• Terra Solis is a Tomorrowland-inspired retreat opening in the Dubai desert in September. All photos: Terra Solis
    Terra Solis is a Tomorrowland-inspired retreat opening in the Dubai desert in September. All photos: Terra Solis
  • The desert escape is centred around an oasis-like pool, surrounded by palm trees, sand dunes and DJ beats.
    The desert escape is centred around an oasis-like pool, surrounded by palm trees, sand dunes and DJ beats.
  • Poolside vibes await at the Terra Solis bar in Dubai.
    Poolside vibes await at the Terra Solis bar in Dubai.
  • Mesa all-day dining restaurant will serve a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
    Mesa all-day dining restaurant will serve a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
  • There are 48 Polaris bell tents at the resort.
    There are 48 Polaris bell tents at the resort.
  • Perseid Lodges come with queen beds, mini-fridges, a private deck and espresso machines. Photo: Terra Solis
    Perseid Lodges come with queen beds, mini-fridges, a private deck and espresso machines. Photo: Terra Solis
  • VIP rooms are located poolside and come with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool.
    VIP rooms are located poolside and come with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool.

Tomorrowland music festival launches pop-up desert glamping escape in Dubai


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

One of the world's biggest dance festivals is opening a new desert destination in Dubai.

Belgian electronic dance festival Tomorrowland is launching Terra Solis, a festival-inspired escape that will open in September bringing poolside beats, day-to-night parties and exclusive events to the emirate.

Open to adults only, the new getaway will be held over 371,000 square metres at Dubai Heritage Vision on Lehbab Road, less than half an hour's drive from Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

With glamping tents, an infinity pool, live DJs and desert sunsets, the pop-up destination is set to add a whole new level of entertainment to Dubai's dunes during its first season, which will run until July 2023.

Much of the action will be centred around the oasis-like pool where the resort's resident DJs will create daytime soundtracks and night-time party beats.

Poolside vibes await at the Terra Solis bar in Dubai. Photo: Terra Solis
Poolside vibes await at the Terra Solis bar in Dubai. Photo: Terra Solis

Surrounded by towering palm trees, sunbeds and private cabanas, this is also where guests can enjoy poolside eatery Mesa, the resort's all-day dining space. A Mediterranean menu, infused with flavours from all over the world, will be available from sunrise to after dark.

Sala will be the place to go for sundowners and sunset sessions. Refreshments, light bites and shisha will be on the menu at this cosy escape, where guests can drink in endless desert views.

Bell tents, lodges and VIP cabins

Perseid Lodges come with queen beds, mini-fridges, a private deck and espresso machines. Photo: Terra Solis
Perseid Lodges come with queen beds, mini-fridges, a private deck and espresso machines. Photo: Terra Solis

Visitors are welcome to join for the day, or to make a night of it with a choice of three different accommodation options at the desert getaway.

Polaris bell tents are the entry option and ideal for those seeking an Arabian nights experience. Each comes with a queen-size bed, mini-fridge and shared bathrooms and rates start at Dh770 ($210) for two people.

Perseid queen lodges come with a mini sundeck, a queen-size bed and a private bathroom, with rates from about Dh1,400 per night.

There are 48 Polaris bell tents at the resort. Photo: Terra Solis
There are 48 Polaris bell tents at the resort. Photo: Terra Solis

There are also six Orion lodges, designed for the ultimate desert escape. Each of these VIP lodges has a private pool, outdoor cabana and epic resort views. Rates start at Dh3,100 and all overnight stays include breakfast in the morning.

Bookings are open now for escapes to Dubai's newest desert destination, and restaurant and pool reservations are set to open soon.

First day of Arabian Travel Market 2022 — in pictures:

