Qatar's lifestyle magazine bq-magazine.com
Issue 4
15 July to 14 August 2016
Qatar’s Shooting Star Sporting legend Nasser Al Attiyah
High Tea
Colour your Summer Qatar Summer Festival 2016
Summer Showpieces
Doing denim now What every well-dressed man needs
Walking on Sunshine
Delicious options in Qatar
Glossy, shimmery and sculpted is in
The A-Team
Schedule some relaxation
Qatari equestrians at Rio 2016
Ultimate Spa Destinations
CRISTIANO RONALDO Complimentary Copy
Football superstar and Sacoor Brothers brand ambassador on football, fashion, films and more
CONTENTS
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CONTENTS 15 July to 14 August 2016, Issue 4
FASHION & BEAUTY
Doing Denim Now What every well-dressed man needs Glossy, shimmery and sculpted is in
Qatar's lifestyle magazine
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12 14 16
28 HOME
Chic, Contemporary Living Cushions – pattern, colour, texture & comfort
CELEBRITY
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Cristiano Ronaldo – Second to None The A-Team Qatar’s Shooting Star
R&R
High Tea Tea Party in Style Ultimate Spa Destinations Summer travel with kids
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AUTO
Force Majeure – LaFerrari
FINANCE
7 tips for buying the right car
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28 34 40
44 50 52 56
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70 COMMUNITY
Colour your summer Summer events News bites – the latest in Retail, R&R, Auto & Finance
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CONTENTS
Qatar's lifestyle magazine Publisher Gulf Star Group Chairman Mohammed Mansour Rashid Al Khater Managing Director P.K Abdulla Business Director Naveed Abdulla Operations Director Nishad Abdulla Editor-in-chief Priya D’Souza Managing Editor Tina Snoj Design Marx Amante Sales & Marketing Manager Bosco Menezes Sales & Distribution Mohamed Ibrahim Star Hospitality General Queries Pauline Lat reachus@bqdoha.com T: +974 4491 3761 F: +974 4491 3778 Printers Gems Advertising & Publications W.L.L. Copyright Š 2016 BQ Plus. BQ Plus is owned and
published by Gulf Star Publishing, a division of the Published by Gulf Star Group Gulf Star Group. No part of this publication may be produced or copied without the written permission PO Box 19177, Doha, Qatar of the publisher. All rights reserved, use of trade+974 4491 3761 T: mark is strictly prohibited. Gulf Star Publishing takes no responsibility for unintentional errors or +974 4491 3778 F: unsolicited material. All images not credited are under license from Shutterstock. .com www.bq-magazine
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On the Cover: Cristiano Ronaldo
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FASHION | WOMEN
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DOING DENIM NOW
You used to think of it as the sidekick, the casual fix. It’s now denim’s turn to be the showpiece – and we’re all over it, with a cousin thrown in!
Ensemble, Sacoor Brothers, Ezdan Mall, Doha.
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FASHION | WOMEN
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River Island lace trim embroidered Bardot top with indigo jeans. Beige trench coat, white blouse, blue jeans, Sacoor Brothers
White linen shirt, blur ripped jeans, Gap
Travel bag, makeup bag, loafers, scarf, Sacoor Brothers
Long-sleeved plaid shirt, black jeans, Next
Denim jacket and jeans, Gap
Is corduroy, the geeky cousin, the new demin? We think so. Purple corduroy, green cotton shirt, sweater, Bottega Veneta
Massimo Dutti yellow jute loafers with fringe, and jute tote bag
White denim trousers, light blue denim shirt, brown suede boots, American Eagle Outfitters
July/August 2016
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FASHION | MEN
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ESSENTIALS What every well-dressed man needs this summer
Violet Polo, van Laack
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Off-white Polo, Massimo Dutti.
The Trim-Fit Polo.
Elevated by a slim cut and hint of prints. Opt for a cool and laid-back look with white tees or bright colours.
Classic summer white Bermuda stretch-cotton shorts, van Laack
Navy blue sneakers, Massimo Dutti Red shorts, Sacoor Brothers.
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Tailored Shorts.
A summer standard with a clean-cut update: an above-the-knee length and modern fit.
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Gray high-top velcro leather sneakers, Lanvin
Neutral Colour Sneakers. Wear them with everything: shorts, jeans, chinos – even a seersucker suit. Guaranteed to never clash.
Persol men’s Tortoiseshell square glasses
Gucci Havana tortoiseshell sunglasses
Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
Subtle colours give a retro, laid-back look
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Maroon T-shirt, Next
The Updated T-shirt.
Blue T-shirt, River Island
Soft slub cotton and a slim fit improve upon a classic.
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FASHION | MEN
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Board Shorts.
Stretch construction updates a swim staple made to move easily in the waves and on dry land.
Baby blue, orange and navy Hari Mari flip-flops American Eagle Outfitters
River Island
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Brown flip-flops, American Eagle Outfitters
Comfortable Flip-flops.
Memory foam between your toes proves that casual doesn’t have to kill your feet.
Blue slim fit cotton casual Mandarin collar shirt, Next
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Light aqua short-sleeve shirt, American Eagle Outfitters
The Colourful Casual Shirt. An easy way to work in colour – and ditch rolled-up sleeves if you go short.
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Slim slub green khaki, Gap
L’Occitane Cedrat Collection’s fresh and extremely masculine fragrance and skincare range helps to hydrate, mattify and energize.
Summer Grooming. Yes to sun, no to damage.
Massimo Dutti off-white chinos
Classic Chinos & Khakis.
Not too slim, not too roomy, the straight-leg chino or khaki is as versatile as your favourite jeans. July/August 2016
BEAUTY | SUMMER COLOURS
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Dolce & Gabbana Blush Powder Bacio 50 enlivens the face with subtle luminosity for a healthy, fresh glow.
Burberry Skin Light Glow New Parabens Free Coral Pink Blush 09 is a lightweight blush that gives the skin a bright fresh glow.
Clarins Garden Escape 6 Colour Eye Palette encapsulates summer within a collection.
WALKING ON SUNSHINE
Burberry Eyes Complete Eye Palette Rose Pink 10 can take you from morning to evening.
Glossy, shimmery, and sculpted is in this summer!
Gucci Impact Long Wear Eye Pencil in iconic black enhances the lash line for dramatic definition. Tom Ford Lash Tips Mascara is a new innovative, flirtatious and long-wearing product that colours the tips of your lashes with eye-catching shades.
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfecter in Pink moisturizes, plumps and illuminates lips leaving subtle, natural-looking colour and shine.
Tom Ford Lip Colour Sheer in Sweet Spot is a brightened, light-medium coral-orange with warm undertones and a soft shimmer-sheen finish.
Guerlain KissKiss Roselip Lip Balm in Wonder Violette is a hydrating and plumping tinted lip balm boasting an expert formula infused with rose extract and moisturizing jojoba.
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Clinique Lip Pop Colour in Papaya Pop’s luxurious yet weightless formula merges bold, saturated colour with a smoothing primer.
BEAUTY | SUMMER CHANNEL
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Christian Dior Skin Nude Tan Bloom Powder in Zenith plays on a harmony of warm, sunny pigments and fresh, vibrant colours, orangey or rosy.
Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer is the answer to unwanted shine, fighting against excess oil to ensure a matte makeup result.
With IsaDora Nude Cushion Foundation, get a nude perfect finish in seconds with no make-up feel.
Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Palette in Coral features five shades of lipstick in a combination of Rouge Artist Intense and Natural shades to inspire limitless lip creativity. Gucci Bold High Gloss Lacquer 050 combines a state of the art formula and an innovative brush for a luxurious manicure experience.
Dolce & Gabbana Nail Polish Bacio 233 fuses fashion and beauty to create the perfect colour-rich manicure.
Gucci Luminous Perfecting Concealer is blend of lightreflecting and concealing ingredients that masks blemishes, shadows and dark spots, and helps hide signs of fatigue.
Estee Lauder Bronze Collection Luminous Liquid Bronzer is great for all skin tones, and includes a unique blend of bronzing pigments in a pearlized, reflective base.
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder is light, translucent and luminous, and restores a natural healthy glow in a few strokes of a brush.
Eisenberg Invisible Corrective Makeup 00 Natural Porcelain is the ideal makeup complement to the daily skin-care, and guarantees an intangibly natural invisible second skin and a perfect 12-hour wear, in all climates.
July/August 2016
FEATURE | HOME
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CHIC, CONTEMPORARY LIVING The residences at CAMPBELL GRAY LIVING are privately owned apartments designed to deliver comfort, convenience and contemporary living with an accent on elegance.
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FEATURE | HOME
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ocated in the spectacular Abdali district, which has come to be known as “Amman’s new downtown”, CAMPBELL GRAY LIVING will have a unique mix of business and leisure opportunities. You will be across the street from Amman’s largest retail complex, Abdali Mall, and two blocks away from the state-of-the-art, Johns-Hopkins Medicine-International-affiliated Clemenceau Medical Center. It is adjacent to The Palace of Justice, Parliament and King Abdullah Mosque and you are 5 minutes away from Shmeisani, Amman’s lively financial hub. Queen Alia International Airport is just 35 minutes away by car. It is the perfect place for international travellers to call home. Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, each residence is stylishly appointed with the most premium materials and reflects the chic, contemporary style of the new hotel. Whether furnished or unfurnished, the residences are fitted with
DESIGNED BY MARTIN BRUDNIZKI DESIGN STUDIO, EACH RESIDENCE IS STYLISHLY APPOINTED WITH THE MOST PREMIUM MATERIALS AND REFLECTS THE CHIC, CONTEMPORARY STYLE OF THE NEW HOTEL July/August 2016
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state-of-the-art appliances and each of the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments is stunning. The resident-only facilities include a dramatic rooftop pool garden and cabanas. The luxury hotel services include a 24-hour concierge & security, around-the-clock maintenance and much more. Together, the exceptional amenities and hotel services make your home the most coveted residence in Amman, designed for the global elite. There are three residential lobbies attended by hotel staff. Furnished Living Area: When walking into the apartment, the open kitchen and dining area are to the left, with the sitting area that gives onto the terrace on the right. The style and design used in this space is contemporary and comfortable. The floor is dark solid oak, with shades of cream and blue being the colour theme and regional contemporary art on the walls of the living area space. The living room also includes a guests’ Washroom and over 400 lifestyle books by Assouline, about fashion, design, travel, horses, cars, etc.
