FACT Qatar April 2016

APRIL 2016 VOL 2. ISSUE 11 AED 10

ARE WE THERE YET? THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL 101

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Contents

027 Travel the World

With summer fast-approaching, now is the perfect time to make those exciting travel plans come true. FACT helps out with some worldly inspiration.

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012 Club MTV

FACT Dining Awards Qatar 2016

The Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, recently opened its doors in Qatar. We bring you all the needto-know info about this luxury property.

Hold onto your heels, one of the world’s most popular and celebrated club nights is coming to Doha. We have all the details...

If you haven’t already, check out the list of nominees for the second annual FACT Dining Awards Qatar. Was your favourite nominated?

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This month, head over to Mathaf: Museum of Modern Art and check out another splendid body of work from its permanent collection.

With a somewhat ethereal feel, we take a look at the Spring Summer 2016 collection from high street fashion giant Zara.

Our resident amateur chef heads to Market

by Jean Georges at W Doha to cook up some of the restaurant’s famous dishes.

FACT Finds

Local Arts

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Fashion Focus

054

Cucina De Badir

THE QUINTESSENTIAL THAI EXPERIENCE

Discover the authentic tastes of royal Thai cuisine. The textures and flavours of Sabai Thai’s authentic cooking make for a deliciously different dining affair. Our Chef’s show kitchen is perfect for those wanting to experience the true taste of Thailand. Sabai Thai seduces with its luxe décor and genuine warm Thai welcome.

The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa PO Box 39474, Salwa Road, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Zone 23, Doha Qatar sabaithaidoha.com +974 4492 1555

dining.doha@westin.com

@westindoha

@westindoha

©2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms & conditions, visit westin.com/doha

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THE EDITOR

Go Getter, Jet Setter

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.” – Paulo Coelho.

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ne of my most memorable experiences abroad was spending a summer volunteering in Marrakech; we lived next door to a family with a noisy donkey, ate too much chicken tagine from street food carts, and spent our days off exploring the Atlas Mountains and nearby Berber villages – it was a few weeks of complete adventure, and though we were constantly on our feet, it was never tiring. Travel, for me, never is. It’s about escaping your everyday life and immersing yourself, completely, into your new surroundings, however long or short that may be. Marrakech, and many other destinations, have further deepened my love for seeing the world, and those of you who follow me on instagram or snapchat, will know that I love globetrotting. Basically, travel is bae, as the cool kids say!

So, when it’s time for the travel issue, we’re bursting with ideas! This year, we bring you some cool round ups to inspire your summer travels. Starting p27, there’s everything from colourful destinations, quirky souvenirs, underrated city breaks, music festivals, cruise options, countries with awesome landmarks, honeymoon ideas, and where to travel for the best street food. This is, literally, your 2016 Travel 101. And with Qatar being a great base to explore Asia, Africa, Europe and further, if you haven’t booked your hols yet, we guarantee you’ll find your next destination in this issue.

When you’ve had your share of wanderlust, turn to p54 and check out the nominees of the FACT Dining Awards Qatar 2016. We’ve had an astonishing amount of support from you all so far, and we can’t wait to reveal the winners at a fabulous ceremony this month, taking place at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa. Online voting will run until April 8, so if you haven’t already, go to www.fact-magazine. com and cast your vote asap!

Right, I’ll be over here on Google, checking out all the places on my 2016 travel bucket list (Italy, New York, Bali…). Chances are, I will probably (definitely) book a few flights this month – and you should too! Tweet @FACT_Qatar and tell us where you’re flying off to this summer. Happy travels! ☺

Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@fact-magazine.com 6

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FACT Magazine Qatar Edition April 2016 Volume 5, Issue 11.

Chairman Khalifa Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Publishing Director Edward Smith General Manager Hussein A. Zreik Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@fact-magazine.com) Group Regional Editor Tony Sidgwick (tony@fact-magazine.com) Creative Director Paula Leal Graphic Designers Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bin Daina Photography Abshar Kader Ahmed Riffae Farshad Abu Bakar Imelda Enrile Contributors Sofia Graniello Production & Distribution Ajit Kumar Neil Mahmood Sales Manager Badir Bechara Office Admin Maritess M. Agapito ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Email: badir@fact-magazine.com PRINTED BY United Printing Press

All Rights Reser ved. 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. Publishing cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. Bahrain Publishing W.L.L. Off ice 53, Building 872, Road 3618, Block 436, Seef.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

twitter

instagram @factmagazine

FACT Qatar

2,792 followers

Your one-stop culture fix for life in Qatar| First for local talent, arts, fashion, dining and all the coolest events in the city | We’ve got tech, travel, motoring and exclusive interviews with all the industry and celebrityworld movers and shakers too | Get your copy of FACT Qatar in local supermarkets now!

APRIL 2016 VOL 2. ISSUE 11 AED 10

@FACT_Qatar

ARE WE THERE YET? THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL 101

Combining all three editions of FACT in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar, keep up with us on instagram for the best behind-the-scenes photos from food shoots, local events and all things awesome in the GCC, plus loads more from the FACT team.

facebook

tweets

FACT Qatar Ali Fareed @Ali_Fareed Best movie quote EVER “I knew I wasn’t eating to my full potential!” – Po #KungFuPanda3

9,439 likes Keep up with all things Qatar as the FACT team posts the latest competitions, happenings and everything we’re getting up to for the monthly magazine. Send us a message – we love to hear from our readers!

Ben_NM @Ben_NM_79 #ReinventACliche The late worm can avoid the early bird

Our Fave Feature MARCH 2016 VOL 5. ISSUE 10 QR10.

Daniel Falconer @DanielJFalconer Wow. Another incredibly powerful episode of #HTGAWM. The B-plots are so fantastic.

Ohlala Magazine @OhlalaGCC Our brethren at @FACTAbuDhabi are having a ball eating their way through AD for the awards. Watch this space…!

FACT DINING AWARDS IT’S A FOODIE CELEBRATION AS THE BEST IN DOHA’S CULINARY SCENE ARE NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD!

SHREK THE MUSICAL SING, LAUGH AND GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH SHREK AND FRIENDS ON A MUSICAL JOURNEY.

QATAR CHINA 2016 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WORLD-RENOWNED CHINESE ARTIST CAI GUO-QIANG!

issuu.com FACT Qatar

42,615 reads of the March issue Greta Marie @GretaMarieOtt I can’t hide it… I’m obsessed with Zayn Malik’s new song

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 entertainment, in Qatar.

Follow us on twitter and maybe you’ll be here next month! @FACT_Qatar 8

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Travel The World p27

European Friday Brunch Indulge in a boutique contemporary European à la carte brunch selection in Aroma. On offer is a variety of breakfast classics, salads and starters, along with roasts and main courses, topped off with delicious sweet treats. Children can enjoy with activities and a special mini buffet corner.

QAR 195 per person, including soft beverages QAR 300 per person, including premium beverages Fridays, 12pm to 4pm For more information, contact 4405 3325 | restaurants.doha@kempinski.com | kempinski.com/doha fact magazine

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CHECK IT OUT

Legendary Asian Hospitality DISCOVER MORE OF QATAR WITH FACT FINdS. EVERY MONTH WE’LL BRING YOU A NEW HOTSPOT, OUR FAVOURITE HAPPENING, EATERY, ACTIVITY OR INTERESTING FINd FROM AROUNd THE CITY.

It’s a very recent addition to Doha’s hospitality sector, and boy are we excited to have the world-famous hotel brand, Shangri-La in our city! Centrally located, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha takes prime position in the commercial district of West Bay, with a direct link to City Centre Doha (yay, for shopping lovers!).

The 50-storey hotel blends real qualities of legendary Asian graciousness with opulent Arabian warmth, offering guests luxuriously appointed accommodation, a variety of exciting dining experiences, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and a host of leisure options.

Shangri-La Hotel, Doha’s 272 guestrooms 10

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and suites are furnished in warm tones, with floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight views of the city and the Arabian Gulf. The rooms feature 47-inch Wi-Fienabled smart TVs, complimentary highspeed Wi-Fi and broadband Internet access and the signature Shangri-La beds, as well as spacious bathrooms with deepsoaking bathtubs and walk-in showers.

Sophisticated cuisines at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha’s seven vibrant restaurants and bars wait to be discovered, from an interactive all-day dining experience to authentic South American favourites and signature concoctions; there’s Sridan, reminiscent of a traditional Arabic souq;

Yabby, offering a fresh seafood selection; Argentinian venue Fuego; Chinese dining spot The Shanghai Club; plus great bar and lounges. The hotel’s leisure facilities include a fully equipped, 24-hour fitness centre, steam and sauna rooms and a large lagoon-shaped pool on a 2,000-squaremetre outdoor pool deck, as well as the luxury Asian-themed, CHI, The Spa. Blending the best of Asian and Arabian hospitality, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha has certainly raised the five-star hotel game to new heights. ✤ GO: Call 4429 5000 for reservations and more information.

The Taste of Istanbul

Opening Soon THE PEARL-QATAR

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@sutisqa | Al Emadi Financial Square, C - Ring Road | +974 4037 5287

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LISTEN UP

Party With Club

MTV

Club MTV is recognised worldwide as a premium brand in the nightlife entertainment music industry.

Four decades after its first opening, Club MTV has successfully established itself in countries worldwide and continues its global expansion. On April 7, the chic and trendy crowd of Doha will be sipping cocktails and premium drinks, while enjoying their entourage at the Society Lounge and watching the sun go down as it fades into the oblivion.

Expect everything from an elegantly decorated VIP area hosted by models, with white cloth tables and hostess service. To tip you over the edge, the DJs manipulating the tables and bringing the crowd to their knees will be international award-winning artist from various countries. If you want to party hard but keep things classy, Club MTV is just the place to do that! ✤ 12

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Doha’s nightlife will be the setting for the glamorous Club MTV event once again.

This year, the party takes place on April 7 at Society Lounge in Hilton Doha…

Club MTV is an event franchise with headquarters outside the UK. In a 2012 DJ Magazine poll of the world’s 100 best nightclubs, Club MTV rated third. Their resident DJs are arguably the best in the world which includes big names like Bob Sinclar, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Benny Benassi to name but a few!

GO: Visit www.facebook.com/ societyloungedoha for more information.

Experience a restaurant that takes you on a journey that’s Traditional and beyond. Signature stands for contemporary Indian cuisine that will let you explore the breadth and variety of flavors of Indian food.

We always make sure to put a twist to most of the celebrated Indian dishes. For the month of April, visit us and try our very own Tandoori Chicken cooked in various flavours.

At Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor, our goal is to appeal to the connoisseur in you.

Open Daily Lunch 12:00 hrs - 15:30 hrs Dinner 19:00 hrs - 23:00 hrs Please call, +974 4019 9999 for reservtions and enquiries or email us at melia.doha@melia.com

BEST INDIAN FINE DINING RESTAURANT IN FOOD & TRAVEL ARABIA MeliaDoha

@meliadoha

@meliadoha

District Zone 61, Diplomatic Area, West Bay, Post Code 21336, Doha, Qatar fact magazine

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Listen up

Cirque Le Noir Thrills Organisers promise a jaw-dropping spectacle featuring incredible displays of balance, contortion, stamina, aerial artistry and much more…

Tape Event is bringing a unique theatrical experience, Cirque Le Noir, to Doha this month. The sold-out world tour cirque will be performing at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) for everyone who enjoys a good show!

Le Noir, the dark side of the cirque, features over 20 of the greatest acts on earth including spinning metal wheels, acrobatic stunts 30-feet high, jawdropping spins on roller-skates and the Columbian Wheel of Death, performed in a remarkable 360-degree, custombuilt stage setting, bringing the audience closer to performers like never before.

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Tareq Abuissa, Chief Executive Officer, Tape Events, says: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Cirque Le Noir to the region. It is an electrifying show for the whole family that has thrilled audiences all around the world. It is visually spectacular, breathtaking and it will definitely leave you mesmerised.”

The Colombian Wheel of Death is cited as one of the most complex circus stunts in the world; seeing two acrobats perform high-risk feats atop and inside a pair of spinning wheels rotating high above the stage. World-class acrobats, musicians, specialty acts and comedians

are the centerpiece of this cutting edge production.

The production is surreal, beautiful and hilarious at times as it explores emotions through colours, as the cast transform from beautiful and pure white, through the passion of red and finally culminating with the darkness of Le Noir. ✤ GO: Cirque Le Noir will perform at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) on April 7, 8, and 9. Tickets for Cirque Le Noir can be purchased from Virgin Tickets online at www.tickets.virginmegastore.me/ and Virgin Megastores across Qatar, starting from QR145.

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Listen up

Convenience + Culture = Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is a non-mixed gym that caters to men and women in Qatar. Two branches - one in Al Wakra (men only) and the other in Bin Mahmoud – and a ladies gym opening soon – are open 24/7 offering cardio, free weight and strength equipment as well as special classes including Kickboxing, Queenax, Taebo, Zumba, Kangoo Jumps, Yoga and so more. Anytime Fitness will cater to your busy schedule and onthe-go lifestyle with a 24/7 opening policy. Here, you hold the key, literally. Access to the clubs is protected by a state-of-the-art security system and will only be granted with the proper key.

Once inside, you have full use of cutting-edge facilities. It doesn’t cost a lot to achieve your health and fitness goals at Anytime Fitness. For a low monthly fee, you get far more than you’d expect! Plus, the two clubs offer a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and they’re super clean, too! To help you get started, each new member receives a free personal fitness orientation. This might just be the place to kickstart your journey to a healthier and fitter you! ✤ GO: Call Anytime Fitness and get one free day pass. For the Bin Mahmoud club it’s 4414 4999, and for the Al Wakra club it’s 4411 1999 for more information.

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Club At A Glance • 24-hour access • 24-hour security • convenient parking • anywhere club access • private restrooms • personal training • classes • cardio tvs • hdtvs • body composition analysis • massage/ therapy

Cardio Equipment • treadmills • elliptical • exercise cycles • stair climbers • summit trainers

Strength Equipment • circuit/selectorized • free weights • racks • plate loaded

NOW OPEN The Pearl 4421 0025 fact magazine

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Listen up

Pamper Perfect Spa by Clarins at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha

Spring into it!

Ready, set, relax! Designed with you in mind, this spa package helps flush lactic acid, aids lymphatic drainage, and tackles sore muscles to reduce pain and fatigue.

