Acclaimed film director Wes Anderson will release his much-anticipated Asteroid City next week.
Set in a fictional desert town in 1955, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman and Tom Hanks, and is the story of a junior stargazer convention that’s spectacularly interrupted by world-changing events.
The film is shot using Anderson’s visually distinctive cinematography, which has inspired the current #WesAnderson TikTok trend where users replicate the director’s whimsical style to produce videos featuring symmetrical shots, quick cuts and saturated colours. The trend has already amassed more than 977 million views.
Travellers hoping to get in on the trend and star in their very own Wes Anderson movie can look to Airbnb. The accommodation platform has a host of listings that appear to be straight from one of the director's film sets. Here are 10 of the best.
1. Off-grid fire tower in Oregon, US
Summit Prairie is an off-grid cabin towering over open grasslands in Tiller, Oregon. Built in the style of US Forest Services’ fire lookout towers, the wood-clad cabin has everything guests need for a remote getaway.
There’s a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor shower, a wood-fired hot tub and swaying hammocks. Friends can join in with a tent and camp on the 160 acres of private land where there’s also a vegetable garden and firepits for evenings under the stars.
The tower comes with amazing views – and two bright red Adirondack chairs from which to admire them and perhaps stage an Anderson-style shoot. It's also the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts, with river rafting, hiking trails and waterfalls nearby.
2. Flying saucer stay in Wales, UK
Bed down in a one-of-a-kind UFO in the heart of the Welsh countryside. This spaceship-style Airbnb is accessible via a remote-controlled hatch and has space for up to four guests. As quirky as it gets, the vessel comes with a monitor where travellers can indulge in classic '80s arcade games like Space Invaders and Defender, and the property counts bell tents, yurts and dome tents as neighbours.
The entire space can be rented for anyone wanting to host an event or perhaps stage their own Anderson-inspired mini-movie reel. It’s also close to the popular seaside resorts of Tenby and Saundersfoot, known for their white sandy beaches and colourful harbours.
3. Solar camper in Tennessee, US
A back-to-basics stay with all the makings of a Wes Anderson scene await at Camp Grits in Tennessee. This sunshine-yellow vintage trailer with fire-engine-red outhouse is set in a wood-filled yard and is the ideal place to hide away from the world, curl up with a book or cook up a storm on a propane stove.
Lit by solar pendant lights, it has a full-sized bed and a bathhouse with a fire-powered claw-foot tub. TikTok users will have to wait until they return to civilisation to post their #WesAnderson video creations on the platform, as there’s no Wi-Fi or phone coverage at this off-the-radar escape.
4. Private island escape in Hvaler, Norway
Adventure seekers will love this tiny wooden cabin set on a 10,000 square metre private island in the Norwegian archipelago of Hvaler. Known as the municipality with the highest number of sunny days in the Scandinavian country, it’s the perfect site for a scenic getaway. Travellers will stay in the solar-powered cabin and have access to their own boat for the duration of the stay.
Days can be spent fishing, sunbathing, swimming or exploring the other islets in this western archipelago while evenings brings stargazing and outdoor gatherings around the cabin’s firepit.
5. Airstream trailer in California, US
As Anderson as it gets, this gleaming airstream trailer in Joshua Tree, California is inspired by the desert, similar to the setting for the director's upcoming film Asteroid City.
The 1959 vehicle has been newly renovated and inside is a mix of boho-chic interiors, wood cladded walls and tie-dye fabrics. Guests have access to a shared swimming pool, hot tub, solar shower and alfresco claw foot bathtubs – ideal for an evening spent bathing under a star-filled Californian sky.
6. Pop art apartment in Puglia, Italy
Colour and quirk combine in this artist-designed apartment in the village of Casamassella, a few kilometres from Otranto, the bay of Porto Badisco and the Italian beaches of Alimini. Guests checking into this accommodation will be sleeping inside a work of art – the apartment was designed by artisans and young artists from the Salento region.
It offers a fun experience with bold primary colour furniture contrasting with pastel-coloured fixtures and fittings, vibrant car bonnets as wall art, a plant pot-filled balcony and original stonework walls. It’s also pet friendly – so guests as obsessed with their dogs as Wes Anderson is can bring their own little fido along for the ride.
7. Retro caravan in New Zealand
Luxury glamping awaits in Claris, a restored vintage caravan located in a clifftop campsite at Omana Regional Park. Boasting endless views of the Hauraki Gulf Islands and surrounded by rainforests, mangrove walks and pristine beaches, this Clipper Caravan was saved from demolition two years ago and now welcomes holidaymakers to spend the night at this coastal reserve.
The tiny vintage vehicle nods to the 1950s and 60s when it was the most popular way for New Zealanders to holiday and its revival is a nod to simpler times, according to its Airbnb hosts. Inside, there’s a double bed, a well-equipped kitchenette and cute candy-striped soft furnishings. An orange and white-striped awning acts as a rain or sunshade for days spent alfresco.
8. Colourful canalside town house in Venice, Italy
Nestled between a private garden filled with lush greenery on one side and Venice’s Rio Marin Canal on the other, this apartment is in the charming Santa Croce area and sleeps up to eight guests.
Inside, a palette of bright reds, sunshine yellows and seaside blues sets a playful tone, boosted by the addition of plaid curtains, floral cushions, striped bedding, decorative carpets and unique animal wall prints. The neighbourhood is filled with art and history and is also enjoyed by true Venetians. Tourists seeking the city's crowded sights and streets are just a short walk from the Riva De Biasio water stop, meaning Venice’s big attractions are just a vaporetto journey away.
9. Secret suite in Santorini, Greece
In one of the busiest neighbourhoods on one of Greece’s most popular holiday islands, this secret suite in Oia, Santorini is a well-hidden gem. Designed for just two guests and bathed in pink and turquoise, the whimsical hideaway has a bed draped with pink curtains, art-deco style flourishes and whitewashed stone walls. A bold purple-hued bathroom channels Anderson vibes and the brightly painted balcony offers breathtaking ocean views, as well as a private hot tub from which travellers can enjoy the island’s famous sunsets.
10. Striped lighthouse in Panama
Overlooking the spectacular Playa Venao in southern Panama, this red and white striped lighthouse offers the perfect setting for Wes Anderson fans. Spread over four levels, the nautical-themed residence has a kitchenette and living room, bathroom and shower area, as well as two bedrooms – both with balconies opening out to views of the ocean and the sound of crashing waves.
Up on the top floor, lighthouse guests can enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views of the entire area. Attached to El Sitio Hotel – the first hotel to open in Playa Venao – the lighthouse also offers guests access to the property's luxury pool, bar and restaurant, as well as an on-site surf shop for guests who want to take to the ocean.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
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Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
more from Janine di Giovanni
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
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