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FEATURE | HOME
THE DINING TABLE SITS ACROSS THE KITCHEN AND INCLUDES A SOLID OAK TABLE FOR 8 WITH A BANQUETTE ON THE WALL SIDE, AND WHITE CHAIRS
FEATURE | HOME
Furnished Dining Area: The dining table sits across the kitchen and includes a solid oak table for 8 with a banquette on the wall side, and white chairs. Furnished Kitchen Area: The kitchen includes an open section that is in the dining area, and a back pantry. The cabinetry is by Leicht, and the appliances are by Miele. The Three-Bedroom Apartment For all the residences, the concept is to create a living experience that feels like a hotel with the privacy of
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THE MASTER BEDROOM INCLUDES AN OAK LINED WALK-IN WARDROBE AND A PRIVATE BATHROOM THAT IS DESIGNED IN BLACK AND WHITE your own front door. Every apartment has been designed around individuality, warmth and style. Furnished Bedrooms & Master Bedroom: The master bedroom includes an oak lined walk-in wardrobe and a private bathroom that
is designed in black and white. The bedroom itself is decorated in various tones of blue, and white, making it very calm, and includes a superking size bed and Hermes wallpaper. The secondary bedrooms, which share a blue-tile bathroom, are roughly the same size and include a July/August 2016
FEATURE | HOME
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LUSH GREENERY CREATES SECLUSION FOR EACH OF THE CABANAS, ALL OF WHICH INCLUDE A JACUZZI AND SUN LOUNGERS king-size bed, f loor rugs, a desk and two wardrobe cabinets. They both have doors that give onto the apartment balcony.
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The Residential Rooftop It will feature an infinity-edge pool and nine private cabanas. The rooftop at the residences is singularly
suited to the art of relaxation. Set amidst lavish landscaping is a pergola with a leafy canopy. It provides cooling shade during the day while, at night, pendant lights lend artful illumination. Lush greenery creates seclusion for each of the cabanas, all of which include a jacuzzi and sun loungers. Arrayed along one side of the pool are teak loungers; to the rear is a dining area and four intimate lounges featuring warming fire-pits,
FEATURE | HOME
comfortable sofas and ottomans. Private catering by the hotel also makes the rooftop the perfect place for sophisticated open-air dinners and parties. The rooftop is where you can be a social or private as you like. Gordon Campbell Gray Gordon Campbell Gray has created
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some of the world’s most iconic hotels including, One Aldwych in London, Carlisle Bay in Antigua and Le Gray in Beirut. Now, Campbell Gray is introducing his new vision for contemporary luxury and lifestyle to the Jordanian capital of Amman. “At CAMPBELL GRAY LIVING, guests will be able to walk
outside and find themselves in the city’s most vibrant neighbourhood: Abdali - Amman’s new downtown. What we’re bringing to Jordan is the very best. An experience layered with deep attention to detail, super efficiency and the highest calibre service. No compromises.” July/August 2016
HOME | INTERIORS
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Marrakesh Harlo round floor cushion 60 x 15cm, House Warming
PLUS – Foldable
cushion chair, Delfino
Nomad Maharaja cushion 40 x 60cm, House Warming
Luktaster multicolour cushion cover, 40 x 65 cm, IKEA
Fiesta portrait cushion - Pink Umbrella, 45 x 45 cm, Ruby Star Traders
Akervallmo multicolour cushion cover, 50 x 50 cm, IKEA
TOP 10 CUSHIONS The best cushions can subtly ring the changes in a room, revitalise a space or initiate a whole new decorating plan. They instantly add pattern, colour, texture and of course comfort.
Gullklocka yellow cushion cover, 50 x 50 cm, IKEA
Large festival floor cushion in orange, The French Bedroom Company
Pink and blue floor cushion, 20 (H) x 75 (W) x 75 (D) cm, Graham and Green
Suzani bright hand embroidered felted wool floor cushions, 65 x 65 cm, Graham and Green
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Knot large blue floor cushion, habitat
RETAIL | NEWS
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July/August 2016
RETAIL | NEWS
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Sunglasses from Omega Omega, the iconic Swiss watchmaker, and Marcolin Group, worldwide eyewear company, have agreed to an exclusive collaboration to create Omega branded sunglasses. The first summer collection will be available exclusively in Omega boutiques around the world from August 2016 with inspiration for the sunglasses taken from Omega’s strong heritage and timepiece design. This has enabled many aesthetical and technical
design details that make each pair unique. Omega and Marcolin Group’s shared commitment to quality, luxury and precision has ensured the highest standard of product has been reached. Both groups are known for their principles regarding innovation and progressive thinking. With that in mind, there has been a determined attempt to offer customers new products with original touches.
Summer essentials from Calvin Swarovski’s Crystal Galaxy collection Klein Swarovski Creative Director Nathalie Colin was naturally inspired by the stellar influence and chose to explore it in the Fall Winter 16/17 ‘CRYSTAL GALAXY’ collection. The ‘Fatal’ line goes for a bold interpretation and merges the timeless elegance of pearls with cool and modern PVD while the Festival” line epitomizes this tribute to Supernovas, with an on-trend combination of pearls and metallic spheres. To complete stars, planets and cosmic night, the last part of the collection gives full light to an icy inspiration. Icicles become spiked necklaces, frosted elements turn into fluid chandelier earrings and clear crystal is the hero of this frozen universe. Even watches exemplify the mood with mother-of-pearl cases. Through four variations on the galaxy, the Fall Winter 16/17 collection invites to a stylish journey that promises brilliance to the modern and multi-faceted women.
Boost is launched in colour
Adidas gives Boost a bold new look by introducing it in colour for the first time. Available in red and black, the highly anticipated colour update to Boost offers runners a completely new aesthetic. The new colorways will make their debut alongside the iconic white Boost midsole on triple red, black and white versions of the latest drop from adidas, UltraBoost Uncaged. Ben
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Herath, vice president of Design for adidas Running says: “The introduction of Boost with colour reflects our dedication to identifying and understanding exactly what our consumers want and to pushing the boundaries of aesthetic design. Boost is an industry-leading innovation that will now be available in a style that matches the elite standard of its performance.”
It’s finally summer, and whether you’re indulging in a holiday or simply lounging at the beach, Calvin Klein has the perfect watches from its SS16 collection to spice up your summer wardrobe for the ultimate fashion statement! Urban. Sporty. Calvin Klein colour. A celebration of the recent ‘90s revival, Calvin Klein colour pairs minimalistic shapes and vibrant colors for a bold athletic statement. A sandblasted aluminum case is combined with a comfortable silicone strap proudly displaying the iconic Calvin Klein logo. The result is an eye-catching timepiece that is full of nostalgia yet still resolutely contemporary. The unisex Calvin Klein colour watch is offered in white, yellow, pink, green, blue and black for a dynamic and sporty luxe look. The watches are available at Rivoli Group stores across the GCC.
RETAIL | NEWS
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July/August 2016
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COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
CRISTIANO RONALDO – SECOND TO NONE
Injury may have denied Cristiano Ronaldo a full part in the recent Euro 2016 final against France, but Portugal’s win completes his set of honours. Here he talks about football and his life outside of it.
From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line BQ Plus
COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
C
ristiano Ronaldo wept tears of despair then tears of joy as the recent Euro 2016 final took him on an emotional journey from his lowest low to the high of lifting Portugal’s first major trophy. The 31-year-old Real Madrid superstar carried his country’s hopes into the final against hosts France in Paris as Portugal’s captain, encouraging his teammates, yelling directions at them, helping his country bring home the championship from the sidelines. “Listen people, I’m sure we will win this Euro, so stay together and fight for it,” Ronaldo told his teammates at halftime, according to The Independent. And his teammates did him proud. Ronaldo can now be ranked with the true greats of the game. He has finally added success in the international arena, with a Euro 2016 win to add to his accolades and honours with Manchester United and Real Madrid. However, Ronaldo’s connection to the region doesn’t begin or end with the love for football but goes well beyond as official global ambassador to renowned international label based in Portugal, Sacoor Brothers. The label released their luxurious limited edition collection this March – Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers – which is available at nine boutiques around the world, with five of them in the UAE. In an interview with BQ Plus, the football icon talks about football, fashion and more.
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BQ Plus: When the World Cup is held in Russia, you’ll be 33. Will that be your deadline for leaving the national team? Cristiano Ronaldo: I don’t think so. That will depend on my physical and my psychological condition. I don’t make plans in my sporting career. Everything will depend on my mental and physical condition. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I think the most important thing is this moment, now, how I am. I feel good, I feel motivated and in three years’ time, we’ll see what happens.
I WANT TO KEEP GOING. I DON’T SET TIME LIMITS FOR MYSELF AS A FOOTBALLER If you could walk down the street without being recognised, what would you do? I’d go to a shopping centre, for example. I’d buy a bag of popcorn, a Coke. I’d go with my friends and spend two or three hours there having fun and see a movie. After the movie, I’d buy some clothes…
With the Euro Cup trophy as Portugal’s captain
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COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
some invitations. Because of my extremely complicated schedule of training and games and the tournaments I’m in, it’s been complicated. But I’m not closing any doors. That’s an area that I actually like.
THE LONGER I AM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, THE BETTER THE FUTURE WILL BE BECAUSE IT BRINGS MORE THINGS WITH IT, MORE CONTRACTS, EVERYTHING When the opportunity arises, will you play a tough guy? No. I wouldn’t want to be a lead or supporting actor. I’d like to do small parts. I’d like to learn, to be surrounded by good actors. That’s the only way to learn, as it’s an area I’m not familiar with because it has nothing to do with football. But I think I could get there, with practice.
