more are thought to remain buried. Some are on display at the small on-site museum. Bahariya Oasis's best feature is the Black Desert, a Martian landscape of ancient dead volcanoes. Miles of sand mountains sprinkled with black volcanic rocks are captivatingly apocalyptic. A 4x4 adventure through them is a signature experience in Bahariya. The oasis's 400 natural hot-and-cold springs and Roman-era wells offer a refreshing rinse after a desert exploration. (Tour Egypt's Valley of the Whales for a window onto the history of evolution) Kharga is the 'Little Italy' of ancient Egypt. The Romans conquered the oasis as a strategic trading route, and Kharga today still exudes the glory of the Roman Empire. Most notable is the Fortress of El-Deir, an imposing structure rising out of the golden dunes, still nearly intact. It has been graffitied by the many travelers who have passed through since the third century, from Turkish traders to British soldiers during the World War I. Graffiti from prehistoric to medieval times can also be found at Gebel al-Teir, a mountain on the oasis' northern edge, where petroglyphs exist alongside the unique Coptic script of Egypt's Christians. The oasis's best site for Christian monuments is the expansive El Bagawat necropolis. Colorful biblical scenes—often covered in Greek graffiti—are painted on the hundreds of cave-like, mud-brick tombs at this Christian cemetery, one of the world's oldest and best-preserved. Dakhla, meaning 'inside' in Arabic, is perhaps even more of an insider destination than its neighboring Kharga. Like Kharga, Dakhla's prime was the Greco-Roman era. Ironically, the best remaining Roman monument in Dakhla is the ancient pagan Deir el-Hagar temple, similar to the Karnak Temple in Luxor. The other remarkable Roman feat in Dakhla now lies underground: A Roman settlement that formed the base of the village of Al Qasr. Today, it's an interesting maze of abandoned mud-brick buildings and narrow alleyways. Kharga has more ruins for the archaeological enthusiast, but Dakhla has endless hot springs to dip in. More than 600 springs bubble up from an aquifer thousands of feet below. You can soak in the pools of mineral-rich waters with a vista of pink limestone cliffs hugging the horizon. (A practical guide to travel in Egypt, from tipping culture to independent touring) Farafra is said to be Egypt's most isolated oasis. It's the entry point to the enigmatic White Desert, which looks like the surface of a moon in an alternate universe. In some areas, the glittering white sand is easily mistaken for a dusting of snow. In others, it resembles swaths of thick meringue on the world's biggest cake. Yet still other parts are fields of limestone hoodoos that tower precariously over your 4x4 like giant mushrooms. If you can handle the rough and tumble of the terrain, it's well worth venturing further into the desert to see the Neolithic remains that attract anthropologists from around the globe. About 30 miles out are remnants of a prehistoric village, the foundations of huts still standing. Nearby, rock art that's older than the pyramids decorates the walls of a cave, including handprints. Miranda Mullings is an American travel and culture writer based in Rome, Italy.
