Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will being flying on Friday, January 15, after delaying launch plans due to the pandemic.
The low-cost airline has earmarked the Greek capital of Athens as its inaugural destination and flights are already on sale with low-cost fares from Dh129.
Filled with ancient history, sandy beaches and Mediterranean cuisine, Greece is open for tourism so long as travellers have a negative Covid-19 test result and complete a passenger locator form.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will fly to Athens twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays. Low-cost fares from Abu Dhabi include fees and one carry-on bag, but if you want to take more luggage, you'll have to pay extra.
The airline will also be flying to Greece's second-largest city as its next destination. Flights from Abu Dhabi to Thessaloniki are set to begin just a few weeks after the airline's launch, on Thursday, February 4. Fares to the Greek port city will start from Dh149 for a one-way flight and will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
What can you see, eat and do in Athens?
An ancient city that is considered the birthplace of western civilisation, Athens is fewer than six hours from the UAE by plane.
With something for everyone, Athens also has a near perfect year-round climate. It’s a popular choice for a city break that fuses archaeological sites with contemporary cultural attractions, not to mention some of the world’s best cuisine.
History-laden Athens is home to world-renowned sites such as the Acropolis, the Pantheon and the Temple of Poseidon. Hike up Filopappou Hill for sunset views over the Acropolis then head to Lycabettus Hill for views that reach all the way to the ocean.
Athenians also love art and there are plenty of theatres and musical hubs in the city for those craving culture. Wander around Thissio, with its street art and wall murals, or explore Psiri, a district thriving with galleries, studios, taverns and coffee shops. Athens is also one of the few European capitals to have a coastline. The majority of sun seekers head to the other Greek islands, but there are lots of sandy coves and pebbled shorelines for travellers that want a day at the seaside in the country’s capital.
Why travel to Thessaloniki?
Greece's second largest city is first when it comes to food. In keeping with what the country is known for, the port city offers travellers plenty of historic sites but also has a thriving reputation as one of the country's best places for foodies.
The walkable city spans the coastline of the Thermaic Gulf and has plenty to offer visitors. Wander the salt-weathered streets to see Byzantine churches, Roman ruins and Unesco-listed landmarks. Don't miss the Hagia Sophia, one of Greece's most famous churches.
Known across Greece as the place to go for the biggest variety of cuisines, the city’s gastronomy blends Greek, Slavic, Ottoman and Arabic flavours. For some worthwhile shopping, head to Tsimikis Street which is filled with boutiques and independent stores. Finally, views to remember await at Eptapyrgio Castle. The ancient fortress is perched on a hilltop and offers daytime views as far as the eye can see or night-time vistas peppered with twinkling city lights.
Here are five other destinations Wizz Air Abu Dhabi previously said it plans to fly to:
Larnaca, Cyprus: Best for beaches and Cypriot hospitality
Larnaca is typically used as a jumping-off point for the rest of the country, but stay a while and you’ll discover the city has its own charm. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi previously said it would fly twice per week to the port city in the south of Cyprus.
Larnaca has some fabulous beaches thanks to a 75-kilometre coastline with sandy spots, perfect for family seaside trips, as well as beaches ideal for kitesurfing, windsurfing and jet-skiing.
The city is also conveniently compact, which makes sightseeing fun. Visit Larnaca Castle and stop at the Church of Saint Lazarus – don’t miss the Hala Sultan Tekke, an ancient mosque on the west bank of the Larnaca Salt Lake. In fact, this entire region is a good day trip, and consists of four lakes that are a popular feeding ground for pink flamingos in the winter months. The rest of the year, there are good hiking opportunities and worthwhile views across to Stavrovouni Mountain.
Divers can also find favour in Larnaca with its pleasant year-round sea temperatures and the Zenobia Wreck, one of the best wreck dives in the Mediterranean. Outside the city boundaries, the region of Larnaca is dotted with picturesque villages and stunning countryside views. And everywhere travellers go, they‘ll be met by warm Cypriot hospitality that typically comes with lashings of traditional cuisine inspired by Arabic, Greek and Turkish fare – eating in Cyprus is serious business.
Yerevan, Armenia: Best for adventure and value for money
The pink city, as Yerevan is nicknamed, is Armenia’s intricate capital where al fresco European cafe culture and tree-lined boulevards sit side by side with age-old taverns, Soviet-era architecture and a vintage car scene that rivals Havana.