From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
Do you feel a need to be able to go unnoticed? I’m used to it now. I don’t look at it like that anymore. Obviously, in the beginning, it was a bit strange because very often, walking on the street without being recognised is complicated. Even more so now. But in the past, in my first or second year, I could still go unnoticed. But there came a time when that became impossible. But, I’m used to it now.
An athlete’s exposure at this level involves a bit of acting… In my opinion, acting is different kind of work. It’s very complicated. I think it’s a very interesting, but difficult, profession. That’s why, as I said, I’m sure that sooner or later I’ll be on the cast of some film or another. I have no doubt about that. But I’ll just do small things to begin
How do you spend your days? I like doing my work well, both on the pitch and off it. Whether that means going to the gym, warming up to music, being surrounded by people who make me feel good, in a tranquil environment, a happy environment. I think that’s part of me, not just in football... For example, today, when I’m recording, I’m with the people I get on best with and they’re also the people I work with. The Spanish enjoy having a good time and that’s what I always try to do. You’ve released a film about you. Do you see yourself acting in a Hollywood film? Why not? It’s not my goal at the moment, but I’ve had BQ Plus
From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
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player and on my own. If everybody had the chance to do what they like doing, I think the world would be a much better place… but that’s not possible.
I WOULDN’T WANT TO BE A LEAD OR SUPPORTING ACTOR. I’D LIKE TO DO SMALL PARTS. I’D LIKE TO LEARN, TO BE SURROUNDED BY GOOD ACTORS From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
with, to get used to it, to gain experience. Then we’ll see. The future is bright. I’ve just finished making my film and things went well. But when it’s your own film, it’s natural, it’s not fake. I’m not an actor in that film, but I’m not closing the doors to the future.
Do you worry about the time when you’ll have to hang up your football boots? In a way, that motivates me to keep on working harder and better and continuing in my area, which is football. The longer I am at the highest level, the better the future will be because it brings more things with it, more
Are you seduced by American society? Of course. It’s a very interesting country. It’s no accident that I’ve been going there on holidays for ten years now and I really like it. And Real Madrid’s pre-season training is usually in Los Angeles, at least it was for three years in a row. And it’s also the place where films are given more importance. So, it’s a world I’ll be spending a lot of time in when my career is over. Having had such a long and successful career, what still motivates you in football? It’s the competition. It’s enjoying it and doing what I love most, playing football. And I feel good, I feel young, strong. So I want to keep going. I don’t set time limits for myself as a footballer. My body will tell me, and my mind too. I want to enjoy it and win more, both as a team
From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
July/August 2016
COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
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contracts, everything. That’s why I know that I get a lot out of being at a high level in football. That’s my major motivation, because I know that when football is over for me, I’ll have plenty to do. On to fashion, do you take care to only choose clothes that you identify with? Thank God, I’m able to choose practically whatever it is I like. Sacoor is a label I’ve always liked and I can relate to it. That’s why we’re in partnership and I’m quite pleased about that. I really like the fashion world. It’s not by chance that I have shirts, my own boxers, my own fragrance, my own headphones. And more things will be coming soon… I’m happy because my projects are growing and I can safely say that, after football, what I’ll be doing is partly my own idea. I want my label to keep on growing in different product areas, whether they be shoes, trousers, boxers, shirts, headphones, films, etc. and the name Cristiano Ronaldo will last forever and will be passed down to my children and keep on going. That’s my main objective.
I WANT MY LABEL TO KEEP ON GROWING IN DIFFERENT PRODUCT AREAS, WHETHER THEY BE SHOES, TROUSERS, BOXERS, SHIRTS, HEADPHONES, FILMS, ETC. And always with the intention of helping others… I’ve always done that and I will keep on doing it because, when I do, God always pays me back twofold. Obviously, you can’t help everybody but my team and I decided to help with the basics and that makes us feel good. It’s something that makes me happy.
From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
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There’s a very curious expression in English, “the meaning of life”. What is your meaning of life? To keep going as I am, to keep on with my work at the highest level. Maintaining this level over so many years is extremely complicated. You can count on your fingers the number of top world footballers who were able to maintain the demanding level at the top for six, seven, eight, nine, ten years and stay at the top for so long. I feel very privileged to be one of them. Leaving football aside, it means doing what I enjoy most and as there is so much, I’ll choose what’s best for me.
COVER STORY | CELEBRITY
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CRISTIANO RONALDO & SACOOR BROTHERS The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line projects the intrinsic quality of Sacoor Brothers collections. Each item was carefully designed, allying the wealth of detail to a panoply of fine materials. This is plainly seen in the cut, the personalised buttons, the welt or flap pockets, the tiepin, the personalised label and the carefully selected materials. This collection has all the necessary items – unique suits, blazers, waistcoats, classic trousers, knits, scarves and ties – to create charismatic, personalised outfits. The limited edition is ideal for the new generation of men who “parade” through the main cities in the world, radiating singular elegance and taste. The 7 suits (reflecting the superstar’s jersey number) in this collection illustrate the best of haute couture. BOHEMIAN CHIC Contemporary, its pattern making you forget the conventional. It is perfect for the bohemian spirit of a city like Madrid, with relaxed, yet sophisticated and timeless styles that will remain for decades. EASY SUIT This versatile suit was designed to attract the attention of a man from the metropolis of the future. The Italian fabric seems to be inspired by concrete, steel and glass, elements which enchant in modern, advanced cities that rise up to meet the sky, like Kuala Lumpur. SARTORIAL STYLE Recalling the sartorial style of the City of London, this suit, with a classic double-breasted blazer, can hold its own in the Mecca of London tailoring.
THE 7 SUITS (REFLECTING THE SUPERSTAR’S JERSEY NUMBER) IN THIS COLLECTION ILLUSTRATE THE BEST OF HAUTE COUTURE NEO-DECADENT SUIT Escaping from the norm means finding the alternative, the trendiest. Not the latest, but the next trend. This is the mood of the man who chooses a suit with this false plain pattern, in blue. His attitude reflects the values of a prosperous city that is constantly being modernised, like Dubai. MODERN TAILOR-MADE The essence of a classic style, this suit embraces the singular nature of the man wearing it. Just like in every corner of Lisbon, there is a discreet dialogue between tradition, through the sophisticated haute couture details, and the current details of prêt-à-porter.
Interview credit : Sacoor Brothers. Sacoor Brothers boutique is located at Ezdan Mall in Doha, Qatar. From The Cristiano Ronaldo & Sacoor Brothers line
BOLD SUIT The timeless pattern of this suit could well make it an icon of modernity, keeping up with the pace of a fast and unstoppable city like Doha. It is ideal for the man who wants to make a bold statement, but is a classic nonetheless. GLAMOUR SUIT A classic reinvented for more glamorous occasions. The fine material and bold details of this suit show glimpses of the rebel, avant-garde attitude of the man who wants to venture through an enigmatic city like Singapore. July/August 2016
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO EQUESTRIAN
CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO EQUESTRIAN
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THE A-TEAM The Qatari Equestrian Team – Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani, Bassem Hassan Mohammed, Ali Al-Rumaihi, Khalid Al-Emadi, Faleh Al-Ajmi and Hamad Al-Attiyah – is set to make history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
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Q
atar’s Equestrian show jumping team will make history this summer when they become the first ever Qatari equestrian team to compete at an Olympic Games. With a little over two months to the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani, Bassem Hassan Mohammed, Ali Al-Rumaihi, Khalid Al-Emadi, Faleh Al-Ajmi and Hamad Al-Attiyah are working hard to be in top form for the biggest competition of their lives. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games marks the first time the Olympics are held in South America and will see over 10,000 athletes from 206 nations compete in Rio de Janeiro. The best athletes from around the globe will challenge themselves to the absolute limit of their ability before a global TV audience of 4.8 billion people. Qatar is sending its biggest delegation to the Olympic Games since its debut in Los Angeles 1984. Thirty six athletes will compete in seven sports – athletics, swimming, shooting, handball, equestrian, table tennis and judo. Coached by former Olympic show jumping gold medalist Jan Tops, who won gold in the team jumping event in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the Qatari equestrian team have already made history by qualifying for Rio during the Furusiyya 2015 FEI Nations Cup Jumping series in Abu Dhabi. Facing experienced teams from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United
Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO EQUESTRIAN
Arab Emirates, Qatar’s equestrians stunned the crowds by grabbing the sole qualifying spot for the Rio 2016 Games. “Qualifying for Rio was an indescribable feeling,” Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani says, adding, “We worked hard to qualify and we succeeded. It was never easy because our group was very challenging and there was only one qualifying spot.”
THE TEAM’S WELLEARNED VICTORY IN THE 2015 FEI NATIONS CUP LED TO ANOTHER VICTORY IN THE BARCELONA 2015 LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR Sheikh Ali, who is currently ranked sixth worldwide in the Longines Global Champions Tour, credits his early exposure to nature on his uncles’ farms as his reason for taking up equestrianism: “My uncles had a few race horses as well as everyday horses and that’s how I began
CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO EQUESTRIAN
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Hamad Al-Attiyah
riding. I started horse riding when I was seven or eight as a hobby on their farms.” Unique challenges The team’s well-earned victory in the 2015 FEI Nations Cup was built on their gold medal win in the 2014 Asian Games and led to another victory in the Barcelona 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour. Yet despite their successes, they also face unique challenges that most athletes do not.
