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Travel

Spend Christmas and New Years by the beach!

Posted on December 23, 2024

🎄 Christmas 🎄

Family Tour + Santa Grotto at Royal Suite

The Family Festive Package offers an unrivalled opportunity to explore the elegance and grandeur of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah while immersing guests in festive cheer. This exclusive offering includes:

A 60 to 90-minute guided tour, exploring the iconic hotel’s lavish interiors, spectacular Atrium, and panoramic views from the 25th-floor Observation Lounge.
Festive beverages to suit all ages—adults can enjoy an optional alcoholic twist, while children can sip on delightful non-alcoholic creations.
A magical meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in his exclusive Royal Suite Grotto, including a photo album with six professional snapshots to treasure.
Two bespoke gifts from Santa for the little ones, adding a personalized touch to the festivities.

Price: AED 2,000 for a family of four (2 adults + 2 children aged 4–12).

Add-ons: Additional adults at AED 369 per person, and children at AED 289 per person.

Chouchou:

Christmas Eve Celebration

Kick off the celebrations on December 24, with Christmas cocktails at the bar, where your first seasonal cocktail is on the house
The evening features entertainment by a DJ and a menu priced à la carte

Noël en Jazz

Celebrate Christmas Day, December 25, from 12pm to 4pm, with CHOUCHOU’s luxurious 6-course family-style menu
Enjoy refined French gastronomy and elegant holiday vibes, starting at AED 550 per person, with a live jazz band setting the mood

Champagne Rêve

An evening of free-flowing champagne and expertly crafted small plates, from 8pm to 10pm on December 26
A live DJ will keep the energy high, with prices starting at AED 550 per person

Kaimana Beach:

Christmas Brunch

Celebrate Christmas Day, December 25, from 1pm to 4pm with a family-friendly beachside brunch featuring live entertainment and festive cheer
Stay on from 4pm to 6pm for a festive sundowner with 3 drinks for AED 100

💫 New Year’s Eve 💫

Chouchou | Midnight in Paris

Time: From 7:30 PM
What to expect: Fine dining, live DJ, and fireworks.
Price: AED 900 per person

Almayass by the Sea | Arabian Night

Time: From 9:00 PM
What to expect: Authentic Lebanese-Armenian feast, live music by Mohammad Kabbani, and a DJ.
Price: AED 500 (Soft), AED 700 (House), AED 800 (Premium)

Kaimana Beach

Time: From 8:00 PM
What to expect: Live entertainment, DJs, fireworks, and Burj Khalifa views.
Pricing: Indoor Lounge: AED 1200 (includes AED 900 beverage credit) | Beach Dining: AED 2000 (includes AED 1400 beverage credit)

Gigi Rigolatto | Ring in the New Year in Style

Time: From 8:00 PM
What to expect: Sharing set menu, live DJ, and Dom Pérignon welcome drink.
Price: AED 3500 per person

Ninive Beach

Time: From 8:00 PM
What to expect: Rooftop and ground floor celebrations with DJs and fireworks.
Price: AED 1700 (Rooftop), AED 1200 (Ground Floor)

African Queen

Time: From 7:30 PM
What to expect: Elegant dining, live shows, DJ, and sea-view fireworks.
Pricing: Indoor: AED 1000 | Pergola: AED 2200 | Poolside: AED 2700 (min spend)

Gitano | Supernature NYE

Time: From 7:30 PM
What to expect: Jungle-inspired dinner, dancing, and DJ sets with panoramic firework views.
Pricing: Indoors: AED 1750 | Terrace (J1 Firework View): AED 2250 | Terrace (Burj + J1 View): AED 3000

Lúnico

Time: From 7:00 PM
What to expect: 4-course Spanish sharing menu, live music, DJ, and 180° firework views.
Price: AED 790 (dining) | AED 300 (bar seating)

La Baia by the Beach

Time: From 7:00 PM (early) | From 9:30 PM (premium seating)
What to expect: Live DJs, roaming bands, and fireworks.
Pricing: Indoor: AED 500–800 | Outdoor: AED 650–1000

Sustainable

Unity for Change – أفق initiative making shopping more sustainable

Posted on December 23, 2024

There has been a growing awareness and concern about the environmental impact of our consumer habits and as a result, shopping malls around the world are taking steps to become more sustainable and eco-friendly. The aim is to also promote a culture of sustainability among shoppers. Reliable ways to manage waste and recycling options are essential for every place where large groups of people meet and spend time.

