While five-star hotels and luxury beach resorts are all well and good, why not make your next holiday a visit to one of these famous movie and TV show homes and hotels.
Every property on this list has starred in a beloved film or television show, from Breaking Bad and Killing Eve to Harry Potter, Twilight and Dirty Dancing.
They're located around the world, from the Isle of Wight in the UK to New York, and even France, Spain and Japan, so there's no shortage of opportunities to explore new cultures and cuisines outside your famous digs.
Highclere Castle
Featured in: Downtown Abbey
Location: Newbury, UK
Price: From £850 ($1,170) for the London Lodge or £1,600 for Grotto Lodge
The details: While Airbnb offered a night for two in Highclere Castle in 2019, it is still possible to stay on the grounds at either the London Lodge or Grotto Lodge by booking through the website. The former, which is available for two-night stays for two guests, was created in 1793 by Colonel Henry Herbert to celebrate becoming the 1st Earl of Carnarvon, and it has been completely restored with two wings, including a double bedroom. Grotto Lodge, available for three nights for up to four guests, was designed by Victorian architect Thomas Allom about 150 years ago, and features two double rooms.
The review: One TripAdvisor user wrote of a trip in August: “Had a fabulous time at Highclere Castle yesterday. Although the weather was drab, the castle certainly was not! The castle itself was great to walk around and see all the family photos as well as Downton Abbey photos. The grounds are beautiful.”
Cherry Tree Inn B&B
Featured in: Groundhog Day
Location: Woodstock, Illinois, US
Price: From $189 per night
The details: This quaint Victorian bed and breakfast is described as anything but “stuffy and repetitive”, despite it being the place Bill Murray stayed in throughout 1993 film Groundhog Day, about a man doomed to relive the same day over and over again. There are a variety of room categories to choose from, plus a parlour with a fireplace and a full breakfast to enjoy in the dining room or on the wraparound porch each morning. Go in February, and you’ll catch the four-day Groundhog Day celebrations that take place annually in Woodstock, too. You can book through its website.
The review: Denise P wrote on TripAdvisor in June: “The B&B is as charming as it looks. The people are friendly and hospitable. The breakfast was great. It is located on a quaint quiet street that is only a short walk to the town centre. The room was big enough for us to feel comfortable. And the view from the window was really cool as we overlooked the fence and entrance, just like on Groundhog Day! We hope to visit Woodstock again and will definitely stay here.”
Twilight Swan House
Featured in: Twilight
Location: St Helens, Oregon, US
Price: $378 per night
The details: Charlie and Bella Swan’s house from the Twilight saga has been available to book via Airbnb since 2019. Twilight Swan House, as it’s called in its listing, is a 1930s home located in a quiet neighbourhood in St Helens, Oregon (even though the story was set in Forks, Washington) and within walking distance to the historic riverfront, plus only a short drive from Portland. There are five bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths, and up to eight guests can stay there for a minimum of two nights. It’s designed to give Twilight fans their money’s worth by allowing them to recreate all their favourite scenes from the films.
The review: Savannah wrote on Airbnb in August: “I would come back to this house even if I weren't a fan of the Twilight books – every detail is thoughtfully attended to. Every guest need is anticipated and this is the cleanest Airbnb place I have ever stayed at! Ever! My friends and I were in a constant state of delight enjoying every Twilight-related touch. We will never forget it!”
Lakeside cabin on Bouckaert Farm
Featured in: Avengers: Endgame
Location: Fairburn, Georgia, US
Price: $800 per night
The details: Marvel fans will surely recognise Tony Stark’s lakeside cabin, which is on a 809-hectare equestrian estate and available to rent via Airbnb. For your money, you get the entire cabin, porch and yard to yourself, with its three bedrooms, four beds and three bathrooms. Up to six guests may stay here and you can take your children fishing, watch a horse show or explore the renowned movie sets during your stay. You could also go hiking and exploring around Bouckaert Farm.
The review: Lesley wrote on Airbnb: “We absolutely loved our trip! We discovered the place because we are Marvel fans. The idea of staying in Tony Stark’s cabin was enough for us, but the experience of being there far exceeded any expectations we had. Our kids had a blast hiking around and seeing the settings of so many scenes from the movies ... We highly recommend this place and would love to go back!”
Sunny private bedroom in Ditmas Park
Featured in: Definitely, Maybe
Location: Brooklyn, New York, US
Price: $74 per night
The details: This spacious private room on the second floor of a house in Ditmas Park was where Ryan Reynolds appeared in the 2008 romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe, and it’s available to rent via Airbnb. The house was also featured in 2009 film Solitary Man, starring Michael Douglas and Susan Sarandon, and TV show Damages with Glenn Close. Amid tree-lined streets and Victorian houses with front porches, this room has a garden view, free WiFi, a mini fridge and access to a semi-private bathroom that’s on the first floor. The listing states it can comfortably accommodate two adults and “possibly” one child, but infants and toddlers are not allowed owing to the staircase.