“THERE ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULTIES IN ANY SPORT, AND FOR THIS SPORT THE HORSE BECOMES THE CHALLENGE” “There are always difficulties in any sport, and for this sport the horse becomes the challenge,” says Bassem Hassan Mohammed, adding, “Equestrians interact with living things and our success depends on them and there is always something new with the horse, either it is injured or not feeling well psychologically.” Bassem, 29, took up horse riding at the incredibly young age of five, eventually training professionally with
the Qatari Equestrian Federation and securing a litany of achievements including placing first in the Doha leg of the 2014 Longines Global Champions Tour. By spending so much of their day together, Qatar’s equestrians and their horses share a special, strong bond: “During our training camp in Holland, we usually stay in the stables from around 8am up to 5pm,” says Faleh Al-Ajmi, adding, “so we basically spend most our times with the horses and have a very strong connection to them.” Gruelling training The team, who recently competed in the Madrid leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour from 19 to 22 May, keep a stringent training and competition schedule
Faleh Al-Ajmi
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO EQUESTRIAN
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throughout the year to maintain their world-class level. “We usually begin training in the summer, and from April to September we head to training camps in Europe, particularly in Holland,” says 22-year-old Khalid Al-Emadi. “We train six times a week for three hours daily,” he adds.
“WE USUALLY BEGIN TRAINING IN THE SUMMER, AND FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER WE HEAD TO TRAINING CAMPS IN EUROPE, PARTICULARLY IN HOLLAND” The demanding schedule must be carefully thought out by Coach Tops and his administrative team, striking a delicate balance between a well-trained and exercised horse, and an exhausted one. “A horse’s condition f luctuates from day to day and if there are any problems the rider has to find out by himself,” says 35-year-old Ali Al-Rumaihi. “You
Bassem Hassan Mohammed
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Khalid Al-Emadi
develop a better sense of the horse the more time you spend riding it,” he remarks. Like the rest of his teammates, Ali started horse riding at a very young age thanks to his family’s support and his early exposure to horses. He went from riding his father’s pure-bred Arabian horses on his farm to winning gold in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar – which he hopes to emulate in Rio 2016. “The most important thing is to represent Qatar in the best way possible, and hopefully win an Olympic medal,” he says.
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Ali Al Rumaihi
Olympic ambitions Long considered part of Qatar’s tradition and heritage, Arabian horses were thought to be used by Qatar’s founding fathers during their fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire, ingraining them as part of Qatar itself. While Qatar’s Equestrian Team has already made history, the athletes hope to also make the podium in Rio.
“I HAVE SPENT YEARS WITH MY TEAMMATES – WE ARE LIKE BROTHERS. OUR STRONG RELATIONSHIP MAKES FOR A STRONG, COMPETITIVE TEAM” “The Olympics is every equestrian’s ambition,” says Hamad Al-Attiyah, adding, “It is my life’s dream and I will give it everything that I have.” At only 20 years old, Hamad is the youngest member of the Equestrian Team, yet has already set on the path to a successful career after becoming the youngest rider in history to ever qualify for a World Cup final at 18 years old.
The tight-knit team spend their days and nights together training – creating a special comradery that bolsters their performance in the arena and lifts their spirit as a team. “Winning as a team is something special for me,” says Sheikh Ali, adding “I have spent years with my teammates – we are like brothers. Our strong relationship makes for a strong, competitive team.” Aside from the Olympic podium and the glory that comes with it, the team also hope their participation in the Olympics inspires the next generation of riders, or athletes of any other sport. “Qatar has never had an equestrian team compete in the Olympics. This will push young athletes and fans to take up equestrianism,” says Ali. Meanwhile Sheikh Ali adds: “I suggest anyone who has an interest in any sport to pursue it and represent your country because our country is a great supporter of sport.” To support its athletes on their journey in Rio, Qatar Olympics Committee has launched the #YallaQatar campaign across its social media channels with the aim of showcasing Qatar’s athletes and their incredible feats. The Olympic Dreams film series profiles each team and athlete, and explores the highs, lows, motivations and dreams of Qatar’s Olympians. You can follow the Equestrian Team’s Olympic Dreams on the Qatar Olympic Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels under the hashtag #YallaQatar. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games take place from 5 – 21 August. July/August 2016
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO SHOOTING
QATAR'S SHOOTING STAR Nasser Al-Attiyah, competing in his sixth consecutive Olympic Games, aims for the highest spot on the Rio podium.
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO SHOOTING
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Q
atar’s sporting legend Nasser Al Attiyah will join an elite group of Olympians from around the world when he competes in his sixth consecutive Olympic Games in Rio in just under a month. The experienced skeet shooter hopes to better his success at London 2012 where he won the bronze medal. Highly unusual for any athlete, Nasser has managed to find massive international success in two entirely separate sporting fields. In addition to his skeet shooting success, he is also one of the most accomplished rally drivers in the history of the Middle East with numerous medals in World Championships and the grueling Dakar rally.
THE EXPERIENCED SKEET SHOOTER HOPES TO BETTER HIS SUCCESS AT LONDON 2012 WHERE HE WON THE BRONZE MEDAL “I started rally driving before I began shooting,” Nasser says, adding, “I wanted to do something that would help me with my rally driving, especially my focus.” After realising his talent for skeet shooting, which is a form of clay pigeon shooting where clay targets are flung into the air from two towers, Nasser dreamed of representing Qatar at the Olympics. “When I started shooting in 1994, it was my dream to compete in the Olympics,” he says. Nasser worked
Nasser Al-Attiyah at London 2012 where he won the Olympic bronze medal.
Nasser Al-Attiyah at the London 2012 Olympics
hard towards his dream and went on to compete in the next five Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, (where he placed an agonising fourth), as well as Beijing 2008 and, of course, London 2012. It was in London that Nasser found what he describes as his biggest achievement after an intense shoot-off with his experienced and relentless opponent, Valeriy Shomin from Russia, to claim the bronze medal. “My experience in the London Olympics was very successful and competing in London was a very special thing for me,” he says. “Maybe it is because I visit London so often, especially during the summer, that I felt like I was at home.” All worth it Success however does not come without sacrifices, and for Nasser that means an arduous and extremely demanding schedule. “The hardest thing about shooting is that it takes up a lot of time in your life. It requires between four to six hours of training daily,” he notes. “My schedule is very difficult as I wake up at 5am and do physical fitness exercises followed by shooting practice at the federation.” Nasser describes why having the highest possible levels of fitness is a crucial part of achieving success in shooting: “The athletes have to be very fit because shooting requires a lot of concentration. And concentration can be lost at any time if your physical fitness is not up to par with your mental focus.” The many hours of training is all worth it for Nasser, July/August 2016
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CELEBRITY | QATAR RIO SHOOTING
shooting because if you aren’t connected to your gun you will not shoot 100 percent.”
“THE HARDEST THING ABOUT SHOOTING IS THAT IT TAKES UP A LOT OF TIME IN YOUR LIFE. IT REQUIRES BETWEEN FOUR TO SIX HOURS OF TRAINING DAILY” Nasser Al-Attiyah at London 2012 with his coach.
who started his love affair with shooting 22 years ago: “I loved it because it was exciting and was full of action.” More than just an exciting sport, skeet shooting also requires a considerable amount of technique, as well as an intimate relationship with the gun. “I don’t like changing my gun – I’ve used the same one for seven years. The weight has to stay the same or else it effects how it sits on your cheek or shoulder and thus your aim. I consider the gun a part of me in skeet
Nasser Al-Attiyah at the London 2012 Olympics
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For Rio, Qatar’s shooting star is looking forward to the conditions. “Rio may be more suitable for me because of the high temperature and humidity – much like the weather in Qatar.” With his typical steely determination, Nasser has his sights set at the very highest level. “My goal is to win a medal,” he says, adding “I hope it is a gold medal. I’m going to give it all that I have – focus, hard work and dedication.” You can follow the Nasser Al-Attiyah’s Olympic Dreams on QOC’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels under the hashtag #YallaQatar. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games take place from 5 – 21 August.
DINING | AFTERNOON TEA
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HIGH TEA Savour tasty cakes, scones, and dainty sandwiches, and a selection of teas with a delightful afternoon tea. It’s a great way to celebrate a birthday, catch-up with friends, or take a welcome break from work or shopping. Discover lots of delicious options for afternoon tea in Doha and across Qatar.
Lobby Lounge Shangri-La Hotel, Doha
West End Café & Patisserie Marriott Marquis City Center Doha
The West End Café & Patisserie at the Marriott Marquis, Doha provides an elegant and cosy setting to indulge in Afternoon Tea. Refresh yourself with dainty bites of savoury sandwiches and sweets such as scones, French pastries and a chocolate fondue complemented with a cup of fine coffee or a selection of 14 loose teas. Afternoon Tea is served between 2pm and 6pm at QR 125 per person. BQ Plus
At the Lobby Lounge, a unique trolley highlights the herbs grown in-house with specially created cakes. Guests can relax in the serenity of the Lobby Lounge and discover the “Tea-Losophy” experience. The cakes include the cinnamon- and walnut-scented baklava cheesecake and the Jewel of the Orient, a mousse made of fair-trade chocolate and camel milk. Delicate signature cakes paired with tea infused with herbs grown-in house start at QR 60 every day from 3pm to 10pm. Chef Serkan Koc, the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef, recommends classic pots of traditionally brewed tea to pair with his creations. The hotel also offers a more traditional afternoon tea experience with miniature sandwiches and cakes for QR 88 for two people sharing.
SUSHI VS SEAFOOD. THE ESSENCE OF THE JAPANESE TRADITION IN A MODERN CULINARY ARTFORM This summer enjoy a fresh tasting fish and rice creations with traditional and modern culinary artform. Knife-wielding talents have broadened the genre to accommodate a range of tastes sushi, sashimi, maki mono and teriyaki black cod. Fresh oysters and grilled fresh seafood at Azraq restaurant. For bookings or for more information, please call +974 4040 5050 or email: fbreservations.adoh@anantara.com Every Friday from 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm Price QAR 275 per person for outside guests including luxury boat transfers Price QAR 225 for in-house guests.