At the heart of this experience is a brisk 60 Minute Oil Massage with a special focus on the legs and back. You’ll be running back for more! Included is a sauna experience with cool mint towels; a brisk 60-minute Tonic Oil Massage (focused on legs and back); a Hot Herbal Steam Towel treatment; and a foot ritual made up of Mint Foot Reflexology, a foot massage with hydration treatment, and a warm foot salt scrub. 120 minutes | QR1000.

Beautiful You! Warm Stone Clarins Facial This facial combines an antioxidant-rich blend of Clarins active ingredients to repair and replenish the skin. Your facial massage is done with warm stones to allow ultimate moisture. This facial is the perfect special occasion treatment that your complexion deserves and is designed for all skin types.

60 minutes | QR800.

Shape up – Look good - Feel good!

Body Lift Sculpture A luxurious and uplifting way to slim, soothe away fatty deposits and get rid of unsightly cellulite. Pamper yourself and get the beautiful physical and cellulitefree skin results all women desire. Book a Body Lift Sculpture session along with Personal Fitness session and receive 20% off. (Session of 10 recommended. Free consultation provided). ✤ Call 4035 5555 or visit www.kempinski. com/marsamalaz for reservations and more information.

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WEDNESDAY IS A ME TIME‌ SHINE ME FROM HEAD TO TOE. We are offering a unique exclusive ladies day experience every Wednesday at Anantara Spa, where you can reward yourself with the lavish attention of professional therapists with a 25% discount on all our journeys and complimentary luxury boat transportation.

Complimenting your journey you can relax with soothing surroundings of the Spa Garden area as you savour a delectable collection of the Arabian High Tea Time including coffee, mint teas, pastries and locally grown dates and a selection of fine snacks.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. anantara.com BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA PO BOX: 23919 - DOHA, QATAR T +974 4040 5158 F +974 4040 5000 E spa.adoh@anantara.com fact magazine

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Listen up

Jeeves of Belgravia Opens in Doha

Jeeves of Belgravia brings advanced fabric care solutions to Doha to meet demand from affluent market. London’s finest dry cleaners will also offer their complimentary collection and delivery services and finest hand valeting.

Jeeves of Belgravia, the prestigious London-based garment care company offering dry cleaning and laundry service, is bringing its advanced and modern 20

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fabric care solutions to Doha, to capitalise on the growing local and regional demand for world-class dry cleaning and laundry services from the affluent market.

Located on 30 La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar, the respected boutique provides its complimentary collection and delivery services as well as its finest hand valeting to the capital city’s thriving market. Through its renowned ‘Green Earth Cleaning’ technology, the company will also offer its most advanced, eco-friendly techniques in fabric care to local clients. Jeeves of Belgravia, which serves top clientele in the fashion industry, has held a Royal Warrant for dry cleaning services to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and his family for the past 34 years.

Tim Grice, General Manager at Jeeves of Belgravia Doha, said: “Bringing our operations to Doha establishes our presence in the local and regional markets where demand for garment care is high.

“We will provide requisite skills, equipment and facilities to extend the best possible services. Jeeves of Belgravia, which is known for its close personal attention to details, has mastered the techniques required for such care. With our expertise, we will deliver unrivaled services to our discerning clients,” he added. Welcome to Doha! ✤ GO: Visit www.jeevesqatar.com or call 4446 0500 for more information.

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Qatar

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (there’s more throughout the mag too!)

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0508 11 13 16

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

SATURDAY

Enjoy 20% off all steaks from 6:30pm till 8pm daily! Tuck into the finest cuts of US Certified Prime Angus Beef and a selection of mouthwatering side dishes. This one’s for all the meat-lovers out there who want a midweek treat to curb the foodie cravings!

Join Dunes for the one and only after brunch from 4pm to 8pm, with resident DJ Santiago VIttorelli. Regular package QR230 with unlimited house vino or Heineken by the glass; QR299 with house spirits, and QR499 for the premium package.

Sounds awesome!

If you fancy something different for a night out, this is it. Free selected drinks for ladies from 8pm until close with resident DJ Cozzi and special guests playing the best Bollywood mash ups with western remixes. Expect a fun crowd, and good music and drinks!

Indulge in the most delicious waffle selection with a creative twist, prepared by the talented chefs. For those with a sweet tooth, this is the perfect treat with tea, coffee or a refreshing cold drink.

Starts from QR55, available daily from 11am to 11pm.

Enjoy this splendid afternoon tea buffet with unlimited teas and pastries, at Sarab Lounge. This ultimate Afternoon Tea experience is inspired

by Caroline Astor of St. Regis New York. Served 2.30pm to 8pm, priced at QR195 for adults and QR95 for kids.

STEAK HAPPY HOUR at JW’s Steakhouse, Doha Marriott Hotel

Call 4429 8499 for more info.

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LIQUID BRUNCH at Dunes, Grand Hyatt Doha

Call 4448 1280 for more info.

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT Mash Up at Lava, InterContinental Doha

Call 4484 4444 for more info.

WAFFLE-ICIOUS at Seasons Tea Lounge Four Seasons Hotel Doha

Call 4494 8600 for more info.

THE SATURDAY TEA Party at Sarab Lounge, The St. Regis Doha

Call 4446 0105 for more info.

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in qatar Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (there’s more throughout the mag too!)

1921 24 27 29

TUESDAY

BUSINESS LUNCH at Yabby, Shangri-La Hotel Doha

This business lunch is perfect for breaking the ice! Dive into a selection of the freshest catch and get hooked on the yabby-licious creations for QR85, for a delicious two-course lunch menu; or QR95 for a three-course menu.

Served from 12noon to 3pm on weekdays.

Call 4429 5295 for more info.

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THURSDAY

BANANA DELIGHT at Six Senses Spa, Sharq Village & Spa

Give your skin a nourishing boost starts with a full body scrub, followed by a creamy banana wrap to rehydrate the skin and add some much needed Vitamin A and K to it.

Ends with a relaxing 50-minute Signature Massage of your choice.

100 minutes | QR950.

Call 4425 6999 for more info.

SUNDAY

HWANG GOES BENTO at InterContinental Doha The City

Enjoy the special bento box selections and create your own for the perfect lunch at Hwang Pan Asian restaurant. Choose your favourite options from three starters, three main courses and three desserts. Available Sunday to Friday, from 12noon to 3pm. Bento boxes start at QR75.

Call 4015 8888 for more info.

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

MUAY THAI KICKBOXING

EUROPEAN FRIDAY BRUNCH

Recreational Activity at Doha Marriott Hotel

at Aroma, Kempinski Residences & Suites

Strengthen your full body here! Learn how to gain intensified strength, speed and concentration. Great for body strengthening and weight loss, core strengthening and toning. This might just be the stress release that you need! Pre-booking essential.

Indulge in a variety of breakfast classics, salads and starters, yummy mains and delicious sweet treats. Kids have a special mini buffet, too.

QR195 per person with soft beverages; QR300 per person incl. bubbly, vino and selected cocktails. Served from 12noon to 4pm.

Call 4428 8520 for more info.

Call 4405 3325 for more info.

FEED YOUR PRIMAL I N S T I N C T. T h e c i t y ’s n e w e s t R e s t a u r a n t & L o u n g e i s n o w o p e n f o r d i n n e r.

Modern, chic and stylish but most of all per fect for anyone who f i n d s t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s t e a k h o u s e a t a d o n t h e b o r i n g s i d e . D o n’ t t a k e o u r w o r d f o r i t t h o u g h . Ta k e a b i t e o f o u r j u i c y, t e n d e r S t e a k , Seafood & Grills and bring out the animal in you…

The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa PO Box 39474, Salwa Road, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Zone 23, Doha Qatar huntersdoha.com

+974 4492 1555

dining.doha@westin.com

@westindoha

@westindoha

©2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms & conditions, visit westin.com/doha

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SOCIETY

#Shangri-La #Hotel #D oha #Opening #Gala #Dinner

One of the newest properties in the hospitality game was officially opened by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bun Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The Shangri-La Hotel Doha is a 50-storey property located in the commercial district of West Bay. A life-sized portrait of HH the Emir and HH the Father Emir was also unveiled on the occasion. After the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister toured the hotel and examined the other hotel facilities. The 272-room and suite hotel offers a direct link into Doha City Centre Mall and has a host of excellent business and leisure amenities too.

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Travel the World

We’re putting a fun spin on your travels this summer.

Check out everything from the world’s most colourful destinations, where to pick up unusual souvenirs, the best music festivals, and stunning landmarks. This is your 2016 Travel 101...

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Colour The World

Check out some of the world’s most colourful destinations to inspire your next holiday…

Travel

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Burano Island, Venice - Italy

San Francisco, California - USA

Think rainbow colours reflected in the green waters – this is Burano, a pretty island located 40 minutes from Venice, with old-school colourful houses. Home to big artists like Baldassarre Galuppi, Remigio Barbaro and Pino Donaggio, Burano is not only intriguing for its rainbow shades, but for its quaint squares. The typical Burano house is mainly square in shape and divided into two or three floors, boasting balconies dotted with multicoloured flowers. We love that colour is serious business here – the local council uses historical records to decide which colour a resident should paint their home.

This pretty destination should definitely please those travellers looking for character and culture.

Fly: Emirates via Dubai (www.emirates.com).

Not only will you get to see the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, you’ll get to wander its beautiful steep streets lined with adorable Victorian-style buildings. One of the most famous amongst these is Alamo Square’s “postcard row” at Hayes and Steiner Streets – rightly dubbed The Painted Ladies. It’s indeed a visual treat of an escalating formation of Victorian houses with the backdrop of downtown San Fran’s skyscrapers, capturing the stunning contrast of the city’s traditional and modern architecture. The grassy square itself is an ideal mid-day break and we’d recommend staying at one of the bed and breakfast inns in the heart of this colourful block during your visit.

Fly: Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi (www.etihad.com).

La Boca, Buenos Aires Argentina

Nyhavn, Copenhagen Denmark

The southern Buenos Aires neighbourhood of La Boca is massively famous for Caminito, the colorful artists’ street by the water. Caminito is the work of local artist Benito Quinquela Martín. In 1960 he painted the walls of what was then an abandoned street and it quickly became a haven for artists and performers. With its cobblestones, colorful corrugatediron houses and use of traditional street lamps, these days Caminito is full of touts, hawkers, hustlers, overpriced knick-knacks and food. For its all-round South American flair, this place is worth a visit.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Packed with bars, restaurants and people who want to party, Nyhavn has become one of Copenhagen’s much-loved neighbourhoods. The 17th century waterfront and entertainment district is home to lots of colourful buildings, which are perfect for visiting in the summer to experience the lovely al fresco dining culture. Nyhavn was originally a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock.

Today, classy restaurants dominate the old port with people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and great food by the canal.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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Souvenir Sass

Picking up souvenirs IS A MUST IN a new place. HERE ARE the best countries for weird and quirky souvenirs...

Travel

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Japan

With over 6,800 islands, Japan is a lush place to visit. Beautiful and unusual, famed for scrumptious sushi and teppanyaki, Japan has it all; for foodies, shopaholics, adventurers et al. For fashionistas and gadget geeks, shopping will be a guilty pleasure. You can only imagine what unique souvenirs you’ll be able to take home. How about some KitKat; 20 flavours that can’t be found anywhere else in the world; Kiwi, Banana, grilled sweet potato, which one do you fancy?

Yukata sets are very common in tourist areas and Omamori is a cute souvenir to gift; Japanese amulets are commonly sold at religious sites providing various forms of luck or protection.

Fly: Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi (www.etihad.com).

Australia

Get going on your Oz adventure with skydiving, horseback riding, snorkelling and lots more. Dine with a fantastic view or go on a wildlife cruise – Australia is a country that will not disappoint. When it comes to souvenirs, you have to pick up the Kangaroo Scrotum Pouch (available in different sizes). This pouch is made from the scrotum of the male kangaroo, as it’s proven to be very lucky; all those in possession of one are assured of fun, long living, happy and healthy children.

Simply for its quirky points, this gift is sure to get a few giggles, but we can guarantee that you’ll be one of the very few with a genuine Kangaroo Scrotum Pouch from down under.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

China

China is filled with wonderful and quirky products which double as awesome souvenirs for travellers to take home. Chinese Qipao, silk, Chinese tea, tea sets, antiques; handicrafts, jades, and, of course, first copy branded bags are a must-have during a trip to China.

In Beijing head to the outdoor markets at Panjiayuan Collection Street, Xiushui Street, and Liulichang Street for local specialties. For those of you who want more than just a cheap knock-off, we suggest taking home a bottle of Snake Whiskey as the ultimate souvenir gift. This unusual beverage is produced by infusing snakes in rice vino; as urgh and disgusting as it sounds, it has plenty of medicinal value!

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Maldives

Hello beautiful Maldives! A honeymoon spot for some and a rejuvenating holiday for others, Maldives is usually at the forefront when planning a paradise getaway. And there is one exclusively unique souvenir you should think about taking home from here Elephant Dung Coffee Black Ivory. Yes! You read it right; this is the most expensive coffee and can be found in five star hotels in the Maldives and Thailand.

This exotic brew is made from beans eaten by Thai elephants and plucked a day later from their dung. A gut reaction inside the elephant creates the coffee’s unique taste. This is THE most expensive coffee you’ll get your hands on!

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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City LivinG

WANT to avoid tourist traps? Head to one of these hidden gems AND GET EXPLORING ON YOUR NEXT city break...

Travel

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Tallinn, Estonia

If you’re under the impression that ‘former soviet’ means grey and gloomy, Tallinn will prove you wrong.

This Estonian city is full of character; catch a glimpse of the country’s past in the impressive Old Town with its mishmash of medieval pathways, church spires and baroque palaces, or soak up the vibe at one of the shiny shopping malls or cute cafes in the sunny squares.

Exploring on foot is the best way to take in Tallinn’s fairytale charm. There are tons of art and culture hotspots such as Rocca-al-Mare Open Air Museum, the oniondomed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and St Olaf’s church - its spire was once the tallest in the world.

Fly: KLM via Amsterdam (www.klm.com).

Bologna, Italy

Often referred to as the country’s gourmet capital, Bologna is not only a haven for foodies but, it’s a city of two intriguing halves that secretly waits to be discovered.

On one side you’ve got the super-rich, hi-tech and very elegant Po valley with its regal theatres and some of Italy’s finest restaurants. On the other is a down-toearth, politically-edgy side, home to the world’s oldest university as well as graffiti-painted piazzas. Meander past the medieval terracotta buildings to Piazza Maggiore, overlooked by the stunning 14th century church, the Basilica di San Petronio. It’s the perfect coffee stop-off and photo-opp for instagram!

