Latest Posts
Middle East 12 best sites to visit in Muscat, Oman
Asia Get ready for Osaka Expo’2025: 15 best sights to see
Middle East 14 sights to visit Abu Dhabi
England Christmas in London’2024: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Europe 
Europe Vilnius, Lithuania: Christmas edition
Follow Me on Instagram
While we’re back to Qatar for five days already, let me share more of Oman with you: save the top activities there to see apart from Muscat and check my FREE guide to Muscat via the link in bio! #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
One of my recent major disappointments 🥲 go to the Etihad museum instead of the Museum of Future for some meaningful content and beautiful architecture!
The futuristic and impressive building of the Museum of Future is one of the mist recognisable symbols of Dubai.
I must say straight away that it was a massive disappointment. The building looks fantastic, the concept sounds great, but in reality it’s empty. Although the museum is presented as a breakthrough science inspired landmark, its contents in reality are too far behind its appearance and part of the experience is just being guided from room to room in a large group.
I’d expect some expensive graphics inside, some cool scientific immersive attractions, some expansive educational insights, but there’s none of that. It’s only good for pictures and social media content (and if you have small kids, they might enjoy the glittering lights but you might be better off going to the ARTE museum for that instead, at least it delivers exactly what it promised). The staff there are very friendly and helpful though. I’d suggest you just observe the building from the outside, maybe pop inside to the shop and to its elevators but not to waste your time and money to see the exhibition.
The experience you got: First you go on a guided tour with staff members - both digital and real ones - to the space to see what will be going on with humanity in 2071.
Next you proceed to some interactive space which looks like an expensive spa. Finally, you’re back to “our” time and can see a few examples of robotics and modern engineering. This hall leads to the open air deck overlooking the motorways and downtown skyline. Finally, there’s some area for kids but if your child is less than 4yo he’ll be placed in a very sad small area with soft bricks.
If you still would love to visit, bear in mind that the tickets tend to get sold out so plan your visit well in advance. Alternatively, you can get a pioneer ticket: it’s more expensive but it allows you to enter at any time of a chosen day, skip queues and get some discount (50 AED) at the museum shop.
Save the info about #expo2025 in Japan:
🔹it takes place in Osaka, one of the most famous cities of Kansai region, on an artificial island Yumeshima
🔹other cities in Kansai you want to see are Kyoto, Nara and Kobe
🔹Expo opens on April 13 and closes October 13 which makes it 184 days in total
🔹it’s the third time Osaka hosts Expo! Previous events took place in 1970 and 1990.
🔹the main theme of expo is ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives‘
🔹the mascot of this Expo is called Myaku-Myaku, and it has a liquid form of red particles assembled together
Check my website for the link to JR passes for traveling around Japan #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
The most unique food experience in Osaka!🦀🦀🦀😱
📍Crab kaiseki dinner at the iconic Kani Doraku restaurant – the one with a mechanical crab on their facade (We returned there on a few occasions, and this venue never disappoints!)
There is a choice out of a few set menus, from a short ones to a proper feasts with numerous dishes and desserts! It is always definitely a meal to remember: different types of snow crab were served in a series of dishes highlighting the unique taste and texture of this type of meat: raw meat, grilled meat, tempura, soup and so on!
You can also choose between a traditional room with Japanese seating and a table which usually are easier for the Westerners.
#purpurpurpur_eatinghabits_asia
Ooopsie 🤣 which dessert is your favorite? #purpurpurpur_eatinghabits_asia
Osaka for the first comers: save your guide! And check the latest photo for the cutie 🥰
Osaka it has a very long history, and it’s one of the old capitals of Japan that was known under the name of Naniwa. It’s a fabulous place to explore whether you’re visiting for #EXPO2025 or not!
1. Osaka castle and park
2. Dotonbori Honten
3. Ebisu Bashi Suji Shopping Street
4. Glico running man Sign
5. Namba Yasaka Shrine
6. Shinsaibashi Suji shopping street
7. Umeda Sky building
8. Kani Doraku Snow crab experience (I’ll post about it later!)
9. Namba Shrine (not to be mistaken with Namba Yasaka shrine)
10. Universal studio Park
11. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
12. Tempozan Ferris Wheel
13. Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store and Pokémon cafe
14. Amerikamura, or American Village
15. Osaka station city
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
Are you planning to visit #expo2025 in Osaka? Then save this hotel and check my guide to Osaka for beginners (I’ve been there three times and collected all the best spots for you!)
Where to stay in Osaka?
Previously I talked about our fantastic stay at the Conrad hotel, and during our last time in Osaka we spent a week in the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, and we were not disappointed!
The Ritz-Carlton Osaka is a luxurious destination with a vibe of old lavish European hotels. Our room was spacious and stylish, with a large bathroom (and you got three different bath salts every evening to choose from!) and nice welcome gifts.
Breakfasts including both traditional Japanese breakfast selection and Western options, were superb, and frequently accompanied by live piano music.
There are also a few restaurants and cafes in the hotel, and if you plan to move around Japan a lot, this hotel is perfectly placed just a short underground walk away from the Osaka station.
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_hotels
@ritzcarlton.osaka
📍Heritage village
The Heritage village located on Marina Mall Island is a spot where you can learn about everyday life and arts and crafts of Emirati people of the past.