The Unity for Change – أفق initiative has unveiled a groundbreaking sustainability framework aimed at transforming retail and mall operations across the UAE. Spearheaded by Chalhoub Group, LVMH, Emaar Malls Management (L.L.C.), Majid Al Futtaim, and Aldar Properties, this alliance marks a step toward measurable environmental impact reduction. This initiative now features defined goals across three core pillars: energy efficiency via reducing carbon emissions, eco-friendly store design, and waste management.

This includes working towards achieving a minimum of 5% annual energy savings or carbon emissions reduction for all shopping malls starting 2024. Launching energy-efficient lighting systems (50% efficacy), and achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030 for LVMH and Chalhoub Group.

The findings and finalized objectives of this initiative were officially presented during the LVMH “LIFE 360 in Stores Awards” ceremony. This event, gathering experts, partners, employees, and industry leaders, was established in 2016 by LVMH, and celebrates innovative initiatives that enhance the environmental performance of the LVMH’s Maisons’ stores, based on an external audit conducted by an independent agency. Launched during COP28 in 2023, it is the first partnership of its kind in the Middle East.

Eco Friendly travel

Kurulu Bay is a unique private sanctuary in Sri Lanka

Posted on November 11, 2024

Kurulu Bay is a private sanctuary built alongside Koggala Lake in the South of Sri Lanka

Kurulu Bay (Sinhalese for “bird island”) is a private sanctuary built alongside Koggala Lake, one of the island’s largest expanses of water, just slightly in-land, located in the South of Sri Lanka. The lush surroundings of this tropical retreat are filled with loud and lively creatures that hoot and call, and you would forgive yourself for thinking you’d arrived in Sri Lanka’s jungle rather than a water-front resort. Yet the expanse of the calm lake, and the incredible sunsets she offers, ensure Kurulu Bay is as serene and tranquil a destination as you had hoped for.

For my baby moon, switching off was of paramount importance for me. Removing the temptation of busy street markets and the surfing tourists we normally encounter in Sri Lanka, Kurulu Bay made it easy for us to really relax. With only 14 suites and cottages, it felt nicely quiet. Commissioned to Shanghai based, award-winning architects A00, each suite allows for a sense of intimacy with nature.

We enjoyed private yoga sessions set on the terrace of the private residence, with a backdrop of the lake, and even more private spa treatments, with only 1 room for each of us available. The peace and quiet never felt empty, never felt boring. With two swimming pools, and a kitchen that boasts the most delicious sea-to-table homegrown recipes, it’s easy to see why Kurulu Bay’s whole resort is mostly booked out for private health and wellness retreats, with guests visiting from across the world. A long-weekend here (without our children) was honestly the perfect way to reconnect with each other, nature and ourselves.

Fitness travel

Weekends well spent with Privilee

Posted on March 10, 2020

I have tried and tested many of the amazing discount books, club apps and fitness memberships here in the UAE, but from food to fitness and festivities, there’s none that really wrap all of the city’s offerings into one, quite like Privilee does.

Privilee is our local club card that gives back without the points system. Whether you’re just over here on holiday, a true blue expat or you’ve expanded your brood recently and aren’t sure where’s kid friendly, Privilee has a four different membership plans, running between 1, 4 and 12 months, for the ultimate flexibility. Offering a card free digital booking system, making the whole concept more sustainable too, your whole weekend is literally a click away.