Fly: Emirates via Dubai (www.emirates.com).

Baku, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a country at a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia,enriched with history, culture, music and great food. Baku holds tight to its traditions; one of them being sports. June would be a great time to go as 2016 sees Azerbaijan become the latest addition to the Formula One calendar, with Baku playing host to the race weekend - the city is sure to come alive and with celebrations and parties. Marvel stunning sunsets, relax on the beautiful beaches, wander the inner city with its 12thcentury fortifications like the legendary Maiden Tower, and stop off at the Opera houses, branded boutiques, magnificent gardens and art galleries and museums.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Fez, Morocco

The trick in Fez is to dive straight in. Head to the medina of Fes el-Bali (Old Fez) – the city’s greatest allure that still holds onto Berber traditions. Made up of narrow alleyways and lanes, bursting with covered bazaars selling arts, crafts, clothes, shoes, aromatic spices, and endless little knick-knacks, the fun begins once you let yourself become a part of these winding walkways. The ancient skyline is dotted with satellite dishes and beautiful Mosque minarets, whilst every new turn reveals another fascinating piece of Fez through hidden squares and exquisite fountains. Don’t forget to stop off at a local café for a cup of the famous Moroccan mint tea in its homeland.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

OUR NEW STAR IS BORN:

by

@VapianoQatar

+974 440 77 188 DOHA-WEST BAY-THE GATE MALL www.vapiano.com fact magazine

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Adventure On Sea

Take a real break from the everyday grind and see the world from the sea. We bring you some of the best cruise lines to sail away with...

Travel

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Disney Cruise

Planning a family vacation with kids? The Disney Cruise line is the best choice; family-friendly fun unlimited. The line offers a Walt Disney Theatre and the Buena Vista Cinema, which features Disney flicks, daily. The Disney digital 3D aboard is a cinema experience that uses lasers, fog, streamers and special lighting effects. The spa is off-limits to youngsters and one of the highlights is its rain forest steam room – perfect for mum and dad’s me-time. There are supervised games for all age groups and Disney character appearances are scheduled several times a day. What more could you ask for from a family vacay at sea? www.disneycruise.disney.go.com.

Cunard Line

Take a Cunard voyage and enjoy the renowned elegance, spacious luxury and excellent service that has attracted discerning travellers for decades. The cruise line offers excellent facilities ranging from entertainment and leisure options, available as you travel on the ocean. When you really want to indulge, spend the day pampering yourself in the spa with a hot stone massage. Treat yourself to one of the famous martinis in the Commodore club. Enjoy extraordinary shopping at top boutiques and brands or simply soak up your surroundings on deck. A holiday with Cunard is all about relaxation and taking it easy. www.cunard.com.

Royal Caribbean International

Whether you seek adrenaline or total tranquillity, take a Royal Caribbean Cruise and enjoy the exquisite onboard experience. Try rock climbing; ice skating and surfing 200 feet above the waves. Melt away the landbased stress with a spa massage, build a scrapbook of memories or simply relax poolside. Dining is a fulfilling experience; from casual to sophisticated, cupcakes to canapés, sample an array of options – many of them all inclusive. Casino Royale is the highlight. Try your hand at cards or spin to win at roulette. With plenty of entertainment, this is THE cruise to have a great time. www.royalcaribbean.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise offers freedom and flexibility to do what you want, when you want. Tantalising dining options at sea, dazzling entertainment and exciting onboard activities; there’s plenty of ways to make your vacation a memorable one. Bask in the bright lights of Broadway with performances like Rock of Ages and Legally Blonde. Go wild with Nickelodeon activities.

Tickle your funny bone with The Second City or get lucky at the award-winning Casinos at Sea. With up to 22 bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days so go with the flow and get ready to explore. This is a genuine on-the-sea journey! www.ncl.com.

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Festival Fever

Summer 2016 promises an amazing line-up of world festivals – we tell you where to go and party to the best beats…

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Voodoo Music Experience, New Orleans - USA

Wireless Festival, London – England

When: October 28 – 30. Line-Up: TBA Rounding off a long summer of incredible festivals is the annual Voodoo Music Experience, which casts a weekend-long spell of music, art, food, crafts and culture on New Orleans. For three whole days, Voodoo takes over City Park, challenging the typical summer fests with a lively attitude of its own. There are, usually, two main stages and several smaller ones, alongside countless food vendors and local shops selling everything from clothing to jewellery, art, and everything in between. This one’s for festival die-hards looking to cap off an awesome summer of music with one more weekend of watching huge-name acts.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

When: JULY 8 - 10.

2016 sees Wireless go into its 11th year, and there are some absolutely fantastic artists on the line-up to continue the success and popularity of London’s ultimate summer party. Old-school names and established new talents like Craig David, Chase & Status, J.Cole, Future and Lady Leshurr, to name but a few, will be taking to the stage. Calvin Harris, Jess Glynne, Kygo, The 1975 and Miguel will also perform to a crowd of thousands during the three-day festival.

Whilst you’re there, visit iconic landmarks or head to the more quirky side of London at Camden Lock, Spitalfields or Portobello Road.

Fly: British Airways (www.britishairways.com).

Flow Festival, Helsinki Finland

Oya Festival, Oslo Norway

When: August 12 - 14 Flow is tantamount for providing a great balance of live music with plenty of local Finnish touches. Number one; the festival’s site used to be a gasworks, number two; it brings to the stage big international names alongside edgier artists and Finns of all shapes, sizes and styles, and number three; there’s exceptionally good food and drink, as well as arts installations and kid-friendly areas too. Flow is full on festival escapism and located only a short walk away from the centre of Helsinki. For this year’s line-up, go to www.flowfestival.com.

Fly: Turkish Airlines (www.turkishairlines.com).

When: August 9 - 13 This is one of the most greenest and awesomely organised festivals in Europe. This is how it goes down at Øya; bands will hit the stage on time. There’s no queuing. There are plenty of bathrooms. Food trucks and vendors go above and beyond, serving everything from organic local fare like gravlaks (sugar and spice coated salmon) all whilst global rock stars make noise next to avant-garde Scandinavian bands in the historic grounds of the city’s Medieval Park. The real fun is the eclectic mish-mash of music and atmosphere.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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A Foodie Calling

Some of the world’s best food is served and eaten on the side of the road from trucks and vendors. We delve into the buzzing street food scene for a round up of some of the world’s best.

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Singapore

The street food in Singapore is deviously addictive with scrumptious options, being both affordable and delicious. Head to Chinatown market where you can find numerous food vendors offering up authentic Southeast Asian dishes. Tuck into the Tian Tian Chicken rice here or the popular Satay, which has lines of strrets dedicated to it. You’ll find fresh safood, chicken and meat, all waiting to be discovered with beautiful flavours.

Satay by the Bay offers a sizzling array of stalls selling Malay-style Satay dishes. Other popular street food enclaves include Balestier, Joo Chiat, Geylang and Little India. Basically, there’s no going hungry in Singapore!

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Mumbai, India

Mumbai is the place where the famous Vada Pav originates. The sweet and spicy chutneys are simply yum and the chaat items like sev puri, bhel puri, and pani puri are snack options on-the-go. Pav Bhaji is another delish dish prepared with butter and vegetables.

Street vendors serve egg delights from 10pm until late night. From boiled, scrambled, sunny side up and even omelettes – these are India’s equivalent to good afternight-out grub. Desserts are famous too, like Kulfi, Gola, and Orange candy. The street food culture in India is BIG and Mumbai will give you a good introduction.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Marrakech, Morocco

With subtle spices and intriguing flavours, Morocco offers aromatic, lip-smacking delicacies. Visit Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech where everything from juicy kebab dishes, traditional tagines and even the more peculiar, like cooked snails, are served out of food carts. Indulge in tea time and breakfast sweets, simple snacks, grilled meats and seafood, fried fish and hearty main dishes such as stewed lentils, rotisserie chicken and classic cous cous. Must-try dishes include Bessara, Crumbed liver, Spicy sardines and Brochettes to name but a few.

Food is serious business here and there’s plenty from local gems to popular cafes to check out. We love it!

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Istanbul, Turkey

Street food is a tradition of its own in Istanbul. You will stumble upon food vendors around every corner of the city, serving delicious grub that will please your taste buds. Istanbul is full of choice; just out-of-theoven Simit or Balik Ekmek, often the aroma of these delectable dishes lingers through the streets. Try the Doner, Kebabs, Borek and Pilav. Other yummy savoury varieties include Açma, Pogaça and Çigköfte. The dishes are mainly meat or fish based, either grilled or sandwiched, making every meal exciting and easy to consume on-the-go.

Fly: Turkish Airlines (www.turkishairlines.com).

‫للخــياطة الرجالــية‬

‫كـالسيـك‬

Classic Man for Tailoring

Tel. 4421 9357

Mob. 3377 2735 P.O. Box: 7346 Doha - Qatar fact magazine

ohlala arabia.indd 1

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Landmarks can be natural wonders, man-made structures or just popular sites that travellers like to visit. Here are some of the world’s most breathtaking…

Wander the World’s Wonders

Travel

Petra, Jordan

You will recognise this world wonder from the Indiana Jones films, among others, and Petra is a place nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Arabian historical and archaeological city is famous for being cut and carved into the face of sheer red rock by the Nabatean people who settled in the area more than 2000 years ago and also, famously, formed a water conduit system used as a gateway for trade routes including silks and spices. The most famous structure in the city is the Treasury, though there is so much more to see. To this day, Petra is Jordan’s most treasured landmark and visitors should put aside a couple of days to really explore the city.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Western Australia

If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, yet equally jaw-dropping, head to Western Australia for The Pinnacles and Wave Rock. The first is a spectacular desert landscape within Nambung National Park, located 245km north of Perth. This place resembles something out of a sci-fi film with thousands of eerie limestone pillars scattered about the yellow sands. A four-hour drive from Perth is Wave Rock, a 14-metre-high and 110-metre-long granite formation shaped like a tall breaking ocean wave. It forms the north side of a solitary hill - Hayden Rock - and its shape is the result of millions of years of weathering and water erosion.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil’s capital is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer, standing 40-metres tall. The concrete and soapstonemade statue towers above the city, and is just a half-hour drive from two other must-visit stops Sugarloaf Mountain and Rio’s most-famous beach, Copacabana. Cable cars carry visitors to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain where stunning views can be enjoyed. It’s also the most popular urban rock climbing destinations in the world! Copacabana beach is where you’ll want to lay to catch some rays and experience a slice of Brazilian life.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Plitvice, Croatia

Think Rivendell from Lord of the Rings and then Google Plitvice Lakes National Park. Straight out of a fairytale, right? Often overlooked, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the best natural landmarks in Eastern Europe. This maze of lakes, streams, rivers and waterfalls is surrounded by lush greenery and clear turquoise waters, all making for fantastic hiking, cycling and waling trails as well as boat trips and panoramic train rides. The reality of this area, however, lies in conflict and war, but with its history well behind it, the park has now become a place of ultimate serenity.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

WITH RESIDENT DJ

LAURA LOVE

www.evolveqa.com

TICKETS with Free One Drink

250

QAR

200

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DRESS CODE STRICTLY SMART FORMAL DOOR POLICY APPLIES ID Required & 21+ fact magazine

For info and reservations please call 66446125

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After the big ‘I do’, the next step is taking off for a honeymoon. Deciding the place can be quite a task, so we bring you some cool spots for a memorable escapade.

Honeymoon Escapes

Travel

Jamaica, Caribbean

Loosen up and get ready for a Jamaican retreat. This place is a paradise where you’ll have a mix of happy days and vivid nights, making your honeymoon a fun getaway with loads of festivities in store. Shop in Jamaica and bring home a part of the island living with you. Party hard with reggae beats, live music and dancing on the beach ‘til dawn. Explore the spirit of Jamaica through an adventure spree; go hiking, horseback riding and take warm river swims. Sit by the sandy stretches of crystal clear beaches and enjoy the serenity. Try some of the exotic Jamaican dishes for the true island-style dining feel. Fly: Emirates and jetBlue (www.emirates.com and www.jetblue.com).

Bahamas, Caribbean

Spend one day on a remote island, the next in a bustling metropolis, the Bahamas welcomes you to 700 tropical islands to explore making your honeymoon the best days of your life. Couples can enjoy peaceful seclusion and natural beauty, both on land and sea.

Spend cosy moments at the beautiful sandy beaches to see the sparkle of the moonlight and have a sweet conversation with a glass of vino. The Bahamas is aptly exotic for a spot of serene honeymooning.

Fly: Qatar Airways and jetBlue (www.qatarairways. com and www.jetblue.com).

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Escape to the romantic island of Bora Bora with your sweetheart for a starry-eyed getaway. With all the plush hotels and sea views, it’ll bring out the romantic side of you. Bora Bora is one of the few places on earth that everyone hopes to visit in their lifetime - and once you see it, you are forever enamoured. Shop at the local boutiques, dine at the fancy restaurants, go hiking or simply relax at the beach. Couples, get ready for the ultimate retreat as Bora Bora will never be forgotten; it will be etched in your memory forever.

Fly: Qatar Airways to LAX (www.qatarairways.com) and continue with Air France and Air Tahiti.

Bali, Indonesia

The magical island of Bali has impeccable landscapes and cultural treasures to explore with your better half. Fly down to this stunning environment and have the time of your life. Go east to see the majestic ‘mother temple’ of Besakih or travel to the heart where rice paddies offer scenic photo opportunities.

From supreme vistas to cultural performances, there is something for everyone. Bali has beaches, surfing, diving, and resorts, making it so much more than just a fun-in-the-sun retreat.

Fly: Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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Regional Retreats

Want something that requires getting on a plane, but not for too long? Check out our pick of the best places for a holiday close to home…

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Sir Bani Yas Island

An Arabian Wildlife Park in the UAE? Yes, that’s right.

Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi boasts open plains encompassing a 4,100-hectare wildlife park, and the stunning resort of Anantara Al Sahel sits amid the island’s rugged surroundings with over 10,000 freeroaming animals. It’s an elegant oasis where you can relax by the pool, or head to the Anantara Spa for pure pampering. For the more adventurous, there’s a ton of activities to keep boredom at bay, including: archery, kayaking, mountain biking, snorkelling, horse riding, scenic seaplane flights and, more importantly, the nature and wildlife drives where you can get up close with fascinating animals.

GO: Fly with Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com). Call +971 2 801 4300 for reservations and more information.

