Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi

Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi
DS Staff
DS Staff

Art

Arabic Calligraphy Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram

By Norah Al Eisa Arabic calligraphy artists is an old art form; these artists put their own twists on Arabic calligraphy in exciting and innovative ways. If you’re a fan of calligraphy, you’ll wanna see their impeccable work on your timeline. (@sarahmaiman) (@ododgallery) read also :Seeking Connection Through Art (@j_alnasrallah) (@moefirwana) (@moeghulman) read also : Aces of […]

By DS Staff
Arabic Calligraphy Artists You Need to Follow on Instagram
Business

Awesome Twosome: Jovia

Find out how these family units rock the business world A strong family relationship provides a building block for a home.  Imagine what that can do in a business? Relation: Spouses Names: Hasibah Alaskandarani & Mohammed Dossary Business: Jovia Hasibah Alaskandarani and Mohammed Dossary, are linked together by marriage and entrepreneurship. The couple co-founded their […]

By DS Staff
Awesome Twosome: Jovia
Uncategorized

Compound Living At Its Best

Secure contemporary living at Retal Residence. A self-contained oasis for individuals and families, Retal Residence is designed to provide a lifestyle of convenient community living. Boasting a spectacular 120,000 m2 of property space a few minutes drive from the Al Khobar Corniche, the compound comprises 416 modern and lavish residences – villas, town villas, and […]

By DS Staff
Compound Living At Its Best
Arts & Music

Ithra’s Creativity Season

New ideas discovered, industries disrupted, and dialogues started. Tanween by Ithra is the first and largest Creativity Season ever held in Saudi Arabia. Over 17 days, the initiative has spread creative thinking and enabled an environment for talented and creative minds. Attendance has been overwhelming and the fantastic programs of talks, workshops and exhibitions have […]

By DS Staff
Ithra’s Creativity Season
Offbeat

The Librarian Of Qati

Take a leaf out of Ali Al Herz’s book. “I would have never guessed that it would get this much attention, to be honest.” Ali Al Herz says humbly, referring to his 30,000 collection of books that he has assembled in his very own household. Al Herz, from the city of Qatif, identifies himself as […]

By DS Staff
The Librarian Of Qati
Business

Fashion 101

When Maha Al Qassab met Abdullah Al Zamil. With a strong passion for fashion, designer Maha Al Qassab struggled to find any training material or fashion courses in Bahrain. So, to pursue her dream she quit her job and earned a master’s degree in collection design from Florence, Italy. She currently owns a boutique in […]

By DS Staff
Fashion 101
Online Magazine

Original Threads

Celebrating traditional fashion across the Kingdom. Traditional clothing is an important aspect of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage. Yet, in a drive towards modernity, this facet of our heritage is not as celebrated as it should, despite its unquestionable beauty. In this issue, we pay tribute to the “Original Threads” that have been worn by women […]

By DS Staff
Original Threads
Offbeat

Organizational Oasis

Your desk deserves the best. From colorful highlighters and Post-it notes to fancy journals and calendars, we’re obsessed with stationery. Whether your objective is organization and practicality or simply enhanced aesthetics, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite brands and stores to brighten up your day. Seen Design Web: seendesign.net Instagram: seendesign Qurtsyah Instagram: qurtsyah […]

By DS Staff
Organizational Oasis
Dining

Hole in the Wall

By Alzahra Al Dawood and Noura Al Joaib We all know they serve the best food in town. When we decided to do a feature on the best bufiyah sandwiches in town, we got weird looks from the rest of the team. For those who don’t know what a bufiyah is, it’s colloquial for cafeteria. […]

By DS Staff
Hole in the Wall
Online Magazine

Save Your Summer!

Believe it or not, there’s a lot to do. Listen, we just came back from two months in the future and you (yes, you) sent us back with a warning specifically for you: “I know what you’re doing right now. You’re sitting on the couch all day (and night), watching Netflix, gaming, hanging out, eating […]

By DS Staff
Save Your Summer!
Online Magazine

Jalabiyat Daze

Different looks for different days! Every day Gown by Trendy Palace by Shaima Instagram: trendypalace Also available at @zohaarabia Small gatherings: Gown by Hndl Collection Instagram: hndlcollection Ghabga: Gown by Glory D’arabia Instagram: zohaarabia Gargai’an: Gown by Chic Royal Designs Instagram: chic_royal_designs Also available at @zohaarabia Eid Day: Gown by The Queen Gallery Instagram: the_queen_gallery […]

By DS Staff
Jalabiyat Daze
Healthy Living

Time is Sacred

By Nourah Al Khunaini Learn the art of time management during Ramadan. Between fewer working hours, needing more time for worship and trying to keep up with the overflowing social calendar, it’s no surprise that time becomes the most valuable (and scarce) resource during Ramadan. Use the following tips to get a handle on your […]

