The holy month of Ramadan 2021 in Dubai

Posted on March 31, 2021 by admin

Ramadan (withal known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is bascially the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving charity and other religious devotions. The last third of Ramadan is a particularly holy period, as it commemorates when the Koran’s (Quran) first verses were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is symbolized by the dawn to dusk fast. Dubai takes a distinctly different persona at this time, as business adjust their timings to accommodate those fasting. However daylight hours move to a slower pace, the city comes alive after the sunset, with the breaking of the fast after Iftar. Experience the etiquette of Ramadan 2021 in Dubai.

With cultural offerings in abundance, this is the perfect time to experience another side of the emirate with a spirit of togetherness and charity that defines the season. Experience authentic Emirati hospitality for yourself at signature Iftars and Suhoors and discover the many ways you can join in the wholesome festivities.

Ramadan 2021

This year Ramadan is expected to begin on April 13, 2021 and end on May 12, 2021. However the dates are dependent on the sightseeing of the crescent moon and may vary by a day or so.

Fasting during Ramadan is said to be one of the five Pillars of Islam; basic acts consider it mandatory for Muslims. The others are declaration of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), charity (zakat) and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).

Muslim children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the sick and certain categories of people are exempt from fasting.

Many Muslims gather to break their fast with others. Huge Iftar tents, offering extensive buffets, are erected at major hotels.

Dubai is noticeably quieter throughout Ramadan and the pace of life is much slower. Muslims will commonly greet each other with phrases such as ‘Ramadan Kareem’ and ‘Ramadan Mubarak’.

Greetings

The traditional greeting in Ramadan is “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak” and this can often be heard during the holy month. If you wish to get involved and participate in local tradition, spread this greeting.

Food and drinks

One of the main cultural considerations during Ramadan is eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public. All the aforementioned practices are prohibited and can even be punishable of up to a month in jail or a fine of up to Dhs 2,000 (USD$545), according to Article 313 of the UAE Penal Code. Irrespective of faith, this applies to everyone.

If we talk about restaurants, many are closed until sunset. However, in recent years, Dubai has become increasingly lenient, allowing several places to continue serving food during the day to non-faster. Also these restaurants will have dark sheets covering their windows and will only permit you to dine inside.

Other than this there are many cinemas, theme parks and other entertainment facilities have some designated areas where food is served to non-faster.

Operative and working hours

In general, working and school days are shorter, beginning in the later in the morning and finishing mid-afternoon. According to UAE labor law, normal working hours should be reduced by two hours long. While this does not specify only Muslim fasting employees, the Employment law of Dubai International Financial center clearly specifically refers to Muslims, stating that they don’t have to work longer than six hours of the shift.

Discounts and Sales

Forth with comparably empty malls and attractions, you can enjoy exclusive Ramadan offers. Motion-gate and Dubai resorts and parks for example are offering slashed ticket prices or vouchers during Ramadan. Most shops offer discounts on clothes, toys, accessories, etc. particularly towards the end of the month in the lead up to Eid-ul-Fitr, and various eateries have exclusive Ramadan and iftar deals.

Nightclubs and Alcohol

Many nightclubs close during Ramadan. Those that stay open will not have live music or dancing. In 2016, Dubai relaxed its alcohol laws, allowing hotel bars to serve alcohol during the daytime. Previously alcohol was sold in the evening time only.

Tourist Attractions

Popular tourist attractions like Ski Dubai, Wild Wadi, Aqua-venture etc. operate but are much quieter than at other times of the year. It’s a good time to avoid the crowds. Ticket prices are often cheaper too.

Transport

Operating times for the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram etc. could possibly change. If so, such changes are announced in the media in the days leading up to Ramadan.

Iftar

Iftar is basically the evening meal, taken after the evening Maghrib prayer to mark the end of a day of fasting. Iftar is a joyous occasion as friends and family gather to enjoy a meal together – consisting of multiple courses and cuisine from across the globe, it is a veritable feast. Many restaurants host unique iftar get-together’s and, as mentioned previously, you can avail some unique iftar get-together and, as mentioned previously, you can avail some great offers. It is also common for locals to generously invite non-Muslims to witness the festivities. If you’re invited to an iftar party, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about Emirati culture and the traditions associated with the holy month.