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

It’s cosmopolitan, chic, and irresistibly comfortable; Jumeirah at Etihad Towers offers luxury accommodation with modern amenities and excellent service. This high-rise in the UAE capital blends contemporary accommodation with resort-style living, especially as the hotel boasts not one but three amazing swimming pools, it’s own private beach, and the world class Talise Spa where relaxation is refined down to a tee. Don’t forget to check out Observation Deck at 300, the highest vantage point in the city, for some seriously cool views! This is comfort and class, all rolled into one.

GO: Fly with Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Call +971 2 801 4300 for reservations and more information.

Four Seasons Hotel, Amman The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain The five-star Four Seasons Hotel Amman takes prime position in the heart of Jordan’s vibrant capital. It’s a stunning property that offers all the comforts of a homeaway-from-home but with so many welcomed added touches. Expect nothing short of a royal treatment here.

The rooms are spacious, with modern, comfortable amenities, whilst the spa and fitness facilities are worldclass. So, whether you choose to have a stay-in hotel getaway or you want to explore Jordan’s many great sites – this hotel makes for a great base to do both!

GO: Fly with Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Call +962 6 550 5555 for reservations and more information.

If you’re after the sort of break that doesn’t involve leaving the hotel much, look no further. The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is a real piece of secluded paradise with a massive outdoor pool, indoor pool, a pristine private beach, a majestic hammam with plunge pools, steam room and sauna, and a sports club with fully-equipped gymnasiums (there’s a ladies only too), a squash court, tennis courts, and, for the little ones, the Ritz Kids Club! When it comes to food, options are aplenty; try Primavera for exquisite Italian fare.

GO: Fly with Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Call +973 1758 0000 for reservations and more information.

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Local Luxury

Sometimes, nothing compares to a staycation weekend with all the comforts of home, yet not too far from home!

Here are some local picks to consider…

Travel

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Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

It’s one of the newest hotels in town and boasts the legendary Asian hospitality of the Shangri-La brand, right here in Doha. A staycation at this West Bay hotel will be exactly what you need for rejuvenation without going to the airport! The 50-storey hotel offers guests luxuriously appointed accommodation, a variety of exciting dining experiences, and a host of leisure options. So, whether you want to be hold up in a room watching films and ordering room service for two days or if you want a few chill-out days by the pool, followed by some spa treatments to wind down – Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, will cater to this and more!

GO: Call 4429 5000 for more information.

Authenticity and cutting-edge amenities is what you’ll find at this iconic hotel, located on the shores of West Bay with beautiful views over the Arabian Gulf.

You’ve got ten restaurants and bars to choose from, including the popular La Veranda, where al fresco dining is a delight. The grounds are fabulous with a stunning outdoor pool, tennis, squash, football and volleyball courts and a massive list of activities. If it’s a blend of relaxation with a bit of fitness that would make your perfect staycation – this is where you should go!

GO: Call 4485 4600 for more information.

The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa

Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl

Mix me-time with local life at the well-located and new hospitality hotspot, that is, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa. Choose from comfortable rooms or suites with the Heavenly branded accommodations, and head to the tranquil Heavenly Spa by Westin for some well-deserved down time! There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, world-class dining, and excellent spa services (available in-room) to make your stay a fun and enjoyable one, but without all the work.

Let The Westin take care of you for a few days and enjoy a home away from home!

GO: Call 4492 1555 for more information.

Now, if it’s a “full” resort-style experience you want from a staycation, there’s no place better than Marsa Malaz Kempinski for this. After all, it’s set on its very own private island boasting several different room types, 11 dining and chill-out options, and a whole host of leisure areas like a private beach, health club, jogging trail, Spa by Clarins and so much more. This is a family-friendly resort that will cater for every age and all interests. The great entertainment at Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale is just a stones throw away – perfect for a laid back weekend.

GO: Call 4035 5555 for more information.

St George’s Day Dinner & Dance Hosted by

The Royal Naval Association ■

An evening to celebrate our heritage & patriotism on the 22nd April 2016 at The Grand Hyatt Doha 1900-0200 ■

Includes 3 course dinner & selected all inclusive drinks Tickets 600QR each (non refundable) For Tickets contact rnaqatar@gmail.com Dress code: Black Tie/Cocktail Dress

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Travel

No Visa Needed!

Sometimes applying for and obtaining a visa can be a long and tiresome process when you plan your vacay. A valid passport, return tickets, hotel accommodation and sufficient funds is what the below countries demand. Either no visa is needed or most nationalities get visa on arrival.

That’s pretty cool, right?

Mauritius

Where to stay: The Oberoi, Mauritius Fly with: Emirates Airline Attractions: Flic-en-Flac, Tamarind Falls, Watersports.

Seychelles

Seychelles highly promotes tourism, and why not? The stunning white sand beaches are simply serene. Therefore there is no visa requirement to enter the country.

Where to stay: Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles Fly with: Etihad Airways Attractions: Mahe Island, Anse Intendance, La Digue, Morne Seychellois National Park.

Maldives

To enter Maldives no pre-arrival visa is required.

A thirty day free visa is issued on arrival for all nationalities visiting the country.

Where to stay: Gili Lankanfushi Maldives Fly with: Qatar Airways Attractions: Banana Reef, Scuba Diving and Snorkelling, Maldives Victory, Old Friday Mosque.

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Hong Kong

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong Fly with: Qatar Airways Attractions: Disneyland, Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong Wet Land Park, Victoria Peak.

Macau

Where to stay: Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 Fly with: Gulf Air + Air Macau Attractions: Taipa Village, Casino hopping, visit Zhuhai, Senado Square, Macau Tower.

Venue : The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa Tuesday, 12th April 2016

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Travel

Packing Tips

© brigadeirochoc.tumblr.com

The most dreaded thing about holidays is the packing. It’s all very well to say travel light, but no one tells you exactly how. Here are a few packing tips to get you started!

T-Shirts

Reduce wrinkling by placing them face down and folding the arm back, then fold lengthwise and roll up.

Camera

When travelling with a DSLR camera, do not leave the lens attached to the camera body.

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It may damage the threads if the camera moves.

Hats

Fill the crown of the hat with socks or swimwear.

Choose a suitcase as wide as the brim of the hat. Place it crown up at the bottom and arrange clothes around it tightly.

Socks

Roll up your socks into a ball and stuff them into your shoes to save space - Oh, but how many shoes will you pack?!

Under garms Put your delicates in mesh laundry bags.

They are lightweight

and if your bag gets inspected, no one touches them as the bags are see through.

Shoes

Use shoe bags with drawstrings. Take no more than three pairs and pack tightly with soles out and heels at opposite ends.

Toiletries

Take only what you need, not your entire bathroom. Keep a travelling toiletry bag handy with miniature bottles of shampoos and creams.

Jeans

Fold your jeans lengthwise and stack

one on top of the other.

Then roll from the bottom up.

Makeup

Keep a neutral theme and don’t take your entire beauty stash. For eye shadows, choose one base colour and one darker colour to take you from day to night.

MARCH 2016 VOL 5. ISSUE 10 QR10.

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Travel

Travel HEALTH tips 1

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Boost your immune system

Bring a Snack

Avoid DVT

Decongest

Chew, Swallow, Yawn

Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine

During take off and landing, either sip on a drink, suck on a sweet, chew gum or yawn widely to avoid your ears from getting blocked.

These actions help equalise the pressure in your middle ear.

Planes make you dehydrated. Drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks only further dehydrates you. Avoid them as much as you can, instead drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Dose up on B-complex and Vitamin C to give an extra boost to your immune system a few days before you travel.

Planes aren’t called germ tubes for no reason.

Pack a healthy snack Take an aspirin a day before like nuts and a bottle of your flight and for a couple water in your carry-on, of days after to avoid Deep even on short flights. It’ll Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Sitting keep your munchies at stationary for long hours bay and keep your blood causes blood clots that can be sugar in check during deadly. Medications like Aspirin unexpected delays. thins the blood, reducing chances of blood clots.

Take a decongestant (as directed) a day before your flight to clear your ears and nasal passages.

This helps shrink the membranes in your sinuses.

Exercises for the Plane 1

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Foot Pumps

Ankle Circles

Knee to Chest

Forward Flex

Overhead Stretch

Neck Roll

With both heels on the floor, point feet upwards as high as you can go.

Then reverse by lifting your heels high keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Repeat cycle with 30-second intervals.

Lifting your feet off the floor, draw circles with your toes, moving one foot clockwise and the other anticlockwise.

Reverse the circles. Do each direction for 15 seconds.

Bend forward slightly clasping your hands around one knee and bring it to your chest.

Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and bring it down gently keeping.

Repeat 10 times.

Keep your feet on the floor and hold your stomach in. Slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the legs to your ankles. Hold for 15 seconds and then slowly sit back up.

Raise both hands straight up over your head. Hold the wrist of the opposite hand and gently pull to one side.

Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and repeat.

Relax your shoulders and drop your ears to the shoulder, gently roll the head forward bringing it up slowly to the other side. Hold each position for five seconds and repeat five times.

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© Jan Meissner

APRIL 2016 VOL 2. ISSUE 11 AED 10

For the culture-savvy in Qatar

ARE WE THERE YET? THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL 101

april Edition available now on issuu.com/factmagazine fact magazine

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We’re celebrating all the foodie goodness in DOHA with the second annual FACT Dining Awards.

Here’s the shortlist of nominees…

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nominees

INTERNATIONAL AZRAQ, BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA

BY ANANTARA CROSSROADS KITCHEN, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha CHOICES, Oryx Rotana Doha CORNICHE RESTAURANT, Doha Marriott Hotel THE GRILL, Grand Hyatt Doha THE LAGOON, The Ritz-Carlton Doha

ITALIAN IL TEATRO, Four Seasons Hotel Doha PORCINI, The Ritz-Carlton Doha CUCINA, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha ANTICA PESA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha LA VERANDA, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel LA SPIGA BY PAPER MOON, W Doha Hotel & Residences ROCCA, Grand Hyatt Doha THE ITALIAN JOB, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha THE FRENCH OLIVE, Al Sadd

MEDITTERANEAN IDAM, Museum of Islamic Art SAWA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha EMIRGAN SUTIS, Al Emadi Financial Square MYKONOS, InterContinental Doha

FRENCH MAXIM, Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha LA VARENNE, West Bay LA MER, The Ritz-Carlton Doha LINA’S PARIS, Ezdan Mall

EUROPEAN MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES, W Doha Hotel & Residences OPAL BY GORDON RAMSAY, The St. Regis Doha AROMA, Kempinski Residences & Suites 56

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NOMINEES BELGIAN CAFÉ, InterContinental Doha SHAKESPEARE & CO, The Pearl Qatar IKEA RESTAURANT, Doha Festival City

MIDDLE EASTERN AL LIWAN, Sharq Village & Spa AL NAFOURAH GARDEN, Oryx Rotana Doha MAJLIS, Grand Hyatt Doha MAMIG, Katara Cultural Village AL SUFRA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha AL NAHHAM, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara

SPANISH THE CELLAR, Oryx Rotana Doha EL FARO, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha ACEITE, Melia Doha PICASSO’S, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha

LEBANESE AL MOURJAN, Corniche LEILA, The Gate Mall AL SULTAN BRAHIM, The St. Regis Doha AL SHAHEEN, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel BURJ AL HAMAM, The Pearl Qatar

SEAFOOD AZIZA, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha FISHMARKET, InterContinental Doha L’WZAAR, Katara Cultural Village PIER 12, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha AL DANA, Sharq Village & Spa AL MASKAR, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel Q LOUNGE & RESTAURANT, BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA

CHINESE HAKKASAN, The St. Regis Doha CHI’ZEN, Oryx Rotana Doha RUBY WU’S, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha CHOPSTICKS, Wyndham Grand Regency

SOUTH EAST ASIAN ASIA LIVE, Doha Marriott Hotel SPICE MARKET, W Doha Hotel & Residences ISAAN, Grand Hyatt Doha NOODLE HOUSE, Various Locations HWANG, InterContinental Doha The City

JAPANESE SAKURA, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha NOBU, Four Seasons Hotel Doha YEN SUSHI BAR, La Cigale Hotel MEGU, The Pearl-Qatar NOZOMI, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha

INDIAN SAFFRON LOUNGE, Katara Cultural Village TAJ RASOI, Doha Marriott Hotel CHINGARI, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha ROYAL TANDOOR, Souq Waqif SIGNATURE BY SANJEEV KAPOOR, Melia Doha

MOROCCAN ARGAN, Souq Waqif MARRAKECH, Lagoona Mall TAJINE, Souq Waqif TANGIA, Wyndham Grand Regency Doha

LATIN AMERICAN IPANEMA, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha PALOMA, InterContinental Doha SALSA, Doha Marriott Hotel TORO TORO, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha LATINO STEAKHOUSE, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

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NOMINEES

STEAKHOUSE

AL FRESCO DINING

JW’S STEAKHOUSE, Doha Marriott Hotel PRIME, InterContinental Doha The City NEW YORK STEAKHOUSE, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha ASTOR GRILL, The St. Regis Doha BENTLEY’S GRILL, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha THE ANVIL ROOMS, Qatar Luxury Group

SEA LOUNGE, Sharq Village & Spa OPAL BY GORDON RAMSAY, The St. Regis Doha ADMIRAL’S CLUB, The Ritz-Carlton Doha POOL GRILL, Four Seasons Hotel Doha ROCCA, Grand Hyatt Doha CARLUCCIO’S, The Pearl Qatar LA VERANDA, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

ALL-DAY DINING FORKNIFE, Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha AZRAQ, Banana Island Resort Doha

by Anantara SEASONS RESTAURANT, Mövenpick Hotel Doha THE SQUARE, InterContinental Doha The City QUICK BITES, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha W CAFÉ, W Doha Hotel & Residences 58

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BAR BELGIAN CAFÉ, InterContinental Doha DUNES, Grand Hyatt Doha TRADER VIC’S, Hilton Doha CHAMPIONS SPORTS BAR, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha IRISH HARP, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel SHEHRAZAD, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha OYSTER BAY & BAR, The St. Regis Doha

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LOUNGE VINTAGE LOUNGE, The St. Regis Doha JAZZ CLUB, Oryx Rotana Doha BOHEMIA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha WAHM, W Doha Hotel & Residences HABANOS, The Ritz-Carlton Doha Z LOUNGE by ZENGO, Kempinski Residences & Suites STRATA, InterContinental Doha The City SKY VIEW LOUNGE, La Cigale Hotel PEARL LOUNGE, Doha Marriott Hotel

