FACT ABU DHABI JUNE 2020 by Fact ME

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ARMCHAIR TRAVEL 101

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FACT Magazine Abu Dhabi Edition • JUNE 2020 VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11

Never go too long without watching a sunset” – Atticus

s we enter another month of what can only really be referred to as 'the new normal' I am starting to see a real change to peoples attitude and a real lust for life. Abu Dhabi residents are not going to be beaten by this global pandemic and the community is showing resilience to the newfound situation and how they adapt to it. June was earmarked as FACT Abu Dhabi's travel issue but given the current situation, we have had to adapt and switch things up a bit. With travel restrictions currently in place across the majority of the world, we've upped our digital game and compiled a list of 42 travel destinations that you can experience from the comfort of home. Think virtual tours, panoramic videos, webcams and more! This is the ultimate FACT travel bucket list for 2020 and I hope it will provide you with some inspiration for when things do open up again. Turn to p14 and experience a culinary journey that explores the very best global cuisines that can be ordered for home delivery in the UAE capital - from irresistible Indian to fantastic French and libatious Latin. We may not be leaving the country for the foreseeable future but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some of the very best food from across the seven continents. Sticking with the travel theme, we interview Abu Dhabi based travel influencers Delaine and Jackson who many will recognise from their colourful Instagram account 'oftravelsandtales' and talk with them about how COVID-19 has affected their travel plans on p30. While we may not be able to jet off to exotic locations, there is still the opportunity for a cheeky staycation. On p33 we round up the very best offers for the finest city hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai's most luxurious retreats and where to find tranquillity on the beaches of the Northern Emirates. As life in the UAE slowly begins to open up again, with the reopening of malls, restaurants, barbershops and beauty salons, not everyone is quite ready to venture outside just yet. We've picked 20 boredom-busting apps to get you through social distancing (p48), provide a rundown of ten fresh food boxes to try (p76), and offer a handy Father's Day gift guide to help you with ideas of what to purchase on June 21 (p80). We've also got your monthly fashion, beauty, tech and entertainment fix. June also brings with it a host of new beginnings as I take over the reins as editor of FACT Abu Dhabi, stepping out from the food and travel pages to take on the entire lifestyle spectrum! I very much look forward to the start of this journey with you all and sharing the very best that Abu Dhabi has to offer each month. ☺

David Tapley Editor david@fact-magazine.com

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GREG HUGHES PUBLISHERS EDWARD SMITH RAMI KHALIL EDITOR DAVID TAPLEY (david@fact-magazine.com) SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS SYED MUHAMMED RAIHAN JYOTI RAWAT CONTRIBUTORS JAYNE HOUGHTON GARETH WOODS ELANUR SENGEL ANUSHAY KHAN PEARL WASIF YVONNE COLE PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION AJIT KUMAR NEIL MAHMOOD SALES MANAGER NARIMANE HASSAN SALES COORDINATOR KIA MARIE PLACIDO ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES NARIMANE HASSAN narimane@fact-magazine.com PRINTED BY UNITED PRINTING PRESS

All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication. However, FACT M.E. FZ-LLC cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, P.O. Box 769328, Abu Dhabi, UAE License Number: D.L. 361/17/A

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ISSUU.COM FACT Abu Dhabi 66,843 reads of the May issue If you need your FACT fix pronto, flick through our monthly online edition on issuu. com for all the best features, including local culture, arts, fashion, food, motoring, tech, travel and more in Abu Dhabi.

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HOW THE 2008 GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS FORGED THE MIDDLE EAST’S OWN MOHAMMAD FAKHREDDINE Fact talks to professional MMA fighter Mohammad Fakhreddine about the BRAVE Combat Federation and his rise to stardom.

s the world goes through one of the most challenging moments of its recent history with the COVID-19 Pandemic, we ponder the inevitable consequences it will bring to the international economy. Arguably one could look back and recall the last time global markets were shaken to their core in 2008, with the financial crisis ignited by the United States’ housing bubble. At that time, Mohammad Ali Fakhreddine, a young Lebaneseborn boxer was living in California, where he had recently become a dual-citizen. His dreams of building a future in America were cut short when he was one of the nearly 2.5 million people who lost their jobs countrywide. Mohammed was one of the most prominent boxing prospects out of San Diego, under the mentorship of Ernest “Coach” Johnson. It was there that Fakhreddine learned how to turn his vices into virtues.

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“Right when the financial crisis hit the United States, back in 2008, early 2009, I was taking my brother Hassan to train” Fakhreddine recalled. “He was training under Coach Ernest, who invited me to start boxing with them. I told him I thought I was too old but he said it was never too late. We trained for two weeks and I was so eager to fight that I had my first amateur bout then”. But Fakhreddine was off to a rocky start. “I got beaten up so bad, so bad that I didn’t want to box anymore (laughs)”, he confessed. “I stayed away but Coach called me and said ‘How about we do it the right way this time?’. And so we did, for six months. Then it was different, I won in five seconds”. Suddenly, the rough experiences in the streets of Lebanon had become valuable lessons for Mohammad, who shares his name with one of boxing’s legendary names. Simultaneously, Fakhreddine got his first shots at MMA. “A friend from the gym was in jiu-jitsu and got an MMA fight”, Mohammad said. “I didn’t even know what MMA was but I fell in

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love immediately and kept training. At one point I held a record of 8-2 as an amateur”. But as many athletes know, it is usually tough to make a living out of the sport in the early days, and it is why the vast majority rely on part-time jobs to pay the bills until their careers have taken off. Fakhreddine trained hard and made a name in the amateur boxing and MMA scene in California but ultimately had to go back to Lebanon and start over. It ended up being the turning point that shaped the future of one of the biggest Middle Eastern stars. Back in Lebanon, he was offered an MMA bout in his home country. “There was a show in Lebanon, it was something new for everyone, and they asked me if I wanted to participate”, he mentioned. “I said yes, fought twice, in Lebanon and Jordan, both KO wins. From then on, things started happening”. The high point came a few years later with the rise of BRAVE Combat Federation, the first global MMA promotion that Fakhreddine has fought for. He became one of the biggest regional stars to sign with the Bahrain-based powerhouse and quickly paved his way into international stardom. Since then it’s been all about fights and highlight knockouts in multiple divisions, epic rivalries, title shots, and most recently taking part in the most prestigious Mixed Martial Arts competition KHK World Title, the openweight one-night tournament held in November 2019 in Bahrain. ✤

GO: FOR MORE INFORMATION FOLLOW @BRAVEMMAF AND @MOEFAKHREDDINE ON INSTAGRAM fact magazine

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99 SUSHI BAR GOES DIGITAL WITH NEW APP We’ve got 99 problems, but sushi delivery is not one. 99 Sushi Bar, the popular Japanese restaurant on Al Maryah Island, has become synonymous with avant-garde cuisine and premium ingredients. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the upmarket restaurant adapted quickly and launched a delivery service that allowed customers to enjoy the best of the restaurant, albeit from the comfort of home. Continuing to lead the way in these uncertain times, 99 Sushi Bar has now launched an app, making it even easier for customers to order directly from the restaurant. The application which is available to download from both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store is more than just a food delivery platform and acts as a digital gateway to the 99 Sushi brand, which was this year awarded a Michelin star in its native Spain. Browsing the app, you can make a reservation, peruse the menu, watch videos and order signature dishes such as the Spicy Tuna Tartar or Foie Gras Nigiri. The easy to navigate and visually appealing app provides a seamless and safe way of ordering the ultimate fine dining experience, straight to your door. In typical 99 Sushi trendsetting fashion, revolutionary payment service Payby has been integrated into the application via the 10

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ToTok app, allowing for a quick and easy way to make cashless payments that facilitates health and safety precautions. 99 Sushi Bar Abu Dhabi has been a key player in the food and beverage industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting reactive measures and ensuring a seamless customer experience. Whilst we are pleased to see the restaurant open again for dine-in customers, the option for delivery remains and is encouraged for those who are social distancing and not quite ready to leave the house. In other 99 Sushi Bar news, a second branch is scheduled to open at the Address Downtown Hotel in Dubai this summer. Providing our neighbours in Dubai the same exquisite food and bespoke design elements that have made 99 Sushi Bar in the capital, one to watch. ✤

GO: DOWNLOAD THE 99 SUSHI BAR APP AT WWW.99SUSHIBAR.COM

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BOOKS KINOKUNIYA IS NOW OPEN IN THE CAPITAL There has never been a better time to lose your head in a book. Calling all bibliophiles and bookworms in the capital. The Galleria Al Maryah Island has a real treat in store for you with the opening of Books Kinokuniya. Initially expected as part of the opening phase of The Galleria extension, the two-level store is now open and is home to more than 150,000 English and Arabic titles. The modern store has been designed with comfort in mind and features Japanese and Arabic influences, alongside comfortable stools and an abundance of natural light that encourages customers to make themselves at home. There is plenty to peruse and the range of books on sale covers everything from bestsellers, to travel, history, business and wellness titles. For younger readers, the children's books department is the largest in Abu Dhabi and there are big plans for storytelling events in the future. Away from the pages, Books Kinokuniya also contains an expansive range of Japanese manga figurines, collectibles and comics, plus stationery and fun gift items. With social distancing meaning that we are spending more time at home, it seems like a great opportunity to tackle that reading list or lose yourself in a good novel. â&#x153;¤

GO: VISIT BOOKS KINOKUNIYA ON LEVEL 3 OF THE GALLERIA, CLOSE TO CENTRAL KITCHENS fact magazine

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DCT ABU DHABI LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CULTURAL HERITAGE A new campaign aims to celebrate, protect and preserve culturally significant buildings and sites to narrate the story of Abu Dhabi's growth. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a campaign to raise the public's awareness of modern heritage, to foster civic pride and to conserve the past. Through the ongoing Modern Heritage initiative, DCT Abu Dhabi has been identifying, protecting and maintaining the sites that narrate the country's recent history. In 2016, the emirate of Abu Dhabi introduced the Cultural Heritage Law, which established modern heritage on par with archaeological sites and historic buildings, and DCT Abu Dhabi has been leading in the identification and protection of Abu Dhabi's modern legacy. As a result, landmarks such as the Cultural Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Bus Station have been protected to provide physical evidence of the city's continued development. "As we approach 2021 and look to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the UAE it is crucial that we, as a nation, reflect on how far we have progressed. Through the Modern Heritage initiative, we have the opportunity to tell the unique story of where we have come from and where we are today," said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. "Modern heritage is not only about sizeable architectural icons; 12

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it also includes informal and more modest sites that embody historical, social or cultural values, which are equally significant to the story of the UAE. "Sadly, many of these buildings have been deteriorating because of lack of maintenance and neglect, inappropriate renovations and repairs, lack of awareness and interest, shifts in trends and fashions and many other reasons. Individually and collectively, we have the civic responsibility to maintain and protect our modern heritage sites and so it is essential to safeguard the significant buildings and sites that represent our identity and are a record of our past, which we can then use to inspire future development." An awareness campaign is being launched to introduce the concept of modern heritage and what it means to the emirate and to the country, and foster appreciation for these sites and their cultural value. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.TCAABUDHABI.AE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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WIZZ AIR ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW ROUTES FROM ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe will connect the capital of the United Arab Emirates with Budapest and Bucharest this month. Wallet-friendly news alert! Wizz Air, one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines, has extended its arm out to Abu Dhabi and announced five new routes. The routes will connect the capital with Budapest (Hungary) and Bucharest (Romania) from June 2020 and with Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Katowice (Poland) and Sofia (Bulgaria) from September 2020 (subject to aviation activities resuming in the respective countries). This announcement supplements an agreement in March 2020 formalising the establishment of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi as a local airline based in Abu Dhabi in partnership between ADQ and Wizz Air. It is Wizz Air’s first airline established outside of Europe and is expected to begin operations later this year. It is intended that Wizz Air will focus on establishing routes to markets in which Wizz Air has existing, high growth operations, namely Central and Eastern and Western Europe, as well as the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Africa, over the long run. Shareef Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, commented: “Wizz Air’s new routes to Budapest, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Katowice and Sofia highlights our commitment to connecting

Abu Dhabi with the most sought after global destinations. These new routes positively reflect the industry’s resilience and its capability to continue pushing forward with bold plans that will stimulate consumer demand and the sustained recovery of the aviation market. As our newest landing partner, we welcome Wizz Air and its first routes with open arms as we get set to facilitate the carrier’s exciting Abu Dhabi expansion plans. Visitors from Hungary, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria can look forward to enjoying our modern terminal facilities with a unique brand of Arabian hospitality before seamlessly heading out to experience the UAE’s thriving capital city, Abu Dhabi.” Some flights are already on sale and can be booked from as low as AED 244 (EUR 59.99) each way. In the case of travel bans, imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, impacting the start date of the flights, the passengers with bookings for the affected flights will have a chance to rebook for a later date, get a full cash refund or receive the value of the booking in Wizz credit. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.WIZZAIR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine

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DELECTABLE DELIVERIES Order for delivery or collection and help to support local businesses.

ith more restaurants offering their most popular dishes for you to enjoy at home, Fact selects our top new picks for feasting in Abu Dhabi this June. Helping you to dine around the world without having to leave

the comfort of home.

99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT 99 Sushi Bar represents the first international outpost for the Spanish brand and forms part of the upmarket Dining Collection at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. The high-end Japanese restaurant has gained a reputation for careful preparation and excellent service, resulting in an intimate dining experience that can now be enjoyed at home. Enjoy the finest ingredients used in signature dishes such as the king crab gratin and the 99 Flag and succumb to the textures and taste of Japanese haute cuisine. GO: Call (0)2 672 3333 for more information.