Eid ul-Fitr

Eid ul-Fitr is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. A lavish affair, it is a national holiday and last for three days. For Muslims, Eid is an opportunity for families to dress in their finest clothes and visit friends, family and neighbors bearing gifts and food.

Malls, theme parks and other attractions remain open, and you can enjoy some great discounts during this period. However, as offices and schools are closed, these major attractions can get very busy with chaotic traffic as people who make the most of their days off.

Plan your trip to Dubai during this holy month of Ramadan 2021. It will be the best ever trip for you. Don’t forget to apply for a Dubai visa so that you live it up in Dubai this Ramadan.

Cordoba Patios Festival 2021 – the beauty of flowers

Posted on March 27, 2021 by admin

The Cordoba Patios festival 2021 is approaching now it takes place every year during the first week of May and is a long standing tradition of the city of Cordoba. “Patios” translates to “courtyards” and the festival celebrates the art of elaborately decorating courtyards with hundreds of colorful flowers and plants.

The people of Cordoba haughtily open the gates of the courtyards in the old quarter of the city during the days of this festival. They decorate the courtyards out especially for the occasion with pots full of geraniums, carnations and jasmines that hang from the whitewashed walls. They can be visited practically at any time of the day and the chance to taste delicious tapas from Cordoba and Montilla-Moriles wine.

The festival is celebrated during the first fortnight of May. It is not, however the only chance you will have to visit the countryside in Cordoba. You can visit the Trueque Cuatro Courtyards Festival Visitor Center, the Palacio de Viana or sign up for a special visit at any time of the year.

Since the first patios event in 1918, the Cordobeses have been cultivating and caring for their patios every day. These secret courtyards are privately owned, hidden behind the homes, door and walls of the city, but for one week of the year they are opened to the public, who can come and enjoy the beauty of the flowers, plants and architecture.

The opening hours of the festival tend to stay the same every year, for the week of the festival the patios are open from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm every day. All patios are free to enter but small donations are appreciated by the hardworking owners.

What are the best routes for the Cordoba Patios Festival?

A great place to start a route through the patios is at the Palacio de Viana – a 15^th century manor house surrounded by 12 beautiful courtyards, situated in the Santa marina neighborhood.

The San Basilio or “Alcazar Viejo” neighborhood and the Juderia neighborhood or “Old Jewish Quarter” is also ideal sports to start a route through the city.

The amount of patios change each year and thus, the routes do as well. You can find an interactive map with all the suggested routed on the Puerta de los Patios website or download the app to your phone or tablet from the app store. This website is updated every year with the new routes and all open patios, so it’s accurate and a great tool to have in your pocket during a day enjoying the patios.

What is the Cordoba Patios Festival?

The Cordoba Patios Festival is known in Spanish as “La Fiesta de los Patios Cordobeses” or simply “Los Patios de Cordoba” and is Cordoba’s most anticipated yearly event.

For 13 days in May, the Cordobeses throw open the gates and doors to their private patios and reveal the secret floral delight within.

The patios are a floral paradise; each space is filled with plant pots of brown, blue or green overflowing with flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes. Lush green leaves are accented with explosions of vivid pinks, bright reds, dark purples, burnt oranges and delicate pastel shades.

The patios are also filled with eclectic ornaments and decorative elements like small water features, antique gardening tools, artwork and shrines to San Raphaet – the Patron Saint of the Patios.

The history of the Patios of Cordoba

The Patios of Cordoba tradition dates back to Roman times. Located in a part of the country where temperature is extreme, the Patios required constant care and attention all year round. This was no small feat considering that in Cordoba, daytime temperatures often surpass 40 Degree C in the summer months and night time frosts are not uncommon.

To compensate for this harsh climate, the Romans and then later on the Muslims built their houses in a particular way, incorporating courtyards into the center of the building complex. These courtyards were cool, shaded inner spaces where families congregated to escape the summer heat and collect any rainwater that fell.