CAFÉ CAFÉ MURANO, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha LIME TREE LOBBY LOUNGE, Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha W CAFÉ, W Doha Hotel & Residences AL JALSA, Sharq Village & Spa LOBBY LOUNGE, InterContinental Doha The City GOURMET HOUSE, Kempinski Residences & Suites SKY LOUNGE, Oryx Rotana Doha BISCOTTI, Grand Hyatt Doha MONOPRIX CAFÉ, West Bay

TEA ROOM TEA LOUNGE, InterContinental Doha THE LOBBY LOUNGE, The Ritz-Carlton Doha SARAB LOUNGE, The St. Regis Doha SEASONS TEA LOUNGE, Four Seasons Hotel Doha AL MAHA, Grand Hyatt Doha ARGO TEA CAFÉ, Landmark Mall

COFFEE HOUSE CHOCOLATE BAR, The Pearl Qatar GLORIA JEAN’S, Various Locations STARBUCKS, Various Locations COSTA COFFEE, Various Locations THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF, Various Locations EMPORIO ARMANI CAFFE, The Pearl Qatar fact magazine

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IN-MALL SUGAR & SPICE, Lagoona Mall VAPIANO, The Gate Mall NANDO’S, Various Locations EATOPIA, The Gate mall JONES THE GROCER, The Gate Mall THE BUTCHER SHOP & GRILL, Villagio Mall BIELLA, Various Locations TIM HORTONS, Various Locations

PATISSERIE ANGELINA PARIS, The Gate Mall FAUCHON, Various Locations BRIOCHE DOREE, The Gulf Mall PAUL CAFÉ, Various Locations CHAC’LATE, Katara Cultural Village RED VELVET CUPCAKERY, Katara Cultural Village

FRIDAY BRUNCH VINE, The St. Regis Doha THE LAGOON, The Ritz-Carlton Doha CHOICES, Oryx Rotana Doha MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES, W Doha Hotel & Residences IPANEMA, Marriott Marquis City Center Doha FOUR SEASONS FRIDAY BRUNCH, Four Seasons Hotel Doha AL LIWAN, Sharq Village & Spa

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BRUNCH THE SQUARE, InterContinental Doha The City SEASONS, Mövenpick Hotel Doha AL HUBARA, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel THE GRILL, Grand Hyatt Doha CORAL, InterContinental Doha SAWA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha WEEKEND BRUNCH AT DOHA MARRIOTT RESTAURANT GALLERY, Doha Marriott Hotel 60

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NEWCOMER ELEMENTS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE, Four Seasons Hotel Doha WAGAMAMA, Various Locations URBAN JAZZ KITCHEN, The Pearl Qatar AL JALSA GARDEN LOUNGE, InterContinental Doha The CityBALMESAN, The Pearl Qatar MOKARABIA CAFE, The Pearl Medina Central WAFFLEMEISTER, Lagoona Mall

MOST ANTICIPATED VENUE MIX BAR LOUNGE & TERRACE, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa BOSTON’S, City Centre Rotana Doha KRANE, The Pearl Qatar HUNTER’S ROOM & GRILL, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa CARAMEL, City Centre Rotana Doha DEBS W REMMAN, Medina Centrale, The Pearl Qatar LUXE LOUNGE, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa OLIVE OIL, City Centre Rotana Doha

NOMINEES

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SOCIETY

#Discover #America #Week #at #Marriott #Marquis

Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha hosted a special evening with guest chef Andy Arndt at the award-winning New York Steakhouse. Chef Andy came out all the way from the West Coast of the US to prepare a Taste of California menu. US ambassador Dana Shell Smith officially opened the Taste of America celebrations at the venue. Discover America Week Qatar 2016 is an annual series of events celebrating the US-Qatar partnership, in co-operation with the US embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, and the Orange County Visitors Association.

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Vol. 2 Art enthusiasts fell in love with the first series of Focus: Works from the Mathaf Collection, and now they’ll be excited to learn that a second wave of beautiful pieces is on display for all to marvel at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art‌

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LOCAL ARTS

Following the success of the first series of the exhibitions in autumn 2015, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha presents the defining works of a number of solo artists from the museum’s Permanent Collection for a second time.

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aking place on the ground floor of the museum until September 4, Focus: Works from Mathaf Collection, vol. 2 will provide visitors with a second chance to experience some of the most iconic works from the museum, through a combination of solo shows, highlighting a key artist from the collection.

Focus: Vol. 2 features an exhibition of conceptual Emirati artist Hassan Sharif, titled: Hassan Sharif: Objects and Files. The exhibition includes a selection of artist archives and object installations from between 1981 and 1987, during which time Hassan established new, self-imposed systems of repetition, duration and chance in the execution of his work. The

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exhibition presents key works from Mathaf ’s collection through which the artist asserts the role of art in representing critical debates on the political, economic and cultural fabric of society.

Presented by Qatar Museums under the leadership of its Chairperson, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Hassan’s work is showcased alongside four significant and influential artists from across the Arab world, including Faraj Daham (Qatar), Saloua Raouda Choucair (Lebanon), Inji Efflatoun (Egypt) and Farid Belkahia (Morocco).

Each of the five galleries on the ground floor exhibition is dedicated to a pioneering solo artist, touching upon specific themes in their practice and allowing visitors to experience their work through various curatorial interpretations of historical contexts,

materials and aesthetics. They allow visitors to enjoy the museum’s ongoing academic and curatorial research on the Mathaf Permanent Collection.

Once again, the programme invites audiences to rethink their understanding of art history and its connection to the world through original research, writing, and curating.

The exhibition offers diverse curatorial interpretations, with a different curator assigned to each of the five solo shows, namely Mathaf Director Abdellah Karroum, Mathaf curators Laura Barlow, Fatma Mostafawi and Leonore-Namkha Beschi, and independent curator Mayssa Fattouh.

Through the Focus series, the role of the museum is reinforced as not only conserving art over time, but also suggesting ways to revisit and re-experience the artworks selected in light of current events and curatorial readings. ✤

Mathaf houses the largest and most extensive collection of modern and contemporary Arab art in the world, with more than 9,000 works in its care, dating from the 19th century to the present day. The collection reflects a number of important defining moments in Arab history, as well as artistic innovations in the region.

GO: Visit www.mathaf.org.qa for more information on the latest exhibitions.

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SOCIETY

#Caramel #Lobby #Lounge #Opening

Members of the media, social influencers and other VIP guests were invited to the opening of Caramel Lobby Lounge at one of the newest hotels in town – City Centre Rotana Doha. Caramel, located on the ground floor, offers a variety of coffees and teas and innovative cocktails, accompanied by piano music to provide a relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy quiet conversation at an intimate table or relax in the comfort of a couch while enjoying the lifestyle of City Centre Rotana.

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Arts I n n o vato r

Grand Hyatt Doha has partnered with locally-based Australian artist Pip Hoy to launch ‘The Corridor’ concept, offers a unique gallery space for Dohabased artists who wish to exhibit their work to the local and visiting public. Here, FACT talks to Pip Hoy about what makes this space an innovation for budding artists in the city… fact magazine

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ARTS INTERVIEW

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Whilst there is a great deal of creative activity occurring in Doha, there are very few options for local budding artists who are wanting to exhibit their work.

The Corridor aims to fill that gap.

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i Pip! Tell us more about the idea and inspiration behind The Corridor…

The idea behind The Corridor was to create a community-based space for local artists who wish to exhibit their work to Doha residents and international visitors alike. The idea dovetailed perfectly with the goals of the Hyatt Thrive initiative which aims to support the communities in which its businesses operate. The idea for the space was sparked by the team at Grand Hyatt Doha. As soon as the management team had confirmed their support for the initiative, the hotel asked if I would act as their Gallery Consultant to get the space up and running as a functioning gallery.

Given that I had previously worked with the team at the Grand Hyatt Doha, we had already established a positive relationship. They are wonderful people with whom to work and I was very happy to contribute to their efforts in supporting the local art community.

Three things that The Corridor aims to achieve within the next year…

Firstly, to become recognised as a viable space in which local artists can choose to exhibit their work. Second, to become recognised as a viable space in which the public can visit the hotel to see the work of local artists. And three, to raise awareness for the Grand Hyatt’s charity of choice, Room to Read.

How can Doha-based artists benef it from having somewhere like The Corridor to showcase their work?

Whilst there is a great deal of creative activity occurring in Doha, there are very few options for local budding artists who are wanting to exhibit their work. The Corridor aims to fill that gap.

In addition, art galleries can be scary and intimidating places for the novice

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“ artist. Having a space that is warm, welcoming and community-minded offers an attractive opportunity for those who are still finding their feet.

What are the requirements of an artist who wishes to exhibit their work at The Corridor?

For an artist who has never previously exhibited, I would highly recommend they research how to organise a successful exhibition. They should seek the support and knowledge of those who have gone before them.

For those who have exhibited before, all that is required is a full body of work and a positive attitude. It is important to note that the Grand Hyatt Doha offers the space and some welcome support for opening night, however the hard work of bringing the exhibition together comes down to the artist.

If an artist is ready to take on the responsibility (and the rewards) of exhibiting, then the next step is to contact the marketing team at the Grand Hyatt Doha, directly, to discuss timing and logistics.

What’s the best thing about being an artist in the GCC region?

For me as an Australian, I am super inspired by the local culture, the religious symbolism, the extraordinary natural environment and the exposure to a broad-based expatriate community.

I believe the GCC is building its own unique art scene that is finding its place on the world stage. However, those at the peak require a mountain to stand on.

And that mountain is only sustainable if it is built on a solid foundation of grassroots creative activities.

Your tips and advice for budding artists in Qatar who want to get their work out to the public…

• Believe in yourself. Listen to your intuition. Walk your path.

• Understand your artwork. Understand your market.

• Do the work. Don’t expect others to do the work for you.

• Find your tribe. Only work with people you like and can trust.

• Communicate. Reach out to your networks via all avenues available to you.

I believe the GCC is building its own unique art scene that is finding its place on the world stage.

However, those at the peak require a mountain to stand on.

• Thank the people who support you.

And thank them again.

• Celebrate your achievements but keep them in perspective.

• Enjoy the experience. Breathe. ✤ GO: Visit www.doha.grand.hyatt.com or call 4448 1234 for more information. fact magazine

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LOCAL Arts

Si l k s f r o m t h e Si l k R o a d As part of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture, Silks from the Silk Road - Chinese Art of Silk, is a beautiful exhibition currently on display at Qatar Museums (QM) Gallery in Katara. We learn more about the showcase‌

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LOCAL Arts Presented by Qatar Museums under the leadership of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, this exhibition reflects the rich artistry of Chinese silk in terms of art, techniques and fashion design over thousands of years.

In collaboration with Qatar Museums, the China National Silk Museum is bringing to Doha a range of ancient and modern Chinese silk treasures which demonstrate the artistry of the Chinese silk-making culture and industry. This exhibition includes 100 selected silk products and modern artistic works of silk garments, as well as other accompanying exhibits such as ceramic tea sets and tea works.

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“ T his showcas e p r o v id e s insight into th e S ilk Road , which was a b r idg e fo r e cono m ic and c u lt u r al e x chang e . . . �

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The exhibition explores four different themes: firstly, the material properties and diverse use of silk, as well as the products created throughout history; secondly, the different techniques of silk production, traditional embroidery, ornamental brocading, the Kesi weaving technique, silk painting, and new silk design concepts; thirdly, the art of silk, including the new digital textile technology and the integration of traditional weaving and dyeing techniques; and finally, the role of Zhang Qian, a Chinese official and diplomat who played a key role in opening China to commercial trade in the 2nd century BCE, by setting up the Silk Road.

This showcase provides insight into the Silk Road, which was a bridge

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01. Embroidery of lotus and egret

By Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute 02. Impressions of an ink painting By Luo Zheng 03. Straight hem robe with longevity pattern embroidery, replica Western Han dynasty (3c.BC-1c.AD) 04. Painting of silkworm breeding and silk weaving, replica Qing dynasty (17-20C.AD) 05. Gold brocaded satin with clouds and peony, replica Ming dynasty (14-17C.AD)

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for economic and cultural exchange between the East and West over 2,000 years ago. Mulberry silk weaving technology spread from China to the rest of the world, through this trading route.

Silks from the Silk Road - Chinese Art of Silk, maps out the history of silk and its cultural significance over thousands of years, and also allows visitors to experience the charm of contemporary Chinese silk. If you want to learn more about the rich and fascinating history of this gorgeous material and interesting trade, THIS is the place to do just that.

GO: Silks from the Silk Road - Chinese Art of Silk will run at QM Gallery, Building 10 Katara until May 9. Visit www.yearsofculture.qa for more information. fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Starwo od #Hotels #& #Resorts #The #Italian #Lifestyle #event

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy in Qatar, hosted a glamorous event to present Starwood Hotels & Resorts Italy “The Italian lifestyle�, an authentic immersion into style and cuisine. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Italy brought its properties in Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Costa Smeralda and Trieste to Doha with the exclusive night featuring two Italian lifestyle events: an Italian afternoon Tea, starring a top fashion show by the renowned Italian designer Giada Curti, as well as an epicurean dinner showcasing regional Italian cuisine.

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REVIEWs

Big Screen

The Jungle Book What’s it about: Based on Rudyard Kipling’s book of short stories and inspired by Disney’s animated classic, The Jungle Book is the story of Mowgli, the “mancub” raised by wolves and befriended by Baloo the bear.

Director: Jon Favreau cast: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Bill Murray

Highlights “This is a more sophisticated The Jungle Book, one that adults and children alike will appreciate and adore.”

The Boss What’s it about: A titan of industry loses here empire and is sent to prison for insider trading.

After her release, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget, so she sets out to rebrand herself as America’s latest sweetheart.

– The Jungle Book

Why it’s worth watching?

With an all-star voice cast, including Scarlett Johansson (Kaa), Idris Elba (Shere Khan), Bill Murray (Baloo), Ben Kingsley (Bagheera), and Christopher Walken (King Louie), Disney’s The Jungle Book is given a new lease of life with breathtaking live-action CG. This story sees Mowgli, played by newcomer Neel Sethi, embark on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by pantherturned-stern mentor Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear, Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, as the fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, is out to eliminate what he sees as a threat.

