GCC guests at the Corinthia Hotel Prague will be treated to a special Valentine's Day package. It includes a superior room with free upgrade to deluxe queen room with city view, full buffet breakfast, 4pm checkout, rose petals in the room, as well as strawberries, refreshments and chocolate pralines on arrival, unlimited access to the Apollo Day Spa (facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam rooms and relaxation areas) and early check-in (if available). Prices start from €108 (Dh468) per room, per night, for a minimum of two nights, including taxes. For more information, visit www.corinthia.com.
Cairo welcomes a new Holiday Inn
Travellers headed to Cairo can now stay at the newly opened Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi. Located on the Maadi Corniche, in the city's embassy district, the hotel boasts 175 rooms with private balcony views of the Pyramids of Giza and the Nile. Guests have access to a pool, gym and an array of restaurants and lounges, including the Pool Lounge, which overlooks the Nile. The hotel also offers Holiday Inn's "Kids Stay and Eat Free" programme. Prices start from US$200 (Dh735) per room, per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.ihg.com.
Keep things little with a trip to Sicily
Those who prefer travelling in smaller groups will be happy to know that Abercrombie & Kent is now offering a new Luxury Small Group Journey. Sicily: From the Mountains to the Sea package is a nine-night experience that starts in Palermo, then stops off in Segesta, Erice, Marsala, Catania and more. Departing on April 27, May 18, June 1, September 14 and October 5, the package includes accommodation, some meals and transportation. Prices start from Dh27,500 per person, based on twin-room sharing, including taxes, but not including flights. For more information, visit www.abercrombiekent.ae.
Valentine’s without leaving the country
Stay local and enjoy Tilal Liwa Hotel's Valentine's Weekend Special package. Guests will receive a one-night stay in a double room, with a welcome drink on arrival, strawberries dipped in chocolate sauce, refreshments, a romantic candlelight five-course dinner with two drinks per person, an aromatic bubble bath and rose petals in the room, breakfast delivered to the room, a heart-shaped cake and gift hamper, and a 10-minute camel ride per couple. Available for stays between February 12 and 15, prices start from Dh1,160 per room, per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.danathotels.com.
alane@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
UAE FIXTURES
October 18 – 7.30pm, UAE v Oman, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 19 – 7.30pm, UAE v Ireland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 21 – 2.10pm, UAE v Hong Kong, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 22 – 2.10pm, UAE v Jersey, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 24 – 10am, UAE v Nigeria, Abu Dhabi Cricket Oval 1
October 27 – 7.30pm, UAE v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 29 – 2.10pm, Playoff 1 – A2 v B3; 7.30pm, Playoff 2 – A3 v B2, at Dubai International Stadium.
October 30 – 2.10pm, Playoff 3 – A4 v Loser of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Playoff 4 – B4 v Loser of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 1 – 2.10pm, Semifinal 1 – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Semifinal 2 – A1 v Winner of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 2 – 2.10pm, Third place Playoff – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Final, at Dubai International Stadium