LIFE IS A JOURNEY. anantara.com BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA PO BOX: 23919 - DOHA, QATAR T +974 4040 5050 F +974 4040 5000 E fbreservations.adoh@anantara.com
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DINING | AFTERNOON TEA
Lobby Lounge InterContinental Doha The City
InterContinental Doha The City offers afternoon tea with a twist at the Lobby Lounge. Guests can choose between their Oriental or Simply Classic option for treats and pair with their selection of loose leaf teas or coffee. The Oriental Twist offering includes hot and cold mezzeh, mini sandwiches, assorted Arabic sweets, macaroons, and dates at QR 85 per person. The Simply Classic offering includes scrumptious sandwiches, freshly baked scones, quiches and tarts, and assorted pastries and macaroons for QR 95 per person. Afternoon tea is served daily between 3pm and 5pm. Reservations are recommended. Call +974 4015 8888 or email Icdohatc. lobbylounge@ihg.com.
WT-Time at W Café W Doha Hotel & Residences
W Café at the W Doha Hotel & Residences offers one of the city’s warmest and most welcoming afternoon teas. At WT-Time, guests can indulge in dainty bites from assorted finger sandwiches with exciting fillings, scones, jams, clotted cream, homemade pastries, and their choice of tea for just QR 120. SPG members can enjoy 10 percent discount. Offer is valid anytime between 12:30am and 7:30pm. BQ Plus
The Café Murano Golden High Tea Marsa Malaz Kempinski
The most delicate and the only golden afternoon tea in the city at the grand setting of Café Murano. A collection of delicate and decadent sweet and savoury miniatures along a carefully selected range of tea and coffees, with a splendid sea view. The secret is in the golden touches! QR 220 for 2 persons, including coffee and tea; daily 2pm to 6pm. For more information, contact 40355011 or restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com or www.kempinski. com/marsamalaz.
Biscotti café Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas
With the aroma and taste that is synonymous with quality, Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas’ Biscotti café is pleased to offer Starbucks beverages to their guests. So if you are the type of person who can’t function without their morning Americano, or you are just looking or an afternoon pick me up, go and relax in their popular Biscotti café. Order your favorite coffee from their Starbucks menu that you know and love!
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The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton serves a Vintage afternoon tea priced at QR 150 and a Traditional Ritz-Carlton afternoon tea at QR 130 with a selection of pastries, tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, with a selection of coffee or tea, Sundays to Wednesdays 2:30pm to 5:00pm. You can privatize your afternoon tea group events at La Mer with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf from the 23rd floor. Reservation is essential at a minimum of 6 persons. Young Ritz-Carlton guests can now be introduced to the art of afternoon tea with a special Disney story telling session and other exciting activities that create a memorable tradition surrounded by their favorite characters making the whole afternoon tea experience complete. Starting September at Le Ciel in La Mer, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30pm to 6:00 pm at QR 95 per child. For reservations and inquiries, contact +974 4484 8505 or +974 6647 8210.
The Atrium Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
The Sheraton has taken the culinary arts to a whole new level with the upgraded afternoon tea concept, inspired by the latest Haute Couture fashion themes, at the hotel’s lobby lounge, The Atrium. The exclusive Afternoon concept has been catered to celebrate all of the senses while serving mouth-watering delicacies with a fashionista twist. Guests are spoilt with choices of miniature sugar shaped handbags, stylish sweet Stilettos, Tiramisu with Dulce De Leche and chocolate covered vintage hotel key with the Sheraton logo. The culinary offering does not stop here, the afternoon tea menu extends to a wide selection of savoury treats. From miniature Cream Cheese Organic Smoked Salmon to Sundried Tomato Cookies, Sheraton Grand Doha has it all. Afternoon tea is served daily from 3pm to 6pm for QR 170 per person.
Al Jalsa Lobby Lounge Sharq Village & Spa
Sharq Village & Spa brings to life the long-standing tradition of the afternoon tea with two exceptional experiences that guests can indulge in at the warm, yet, luxurious ambiance of Al Jalsa Lobby Lounge. For those desiring a taste of Arabian folklore, the Traditional Afternoon Tea collects the best of homemade Arabic specialties featuring Strawberry Mohalabiya or Saffron Rose Pistachio Scones, finely paired with Karak, or the choice of a non-alcoholic beverage. For those wishing to elevate their customary western tradition, the Royal Afternoon Tea will delight them with freshly baked scones, delicate pastries and dainty canapés of quail’s egg, smoked salmon or brie cheese. To complement the experience, guests may select from a range of over 20 varieties of exclusively blended teas. Available daily from 2:30pm to 5:30pm at QR 135 per person. BQ Plus
DINING | AFTERNOON TEA
Mokha Lounge Simaisma, a Murwab Resort
If you prefer to enjoy your afternoon tea away from the city’s bustling chatter, look no further. Just 20 minutes away from downtown Doha, lies Qatar’s undiscovered oceanfront oasis – Simaisma, a Murwab Resort that elegantly blends its natural habitat with modern day luxuries. Prepare to indulge your senses with a sumptuous Macaroon afternoon tea at the luxury resort’s Mokha Lounge. From 1pm to 5pm every Thursday,
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Friday and Saturday, and for only QR 30, you can enjoy a special time with friends and family, or unwind in a tranquil environment that will relax and reinvigorate you all at once. Mokha Lounge’s authentic tea f lavors and mouth-watering delights will leave you craving for more. What’s more, you can leave your name with your host to win a voucher for a 1-night stay in one of the resort’s 2-bedroom villas, where you can enjoy Simaisma’s signature amenities and a myriad of recreational activities.
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July/August 2016
DINING | TEA SETS
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TEA PARTY IN STYLE With These Novelty Tea Pots and Sets
Kids don’t get to have all the fun when it comes time for tea. Consider one of these tea sets for the next time you get your exotic blend on!
Post Modern In the style of the Memphis Milano movement out of the US and Europe. Black and white teapot with lid, sugar bowl with lid, creamer, 4 cups and saucers. Available at Modernist Icon.
Contemporary The Night Aile tea set, in ceramic molding, is composed of saucers, tea cups, creamer and tea pot of the night family. Available at OMC² design studios.
Green Dragonfly This green cast iron tea set features artistic dragonfly relief pattern on each piece. Tetsubin or cast iron kettles were first used in Japan to bowl water open an open fire. As tea drinking became popular in Japan, tetsubin became popular as well. Available at Woks For Dinner? Vintage Dating from the late Victorian era this five piece set was made in Scotland in 1898. It is in the ‘Indian style’ and was produced by James Murray who was based in Glasgow.
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DINING | TEA SETS
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Moroccan Traditional Moroccan hand-carved silver teapot and filigree edge tea glasses. Similar sets available at Maroque.
Traditional Gaiwan Gaiwan and cups of white Chinese porcelain are ideal for brewing green and white teas. Similar sets available at Music City Tea.
Mate Experience Calabash and bombilla for Argentina’s famous Yerba Mate tea. The tea is available at Jaouni The Center in Doha, and the mate set at Spices and Tease.
Macha Ceremony Set This beautiful matcha set includes a ceramic matcha bowl (chawan), a bamboo whisk (chasen) and matcha spoon or scoop (chashaku). Similar sets available at Hibiki-an.
Fruit Teas Bring out the true beauty of your tea while keeping it warm with glass teapots and warmers. Similar sets available at The Tea Merchant and Whittard.
July/August 2016
R&R | TRAVEL SPAS
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ULTIMATE SPA DESTINATIONS It’s time to schedule some relaxation in your life
We’ve picked four ultimate spas for our readers – places you can run away to and experience true physical and spiritual rejuvenation. These aren’t your ordinary spa retreats. They’re unique, exotic, and unusual sanctuaries that aim to awaken and fulfill your senses.
Devarana Spa At Dusit Devarana New Delhi
Make yourself comfortable in the cozy environs of Dusit Devarana, New Delhi as you step into their tastefully appointed luxury accommodations. The resort’s 50 elegantly furnished and spacious rooms comprise of 11 Devarana Pool View Rooms, which come with an additional 40 sq. m. private pool deck. Having traditional elegance combined with stunning designs, their guest rooms are incredibly luxurious and feature contemporary furnishings, graceful colours, and latest in technology for an uninterrupted stay as you take in the panoramic views of the lush landscaped gardens. The rooms also offer luxury BQ Plus
bathrooms with present-day fittings and separate shower area for an ineffable experience. At Dusit Devarana, you can find this solace right within its hotel premises. A world class facility augmented by the best amenities with only natural and pure products being used, nestled in the serene surroundings of water bodies; Devarana Spa is a luxury in itself with stunning outdoor treatment areas as well as four indoor treatment suites equipped with private verandahs for every comfort that you can imagine. With a wide range of top-notch services available, you can lay back and relax while trained therapists work their magic on you. More information: www.devarana.in/hotel
R&R | TRAVEL SPAS
Anantara Spa at Anantara Medjumbe Island, Mozambique
Idyllically located on a tiny private island in the jewel-like Quirimbas Archipelago off the northern coast of Mozambique, Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort offers a paradise escape that is naturally exclusive. Feel soft powdery sands sifting through your toes as you stroll along a pristine beach lapped by the turquoise Indian Ocean. Drift from a lazy morning by the pool to refresh in the waves, before retreating to Anantara Spa’s intimate beachfront villa to indulge in uniquely sensual therapies. Savour tastes of island life with tantalising local cuisine and seafood plucked fresh from the ocean, or succumb to the finest world flavours, served with extraordinary ocean views. At Anantara Medjumbe, Spa time is a highly exclusive experience. Hide away in the mesmerising spa villa, which features a treatment suite and en-suite bathroom.
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Let intuitive hands pamper you with the enticing spa menu of treatments, each carefully selected for their deeply relaxing and rejuvenating benefits. Cleanse, detoxify, soothe and hydrate skin with body treatments that incorporate nourishing indigenous elixirs. Wind back the years with a pampering facial to promote youthful radiance. Melt into a heavenly massage, choosing between the most revered eastern and western techniques. Discover a haven of luxurious discovery, thanks to unique therapies such as the Glacial Marble Massage which combines the wellness properties of cooling stones with the ancient healing powers of touch to release specific points of stress, and the Moya Crystal Experience comprising salt poultice exfoliation, a crystal gem massage, followed by hair and scalp therapy. Reservations: medjumbe@anantara.com; Tel: +27 10 003 8979 More information: medjumbe.anantara.com
July/August 2016
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Underwater Spa At PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
In the Maldivian tongue, ‘Huvafen Fushi’ means ‘Dream Island’. This is how the dream starts at one of the iconic Maldives luxury resorts. Shape your own fantasy in a bold realm of freedom set against the canvas of the Indian Ocean. Soar over the sea, gaze down at rings of islands in circles of white and brilliant blue. Skip over the waves in your aquatic limousine. On shore at PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi Maldives, the waking dream becomes even more surreal. Float at infinity’s edge with the underwater spa. Swim from your villa’s interior to cascading decks. LIME Spa, their unique underwater spa in Maldives, invites you to try something new and different.