What we love from the trailer footage released so far, is that director Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Chef, Elf) has gone all out to make this an epic adventure that stays true to the pages of Rudyard Kipling’s books, and carries on the legacy of the 1967 animated classic, with true cinematic boldness. This is a more sophisticated The Jungle Book, one that adults and children alike will appreciate and adore.

“When this lady is given the opportunity to spew comically aggressive, colourfully worded aggression, you can expect there’s going to be tons of laughs.”

– The Boss

Director: Ben Falcone cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Kristen Schaal Why it’s worth watching?

Melissa McCarthy can seemingly do no wrong. When this lady is given the opportunity to spew comically aggressive, colourfully worded aggression, you can expect there’s going to be tons of laughs.

The funny woman is teaming up, once more, with frequent collaborator and real-life husband, Ben Falcone - a pairing that has made comedy gold in the past, including their last film together, Tammy.

Oh, and did we mention how incredible Melissa McCarthy is looking in this new film? Maybe playing the epitome of every terrible, shady, ruthless corporate boss that sank the economy, is a role that unusually suits her to the core - well, the wardrobe, at least!

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SOCIETY

#New #York #Times #Art #For # Tomorrow #Conference

The second edition of The New York Times Art for Tomorrow conference, organised under the patronage of Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, took place at the W Doha Hotel & Residences, last month. With an overall theme of Technology, Creativity and the City, the conference sought to explore the complex relationships between the digital world and the creative process, the nature of creativity and its impact on developing cities or even nations, and whether physical institutions housing art have a role to play in the era of digitisation.

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REVIEWs

on the record

Fully Booked

CRIME AND MYSTERY

Real Tigers

By Mick Herron

HIP-HOP/RAP

The Unruly Mess I’ve Made

By Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

This latest offering from the Seattle rapperduo strikes a tone that is almost apologetic following on from their rise to superstardom, even down to the album’s title. It’s almost like they’re scared of being too successful and losing touch with their roots. It’s chock-full of moral messages and references to white privilege, with songs like Light Tunnels sounding like a traumatic experience, until you realise it’s about him winning at the Grammys.

This is a shame though, because if they’d just gone ahead and had as much fun as they had in The Heist, this album would probably be more enjoyable. The highlight is undoubtedly Downtown, a track that echoes the catchiness of Thrift Shop, only with a real old-school hiphop flavour a la Grandmaster Flash, and is just downright fun (just check out the music video – ever seen a giant chrome eagle chariot being towed by a team of Royal Enfield motorcycles?

No, we didn’t think so…). A worthy successor to The Heist, but a tad more serious.

POP

This is What the Truth Feels Like

This is the third novel in a series covering the sad, desperate spies of Slough House, a place where failed MI5 operatives are put out to pasture, pushing papers until they resign or drink themselves to death.

The perfect bunch to become embroiled in high-level espionage then! A seemingly ill-disguised exercise to test their security for leaks suddenly exposes dangerous ulterior motives, and the motley crew, led by the flatulent, foul-mouthed bullying chief Jackson Lamb, must come through it intact. With deliciously scabrous dialogue and a dry, droll observational prose, this is spy satire at its best!

By Gwen Stefani Undeniably the queen of the noughties, this is Stefani’s first solo album since The Sweet Escape, exactly a decade ago now, as she has spent time since as a mother, a TV personality, and once again a member of No Doubt. But after such a long break, how does her latest offering fare against the success of her former solo efforts? Well, Gwen Stefani fans will be relieved to find that it is a return to the bubbly pop of her former solo outings, with bouncy tracks like Make Me Like You providing the

historical romance

The Queen’s Choice

crowd-pleasers, and more emotional tracks like

By Anne O’Brien

Used to Love You and Misery, obviously inspired

There are a few historical British monarchs that tend to steal all the limelight in historical portrayals – Henry VIII, Richard I, Charles I, etc. – so it’s refreshing to see a lesser-known King, in this case, Henry IV, be the subject of a story. It is, however, told from the point of view of Queen Joanna of Navarre, who first married John IV of Brittany, and then left him for Henry later on. It’s a tumultuous love story told against the backdrop of Henry IV’s shaky and unstable reign, and has all the politics, suspicion and intrigue that you’d expect.

by her own personal trials, adding some substance to the album. Perhaps the strongest track on the whole album is Truth, with honest lyrics sung over a catchy guitar riff that anchors the track list in a way that shows she can still bring the ‘realz’.

At the end of the day, This is What the Truth Feels Like is light-hearted pop, and as long as you don’t take it too seriously, it’s an enjoyable romp that is clearly stamped with Stefani’s colourful personality.

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SOCIETY

#Grand #Opening #of #Megapolis

Doha added a new chapter in its journey towards becoming a regional entertainment hub with the official opening of the highly anticipated Megapolis – a 6,000sqm family entertainment centre located in the heart of Medina Centrale, The Pearl, Qatar. The grand opening ceremony for the new indoor family destination was attended by a number of high-profile dignitaries, business leaders and celebrities and livened up by an exciting lineup of entertainment featuring well-known regional and international celebrities and sports personalities including world-renowned cueist Efren Manalang Reyes.

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The VW Passat fact magazine

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CITY RIDES

FACT takes a drive in Volkswagen’s family-friendly and eminently comfortable sedan…

When you think ‘Volkswagen’, there are a number of concepts that spring to mind. Inevitably, the Golf GTI and Golf R are first among them.

Logically, the Scirocco follows on from those, closely related as they are.

Then, perhaps, the Beetle, followed by the Touareg, and then its more compact sibling, the Tiguan, as SUVs are always a big seller in the Gulf.

You would also think very good German quality that borders on ‘premium’, but as a result you also think ‘slightly pricey’.

At what point, then, would you think of the Passat? Would you think of it more if I told you that you can get a mid-sized sedan with that great German quality and build for as little as QR87,000? And that for this price it would also come with remote central locking, front centre armrest, cruise control, an infotainment system with CD, SD-card reader, AUX-in and USB, 78

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Bluetooth connectivity for phones and devices, and front and rear parking sensors?

When you take all this into account the Passat starts to look like a seriously good deal. If you take the base-spec model, don’t fret that you’re sacrificing performance, because all of the trim levels, from the S right up to the R-Line, boast the same engine, drivetrain and

chassis, which would be VW ’s 170hp 2.5l inline-five-cylinder engine, mated to the six-speed tiptronic gearbox, which boasts a 0-100km/h time of 9.2 seconds. While this performance isn’t going to light up any tarmac, the power delivery is smooth and constant, and the gear changes quick and seamless, and you’ll never complain about the fuel consumption!

More importantly, all the trim levels also boast exactly the same safety package, which includes fullysurrounding curtain airbags front and rear, electronic stability control, antislip regulation, electronic diff-lock, engine brake-assist and intelligent crash response system, as well as the usual ABS and EBD. This makes it one of the safest family sedans you can buy for this money on the market today.

The SPORT trim-level we drove adds somewhat to the price, going for around BD117,100. However, it also adds a sunroof, nice 18-inch alloys, leather front sports seats, keyless entry with push button start-stop system and easyopen boot lid (the one that opens with a

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swipe of your foot underneath the car), and sat-nav. It also adds the excellent Fender premium audio system.

As with any Volkswagen, the excellent quality is apparent throughout the car.

The interior is stylish and everything feels solidly built. The ride is smooth and extremely quiet, and the car feels poised and agile on the road, thanks to all those safety systems.

A real bonus was the air conditioning, which is something European cars can sometimes be known to struggle with, but in the Passat it was easily powerful enough to keep your drinks cold in the middle of summer!

In the face of stiff competition from Asian manufacturers increasingly offering more features for less, Volkswagen has responded strongly with the Passat. For these prices, it’s an absolute bargain! ✤ fact magazine

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SOCIETY

# Alfardan #Motorcycles #Showro om #Launch

Alfardan Motorcycles has opened its new motorcycle showroom at The Pearl, Qatar situated in the heart of Madina Centrale, Doha. Driven by the growing demand for motorcycles, the facility will feature the latest and the widest selection of models, giving customers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the brand. Among the comprehensive list of motorcycle brands catering to all tastes will include BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Triumph, KTM, Piaggio, Aprillia, Vespa, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, Sand X and Artic Cat. The world-class showroom has also been designed to serve as a meeting point for bikers.

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Q&A

MARK WEBBER FACT caught up with Australian professional racing driver, Mark Webber, at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, to find out how preparation is going for the FIA World Endurance Championship‌ fact magazine

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“ When you look at 20 years from when I started in 1997, a lot has changed. It still needs a driver to push the car to the limit but for sure it is more technical and probably a little bit less involved for the driver now.

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ow is testing going this month ahead of the WEC Championships?

It’s going really good. The conditions here are great.

To get a good track at this time of year is difficult but this is a good track for us in terms of stable conditions and nearby hotels for mechanics after a long day so the guys

can rest. You hear the car running a lot, it’s got good mileage and that’s important for us.

Every lap you do, you learn a bit more and it just keeps adding up. So, so far so good! I’ve done a lot of driving.

Is the car more driveable in comparison to last year?

We made great progress with the car last

SPORTS interview

year. The one-two at Le Mans was a great result and a bit of a surprise but a beautiful one for the programme and the whole team. Then after that we really made the proper steps in terms of beating Audi on the short tracks - that was a big validation for us. Now, we no longer have the big gains that we would have found last year.

We are still learning but we really have to get into the details. Last year we found five seconds a lap but now it is difficult to find this amount of time because the car is really quite good!

opportunities are pretty limited. I would like to believe that F1 has bottomed out and you’ll see a lot more talent coming back on and I think that is good for the sport, and for that reason you will see less drivers trying to leave F1.

In terms of lap time, are you slower than last year?

Yes, because we have the new regulation with a bit less power, fuel flow and less fuel. Last time we were in Abu Dhabi we had a high downforce so tomorrow we will try a similar setup, but the first four days haven’t been a fair comparison because we’ve been working on Le Mans guidelines. Also from our engineers’ side we think that numbers are pretty accurate from the FIA. Porsche say that what the FIA are proposing looks pretty close to the results we are getting, in terms of the lap time loss for Le Mans.

Is it more difficult from the technical side or is it a different job compared to Formula One? When you look at 20 years from when I started in 1997, a lot has changed. It still needs a driver to push the car to the limit but for sure it is more technical and probably a little bit less involved for the driver now. I know some young drivers coming through now that don’t know how to heel and toe because they don’t need to, but that’s just how these things work.

Is it tough for the team to find a compromise on the car?

I think that was one of the reasons we made a very good step on car 17 at the end of last year.

After Le Mans, we managed to get the three of us as close together as we have ever been, and I think it showed in the races that we were very strong. You have to make it that the car doesn’t know who is driving. That’s how to manage, to get all of us on the same page and we did that at the end of last year.

What is it like for drivers coming from F1 to get into Endurance Racing?

It’s not easy to get in. Seats are limited and the system is such that they are taking guys on talent, rather than paid drivers. You are really looking at that next wave of drivers. But the

Looking back over the length of your career, do you see some points of unfinished business?

When you look back you can always say you could have done things better, no question about it, but at the time you did your best. As a professional you do a lot of learning on the way and the treadmill doesn’t stop. At the time you think instinctively and you do what you think is right. It’s the same for anyone.

Is there anything specific you would have done differently?

I would have liked to have done more gokarting in Europe but my parents couldn’t afford that, and I started late. I think I would have performed better over my career, if I had two seasons of European karting, but it wasn’t an option for me. My dad did everything perfectly, he couldn’t have done anything more for me but it was very difficult for us to make any impact so he really timed it as best he could.

I had to come directly into car racing in Europe at the age of 18 or 19 and that’s just the way it was. There are definitely a few things that could have changed but that’s probably the most powerful one. ✤ GO: Visit www.fiawec.com for more information. fact magazine

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motoring news

Ferrari’s New Shooting Brake Ferrari unveiled the successor for it’s four-wheel-drive fourseater shooting brake, the Ferrari FF, as the Geneva Motor Show recently. The Ferrari GTC4Lusso is a new four-seater model that integrates rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the first time, hailing another major advance for the versatile sporty Grand Tourer concept.

Maserati Unveils Levante Also at the Geneva International Motor Show Maserati introduced the first SUV in its hundred-year history, the Levante, named after a warm Mediterranean wind. The spaciousness of the interior, enhanced by the panoramic electric sunroof, is combined with coupé-sleek external lines and the best aerodynamic efficiency in its category.

The Levante is fitted with a 3-litre V6 Twin-Turbo petrol engine with either 350hp or 430hp. Both engines are combined with the “Q4” intelligent all-wheel drive system which can transfer torque between the axles instantaneously when required - and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with integrated Start&Stop System.

In terms of performance, the Levante S (430hp) covers 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, has a top speed of 264 km/h.

The Levante (350hp) accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and achieves a top speed of 251 km/h.

For information on Maserati models, call 4420 8788.

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As Ferrari’s latest interpretation of the four-seater, a configuration that holds a very special place in Maranello tradition, the GTC4Lusso makes exhilarating Prancing Horse sports car performance and elegance available to four rather than just two occupants. Thanks to a 6,262cc V12 that punches out a maximum of 680hp at 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 697Nm at 5,750 rpm, with 80% available at just 1,750 rpm, the GTC4Lusso delivers an astonishing top speed of 335 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100 km in 3.4 seconds.

For information on Ferrari models, call 4420 8788.

Motoring news

Infiniti TwinTurbo Power The biggest news this month from the premium Japanese automaker is the introduction of their all-new twin-turbo ‘VR30’ 3.0l V6. Previously wellknown for their muscular 3.7l and 5.0l naturallyaspirated V6s, the new turbo engines inevitably promise more power along with more efficiency.

According to Infiniti, the new engine is the lightest, most powerful, cleanest and most fuel-efficient V6 engine that brand has ever offered, and is available in two performance levels, with either 300hp or 400hp. Hot off the announcement, two new models boasting the new engine were launched – the Infiniti Q50 premium sports sedan, and the Q60 sports coupe. The Infiniti Q50 is also available with a 2.0l turbocharged engine.

For more information on Infiniti models, call 4428 3366.

Toyota Launches All-New Fortuner The Toyota Fortuner has rapidly become an very significant model for Toyota in recent years, and this significance has been demonstrated by how much time, effort and thought has been dedicated to the secondgeneration model. The new Fortuner shows a drastically improved exterior design, and significantly increased levels of interior comfort and features.