  • Visitors at the Dubai stand on the third day of the Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors at the Dubai stand on the third day of the Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors at the Etihad stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors at the Etihad stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A Flynas advertisement on the first day of Arabian Travel Market.
    A Flynas advertisement on the first day of Arabian Travel Market.
  • The Iraq stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Iraq stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors at the Qatar stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market.
    Visitors at the Qatar stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market.
  • Visitors at the Rotana stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors at the Rotana stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Children's toys on display at the Emirates stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    Children's toys on display at the Emirates stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Neom stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Neom stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Armani stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Armani stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Flynas stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Flynas stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Performers dance at the Saudi Arabia stand on the second day of the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National
    Performers dance at the Saudi Arabia stand on the second day of the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors take photos at the flydubai stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors take photos at the flydubai stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Jordan stand. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Jordan stand. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The second day of Arabian Travel Market welcomed visitors from around the world. Pawan Singh / The National
    The second day of Arabian Travel Market welcomed visitors from around the world. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The event is considered a bellwether for the travel industry in the Middle East, offering an insight into the trends that will shape the year ahead. Pawan Singh / The National
    The event is considered a bellwether for the travel industry in the Middle East, offering an insight into the trends that will shape the year ahead. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A total of 112 countries looking to revive their tourism numbers will be featured on the exhibition's show floor, from Japan to Jamaica and South Africa to Italy. Pawan Singh / The National
    A total of 112 countries looking to revive their tourism numbers will be featured on the exhibition's show floor, from Japan to Jamaica and South Africa to Italy. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People visit the South Africa stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National
    People visit the South Africa stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A model of the Airbus A350-1000 at the Etihad stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre. All photos: Pawan Singh/The National
    A model of the Airbus A350-1000 at the Etihad stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre. All photos: Pawan Singh/The National
  • More than 1,500 exhibiting companies are taking part in the four-day tourism showcase that will welcome about 20,000 visitors.
    More than 1,500 exhibiting companies are taking part in the four-day tourism showcase that will welcome about 20,000 visitors.
  • Travel and tourism are starting to show signs of recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with many companies starting to ramp up their recruitment as countries reopen their borders.
    Travel and tourism are starting to show signs of recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with many companies starting to ramp up their recruitment as countries reopen their borders.
  • Staff from Al Ain Zoo showing some birds and reptiles at the Abu Dhabi stand.
    Staff from Al Ain Zoo showing some birds and reptiles at the Abu Dhabi stand.
  • Saudi Arabia has a major presence at this year's Arabian Travel Market, including representatives from Neom, the kingdom's $500 billion futuristic mega city.
    Saudi Arabia has a major presence at this year's Arabian Travel Market, including representatives from Neom, the kingdom's $500 billion futuristic mega city.
  • Arabian Travel Market is considered a bellwether for the travel industry in the Middle East, offering an insight into trends for the year ahead.
    Arabian Travel Market is considered a bellwether for the travel industry in the Middle East, offering an insight into trends for the year ahead.
  • Emirates airline launched its premium economy cabin at Arabian Travel Market.
    Emirates airline launched its premium economy cabin at Arabian Travel Market.
  • The Abu Dhabi stand at Arabian Travel Market was busy on the first day of the event.
    The Abu Dhabi stand at Arabian Travel Market was busy on the first day of the event.
  • Artists showcasing handmade items at the Abu Dhabi stand.
    Artists showcasing handmade items at the Abu Dhabi stand.
  • Staff from Al Ain Zoo introduce visitors to birds at the Abu Dhabi stand.
    Staff from Al Ain Zoo introduce visitors to birds at the Abu Dhabi stand.
  • Etihad Airways showcasing its economy class seats at Arabian Travel Market.
    Etihad Airways showcasing its economy class seats at Arabian Travel Market.
  • The soaring price of oil and the impact of the war in Ukraine are tempering the travel industry's expected resurgence.
    The soaring price of oil and the impact of the war in Ukraine are tempering the travel industry's expected resurgence.
  • Staff from Al Ain Zoo show visitors reptiles at the Abu Dhabi stand.
    Staff from Al Ain Zoo show visitors reptiles at the Abu Dhabi stand.
  • The Darina holidays stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai.
    The Darina holidays stand on the first day of Arabian Travel Market held at Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai.
  • Visitors at the Brussels stand.
    Visitors at the Brussels stand.
  • Visitors at the Maldives stand.
    Visitors at the Maldives stand.
Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars

Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.

Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.

After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.

Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.

It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.

 

Notable Yas events in 2017/18

October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)

December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race

March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event

March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge

The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Don%20Lee%2C%20Lee%20Jun-hyuk%2C%20Munetaka%20Aoki%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg

Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')

Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

'C'mon C'mon'

Director:Mike Mills

Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman

Rating: 4/5

Mica

Director: Ismael Ferroukhi

Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani

3 stars

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12

The biog

Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren

Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies

Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan

Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India 

 

Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy

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
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

UAE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani

Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh

Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani

Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

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.”

If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm

Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds

Top speed 420 kph (governed)

Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)

Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
%3Cp%3E1.%20Baghdad%2C%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E2.%20Manama%2C%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dhahran%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E4.%20Kuwait%20City%2C%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E5.%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E6.%20Ash%20Shihaniyah%2C%20Qatar%3Cbr%3E7.%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E8.%20Cairo%2C%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E9.%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E10.%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
%3Cp%3E1.%20Chad%3Cbr%3E2.%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E4.%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E5.%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E6.%20Burkina%20Faso%3Cbr%3E7.%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E8.%20India%3Cbr%3E9.%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E10.%20Tajikistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:

Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4

Second leg:

Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm

Updated: May 10, 2022, 3:57 AM