• Casa Vicens, designed by Antoni Gaudi, will open its doors for the first time to overnight guests via Airbnb. Courtesy Airbnb
    Casa Vicens, designed by Antoni Gaudi, will open its doors for the first time to overnight guests via Airbnb. Courtesy Airbnb
  • The kitchen area of Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
    The kitchen area of Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
  • One of the bedrooms at Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
    One of the bedrooms at Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
  • Casa Vicens was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2005. Courtesy Airbnb
    Casa Vicens was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2005. Courtesy Airbnb
  • The outdoor space at Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
    The outdoor space at Casa Vicens. Courtesy Airbnb
  • Guests can also expect a Gaudi-inspired Michelin star menu. Courtesy Airbnb
    Guests can also expect a Gaudi-inspired Michelin star menu. Courtesy Airbnb

Airbnb offers Gaudi fans a chance to spend the night in first home the architect designed


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

His designs can be seen all around Spain but now, the first home designed by famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi will open its doors for a special one-night stay via Airbnb this autumn.

Casa Vicens, which is listed for just $1 (Dh4) on the accommodation-booking website, is located in Barcelona’s Gracia neighbourhood.

It was originally built as a summerhouse but, these days, sits as a museum dedicated to the architect and his work in the region.

“Built as a lavish summerhouse for a local family in 1885, Casa Vicens was designed by internationally renowned architect, Antoni Gaudi. A riotous mix of colours and influences, it was Gaudi’s first ever commission and it is widely regarded as being one of the first buildings of the Art Nouveau movement. This hidden gem was declared part of Unesco World Heritage in 2005,” reads the Airbnb listing.

The booking comes with a tour from Casa Vicens Gaudi host Emili, a member of the team who recently transformed Gaudi’s first house into a museum. He will share his insights and knowledge from the recent restoration project during an extensive tour of the space.

Doors will also be closed to the public, meaning guests have unprecedented access to explore the historic building.

"We are excited to give guests the opportunity to experience this house as Gaudi designed it – as a nature oasis. We are deeply committed to the preservation of Gaudi's cultural heritage and it will be a great pleasure to share the building's secrets and rich history with whoever books," said Emili.

As part of the stay, guests will also be treated to a Gaudi-inspired menu from a Michelin-star restaurant in the dining room, as well as a nightcap in the luxurious smoking room.

To conclude the evening, guests will head to the Vicens family master bedroom and, in the morning, be treated to a full Mediterranean breakfast in the private city garden.

Booking opens on Monday, July 12 at 4pm CEST (6pm GST) for a one-night stay for two guests. More information is at airbnb.com/gaudi

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Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

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KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS

Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Famous left-handers

- Marie Curie

- Jimi Hendrix

- Leonardo Di Vinci

- David Bowie

- Paul McCartney

- Albert Einstein

- Jack the Ripper

- Barack Obama

- Helen Keller

- Joan of Arc

Start times

5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites

6am: Marathon Elites

7am: Marathon Masses

9am: 10Km Road Race

11am: 4Km Fun Run

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

Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m