BEACH ROTANA ABU DHABI The new 'Beach Out Menu' represents a culmination of signature dishes from four of the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi's signature 14

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restaurants - Benihana, Trader Vic's, Prego's and Indigo. Whether your craving sushi, a tropical mango chilli beef, wood-fired pizza or biryani, all of these dishes (and many more) are now available for home delivery from one of the longest-standing hotels in town. GO: Call (0)2 697 9027 for more information.

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CAFE 302 This top Abu Dhabi restaurant-cafĂŠ at the Al Maha Arjaan Abu Dhabi is taking all the worry out of cooking with their new takeaway menu. Enjoy the full menu which includes an extensive selection of vegan items for delivery or collection. Call the takeaway hotline and the food preparation begins right away, whether it's breakfasts, salads, sandwiches or burgers that take your fancy Cafe 302 has you covered. GO: Call (0)2 610 6688 for more information or order through Zomato.

COYA ABU DHABI Inspired by the original fusion food of Peru, the menu at COYA Abu Dhabi combines influences from Japanese, Chinese and Spanish cuisines for a truly unique taste sensation that aims to transport you into a world of Incan heritage and Latin American culture without having to leave the comfort of home. Each order also comes with a make your own guacamole kit for added fun, or why not tune into the specially curated Coya playlist on Spotify to try and recreate that Latin dining ambience. GO: Visit www.deliveroo.ae/menu/abudhabi/al-maryah-island/coya-abu-dhabi for more information. fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ DELECTABLE DELIVERIES

EMIRATES PALACE Savour gourmet flavours without leaving the comfort of your home with the new Emirates Palace Delivers menu. Featuring star dishes from each of the Palace's signature restaurants, the delectable menu is available at your convenience for breakfast, lunch, dinner or any time in between. No matter where you stay in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace team will ensure fresh flavours are delivered to your doorstep. A minimum spend of AED 300 applies. GO: Email restaurants@emiratespalace.ae or call (0)2 690 7999 to place an order.

LPM RESTAURANT & BAR LPM has gained a reputation for offering some of the finest French and Mediterranean cuisine in the UAE which you can now enjoy without having to get up off the sofa. Everyone has their favourite LPM dish, from the escargots to burrata and each delivery arrives in a charming canvas tote bag that has been hand-painted by a member of the LPM team. GO: Visit www.deliveroo.ae/menu/abu-dhabi/al-maryahisland/lpm-abu-dhabi for more information.

MATSU

HAMILTON'S GASTROPUB If it's pub-grub you're after then the very best of Hamilton's signature bites are available for takeaway and delivery. Think messy prawns, cheese and meat boards, mouth-watering smoked beef brisket, truffle fries and burgers! Your favourite meals from the gastropub at Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas can now be delivered to your door in no time at all. GO: Call (0)2 697 0120 for more information. 16

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Experience the authentic Japanese flavours of Matsu at home. Satisfy those cravings for spicy salmon or maki rolls with Matsu's refreshing menu of seasonal ingredients curated by Chef Roy. From appetizers of volcano shrimp and chicken gyoza through to a wide range of sandos and a delicious poke bowl selection. Stay home and embark upon a unique gastronomic journey with Matsu's authentic flavours, which aim to delight every taste bud. GO: Visit www.deliveroo.ae/menu/abu-dhabi/yas-island/ matsu-japanese-restaurant or call (0)2 556 0096 for more information.

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MÈLANGE If you don't know the name Mélange, then it's about time you get to know! The home-grown bakery created by Nadia Parekh is continually filling our Instagram feed with colourful pictures of extravagant cakes, gooey cookies and delightful tarts. All products are handmade to order and delivered fresh daily across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Surprise a loved one with one of the limited edition quarantine cakes or indulge in the tempting morning after tart. GO: Visit www.melangeme.com for more information.

ROSEWOOD ABU DHABI Inspired by the very best global cuisines, Rosewood Abu Dhabi has launched a 'best of' fine dining menu for foodies to enjoy from the comfort of home. The eclectic menu features Italian classics such as linguine pasta and tagliatelle bolognese, Indian choices of chicken butter masala and lamb rogan josh, alongside meat and fish options, sandwiches, salads, a vegan burger and lots more. GO: Call (0)2 813 5550 or order through either Deliveroo or CraveUAE

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SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB Saadiyat Beach Club has recently launched a delivery and pick-up menu that is set to please your taste buds. The collaboration between Saadiyat Beach Club, BOA American Steakhouse and KOI Japanese Restaurant will have you tucking into fresh salads, signature specials and mouth-watering desserts within 30 minutes of ordering! For the meat lovers there's the BOA Wagyu Burger, while for sushi fans there's a wide range of fresh sushi rolls and poke bowls. It may not be beachside but at least we can still enjoy the food. GO: Visit www.zomato.com/abudhabi/ saadiyat-beach-club-saadiyat-island/ order for more information.

SOUTHERN SUN ABU DHABI Are you planning a birthday party, anniversary or celebration? Take all the stress out of cooking with Filaments at the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi. Preorder a delicious roast turkey or beef Wellington with all the trimmings for that special meal at home with family and friends. Or satisfy your cravings for Italian, Indian or Japanese cuisine with a selection of pasta, curries and sushi platters ready to take away. GO: Email abudhabi.dine@tsogosun.com or call (0)2 818 4888 for more information. 18

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TAMBA Tamba's Indian-inspired menu has been wowing diners in the capital and picked up numerous accolades along the way. Now you can experience 'Tamba Time' at home and enjoy a dining experience bursting with global flavours! We'd suggest the smoked chicken with tomato sauce and burrata or the lamb chops teekha. No matter what you order, you're likely to be impressed. GO: Call (0)2 672 8888 for more information.

TEATRO Teatro, the fusion restaurant at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi has opened its kitchen for you to enjoy the very best international dishes at home. Select your preferred dishes from an array of starters, pizzas, pasta, stir-fries and sushi. Don't forget to order one of Teatro's signature mocktails to wash it all down. GO: Visit www.zomato.com/abudhabi/teatro-khalifapark-area/ for more information.

ZUMA The two ZUMA restaurants in the UAE may have just reopened. However, you can still dine on ZUMA favourites at home. Indulge your cravings for all things Japanese with a menu of contemporary Japanese cuisine and dishes straight from the robata grill, such as the spicy beef tenderloin with sesame or the ever-popular miso-black cod. Staying in doesn't have to mean missing out! GO: Call (0)52 398 8438 or order through Deliveroo. fact magazine

DREAMING OF A STAYCATION WITH THE FAMILY AWAY FROM THE CITY? SUITES AND VILLAS LARGE TERRACE WITH PRIVATE PLUNGE POOL MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OF SAADIYAT BEACH BARBECUE AT YOUR VILLA

Join us at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi this summer and enjoy privacy and exclusivity alongside a healthy dose of nature. For reservations contact reservations.abuph@hyatt.com or +971 2 407 1234 20

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ARMCHAIR TRAVEL 101

WITH RESTRICTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, OUR PLANS FOR EXPLORING THE GLOBE ARE PRESENTLY ON HOLD. HOWEVER, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS PROVIDED US WITH NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME AND CAPTURE THAT FEELING OF WANDERLUST. FACT'S DAVID TAPLEY COMPILES HIS TRAVEL BUCKET LIST USING WEBCAMS, VIRTUAL TOURS, LIVE FEEDS AND INTERACTIVE PANORAMAS. fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ ARMCHAIR TRAVEL

here is nothing quite like the experience of travelling and ability to fully immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and culture of a new destination. With borders closed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, hopping on a plane, train or boat has become virtually impossible! Yet some of the world's most popular and remote destinations have created innovative ways for us travel while social distancing. Experience the seven modern wonders of the world, trek through national parks, explore bustling cities and visit world-famous museums and art galleries with these 42 unique armchair travel opportunities.

CITY TOURS LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM There were over 19 million visitors to the British capital last year making it the third most visited city in the world. London has so much on offer and has become synonymous with historical attractions, world-class gastronomy and entertainment. A 24hour city that never sleeps, there is so much to explore that you will need to use your time wisely or visit on multiple occasions. Thankfully Visit London have plenty of virtual tours to help you plan your city break, from spinning on the London Eye to shopping at upmarket Harrods or strolling through Trafalgar Square. GO: 360.visitlondon.com/

place where the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the west meet with the warmer Indian Ocean waters on the east. The South African city has plenty to offer in terms of both natural beauty and cultural history. Move from the city centre to the slopes of Table Mountain and traverse the rocky outcrop known as Lion's Head using AirPano. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Cape-Town-Tour-SouthAfrica/

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA The flat-topped Table Mountain overlooking a natural bay makes Cape Town one of the most picturesque cities in Africa and is the

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND When visiting the Emerald Isle, Belfast should not be overlooked. With rolling hills, loughs, sandy beaches and grassy parklands, Belfast and the surrounding area boast breathtaking natural views. Explore the 360-degree view over Belfast Castle to see the 19th Century architecture, landscaped gardens and surrounding woodlands, or visit Cave Hill with its imposing outline. Online resource Visit Belfast provides an exciting glimpse into Belfast and what you can expect on a future visit: GO: visitbelfast.com/article/virtual-views 22

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ARMCHAIR TRAVEL â&#x20AC;˘

TOKYO, JAPAN This year's summer Olympics may have been postponed, but this delay provides us with the opportunity to better plan a trip to Tokyo. Away from the games and stadiums, there are a plethora of options to explore, taking in street food eateries, Japanese traditional buildings and nature. All of which are packed into this impressive 360-degree VR movie. GO: youtu.be/OR_Y7vj66PU

ORLANDO, USA Missing the thrills, spills and fun of the fair? Then look no further than Orlando, Florida. Hailed as the theme park capital of the world, no trip would be complete without a visit to Universal Studios, Sea World or Disney World. Ride on popular attractions and thrilling rollercoasters such as Splash Mountain, The Twilight Zone and Tower of Terror or marvel at the Main Street parade as you recapture your childhood sense of wonder thanks to Virtual Disney World. GO: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyJUEtYvZW7BgjhP3UbTg

PARIS, FRANCE There is so much to see and do in the city of love. Whilst a romantic getaway to Paris is currently out of the question, it is still possible to visit the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the River Seine and marvel at CathĂŠdrale Notre-Dame de Paris without having to hop on a plane. Enjoy a virtual guided tour of the Eiffel Tower district to learn the best spots for photo opportunities and sunset river cruises thanks to Samsung VR. GO: samsungvr.com/view/g1tjUu_8Gnl

NEW YORK CITY, USA There's something about the Big Apple that has captured the attention of worldwide travellers for decades. Whether it's the towering skyscrapers that soar above Manhattan, the expansive Central Park, the television series Friends or a trip across the Brooklyn Bridge - New York has captured the hearts of many. Until it's possible to return, we can dream using this kinetic tour circumnavigating the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Statue-of-Liberty-NewYork-USA/

LISBON, PORTUGAL For anyone who has travelled to Lisbon, the westernmost capital city in continental Europe, we can expect two things. That you will have indulged in way too many of the Portuguese egg tarts fact magazine

• ARMCHAIR TRAVEL top of the Temploa de los Guerreros, where you have unrivalled views over the El Castillo step pyramid. An opportunity to live your inner-Indiana Jones. GO: www.destination360.com/north-america/mexico/ chichen-itza/virtual-tour

MACHU PICCHU, PERU Probably the most famous sight in Peru and perhaps one of the most recognisable images associated with the continent of South America, Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca citadel located in the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 2,430m. YouVisit provides virtual guided tours of the sites three primary structures - the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows - alongside views from the settlements highest point and some alpacas thrown in for good measure. A fun way to explore the Inca Trail without the risk of altitude sickness. GO: www.youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu known as Pastel de nata and that you will have likely taken a ride on one of the yellow trams this crisscross the hillsides of the city. Whether it's to save the suggestion for your next Lisbon trip or just to reminisce, Visit Portugal has created a tram ride from your sofa that journeys through the historical neighbourhoods of the city of light. GO: www.visitportugal.com/en/content/tram-ride-your-sofa

VIENNA, AUSTRIA From Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum to Europe's largest ice caves, you can now explore the best of Austria from your sofa. Marvel at frolicking penguins at Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo or listen to classical performances from the Vienna State Opera online. Escape the city and watch live views of Austria's highest mountain or take a virtual dip at Wörthersee Lake. Whatever you may choose, there's plenty to keep you entertained until you can visit Austria in person. GO:www.austria.info/en/virtual-austria/places

SEVEN MODERN WONDERS THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA No trip to China is complete without a visit to The Great Wall. Classified as the longest wall in the world, the stone structure was built over 2,300 years ago to prevent invasion and protect trade along the Silk Road. Measuring a staggering 21,196 km, you can explore what has been classified as one of the 'new seven wonders of the world' from the comfort of your home thanks to the China Guide. Take a virtual trek along a rugged section of The Great Wall between Jinshanling and Simatai without having to strap on your hiking boots. GO: www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

CHICHÉN ITZÁ, MEXICO: Situated on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá is a complex of Mayan ruins that are as important a tourist attraction as they are an active archaeological site. Your vantage point on this virtual 360-degree exploration of the ancient ruins is from the 24

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PETRA, JORDAN Usually a quick flight from the GCC, we can still visit the caravancity of Petra, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea in Jordan. Albeit from behind a screen. Google has created a fully immersive Street View experience that provides armchair explorers with the opportunity to traverse the rose-red city of passages and gorges where the structures are half-built and half-carved into the rock faces. From the Siq to The Treasury, High Place of Sacrifice and The Monastery, it's easy to get lost amongst the 2000-year-old temples during the informative tour. GO: www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/ streetview/treks/petra

CHRIST THE REDEEMER, BRAZIL Brazil should be on everyone's travel bucket list, and Rio De Janeiro is a varied city for exploration. Enjoy the seemingly endless sandy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the cable car at Sugarloaf Mountain or the art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer, without having to take a long haul flight. YouVisit have created a series of enviable panoramas to explore that ensures Brazil will move up the ranks on your travel bucket list. GO: www.youvisit.com/tour/brazil