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R&R | TRAVEL SPAS
Drop your robe, your cares, anything else that has been weighing you down. What awaits you? Hot rocks. Cold ice. Champagne and truffles for the skin. The purity of Maldivian virgin coconut oil. Couture facials tailored to you. Sink into relaxation in the depths of the world-first underwater spa treatment rooms. Watery voyeurs cast their eyes on indulgent rituals. Angelfish gaze on body scrubs of sugar and aromatic oils. Damsels coast elegantly against a hot black stone massage. Float through multi-day journeys of hydrating wraps, intuitive massage, couture facials and underwater dream therapy. Reservations: info.phuv@peraquum.com; Tel: +960 6644 222 More information: www.minorhotels.com/en/ peraquum/huvafen-fushi
R&R | TRAVEL SPAS
Spa My Blend By Clarins At Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris reopened in 2010 as the most exciting 5-star luxury hotel in the City of Lights, after a dramatic and complete two-year transformation by designer Philippe Starck. The hotel has 149 luxurious rooms and suites and is just minutes from the Arc-de-Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées in Paris’ 8th arrondissement. At Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, art is omnipresent, with an exclusive service of Art Concierge, an Art Bookstore, a private Art Gallery, a 99-seat cinema theatre and an impressive private art collection. Food and drink are an art form here too – from the buzz of the Long Bar on the ground floor, to the two restaurants, ‘Matsuhisa Paris’ for Japanese cuisine and Michelin-star Italian restaurant, ‘Il Carpaccio’. Not to be missed are the delicious pastries, macarons and chocolates by Pierre Hermé, considered by Vogue magazine as the ‘Picasso of
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pastry’. Art, decoration, design and a fashionable selection: Le Royal Eclaireur is an exclusive destination. A temple of wellbeing and contemporary beauty, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris Spa, the first Spa My Blend by Clarins, offers a unique haven of peace and relaxation in the heart of Paris. A paradise of pure white, this 1,500 sqm space includes a 23-meter infinity pool, the largest ever built in a Paris luxury hotel. The exclusive treatments, relaxation rooms including a hammam, laconium room and sauna, and dedicated fitness coaches make this luxury hotel spa in Paris a temple of tailor-made luxury. The spa can be accessed directly from every floor. The Spa My Blend by Clarins was voted “Best city Spa 2015” in Europe by SENSES and “Best Spa 2012” at the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards. Reservations: bookus.paris@raffles.com; Tel: +33 1 42 99 88 00 More information: www.leroyalmonceau.com July/August 2016
R&R | HEALTH & FITNESS
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FOOD TIPS FOR SUMMER TRAVEL WITH KIDS
It’s summer, and as families leave Doha to travel with their kids, here are some tips for a fun-filled vacation.
L
ong-anticipated summer travel is not without its nutritional challenges, and adding young children to the mix multiplies those challenges. There’s more to consider than packing a few extra snacks and baby wipes. Follow these tips for a healthy, happy and nourishing summer vacation with kids.
Enjoying a combination of restaurant meals and packed food saves money while providing good nutrition, says Delbridge. Be clear about the rules before entering the restaurant, he says. Water and milk are good beverage choices, and even restaurant meals should include fruits and vegetables. If the restaurant doesn’t offer good options, fill in with the supply in your cooler.
Road Trip Logging long miles in the car may have your kids asking for snacks to ease the boredom. Anticipate this, and be prepared. Wesley Delbridge, Professor of Food Science, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, suggests collaborating with your kids on a list of boredom-busting activities including games, music, videos, colouring books and more. Before turning the ignition key, review the day’s schedule. Explain when and where you’ll eat. Make a strong effort to stick to your normal eating schedule, says Delbridge. Pack some of these travel-friendly foods. Keep perishable items in a cooler with ice, so no one gets sick. If your child is at risk for choking, enjoy your food at a rest stop.
A Stay at the Beach Whether you’re hitting the beach for a day or staying for a week, the same guidelines apply. Try to stick as closely to your normal eating schedule as possible. Bring a cooler with some of the foods listed above and plenty of ice. Pack ample water and encourage frequent sipping. The hot sun can be dehydrating, and the cool ocean water and tons of fun can distract kids from drinking fluids.
Low-fat yogurt • Cheese sticks • • Cottage cheese Sliced bell peppers, cucumbers or other • easy-to-eat veggies • Applesauce • Dried and fresh fruit • Popcorn • Trail mix Peanut butter sandwiches • • Whole-grain crackers • Low-fat milk boxes 100-percent fruit or vegetable juice • • Water Don’t forget portable silverware and plenty of paper towels and wipes. BQ Plus
Cruising Along Food is present constantly and in big, showy ways. Delbridge suggests reminding children that just because food is there, doesn’t mean the family needs to eat it. Above all, he advises, be a role model to your kids and avoid overindulging. Travel Abroad Before traveling, research local foods and customs to get your kids excited about trying new foods, suggests Delbridge. Show pictures of different foods and of children eating in foreign countries. Be prepared for the long plane ride, too. Pack some of the non-perishable foods above and an empty water bottle to fill after making it through security. Visiting Family or Friends Whether you’re traveling with others or staying in their homes, you may run into well-meaning food pushers. Give relatives and friends a kind heads-up to your expectations when it comes to offering food to your children. Help them find other ways to express love and warmth such as reading a story or taking your child for a special outing.
R&R | HEALTH & FITNESS
Gulf Mall, First Floor, Al Shamal Road, Gharafa, Tel : 44308318, 44308319
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July/August 2016
R&R | HEALTH & FITNESS
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9 TIPS TO SURVIVING
SUMMER TRAVEL WITH KIDS
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ny mom will tell you that you can’t go into a road trip on impulse. You’ve got to have a plan. Survival is the operative word, and even the best moms can get derailed on a vacation. If you’re thinking about attempting a cross-country road trip or a long flight with your little ones, check out these ten tips and get ready to and enjoy the ride. And don’t even think about leaving the house without expensive coffee and plastic Ziploc bags! 1. Always Know Where the Good Coffee Is You never know when you are going to need a QR 15 coffee drink to keep from calling the vacation off. And never put down your QR 15 coffee drink to help/herd/ deal with your children. It could spill and then you’ll have to call the vacation off.
3. Keep It Simple in the Car If you take a lot of long car trips, have a big tub of books that the kids never see except in the car. 4. Keep Snacks on Hand As many as you can, as often as they ask. 5. No Juice Oh God, the peeing. 6. Always Carry Plastic Bags Lots of them. Because you never know when an entire outfit will be covered in puke or poop and you’re going to want to tie that up and throw it away. 7. Keep Expectations Low Hotels in transit are hell. Just accept this now. Low expectations are the way to go. If you get four hours of sleep in a hotel room with four over-tired, excited children, consider it a gift.
2. Pack Light Carrying all that junk with you is useless. You know what keeps kids happy on a four-hour plane ride? Parents. The more engaged you are with them, the happier they are. So, parent up. Don’t bring anything for yourself to read; don’t expect any time to yourself while travelling as a family. Parents operate so much better when they aren’t stressed about getting sixteen bags and four kids on a plane.
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8. Think Big for Accommodations For your destination hotel, rent a house or a condo. Seriously. You want a kitchen, space and room for time-outs. It’s cheaper with a family because you save so much on eating out. 9. Breathe And never let your kids drink un-chlorinated pool water the day before you fly back home. That’s not pretty.
R&R | NEWS
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Healing Through Sound Canyon Ranch has created a series of workshops and services led by sound-healing specialists that utilise vibrations, sound and music to awaken, self-heal, harmonise and unlock unrealised potential. Using tools such as crystal singing bowls, voice and spiritual wellness guides, guests to leave the sessions augmented, balanced and ready to perform at their peak. Each healing through sound workshop and service is a thorough and carefully created experience. With a number of options available to take part in, the “Sound & Spirit Workshop” (USD 155; 12-person limit) is an ideal start, with sound-healing specialist Tryshe Dhevney teaching about the power of vibration, sound and music to unlock the infinite creative
potential within, promote self-healing and inspire personal awakening. The goal is to awaken through vibration, voice and crystal singing bowls one’s highest potential, and provide guests with practical sound tools designed to put self-healing within grasp. These sound tools can be used daily to enable individuals to achieve inner harmony, optimum health and peak performance. Canyon Ranch Tucson is a destination in their own right, nestled amid some of America’s most beautiful natural surroundings in Arizona’s awe-inspiring desert. With the addition of these novel new workshops and services, there’s even more reason to book a stay and discover how this leading wellness brand can enrich the lives of its guests.
New Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto accepting reservations
Fully evolved Wahm
W Doha Hotel & Residences opens a fully refurbished and evolved Wahm, the poolside lounge that is poised to gather the city’s savviest and most stylish show stoppers for a revelry redefined and reinvented. The venue has undergone a complete transformation from a bar into a sophisticated lounge with the use of subtle vibrant colors while still highlighting the bold designs to create a magnetic feel. United Design Partnership (UDP) is the team behind the interior renovation of Wahm and the recently revamped Market by Jean-Georges. The dynamic menu gives the option to BQ Plus
retox with handcrafted cocktails and skinny shims, detox with raw juices and mocktails, and even quench the craving for comfort food with hearty servings styled to make anyone feel good and prepared for the day or night ahead. Complementing this is the sound that sets the scene with resident and international DJs behind the decks playing world electronic music with eclectic oriental and occidental fusion sounds until sunset. This transitions into stimulating beats and deep soulful house that progresses into the peak of the night with solid soulful grooves.