The review: Cheryl wrote on Airbnb: “Alice and Stan were terrific hosts. The room was spacious and well decorated, very clean and very comfortable. It had a small refrigerator for snacks and drinks and coffee or tea maker. The location was in a nice neighbourhood; I felt safe walking even after dark from the subway. It is close to lots of interesting shops, restaurants and the subway. I would definitely return and would highly recommend.”
Italian-style hilltop retreat
Featured in: Entourage
Location: Los Angeles, California, US
Price: $473 per night
The details: Fans of Entourage TV show and movie might have believed this house to be on the Amalfi Coast, as that’s where Ari Gold and his wife were said to be while lounging about at this enormous Italian-style villa in the final scene of the series. But it’s actually in LA, featuring an enormous pool surrounded by towering cypress trees and views of the rolling hills. It’s a spa retreat, with rooms for two guests to book via Airbnb.
The review: Kate wrote on Airbnb: “The most beautiful Airbnb property we’ve stayed at, hands down. Incredible to have a private pool and grounds. The neighbourhood is gorgeous and has plenty of amazing bars/coffee shops/restaurants. Tim was a great host and we loved his pup! Thanks for a great stay!”
Chateau de Tourreau
Featured in: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Location: Sarrians, Provence, France
Price: $5,873 per night
The details: It might cost a pretty penny, but for your booking via Airbnb you’ll get the entire castle to yourself, with its nine bedrooms, 11 beds and nine bathrooms, which can accommodate up to 15 guests. It’s where the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stayed during a vacation in season nine, but it’s also where Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner got married in 2019. The interiors have been restored to reflect its 18th-century style and furnished with European and Provencal furniture and art, but with modern amenities. There are three reception rooms, a library, formal and informal dining rooms, and kitchen, as well as an internal courtyard with fountains, aviaries and jasmine-covered walls.
The review: There are no reviews yet.
Reversible Destiny Lofts
Featured in: Girls
Location: Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, Japan
Price: $261 per night
The details: If you coveted Shoshanna Shapiro’s colourful Japan apartment on hit TV show Girls by Lena Dunham, then you’ll be pleased to know it’s available to book on Airbnb. The full name is Reversible Destiny Lofts Mitaka – In Memory of Helen Keller, and they were built by architects and artists Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins as the first residential units designed “not to die”. Two guests can rent one room with its own private bathroom.
The review: Brendan wrote: “The Reversible Destiny Lofts are every bit as worth it as I had imagined. Such a cool, thoughtful and intriguing design that was also comfortable. Thank you for having me!”
Luxurious Custom Home ('Breaking Bad' House 5.3)
Featured in: Breaking Bad
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Price: $169 per night
The details: Before you get too excited, this is not Walter White’s family home, but one in which a scene of hit TV show Breaking Bad was filmed in for season five, episode three, called Hazard Pay. The space, available to book on Airbnb, can host up to 16 guests across four bedrooms, 12 beds and three bathrooms, all of which you get to yourself. There’s also an outdoor space with a barbecue, patio and gas fire pit.
The review: Joy wrote on Airbnb: “You will not be disappointed with your stay at this house, especially if you are a Breaking Bad fan. We had lots of fun with the props and taking pictures. Also, the house is very well decorated, clean and had all the amenities that we needed. The location is a little out from the city, but really nice and easy drive everywhere. We even saw hot air balloons out the window and deck each morning. Would definitely recommend this place."
De Vere House
Featured in: Harry Potter
Location: Lavenham, UK
Price: $257 per night
The details: This was Harry, James and Lily Potter’s house in Godric’s Hollow from the Harry Potter film series. It’s located in the centre of pretty Lavenham, a medieval village in England with more than 300 protected heritage properties. You can book via Airbnb a private room within the house for two people, with a four-poster bed, ensuite bathroom, TV and WiFi access. There’s also a private guest sitting room and courtyard garden, plus a traditional Suffolk breakfast on offer.
The review: Jenny wrote on Airbnb: “We had the most amazing time. Jane was the perfect host. Nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation is out of this world. We had such an incredible weekend and felt more relaxed than we have done in years. Lavenham is a stunning place. Steeped in history. Can’t recommend it enough. Best. Weekend. Ever.”
30760 Broad Beach Road
Featured in: Big Little Lies
Location: Malibu, California, US
Price: $3,000-$5,000 per night
The details: Remember Reese Witherspoon’s dreamy Malibu home in drama series Big Little Lies? Well, it might cost a lot, but you can actually rent it for the night via Malibu Luxury Vacation Homes. It's in California, but it’s styled like a Cape Cod home. The estate sits on a stretch of beachfront on what the agents call “the most exclusive beach in Malibu”. There are six bedrooms with two master suites, one of which has a private deck and outdoor fireplace, the other with a deck and Jacuzzi, and both look out onto gorgeous ocean views. There’s also a detached two-storey guest house that can sleep five. Altogether the residence can accommodate 12 people.