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TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA

You couldn't visit India without taking time to gaze at the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the city of Agra. Now, the whole world can experience the Taj Mahal on Street View. From the comfort of your computer, tablet or phone, take a 360-degree journey around India's architectural crown jewel, as if you were walking around the building itself. Enjoy postcard views and discover rarelyseen perspectives; get up close to the hand-carved details and explore expansive landscapes. GO:www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/ streetview/treks/taj-mahal/

Visit the 165 kmÂ˛ Samburu National Reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya which is home to 1,450 African elephants. Explore the savanna where more than 70 elephant families have been sighted without the need for an early wakeup call or bumpy game drive! You'll gain insight into poaching and the organisations working together to protect these graceful mammals. You know it wouldn't be a trip to African without spotting at least one of the big five. GO: www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/ streetview/treks/samburu-kenya/

THE COLOSSEUM, ITALY

Closed to tourism before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia represents the wild habitat for the 3m long Komodo Dragon. These venomous reptiles with their razor-sharp teeth and gargantuan size have attracted zoologists and adventurous travellers to the remote islands in the hope of getting a glimpse at the dinosaur-like species in the wild. Air Pano has introduced a virtual exploration of the park which takes in the rusty-red volcanic hills, forests and turquoise waters of the remote location. Save yourself the three-day boat journey from Bali and explore from home instead. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/komodo-islands/

This ancient amphitheatre in the centre of Rome was capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and battle recreations. Despite its partially ruined state due to earthquake damage, the oval structure remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy 2000 years after construction. We may not be able to fly to Rome for pizza and pasta quite yet, but for now, we can strap on our sword and sandals and relive Italy's Roman history anytime. GO: www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/colosseum.html

EXPLORE REMOTE REGIONS AND NATURAL WONDERS

KOMODO NATIONAL PARK, INDONESIA

GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA With scuba diving and other water-sports currently out of the travel equation, there is still the opportunity to explore the underwater world and marine life of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Natural historian Sir David Attenborough is your guide as you journey through five critical locations of the world's largest coral reef system, home to over 1500 species of fish, 600 coral species and 30 different whale and dolphin species. The experience is both educational and fun as you navigate through one of the most biodiverse and complex ecosystems on the planet. GO: attenboroughsreef.com fact magazine

• ARMCHAIR TRAVEL

EASTER ISLAND, CHILE Located 3,700 km from Chile's west coast, Easter Island was christened by Dutch explorers in honour of the day of their arrival in the year 1722. Reliant on tourism, the island with its population of just 7,750 people has gained notoriety for its collection of 900 stone figures that populate the natural landscape. The location of the moai statues have intrigued explorers and researchers for centuries, and you can now visit the hard-to-reach area without exerting any effort at all, other than clicking a few buttons. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Easter-Island

NIAGRA FALLS, CANADA Whether you visit from the American or Canadian side, there is little doubt that a visit to Niagra Falls is a bucket-list must. The collection of three waterfalls spans the border between the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario and combined; the falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America. Part of the fun of a trip to Niagra is taking a boat into the mist of the Horseshoe Falls and now you can do this without the risk of getting wet thanks to Air Pano. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Niagara-Falls-USA-Canada

MOUNT EVEREST, NEPAL If the worlds highest mountain has been on your adventure bucket list, then you can visit Mount Everest in the Himalayas thanks to AirPano. From the Everest base camp to ice rivers and snowy vistas, there has never been an easier way to reach the elevation of 8,850 meters than from the comfort of home. Why risk altitude sickness when you don’t have to. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Everest-Nepal

HANG SON DOONG, VIETNAM The world's largest cave is known as the 'cave of the mountain river' and is situated in the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam and was only discovered in 1991. Featuring unusual cave formations, including giant cave pearls, towering stalagmites and underground rainforests, only 1000 visitors are permitted to enter the cave each year, and this involves an arduous four-day expedition that requires plenty of trekking and three nights of underground camping! With worldwide travel currently restricted, it would be significantly more comfortable and much cheaper to visit using this exciting online tour. GO: www.nationalgeographic.com/news-features/sondoong-cave/2/

ZHANGJIAJIE NATIONAL PARK, CHINA Instantly recognisable as the inspiration behind the planet of Pandora in James Cameron's science-fiction masterpiece, Avatar. The Cloud Forests of Zhangjiajie National Park are comprised of over 3000 vertical pillars, each hundreds of feet tall and covered in dense foliage. A notoriously popular tourist attraction and a must-visit location on any Chinese travel itinerary. Beat the crowds with this 360-degree immersive flight over the natural wonder that is truly awe-inspiring. GO: youtu.be/b6vQQit2ZU8

SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA For those looking to get away from it all and enjoy a spot of complete isolation, Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert may just be the place for you. The salt and clay pan is flanked by red dunes that extend across a vast area to the Atlantic Ocean. The remote location is also home to Big Daddy, the tallest dune in the area at a height of 325 meters and Deadvlei, famous for its picturepostcard images of blackened acacia trees. The Namib desert and it's remote charms should definitely be on your travel list, but for now, you can explore the towering dunes using AirPano. GO: www.airpano.com/360photo/Namibia

PERITO MORENO GLACIER, ARGENTINA If you've ever dreamed of visiting Argentina, then one thing aside from steak and grape that you'll want to check out is Patagonia's Perito Moreno Glacier. One of 48 glaciers fed by the Patagonian ice field, the sheet of ice measures an incredible 30 km in length and is a favourite spot for long and short treks. Tourists will often travel to the glacier to watch for a potential rupture. If you're not sure about strapping on those crampons, then explore this winter wonderland from home instead. GO: www.360cities.net/image/perito-moreno-glacier

GALÀPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR Naturalist Charles Darwin's observations and collections of the Galápagos wildlife in 1835 contributed to his theory of evolution by natural selection. The small volcanic islands off the coast of 26

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Ecuador are home to hundreds of endemic wildlife species that are found nowhere else on earth such as the Galápagos Marine Iguana and Galápagos Giant Tortoise. The 21 islands are a nature lovers paradise and are challenging to get too. With isolated terrain, isn't it time you lived out your fantasies of being an intrepid explorer with Google Maps? GO: www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/ streetview/treks/galapagos-islands

CANTON DE VAUD, SWITZERLAND Canton de Vaud is a stunning location known for its pristine valleys and the snow-covered mountains, and is located in The Lake Geneva region of Switzerland. Through 3D virtual tours, visitors can now become acquainted with some of the areas most breathtaking sites including peak walking on Glacier 3000, the Lavaux vineyards and the Chasseron cliffs. Alternatively, why not admire Lausanne Cathedral, dive into the heart of the Roman arenas of Avenches or board a ship and cruise in front of Chillon Castle. All of this is possible on a virtual tour of Switzerland (chocolate not included, unfortunately). GO: www.region-du-leman.ch/en/Z12413/3-d-3600-virtualexperience

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, CANADA The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights have long been a

phenomenon shrouded in intrigue, and a lot of effort is required to catch a glimpse of these dancing curtains of light in the night sky. A trip to Canada or Finland is not enough, and several factors such as clear skies and an increase in solar storms on the sun are required to ensure a successful sighting. To avoid disappointment, a live webcam streams 24/7 so that you can gaze at the sky night after night. It has got to be better than a wasted trip standing outside in temperatures of -22°C. GO: explore.org/livecams/zen-den/northern-lights-cam

DHIGU, MALDIVES A trendy travel destination with GCC residents is the small island nation of The Maldives. The collection of islands is in fact, the lowest country in the world with an average height of only 1.5 meters above sea level. Home to paradisal atolls and reefs that attract travellers with a preference for luxury and those looking to explore the pristine marine habitats. Swimming in turquoise waters and strolls upon powder white sands are currently out of reach, but we can still dream thanks to this virtual tour from Anantara. GO: www.anantara.com/en/dhigu-maldives/virtual-tour

TREK THROUGH NATIONAL PARKS HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, USA The North Pacific is home to the Hawaiian Islands, and a trip to the Big Island usually requires you to forgo beach life and surfing in favour of visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcanic landscape at the southern end of the island is flanked by the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes and presents an almost alien-like landscape scorched black by countless eruptions. Google Arts and Culture have captured some of the most impressive elements of the park, including the steam vents of The Crater Rim Drive, Thurston Lava Tubes and The Chain of Craters Road. Travel over lava fields and crater rims to witness the most impressive views of the park as you descend towards the ocean and eliminate the risk of active lava flow by experiencing the volcanoes from the safety of home. GO: artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parksservice/hawaii-volcanoes/nahuku-lava-tube-tour fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ ARMCHAIR TRAVEL Democracy. The site displays the faces of four former presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln - carved into the granite rock. Cyark's virtual tour lets you get closer to the 60ft sculptures than you ever would if you visited in person, so take the time to admire the intricacies of Sculptor Gutzon Borglum's impressive handiwork. GO: www.cyark.org/projects/mount-rushmore-nationalmemorial/virtual-tour

SEVEN EXPERIENCES FOR CULTURE VULTURES PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, USA Under usual circumstances, California's Yosemite National Park would expect to receive millions of visitors per year. An adventure lovers haven offering hiking, climbing and skiing; visitors are drawn to the park for its collection of dramatic waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, abundant wildlife, and awe-inspiring cliffs. The Virtual Yosemite platform allows you to experience all of these elements and more. We'd recommend a virtual visit to The Half Dome Diving board for striking views or to the Nevada Falls overlook for pounding views of the water. GO: www.virtualyosemite.org

GRAND CANYON, USA Many will recognise Arizona's Grand Canyon from the final scene of popular 1991 film, Thelma and Louise. Not all visits to the Canyon carved out by the Colorado River need to end is quite so dramatic a fashion though, and there's plenty to explore from the comfort of your sofa rather than the seat of a Ford Thunderbird. TreadmillTV presents a virtual rim to river run down the 4km South Kaibab trail. A hike without the need to sweat. GO: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLaLmEW0hWg

MOUNT RUSHMORE, USA Another famous American landmark, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota's Black Hills National Forest is America's Shrine of

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One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Egypt's Pyramids of Giza have captivated travellers since their construction 4,500 years ago! Located on the edge of the Western Desert, the three main pyramids, their subsidiary pyramids and the Great Sphinx are the most popular attraction in the country and usually receive over 14 million visitors a year. The Great Pyramid which towers 147 meters above the plateau is estimated to have used 2.3 million stone blocks in its construction and although camel rides and trips into the burial chambers are currently out of the question, you can still get a taste of Ancient Egypt thanks to Google Street View. GO: www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/ streetview/treks/pyramids-of-giza

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, UNITED KINGDOM No visit to London is complete without a trip to see The Queen. While Buckingham Palace has been the focus of many moments of national celebration, from Jubilees to weddings, it is also an official residence of the royal family. A selection of virtual tours will take you to the Grand Staircase, the Throne Room and the Blue Drawing Room. We may be confined to the house, but there's nothing stopping us from feeling palatial. GO: www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace

ACROPOLIS, GREECE The ancient citadel has stood on a rocky outcrop above the

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PALACE OF SHAKI KHANS, AZERBAIJAN

city of Athens for 3,500 years and was home to one of the earliest known settlements in Greece. Initially built for defensive purposes, the complex contains the world oldest weather station known as the Tower of the Winds. The most famous structure though, is the Parthenon and restoration has been on-going since 1975. Although a visit to the temples of Ancient Greece is temporarily on hold, you can still enjoy the archaeology thanks to You Go Culture which provides 360-degree views of the site. GO: www.yougoculture.com/virtual-tour/athens/myth/ acropolis

THE LOUVRE, FRANCE We greatly appreciate outings to art galleries and museums when we travel to a new city and the team at The Louvre in Paris have come to the rescue, placing key exhibits online for us to enjoy. Whether it's the Egyptian antiquities or the Galerie d'Apollon that pique your interest, you can peruse at leisure on the Louvre's website. GO: www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Azerbaijan has been topping the travel plans of GCC residents in recent years, but there is plenty to explore aside from buzzing Baku. The summer residence for the Shaki Khans is one such example and the palace boasts an expressive architectural structure with its shining walls and elegant woodwork. The town of Shaki was once the main centre of silk production in the Caucasus and can be explored virtually alongside the palace. A real treat for historians and culture vultures looking to get off the beaten track. GO: www.azerbaijan360.az/en/what-to-see/museums/s-kixan-sarayi/

ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA Have you ever fancied taking on the role of video game heroine Lara Croft? You can now explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat through the Virtual Angkor website, a groundbreaking collaboration between virtual history specialists, archaeologists and historians designed to bring the Cambodian metropolis of Angkor to life. This tool offers a historical context allowing visitors to explore the city as it was during its peak, rather than the ruins partially reclaimed by the jungle which are found on site today. ✤ GO: https://www.virtualangkor.com

THE VATICAN, ITALY For those who have visited The Vatican, it's a known fact that you have to arrive early and queue for hours without any guarantee of entry. One advantage of being stuck at home is that we can visit without the usual stress and planning that would coincide with a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The online experience is rather enlightening; without the crowds of tourists, you can marvel at the Renaissance frescoes in your own time and appreciate the details in the artwork. This may be our preferred way of visiting The Vatican. For now at least… GO: www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/ collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.1.html fact magazine

• TRAVEL INFLUENCER Q&A

UNDER THE INFLUENCE If you’re an avid social media user and like to be in-the-know when it comes to the world of travel, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across ‘Of Travels and Tales' on Instagram. The Abu Dhabi based travel influencers share their adventures through colourful photographs as they traverse the globe and have amassed over 100,000 followers in the process. Their account covers everything from city breaks to off the beaten path gems, covering 49 countries over six continents so far! We catch up with Delaine and Jackson to talk about all things travel and to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their plans.