Partnering with a wide array of partners across the city and the capital too, boredom just isn’t an option. It’s not just the picturesque white sands of Dubai’s infamous luxury hotels that are on offer either, it’s that gym you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t want to commit to, or the busy hotspots around the city that now take 25% off your bill with pleasure.

If you’ve ever sat at home on a Friday morning, wondering what to do with your weekend, a daycay at the beach followed by a workout in the sun and sundowners on the Palm doesn’t sound too bad, especially when you know you can just walk in…

travel

Four Seasons at Anahita, Mauritius

Posted on July 3, 2018

It’s always been on my list, as most tropical islands are, but Mauritius always seemed just a little too far away for a weekend escape. I was very wrong… Only a 6 hour flight from Dubai, heading towards South Africa in an A380, Mauritius is as easy to access as Europe. Factor in the travel time it takes you to reach most hotels from the airport in other destinations like Sri Lanka and Thailand, you’re looking at a shorter total travel time with the Four Seasons at Anahita.

Welcomed to the island just as the sun was starting to set, a permanent coastal breeze breathes life into any tired soul. The coastal road to the resort is winding yet wonderful, with views of both mountains and sugar cane fields as far as the eye can see. There’s no beaches as such, but surrounding the island is the reef with a distant surf constantly cresting.

The Four Seasons at Anahita is as luxurious as one would imagine of the brand, but it’s the deep blue extended oceanscape that seems to start almost as immediately as you set foot inside the reception. Bungalows rather than rooms await your arrival, boasting plunge pools and ever so greatly received, motorised mosquito nets over the doors, so that your ocean experience continues well past the sun going down. I must admit, it’s been a long while since I fell asleep to the sound of waves gently lapping at the shoreline.

Featuring 3 very distinct and different restaurants catering to your cultural and dietary needs, from Mauritian flavours and seafood BBQ’s, to an exquisite Italian that boasts the best tiramisu on the island, as well as a customary buffet for travellers who can’t decide which flavour suits them best. The Four Seasons at Anahita has a wealth of experience at persuading its guests to fully relax and enjoy their break.

With plenty to keep you occupied too, there’s a whole host of activities in the resort that will allow you to fully take advantage of your R&R. A tennis court, luxury gym and length pool, outdoor boxing set up, bikes as well as a wealth of water sports. There’s no excuse for boredom, but then again, we don’t ever really switch off do we? If anywhere is going to help convince you, this resort is.

fashion

Shopsandia: The New Online Beachwear Boutique

Posted on May 27, 2018

We don’t really need another excuse to do some boutique shopping online do we? The ease of it all, the beautiful imagery that reels us in, the lack of changing rooms and mall traffic… so when a new site launches, especially one designed to get me in the water, i’m the first to start ‘adding to cart’.

Enter Shopsandia.com

Stocking some of the most beautiful designs from around the world, by brands you’ve probably never heard of and pieces that certainly aren’t seen sitting poolside around Nikki Beach; Mimi a la Mer, Themis, Cali Dreaming, Frescobol Carioca and Isole and Vulcani to name but a few.

But I love it when there’s a summary of the top picks, or favourites as I get overwhelmed sifting through the pages… so I’ve done the dirty work and I thought i’d help you out with my edit for the summer. From bikini’s to one pieces, there’s plenty of choices online and this boutique does not disappoint.

Here’s my top 5 pics from this gorgeous boutique swimsite:

Amuse Society
Emma Bralette Top

CALi DREAMiNG
SOMBRERO TOP

SoloBlu
Claudine

Mimi a la mer
Lolita – Green Print

SoloBlu
LADY DIVA FOLK MEDITERRANEO

Mimi a la mer
Mia – Sky Blue Koi

…oh and this one’s reversible too! 😉

travel

Those Little Travel Essentials You Actually Need

Posted on May 21, 2018

What do you always forget when you pack? For me, it’s usually the non-glamorous essentials like adaptors, headphones and chargers. I’m notorious for buying them at the airport last minute, as I’ve probably been more focused on packing the way too many shoes instead.