The Muslims however are the ones that really took creating relaxing patios and inner spaces to a whole new level. They are deemed with introducing water features and plants into the patios, with the purpose of increasing the sense of freshness and tranquility. Interestingly, this actually works very well and temperatures inside some patios are said to be between 10 Degree Celsius to 15 Degree Celsius cooler than the street outside the house, a huge difference in the summer months.

The Muslims also put a lot of more emphasis on the social element. They believed that a patio should not just be a place of beauty and tranquility, but also a place for people to meet and socialize.

May in Cordoba

May has always been a big month in Cordoba. There are three huge events which take place and thus, the month long celebrations are known collectively as Mayo Cordobes or “Cordoban May”.

The month starts with the Cruses de Mayo or the festival of the Crosses which involves the residents of Cordoba competing for the best decorated cross made of flowers. There is a succession of flower-covered floats known as La Batalla de las Flores or the “Battle of the Flowers”

This is followed closely by the Patios Festival – the most anticipated event on the calendar.

The Celebrations are finished off with the Feria De Cordoba (the Cordoba Fair) with visitors and locals alike dancing the nights away the traditional flamenco music and enjoying the party atmosphere.

Cordoba Patios Festival 2021 will soon be approaching in Spain. Don’t miss out on this beautiful festival of flowers. Spain is beautiful place to visit and the flowers in the courtyard make it look more magnificent. Easily get a Spain visa appointment online to proceed with your application process.

5 Exciting Things to do in Bruges for a Memorable Getaway

Posted on March 15, 2021 by admin

Bruges is an alluring city in Belgium that is characterized by spell-binding architecture, a great selection of beers, wonderful locals, mouth-watering chocolates & more! So, what are the 5 exciting things to do in Bruges to make your Belgium trip fun-filled? Read on to find out!

5 Amazing Things to do in Bruges

The Belfry Tower – One of the Best Places to Visit in Bruges

The iconic Belfry Tower is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site that is located in the heart of the Bruges City Centre. This popular tourist attraction was built in the 15^th century.

Going to the top of the tower requires you to make an arduous climb of 366 steps. However, you will get to enjoy panoramic views of the city & relish the melodious tunes of the bell.

Tip: Avoid timeslots where the queues would be high. Instead, go for those timeslots where you can enjoy some relaxing time with loved ones.

2be Beer Wall – A Beer Connoisseur’s Paradise

Belgium is one of the most popular Beer-brewing countries whose history dates back to many centuries.

Did You Know? A whopping 700 beers are in production in Belgium & more beers will be made in the coming years owing to the country rich Beer-Brewing Legacy.

2be Beer Wall is a well-known beer shop that also acts as a museum that houses more beers than anyone could ever imagine. Relish lip-smacking beers, take souvenirs or get some photos clicking with the beer wall as the background!

Brugge Markt – One of the Popular Tourist Attractions in Bruges

If you are a shopaholic or just enjoy doing window shopping then you should head over to the Brugge Markt.

Did you know that since 985, this place has been holding a weekly market?

If you want to enjoy shopping then you should visit this market on a Wednesday. Apart from that, you can also enjoy some delicious dishes in restaurants that are actually converted from guild houses.

The Lovers’ Bridge and Lake of Love – For a Cozy Weekend

This tranquil lake is located in the centre of Minnewater Park. What’s more, is that at the heart of this lake is the romantic yet picturesque Lover’s Bridge.

If you are visiting Belgium to spend a romantic weekend with your better half then The Lovers’ Bridge and Lake of Love are some of the best places to visit.

Pro Tip: Take some selfies with your better half on the Bridge & upload them on Instagram to get your feed filled with likes & comments.

Ribs ‘n’ Beer – Delight Your Taste Buds

Planning to munch on some mouth-watering gastronomical delights in Belgium? Then Ribs ‘n’ Beer is the place to be! As the name indicates, this restaurant is primarily known to whip up some delectable ribs that can be savoured with lip-smacking beer.

So, if you are preparing an itinerary that includes visiting Bruges, then these are the 5 exciting things to do in Bruges. Apply for Belgium Visa right away & make your Bruges trip memorable.

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