How did you get started in the world of travel? It all started with our first-ever trip to Thailand in 2010 right after we got married. We were so impressed with Thai cuisine and culture that we felt the urge to travel more and a feeling of wanting to see more. After we returned back home, we felt that something was missing in our lives and thought that the only thing that would bring us real happiness would be hopping on another plane. Rather than over-spending on unnecessary things at home, we began to save money for future trips. Do you prefer a beach, city or culture holiday? We definitely prefer a mix of all three and make sure that the countries we visit have a bit of everything. Some good examples would be Croatia, Mexico and Italy. We love beautiful beaches but tend to get bored easily if we don’t see some real action. The same goes for big cities. We love the hustle and bustle of a big city but need a break once in a while. When we visit a country, we want to be able to experience everything. That’s the reason we spend anything between 10 days to 2 weeks there, so that we can see as much as possible. Where is your favourite place to travel on a budget? It’s hard to pick only one country because most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can be seen on a budget. For us living in UAE though, airline tickets to Central and South America can cost a lot, however, once you’re in the country, everything is reasonable. As for Eastern European countries, we do have a lot of budget airlines from the UAE, such as Wizz Air. One of our favourite countries which we so sceptical about visiting at first 30

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was Hungary. The capital Budapest has so much to see, and you can easily have a nice meal for AED 20. It is a pocket-friendly destination. How did you know you had ‘made it’ as travel influencers? When people started consulting us before planning their trips, we knew that we’d made it. We started the Instagram account in 2013 to share our random travel photos with friends. Little did we know what we would inspire many people. We get a lot of messages from people telling us about how they got to know of a particular location because of our Instagram. This makes us very happy and gives us a sense of fulfilment. When you are on location, do you have a strict routine? For the majority of the countries, yes we do. We plan a day-today itinerary before our trip and make sure that we follow it so as to try and avoid wasting time. We’ve already spent a lot on air tickets and know that we would be spending even more during our trip, so we want to see as much as we can. At times, it can get a bit hectic, especially when we have to wake up at 4am, walk or drive around the entire day and return to the hotel at 10pm. We have to admit though, things do not always go as planned - we miss trains, we get stuck in traffic, we lose our way, but again, this is a part of travelling as well. What are your top 3 travel tips? 1. While booking air tickets or hotels, compare prices on various websites, including hotels or airlines websites. And pre-pay as much as possible to avoid any extra charges. 2. Buy a local sim card wherever you go. It will be cheaper than using an international sim card, a portable device, or your own phone for roaming. 3. Research a country thoroughly before visiting. We do not mean just preparing an itinerary but rather every aspect of a country, particularly its safety. It’s better to be cautious and well prepared for anything. Have you had to cancel travel plans due to COVID-19?

We had trips planned for the entire year but nothing booked for after April. However, we had a trip booked to Malta during the last week of March and had to cancel it. We planned this trip in January and we were so excited about it. All our hotels were booked, and we intended on driving around the country. We even changed the airlines twice before the trip to avoid transiting through countries that were severely affected back then. Ultimately, borders were closed, and we had no choice. How do you think COVID-19 has affected the future of travel? Once borders open, people may be a bit hesitant to travel. Especially families with young children and people with certain medical conditions. You can practice social distancing while you are at home but certainly not on a plane or in a tourist attraction. It’s hard to avoid crowds. As a result of this, businesses such as airlines, hotels and tour operators may suffer losses or have to offer big discounts to attract customers. Basically, COVID-19 has crippled the one thing that connected people. Have you visited anywhere that you would want to return to over and over again? Japan! We visited Japan over 4 years ago during spring and fell in love with the country and the people. It’s quite strange because there was a language barrier and we hardly understood each other, but the people went out of their way to help us. Japanese culture is so unique. How often do you come across a country where there’s pin-drop silence on public transport? Another country that we’d love to return to is Iceland! When we visited Iceland last year, it felt like we were on a different planet. The landscape is unlike anything we had ever seen. Iceland is also the most expensive country we’ve been to, but it was so worth it. As soon as it is safe to travel, where is next on your list? It’s going to be hard to decide as we need to assess the situation in every country before we visit. If things go well, we’ll probably take a road-trip along the West Coast of the USA or make that trip to Malta that we did not manage to complete. If you were given an open ticket to travel anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? There’s only one continent that we haven’t set foot onto yet, and that is Antarctica. As weird as it sounds, it would probably be Antarctica. It’s literally at the end of the world. We’ve heard that a cruise from Argentina to Antarctica costs over 6000 USD. Let’s not forget additional expenses such as the airline fare from UAE to Argentina. We might need to win the lottery for this to happen. Once we visit Antarctica, we can proudly say that we’ve been to all 7 continents. We need to tick this off our bucket list. ✤

GO: VISIT HTTP://OFTRAVELSANDTALES.WEEBLY.COM AND CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST TRAVEL INFORMATION, CITY GUIDES AND DESTINATION REVIEWS. FOLLOW DELAINE AND JACKSON ON INSTAGRAM @OFTAVELSANDTALES_ FOR MORE DETAILS. fact magazine

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STAYCATION GOALS

WITH GLOBAL TRAVEL RESTRICTED, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME FOR A SUMMER STAYCATION. fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ STAYCATIONS SPOTLIGHT

he finest city hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai's most luxurious retreats and the chance to find peace and tranquillity on the untouched beaches of the Northern Emirates. Fact rounds up the best UAE staycation offers for the month of June.

ABU DHABI BEACH ROTANA ABU DHABI Book a stay at the Beach Rotana this summer and receive 50% off your room rate when staying for two nights or more. This city resort boasts a prime waterside location and an enviable selection of leisure, dining and business facilities. Feel at home and relax in one of 565 rooms, suites and serviced apartments which have been furnished to the highest standards. The hotel also provides direct access to the shops and services at the adjacent Abu Dhabi Mall and this summer the Beach Rotana aims to make sure each moment spent is extraordinary, with discounts such as 15% off dining, 25% off massage treatments and 20% off laundry services. GO: Call (0)2 697 9000 for bookings and more information.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ABU DHABI AT AL MARYAH ISLAND An ultra-modern sanctuary on the edge of the Arabian Gulf that features a distinctive exterior of vertical lines inspired by the colourful textiles of Abu Dhabi's souks, the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island provides a high-end playground for business and shopping. The luxury hotel is offering a UAE resident staycation offer in which special rates and a discount on services are provided upon inquiry. GO: Call (0)2 333 2222 for bookings and more information.

PARK ROTANA ABU DHABI The Park Rotana represents a modern five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi's dynamic Park Complex. Ideal for business or leisure guests, the 318 rooms and suites are spacious, well-lit and feature contemporary furnishings and design. All rooms boast impressive views of Khalifa Park or Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the hotel is a great spot to escape the city and experience tranquil relaxation amongst the manicured gardens. Book your stay for a minimum of 2 nights at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi and get 50% off your room rates. GO: Call (0)2 657 3333 for bookings and more information.

ROSEWOOD ABU DHABI Inspired by the glistening Arabian Gulf, Rosewood Abu Dhabi is a luxury hotel that delivers peerless 34

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extravagance and service to the United Arab Emirates and this summer the Al Maryah Island property is offering several staycation offers. Create lasting memories with the Family Staycation package for a fun, yet luxurious stay that Includes a gift pack for children, complimentary breakfast for two adults and two children (up to 12 years old), late check out until 1 pm and best of all - kids stay for free! If you prefer to take it easy, the Suite Retreat staycation provides the opportunity to spoil yourself with a relaxing stay in one of Rosewood Abu Dhabi's luxurious residential-style suite accommodations. GO: Email AbuDhabi.Reservations@rosewoodhotels.com or call (0)2 813 5550 for bookings and more information.

THE WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT AND SPA Located on Abu Dhabi's premier golf course, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa offers unique surroundings and a highly attractive location that is just perfect for a relaxing summer staycation. Stay and refresh with an exclusive package that offers daily breakfast, AED 150 credit to spend in any hotel restaurant, 35% discount on food and beverage and late check-out. GO: Call (0)2 616 9999 for bookings and more information.

DUBAI AMWAJ ROTANA Get away and enjoy a staycation at Amwaj Rotana located on Jumeirah Beach Residence. Enjoy the sophistication and space of the hotels 301 elegantly-furnished rooms and suites, all featuring private balconies with stunning views of Jumeirah Beach, the Arabian Gulf and the Palm Jumeirah. Book for a minimum of 2 nights and enjoy 50% off your room rate, plus a 15% discount on dining and 20% discount on laundry services. The place to stay if you want to be in the heart of the action. GO: Call (0)4 4 428 2000 for bookings and more information.

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ANANTARA THE PALM DUBAI RESORT Located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah just off the coast of Dubai, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort boasts 400 meters of private shoreline and stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Indulge in an exclusive escape, while still enjoying the excitement of the city. Float on water, by booking the UAE's only over water villas and experience ocean splendour via a glass viewing panel in the floor. Over water villas are currently priced from AED 1995 per night with beach villas from AED 2995 per night. Rates are inclusive of breakfast served at Crescendo or via in-room dining. Book your stay and enjoy the Thai-style luxury for which Anantara is renowned. GO: Email resdubaipalm@anantara.com or call (0)4 567 8999 for bookings and more information.

ANDAZ DUBAI THE PALM Capturing Dubai's eclectic style and heritage, Andaz Dubai The Palm presents a boutique hotel that blends old-world charm with contemporary luxury. Conveniently located on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah opposite Nakheel Mall, it's the perfect location to inspire curiosity and discover hidden gems. The hotel features a statement swimming pool where Emirati artist Khalid Shafar contributed to the dynamic colour design, plus 217 rooms and 34 suites that weave the sights, scents and textures of Dubai into every aspect of design. Summer staycation rates start from AED 550+++ inclusive of breakfast, plus you'll get access to a beautiful 300 meter stretch of private beach. GO: Email andazdubaithepalm@andaz.com or call (0)4 581 1234 for bookings and more information.

CAESARS PALACE BLUEWATERS DUBAI Nestled on Bluewaters, Dubai's most sought after island, UAE residents can enjoy stays from AED 796 per night. Experience the iconic hospitality, world-class dining experiences and indulgent amenities for which the Caesars brand is renowned. From waking up to ocean vistas to dining at Hell's Kitchen from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, there's plenty to keep you entertained. All food and beverage outlets including Havana Social Club and the restaurant TWO.0 at Cove Beach are currently open for both in-house and external guests. GO: Call (0)4 556 6466 for bookings and more information. 36

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STAYCATIONS SPOTLIGHT â&#x20AC;˘

DUKES THE PALM A hotel that epitomises British charm and cosmopolitan luxury on the Palm Jumeriah. At Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, each room has been designed with every last detail in mind, making sure each stay is unique. Room rates start from AED 450 per night and include private access to the luxury beach and AED 250 credit per room, per night which is redeemable against food and beverage purchases. GO: Call (0)4 455 1111 for bookings and more information.

FAIRMONT THE PALM A home away from home is waiting at the only fully integrated Arabian-themed beachside resort on The Palm Jumeirah. Luxury with an Arabian accent is the hallmark of a stay at Fairmont The Palm and this summer, attractive long stay rates are being offered across the properties 391 stylish and contemporary guest rooms and suites. For stays of no less than 30 nights, you can book a Fairmont Room with residential view for AED 6,995 or a one bedroom suite with sea view for AED 7,995. Additional benefits include a 25% discount on food and beverage, 25% discount on massages and housekeeping service twice a week. GO: Email palmdubai.sales@fairmont.com or call (0) 55 558 4012 for bookings and more information.

FIVE JUMEIRAH VILLAGE For panoramic views overlooking Dubai, check into one of the hotels superior rooms and receive the value of your stay back in food and beverage credit, which can be spent at any of the onsite restaurants and cafes. We're talking floating bathtubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and your own private balcony, if you avail this stay and dine offer, starting from AED 400 per room. GO: Email fjvd.reservations@fivehotelsandresorts.com or call (0)4 248 9999 for bookings and more information.

HILTON DUBAI THE WALK Hilton Dubai The Walk has launched exciting summer staycation packages for UAE residents that include access to the hotel's private beach. Starting from AED 350 per night (for two people) in a studio room and AED 700 per night (for up to 4 people) in a spacious two bedroom apartment, these packages are perfect for both couples and families and include a set breakfast menu.

GO: Email info.jumeirahresidences@hilton.com or call (0)4 318 2999 for bookings and more information.

KEMPINSKI HOTEL MALL OF THE EMIRATES In the heart of Dubai is the 5 star Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. A family of four (two adults and two children) can stay in a Grand Deluxe room for AED 899, including breakfast. Enjoy this luxury staycation close to home with early check-in and late check-out until 4pm! There's also the new drive-thru cinema at the Mall, why not check that out too! GO: Call (0)4 341 0000 for bookings and more information.

RAFFLES DUBAI Escape for a day or two and enjoy exciting staycation packages in the royal setting of Raffles Dubai. Offering the most spacious lead rooms in the city, the rooms and suites are sumptuously appointed and have spacious private balconies providing stunning views of Dubai's skyline. With guests' convenience and wellbeing in mind, Raffles Dubai has launched a mobile application offering a contactless experience with unparalleled levels of comfort. Summer rates start from AED 700 per night and include a special Ă la carte breakfast at Raffles Salon for two people, as well as a dining credit of AED200. GO: Email bookus.dubai@raffles.com or call (0)4 324 8888 for bookings and more information.