Here’s some pieces I’ll be carrying with me throughout the summer, as changing continents often comes with it’s own plug problems.

The essentials list from EVRI & OneAdaptr:

TWIST+ World Adapter DUO

OneAdaptr is a science and design company immersed in the business and leisure travel lifestyle, with a focus on socket science.

Charge your devices with a single outlet, anywhere you are. This universal travel adapter works in over 150 countries – just twist the base to raise the adapter you need. It can power four devices at once, with two USB ports and a universal AC outlet, as well as a built-in Macbook charging port.

Features:

Designed To Use With Apple MagSafe 1&2 adapter, 12W USB Adapter, Apple Portable Power Adapters, World Travel Adapter Kit, Battery Charger, Airport Express
Maximum 4.0A 20W High Power USB Charging Station
USB Charging Ports, Charge Up To 4 Devices Simultaneously
All-In-One One Piece Design
New Twist & Release Mechanism
Worldwide Compatibility In Over 150 Countries
Built-In Fuse Protection
Light & Compact, Ultimate Travel Companion

Flip Duo-Dual Usb Charger

The original British plug was a brilliant design at the time of invention. However, it is too bulky and lacks some required modern features for today’s ultra-thin, power-hungry mobile devices. Not only Flip is a third of the standard British plug’s size, it also has 2 USB ports. The folding design has made it possible to reduce the thickness, while retaining the functionality and the pins are also hidden away when not in use.

Features:

18MM Thin – is the right balance between thickness and features
Quick Release – Simply press the button, lock the pin and you are ready to go
Dual USB Chargers
Max 3.4A High Output
Auto Release
Protective Covers – Keep Metal Pins from Damaging Other Devices

EVRI 80W USB – C Laptop Charger

Designed and developed with the mobile professional in mind, this is your USB based power pack that charges absolutely any laptop, from Mac to Dell, HP to Lenovo, it has 4 ports that with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 allow for fast and efficient phone and tablet charging too.

Features:

Fast charging with up to 80W of power
The ultimate solution for Apple Macbook, Dell, HP, Chromebook, Lenovo, Acer, Asus and more using the USB
C Power delivery – 2.0 equipped with Qualcomm Quick charge 3.0 technology, fast charging al QC 3.0 and 2.0 devices
Special charging technology allows the USB A ports to charge laptops when utilizing the included interchangeable
DC tips for up to 70W of power
Worldwide coverage
AC input 100 – 240V

EVRI USB – C Mobile Laptop Charger

It’s your car charger that actually works! Making taxi rides much more efficient on your mobiles, equipped with 45W of continuous power, it’s sleek and compact design keeps you topped up on the move.

Features:

Fast charging with up to 45W of power
DC input 12 – 24V
The ultimate solution for Apple Macbook, Dell, HP, Chromebook, Lenovo, Acer, Asus and more using the USB
C Technology Power USB
C and USB type A devices similarly

fashion Recommended

Summer’s Here with Black Coral XO

Posted on May 14, 2018

As the weather heats up at home, you get the feeling that we’ve missed out on a season or two… after all it’s in the early 40’s already. We’re all in the mood for summer, but not ready to face the scorching sunshine that goes with it. If like me, you were looking for a little escape from the sun, that relieves some of the heat-shock with somewhat cooler currents, then I would highly recommend a weekend away in Sri Lanka. Without a doubt it’s the easiest place to pack for too, I only bring with me swimwear and flip-flops! I absolutely love Aussie online boutique Black Coral XO for their summer-personified collections, beachwear and resort wear.

