Travel Guides

15 Best Things to do in Dubai - Summer 2025
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Luxury, City Breaks, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Luxury, City Breaks, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman

15 Best Things to do in Dubai - Summer 2025

Dubai doesn’t slow down for summer — it simply moves indoors, underwater, and after dark. While the temperatures soar, so do the experiences, from world-class spas and immersive museums to rooftop pools and desert safaris designed with the heat in mind. Whether you're chasing thrills, culture, or just somewhere beautifully air-conditioned, here are 15 of the best things to do in Dubai this summer.

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50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Musandam, Oman

50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Musandam, Oman

If you’re based in the UAE, Oman - or heading this way on your travels, you must visit Musandam. Ever since I got my PADI license, people told me, ‘You have to scuba dive in Oman.’ They weren’t wrong, as I was completely blown away. From the marine life, rugged mountains, calm waters and close proximity to Dubai, Musandam is no doubt the best dive spot in the region.

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A Guide to Visiting Glencoe, Scotland

A Guide to Visiting Glencoe, Scotland

Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. With towering mountains, calm lochs, clean air, cascading waterfalls and scenic routes that take your breath away at every angle. Glencoe is just a 30-minute drive away from Ben Nevis and the town of Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands.

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15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Monument Valley

15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Monument Valley

When I look back on all the places I’ve been to, Monument Valley always ends up being in my top 5 most memorable. When I first saw photos of this magical place, many years ago, I knew I had to visit. I’m a sucker for grand, natural landscapes, especially those in the raw desert.

For me, Monument Valley ticks all the boxes.

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A Guide to Punting in Cambridge, UK
City Breaks, England, Europe, United Kingdom, Cambridge, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman City Breaks, England, Europe, United Kingdom, Cambridge, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman

A Guide to Punting in Cambridge, UK

Never heard of punting? Well, stop right there, and let me give you all the information you need for this wonderful experience! Punting in Cambridge has to be one of my all-time favourite things to do in England. Venice vibes… but a bit colder.

Cambridge is a city in the East of England, only 50 miles north of London. The city is famously known for it’s university, gorgeous architecture, and of course punting along the River Cam.

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Paradise Islands of Japan: Okinawa, Ishigaki & Miyakojima
Asia, Japan, Full Guide, Adventure, Solo Travel, Backpacking Sophie Alexander-Osman Asia, Japan, Full Guide, Adventure, Solo Travel, Backpacking Sophie Alexander-Osman

Paradise Islands of Japan: Okinawa, Ishigaki & Miyakojima

Japan has way more to offer than just bustling cities, culture and incredible food. The country is made up of over 6,000 islands and is surrounded by some of the clearest water in the world. Whilst travelling and working on a cruise ship in 2017, one of our main routes was sailing to three islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan's mainland. Okinawa, Miyakojima and Ishigaki are all in the Okinawa Prefecture.

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A Guide to Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

A Guide to Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

On everyone’s bucket list - right? I studied Ancient Egypt in primary school and remember being completely obsessed with the subject. Pharaohs, Pyramids, Hieroglyphics, all of it. I was intrigued that artefacts and mummies are constantly being discovered and the Pyramids are still standing after 4,500 years.

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A Guide to Visiting Iceland in a Camper Van
Backpacking, Europe, Iceland, Full Guide, Solo Travel, Budget, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman Backpacking, Europe, Iceland, Full Guide, Solo Travel, Budget, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

A Guide to Visiting Iceland in a Camper Van

Iceland is a country that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. It’s not every day you’re surrounded by raw, natural beauty and dramatic, un-touched landscapes, that Iceland has. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll need multiple trips to cover the whole country.

Let me paint the perfect picture of our trip.

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A Guide to Visiting Seychelles
Africa, Seychelles, Full Guide, Budget, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman Africa, Seychelles, Full Guide, Budget, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman

A Guide to Visiting Seychelles

Seychelles is famous for its beautiful beaches, iconic boulders, scuba diving spots, mountainous hikes, and plus the native Seychellois people are incredible cooks! The country is made up of 115 islands, located off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Just think of The Maldives - but way more fun!

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12 Best Places to Visit in Iceland
Backpacking, Europe, Iceland, Solo Travel, Budget, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman Backpacking, Europe, Iceland, Solo Travel, Budget, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

12 Best Places to Visit in Iceland

After what feels like a lifetime of wanting to travel to Iceland… I finally did it! And it was everything I could have imagined, AND MORE. Seriously though, there is no other place like it on the planet. Truly one of a kind. Waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, black sand beaches, volcanoes and of course cute Icelandic ponies. They don’t call it ‘the land of fire and ice’ for nothing.

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Scuba Diving with Mirage Divers in Dahab, Egypt
Africa, Egypt, Red Sea, Adventure, Wonders Of The World Sophie Alexander-Osman Africa, Egypt, Red Sea, Adventure, Wonders Of The World Sophie Alexander-Osman

Scuba Diving with Mirage Divers in Dahab, Egypt

I never thought in a million years I would ever scuba dive, let alone think my first experience would be in Egypt. We dived with Mirage Divers in Dahab, which are known for being one of the best diving companies in the country. Dahab is a small, laid-back, beach town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula and only an hours drive from Sharm el-Sheikh. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days and to ‘get happy’.

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10 Things I Didn’t Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

10 Things I Didn’t Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of those trips which you can’t explain to anybody. Your own individual experience and journey will not be the same as anyone else’s. The feelings, emotions and the physical and mental torture that you have to put yourself through to get to the summit, will change the perspective of your entire life.

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How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Adventure Sophie Alexander-Osman

How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification

There are many reasons why I call myself a water baby. I learned to swim at age 4 and stayed with the same company until I was swimming competitively for them at aged 16. I then became a lifeguard where I actively worked in the position for 9 years, including countless jobs that took me all over the world, from Japan, China and the USA. In 2014 I then qualified to be a swim coach which is the main reason why I’m now based in the United Arab Emirates.

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A Packing Guide for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

A Packing Guide for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

A packing guide that will save your life - quite literally.

After six months of planning, researching, training and spending all my mula on equipment and hiking gear, I felt ready to take on the roof of Africa. I remember my mum dragging me around all the typical sports and outdoor shops. ‘Soph, you’ll need a warm jacket, walking boots, gloves, backpack…’ - the list felt endless. To be fair, I was taking on my first, solo hiking challenge and I had to be ready.

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Kayaking Day Trip to The World Islands, Dubai
Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Adventure, Luxury Sophie Alexander-Osman Dubai, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Adventure, Luxury Sophie Alexander-Osman

Kayaking Day Trip to The World Islands, Dubai

Ever heard of The World Islands? I hadn’t either until moving to Dubai. The World Islands is an archipelago of small artificial islands in the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is famous for its man-made islands and land reclamation. The most famous examples of this are the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, which are land extensions of the city connected to the mainland. This is where The World Islands are different. They’re located 4km off the coast of Dubai and the only way to get to them is by boat, helicopter or jet ski if you wish.

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