By DS Staff
Time is Sacred
Dining

Simply Suhoor

By Zonaira Chaudry Go-to guide for a quick and easy suhoor. What’s one of your worst fears in Ramadan? If you’re like us, it’s not waking up for suhoor or just waking up five minutes before dawn with no time to prepare something to eat. Well, here are a few quick, power food ideas for […]

By DS Staff
Simply Suhoor
Online Magazine

Sharing is Caring

By Lamies Ali DS-recommended Eid gifts guide. For the auntie you’re visiting: You’re in the Arab world, you can’t show up to someone’s house empty-handed! Kahraman Dates are the perfect go-to gift, striking the right balance between traditional and modern. Mob: +966-539344566 Web: khramandates.com Instagram: kahraman_dates For the woman that deserves some pampering: We all […]

By DS Staff
Sharing is Caring
Online Magazine

Ramadan Across Borders

By Zonaira Chaudhary Unity through drums, lanterns and bathing. Muslims around the world are celebrating the most awaited month of the Islamic Calendar. Thanks to the multitude of cultures that observe Ramadan, the spirit of enthusiasm, generosity and spirituality comes out in the most beautiful and unique ways. Ramadan rituals around the globe (from the […]

By DS Staff
Ramadan Across Borders
Community

Reforming Saudi Women’s Sports

Women’s health takes center stage in Khobar forum. Under the patronage of Princess Reema bint Bandar, Vice President of Women’s Affairs of the General Authority of Sports, the first Women’s Health Forum took place in Khobar March 23-24. The forum, which was organized by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Women Development Fund (PSFW), aimed to encourage […]

By DS Staff
Reforming Saudi Women’s Sports
Dining

Food Truck Fever

Delicious food roams the streets of Sharqiya. Back in the day, the only “food truck” we’d see around our neighborhood was the ice cream truck (if we were lucky). Now these trucks are all the rage and come bearing all kinds of decadent goodness. From burgers to waffles, we’ve rounded up a list of our […]

By DS Staff
Food Truck Fever
Fitness

The Rhumba Revolution

Dancing your way to a fitter life. Rumba is a physical exercise discipline born out of South America and is currently enjoyed all over the world. Its popularity stems from its flexible nature, where all the practitioner has to do is enjoy the music and have fun with dancing. Benefits of Rumba It has a […]

By DS Staff
The Rhumba Revolution
Explore

Bussing Around Bahrain

By Ahmed Almulla Exploring Bahrain on a public bus. This is for all you public transportation aficionados out there, as well as transit visitors that want to explore Bahrain for the day. Starting early morning from Bahrain International Airport, I rode the bus that takes you to Muharraq Terminal for a 300-fils single ticket. At […]

By DS Staff
Bussing Around Bahrain
Arts & Music

Spotlight: Short Saudi Film

By Rawan Nasser Newly produced “Tongue,” screened at the Saudi Film Festival. We sat down with the film’s young director, Mohammed Al Salman, to learn more about the process of creating a film and what this creative outlet means to him. As a 26 year-old graduate of KFUPM and Colorado School of Mines, Mohammad Al […]

By DS Staff
Spotlight: Short Saudi Film
In Bahrain

Hidden Side of Bahrain

By Ahmed Almulla Check out the island’s surprising spots. There are many hidden gems in Bahrain that I love exploring and sharing with others. Not your typical fare, but rather out of the way spots that each offer their own unique experience. Farm Life I began my exploration with this beautiful farm that’s located just […]

By DS Staff
Hidden Side of Bahrain
In Bahrain

The Tree of Life

By Ahmed Almulla A symbol of survival and determination. A journey in the desert took me to an astonishing site. Through the oil pipelines, the massive campsites and the rigid landscape, there stood a 9.75-meter tall tree. It is indeed magical as it stands in the midst of emptiness. Though you may think that it […]

By DS Staff
The Tree of Life
Online Magazine

My Mini Solo Bike Tour in France

By Tala Alrabiah Consider bike tourism for your next adventure. When I rode my best friend’s bike for the first time when I was a little girl, the fear of falling and the thrill of trying to keep my balance fascinated me. I went home that night full of excitement and took the training wheels […]

By DS Staff
My Mini Solo Bike Tour in France
Arts & Music

Break Out!