Only four hours away with FlyDubai or Emirates, this Indian Ocean hotspot is the ideal weekend escape. Hop on a late night Thursday flight and be sipping coconuts by breakfast. There are plenty of boutique hotels to choose from along the coastline, but I would definitely recommend heading south to Galle as a base. Unawatuna, Mirissa, Welligama are all great places to look at, especially if surfing is on your list.

Here’s my top 5 favourite swimsuits for your weekend away:

Sweet Disposition One Piece

Lazy Palms One Piece

Summer Safari One Piece

Malibu One Piece

Long Island One Piece

Recommended travel

💭 Wanderlusting: Barefoot Luxury on Your Own Island Escape 💭

Posted on March 29, 2016

Have you ever thought about renting out your own private island? It sounds like a too-good-to-be-true offer right? North Island is one of Africa’s most exclusive private escapes, a mixture of total luxury amidst a tranquil setting. And you don’t have to worry too much about rowdy neighbours or lots of screaming children as there’s only 11 luxurious villas along the shoreline.

North Island is renowned for beautiful white beaches, filigree reefs and the blue, warm Indian Ocean.
The island’s operated by Wilderness Collection and is a sanctuary for everything there. Natural habitats where endangered Seychelles wildlife’s been reintroduced, helping give back some vitality to the Island oasis.

North Island – Indian Ocean Seychelles

It’s the perfect place to go and watch sea turtles laying eggs, spot rare animals and enjoy nature at it’s finest, whether it’s walking along magnificent beaches, hiking across the landscape or if you’re more of a water baby like me, it’s got unparalleled snorkelling and diving hotspots.

For those of you who prefer a little more laid back indulgence, relax and go dolphin watching with a private sunset cruise, book a bespoke treatment at the spa, or my personal favourite option, check out the Indian Ocean sunset from the beach-front bar!

Cars Driving Snow travel Winter

Drifting away…

Posted on May 9, 2015

When VW Dubai shared their first competition of the year, a lot of us online took notice. I replied to their tweet, with what I thought was a reasonable answer… not begging them to pick me, or responding that I already drive their vehicles (I have a Tiguan), I replied with an honest answer. I wanted to win their chance to go to Sweden to learn how to drift in the snow, because I didn’t know how to handle a car when it skids and didn’t want to get caught out next time I’m in France with mum, headed for the slopes one winter. 5 days later, I was on my way to Sweden! There were 4 of us coming from Dubai, Ziyad and Islam were winners from the various track days and races that VW held, and Pisi was a PR rep from their agency. Landing at the airport, we were paired up and whisked away into VW Golf R’s, heading straight for the hotel (it’s a good job I didn’t have more wine on the flight).

We learnt to drift straight away and with studded tires on a frozen lake it was actually pretty easy to get the car sideways. From emergency braking activities and direction changes on the dynamic area, we moved to the tracks, which as the days went on, got longer and longer. By the 3rd day we were driving solo around 5km looping circuits, having learnt the racing lines, and how to spot the apex’s on corners so that we can plan for either long or short drifts.

There was some free time too, where we jumped on board some ski-do’s and hit the adventure trails and the VW team surprised us with polarised vehicle drifting… it’s the kind of adventure that gets every guy in your life incredibly jealous… so I tried not to post pics online too often 😉

It was more than fun, it was an unbelievable experience! There’s something so freeing about being able to push, test, prod, turn buttons off and be able to handle a car in the way we did that week, where ‘going off’ or crashing was a case of hitting the white snowbanks covering the frozen lake, and being pulled back on by the Toureg that was the safety vehicle, with nothing more than a laugh and an orange sticker in your windscreen (points system).

By the final day, the full 7km track was ahead of us, and time trials were the aim of the game. I didn’t do too badly either, which surprised both me and the instructor Ronny (Guinness World Record holder for the tightest parking at speed). We spent the evenings eating, enjoying the local vino and catching up on some much needed rest… there’s high adrenaline when you’re in the cars so you burn quite a lot of energy fast.

Check out our video recap (made by Ziyad and his Go Pro) on Facebook!