Car enthusiasts can take advantage of the Waldorf Astoria Driving Experiences around the world in the next few months. Guests will receive a 30-minute session each day, led by Lamborghini's professional driving instructors, the opportunity to drive customised routes through each city and a virtual-reality experience using Gear VR Oculus goggles. The next event will take place during the US Open tennis tournament from September 8 to 11 at Waldorf Astoria New York; during the Paris Motor Show from October 7 to 9 at Trianon Palace Versailles; during Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida from November 3 to 7 at Boca Raton Resort & Club; during Dubai Motor Festival from November 10 to 19 at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah; and from November 20 to 22 at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. The driving experiences are free for guests at each hotel during the allocated dates. Rooms cost from Dh1,500 per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.waldorfastoria.com
A lakeside retreat with added vroom
For a Lake Como break with a suitably smart sports car, book the Gusto Italiano package at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Guests will receive buffet breakfast, a welcome gift and a day's use of an Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider. The package costs from €825 (Dh3,326) per night, including taxes, based on a minimum stay of two nights. For more information, visit www.grandhoteltremezzo.com
Holidaymakers can’t disconnect abroad
UAE residents will spend up to 26 hours a week on their smartphones while travelling this summer, according to a recent study by Huawei Honor. A third of them will spend more than an hour a day taking pictures on their phones, with more than a third spending between 20 and 40 minutes a day checking and posting to social media. The study highlighted the contrasting smartphone behaviour of Saudi holidaymakers abroad. Saudis mostly use their phones for gaming and calls, although taking photos is still the top use.
Weekend escape in Sri Lanka
Get a room with a view with Travel Counsellors' Weekend Mountain Retreat in Sri Lanka. The three-night stay begins with two nights at Rosyth Estate House in the town of Kegalle, 40 kilometres from Kandy and about 80km from Colombo. Guests can enjoy a massage at the spa pavilion, take part in a daily yoga session and participate in a traditional cookery class. The hotel also offers a host of outdoor activities, including walking and biking trails, tea factory and local temple tours, and excursions to Kandy. The final evening will be spent at Jetwing Sea, a seaside hotel located on the coastline of Negombo. The trip departs on September 15 and costs start from Dh3,549 per person, including half-board accommodation (based on a two-person stay), returns flights with FlyDubai, chauffeured transport throughout and taxes. For more information visit www.travelcounsellors.ae