By Hajer Al Alwan and Mansour Al Eisa Can you escape these clever rooms? Escape Rooms have been popping up since last year, so whether you need a cool team-building experience or a fun activity with friends and family, you’ve got no excuse not to try one of these. In case if you’ve been stuck […]

By DS Staff
Break Out!
Art

Keeping it in the Family

By Hajer AlAlwan Meet the minds behind Millefiori Gallery. A family business of four women, driven by pure talent and passion for art, Hala Al Khudairy and her two daughters Zainab and Nouf divide their time to manage the gallery. Having full-time careers has not stopped the Khudairy women and their interior designer cousin Dhuha […]

By DS Staff
Keeping it in the Family
Art

On the Red Carpet Thawb Alors

By Alexander Woodman A one-on-one with the stars. The cast and crew of the film Thawb Alors (The Wedding Dress) proudly walked the red carpet at the 14th Dubai International Film Festival in December. The film is about a seamstress who is pressured by her daughter to make her a wedding dress, but she’s also […]

By DS Staff
On the Red Carpet Thawb Alors
Offbeat

DIA’S DIGITAL DIGEST: Where to find art in my favorite mediums.

By Ahmad Dialdin  The latest in digital media consumption, from gaming and movies to podcasts and long reads. ART IN GAMES Inside Never have I played a game that told its story purely through its atmosphere. Restricted to only moving left and right, you experience everything through the magnificent art direction that unfolds the story […]

By DS Staff
DIA’S DIGITAL DIGEST: Where to find art in my favorite mediums.
Community

Al Walimah Chef Competition

By Hajer Al Alwan The winners announced! Destination Sharqiya team was very excited to witness the ceremony for the announcement of the winners in Al Walimah recent annual campaign – Al Walimah Chef Competition, which took place in Mayar Company Head Quarters in Khobar. It is good to mention that the company also sponsored Top […]

By DS Staff
Al Walimah Chef Competition
Online Magazine

Rise & Shine, Ras Tanura!

By Shaistha Khan A quick travel guide for our local northern gem. If you’re tired of the hassles of the city and are looking for a quick-getaway without the annoyance of traffic jams, crowds and long lines, just head north. Only 80 kilometers away from Khobar lies the scenic, serene and sleepy town of Ras […]

By DS Staff
Rise & Shine, Ras Tanura!
Community

Stronger Together

By Lujain Al Heraiqi A tale about three brave boys and one amazing association. Back in 2011, 15-year-old Jasem Al Obaid was planning a summer trip with his friends to Abha. Despite feeling sick, he tried hiding it so he could still go, but his dad found out and took him to the nearest clinic. […]

By DS Staff
Stronger Together
Dining

From Sea to Table

By Hajer Al Alwan Our Picks from the Best Seafood Restaurants in Sharqiya. Soul Kitchen Modern and lush interior that goes hand in hand with remarkable hospitality and fantastic food. We’re especially keen on the restaurant’s seafood display where customers can choose any fish and the way they like it cooked, be it grilled, deep […]

By DS Staff
From Sea to Table
Dining

The Seafood Special

By Fahad Amer Meet Hasan Binali, owner of long-standing local gem: Darin Seafood. Why did you decide to pursue a career in the restaurant business? My partner and I decided to open Darin Seafood because there were only two seafood restaurants in Khobar in 1991 and they felt much too expensive for us. We named […]

By DS Staff
The Seafood Special
Art

Once Upon A Time in Khobar

By Lina Al Faris Local Storytelling Program Shapes Future Storytellers. “Mom, is this heaven?” Asked a child visiting Kan Yama for the first time, instantly making the question a cherished moment that the team remembers and laughs about often. Esraa Alghunaim and Abdullah Alhawas were always awed by the power of knowledge and how reading […]

By DS Staff
Once Upon A Time in Khobar
Arts & Music

Small Wonders

Young author, wise words – Sadeem Al Nahdi. Tell us about yourself. My name is Sadeem and I’m 11 years old. I’m from Jeddah, but I live in Saudi Aramco, Dhahran. I study at Dhahran Ahliyya Schools and my hobbies are reading, swimming and creating artworks. Can you tell us about your book? My book […]

By DS Staff
Small Wonders
Dining

Herbivores for Life

By Norah Al Eisa and Deema Al Bugmi Best vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurants in Sharqiya. The vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free communities are growing more than ever lately, and restaurants in Sharqiya are beginning to take notice! We’ve gathered the best restaurants where you’ll find a wide variety of options catering to your green lifestyle. Burritos Every meal is […]

By DS Staff
Herbivores for Life
Business

Working Mamas

By Eman Bukhari What to do when you have to juggle baby and work. There’s great admiration for mothers with full-time jobs (on top of their already full-time job of being a mama). It’s obviously overwhelming, but a few tips can help create a supportive system to ease the load. From the start, let your […]

By DS Staff
Working Mamas
Healthy Living

Healthy Supermarket Guide

Use these tips to make healthier choices as you navigate through those aisles. Plan Ahead: Plan your meals for the week and make a shopping list. Only purchase what is on your list and never, ever go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Shop the Perimeter: Buy most of your food from the outer aisles where […]