SOFITEL DUBAI THE PALM RESORT & SPA Enjoy some much-needed relaxation away from the city. Sofitel Dubai The Palm's one-night staycation offer is exclusively for UAE residents and provides an essential escape. Book your stay in one of the beach suites, with the one bedroom option offering a private jacuzzi on the spacious terrace. Prices start from AED 750 per night for two adults and include daily breakfast, late check-out until 3pm and a 30% discount on in-room dining. GO: Call (0)4 455 6677 for bookings and more information. fact magazine

• STAYCATIONS SPOTLIGHT

VIDA EMIRATES HILLS A tranquil lifestyle hub in the desirable Emirates Hills neighbourhood, Vida Emirates Hills is perfectly positioned only 10 minutes by foot from two of Dubai's most iconic golf courses: Emirates Golf Club and Address Montgomerie. With rooms overlooking the greens, the hotel with its large infinity pool has launched a long stay offer with attractive room rates from just AED 105++. The rate includes 25% off food and beverage at operational outlets, room cleaning twice a week, pool and gym access (subject to government regulations), plus complimentary WiFi and self-parking. GO: Email info.vithh@vidahotels.com or call (0)4 872 8888 for bookings and more information.

THE NORTHERN EMIRATES FAIRMONT AJMAN With its idyllic location, Fairmont Ajman is just 30 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport and minutes away from the Al Zorah Nature Reserve an undisturbed natural mangrove forest home to more than 60 species of birds. Combining a classic style with modern, comfortable décor, all rooms and suites, including the two double-storey penthouse suites, offer stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. When it comes to food, the hotel features several exciting culinary concepts including the signature Turkish restaurant; Kiyi with its traditional Ottomanera interior fit-out and the all-day dining restaurant Spectrum featuring live cooking stations. The hotels luxury staycation package starts from AED 990 and includes 25% discount at the Willow Stream Spa, breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet at Spectrum, plus an unlimited service of selected soft and house beverages between the hours of 11am and 11pm. GO: Email ajman.reservations@fairmont.com or call (0)6 701 5757 for bookings and more information

FAIRMONT FUJAIRAH BEACH RESORT Fujairah is known for its impressive backdrop of the Al Hajar Mountains, vast stretches of isolated beaches and laid-back relief from the bustle of city life. As the first art-inspired hotel in the Emirate, each room at the Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort has been meticulously designed and feature a modern interpretation of luxury infused with Arabesque design and furnishings. Each room and suite also boast a private al fresco balcony providing ocean views. No stay is complete without a trip to the Lava Beach Club, an excellent destination for the entire family designed in vibrant orange hues to represent an erupting volcano. GO: Email cro.uae@fairmont.com or call (0)9 204 1111 for bookings and more information. 38

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INTERCONTINENTAL FUJAIRAH An exceptional destination where Arabian hospitality meets luxury, the InterContinental Fujairah Resort is situated on the shoreline of the exquisite Al Aqah Beach. The infinity pool, private beach and all-day dining destination NAMA are all open to welcome UAE staycationers. Flexible rate options are offered, in case your plans change, making this a peaceful escape with an added incentive. GO: Email info.fjrae@ihg.com or call (0)9 209 9999 for bookings and more information.

THE CHEDI AL BAIT, SHARJAH In a place where the heart of genuine hospitality blends with a sanctuary for travellers, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah offers a new approach to wellbeing during these times of uncertainty. The new "Home Away From Home" package, bridges the gap between luxury services and premium health care, providing a retreat that will add balance and comfort. A partnership with Burjeel Hospital means The Chedi Al Bait's guests are offered health consultations and all day long access to licensed doctors, cultivating a self-care mentality within guests. COVID-19 testing can also be undertaken at an additional cost. Packages include a three-course breakfast served in the room, three-course set lunch and dinner menu, three pieces of laundry and a minibar with fresh juices ✤ GO: Email reservations@chedialbaitsharjah. com or call (0)6 502 5555 for bookings and more information.

STAYCATIONS SPOTLIGHT â&#x20AC;¢

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â&#x20AC;˘ INSTA TRAVEL

INSTA TRAVEL 24 TRAVEL ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM FOR BUCKET LIST ENVY While travel is currently restricted there is nothing stopping us from planning our next trip. Here are our picks of the top Instagram travel accounts for destination inspiration, itinerary planning and sheer wanderlust.

@travelforpun Followers: 79.2k Reason to follow: colourful pictures and puntastic captions.

@adventurefaktory Followers: 43k Reason to follow: itinerary ideas and top travel tips.

@ghetto_smurf Followers: 1,976 Reason to follow: the best of the UAE and beyond.

@oftravelsandtales_ Followers: 104k Reason to follow: the best of budget travel and off the beaten path gems.

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INSTA TRAVEL â&#x20AC;˘

@gmr83 Followers: 29.2k Reason to follow: for stunning aerial views and geographical finds.

@zoe.bowker Followers: 52k Reason to follow: for the best luxury hotels and destination dining.

@followtheraven Followers: 113k Reason to follow: to experience travel in style.

@alexpreview Followers: 262k Reason to follow: luxury island life and the world's best resorts. fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ INSTA TRAVEL

@karl_shakur Followers: 400k Reason to follow: adventurous storytelling with a side of cheek.

@paperboyo Followers: 475k Reason to follow: see the world differently with paper creative.

@followthenap Followers: 47.8k Reason to follow: life the life of the world's first sleep influencer.

@filmtourismus Followers: 716k Reason to follow: explore world-famous film locations scene by scene.

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INSTA TRAVEL â&#x20AC;˘

@andredemello Followers: 121k Reason to follow: inspiring nature and sustainable travel.

@kayo Followers: 200k Reason to follow: the most popular travel destinations with a dose of men's fashion.

@cedtripping Followers: 21.5k Reason to follow: explore the hotels and locations you may not even know existed.

@handluggageonly Followers: 95.4k Reason to follow: the intimate travel diary of two food lovers. fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ INSTA TRAVEL

@wanderreds Followers: 161k Reason to follow: the youngest Spaniard to visit every country in the world.

@thelosttwo Followers: 115k Reason to follow: #couplegoals all around then globe.

@hen_1991 Followers: 24.2k Reason to follow: the very best the world has to offer captured through a colourful lens.

@thewanderlovers Followers: 67.1k Reason to follow: exotic locations and paradise islands.

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INSTA TRAVEL â&#x20AC;˘

@jordhammond Followers: 648k Reason to follow: travel photography as you've never seen it before.

@jeremyaustiin Followers: 403k Reason to follow: high-end travel content and so many swimming pools.

@jacob Followers: 1m Reason to follow: aspirational travel ideas and adrenalinefuelled activities.

@doyoutravel Followers: 2.7m Reason to follow: one of the biggest travel accounts in the world. If Jack Morris hasn't visited, then it's probably not worth going. fact magazine

• BOREDOM BUSTING ACTIVITIES

BOREDOM BUSTING ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED IN ABU DHABI If you are missing your favourite hang-outs or just beginning to experience a case of cabin fever, it might be time to check out some of our recommended quarantine activities. KIDS FACTORY If you are stuck at home with children, Dalma Mall favourite Kidz Factory, have developed Kidz Crates. Choose from four activity boxes (freak shakes, pizza chef, cookies and cupcakes or a ceramic piggybank) that can be delivered to your door to keep the little ones entertained for hours. It’s crafting without the hassle. GO: Call (0)2 671 1269 or follow @kidzfactoryuae on Instagram.

NO. 57 BOUTIQUE CAFE This delightful Abu Dhabi favourite is offering you the opportunity to order boutique boxes. If you are missing some of their well-loved dishes, a box full of all the ingredients (along with instructions) can be delivered to you to make at your leisure. Why not try one of the brunch boxes? GO: Visit www.no57.co or follow @no57cafe on Instagram.

UMM AL EMARAT PARK Everyone’s favourite Abu Dhabi park is now running a popular #GrowAtHome campaign. While we await the return of The Ripe Market and with the Botanical Garden out of reach, the park has launched several online sessions aimed at keeping us connected to the outdoors. By connecting with their social media channels, followers are encouraged to take part in meditations, exercises, 46

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cooking and planting activities. GO: Visit www.ummalemaratpark.ae or follow @ ummalemaratpark on Instagram.

BOREDOM BUSTING ACTIVITIES •

SALT Who isn’t a fan of burgers? This popular spot has boxes of mouth-watering favourites on offer in their home kits. If you are not in the mood to dine in (they are currently open in the evening), then get a box of ingredients to make sliders sent to your house or pre-order and pick them up from the Salt carhops if you are driving by. Alternatively, order from the menu if you are not in the mood to DIY. GO: Visit www.find-salt.com or follow @findsalt on Instagram.

CREATE NATIONS With this initiative, you can learn a skill and support a good cause. A group of UAE artists have created COVID-19 inspired ‘colouring book’ style drawings for t-shirts that can be completed at home. All proceeds are being donated to the Emirates Red Crescent to help support workers fighting the pandemic. GO: Visit www.createnations.com or follow @createnations on Instagram.

JONES THE GROCER For some family-friendly food fun, Jones the Grocer are offering home cooking recipe boxes where you can create anything from salads to steaks and muffins. A parcel full of all the necessary ingredients (along with instructions) can be delivered to you to make at your leisure with your friends and family. GO: Visit www.jonesthegrocer.com or follow @jonesuae on Instagram. ✤ fact magazine

• BEAT THE BOREDOM

APP-TLY YOURS We're as good as an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S – we'll be there for you! FACT gives you a roundup of our favourite apps to keep you busy…

HEADSUP Ellen DeGeneres will forever be the Queen of our heart. To further prove this, she has blessed us with the ultimate app to bring us all together; HeadsUp! - a virtual form of charades. You can try out the free version that comes with basic sets before you go for the premium version. Plus, you have the option to play HeadsUp online with your friends and family and spend some time cheering each other up.

TASTY We're all the MasterChef's that we always dreamed of being during quarantine – except that some of us need quick recipes to cook some homemade food. Tasty is your best friend for all types of occasions! An app released by Buzzfeed, Tasty is free, easy to download, and gives you everything that foodie dreams are made of. Depending on your mood for the day, you'll find recipes for almost everything here.

21 DAYS CHALLENGE

SKILLSHARE, INC We've been running out of options when it comes to using our time productively. When on most days we'd love some 'down' time with Netflix, we're always on the hunt for more activities to keep the creative juices flowing. From photography lessons to learning digital illustration, Skillshare, Inc is definitely worth the money. You can use the first month free and see if it fits your preferences before you buy it.

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Yes, and yes. This app is the ideal way of motivating you to do something because you know the timer will go off, reminding you about your task for the day. The app revolves around the concept of taking 21 days to develop habits and is believed to be the best way possible to give something new a try. You choose the time you want reminding and the new habit you want to take up. Detox on social media, being more productive or even going without junk food; you've ultimately met your challenge.

BEAT THE BOREDOM â&#x20AC;˘

BETTERHELP: ONLINE COUNSELING & THERAPY Let's face the reality of life that we are going through a pandemic and admit it when things are getting tough for you. BetterHelp is an app that lets you find a therapist and talk to them like you're texting a friend. You are paired with different therapists till you find someone that clicks with you. You have options to choose help for yourself as an individual, a couple and even counselling for your child. Several questions will be put forward to help understand you better before matching you with a therapist. If it helps you, you can buy the membership as well.

SPOTIFY If you're not aware of the digital streaming service that provides you access to millions of songs, then where have you been? Spotify gives users advert-free music, even when you're offline, meaning you can listen to your favourite tracks wherever you may be. Create playlists of your favourite songs, discover new music via intuitive recommendations and share your favourites across social media. Music has never been so much fun.

7 MINUTE WORKOUT The fact that we are currently amidst a lockdown means we are not even hitting our usual footstep count. While many people are stepping up their workout routines, we're just looking for room to fit something in as we walk from the kitchen to the lounger. 7 minute workout is the fix â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just pump up the volume of your favourite track and get in a bit of movement. We personally love the Sleepy Time Stretches as we're taking it slow.

HEADSPACE

SLEEP CYCLE

ELEVATE

While we are currently living in a period of uncertainty, we must look after our health and well-being by ensuring we get a good nights sleep. Sleep Cycle analyses your sleep and wakes you up at the perfect time to make sure you feel rested. Track your sleep patterns, including how long it took you to fall asleep and how you felt upon awakening - a vital app for getting those 40 winks.

Being stuck at home, it can sometimes feel like we are not using our brains to their maximum capacity. Elevate introduces personal brain training to help you stay sharp, build confidence and boost productivity. Training is conducted with over thirty simple games that use maths, reading, writing, speaking, and listening to help your cognitive training.

Headspace is your guide to mindfulness and meditation, providing you with the tools and resources to look after your mind. Follow the guided meditations to help combat stress and anxiety or to help you calm down and relax, whether you have 5 minutes of half an hour - there's something for you. Take things up a notch with 'move mode' to train your body and your mind at the same time with exercises to strengthen your mental and physical well-being.

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â&#x20AC;˘ BEAT THE BOREDOM

ZOOM Zoom has become the go-to app for many of us in recent months, as we look for effective ways to communicate with our loved ones while spread out across the globe. Zoom allows up to 100 people to meet at the same time and chat with flawless video, crystal clear audio, instant screen sharing, and crossplatform instant messaging. Perfect for that family reunion, quarantine birthday party or that at home business meeting.

NETFLIX We couldn't compile a list of apps to keep you busy at home and not include Netflix. The streaming giant is currently keeping the world entertained with its releases of new television shows and movies that have the entire world talking. For June we can expect the comedic pairing or Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani in The Lovebirds, a new film from Spike Lee called Da 5 Bloods and a new show starring Steve Carell that follows the people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services in Space Force.

KAHOOT! What about hosting your own trivia night? Kahoot! allows you to create your own quizzes in minutes. After you are done creating your quiz, the app generates a unique game pin code which you can share with your friends. All they have to do to join your live quiz is add the code via the "Enter Pin" button on the home screen. You can invite up to 10 players per game with the free version of the app, while Kahoot! Plus lets you invite even more people.