Set in an 800-year-old traditional garden in Japan’s historic imperial capital, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is now accepting reservations in anticipation of its fall 2016 opening. The all-new Hotel is enviably located at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain in the city’s temple district with numerous historic landmarks surrounding it, plus minutes-away access to Kyoto’s tech industries, creative arts and leading educational institutions. The light-filled Hotel affords breathtaking views in every direction, including the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, its own five acre pond and gardens and the local neighbourhood. The guest rooms, suites and Hotel residences are decorated in traditionally-inspired yet contemporary style by Hirsch Bedner Associates. Four dining options include an exclusive sushi restaurant, a modern brasserie, lounge and a lovely garden tea house. An intimate spa is adjacent to a shimmering indoor pool. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com.
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Force Majeure The open-top version of the LaFerrari, the new limited-edition special series aimed at clients and collectors who refuse to compromise on the joy of al fresco driving even when at the wheel of a supercar. The name and technical characteristics of the new car will be announced at the Paris International Motor Show, as will the number of examples Ferrari will build. The new limited-edition special series will be available with a removable carbon-fibre hard top and a removable soft top. It has the same running gear and performance figures as the original LaFerrari, sporting a 800 cv V12 (with a specific power output of 128 cv/l) coupled with a 120 kW electric motor (163 cv), unleashing 963 cv in total.
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AUTO | LAUNCH
AUTO | NEWS
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NBK Automobiles extends its Special Offers Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the exclusive dealer of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, is extending its special offers on selected models of Mercedes-Benz cars till 31 July 2016. The offer includes special benefits on other models including GLC, GLE and S-Class. Customers buying the new GLC, GLE and S-Class will benefit from one-year comprehensive insurance, 2 years’ service package and 3 years warranty. The offer was initially launched at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, within the company’s policy to provide the customers with the best savings and allow them drive the dream car that features the best specifications and highest standards of safety.
World-first demonstration of an ‘Off-Road Connected Convoy’
Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated a range of innovative research technologies that would allow a future autonomous car to drive itself over any surface or terrain. Jaguar Land Rover’s multi-million pound Autonomous all-terrain driving research project aims to make the self-driving car viable in the widest range of real life, on- and off-road driving environments and weather conditions. To enable this level of autonomous all-terrain capability, Jaguar Land Rover’s researchers are developing next-generation sensing technologies that will be the eyes of the future autonomous car. Because the sensors are always active and can see better than the driver, this advanced sensing will ultimately give a vehicle the high levels of artificial intelligence required for the car to think for itself and plan the route it should take, on any surface. Ultrasonic sensors can identify surface conditions by scanning up to five metres ahead of the car, so Terrain Response settings could be automatically changed before the car drives from tarmac to snow, or from grass to sand. This will optimise all-terrain performance, without loss of momentum or control. In a world-first off-road demonstration, Jaguar Land Rover has connected two Range Rover Sports together using innovative DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) technology to create an Off-Road Connected Convoy. This wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications system shares information including vehicle location, wheel-slip, changes to suspension height and wheel articulation, as well as All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) and Terrain Response settings instantly between the two vehicles.
Hyundai confirms IONIQ Hybrid for 2016 ME launch Hyundai plans to begin Middle East deliveries of it s ground-breaking IONIQ range of alternative-fuel cars before the end of 2016, following the official global sales launch in July. The two hybrid IONIQs both feature Hyundai’s 1.6 liter Kappa GDI petrol engine, tailored to the hybrid application. In the full hybrid, the petrol engine is mated to a 32 kW electric motor, the system delivering a combined 103.6 kW of power and up to 265 Nm of torque, while a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery positioned under the rears seats enables pure electric driving and delivers instant torque. Targeted CO2 emissions is 79 g/km for the full hybrid. The full electric model dispenses with the petrol engine, and offers a 28 kWh battery for an estimated 250km range before it needs recharging. Power is lower than for the hybrids at 88 kW, but torque is higher at 295 Nm. Emissions are zero at the tailpipe, with the overall figure depending on the electricity supply used for recharging. Full electric batteries can be recharged from a standard household socket, and Hyundai has also unveiled a fast charger that can top up the battery to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes. July/August 2016
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FINANCE | CARS
7 TIPS FOR BUYING THE RIGHT NEW OR USED CAR
If you’re planning to buy a new or used car, take the time to do your research before heading to the dealer.
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uying a car is typically the second most expensive purchase anyone makes, next to buying a home, or in Qatar, renting one. Making such a large financial decision over a weekend simply increases the chances you’ll be unhappy in the long run. Follow these seven tips to make sure you buy a car you can afford and choose a model that you’ll be comfortable driving for years to come. 1. Determine your budget While cars come in all price ranges, they are still one of the most expensive purchases you will make, so it’s important to be sure you can afford it. A good rule of thumb is to budget no more than 25 percent – ideally 10 percent – of your monthly household income for all the cars in your household. Your calculation should include your monthly auto loan payment as well as operating costs such as fuel and car insurance.
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2. Narrow your list to a few cars A few cars probably have caught your eye as you’ve driven around. Start by researching those to see if they fit within your budget. Visit the automaker websites and independent auto information sites to assess the cars’ features and get an idea of inventory available in Qatar and the region. Don’t forget to note the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and invoice price. Choose cars that are at least 5 percent less than your monthly budget to give yourself some room to cover your operating costs, including gas, car insurance, repairs and maintenance. Print pages from these sites with the key details or keep an electronic file for your research. But don’t rush to the dealership for a test drive, yet. 3. Decide if you’re buying new or used, or leasing The array of vehicle choices within your budget can be dizzying. Regardless of your budget, you can find
FINANCE | CARS
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July/August 2016
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choices of new cars that you can buy or lease, certified preowned cars or used cars. You should decide what direction to take, since there are trade-offs with each. You’re likely to get the best value if you buy a used car, though you’ll pay a higher interest rate, have a shorter warranty period and won’t know the car’s full history. You’ll be able to get a high-end car if you lease, but you won’t own the car, and you’ll need to be careful to stick within the parameters of the lease to avoid penalties. Buying a new car means you’ll get fewer car features for the same amount of money, but you’ll get the full warranty and lower interest rates, as well as free maintenance and roadside assistance in many cases. For many, a certified preowned car is the ideal compromise. These cars are cheaper than their new car counterparts, but they usually have some warranty left and must meet certain criteria to help ensure their reliability and condition. 4. Nail down financing before you visit the dealer Don’t let your eagerness to test-drive a car send you to the dealership just yet. Dealers don’t just want to sell you a car; they want to give you the car loan because they typically receive a f lat fee or a commission on the car loans they facilitate. They get that kickback regardless of whether the loan is from the manufacturer or a local lender. As a result, dealers sometimes promise a great interest rate before they have final approval, which can get you in a pickle if you sign a contract. Instead, secure financing from a bank in advance and then compare it with what the dealer offers. 5. Dealer’s promotion may not be the best interest rate You probably have seen the ads from automakers for 0 percent interest rates or low interest rates and have
FINANCE | CARS
decided the car was within your budget because of the low monthly payment quoted, but the likelihood is you won’t qualify. Only about 10 percent of car buyers qualify for the 0 percent or low interest rate deals. Even if you do, you may be better off taking the cash rebate and getting your financing at a bank. 6. Don’t rush the test drive Now that you’ve done all your research, you are ready to visit the dealership for a test-drive. Call in advance to make an appointment for a test-drive with the f leet manager. If you decide you are ready to buy after the test drive, you already will be working with someone who is less likely to strong-arm you into a deal. Since you are likely going to keep your car for three years or more, don’t hesitate to ask for more time behind the wheel to ensure you like the driving experience. Also, take extra time with the car parked to adjust the seats and experiment with the controls and make sure all of your typical passengers are comfortable and any regular cargo fits well. 7. Use smart negotiating strategies When you are ready to buy, be sure to keep in mind all the discounts you researched. It’s easier to get the best price for each if you negotiate the sale price of your new car and the trade-in value of your old car separately, so don’t factor in trading in your car as part of the deal for the moment. Make sure you do your research about your current car’s value online in advance so you know whether you are being offered a fair price. Go over the list of fees associated with the deal to ensure they are accurate, and make sure you aren’t paying any unnecessary dealer fees. Once you’ve agreed to the price with the dealer, be prepared to say “no” to all the extras you may be offered. You can always buy them separately later, after you’ve researched pricing.
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FINANCE | CARS
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July/August 2016
FINANCE | NEWS
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Exciting travel privileges from Mashreq Qatar Mashreq Qatar brings exciting benefits to customers every time they book their holiday using the Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card. Cardholders will enjoy 10 percent off on Jet Airways for one year when purchasing tickets using their Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit card at www.jetairways.com. In addition, the credit card offers free travel insurance when used to pay for tickets, as well as free Schengen insurance certificate for international travel trips. The credit card comes with complimentary membership to Arabian Automobiles Association,
Doha Bank steps up its digital game
The improved mobile banking app from Doha Bank features an all-new look and feel and a smart layout that makes it easier to use than ever. Thanks to new functionalities added to the app, customers can now use their smartphone to transfer funds to any individual having an account in a Qatar-based bank through the Local Fund Transfer feature now offered by Doha Bank. The app features a Location Tab on the home page that allows customers to select the country they are in to access features specific to them. It also has Doha Sooq added to the pre-login screen, allowing customers to quickly navigate and get connected to Qatar’s first and largest e-commerce portal for taking advantage of the best deals in town. In addition, the mobile banking app empowers customers with the ability to temporarily block their debit card in the event of suspected card loss or misuse. The customer can instantly block the card and can choose to re-activate the same debit card by getting in touch with the Bank’s contact center. Customers can now also apply for Doha Bank Loans, Cards and Insurance products directly from the app, and have an executive from the Bank attend to their request in no time.
