Ramadan Kareem!
The holy month began this week, the start of a time of spirituality, generosity and togetherness.
Even for many who are fasting, travel can still make up a significant part of the month. Regional airlines have passengers covered, though.
Emirates is offering snack boxes both at select gates and on-board at iftar for travellers to break their fast. The in-flight boxes are filled with dates, sandwiches, nuts and sweet treats including baklava, which are being offered on top of the regular meal service.
To ensure accuracy for breaking fast, passengers will be officially informed of iftar time by the captain on Emirates flights, and prayer mats will be made available.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has curated Ramadan menus in each of its cabins. In first class and The Residence, passengers will be able to choose from a selection of Emirati-inspired dishes such as traditional lamb shank kabsa. In business class, chicken mandi will be on the menu, and economy-class passengers will be offered dishes such as Arabic braised lamb or chicken on a bed of vermicelli rice. Etihad guests who are observing Ramadan with flight times that fall outside of iftar and suhoor will be offered takeaway bags before boarding or after disembarkation.
Read our advice for flying and fasting during Ramadan here.
For those travelling to the UAE, we have compiled a guide for holidaymakers to ensure they can make the most of their trip while respecting cultural norms. Read more here.
Until next time, safe travels.
Travel news you may have missed
• Last week, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers became the only Conrad hotel in the world to achieve a five-star rating in the Forbes Travel Guide.
• Luxury travel group Belmond has unveiled Celia, a private dining and events carriage on the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, designed in collaboration with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin.
• Dubai carrier flydubai has announced the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok, bringing its operations to Thailand to 28 weekly flights. The new service will commence in September, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
• AirAsia X is increasing its regional presence, with a Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route, launching in March.
A trip through Yorkshire’s Wuthering Heights filming locations
In her celebrated 1847 novel, Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte waxed lyrical about the “mysterious moorlands, wind-ravaged trees, ragged rivers, stark hills and fresher, drier air” that constituted life on the beautiful, atmospheric moors of Yorkshire.
Now they're back in the spotlight, thanks to Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of the Bronte novel.
From footpaths within the North York Moors to 19th-century ruins, here Gemma White pulls together some of the striking locations used to bring the novel to life.
Travel buy
The aptly named Jet Lag Mask by Summer Fridays is a handy addition to hand luggage. Hyper-hydrating, it is best used as a light mask on flights, but can also be incorporated into daily routine as a moisturiser or night cream.
Spotlight destination: Vienna
As a city that has a cuisine named after it, Vienna – and, by extension, Viennese food – is a culinary traveller’s delight, as Panna Munyal recently found out.
Read all about her culinary adventures here, with an itinerary planned around breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Top travel tip
For a thrifty way to see a new place, take a free walking tour. Companies such as Sandemans and GuruWalk offer expert-led guides around the world, with many more location-focused companies available. The tours can act as a comprehensive introduction to the history and culture of a destination. Just make sure to tip the guide what you can!
In the headlines
The National produces a variety of newsletters across an array of subjects. Sign up to receive the best of our coverage here.
