Beat the heat with a spa desert escape
For anybody thinking of heading to the desert and leaving the city's stress behind before the weather becomes unbearably hot, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is offering a new "Spa Essence" package. It includes an overnight stay in a deluxe garden room, breakfast and a 150-minute spa date for each person. The package costs from Dh3,712 per night, per couple. For more information, visit www.qasralsarab.anantara.com.
Cook up a storm next to Dubai Creek
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers is giving guests a chance to sharpen their culinary skills in a series of masterclasses with some of the Emirates' leading chefs. Whether you want to become a chocolatier or a sushi master, the hotel has lessons to fit. Classes cost from Dh350 for a three-hour session; hotel stays cost from Dh660 per night for two people. For more information, visit www.sheraton.ae.
An on pointe St Petersburg stopover
High-culture-loving travellers can get a taste of Russia's artistic side this season with a stay at the Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg. Guests can enjoy a three-night stay at the hotel in an executive suite, daily buffet breakfast, tickets to the ballet or opera and dinner at the Russian Tsar restaurant. The hotel is centrally located in Russia's second-largest city, with easy access to major cultural and artistic attractions. The package costs from Dh4,189 per person. For more information, visit www.corinthia.com/hotels/stpetersburg.
Go Gold on a Down Under package deal
The Gold Coast is putting out the welcome mat for an Australian escape in Queensland, in conjunction with Dnata and Qantas. The package features a seven-night stay at your choice of four hotels (Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise, Towers of Chevron Renaissance, Australis Sovereign Hotel and Outriggers Surfers Paradise), return economy flights from Dubai to Coolangatta, airport transfers and daily breakfast. Packages cost from Dh7,150 per person, valid for stays from July 1 to September 30. For more information, visit www.dnatatravel.com.
A safari celebration in Botswana
The Belmond Botswana has a special two-for-one deal next month as part of the 21st-anniversary celebrations of its safari camps. The offer includes stays at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta and Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge in Savute. A four-night stay (two nights at each camp), all meals, guided safari activities, park fees and light-aircraft transfers cost from Dh13,845 per person. For more information, visit www.lightfoottravel.com.
mhealy@thenational.ae
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