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which entitles cardholders to a free airport pick-up and dropoff service once a year. Credit cardholders can also enjoy free access to VIP lounges at more than 500 airports around the world by taking advantage of their LoungeKey membership that comes complimentary with the Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card. Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card also offers cardholders discounts up to 50 percent at more than 300 partner outlets in Qatar, ranging from dining to entertainment and leisure.
Barwa Bank successfully concludes Ramadan Campaign 2016
Barwa Bank has successfully concluded its Ramadan Campaign 2016 “#My_Ramadan_Moments”, with its message that aimed to highlight the Holy Month’s honorable values and charitable work. During the Holy Month, the campaign’s official video, which aimed to invite the public to celebrate the sacred month’s values, customs and traditions, managed to garner a total of over 100,000 views on the Bank’s Facebook page in record time. Followers and fans had remarkable contributions that helped in delivering the bank’s message to all segments of society in Qatar. In parallel with that, the bank, launched the sixth edition of its Ramadan Football Tournament, and granted QR 64,000 to Qatar Charity and Eid Charity associations, as part of the Bank’s promise to triple the registration fees of its annual Ramadan Football Tournament, for the benefit of the needy and in line with its mission to promote Ramadan’s honorable values and deeds of charity.
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July/August 2016
COMMUNITY | QATAR SUMMER FESTIVAL
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COLOUR YOUR SUMMER The third edition of the Qatar Summer Festival takes places from 1 to 31 August
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nder the aegis of the Qatar Tourism Authority, Qatar Summer Festival 2016 “Colour Your Summer” will take place from 1 to 31 August with promotions galore. Events will be held at the Corniche, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), Al Gharafa Sports Club and malls across the country. The month-long Qatar Summer Festival 2016 aims to boost domestic tourism and attract GCC tourists through its entertainment and shopping promotions, that offer prizes worth QR 2 million, the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said. The Summer Festival is one of the largest annual events in Qatar, and forms part of Qatar’s strategy to grow and diversify its tourism offerings, together with the private sector, particularly, during the off-peak periods. According to Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer at QTA, Rashed Al Qurese, the strategy is to develop a rich and diverse annual events calendar, and energize the hospitality and retail sectors, drive domestic tourism and attract regional visitors all year-round. Fireworks Fireworks on the Corniche will bookend the month-long festival. Shows take place on both the first and last days of QSF – 1 August and 31 August at 9pm. Entertainment City Entertainment City is back this year bigger than ever, occupying a 29,000 sqm area at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), with a range of new and exciting gaming and entertainment options for children and adults. Entertainment City will host arcades, skill
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games, thrill rides, inflatable games and play areas, video games, Go-Karting, life-size and giant games, ‘Colour Your Summer’ zone, and ‘tech games,’ to entertain visitors. There is an entry fee of QR15 per person and game tickets start at QR5. Visitors can also purchase a VIP ticket for QR120/person for unlimited entertainment. Shopping promotions The Festival has been designed to boost the hospitality and retail sectors, with offers from 56 hotel establishments and shopping promotions that give shoppers the chance to win prizes valued at up to QR 2 million in total. Eight malls in the country, as well as The
COMMUNITY | QATAR SUMMER FESTIVAL
Pearl-Qatar, will offer sales promotions with a chance for shoppers to win major prizes. The malls will also feature weekly raffle draws with an offer of 15 prizes per week, among them four Jaguar cars and cash prizes worth QR 800,000. Raffle draws take place on 4 August at Al Khor Mall, 11 August at Hyatt Plaza Mall, 18 August at Dar Al Salam Mall and 25 August at Lagoona Mall – all at 7:30pm. Hospitality promotions Over 25 hotels have partnered with QTA to offer special packages for QSF 2016. Hotels are offering a ‘pay for two nights, stay for three’ package while hotel apartments will present ‘pay for five nights, stay for six’ as part of their promotions during the celebration. Select hotels will offer additional incentives and these cover a variety of options including 50 percent discounts on all food and beverage outlets within the hotel, free meals for children (up to three children per family), free breakfasts, late check-outs and a free shuttle service between some hotels. These offers are also available to residents booking for the same period. To find out which hotels in Qatar are participating in QSF 2016 visit: qatarsummerfestival. qa/en/promotions Street Madness This competition – for men only – will feature several sports activities including short football matches led by social media influencers, with in-between break performances by comedians and artists. The event takes place on Friday, 12 August at the Al Gharafa Sports Club. Ticket prices start at QR 25 and are being sold at all Virgin Megastore branches. Doha Comedy Festival The QNCC will host a three-day festival that features 18 different stand-up comedians from the Middle East, running from 18 through 20 August. Confirmed performers include local comedian Hamad Al-Amari, as well as well-known funnymen Bader Saleh, Fadi Alshehri and Ahmed Al Shammari. The shows are in Arabic and attendees must be above 13 years old. Ticket prices range from QR 145 to QR 1,000 and can be purchased at all Virgin Megastore branches or online. Al Qurese said as part of planning, thoughts and suggestions were invited from tourists and residents through social media platforms on a virtual forum, and most of the suggestions have been incorporated into the festival, to ensure that it meets the needs and wishes of the target audience. The festival has been promoted in a road-show in the GCC, which drew more than 500 travel trade professionals looking to include Qatar in their summer travel package.
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COLOUR YOUR SUMMER AT A GLANCE Fireworks
Dates: 1 and 31, August Location: Doha Corniche Time: 9 pm
Entertainment City
From concerts to theatre, and cinemas to theme parks, Qatar’s entertainment option offers something for everyone. Duration: 1 to 31 August Location: Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre Time: Saturday to Thursday – 1pm to 11pm; Friday: 1pm – midnight (12am) Main Zones: • Games and rides • Live stage performances • Food outlets Prices: Entry ticket: QR 15 per person Ticket/game: Start from QR 5 VIP ticket: QR 120 per person (unlimited entertainment)
Shopping Promotions
Retailers will offer sales and promotions with entertainment in participating malls. Participating malls: Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Ezdan, Al Khor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, City Centre – Doha, Dar Al Salam, The Pearl-Qatar Duration: 1 to 31 August Weekly raffle draw: Total of 15 prizes per week 4 Jaguar cars Cash prizes worth QR 800,000 Raffle Draw Time: 7:30 pm Raffle Draw Venues: 4 August: Al Khor Mall 11 August: Hyatt Plaza Mall 18 August: Dar Al Salam Mall 25 August: Lagoona Mall
Street Madness (Men Only)
Short football matches led by social media influencers. In between breaks, performances by artists and comedians. Location: Al Gharaffa Sports Club Date: 12 August Tickets: Start from QR 25 (available at all Virgin Megastore branches)
Doha Comedy Festival
18 Arab stand-up comedians to perform for a three-day festival. Dates: 18 to 20 August Location: Qatar National Convention Centre Tickets: Start from QR 145 to QR 1,000 (available at Virgin Megastore)
* All images are file photographs of QSF 2015. July/August 2016
EVENTS | JULY/AUGUST
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LOLS GUARANTEED The Laughter Factory announces a sizzling bill of top stand-up talent for Doha in August. Tom Wrigglesworth, the kooky, multi-award-winning comic, who leapt to fame back in 2009 with his hit show, tour and radio show An Open Return Letter to Richard Branson, returns, as does Marlon Davis. Fresh from gigs supporting Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr and Kevin Bridges, this surreally confessional storyteller is one of the UK’s hottest young comedy talents – and it’s a real coup that he was able to make time in his calendar for a GCC tour with The Laughter Factory. Completing the bill is Christian Schulte-Loh – better known as “The German Comedian”. This Edinburgh Fringe favourite plays off national stereotypes to hilarious effect in shows such as I Am German, I Should Not Be Here! 15 August – Rose and Thistle, Horizon Manor Doha (doors open 7pm, show 8pm); 16 August – Grand Hyatt Doha (doors open 7pm, show 8pm). Visit thelaughterfactory.com to book your tickets.
THE DISTRICT If you’re anywhere between 14 and 23 years old, this one’s exclusively for you. This Abu Dhabi Summer Season, head on over to Yas Island from 18 August until 17 September and hangout at The District, a one-of-a-kind space where you can socialize, play, create, explore, find inspiration, make connections or even disconnect if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Designed as a micro-city, The District is divided into five different zones – The Alley, The Street, The Block, The Yard and The Park – each with its own set of ongoing activities, educational and innovative workshops as well as special events. In addition to daily excitement and entertainment, special guests and celebrities will also be dropping by The District along with a weekly live performance act, voted by The District’s very own residents. For more information visit thedistrict.me
FOCUS: WORKS FROM MATHAF COLLECTION PART 2 Focus: Works from Mathaf Collection is a series of solo exhibitions, featuring artists from the museum’s Permanent Collection, inviting audiences to rethink their understanding of art history and its connection to the world through original research, writing, and curating. The first five exhibitions featured Farid Belkahia (Morocco), Saloua Raouda Choucair (Lebanon), Faraj Daham (Qatar), and Inji Efflatoun (Egypt). In this second rotation of the exhibition, viewers will have the opportunity to experience the first solo museum exhibition of conceptual Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. Admission is free, and the exhibition at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is open 11am to 6pm. BQ Plus
MICRO INVASION BY MASAKATSU SASHIE
Masakatsu Sashie is a Japanese artist best known for his orb paintings of fictional world, filled with futuristic warnings about human’s tendencies for environmental dominance and over-consumption. Sashie’s artworks present an imaginary world depicting large, city-like spheres drifting above remains of a destroyed civilization. His gigantic orbs are created out of scraps of old constructions from the Showa-period (period of enlightened peace and harmony, period of radiant Japan during the time of reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from 1926 to 19 89 ) and a pieces of mass production and mass consumption culture. Things like vending machines, pachinko parlors or fast food signs and video game components are woven into Masakatsu’s imagery in his orb painting (creating an orb using a light source). The exhibition runs until 9 August at Anima Gallery, Parcel 17-30 La Croisette, Porto Arabia, The Pearl - Qatar and is open Sunday to Thursday 10am to 7pm.