The landlocked city is just more than four hours from the UAE capital by air, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi previously said it planned to fly there twice a week.
As far as city breaks in Europe go, Yerevan offers some of the best value for money coupled with an impressively efficient metro system that makes sightseeing around town a breeze.
It’s swathed in history with remnants of ancient empires ripe for exploring, but without the crowds many other European cities attract. Visit historical treasures such as Republic Square with its pink-toned buildings that earned the city its moniker, or the Matenadaran – home to the world's largest repository of Armenian manuscripts. The Unesco World Heritage-listed Geghard Monastery is also worth a trip.
Yerevan is a growing contender in Europe’s adventure travel circuit and has plenty to offer those seeking outdoor thrills. From the country’s longest zip-line where visitors can speed through the air at 140 kilometres per hour, to paragliding, mountain biking and hiking. Caving is also on offer at Mozrov Cave, which features 700 metres of underground exploration filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns draperies and rim stone dams.
Alexandria, Egypt: Best for history-steeped exploration
The Mediterranean port city of Alexandria has an extraordinary history that is well worth exploring and flights from Abu Dhabi to Borg El Arab will take four-and-a-half hours when the low-cost airline launches the route.
Founded by Alexander the Great and loved by Queen Cleopatra, the city is home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, once considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The Great Library in Alexandria – previously torched and rebuilt – was considered the source of human knowledge. There are archaeological sites, museums and mosques aplenty, but history aside, there’s lots more to do in Egypt’s cultural capital.
Head to the corniche, a waterfront promenade that stretches along the Mediterranean Sea and truly comes alive in the evening. Visit Mamoura Beach for traditional seaside vibes and a stroll along the cobblestone boardwalk. Scuba divers can explore history beneath the waves with dive sites offering ancient wrecks and ruins from the pharaohs, Romans and Greeks. And a trip to Egypt wouldn't be complete without a shopping stop at the souk. The city's Souq District offers rows upon rows of stalls, shops and stands selling everything imaginable – just don't forget to bargain.
Odessa, Ukraine: Best for coastal Black Sea vibes
Ukraine’s Odessa used to be the cultural centre of Soviet Russia and is now a thriving summertime playground filled with fascinating architecture that looks more Mediterranean than eastern European. The flight time from Abu Dhabi is five and half hours.
Entirely walkable, travellers planning a trip should pack comfortable footwear and head out to visit the Duke monument, Deribasovskaya Street and the Mother-in-Law footbridge, where you can hang your own love padlock. Don’t miss the city’s most famous landmark – the towering concrete Potemkin Steps, which sweep right down to the Black Sea – and sample traditional food, such as the vivid purple Ukrainian Borscht. Culture fans will want to check out Odessa Opera House. This Italian baroque-style theatre is the oldest in the country, the original building dates back to 1803.
When it comes to beaches, there are plenty to choose from. Arcadia is the most famous and located in the nightlife centre of the city. For more laid-back vibes, try Chernomorska Riviera Beach or Cleaton Beach in the Frantsuz’ky boulevard.
Kutaisi, Georgia: Best for canyons, cathedrals and cable cars
Less touristy than Tbilisi or Batumi, Kutaisi in Georgia's west is a charming city that is carving its niche on the international tourist trail. From Abu Dhabi, flights take four-and-a-half hours to the capital of the Imereti region – an area that's famous for its beautiful landscapes and ancient heritage. There's a lovely year-round climate with August to October being the driest months and summertime a good pick for balmy outdoor evenings.
History buffs will love Kutaisi, with its wealth of places to discover. Start at the centuries-old Bagrati Cathedral, perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. On the outskirts of the city, Gelati Monastery is also worth checking out. The building was built between the 12th and 13th centuries after it was ordered by King David, Georgia’s most powerful royal. Back in the city, get a bird’s-eye view of the glistening Rioni river at sundown as you travel by Soviet era-style cable car to the retro-steeped amusement park. The park is nothing special, but the ride up and back is definitely worthwhile.
One of the city's biggest tourist attractions is the Prometheus cave. Located 40 metres below sea level, the 1.8-kilometre cave is a place to go underground boating and visit the "hall of love" – a cavern that's also used as a local wedding venue. Canyoning trips to Martvili with its waterfalls and Okatse with its skywalks are must-dos for adventure seekers.
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
More coverage from the Future Forum
WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
