Why Chamonix?
The ghosts of climbers past haunt a historical town at the base of Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain. The domed summit is frequently hidden under a cloud cap, but the revelation of tangled razor peaks and glittering ice is all the more imposing for the delay. Despite its rugged aspect, the Chamonix Valley has slopes for all levels of skiers and boarders. Le Tour, at the head of the valley, is as mellow as any beginner could want, while Les Houches, at the bottom, is prime intermediate territory with trees to provide visibility in bad weather. In between, Argentiere is the expert choice while Chamonix itself is the gateway to the Vallée Blanche, Europe's most compelling introduction to glacier adventure.
A comfortable bed
With no shortage of choice in an area that embraced tourism in the 19th century, deciding where to stay is a question of personal priorities. The Hotel le Hameau Albert 1er (www.hameaualbert.fr; 0033 450 530509), part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio, has 36 individually designed rooms. The Bachal Spa is state of the art and Chef Pierre Maillet's food in the Albert Ier restaurant is the best in the valley, a verdict confirmed by two Michelin stars. Doubles are €195-545 (Dh 934-2611), lunch €38-68 (Dh182-326), dinner €80-139.50 (Dh383-670). At the other end of the spectrum, generations of hard core skiers have embraced La Couronne (www.hotelcouronee.com, 0033 450 540002), a back to basics billet that can be found on Argentiere's main street. Doubles €56-101 (Dh268-484).
For downtown buzz, check into the sophisticated Grand Hotel des Alpes (www.grandhoteldesalpes.com, 0033 450 553 780), a boutique with 27 rooms and three suites in the heart of Chamonix's lively pedestrian zone. The public rooms are seductively Italian, with the deep sofas in luxurious salons overlooking the River Arve. The complimentary après ski buffet is a meal in itself. Doubles €215-600 (Dh1,030-2,875).
In addition to the Chamonix valley, the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass (www.chamonix.com; 0033 450 532 275) includes the neighbouring resorts of Courmayeur in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland. With 400km of groomed pistes and 100 lifts on a single ticket, there's no excuse for not skiing or boarding until you drop.
Six days €266 (Dh1,275), family (two adults and one child between four and 15) €758 (Dh3,632), concessions (4-15 and 65+) €226 (Dh1,083).
Meet the locals
Pascal Payot is a goat farmer, with three billies and 60 breeding females on his farm in Les Houches. Saanen goats, originally from the Swiss valley of the same name, are the largest in the dairy business. In summer, they enjoy alpine pastures rehabilitated by Pascal after decades of neglect but in winter and spring, they're in residence to receive their fans. Nicknamed "living marshmallows" for their size and gentle disposition, they love to show off their kids, especially to children on petting missions. Farm visits Monday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday at 3.30; €7 (Dh34) with tea and tastings (www.lafermeapayot.com; 0033 687 417157).
Book a table
Mickey Bourdillat, previously chef at the Albert 1er, has already won his first Michelin star at Le Bistrot in the Morgane Hotel in Chamonix Sud (www.morgane-hotel-chamonix.com, 0033 450 535 764). His talent for inventive blending underpins subtly mixed French and Italian flavours and his two-course lunch is Cham's number one bargain €17 (Dh81) (three courses menu €42 [Dh201], five courses menu €68 [Dh326], lobster menu €80 [Dh383], filet of duck des Dombes or seared tuna €19 [Dh91]).
Bourdillat is also involved in Cafe de l'Avre (www.cafe-arve.com , 0033 450 535 857), a newcomer but already well established on the gastro trail. It uses produce sourced from the Mont Blanc region. Minimalist furnishings and a prime location on the river bank provide an impressive showcase for dishes devised by Bourdillat's partner, Julien Binet, formerly of Ducasse in Paris (cafe menu, three courses, €24 [Dh115], with cheese €29 [Dh139], Discovery menu, five courses, €40 [Dh192]).
Anyone in need of a break from rich French cuisine should head for Satsuki (www.satsuki.eu; 0033 40 532 199), an unpretentious Japanese cafe serving fresh sushi and sashimi with no frills attached. Sushi plates from €16 (Dh77).
Shopper's paradise
Established as a family butcher by Andre Minie in 1959, Les Saveurs des Alpes (www.saveurdesalpes.com, 0033 450 531 327) has expanded into a showcase for all things succulently Savoyarde. Think delicatessen as well as meat, but you'll have to get past the Aladdin's cave of the window display first. Around the corner on rue Joseph Vallot, spotlights illuminate enticing towers of macaroons in vibrant pinks, greens and yellows in Cafe Macarons. Buy them to take home or eat them over a coffee in the salon. Chocolates and cakes made on site are also available if you have a sweet tooth.
What to avoid
Although the Chamonix bus is included on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, the service is slow and extremely crowded at peak times. With the exception of Chamonix itself, parking is easy so hiring a car is recommended.
Don't miss
Even if you're not buying furniture or artwork, Artisanat les Racine provides the pleasure of watching a true craftsman at work. Florent Dunand makes bespoke pieces inspired by nature in wood and metal in his workshop in Les Houches (www.lesracines.com, 0033 608 990 989).
Go there
Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com) daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Geneva, from Dh3,410 return including taxes.
Confirmed bouts (more to be added)
Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez
Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
RECORD BREAKER
Youngest debutant for Barcelona: 15 years and 290 days v Real Betis
Youngest La Liga starter in the 21st century: 16 years and 38 days v Cadiz
Youngest player to register an assist in La Liga in the 21st century: 16 years and 45 days v Villarreal
Youngest debutant for Spain: 16 years and 57 days v Georgia
Youngest goalscorer for Spain: 16 years and 57 days
Youngest player to score in a Euro qualifier: 16 years and 57 days
GOODBYE JULIA
Director: Mohamed Kordofani
Starring: Siran Riak, Eiman Yousif, Nazar Goma
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
A QUIET PLACE
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
Tips for travelling while needing dialysis
- Inform your doctor about your plans.
- Ask about your treatment so you know how it works.
- Pay attention to your health if you travel to a hot destination.
- Plan your trip well.
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
More on animal trafficking
Director: Nag Ashwin
Starring: Prabhas, Saswata Chatterjee, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Shobhana
Rating: ★★★★
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
Women’s Asia Cup
UAE fixtures
Sun Oct 2, v Sri Lanka
Tue Oct 4, v India
Wed Oct 5, v Malaysia
Fri Oct 7, v Thailand
Sun Oct 9, v Pakistan
Tue Oct 11, v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Esha Oza, Kavisha Kumari, Khushi Sharma, Theertha Satish, Lavanya Keny, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Natasha Cherriath, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rishitha Rajith, Vaishnave Mahesh, Siya Gokhale, Samaira Dharnidharka, Mahika Gaur
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5