If it's too hot to city-hop, make this week all about self-pampering, by trying out new summer food and spa menus. If you're in the mood for a high-energy outing, though, there are still plenty of activities to sign up for.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do in the Emirates, from July 31 to August 6.
Monday
Start the week on a high-octane note at Al Maryah Island's Active Sports and Recreation area.
Guests can book indoor courts, while the outdoor facilities are discounted by 50 per cent over the summer. There are courts for tennis, volleyball, football, basketball and netball to name a few. Players can also take advantage of the free water-refilling stations spread across the area.
Until September; 7am-10pm; from Dh26.50 per hour; Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; activemaryah.qportal.io/sports
Tuesday
Head to 53 Dubai at the Sheraton Grand Hotel for the launch of its new dinner-show offering.
The first 50 guests each night can opt for a three-course set menu, including three drinks, for Dh350 – a steal compared with some of the a la carte options that can cost up to Dh450 a pop.
Tuesday to Sunday; from 9pm; Dh350 per person; Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; 53dubai.com
Wednesday
Young amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighters are going head-to-head at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi for the IMMAF Youth World Championships 2023.
Held over four days from Wednesday, the competition will see fighters aged 12 to 17 battle it out for world titles in the full-contact sport. The organisers are expecting participants from about 45 countries.
The arena is open to spectators, who will also have access to an activity area, as well as food and beverage vendors.
Until Saturday; free to enter; 9am-6pm; Zayed Sports City; immaf.org
Thursday
Here's one for the ladies, who can head to Coya Spa and Salon in Mirdif, Dubai, for a summer package that includes several treatments.
The Ladies Day Out package offers a Moroccan bath, 45-minute massage, express facial, hair treatment, manicure and pedicure. Guests can choose to do all activities in one day, or spread them across four weeks.
Until September; 10am-10pm; Dh950; Park Centre Mirdif, Dubai; 04 601 5555
Friday
To celebrate World Oyster Day, Italian restaurant Alici has partnered with Dibba Bay to create a platter of oysters available for lunch or dinner.
The Signature Slurp experience includes three flavours of oysters, with premium ingredients such as blood orange granita, dill oil, caviar, celery mignonette and bluefin tuna tartare.
Until Sunday; noon-11pm; Dh49 per platter of three; Bluewaters Island, Dubai; alici.com
Saturday
Take a road trip to the highest restaurant in the UAE, 1484 by Puro, in Ras Al Khaimah, on Saturday, to try its limited-time set menu.
The summer meal comprises three courses, with dishes such as beetroot kale salad and sea bass. Diners will also get a 20 per cent discount on Jais Flight and Jais Sky experiences, as well as a 10 per cent discount on the Jais Sledder.
Until August 31; Tuesday to Sunday, noon-7.30pm; Dh100 per person; Jebel Jais Welcome Centre, Ras Al Khaimah; puro.ae/1484-by-puro
Sunday
Take the little ones to Legoland Dubai, which has unveiled a jam-packed summer programme.
Guests can enjoy Lego-building activities, treasure hunts and a screening of Z-Blob Rescue Rush at the theme park's 4D studio.
There are also several promotions at the park's restaurants, including a kids-eat-free offer at Caesar’s Pizza & Pasta Buffet Restaurant. Youngsters can also enjoy free dinner at Bricks Restaurant before 8pm, an offer open to both guests and non-guests at Legoland Hotel.
Until August 27; 10am-6pm on weekdays, 10am-7pm on weekends; various prices; Dubai Parks and Resorts; legoland.com/dubai
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
More on animal trafficking
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Napoleon
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Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