DUOLINGO With so many of us trying to use our time at home effectively, why not attempt to learn a new language with some help from Duolingo. The fun and addictive app offers lessons that adapt to your learning style and all exercises are tailored to help you learn and review vocabulary effectively. So why not learn Arabic, Russian, French or Japanese in preparation for when travel bans are lifted.

AIRTIME If you miss movie night with your friends, then simply download the app Airtime, which lets you stream movies, listen to music and share photos; all while video chatting with your favourite people. Just don't forget the popcorn. 50

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BEAT THE BOREDOM â&#x20AC;˘

player will need to select "start a game" on the home screen and then share the secret game code so others can add it to their app.

HOUSEPARTY A little party never hurt anybody! Houseparty is the face-to-face social network where you can connect with all your loved ones. The app makes connecting face to face effortless, alerting you when your friends are "in the house" and ready to chat so you can jump right into the conversation. The same goes for you opening the app. Houseparty is truly the next best alternative to hanging out in person.

EDX EdX brings you the best online courses from the world's top universities and institutions to your mobile device so that you can learn new skills anytime, anywhere. Whether Harvard, Berkeley or Columbia; dig into the 2,000 classes available through the EdX app. You won't earn a degree, but you will earn bragging rights for furthering your education while isolating.

PROJECT FOODIE: GUIDED COOKING Not all of us are capable of cooking on our own. This is why Project Foodie: Guided Cooking is one of the essential apps you need during quarantine. Learn delicious recipes with obsessively-detailed videos for free.

UNO PSYCH! OUTWIT YOUR FRIENDS Made by the same company as Heads Up!, Psych! is a Balderdash-like game that you can play on your phone with your friends. Each person creates fake answers to various trivia questions. Those who guess the correct answer among the false ones earn points. You'll earn points for each player you "psych" into choosing your made-up answers. To play with a group, one

Play the world's number one card game like never before. The UNO app has all-new rules, tournaments, adventures and more. To invite your friends to a match, click on the "social" button on the bottom right of the screen and then click on the yellow "invite friends" button. From there you'll be able to send invite links to your friends via text or another messenger like WhatsApp. The game also comes with text and talk functions so you can speak to each other through the app while you're playing. â&#x153;¤ fact magazine

• ENTERTAINMENT

BIG SCREEN EXTRACTION

Highlights

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a fearless black-market mercenary, embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord in Dhaka, Bangladesh. With nothing left to lose, he takes the job and dives into the messy underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers.

DIRECTOR: Sam Hargrave CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Bryon Lerum, Ryder Lerum, Rudhraksh Jaiswal

WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING?

The action thriller just hit Netflix and is already the movie that's on everyone's lips. Starring who we know best as Thor, the God of Thunder, Extraction puts Chris Hemsworth into the role of the black-market mercenary Tyler Rake. Tyler, who is the best in the business, is commissioned for a rescue mission by an imprisoned international crime lord. Motivated by his belief that he has nothing left to lose, he takes on the job and dives into one dangerous scenario after another. Especially Action buffs will fall in love, for Extraction is a pure action sequence, giving spectators well-choreographed and absolute thrilling carnage — and that for good reason: The movie is directed by Sam Hargrave, the stuntman turned filmmaker who takes all the knowledge he has acquired from his intimate involvement in action set pieces and makes an extremely entertaining movie working behind the camera.

THE OCCUPANT

“

Extraction is a pure action sequence, giving spectators wellchoreographed and absolute thrilling carnage”

When he loses his job as a successful executive, Javier Muñoz (Javier Gutiérrez) is forced to downsize his dream apartment to live in a smaller abode in a poorer part of Barcelona. He is drawn back to his former home and begins to plot against the new tenants, a seemingly perfect family who embody the life Javier wants.

DIRECTOR: David Pastor, Àlex Pastor CAST: Javier Gutiérrez, Mario Casas, Bruna Cusí, Ruth Díaz

WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING?

Prepare yourself for crazy plot twists and unbelievable behaviour! The Spanish Netflix thriller about a man who loses his job, and then his mind, shocks you until the very end of the movie. Directed by the brothers David and Àlex Pastor, The Occupant is not your morality tale where the bad guys get punished and the good guys rewarded. More than that, it’s an amorality tale — a reflection of the world, where kindness sometimes goes unrewarded. The story is brilliant, the directing work on point, and the actors are just as good. 52

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ENTERTAINMENT •

FULLY BOOKED

ON THE RECORD

FICTION

Afterlife

HIP-HOP/RAP

R&B/POP

The New Toronto 3

It Was Good Until It Wasn’t

By Tory Lanez

Canadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez just dropped the long-awaited third installment of his New Toronto series and it’s safe to say that it’s his best album to date. He sticks to one sound and tells his story unlike ever before. At 16 tracks The New Toronto 3 is a deep dive into Lanez’s psyche. In his opening track Pricey and Spicy, Tory tells us about his past life and the struggles he faced. He expresses how he went from rags to riches and makes quite the impression on track one. On top tier tracks Who Needs Love and Do The Most, he raps with determination to seek vengeance for his broken heart by upholding his material wealth, sounding as if he can’t shake off the crutch. Tory’s bold confidence could be misunderstood as arrogance but listen closer, and you’ll hear an artist who is trying to heal. An album that shows the real Tory Lanez.

By Kehlani

Kehlani has become one of R&B’s biggest stars by being radically vulnerable about her pains and passions — in short, she keeps it real. And so she does with her new album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t. Embracing the woman she’s grown to become today, she refuses to hold back on her emotions, delivering 15 tracks that represent her heart and soul. Impactful hits like Serial Lover, Water, and Grieving resonate deeply with anyone looking to gain some growth and prosperity post-breakup. At the album’s conclusion, she proves that her tendencies in love and a willingness to give her all are anything but flaws in her eyes. Lifted by guest appearances from Megan Thee Stallion, Jhené Aiko and James Blake, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t takes you through the highs and lows of a life filled with love and mistakes.

By Julia Alvarez Afterlife follows Antonia Vega, a retired English professor struggling to deal with the death of her husband, the disappearance of her sister, and the appearance of a pregnant, undocumented teenager on her doorstep. A beautifully written short book about life after losing a loved one that asks: What do we owe those in crisis in our families, including —maybe especially— members of our human family? How do we live in a broken world without losing faith in one another or ourselves, and how do we stay true to those glorious souls we have lost?

NON- FICTION

Untamed

By Glennon Doyle In her most revealing and powerful memoir yet, the best-selling author Glennon Doyle unpacks the many changes in her life since her previous two books, including the divorce from her husband. Giving incredible insight about what it means to be a woman today and the joy and peace we feel when we stop striving to meet other’s expectations, Untamed liberates women in every way possible. A book that shows you how to be brave.

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• PLUGGED IN

APP-L ICIOUS LET’S SEE WHAT’S ON THE SMARTPHONE AGENDA FOR JUNE…

CALM

FOODUCATE

Keep calm in every situation with this award-winning mindfulness app! Recommended by top mental health experts, Calm helps to reduce stress and enhances wellbeing by teaching users how to meditate. Experience better sleep, lower stress, and lessen anxiety with guided meditations, bedtime stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises, soothing music and more.

Say hello to the leader in nutrition grading! Fooducate is an app that helps you make healthier food choices to eat better. Simply scan a product’s barcode and you’ll see its nutrition grade (A, B, C, or D), together with an explanation of its nutritional benefits, or lack thereof. This way you can choose healthier alternatives and improve your diet. Plus, you can track your food intake and exercise!

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PLUGGED IN •

ONE WATCH TO TRACK IT ALL Get that extra push to workout, sleep well, stay hydrated and track your health with The Huawei Watch GT 2e.

taying fit doesn’t necessarily need to be limited to gyms or fitness centres. There are a lot of solutions that you can follow to maintain your fitness levels, and the perfect companion for that is the all new Huawei Watch GT 2e. Huawei’s latest smartwatch packs all the fitness features that come with the original watch GT 2, but with a sportier design and a cheaper price point. Here’s what makes the new wearable your best fitness companion: A two-week long-lasting battery: Even when running all major functions including continuous heart-rate monitoring, GPS tracking and music playback. Stylish and functional design: The Huawei Watch GT 2e comes with a unibody design that integrates the 1.39-inch AMOLED dial into the strap for a more refined look. On the functional side, this makes the watch more comfortable and also enables for accurate data tracking, even while your arms are swinging. 15 professional workout modes, both indoor and outdoor: Huawei’s new wearable is aimed at active users and can actively track a wide range of physical activities. This includes 15 professional workout modes and 85 custom workouts. No matter what workout you do, your Huawei Watch GT 2e will track it all and send you a comprehensive analysis along with tips on how to improve. Monitor your health efficiently: The new GT 2e excels thanks to the new self-developed TruSeenTM 3.5 heart rate monitoring technology. This works in real-time and alerts you when the heart rate is too high or too low for a period of more than 10 minutes. All your tunes now on your wrist: A large storage capacity allows for up to 500 songs to be saved on the watch. If

you prefer connecting to Bluetooth earphones, the Huawei Watch GT 2e also supports seamless connectivity with other Bluetooth devices. Keeping fit and healthy is not a challenge but a necessity and once you make the decision, Huawei’s GT 2e is here to help! ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.HUAWEI.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine

• PLUGGED IN: ABU DHABI ATTRACTIONS

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF ABU DHABI CULTURE FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME Take a virtual tour of Qasr Al Hosn or the Furusiyya exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi with the arrival of CulturAll.

ulturAll is an online platform that has been launched by The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT) to offer access to the city’s cultural attractions. While attractions citywide have been closed since March 25 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can now visit our favourite cultural sites online. Highlights of the online portal include a fully immersive tour of Qasr Al Hosn where you can explore the historic watchtower, significant for being the oldest standing structure on Abu Dhabi Island. With a few clicks, you can travel to the garden city of Al Ain and Qasr Al Muwaji, the birthplace of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The website conveniently allows for the exploration of Emirati cultural traditions such as Khoos weaving, in which dry palm fronds are woven to create household products such as placemats. Educate yourself on the practice of fishnet weaving using simple tools and nylon threads, and Al-Sadu weaving that uses sheeps wool, goat hair and camel fur to create distinctive designs rich in geographical patterns. Divided into four sections - explore, connect, create and meet the CulturAll website also features cultural conversations, live musical performances, crafting ideas and insightful interviews. Watch a poetic tour-de-force from spoken word artist Saul Williams, learn about the cultural impact of the Saadiyat museums from the architects who built them, or get crafting with the kids and learn to make salt dough leaves or paint with gahwa and chai. This virtual programmes and experiences are complemented by the Abu Dhabi Culture social media channels and have been specifically designed with all age groups in mind, meaning we can now enjoy the culture and traditions of Abu Dhabi while social distancing at home. ✤

GO: VISIT HTTPS://ABUDHABICULTURE.AE/CULTURALL OR FOLLOW @ABUDHABICULTURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

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CITY RIDES â&#x20AC;¢

THE ALL-NEW KIA: SELTOS GT TURBO SUV THE 2021 KIA SELTOS HAS RAISED THE BAR IN THE COMPACT SUV SEGMENT

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• CITY RIDES

ith KIA producing well over three million cars annually to be distributed in over 180 countries, there is no denying the brand’s surging popularity. We at Fact Magazine have had the opportunity to test drive various KIA models in recent years, all of which were sur-prisingly impressive in both appearance and performance. Once again thanks to the great team at KIA Motors UAE, we were extended the privilege of test driving their latest KIA import. On this occasion it was to be the allnew 2021 KIA Seltos SX Turbo SUV. Named after the son of Hercules, the Seltos has a sporty yet sophisticated exterior design, one that is complemented by its aesthetically pleasing features. From the front, the novel LED lights run along the top of the upgraded “tiger nose” grille, almost uninterrupted from one side of the vehicle to the other. Mock skid plates at both the front and rear of the vehicle ensure a more rugged appearance, whilst the front facia has a slight overbite, allowing for greater clearance. On the sides, cladding along the bottom and around the wheel base add to the robust nature of the Seltos, whilst 18” alloy wheels hint at its on-road capabilities. The rear of the vehicle is beautifully designed, complete with LED taillights and a unique convex and concave surface design. On the top pf the vehicle, roof rails and an op-tional sunroof add to an already impressive

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exterior. The SX Turbo is available in a large variety of colours including two-tone options. We were most surprised at the space on offer inside of this small class SUV. A higher ride height ensures easy entry and exit from the vehicle and once inside, plenty of head and leg room is available. The Sofino Synthetic leather trim seats are 10-way power adjustable, with two-way lumbar support and are very comfortable indeed. These seats are also available in a variety of seat trim colours. The leather clad steering wheel, with sport grips, is functional and feels great in hand. The radio, cruise control and information display can all be controlled by buttons on the wheel itself. The modern look interior houses a 7-inch LCD Colour Instrument Cluster, an 8 speaker Bose sound system with sound connected mood lamp and an original speaker grille design. Other notable features include chrome door handles, a leather wrapped gear shifter, two cup holders, a wireless charging mat and single-zone climate control. The infotainment system features a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and offers both Apple CarPlay and An-droid Auto. This system is functional, customisable and very user-friendly. In the rear of the vehicle three adults can fit comfortably with ample leg and head room on offer for this class of vehicle. There is a folding armrest complete with double cup holder as well as a USB port and dual air vents. The cargo area offers 753

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litres of storage space with the rear seats up and 1778 litres with the seats folded down. The Seltos GT Turbo houses a Direct Injected Turbo, 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This allows for the creation of 175 hp @ 6000 rpm and 195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm. This translates to a capable vehicle with decent acceleration and a good turn of speed. It is capable of achieving 0 – 100km/h in around 7.5 seconds. Being an all-wheel drive, the Seltos offers plenty of grip both on and off-road and despite being a firm ride, this SUV handles bumps very well. With three driving modes available, the Seltos is able to adapt to various environments whilst remaining as eco-friendly as possible. We found both the cornering and breaking of this vehicle to be more than sufficient and always felt in control of the driving experience. There is a range of advanced active safety systems available for the Seltos, including Blind-Spot Detection, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping & Departure Warning and Safe Exit Assist, amongst others. All-in-all, we found the Seltos GT Turbo to be a pleasant surprise with its visually pleasing exterior, deceivingly spacious modern interior as well as its more than capable on and off-road capabilities.✤ fact magazine

• CITY RIDES

“

NAMED AFTER THE SON OF HERCULES, THE SELTOS HAS A SPORTY YET SOPHISTICATED EXTERIOR DESIGN, ONE THAT IS COMPLEMENTED BY ITS AESTHETICALLY PLEASING FEATURES.”

