John Lennon once described Liverpool as his home, but the German city of Hamburg as the place where he and the Beatles grew up.
The Fab Four - who actually numbered five at the time - travelled to Hamburg in 1960 and practised their trade playing in some of the city's louchest nightspots in the Reeperbahn red-light district.
Last month a new museum, Beatlemania, opened and, almost 50 years later, Hamburg retains a buzzing party scene.
With its lush parks, a network of criss-crossing waterways and a wealth of beautiful architecture and history, the city is also earning a reputation as a cultural hot spot. In the heart of Hamburg are the twin Inner and Outer Alster lakes.
Their grassy shores are dotted with cherry trees and are a popular spot for locals and tourists to gather, unwind and watch the world go by. The city is at the confluence of the Elbe, Alster and Bille rivers and boat trips are available. With a population of about 1.7 million, it is Germany's second largest.
Immigrants make up more than 15 per cent of its residents, giving it a cosmopolitan feel. Allied bombing in the Second World War destroyed swathes of Hamburg's residential and industrial buildings and evidence of this destruction remains.
One of the most spectacular is the St Nikolai church, the third largest in Germany.
Only the towering outer walls survive of this once magnificent building, which has been turned into a memorial with photos showing the destruction wrought on the city. Hamburg earned its reputation and wealth as a maritime trading hub and, as with many port cities across the world, it has a sordid side, the Reeperbahn, which is home to such bars as the Grosse Freiheit 36, where the Beatles once played, as well as some of the city's most vibrant and trendy nightspots.
Visitors can get their bearings on one of the scores of sightseeing bus tours. Commentaries are in English and German and visitors can hop on and off at sites such as the historic town hall and the baroque St Michaeliskirche, which was built in the mid-18th century.
An 82m-high viewing platform there offers spectacular views stretching from downtown to the port district.
You can explore the city's seafaring past at the International Maritime Museum near Messberg underground station in the port district. The 11-storey building is home to an array of exhibits covering all things nautical, from the origins of sea navigation to the latest techniques of boat building and even naval art.
For a comprehensive insight into the city's artistic past, there is the Kunsthalle art gallery, boasting more than 7,000 paintings 300 sculptures and 150,000 drawings. In 1678, Hamburg became the first city in Germany to open a public opera house. More than 300 years later, that musical tradition continues at the Staatsoper, which offers a variety of orchestral and operatic performances throughout the year.
The city's musical credentials will be bolstered with the Philharmonic Hall, which will include three concert halls, a hotel and conference facilities.
Designers hope the towering complex, will become an architectural landmark in Hamburg when it is completed in 2011. Hamburg is the country's largest port and the picturesque sweep of seven-storey, red brick warehouses along the Speicherstadt archipelago is one of the city's most recognisable images.
Nestled among these warehouses is the Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest network of model railways and roads. The huge display is a snapshot of modern life, with features such as a tiny rock concert complete with 10,000 screaming fans, a football stadium, alpine retreat and even a miniature Las Vegas. Its astonishing detail has drawn more than a million visitors a year since it opened in 2001.
Budget
Less than five minutes walk from Hamburg's central train station in the heart of the city, the Hotel Annenhof is an excellent base from which to explore the city. Rooms are basic but comfortable and some offer views of the city's bustling shopping district.
Not all rooms have ensuite, but there is a bathroom on each floor. Staff are happy to provide restaurant recommendations for travellers of all budgets.
Prices start from US$98 (Dh360) for a basic double room and $56 (Dh205) for a single.
The Hotel Annenhof, Lange Reihe 23 (www.hotelannenhof.de; 0049 40 243426).
Mid-range
The recently remodelled Grand Elysee hotel offers well furnished, comfortable rooms only a few minutes taxi ride from the city centre. Within sight of the Dammtor metro station, the hotel has 520 rooms and suites, three restaurants and wonderful spa and health facilities.
Standard room rates start at $200 (Dh735) per night and represent excellent value for money.
Grand Elysee, Rothenbaumchausee 10 (www.elysee.de; 0049 40 41412).
Luxury
On the banks of the Inner Alster lake, the Fairmont Vier Jahreszeiten is one of Hamburg's oldest and most luxurious hotels. With its classic styling, oak-panelled walls and tapestries, it has proved a popular choice with Gulf royalty. The late actor and director Peter Ustinov stayed so often that a suite is named after him.
The hotel boasts a comprehensive wine cellar and three restaurants, including a superb Far-Eastern menu at the Doc Cheng eatery. There are 156 guest rooms and suites, some offering beautiful views over the Alster. Rates start from $320 (Dh1,180) per night for a double room.
The Fairmont Vier Jahreszeiten, Neuer Jungfernsteig 9-14 (www.fairmont.com/hamburg; 0049 40 34940).
Breakfast
What better way to start the day than with a croissant and a cup of coffee looking over the Inner Alster lake? There are a host of cafes dotted around this picturesque waterway but the Cafe Wien stands out because it is actually built on a boat. Here you can enjoy a bite to eat and watch the swans swim by.
Lunch
Those with a sense of culinary adventure can try some of Hamburg's traditional dishes including aalsuppe - eel soup mixed with a spices, dried fruit, ham and vegetables. For the truly fearless gourmand there is also labskaus, a combination of ground boiled beef and mashed potatoes, served with herring and topped off with a fried egg.
Dinner
The gourmet Calla offers exquisite contemporary cuisine carefully prepared by the celebrated chef Michael Winkle. The restaurant, in the Steigenberger Hotel near the town hall has a stylish minimalist decor.
Food is pricey but delicious and the cream of pea and mint soup with scallops and Tobikko caviar for $17 (Dh62) is not to be missed.
A return flight with Emirates (www.emirates.com) which flies daily from Dubai direct to Hamburg costs from $790 (Dh2,900) including taxes.
If you really want to get into the spirit of Beatlemania, Jurgen Vollmer's book, The Beatles in Hamburg, has a fascinating series of photographs taken of the band while performing in the city in 1961.
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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THE BIO
Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
His favourite way to unwind is spending time with his two children and cooking
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Results
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
More coverage from the Future Forum
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
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 fake news generation
288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year
11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general
31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate
63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
