Talise Spa at Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Burj Al Arab
Talise Spa at Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Burj Al Arab
Talise Spa at Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Burj Al Arab
Talise Spa at Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Burj Al Arab

Five things to do today: get a special spa package at Talise Spa in the Burj Al Arab and try Moroccan dishes at Four Points by Sheraton’s Dinner for Two

Our daily round-up of things to do. get a special spa package at Talise Spa in the Burj Al Arab; try Moroccan dishes at Four Points by Sheraton's Dinner for Two offer; book your spot to audition for Resuscitation Theatre's new production; learn to oil paint; and take the kids to the Legoland Workshop.

Ellen Fortini

August 12, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

TREAT yourself to a special package at The Talise Spa, including a classical Swedish massage or the traditional Burj Al Arab Arabic Journey and enjoy complimentary use of the spa's steam room, sauna, plunge pool and swimming pool on the day of your treatment as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises Spa Packages promotion. From 9.15am to 9pm, from Dh695 for the Swedish massage, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, 04 301 7365, BAATalise@jumeirah.com

SIT down for your favourite Moroccan dishes at the Dinner for Two promotion all this month. Choose from hearty chicken or kofta tagine served with hot and cold mezze, soup, vegetable couscous and an Arabian sweet. From 6pm to 11.30pm, mezzanine floor, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 316 9726, www.fourpointssheikhzayedroad.com

BOOK your spot to try out for a role in Resuscitation Theatre's autumn programme to be performed in November. All are welcome, including those with no prior acting experience. September 6 and 7, from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday; 7pm to 10pm on Sunday, Emirates Writers Union, The National Theatre, off 15th street between 2nd and 4th streets, Abu Dhabi, resuscitationtheatre@gmail.com

LEARN to oil paint with palette knives tomorrow. This workshop by the artist B'lu is an introduction to the technique as well as a study on art. Tomorrow, from 6pm to 8pm, Dh400 with all materials included, ages 8+, families of three or more people will receive a discount, The Space, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, register at farah@brownbook.me

TAKE the kids to the Legoland Workshop, which features themed games and activities for families to enjoy. There is a Duplo play pit for children under the age of 5, too. From 2pm to 10pm, Souk Dome, Ground Floor, The Dubai Mall, www.thedubaimall.com, 800 38224 6255

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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

Burj Al Arab