GO: VISIT WWW.KIA-UAE.COM TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION. 62

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FASHION FOCUS •

LEVI'S

X SUPER MARIO

Power up with this streetwear-inspired collection that brings together two major cultural icons famous for their youthful energy and love of creativity.

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• FASHION FOCUS

hen it comes to quirky icons, it's tough to beat Nintendo's Super Mario, the Italian plumber in blue overalls who has appeared in over 200 console games since 1981. Having opened up worlds of imagination and creativity, Super Mario represents the newest member of the Levi's® collaboration family for Spring/Summer 2020. The stylish and youthful collection of denim, tees, hoodies, and accessories brings together two cultural icons renowned for their sense of nostalgia and love of creativity. Featuring bright, saturated colours and graphics alongside fan-favourite characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Princess Peach. The Super Mario elements appear not only in graphics across shirts, hoodies and all-over print denim but also in details like gold coin graphics peeking out of jean pockets. The mushrooms and stars that fans will recognize for giving Mario additional powers are displayed on back patches and at the same time, the Levi's® signature tabs are presented in select colours with vintage video game-inspired font. On the 501 '93 Straight jean, there's also a special 'POWER UP' custom selvedge on the cuff, and a print of Mario himself running around the inside waistband. Other pieces include Super Mario printed Levi's® tote bags and Levi's® banana slings, all-over Super Mario print bandanas, and Super Mario print denim truckers, shorts, and of course overalls. ✤

GO: SHOP THE LATEST COLLECTION ON WWW.6THSTREET.COM 64

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• FASHION FOCUS

SHOP THE BRAND HERE’S OUR WISHLIST FROM LEVIS® X SUPER MARIO COLLECTION

THIS COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE IN LEVIS® STORES ACROSS THE GULF. 66

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@Hadag_Me http: //Issuu.com/hadag fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ BRAND FOCUS

THE VICTOR CLOSET SAY HE L LO TO T HE UA E'S L AT E S T H O M EG R OWN M E N'S FA S H I O N B R A N D.

he Victor Closet is a male fashion brand that utilises unconventional and daring designs for the bold and confident manâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;founded by three creative and savvy business partners from the fashion, finance, and legal sectors. The trio joined forces to launch a homegrown brand of avant-garde streetwear. The e-commerce fashion brand is now open for business to bring accessible men's apparel from the streets of the UAE to the world. After a successful pre-launch in late April 2020, the Dubai-based fashion brand is excited to announce the complete release of their must-see first collection. Inspiration for this new collection comes from the realisation that there was a need to adapt avant-garde attire into more of an everyday 68

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BRAND FOCUS â&#x20AC;˘

setting and for garments that can be worn on the street. The vibrant collection consists of lightweight coats, unique blazers, creative shirts and t-shirts. Each garment has been thoughtfully designed by the founders, ensuring the use of high-quality and exceptional fabrics. An exciting addition to this first collection is the brand's 'Victor ONLY' line which consists of one-of-a-kind pieces of which only one will be made - so once it's gone it's gone! Martin Almasri, Creative Director and co-owner, told FACT "we don't make clothes, we make identities. The Victor Closet wishes to be a staple in all men's after work wardrobe across the UAE and GCC." The Victor Closet goal is to transform every man into an outwardthinking style connoisseur. Each piece of attire can be viewed as a statement, as much as a stylistic choice, with each garment tailored using materials of the highest quality. From intricate stitching to unique designs, no detail has been missed. â&#x153;¤

GO: VISIT WWW.THEVICTORCLOSET.COM OR FOLLOW @THEVICTORCLOSET ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine

• BEAUTY BOX

Beauty Checklist THE VERY BEST IN BEAUTY THIS MONTH.

ARMANI BEAUTY LUMINOUS SILK CONCEALER Prepare yourself for a flawless, secondskin effect with Giorgio Armani’s newest addition to the award-winning Luminous Silk collection. The Luminous Silk Concealer boasts an ultra-fine yet intensely pigmented formula, giving you the most flawless finish possible. Enriched with glycerin, caffeine and Vitamin E, the concealer also hydrates while concealing, correcting, and highlighting.

SUMMER FRIDAYS LIP BUTTER BALM

Known for their famous Jet Lag Mask, SUMMER FRIDAYS founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores now launched the Lip Butter Balm. Brimming with ultra-hydrating plantderived butters and waxes, this silky formula melts into dry lips to naturally moisturise and condition the skin. For that perfect lipstick-ready canvas.

JO MALONE LONDON GARDENIA & OUD ABSOLU

The third creation in the Jo Malone London's Absolu Collection pairs the bright white flower often found in English gardens with the characteristic, smoky wood of the Middle East. A powerful combination that is surprisingly uplifting.

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CHARLOTTE TILBURY

MAGIC SERUM CRYSTAL ELIXIER Charlotte Tilbury’s first ever serum just hit the shelves and is formulated with breakthrough ingredients that are clinically proven to improve your complexion. Featuring REPLEXIUM® for younger-looking skin, Golden Vitamin C for a brighter-looking complexion, and hydration powerhouse Polyglutamic Acid – a supercharged skincare ingredient that’s over 4X more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid — Magic Serum Crystal Elixier truly gives your skin a magic boost! Expect a sell-out.

MILK KUSH TRIPLE BROW PEN Do you want to create your

most flawless yet natural eyebrows ever? Milk Makeup’s Kush Triple Brow Pen does just that. A triple-tipped brow pen that fills, feathers, and builds dimensional, natural-looking brows. Highlighted ingredients such as Hemp-derived Cannabis Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Aloe hydrate and condition skin and hair for lush, nourished eyebrows.

TOM FORD

GLOW TINTED MOISTURISER SPF15 Tom Ford created a vegan tinted moisturiser that delivers a sheer hint of complexion-correcting colour. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba oils for nourishing hydration, the vegan tinted moisturizer is paraben-free, sulfate-free and sulfite-free. SPF 15 helps to protect from the harmful effects of the sun, while antioxidants replenish skin from the damage of environmental stressors. Perfect? Perfect!

GROOMING BOX •

Grooming Checklist ALL THE NEW FUNDAMENTALS OF GROOMING THIS MONTH.

BOLIN WEBB X1 MATTE RAZOR

Put your hands on this award-winning razor by Bolin Webb. Not only does it bring a luxurious look to your bathroom, but it also performs brilliantly. The razor works with Gillette’s Fusion Pro-Glide blades and is weighty enough to help the blades do their job: shave your face clean, without you having to apply too much pressure.

BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA CLAY MASK AHA

This deep-cleansing clay mask purifies and revitalizes your skin in just 10 minutes. Natural kaolin and bentonite clay draw out dirt, oil, and other impurities, while hydrating calendula, aloe leaf juice and witch hazel soothe, hydrate and condition to leave your complexion looking revived.

ANTHONY GLYCOLIC EXFOLIATING AND RESURFACING WIPES Here’s your ‘AHA moment’! Anthony’s exfoliating wipes are easy to pack and travel with, allowing you to refresh and reset on the go. Infused with fruit extracts and glycolic acid, the alcohol-free wipes help clear away surface impurities, resurface skin, and minimise the appearance of pores.

TIMOTHY HAN / EDITION HEART OF DARKNESS EAU DE PARFUM

Immerse yourself in this highly wearable scent by Timothy Han/ Edition that works day to night, all-year-round. Watery green floral notes give way to the scent of dark wood and damp moss, infused with hints of burning coal and amber. A fragrance that will be the first thing people pay compliment to when you wear it.

HEATH

CLINIQUE

EYE SERUM

CLINIQUE FOR MEN™ DAILY AGE REPAIR

Say bye-bye to tired eyes! Heath’s revitalising eye serum is powered with next generation actives to renew the skin under your eyes, instantly. Enriched with Persian silk tree extract, Soliberine NAT® and hyaluronic acid, the serum-rollon brightens, hydrates, and firms the under-eye area. Keep it in the fridge for added “ahhh” on application.

All good things come in threes! And so does this essential trio for daily age protection. Including a moisturizer, shaving cream, and charcoal face wash, Clinique equips you with everything you need for your grooming game. The luxurious Cream Shave provides a rich buffer against razor drag and nicks, while the non-drying Charcoal Face Wash draws out pore-clogging dirt and excess oil. The quick-absorbing Anti-Age Moisturizer combats lines, wrinkles, and dullness for a revitalized look.

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• BRAND FOCUS

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH BERDOUES Experience the best of the world with the Grand Crus perfume collection

re you feeling those travel blues? Travel the world with Berdoues Grand Crus and get transported to the streets of Brazil, the beaches of Polynesia or the gardens of Japan. Inspired by different locations, each Grand Crus fragrance expresses one of the world’s regions and offers a unique interpretation of its aromatic identity using high-quality ingredients.

SCORZA DI SICILIA The ‘Scorza’ bark generously asserts its sparkling character to reveal the bright, sophisticated sweetness of sun-drenched fruit. Miraculous alchemy between the generosity of the earth, an abundance of sunshine and the scarcity of the rain have inspired the Scorza Di Sicilia. It’s like taking a trip to the Italian Island.

OUD AL SAHRAA Experience the warmth of the Orient in a bottle. This fragrance pays homage to voluptuous oud wood and reveals the sensuality of the desert, unfurling a characteristic blend that releases an intense, captivating bouquet. A genuinely Middle Eastern experience. 72

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SELVA DO BRAZIL Evoking the natural luxuriance of the Amazonian forest. The Berdoues perfumers have melded a dry, inimitable green note that is bold. This intricate and exotic blend leaves a sublime and harmonious scent as if a tropical rain shower has fallen upon the skin.

MAASAI MARA Named after the Kenyan game reserve, the Massai Mara fragrance beckons you to discover unspoiled nature. A spiced blend with subtle honeyed notes encapsulating a journey to the heart of Africa.

HOJA DE CUBA A fragrance of warm tobacco from the spice islands. The trail of this particular scent reveals the singular beauty and sweet aroma of Cuban tobacco fields. The most precious of ingredients, including allspice and vetiver have been sourced to bring the warmth and sensuality of Cuba to you.

with a beguiling blend of vanilla, orange and petitgrain, resulting in addictive notes.

ASSAM OF INDIA The subtle perfume of tea leaves conjures up the tea plains of Assam, in North-East India. Created using black Assam tea leaves that are grown at a low altitude to reveal an exceptional character. Blended with citron and sandalwood, the fragrance elevates the natural elegance of the tea leaves.

RUSSKAYA KOZHA All the sophistication of Russia captured in a glass bottle. A blend of the noblest raw materials, Russkaya Kozha develops into an intense, mysterious perfume through the combination of cade wood, siam benzoin and cardamom.

AZUR RIVIERA

PENG-LAI

A voyage to the heart of the French Riviera. Delicate and sensual, the ozone notes float in the air and sparkle on the sea, promising a freshness thanks to a unique alliance of a floral bouquet with a marine personality. The French way of life blended into a perfume bottle. ✤

The mythical island of Peng Lai is brought to life using one of China’s most precious flowers, the Osmanthus. Blended with benzoin and tonka beans, this fragrance intends to put time on hold.

GO: SHOP THE BRAND BY VISITING WWW.BALMESSENCE.COM

SOMEI YOSHINO A delicate perfume of cherry blossom that evokes the land of Japan is an invitation for contemplation. The perfumers have concocted a scent that evokes tenderness and serenity that complements the delicate Sakura bloom.

ARZ EL-RAB Using the natural elegance of a wood that is both sober and authentic. This perfume is named after the forests of Mount Lebanon and invites you to travel thanks to a subtle composition of power and elegance.

