Dubai, a city synonymous with luxury and extravagance, also harbours Hero Experiences Group, the pioneers of air, land, and sea experiences.
Hero Experiences Group is behind some of the most engaging and immersive experiences that ignite the spirit of adventure. Imagine soaring above the golden dunes in a hot air balloon, feeling the wind whisper with a 360-degree view of Palm Jumeirah, captaining your own boat as you drive beside the coast of Dubai, or embarking on an eco-luxurious desert safari. Each experience is meticulously crafted to unveil the soul of Dubai, respecting its heritage and preserving its natural wonders.
This forward-thinking company is redefining tourism, weaving together thrilling adventures, rich cultural immersion, and a deep commitment to sustainability. At the heart of this philosophy lies Platinum Heritage in Dubai, a pioneer in eco-luxurious desert safaris.
Sustainability Woven into the Threads of Adventure
Platinum Heritage, a shining star within the Hero Experiences Group and a hidden gem in the city of Dubai, is where sustainability takes centre stage.
Gone are the days of roaring dune buggies and mass tourism. Instead, Platinum Heritage invites you to explore golden landscapes in colourful vintage Land Rovers or luxurious brand-new Land Rover Defenders. Their conservation efforts extend beyond vehicles, with wildlife drives led by expert Conservation Guides who educate guests about the unique flora and fauna of the region.
The company's commitment to responsible tourism extends to its authentic Bedouin camps and luxury cabanas, all built with locally sourced materials and powered by solar energy.
Platinum Heritage also donates US$1 to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, on behalf of every guest. And, because they don’t just preserve the environment, but also the region’s history and culture, you won’t find any belly dancing and or alcohol on their experiences.
Every aspect of a Platinum Heritage experience whispers the message of conservation, inspiring guests to become the Heroes of their own stories and the environment.
Hero Experiences Group chief executive Adam McEwan said: “Sustainability is woven into the very fabric of our experiences. We believe in preserving Dubai's natural wonders for future generations and are committed to responsible tourism practices.
"When you choose Hero Experiences Group, you're choosing to travel with a conscience and be the Hero of your own story”.
This passion for sustainability in Hero Experiences Group runs through every brand, from the gentle desert whispers of Platinum Heritage to the sky-high panoramas of The Dubai Balloon At Atlantis. This breathtaking experience in the city uses less energy per flight than a light bulb being on for an hour!
Even the oceans are being taken care of as Hero Boat Tours aim to promote marine conservation while their knowledgeable guides highlight the Dubai coastline, and Abu Dhabi’s Mangroves eco-systems, and they can organise marine clean-ups as special events.
The group’s journey does not end in UAE, as they expanded to AlUla in Saudi Arabia last year with the launch of Hero Balloon Flights Saudi, to become the first official hot air balloon operator in the kingdom. With more plans in the pipeline, all coming experiences in Saudi Arabia will protect the country’s rich heritage and beautiful landscapes.
Hero Experiences Group's mission goes beyond just offering activities. They believe in empowering individuals to become Heroes of their own story. Aiming for guests to walk away feeling like they truly learnt something about their experience that can be shared with others and change their perspective on tourism and travelling.
To book your unforgettable adventure, visit the Hero Experiences Group website or the Platinum Heritage website.
if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
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The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
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The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
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The specs
Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
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
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.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now