Dive into the heart of Dubai with this action-packed itinerary, designed to maximize your experience in the vibrant Downtown area. From culinary delights to breathtaking views and thrilling adventures, prepare for an unforgettable day.

8:00 AM: A Traditional Emirati Breakfast at Karak House

Start your day with a taste of local culture at Karak House. This Emirati-owned gem offers a prime location on Downtown Dubai's main boulevard, perfect for people-watching and admiring the Burj Khalifa. Indulge in their famous spiced teas, like the saffron chai, alongside delicious waffles, granola, or pancakes. For a hearty start, try the "karak breakfast" featuring eggs, zaatar labneh, hummus harissa, mushrooms, and toasted bread.

• Karak House: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Contact: +971 4 551 6852.
• Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai.

10:00 AM: Explore World-Class Entertainment at Dubai Mall

More than just a shopping destination, Dubai Mall entertains the entire family. Discover marine life at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, let kids learn and play at KidZania, or enjoy a skating session at the Dubai Ice Rink. Of course, you'll also find many high street and designer brands for some retail therapy.

• Dubai Mall: Open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
• Contact: +971 800 DUBAI MALL (+971 38224 6255).
• Located on Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai.

1:00 PM: A Culinary Adventure at Time Out Market Dubai

Experience Dubai's vibrant food scene at Time Out Market Dubai. This popular culinary hotspot showcases homegrown talent with 17 diverse eateries. Grab a table and sample dishes from various vendors, such as Pitfire Pizza's truffle slices, Lana Lusa's Portuguese cuisine, Long Teng's Chinese dishes, and Reif Kushiyaki's sandos. Don't forget to treat yourself to ice cream from Scoopi for dessert.

• Time Out Market Dubai: Open Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
• Contact: +971 54 375 2421.
• Located on the 3rd Floor, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai.

2:30 PM: Walk on the Edge at Sky Views Dubai

For thrill-seekers, Sky Views Dubai offers sky-high experiences on the 53rd floor. Glide through a transparent tunnel on the Glass Slide, admire the views from the Observatory, and enjoy a coffee with a view. The ultimate thrill is the Edge Walk, where you can walk around and dangle off the skyscraper's highest outdoor platform with a harness.

• Sky Views Dubai: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Contact: +971 800 288 43867
• Located at Address Sky View hotel, Emaar Square Area, Downtown Dubai.

4:00 PM: Relax and Rejuvenate at The Spa in Palace Downtown

Indulge in a pampering session at The Spa in Palace Downtown. The spa's Arabesque opulence creates a serene atmosphere for a range of treatments, including detoxifying full-body wraps, Berber ancestral hammams, and Thai fusion massages. Afterward, unwind with a cup of tea by the poolside, overlooking the tranquil Burj Lake.

• The Spa at Palace Downtown: Open daily from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Contact: +971 4 428 7805
• Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai.

6:00 PM: Witness the Magic of The Dubai Fountain

Prepare to be mesmerized by The Dubai Fountain, a stunning display of choreographed water jets set against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa. The show takes place every 30 minutes. Arrive at sunset to watch the sky transform as the fountain comes to life. For an even closer view, book the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride.

• The Dubai Fountain: Shows every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM daily
• Contact: +971 4 362 7500
• Located at Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai.

6:30 PM: A Pre-Theatre Dinner at Jun's

Enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at Jun's, celebrity chef Kelvin Cheung's popular eatery. This restaurant blends Far Eastern, Indian, and North American influences to create comforting and nostalgic dishes. For a unique experience, book the chef's counter to watch the culinary magic unfold and interact with the chef.

• Jun's: Open daily from 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
• Contact: +971 4 457 6035
• Located at Vida Residences Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai.

8:00 PM: Immerse Yourself in the Arts at Dubai Opera

Experience world-class performances at Dubai Opera, from operas and ballets to musicals and stand-up comedy. Check the calendar for your visit and book in advance, as seats sell out quickly.

• Dubai Opera: Open daily from 10:00 AM to late night
• Contact: +971 4 440 8888
• Located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard (near Burj Khalifa), Downtown Dubai.

10:30 PM: Admire the City Lights From At The Top, Burj Khalifa

Conclude your day with a visit to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa. Book the last slot to see the twinkling lights of Downtown Dubai from the world's tallest building. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer 360-degree views from 555m above ground. The experience also includes fascinating insights into the construction of this record-breaking structure.

• At The Top, Burj Khalifa: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Contact: +971 4 888 8124
• Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai.

11:30 PM: Rooftop Vibes at CÉ LA VI

For night owls, Downtown Dubai offers numerous rooftop lounges. Enjoy food, drinks, and stunning views in an upbeat atmosphere. CÉ LA VI at Address Sky View is a popular choice, along with Luna Dubai at Dubai International Financial Centre and Neos at Address Downtown.

• CE LA VI: Open Sunday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM, and Saturday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 AM
• Contact: +971 4 582 6111.
• Located on Tower 2 - Level 54, Address Sky View Hotel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai.

12:00 AM: Unwind at Address Fountain Views

Downtown Dubai offers a range of accommodation options, from five-star suites at Address Fountain Views and Sofitel Dubai Downtown to Vida Downtown, The Dubai EDITION, and Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai. Plan ahead and look for hotel deals to find something that suits your budget. No matter where you stay, you'll be within walking distance of the city's most iconic attractions.

• Address Fountain Views: Open 24/7
• Contact: +971 4 245 8888
• Located on Al Ohood Street, United Arab Emirates.