The review: There are no reviews on this website.
Maison Vitry
Featured in: American Horror Story: Coven
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Price: $394 per night
The details: On Airbnb, this house is referred to as “Elegantly Decayed Creole Mansion”, and while its moniker might not make it sound like a home away from home, this 1855 house has an interesting backstory. It's known as Maison Vitry and was built for Louise Vitry, a free African-American woman, based in Historic Treme, in the much-loved French Quarter in New Orleans, and is now popular among visitors and film studios alike.
It famously appeared in American Horror Story: Coven, serving as the location for Marie Laveau’s Cornrow City Salon. The place features 14-foot ceilings, original fireplaces, a mahogany staircase and much more. You can book the whole house, which has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and sleeps up to six people, plus a garden with Spanish Moss-draped trees and fish-filled fountains.
The review: Kimberley writes on Airbnb: “I cannot say enough about the splendour of this house. The attention to decor and detail, the history and ambiance are absolutely incredible. Waking up here every day was a blessing. The garden was such a place of respite from a busy day exploring the city. Will and Mao were attentive hosts responding quickly to every question and providing tips of were to go and what to experience ... I would highly recommend anyone planning on visiting New Orleans to experience the beauty and history of staying here at the Maison Vitry.”
Mountain Lake Lodge
Featured in: Dirty Dancing
Location: Pembroke, Virginia, US
Price: From $150 per night
The details: The original lodge dates back to 1851, but the property’s story goes back more than 100 years before that. The 1,052-hectare nature reserve is a playground for families and adventure-seekers, who want to escape amid the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s where the beloved romance film Dirty Dancing, featuring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, was filmed, and remains to this day a popular place to stay and host a wedding. There are 43 rooms in the Stone Lodge, 16 in Chestnut Lodge, nine mountain homes at Blueberry Ridge and eight historic rustic cabins, as well as nine front lawn cottages to choose from. You can book via the website.
The review: One TripAdvisor user wrote: “Mountain Lake Lodge is nestled among the mountains of Virginia, offering a beautiful retreat from everyday life. Among its greatest assets, however, is an incredibly attentive staff.”
The Spice Bus
Featured in: Spice World
Location: Isle of Wight, UK
Price: $303 per night
The details: The original Union Jack-clad Spice Bus from Spice Girls’ movie Spice World is an excellent option for accommodation in the UK that’s off the beaten track. While the owner, who has listed it on Airbnb, has no affiliation to the 1990s girl group, they’re a massive fan, and have tried to make the experience as fun as possible for guests. It’s sat next to a marina where there’s a bar, restaurant and shop on-site, and boasts two beds that can sleep up to three people. There’s a seating area with cinema-style chairs in front of a TV, plus a dressing room. A nearby facilities block is home to a bathroom. There’s no WiFi available on the bus.
The review: One Airbnb user wrote: “We had an excellent stay on the Spice Girl bus – what a unique venue! It’s in a great location, was very well presented and clean. Highly recommended to any Spice Girl fan!”
Architects’ flat
Featured in: Killing Eve
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Price: $305 per night
The details: The Art Nouveau apartment in Barcelona that Killing Eve villain Villanelle resides in during season three is available to rent via Airbnb. The two-bedroom space is in Gracia, not far from popular Park Guell, and boasts a reception hall, studio, dining room, living area, glass gallery, kitchen, bathroom and ornate balcony. It sleeps up to four guests.
The review: Victoria writes on Airbnb: “Sean and his family treated us like absolute royalty. This is probably the most prestigious place to stay in the whole of Barcelona. It’s just perfect. Everything in this listed building is original and how it was. It’s clean and homely. The hosts go above and beyond with hospitality."
Steel Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast
Featured in: Steel Magnolias
Location: Natchitoches, Louisiana, US
Price: $265 per night
The details: Ever since January, guests have been able to book via booking.com a night in the house featured in the 1989 comedy-drama film starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah. The air-conditioned accommodation has free WiFi and access to an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms include a flat-screen TV, private bathroom and in some cases a kitchen.
The review: TripAdvisor user Becky M wrote in July: “Beautiful historic B&B,. A movie must-see property. The home and grounds are wonderfully preserved with the movie magic. The owner and his staff are the icing on the cake. Fantastic!! A must stay!”
Read more
Hendrix, Hitchcock and Bowie: exploring London's shrines to its famous former residents
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
More on Quran memorisation:
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Under-21 European Championship Final
Germany 1 Spain 0
Weiser (40')
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
