Málaga: Timeless Charm Beneath the Andalusian Sun

Shereen Shabnam One year for summer, I escaped with my family to our home in Spain and during a road trip, rediscovered the allure of Málaga, a city where Moorish fortresses crown golden hills and Picasso’s legacy hums through sunlit galleries. Whether you are drawn to centuries of history or the slow rhythm of Mediterranean life, Málaga feels like a place designed to be savored. At the heart of the old town, the Alcazaba de Málaga stands as a testament to the city’s Moorish past. Built in the 9th century and expanded in the 11th, this formidable hilltop citadel offers sweeping views … Continue reading Málaga: Timeless Charm Beneath the Andalusian Sun

Driving Growth with Purpose

Škoda Middle East’s Managing Director, Lukas Honzak on Innovation, Heritage, and a Bold Regional Vision Shereen Shabnam With a legacy spanning over 130 years, Škoda Auto has evolved from bicycle manufacturing to becoming one of Europe’s top-selling car brands and now, it is accelerating its momentum across the Middle East.  At the helm of this regional transformation is Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East, who is steering the brand’s expansion with a unique blend of innovation, heritage, and customer-first thinking. As the only region to register significant growth in 2024, the Middle East is a key market for … Continue reading Driving Growth with Purpose

Chongqing: China’s Mountain Metropolis Rising Above the Clouds

Shereen Shabnam Rising from the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, Chongqing is a city like no other. It is a sprawling, vertiginous metropolis where tradition and modernity coexist in a constant dance. Known as China’s “Mountain City,” Chongqing captivates visitors with its dramatic skyline, mist-shrouded hills, and an energy that pulses through every neon-lit street and teahouse-lined alley. For centuries, Chongqing has been a gateway to the country’s vast western hinterlands, but in recent years, it has emerged as one of China’s most exciting urban destinations. Towering skyscrapers and ambitious infrastructure projects share space with centuries-old temples and … Continue reading Chongqing: China’s Mountain Metropolis Rising Above the Clouds

Savouring the Brew

Celebrating Jamaica’s Coffee Culture at the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Shereen Shabnam In the heart of Jamaica’s majestic Blue Mountains, the annual Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival not only celebrates the island’s globally acclaimed coffee, but also embodies the rich tapestry of Jamaican culture. This year, the festival at Hope transformed into a festival ground, buzzing with over 70 vendors and live reggae performances. Coffee was introduced to Jamaica in 1728, and since then, it has become a cornerstone of the local economy. The cultivation of coffee in the Blue Mountains is labor-intensive and requires precise climatic conditions, making these … Continue reading Savouring the Brew