Kuwait has officially approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, particularly through the Abdali border crossing, as part of its strategy to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility. The new visa policy, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, specifically targets Gulf citizens, expatriates residing in GCC countries, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, especially those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al-Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced that the transit visa allows eligible non-residents to stay in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling travel between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or vice versa, to organize onward journeys or complete necessary travel arrangements. The visa is not extendable and does not permit holders to work or study in Kuwait.

To apply, travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward ticket, and proof of transit, such as accommodation details or supporting documents for their next destination. The visa application can be submitted through the Kuwait Port Authority, Kuwaiti consulates, or, for some nationalities, via an online portal. The processing fee is KWD 2 (about USD 6.50).

Diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives are also permitted to be present at the border to assist their nationals during the entry and exit process, ensuring smoother procedures and additional support. This move is coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certain exceptions and special exemptions available for select nationalities.

The introduction of the 7-day transit visa reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to facilitate cross-border movement, support regional connectivity, and maintain robust security and compliance at its borders

Thailand’s tourism sector is facing significant challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict disrupts travel from key Middle Eastern markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warns that arrivals from five countries Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria could drop by as much as 50%, with early signs of decline already evident in popular destinations like Phuket due to airspace closures.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, explained that several major airlines flying to Thailand including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir have rerouted flights to avoid conflict zones. Tehran-based Mahan Air has temporarily suspended its Bangkok and Phuket routes, causing the Iranian market to effectively vanish during this period.

These five countries represent about 7% of Middle Eastern visitors to Thailand, with the region (excluding Israel) accounting for 100,781 travelers in June 2024. The timing of the conflict coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, a peak travel period that last year brought 7,165 tourists from these markets. This year, arrivals are expected to fall sharply to between 3,500 and 5,000 as tourists and airlines postpone trips amid uncertainty.

The TAT is also monitoring potential longer-term impacts on larger Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, which together contribute 80% of Thailand’s Middle East tourism. Concerns over air travel safety could further dampen demand, affecting hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

If the conflict is resolved soon, arrivals may begin to recover in July. Some airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, plan to launch new routes, such as the Amman-Bangkok service starting in August. However, a full recovery depends on how long and severe the conflict’s effects prove to be.

The TAT aims to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East in 2025, an 11% increase over last year, and generate approximately 86 billion baht in revenue. As the situation evolves, Thailand’s tourism industry remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant about the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 33% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tourist arrivals during the first 10 days of June 2025. The island welcomed 43,962 visitors compared to 33,017 in the same period last year.

The daily average number of tourists also rose significantly, reaching 4,396 visitors per day, up from 3,302 during the first 10 days of June 2024. This uptick is encouraging, especially given that June is traditionally an off-season month for travel to Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects 177,257 arrivals for the entire month of June. However, industry stakeholders remain cautious due to a shortfall in arrivals during the first five months of 2025. From January to May, tourist arrivals missed projections by a cumulative 279,452 visitors, underscoring ongoing challenges in converting interest into actual visits despite improving macroeconomic conditions.

Between January 1 and June 10, 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed over 1.07 million tourists, marking a 16% increase compared to 927,196 visitors during the same period in 2024. Notably, arrivals in January, February, and May 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels seen in 2018, highlighting Sri Lanka’s renewed appeal as a travel destination.

Despite these positive trends, consistent growth remains elusive. A key hurdle has been the delay in launching a global tourism campaign, which has not been updated in 16 years. The much-anticipated ‘Nation Branding’ campaign, set to launch on June 26, is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in key markets and drive higher arrivals during the lucrative winter season.

In June 2025, India, the UK, and Bangladesh emerged as the top source markets, contributing 12,362, 3,740, and 2,717 tourists respectively. Year-to-date, India leads with 216,422 arrivals, followed by Russia (111,285) and the UK (100,014). These markets remain central to Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery strategy.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. To meet this target, the industry needs to draw approximately 1.93 million visitors 64.2% of the annual goal during the remaining months of the year. So far, the sector has generated over $1.54 billion in revenue in the first five months, with $3.46 billion still needed to reach the target.

In 2024, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue reached $3.16 billion, a substantial 53.2% increase from $2.07 billion in 2023, reflecting the sector’s strong recovery momentum.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Nation Branding campaign and further developments in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Starting July 1, 2025, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding valid residency permits will be able to enter Armenia without a visa, marking a significant expansion of Armenia’s visa-free travel policy. Previously, only UAE nationals enjoyed visa-free access, while expatriate residents had to obtain visas on arrival.

The new policy applies to residents with residency permits valid for at least six months and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.

This change is part of a broader Armenian government initiative to enhance tourism, investment, and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The policy also aligns with Armenia’s visa-free arrangements for residents of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the United States.

The Armenian cabinet approved this reform in May 2025 to facilitate easier travel for expatriates living in these economically significant regions and to boost Armenia’s attractiveness as a destination for short-term visitors and business travelers.

Armenia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combined with its rich cultural heritage—including UNESCO World Heritage monasteries like Geghard and Khor Virap—and natural attractions such as Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park, makes it an appealing destination for UAE residents, particularly expatriates.

The country is accessible via direct flights from Dubai and other UAE cities through airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air. Armenian tourism officials expect the visa-free entry for UAE residents to increase tourist arrivals, strengthen economic relations, and promote business engagements between Armenia and the GCC.

Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, emphasized that this milestone reflects Armenia’s commitment to making the country more accessible to regional travelers seeking meaningful cultural and leisure experiences. The visa waiver is also expected to encourage more frequent travel and investment flows, with officials optimistic about a rise in direct flights and business cooperation.

In summary, from July 1, 2025, UAE residents with valid residency permits will benefit from visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 90 days, a move designed to enhance tourism, business, and bilateral relations between Armenia and the GCC region.