By DS Staff
Healthy Supermarket Guide
Offbeat

College-Life Hacks

By Deema Al Bugmi Don’t be the stereotypical frazzled college student; follow these tips to stay organized.  Keep a planner If you’re a visual person, a planner will go a long way. It will lay out all the things you need to get done during the week. A good tip is to sync your calendar […]

By DS Staff
College-Life Hacks
Dining

Crazy about Cafés

By @saudifooodie We get the lowdown on running cafes with Nizar Aloufi, owner of Dallat Al Faris. How did you start with the idea of a café? Successful businesses are the ones that have high demand and are frequented every day. So I decided to invest my time and experience in establishing a traditional coffee […]

By DS Staff
Crazy about Cafés
Healthy Living

Apply Pressure To Digest

By Rehan Taji A handy guide to improving your digestion through acupressure. Unhealthy eating habits and growing addiction to canned and ready-made meals has led to increased incidents of hypertension, obesity, diabetes and cardiac-related health hazards. It has also disrupted our digestive system, triggering problems like indigestion, bloating, constipation, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), acid reflux […]

By DS Staff
Apply Pressure To Digest
Hair & Makeup

Nahla’s Beauty Tip of the Month: Event Makeup

Here are 6 tips for a stunning look Instagram: @Nahlasblog 

By DS Staff
Nahla’s Beauty Tip of the Month: Event Makeup
Online Magazine

Get Pretty!

By Norah Al Eisa Noticeably better skin with these tricks. Cucumber: Cucumber is used in exfoliating masks for its tightening effects. It is used in these buffing biscuits along with green tea extract to tone and soften the skin. Tea Cucumber Facial Buffing Biscuits, FarmHouse Fresh Available at The Full Drawer in Al Rashid Mall […]

By DS Staff
Get Pretty!
Online Magazine

Food Road Trip!

By Saudifooodie Let your stomach guide on you on this trip across the GCC. SoMu – Kuwait Drive four hours to reach SoMu, a hidden jewel in the Gulf. Located south of the Mubarakya Souq in Kuwait (hence SoMu), it’s a collection of hip and trendy Kuwaiti-owned and -managed cafes that mimics the awesomeness (and […]

By DS Staff
Food Road Trip!
Online Magazine

Food Etiquette in Islam

By Eman Bukhari Islam is a way of life, so what does it say about food etiquette? Islam touches every aspect of our lives, helping us live not just an honest life, but also one that is healthy and happy. Some teachings we come across as we grow older and some we are made aware […]

By DS Staff
Food Etiquette in Islam
Dining

Food as Destiny

By @saudifooodie Meet Saad Al Dulaijan, famous chef, local talent and more than a 100k followers. How do you want to introduce yourself to our readers? I’m a person who loves cooking and learning its arts and secrets. I started off by going to the best culinary school in the world: my grandmother’s kitchen. I […]

By DS Staff
Food as Destiny
Dining

@ibrahim_86 On Instagram Food Blogging

By @saudifooodie We break bread with one of our favorite food bloggers: Ibrahim Saleh How do you want to introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Ibrahim Saleh, I live in Khobar and I am married with one son. I currently work in Saudi Aramco and I’m a passionate food blogger and chef. What […]

By DS Staff
@ibrahim_86 On Instagram Food Blogging
Dining

The Secrets to Firegrill’s Success as Told by their CEO

By Norah Al Eisa  A one-on-one with the man behind FireGrill, CEO Steve Skoien. How did the idea of Fire Grill come to be? After being such fans of traditional yet iconic Mexican restaurants around Los Angeles such as El Coyote and El Cholo, or on a larger scale, Larry Kano’s El Torito, we welcomed the […]

By DS Staff
The Secrets to Firegrill’s Success as Told by their CEO
Hair & Makeup

Nahla’s Beauty Tips: 5 Steps to The Perfect Eyeshadow

Brought to you by @nahlasblog This month, I’m going to be sharing with you 5 tips on how to get a more subtle and professional eyeshadow look. Applying primer before your eyeshadow is a must if you want it to last without creasing or if you want the colors to pop. I like to use […]

By DS Staff
Nahla’s Beauty Tips: 5 Steps to The Perfect Eyeshadow
Dining

Weekend Indulgence: Burgers and Fries

Brought to you by @saudifooodie The most detrimental experience for a foodie is to eat at this hidden local gem in Khobar. You’ll be judging burgers against theirs for the rest of your life. The sum total is so much greater than its already excellent parts: The meat is light, tasty and with zero greasy aftertaste; […]

By DS Staff
Weekend Indulgence: Burgers and Fries
Online Magazine

Amish Paradise

By Fahad Amer Time travel by taking a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Just an hour drive west of Philadelphia and suddenly you’re 300 years in the past. Welcome to Lancaster County, home of the oldest and largest settlement of Amish people. They’re a unique group of people who kept their way of living unchanged […]

By DS Staff
Amish Paradise