VANIRA MOOREA The exoticism of the Polynesian Islands captured in a glass bottle. This sun-drenched perfume spirits us to the South Pacific fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ HOME STYLE

How to make your home a sanctuary With many of us social distancing and working from home, it can be hard to adjust to a new lifestyle confined to the familiar four walls of home. Here, the team at One&Only Resorts alongside Elie Choucair, Design Director at Kerzner International have put together some handy tips on how to transform your home into a sanctuary. Prepare the home for social distancing: It is important to consider the home as a multipurpose space, creating different areas for different activities throughout the day. With existing furniture, try to move things around to help you create a flexible and comfortable space where you can spend most of your time. Make sure you differentiate between the work corner and the living corner and try to avoid doing all your activities in the same room, as this may impact your mood and wellbeing after some time. Ensure that your workspace is facing a view, with natural light to increase productivity and efficiency Bring the outdoors inside: Indoor plants and greenery have become a popular interior design trend over the last few years, whether in our homes, working spaces, or in more communal areas such as shopping malls. These are a design feature we have used across our various One&Only Resorts including the authentic Mediterranean restaurant Olives at One&Only Royal Mirage, where namesake green olive trees surrounded by a palette of whitewashed walls and slat floors were introduced within the interior, evoking a fresh feel and reference to the French Riviera. Interior ideas can range from the more extravagant green wall and roof designs, to even just a small desk plant for a simpler way to bring greenery into a home and improve both productivity and happiness. Some of my favourite indoor plants for bringing positive energy into the home include Lucky Bamboos, Peace Lilies, Aloe Vera, and orchids. Most of these plants are considered to bring luck in health, as well as give off a pleasant aroma which can stimulate energy, whilst also being aesthetically pleasing. Create a home office location: Most of us are now having to get used to working from our homes every day, and whilst this set up might seem easy for 74

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some, others may find it more uncomfortable. Working from home can offer many advantages; however, if your home office is not set up properly, it can compromise efficiency. Identify what is needed for you to work and find a corner in one of the rooms of your home, which allows access to everything you need. If you are using a dining chair, make some adjustments to suit your working from home lifestyle by adding casters to raise the height if required, and cushions to support your lower back. The location you chose for your home office should be in a quiet area, ideally with some privacy, that allows for a view and natural light, as both of these will have an impact on your physical and mental wellbeing, in turn allowing the work to be more productive. These are factors we take into consideration when designing the guest rooms and meeting spaces at our various One&Only Resorts so that our guests have access to a comfortable and inspiring workspace should they wish to use it during their stay. Make the most of your balcony or terrace: For most people living in a city apartment, enjoying a private outdoor space can be a real novelty, even if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a small balcony or courtyard. So, if you do happen to have a small outdoor area, try to take advantage of it, keeping in mind that no matter how minimal the space is, there is still a lot of design potential. Some of this transformation may be very simple but can go a long way in improving the quality of the living space. Start by adding a small table and chair. This will allow you to

HOME STYLE •

enjoy a morning coffee in the fresh air as a refreshing way to start your day. Filling your balcony with lush plants and herbs will create the feel and smell of a proper garden (even if the space doesn’t quite allow it to be. Create comfortable lounging areas. If you do not have proper outdoor furniture, comfortable pillows and cushions are a good alternative for relaxing outdoors. Lastly, being outdoors can provide a real feeling of escape at this time, especially whilst holiday plans are currently on hold. Hanging chairs and hammocks are a simple but much-loved feature at many of our One&Only resorts where guests can switch off and relax, and adding one of these to your balcony space can help to create that laid-back, holiday vibe we are all missing right now. ✤

GO: FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ONE&ONLY RESORTS VISIT WWW.ONEANDONLYRESORTS.COM

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â&#x20AC;˘ QUARANTINE QUANDARIES

10 TOP DELIVERY BOXES TO TRY

WITH SUPERMARKET DELIVERIES THROUGHOUT THE UAE BACKED UP WEEKS IN ADVANCE, WE RUNDOWN SEVERAL HOMEGROWN ALTERNATIVES FOR ORDERING THOSE GROCERY ESSENTIALS. subscription boxes and fruit platters. All fruit boxes contain servings of fresh in-season and wherever possible, in-region fruit that has been washed, individually bagged and handled carefully to ensure it maintains freshness all the way to your doorstep. GO: Visit https://fruitfulday.com for more information.

EMIRATES BIO FARM If you are looking for organic fruits and vegetables delivered directly to your door, then look no further than Emirates Bio Farm. Located in Al Ain, they are the largest private organic farm in the UAE and specialise in the production of natural foods with considerable nutritional benefits, whilst also caring for the environment. The range of products also includes eggs, milk, spices, bread, nuts, grains, pulses and seeds. Delivery is free on all orders over AED 200 and visits to the farm itself can also be arranged, inclusive of a tractor ride. GO: Visit www.emiratesbiofarm.com for more information.

KIBSONS Delivered fresh from the farm to the kitchen, Kibsons has become a key player on the UAE delivery scene thanks to their speedy delivery of fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry products. With a brand ethos that aims to make 'healthy eating easy' the Kibsons experience favours convenience and affordability and promises no hormones, no additives and no artificial preservatives in their products. With free same-day delivery, this is one to try when you require fresh food in a hurry. GO: Visit www.kibsons.com for more information.

SPRINGBOK BUTCHERY Perfect for that at home BBQ or if you're after some premium fresh meat. Springbok Butchery pride themselves on delivering the finest Australian grass-fed beef and lamb products along with locally accredited chicken. All products are free of artificial pesticides, fertilisers, antibiotics, hormones, GMOs and other synthetic contaminants. With summer on the way, we have our eye on the BBQ packs that offer a selection of steaks, sausages and burgers. There's also a full range of KETO products. GO: Visit https://springbokbutchery.com for more information.

FRUITFUL DAY Have you been eating your five a day while staying at home? Thankfully, Fruitful Day are here to help with their range of 76

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BARAKAT FRESH The name Barakat translates as 'prosperity' in Arabic and this online shop focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables. Ordering is relatively simple and same-day delivery is offered on all orders placed before 10am. Better still are the range of fresh juices, salads and ice creams that can be ordered. We've got our eyes on the colourful beetroot berry ice pops. GO: Visit https://barakatfresh.ae for more information.

MAXZI THE GOOD FOOD SHOP Created with a simple philosophy that 'only the best is good enough', MAXZI The Good Food Shop is dedicated to providing wholesome yet affordable food. The shopping process has been designed to be enjoyable and straightforward, resembling a local market thanks to a carefully selected range of products that includes an artisanal charcuterie, speciality coffee and ready to cook kits. Definitely one for those in search of more obscure ingredients such as purple corn and aji amarillo. GO: Visit www.maxzi.ae for more information.

CARNISTORE Your one-stop-shop for all things meat in the UAE, CarniStore will overwhelm your taste buds while sending you into meatsweat overload with the simple click of a button. There are more than just fresh meats on offer, with several cooked, vacuum-packed products available from the smokehouse alongside a selection of marinades and bespoke rubs. For the ultimate meat feast, we'd suggest ordering a CarniBox. GO: Visit https://carnistore.com for more information.

THE FRUIT BOX ME Dubai's number 1 office fruit box delivery company aims to energise the workforce with a range of fruit boxes, cakes and corporate gifts. Now available for home delivery too, the selection of fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks are handselected and sorted with extra care to ensure you only receive the best quality products every time. GO: Visit http://thefruitboxme.com for more information.

BIOBOX Biobox looks to promote a lifestyle of wholesome food and quality, fresh produce from sustainable and organic sources while making intelligent choices to help our planet at the same time. Working closely with over 50 authentic ecological farms and suppliers from Europe and the Middle East, BioBox offers a range of fruits, vegetables, fridge and pantry products on its simple to navigate website. With special sections for organic products and bestsellers, its never been easier to kick-start your healthy eating habit. GO: Visit www.biobox.ae for more information.

FARMBOX Select a ready-made box or customise your own farmbox and receive the freshest assortment of produce available on the market. With ready-made boxes you will get to try new produce that's in season and only receive the best of what's in stock, or when you customise your box, you will receive the exact items you need. With recurring delivery options and the option to adjust your order up until the day before delivery, Farmbox puts your convenience first. â&#x153;¤ GO: Visit https://farmbox.ae for more information.

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For the culture-savvy in Abu Dhabi

APRIL 2020 EDITION AVAILABLE NOW on issuu.com/factmagazine 78

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SOCIAL DISTANCING •

THE NEW NORMAL FA C T TA K E S A L O O K AT H O W H O T E L S I N THE UAE ARE IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL D I S TA N C I N G P R A C T I C E S .

s hotels and restaurants throughout the UAE are permitted to reopen, strict social distancing practices have had to be put in place to ensure the health and safety of both staff and guests in compliance with UAE government advice. At the Fairmont Ajman, guests temperatures are monitored upon check-in and poolside, while physical distancing practices have been implemented at the beach. The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) announced several precautionary guidelines that must be adhered to, including the placement of visible floor markers for social distancing, ensuring a minimum of 2 meters between visitors at queue areas such as reception and concierge desks and the placement of hand sanitisers and disinfectants at entrances. Meanwhile, visitors to the Palazzo Versace Dubai at Jadaff Waterfront can expect several “no-touch” experiences, from keyless no-contact check-in and sanitation of luggage to mobile ordering systems in all the restaurants, including room service. A Sterix Eco sanitising tunnel has been installed at the entrance of the hotel to ensure sanitisation of everyone entering the property. This is in addition to a 24/7 sanitisation team that has been deployed to disinfect all touchpoints in public spaces, including the restaurants, lobby, bars, The SPA, prayer rooms, elevators, washrooms and offices. Restaurants at the luxurious five-star hotel have also introduced reduced seating arrangements, to ensure 30% of the original capacity and ensuring a safe distance of 2 meters between tables. Food is served with disposable crockery and cutlery, and smart payment solutions such as card or online payment are encouraged. Guests at the JA Resort in Jebel Ali are now able to enjoy both the shooting club and the equestrian centre, while the 800m private beach is open to in-house guests, members and package holders only. Precautionary measures such as the distance between sun loungers and the number of people allowed in public areas at any one time are being adhered to as per the UAE Government’s current safety and sanitisation regulations. As lockdown restrictions are eased, hotels and businesses in the UAE are having to adapt to a new version of normal and with the majority of UAE residents remaining in the country this summer due to global travel restrictions, hotels are likely to see an increase in the number of staycation guests. ✤ fact magazine

• GIFTS

FATH ER'S DAY GI FT GUI DE It’s that time of the year when we get to celebrate all of the dads out there, and we’ll take any excuse to celebrate right now. If you are struggling to think of the perfect gift for your father or the father of your little ones, then take a glance at some of our top picks.

CHAPS & CO Let’s just say that we are all going to need a little beautifying as the world begins to get back to normal, and the men in our lives are no exception. Although they are open now, if you are still not quite ready to step into the outside world, a range of male grooming e-gift cards and products are available to buy online. www.chapsandco.ae/shop

THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY & JOE Who said comic books were just for kids? This graphic novel takes a look at the superhero lives of Barak Obama and Joe Biden who are guided by Samuel L. Jackson on a quest to change the history of America for the better. Follow their journey as they leap through time in the cheesy world of science fiction. AED 129. www.amazon.ae

ZARA If dads are keen to keep the casual looking going well after lockdown, then check out these chunky-soled colourful creations from Zara for AED 269. Scour the website further for some matching brightly coloured shorts and blazers if you want to go all out. www.zara.com/ae 80

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GIFTS •

KEY FINDER One for the forgetful gadget lovers out there is this handy key finder. Use an app to help you find your keys, or if it’s your phone that you’ve lost, then press a button on the key finder, and it will ring your phone! You can also use it as a wireless camera remote for your phone. AED 99 www.virginmegastore.ae

EAU DE PARFUM For a real dark and decadent treat, spend a little extra on a luxury scent. This distinctive Oud Wood Eau de parfum from Tom Ford contains oud wood, considered to be one of the most precious ingredients in a perfumer’s arsenal. From AED 491 www.sephora.ae

IPHONE SE In need of a new phone but not prepared to spend the earth on it? Apple has launched the iPhone SE, taking all the latest technology of their more recent models and placing it into the more affordable shell of one of their older models. From AED 1,699. www.apple.com/ae/

ZUMA DELIVERY Just because we are social distancing, does not mean we need to distance ourselves from our favourite luxury eateries. You can still celebrate and eat izakaya-style with some tasty Japanese dishes such as black cod and spicy beef tenderloin delivered to your door. From AED 500 . www.zumarestaurant.com

T.M. LEWIN Another Father’s Day classic. When we are all back in the office full time, at least these dads will be doing so in style. A silk tie is an excellent addition to any man’s wardrobe and T.M Lewin have a great range of funky designs on offer. From AED 110. www.tmlewin.com/ae

FERNS & PETALS NOVELTY SOCKS What would Father’s Day be without novelty socks? Show your dad just how much of a hero they are with these awesome Avengers socks. With a pair for each day of the week, they will always have a spring in their step! AED 100. www.noon.com/uae-en/uae

If none of these takes your fancy and you want to go down the more personalised route, then check out Ferns & Petals. Here you can pick up anything from plants, cushions, chocolates and mugs, and add your own photos and messages. Plenty on offer here and for next day delivery! From AED 69. ✤ www.fnp.ae fact magazine

â&#x20AC;˘ LISTEN UP

CONTACT TRACING APPLICATION ALHOSN UAE UAE residents are being encouraged to download the ALHOSN UAE app, but what is it, and how does it work? The ALHOSN UAE app is the official COVID-19 testing channel for health authorities in the United Arab Emirates, by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Using smart technology called contact tracing the application uses Bluetooth technology to identify who else a user may have come into contact with and in turn help stop the spread of COVID-19. Downloading the app is free and straightforward and can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. It is highly recommended that all UAE users download the app to help keep themselves, their family and their friends safe and those who have the virus and haven't downloaded the app could be subject to a fine of AED 10,0000. One downloaded the user is asked to authenticate their account via their Emirates ID number and telephone number and registration culminates in a unique QR code being generated. A colour-coding system within the app determines the status of the users' health. Those who haven't been tested or are awaiting test results will be marked as grey; a green result means a user has been tested and is healthy, red indicates a positive test result and amber suggests a need to be tested or re-tested due to possible exposure to COVID-19. 82

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COVID-19 test results are received directly upon the phone thanks to the QR code that is refreshed every two minutes, acting as a proof of status and also providing the peace of mind that a user is safe to interact in public spaces. The app can also help to trace people who may have come within close proximity to confirmed COVID-19 cases for an extended period of time. Using short-distance Bluetooth signals, the app can determine when a phone is near to another phone that also has the app installed and both phones will exchange anonymized IDs. Health authorities can then use the anonymized IDs to quickly identify and contact people at risk of infection so that they can be re-tested. To download the app is easy 1. Download the ALHOSN UAE app 2. Authenticate with a valid Emirates ID and phone number 3. Turn on the smartphones Bluetooth and push notifications â&#x153;¤

GO: VISIT NCEMA.GOV.AE/ALHOSN FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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