New touches include a 7-inch tablet-inspired multimedia touchscreen display (depending on model option) that allows easy operation of on-

screen features, a Smart Entry & Start system, an electronic 4WD switch and second-row seats with one-touch operation for ease of folding. The third row seats are equipped with a fixed hook attachment for simple and convenient stowage. There are now 15 storage areas in the new Fortuner.

The new Fortuner still comes with the same 2.7l V6 and 4.0l V6 engine options, only now they’re mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

For information on Toyota models, call 800 1800.

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The Samsung Gear VR Powered by Oculus

Last month was a time of enlightenment, as we came across this incredibly cool device, which we didn’t even know was a thing, and discovered something else very interesting too…

Whilst browsing the electronics stores for a new Samsung Smartphone, we came across this gadget, and we were blown away. You may remember a while back we reviewed the Oculus Rift, and said that is was going to be the next big thing, bringing Virtual Reality to the masses?

Well, Oculus have taken things even further, teaming up with Samsung to bring you this: the Samsung Gear VR (powered by Oculus). It’s basically just a headset that your phone snaps into, and an app developed in collaboration between Samsung and Oculus plays a VR picture on the smartphone’s screen that can be viewed between the two eyeholes.

It’s not necessarily ground breaking – Google are doing it already with the Google Cardboard. However, the Gear VR is an exceptionally snazzy looking piece of kit, and the software we viewed on it was mind 86

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DID YOU KNOW? Many major electronics retailers will take in your old smartphone as a trade-in for a new one, giving you cash back to discount towards your new purchase. For example, a Samsung Galaxy S5 will knock off anything from 300 to 500 riyals from the price of your new phone, depending on make and model. The same goes for iPhones and some other major brands too.

It’s all in the spirit of sustainability, as the phones are sent back to the manufacturers for recycling.

blowing. Images flying out the dock of a huge spaceship in your fighter and having a dogfight amongst the stars, or walking about on the surface of Mars, complete with base and big rover. It’s really amazing stuff!

Downsides? Of course there are. As with anything new, the amount of compatible apps out there is limited, but will inevitably grow in time. Also, the headset is merely that, a headset, and there is no battery pack or power point. Add that to the fact that this extremely resource-heavy software will rinse your battery life, and you’re going to have to face the fact that gameplay will be frequently interspersed with charging sessions!

Having said all that, the price is pretty minimal for such fantastic technology, and it is a sure sign of great things to come. Playing a fully VR GTAVII app on an Oculus headset on your smartphone in the not too distant future, for example… ✤

App-licious Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

Travel with…

Gogobot A superb user-driven travel app that really brings you the best of a destination, Gogobot lists events, venues, restaurants, attractions and hotels for any location you select. Each listing is rated by users, with reviews to help you decide where to go and what to do. You can tailor content to your specific wants or tastes, and there are Tribes to join so that you can find like-minded people. A nice touch is the postcard filter feature, which helps you create postcards to send to friends and family from images you’ve taken on your travels.

The best part…

It’s free to download, and you have a choice between the international app, and city-specific versions such as the Gogobot Bangkok City Guide, or London City Guide, which leave out everything except for the information most relevant to your destination.

Get healthy with…

7-Minute Workout Challenge Arguably one of the most famous and successful fitness apps out there, the 7 Minute Workout Challenge lets you get the benefits of an hour’s worth of exercise in just seven minutes, using peer-reviewed scientific research to create a regimen of 12 high-intensity exercises with short breaks in-between. It can be done quickly in the mornings before you go to work, and it boosts your metabolism, resulting in greater weight-loss and health benefits. We’ve tried it, and its easyto-use and almost enjoyable! Almost… But if you don’t believe us, the majority of five-star reviews should convince you.

The best part…

After the initial purchase price of just over three bucks, there are NO additional charges – you get all the features and any new content for free. Plus, completing challenges unlocks new achievements and content, which really motivates you! fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#reserved #store #opening #at #villagio #mall

Azadea opened the second Reserved store at Villaggio Mall. In celebration of the occasion, the fashion label held a special event during which three well-known local bloggers – Kellie Silva of Fash Squad Qatar, Elisabete Reis of Glam Your Image and Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon of ILoveQatar. net – engaged and entertained the local community. The event also featured exciting giveaways, live entertainment such as L.E.D dance shows, complimentary treats and the first of its kind activation in Qatar - the Black Mosaic photo booth for shoppers and their families.

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Zara Spring Summer ‘16 fact magazine

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fashion focus

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For Her

The main trend for Spring Summer 2016 is a modern femininity in black and white inspired by the glamour of the 1920s. Silhouettes are sculpted among fluid fabrics while lace accents enhance floaty dresses in floral patterns with flounces, exposed shoulders and contrasting frills adding a more contemporary edge.

Boudoir elegance also returns with pyjama sets and slip dresses in black, white and powder pink silks and satins, with lace playing a key role in edging all of the sides. Natural textures such as linen and rustic handmade styles create the season’s new dress code and a more versatile look with more relaxed cuts in wrinkled jackets, trousers and shirts.

And that’s not to forget the bold colours of the light silhouettes and those of the tie-dye patterns combining crochet details. As the spring season unfolds, sequins and metallic fabrics for both day and night create deconstructed silhouettes by means of effortless key pieces in tones of anthracite, gold and navy blue.

For Him

Inspiration has been drawn from vintage resort style, clearly evidenced in the faded striped garments for summer and seersucker fabrics, harking back to the dandy style and soft tailoring. Military touches appear in the form of camouflage, faded washes, asymmetrical details and patches, while safari style and Mandarin collar shirts or pleated trousers serve as utilitarian basics for every day.

Nautical references found in striped patterns and micro-patterns are softened to create a nostalgic nod to the 1920s and 40s. A constant thread running through the collection is sportswear, lending the seasonal styles a practical and modern element, offering a brand of versatility uniting the professional with the informal.

This also encompasses pieces such as raincoats, soft shell jackets, padded technical fabrics or jogging or semijogging bottoms, creating hybrids between tailoring and the sportswear look. ✤ GO: Shop Zara’s SS16 Collection at Landamark and Villagio Malls.

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Fashion Focus

Shop the brand Here is our wishlist from ZARA’S SS16 collection for her

for him

This collection is AVAILABLE in the GCC AT ALL ZARA STORES, NOW.

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Villaggio Mall Tel. 44959060 • Landmark Mall Tel. 44565340 • Spinneys The Pearl - Medina Centrale Tel. 44959070 • Hamad International Airport Tel. 44150442 fact magazine 93 virginmena virginmegastore.qa virginmena virginmegastoreme

STYLE

90’s REVIVAL It was the decade of dungarees, different denims and sky-high platforms, and for those of you who grew up in the Spice Girls era, get ready for some 90’s nostalgia. Re-emerging this season are bomber jackets, bleached and royal blue denim, pinafores, dungarees and an all-round effortless look. Throw on bomber over a simple midi dress for a current feel, or don a crisp white tee under staple dungarees with classic trainers for an added active touch.

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01. Aldo 02. BERSHKA 03. Call it Spring 04. Debenhams 05. BHS 06. CHARLES & KEITH 07. topshop 08. origem 09. pull & bear 10. Miss Selfridge 94

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style

Tailored Downtime This season is all about blending the smart, sartorial and sporty, and the baggier you can go, the better. Pair a classic white tee or oversized sweater with tapered trousers or a flared fit, and finish the look off with trainers for that offbeat mix. Flannel work shirts, knee-length hoodies and t-shirts, and casual knits, all offer a thrifty, self-assured style. Also, take a detour from the typical blazer and opt for longer outerwear to keep things smart casual.

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

Philipp Plein SS16 Philipp Plein collaborates once again with industry icon Steven Klein on his Spring/Summer 2016 campaign.

With a focus on the futuristic and grungy elements of his mega production #PleinPunk fashion shows, Philipp Plein brings to life an abandoned, postapocalyptic laboratory, complete with robot arms, strip lighting and Sci-Fi heroines. The cast includes runway stars Hailey Baldwin, Ajak Deng and Pyper America Smith, joined by Lucky Blue Smith, who fronts the Philipp Plein campaign for a second season.

Spikes, studs, chains and barbed wire: Philipp Plein’s futurist-punk collection pieces are accentuated by Klein’s signature play on light, colour and atmosphere. The result is bold, edgy and heralds a new era for the luxury brand.

“The Philipp Plein Campaign this season is about the future as now, a new world of digital youth who transverse between one reality and another through attitude and apps,” says Steven Klein. It is about the youth of today not bathed in nostalgia, but enliven by the possibilities and risks of a brave new world.”

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BEAUTY MASHUP

L’ O ccitance

Néroli & Orchidée C oll e ction Revel in the femininity and elegance of women with L’Occitance En Provence’s latest collection; inspired by modern women, making it ideal for upcoming celebrations. An epitome of elegance, the collection’s ritual begins with a bath milk, followed by a body oil, and finishes with a delicate touch of lip gloss. The perfect treat to unwind, relax and enjoy the many wonders of being a woman. fact magazine

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We’ve got 99 holiday problems, but makeup ain’t one! FACT breaks down a new party-ready beauty checklist with fabulous products to try.

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Bourjois City Radiance Concealer Bourjois radiantly rises to the challenge for a fresh and luminous complexion in a polluted environment.

Kick-off spring on a party-note, go flawless and protected with the brand’s new City Radiance that blocks pollution and UV rays to protect your skin.

The ultimate formula; it’s light, hydrating, and gives a bare skin finish.

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Deborah Milano Gel Effect in Enamel Go bold, or go home!

The ultimate red hue and formula that offers a full and even colour with a dazzling glossy finish. The product provides perfect coverage and volumising gel-like surface without the use of UV light. Get a picture perfect manicure and high gloss result from the comfort of your home.

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NYX The Curve Liner in Jet Black Calling all cat-eye lovers!

With an innovative and ergonomic shape that applies liquid liner mistake-proof, its desing provides just the right hold to make the application an enjoyable ride. Excellent colour pay-off, quick dry, smudge proof, and no feathering – this should definitely be in your makeup bag.

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HI Impact Brows Eyebrow are they the “it” beauty trend but they also frame a woman’s face. This kit is a unique, all-in-one eye and brow palette that allows the user to personalise their perfect eyebrow colour at home. Great for dual use, it allows you to easily create various looks using only one product. Now, go get lockdown that brow game!

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Kiehl’s Cilantro and Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque This absolute hydrating formula protects the skin from environmental stressors to rejuvenate dulllooking skin. The natural masque replenishes and strengthens the skin with its Vitamin E and cilantro seed oil, and vital nutrients famed as antioxidants and nourishing ingredients.

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Too Faced Highlighting Powder Duo This sublime and unique shade of the popular Too Faced highlighter illuminates the complexion thanks to Photolite technology, which diffuses and refracts light.

Candlelight Glow leaves skin radiant in all lights.

The two powders can be blended for a customised shade, or used separately for targeted radiance.

grooming buzz

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SHISEDO Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate With time, your skin’s defensive system begins to break down; fear not, Shisedo has got your back!

Ultimune helps boost skin’s multi-defensive powers while helping to strengthen its resistance to day-to-day damage and visible signs of ageing. With continued use, skin is smoother and more resilient.

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C h e cklist

Fellas, it’s time to get your grooming game on point for Spring. Here’s our pick of the latest men’s products to get you set for the season.

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AESOP Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator This exceptional moisturiser delivers a generous serving of botanicals, vitamins and essential oils that help fortify the skin against the elements and leave it feeling soft, smooth and supple. Key anti-oxidant ingredients include Parsley Seed extract, White Tea, and Willowherb – which also helps soothe the skin.

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DAVIDOFF Horizon Balancing the duality between earth and sky, Horizon starts off with airy top notes of energising Grapefruit, Rosemary and Ginger that give a vibrant dimension of discovery.

In contrast, the middle and base bring strong Vetiver and Patchouli softly wrapped in rich Cocoa Absolut to inject texture, warmth and sensuality.

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LOCCITANE Citrus Verbena Shower Gel This isn’t a new product, but more an old favourite that we would recommend for the Spring season.

The shower gel gently cleanses skin while leaving it pleasantly scented with the sparkling notes of citrus fruits and verbena. Contains an extract of organic verbena from Provence, lemon essential oil, and a grapefruit extract from Italy.

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ELEMIS Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel Make shaving a success with this popular product from Elemis. Scientifically formulated, this high performance foaming gel smoothly moulds the face for a clean, close shave.

Cooling Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel and English Oak help to protect skin and soothe razor burns, whilst helping to soften the facial hair.

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LABEL.MEN Scalp Tonic Using the brand’s innovative elements of botanical ingredients, this product is suitable for use on sensitive scalps; French oak provides antioxidant protection against premature hair ageing, whilst sugar beet plant aids hair growth. Vitamin C adds luminous shine and moisturising vitamin B5 replenishes strands. fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Tiesto #World #Tour #at #Sheraton #D oha

One of the world’s hottest and most sought-after DJs came to Doha for a night of unforgettable partying. The event was hosted by Iconic in association with ILoveQatar.net and Sheraton Doha and saw superstar DJ Tiësto take to the decks. Unlike anything partygoers have ever experienced in Doha before, the event featured Tiësto’s trademark world tour production which never fails to deliver a high impact audio & visual spectacular experience including Special FX, Fireworks, Confetti Cannons, CO2, giant LED screens & lazer systems! Tiesto spun some of his biggest hits in electronic dance music.

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HOME STYLE

Lakeland: Elegance Range Adding a touch of elegance to afternoon tea and making a simple cuppa just a little more special, this range of dainty porcelain serveware will lend an air of sophistication to any occasion. Beautifully decorated with polka dots, each piece features a delicate butterfly outlined with a fine, gold-coloured scroll detail. Products can be gift-boxed.

A. 2 Mugs QR75 B. 4 Pastry Forks QR100 C. 4 Cake Plates QR150

D. Teapot QR150 E. Cake Slice QR70 F. 2-Tier Cake Stand QR170

G. Teacup & Saucer QR75 H. Serving Plate QR115

GO: Shop Lakeland’s new season products at Gulf Mall and Doha City Centre Mall. fact magazine

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‫ أنواع كابتشينو ُمثلج‬3 ‫كل نوع محضر بحرفيه حتى يبدو‬ .‫ مثل التالي له‬،‫بمذاق ال يقاوم‬

Three iced cappuccinos.

Each crafted to be as delicious as the next.

