This week is made for foodies with several big-ticket events lined up, from the annual Gulfood in Dubai and a barbecue-themed food festival in Abu Dhabi.
Dining aside, there's also a Taylor Swift tribute concert, as well as a cultural event preluding Ramadan.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from February 19 to 25.
Monday
Parents who dine out at Expo City Dubai on Monday will receive complimentary meals for their children.
Diners aged 12 and under eat for free at any of the restaurants across the vicinity until March 8. This includes Alkebulan by renowned chef and author Alexander Smalls. For Middle Eastern cravings, Assembly Mezze & Skewers might do the trick, while health buffs can head to vegan cafe PXB.
Other restaurants include Philly Jawn by Ghostburger, Yamanote Collective, Talhan and Grand Beirut. Eligible diners get one meal on the house for every order of an adult's meal.
Until March 8; Expo City Dubai; expocitydubai.com
Tuesday
It's never too late to grab those training shoes and get a gym membership. Fitness First has introduced Rush, a 45-minute group workout targeting both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
The programme is available to members of all Fitness First clubs in the UAE. However, on Tuesday, there will be a special ladies-only class at the Abu Dhabi Mall branch.
Rush comprises two rounds of high-intensity interval training, utilising eight working stations to blend cardiovascular, strength, functional, fit bench and core exercises. The workout also comes with a curated pre-choreographed music playlist to set the mood.
Various dates and timings; memberships start at Dh258 per month; uae.fitnessfirstme.com
Wednesday
Attend the annual Gulfood at Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday, for a taste, literally, of all things culinary.
Thousands of brands will gather under one roof showcasing food products, from cooking ingredients to pastries and packed goods. The event blends trade and consumer elements, with the public also invited to sample one-off finds and little-known cuisines, and attend workshops and demonstrations.
Some of the award-winning chefs set to make an appearance this year include Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq in Paris; Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Spain; and Mark Donald of The Glenturret in Scotland – all Michelin-starred restaurants.
Until Friday; from Dh595 for a five-day entry pass; Dubai World Trade Centre; gulfood.com
Thursday
On Thursday, catch the return of the critically acclaimed musical Phantom of the Opera in Dubai.
Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, the show is set in 19th-century Paris. It tells the story of the musical prodigy the Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. He falls in love and lures Christine, a young soprano, to be his protege.
The show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It has won more than 70 major awards since its debut in London's West End in 1986. Some of the hit songs include Think of Me, All I Ask of You and Music of the Night.
Until February 27; 8pm; from Dh275; Dubai Opera; dubaiopera.com
Friday
Unfortunately for Taylor Swift fans, her record-breaking The Eras Tour isn't making a Middle East stop. However, for those in Dubai, a tribute concert at Theatre at QE2 might be enough for now.
The UK tribute act is led by British singer Katy Ellis, who attempts to emulate the American superstar from her voice, look and contagious energy on stage. Fans can expect to sing along to hits such as Love Story, You Belong With Me and Cruel Summer.
Friday and Saturday; 2.30pm and 7.30pm; from Dh99; Port Rashid; dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday
For a cultural treat, and charming preview of the coming Ramadan, head to Al Shindagha Museum to learn more about Hag Al Laila – an ancient Emirati tradition where children visit homes in their neighbourhood, singing songs in return for sweets.
The Creek-side heritage venue will host authentic experiences that highlight the values of community by way of workshops and demonstrations.
Friday and Saturday; 4pm-8pm; free; Dubai Creek; dubaiculture.gov.ae
Sunday
Foodies can head to Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday to catch the last day of the Open Fire Food Festival, featuring the “smoky flavours of the desert”.
Hosted by Steve Harvey, the event celebrates all things barbecue, with demonstrations from prominent pitmasters such as Moe Cason, Steven Raichlen and Melissa Cookston. Several food stalls will be at the venue, while young Emirati chef Aysha AlObeidli will host workshops for the children. There will be eating competitions, too.
Saturday and Sunday; 10am-midnight; from Dh75; Yas Marina Circuit; openfirefoodfestival.com
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AUSTRALIA SQUAD v SOUTH AFRICA
Aaron Finch (capt), Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa
Company%20profile
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
