• 10. The spirit of Marrakesh is obvious in this traditionally charming riad in Morocco, with beds for up to eight people. All pictures courtesy Airbnb
    10. The spirit of Marrakesh is obvious in this traditionally charming riad in Morocco, with beds for up to eight people. All pictures courtesy Airbnb
  • 9. Ocean vistas and an architecturally unique cave home in Greece's Santorini. The house used to be the area's old bakery.
    9. Ocean vistas and an architecturally unique cave home in Greece's Santorini. The house used to be the area's old bakery.
  • 8. A remote apartment surrounded by nature in Vaðlaheiði near Akureyri, the capital of north Iceland.
    8. A remote apartment surrounded by nature in Vaðlaheiði near Akureyri, the capital of north Iceland.
  • 7. A private pool house with spa access in central Los Angeles also comes with breathtaking views.
    7. A private pool house with spa access in central Los Angeles also comes with breathtaking views.
  • 6. This Balian treehouse is only a 3 minute walk away from the beach and comes with gorgeous gardens and its own private pool.
    6. This Balian treehouse is only a 3 minute walk away from the beach and comes with gorgeous gardens and its own private pool.
  • 5. A cosy underground earth house in Orondo, Washington, United States.
    5. A cosy underground earth house in Orondo, Washington, United States.
  • 4. This Airbnb bamboo hideout is a unique eco-stay hidden in the mountains near the Gunung Agung volcano in Bali, Indonesia.
    4. This Airbnb bamboo hideout is a unique eco-stay hidden in the mountains near the Gunung Agung volcano in Bali, Indonesia.
  • 3. Elegant on the inside, and unique on the outside, this Santorini cave house with an outdoor plunge pool is one of Airbnb's most wishlisted.
    3. Elegant on the inside, and unique on the outside, this Santorini cave house with an outdoor plunge pool is one of Airbnb's most wishlisted.
  • 2. This boulder strewn stilted beach house in Brazil is the second-most wishlisted home on Airbnb.
    2. This boulder strewn stilted beach house in Brazil is the second-most wishlisted home on Airbnb.
  • 1. Bali, Indonesia. This luxury villa in Singaraja in the hidden north of Bali is the most wish-listed Airbnb property since the pandemic began.
    1. Bali, Indonesia. This luxury villa in Singaraja in the hidden north of Bali is the most wish-listed Airbnb property since the pandemic began.

The 10 most 'wishlisted' holiday homes on Airbnb – from Bali to Santorini


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

With travel restricted during the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have taken to daydreaming about the places we'll go, the adventures we'll have and the things we'll see when we can travel again.

Those with wanderlust are busy planning future trips, and more and more people seem to be using Airbnb's wishlist function to bookmark where they want to stay when restrictions are lifted.

Airbnb's top wishlisted properties span the world, from a bargain beach villa in Brazil to a bamboo house in Bali. The company used data from March to May, when most travellers were staying home, to come up with the results.

Topping the list as the most desired property is a luxury villa in the quiet north of Bali, which comes with breathtaking views and a private pool.

The list gives an insight into what travellers are craving: from an isolated villa in the forest to a remote cave house overlooking the ocean in Greece.

Scroll through the gallery above to see what the top 10 properties look like, or find them here:

  1. This luxury villa in the north of Bali, Indonesia.
  2. A stilted beach house in Santa Catarina, Brazil
  3. Hector cave house in Santorini, Greece
  4. An eco retreat in Bali's Selat
  5. This cosy cottage in Orondo, Washington State
  6. A treehouse in Balian Beach, Bali
  7. This luxury private pool house in Los Angeles, California
  8. A modern apartment in the remote wilds of Iceland's highlands
  9. Another cave house, this one overlooking the Aegean in Oia, Greece
  10. Dar Ahwach  – a traditional Riad in Marrakech, Morocco

Travellers want nature-filled escapes and family celebrations

Nature-surrounded cabins are rising in the Airbnb charts
Nature-surrounded cabins are rising in the Airbnb charts

As well as a rise in the number of people creating wishlists, Airbnb noted a number of trends emerging from keyword searches. People are craving nature, and rural cabins are now the fastest growing type of accommodation to be added to people's wishlists.

Over the last 60 days, keyword searches on the platform show that travellers are on the hunt for isolation, sun-filled stays and places to commemorate special occasions.

The top keywords people are searching for on Airbnb are:

  • Summer 2020
  • Beach
  • Birthday/Bday
  • Wedding
  • Honeymoon
  • Anniversary
  • Getaway
  • Vacation

This suggests that people are keen to book something special for pre-arranged family celebrations that might have had to be re-worked or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20ASI%20(formerly%20DigestAI)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Quddus%20Pativada%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Artificial%20intelligence%2C%20education%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GSV%20Ventures%2C%20Character%2C%20Mark%20Cuban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars

- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes

- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts

The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

De De Pyaar De

Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW%20M4%20Competition
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20from%20Dh617%2C600%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Premier League results

Saturday

Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

Cardiff City 2 West Ham United 0

Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2

Leicester City 3 Fulham 1

Newcastle United 3 Everton 2

Southampton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Sunday

Liverpool 4 Burnley 2

Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0

 

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000