It’s pretty small: there is a small market, a museum in a fort-like building, a Bedouin like camp with animals (there were a camel, a horse and a few gazelles), a mosque and a few rooms showcasing homemade goods. It’s a nice place to spend 30-60 min especially if you’re not familiar with pre-modern history of the country and don’t know about their craftsmanship.
And it’s fun for kids too! George had his first independent camel ride and a horse ride there on a mare called Olga!
The entry is free, you only have to register at the entrance.
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
📍SeaWorld Abu Dhabi #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a fresh out the water theme park and animal centre opened in 2023. It’s absolutely massive (to the point that sometimes it feels a bit empty because of the long hallways) and has 8 zones all dedicated to various animal habitats and activities.
When you enter, first you see Abu Dhabi Ocean where kids can interact with some stingrays and sharks. Also for an additional fee you can ‘catch’ an oyster with pre implanted pearl – reminded me of China! After that, you continue to the One Ocean, a central zone connecting all others located radially, with 360 degrees screen. MicroOcean has only rides but if your kid is below 95 cm only a limited number of rides would be available for him/her while the majority are suitable for over 120 cm tall children.
The Endless Ocean section reminded us of the lost Atlantis! This part has some spectacular attractions such an escalator coming through the tank and the Ocean vista (itinerary there is not very clear especially if you’re exploring with a stroller so get ready to get a bit lost). And you can also have a food break there with a view.
The Antarctica section is all about penguins, right in front of you! Get some warm clothes with you if you’d like to stay longer there because it’s freezing! The Arctic section is about walruses, otters, puffins, arctic foxes. In the Rocky Point you’ll find yourself in California and will watch the sea lions and the harbour seals.
And finally, the Tropical Ocean features flamingoes and dolphins. We got completely splashed over but other people came here already prepared, well done! I presume it’s not their first time attending this show and they’ve been here before.
It positions itself as an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, and I hope it’s truly so and animals feel good there. I’m just not so sure about the animal shows, limited amount of vegetation in some tanks and areas where you can touch animals.
Don’t miss this palace in Abu Dhabi (and its golden restrooms😱):
Qasr Al Watan is the most amazing landmark of Abu Dhabi, and I don’t know why it’s less popular than the Louvre and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. And yes, it’s super visitor friendly!
So, what is it?
Qasr Al Watan, or the Presidential palace, is a breathtaking building with intricate decorative elements and huge chandeliers!✨✨✨
It’s a working administrative office of the President. It was completed in 2017 and opened to the public in 2019.
Inside, you can explore the grand hall, a small museum called the House of knowledge, presidential gifts, the Qasr Al Watan Library and a few halls for the official meetings.
At the end of your tour there’s a shop and a cafe with a perfect view over Etihad towers. Come to the palace in the evening to enjoy the evening light or see the guard horses here!
#purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
Throwback to our visit to Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾❤️
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi?
Our Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers was located right inside the main skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi: Etihad towers! We had a spacious room – and the views were fantastic both by day and by night!
There is a pool and an observation deck open to all the visitors (@observationdeckat300), a small shopping mall called the Avenues and a few restaurants, including José by Pizarro, a modern Spanish restaurant with good cuisine and live music.
The observation deck at 300 is free for all hotel guests, however you can buy tickets to visit it if you don’t stay here. It’s located at the 74th floor of our hotel which is 300 metres high (hence the name), at the tallest point of Abu Dhabi, in one of the Etihad Towers. The views from here are spectacular, come and enjoy the city’s skyline and have a coffee in a cafe!
📍 @conradetihadtowers #purpurpurpur_hotels
3 exhibitions in London
you must visit right now
1.Looks Delicious! Japan House
till 16.02.2025
@japanhouseldn
Learn about the shokunin sanpuru, or realistic food replicas displayed in Japanese restaurants and cafes.
2.The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, V&A Museum
till 05.05.2025
@vamuseum
A great insight into political and cultural life of the Great Mughal empire including a story behind its most famous architectural heritage site: Taj Mahal.
3.Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, National Gallery
till 19.01.2025 @nationalgallery
While it’s not too late, come to see around 60 amazing art pieces arranged together in a rare exhibition about Van Gogh’s inspirations!
Top sights to visit Abu Dhabi - save for your future trip!👇🏻
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
2. Louvre Abu Dhabi
3. Qasr Al Watan
4.Observation deck at 300
5.Heritage village
6.Qasr al-Hosn and Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
7.Emirates palace
8. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
9. Jubail Mangrove Park
10. Abrahamic family house
11. Al Ittihad Square Heritage Park
12. Souk central market
13.Founder’s Memorial
14.Shopping: Yas Mall plus Ferrari World, The Galleria at Al Maryah Island, Marina mall
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎
This is such a gem - I don’t know why no one talks about it!😱😱😱
The Abrahamic Family House is an enclosed square where a church, mosque and a synagogue – all in operation – function within a few metres from each other and are connected by a Forum, a building with a cafe, a shop and a garden in the top.
The architectural style of all buildings is the same, but they have their own special features: church has straight lines in the exterior and interior, synagogue has a zigzag and the mosque has waves.
The centre opened in 2023, and to visit it you have to book a free ticket in advance. Cafe there is very good – and I swear I had the best saffron dessert there in my life! The security service is pretty strict there – for instance, I was told that I cannot use my camera inside the premises.
Follow @purpurpurpur for more travel inspiration and find more itineraries and hotel reviews at Purpurpurpur.co.uk, link in bio #purpurpurpur_guides🔎🌎