‫كايتشينو كالسيك ُمثلج‬

Iced Classic Cappuccino

‫كايتشينو بالكراميل ُمثلج‬ ‫كايتشينو بالبندق ُمثلج‬

Iced Hazelnut Cappuccino

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Iced Caramel Cappuccino

A Room Full of Elements Promising a vibrant menu, Elements Restaurant & Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Doha offers a spectacular dining destination to the city’s foodies. But what makes this upbeat spot stand out from the rest? FACT went to find out‌

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VENUE REVIEW

i

t comes as no surprise that a venue as diverse as Elements Restaurant & Lounge is currently slaying the culinary scene with its successful opening and awesome concept. After all, its home is the fivestar Four Seasons Hotel Doha, a hospitality giant that offers visitors nothing but the best. But, for us, what truly separates this contemporary dining newbie from the rest of the top-notch food spots available in Doha, is its array of authentic dishes.

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Elements has a modern mix of Arabic, Indian, Asian and Seafood dishes, available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a la carte style. For those who enjoy an after-office nibble and drinks, this urban space also features a chic bar, serving exclusive beverages and snacks. Since we’re all about the food, on our visit to Elements Restaurant & Lounge, we put the muchanticipated menu to the taste bud test.

We kicked our evening off on a light note with the Tom Kha Gai Soup (QR40) from the exquisite list of soups. It’s a tasty

“ D e ss e rt was e v e ry sw e e t l o v e rs dr e am , apt ly ca l l e d , C h o c o l at e , C h o c o l at e , C h o c o l at e . . . If such a th i ng as t o o much ch o c o l at e i s wr o ng , th e n w e s o d o n ’ t want t o b e r i ght ! ”

VENUE REVIEW

chicken soup with galangal, coconut, lemongrass, mushroom and chilli. Expect a flavourful punch with every spoonful – definitely a great warm-up dish. For those who prefer a heavier choice for an appetiser, try the delicious Kebbeh of lobster with confit lemon, radish, pistachio and tahina (QR65). It’s perfect for sharing!

As the venue starts to get busy, and diners flock in, we notice the diversity of its visitors – groups of friends, couples, families, people celebrating special occasions, business people unwinding after a stressful day, and, generally, it makes for a cheerful atmosphere.

Our evening progresses, and we go straight for the chef ’s special sashimi list, a Five Spice Tuna (QR110) with garlic ponzu and crispy miyoga. It’s absolutely mind-blowing! The freshness of the tuna engulfed in the Japanese ginger and other ingredients, is a complete palate-pleaser.

We also try the California Sushi Rolls (QR80) and they certainly live up to our expectations.

For the mains, we decided to go for both Indian and Thai cuisine, trying the Butter Chicken (QR70) and Pad Thai (QR75), respectively. The velvety tandoori chicken

and tomato concoction did not disappoint; it was mouthwateringly smooth and nicely paired with some warm naan bread. The Pad Thai consisted of perfectly-cooked rice noodles with shrimp and bean sprouts.

Hands-down, this was our favourite dish of the night. Combining different textures, tastes and leaving us happily full – we’ll definitely go for this on future visits.

We went to walk off the fabulous feast around the venue, only to find a lovey terrace area that we’ll surely vacate on the regular. Dessert was every sweet lovers dream, aptly called, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate (QR65). This extravagant dish is ice cream in a dark chocolate sphere with hot chocolate sauce and chocolate soil. It’s basically chocolate overload… and we love it! If such a thing as too much chocolate is wrong, then we so don’t want to be right!

Elements showed us that it definitely has what it takes to compete in the big leagues of Doha’s food scene – we’ll be back more than you know! ✤

GO: Visit Elements Restaurant & Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Call 4494 8600 for reservations and more information.

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Fresh, Flavourful & Fun: Market Surprises This month, FACT’s very own amateur chef visits Market by Jean-Georges at W Doha Hotel & Residences, for an afternoon of passionate cooking.

Though he claims it was difficult, Badir comes out smiling on the other side. Let’s see how he got on… fact magazine

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Cucina de badir

“The true delicacy of this dish was its truffle special sauce – a delicious combination that brought together this mouthwatering main, very nicely.”

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arket by Jean-Georges never disappoints. It’s top quality, yummy cuisine, served fresh and flavourful for diners to delve into. Being a huge foodie myself, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance to cook alongside another great chef in town; from Sri Lanka, Chef Chamila Balasuriya. Chef Chamila is driving this popular restaurant to the forefront of Doha’s culinary scene with his exceptional cooking talents, and I’m pleasantly surprised to meet a charismatic and fun man, with a personality that is perfect for chef de cuisine of a busy restaurant. Being the cheeky Venezuelan that I am, I asked the chef to hook me up with the venue’s most popular dishes, and so, we began…

We kicked off a great afternoon with a simple yet fresh dish, the exquisite Shrimp Salad Champagne Vinaigrette. We started with cooking the shrimps. Chef Chamila tells us that the trick to getting the perfectly cooked, succulent and flavour shrimps is in the most modest cooking methods. Here, we add the shrimps to some water and butter – leaving them to cook a little while.

We took a generous amount of lettuce and placed it on the plate, adding raw mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes and chives – all provide great colour and texture to the dish. Once our buttery shrimps were done, we placed them on the plate ready to try. Chef Chamila shares a fun fact: “We serve around 30 of these dishes a day. It’s really quite popular.” I tried the dish and, oh boy, was it good. A delicious salad that pulls together simple flavours 108 fact magazine

and textures, that work so incredibly well together. A definite palate pleaser! It’s also less than 300 calories per generous serving – winner!

Next up was the healthy Salmon, Truffle Vin, Brussels Sprouts. We started off with a 170g piece of salmon, sprinkling it with salt and pepper. Chef Chamila shares another great food hack on how to prep the salmon for a tastier bite; we put a spoonful of butter on a tray and placed the salmon on top. This went into the oven for around 10 minutes. We heated the pre-prepared mashed potatoes and started with shredding some Brussels sprouts. Once our salmon was ready, we began plating; first a layer of smooth, creamy mashed potato, followed by the juicy piece of salmon, and on top went the Brussels sprouts. The true delicacy of this dish was its truffle special sauce – a delicious combination that brought together this mouthwatering main, very nicely.

Cucina de badir

“From start to finish, this month’s cooking experience with Chef Chamila at Market

by Jean-Georges, was definitely one of the most enjoyable...”

Our last dish could be considered an easy recipe for anyone who wishes to spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table; Parmesan Crusted Chicken with lemon sauce. We took two slices of chicken and submerged them into a batter of crust, leaving them completely covered for a crunchy bite.

We later placed them into the frying pan, letting them cook to a tender finish, which is achieved when the batter starts to turn a beautiful golden colour. Whilst the chicken was cooking we prepared the side, which consisted of white asparagus and lemon sauce. Once everything is ready, and with Chef Chamila’s elegant touch, the dish is plated for our hungry tummies.

From start to finish, this month’s cooking experience with Chef Chamila at Market by Jean-Georges, was definitely one of the most enjoyable, and most successful, for me! The food was exceptional and I like that the ingredients remain honest and flavourful all the way to the plate! Hasta la próxima en la Cucina De Badir…✤ GO: Visit Market by Jean-Georges at W Doha Hotel & Residences. Call 4453 5135 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

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ON THE MENU

Love Lunch, Love Wagamama Japanese food lovers rejoiced when world-famous Wagamama opened its doors in Qatar – we were definitely amongst those people! FACT went to check out one of the eatery’s popular dining promotions to see how Wagamama does lunch…

I

nspired by Japanese noodle bars, wagamama restaurants are known for fast, fresh food that is full of authentic Asian ingredients. You can eat in – and enjoy the famously friendly service – or order your favourite wagamama dishes to take-out.

On this occasion, we were eating in. More specifically, we were excited to try the Love Lunch, Love Wagamama deal; QR59 for one side dish, one main and a drink – simples! There are five delicious sides to choose from, including: a raw salad, tori kara age, gyoza (chicken or yasai), duck gyoza or ebi gyoza. And for your main meal, there are six generous-sized dishes to pick from, including: chicken raisukaree, chicken firecracker, chicken teriyaki raisu, chicken ramen, and two veggie options, the yasai yaki soba and the yasai cha han. And yes, everything is as exotic and yummy as it sounds!

Two of us ordered the raw salad and

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chicken gyoza to start with. The first was made up of mixed leaves, red onions, mooli and carrots garnished with fried shallots and served with the wagamama house dressing. Everything on our plate is super fresh, light and really tasty. Though the dish isn’t made up of too many ingredients, the flavours are strong and delicious, as is the texture of the different components. It’s safe to say, if you like salads, this one will impress. The chicken gyoza is light and filling at the same time – another perfect side order to begin with.

For our mains, we tried the chicken firecracker which is tender marinated chicken breast in a coconut and lime curry sauce with mangetout, peppers, red and spring onions, served with steamed white rice and garnished with red chillies, lime and coriander. This was a feisty dish with flavours popping off at every bite. There was a tanginess from the lime mixed with the spicy zing of the peppers and chillies – it got better with every spoonful.

Then it was the turn of the yasai yaki soba, which consisted of teppanfried whole wheat nodles with egg, beansprouts, peppers, white and spring onions, mushrooms and garlic garnished with fried shallots, pickled ginger, sesame seeds and coriander vinegar. For a vegetarian dish, you certainly get a whole lot of flavour. This is a light, healthy choice that will leave your cravings for Japanese food nicely satisfied, whilst watching the calories too!

We opted for the ice lemonade to drink, which was as refreshing as could be! What is so great about the Love Lunch, Love Wagamama promotion is that you’ll get a good Japanese food-fix, with excellent portions for the price you pay, all with friendly service in an inviting venue.

The menu has enough but not too much to confuse you. All the ingredients are listed under each dish, making it easy for any picky eaters and those with allergies, to choose the right dish for them. What more could you ask for at lunch time? ✤ GO: Visit Wagamama at Ezdan Mall or Lagoona Mall. Lunch is served from 12noon to 3pm. Go to www.wagamama.com.qa for more information.

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doha delights

Perfectly Prime

Culinary Crossroads

The Cellar Surprises

Prime at InterContinental Doha The City has some fantastic foodie promotions for the month of April. Check out Roast Night starting from April 18, especially-created for the monthly Prime Club carvery experience. Let the chefs take you back to homecooking with good, quality meats during this spectacular feast. QR350 amuse bouche, appetiser, unlimited carving, dessert and coffee. On the second Monday of each month, in this case April 11, it’s Cheese and Vino night! Enjoy this all-you-can-eat cheese and house beverage experience, perfect for couples and groups. QR129 for all you can enjoy cheese from the largest cheese bar; or QR199 for all you can enjoy cheese and three glasses of vino. Both promotions are served from 6pm to 11pm.

Crossroads Kitchen at Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha is offering up some exquisite dining deals this month. Enjoy Sunday Crossroasts and relish in a perfect, traditional British roast with Yorkshire pudding to begin the work week.

The Traditional British Sunday Brunch Buffet includes Yorkshire pudding, steamed vegetables, and a fish and chips live cooking station. All of this for a cool QR210, served from 6.30pm to 11pm.

Every Tuesday, tuck into the 4-Corners at Crossroads, an evening which consists of cuisines form the four corners of the world, each corner represented by a live counter. There’s everything from sushi to European fare and Latin-American food to name but a few culinary options. Also priced at QR210 and served from 6.30pm to 11pm.

The Cellar at Oryx Rotana Doha continues to draw a crowd and April has plenty of awesome culinary treats to try. Try the New X’Press Lunch and Dinner, available daily. Enjoy a new three-course set menu including a large variety of starters, main dishes and desserts for only QR95 per person for lunch and QR150 per person for dinner.

Tapas Galore Selection is available every Saturday and Tuesday, with a selection of tantalising tapas and unlimited selected vinos for QR300 per person, or QR160 per person for food only. The TapBrunch takes place every Friday with its creative concept that mixes tapas and brunch.

QR175 (food only) per person; beverage package including unlimited sangria and selected vinos or house beverages is QR275 per person, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

GO: Call 4015 8888 for reservations and more information.

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GO: Call 4419 5000 for reservations and more information.

GO: Call 4402 3333 for reservations and more information.

doha delights

Radisson Eats

Italian Excellence

Seasonal Tastes

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha, has an array of amazing eat-out and chill-out options for the month ahead. Head down to Manic Monday at Qube and receive 30% off on beverages as the resident DJs and band entertain you from 7pm onwards, free entry for members only.

On April 25, let Quiz Master Andrew take you through his Pub Quiz challenge.

Bring along your team of six players and test your knowledge. Fantastic prizes for winners! Quiz takes place at Shehrazad with doors opening at 6pm and quiz starting at 8pm. Free entry for all. The popular Tapas, Wine & Paint event is back on April 26 at Picasso’s. Have a go creating your very own Picasso painting while indulging on tasty tapas. QR225 per person, inclusive of food and selected drinks. For all happenings you must be over 21 and present your Qatar ID.

When you’re craving the tastes of Italy, get down to La Veranda Restaurant at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.

At business lunch, get your starters from the market-style antipasti buffet, then select your main course and classic Italian dessert à la carte! QR95 per person, inclusive of water or soft drink plus coffee or tea. Served from 12noon to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday. Every Friday and Saturday, revel in the Weekend Brunch all’Italiana with barbecue and pasta à la minute live stations, fresh seafood and salad-bars, house-made sandwiches, antipasti and cold cuts buffets, a generous variety of imported Italian and French premium quality cheeses, and a rich selection of artisanal pastries and desserts.

Top up your culinary experience with the free-flow special beverage packages.

Brunch starts from QR220 per person, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

The new hospitality hotspot in town, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, has a fabulous international restaurant called Seasonal Tastes that you just have to try. Serving global cuisine including Arabic specialities throughout the day, Seasonal Tastes features live cooking stations in the buffet line-up, and an a la carte menu that is available 24 hours a day. From Sunday to Thursday, tuck into the Market Fresh Lunch, for QR99 per person including soft drinks. The Feel Good Friday Feast is QR199 with soft beverages and QR299 with selected vino and ales. Both dining deals are served from 12noon to 3pm.

GO: Call 4428 1428 for reservations and more information.

GO: Call 4492 1555 for reservations and more information.

GO: Call 4485 3000 for reservations and more information.

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Thorsten Sbrzesny

Executive Chef at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

Doha Insider beverage programmes makes dining What makes dining at Sheraton Grand Doha RESORT & at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel unique to our guests.

CONVENTION HOTEL stand out?

The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, a new premier tier of hotels recognised for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs, and excellence in service and guest experiences.

The hotel is home to ten restaurants, bars and lounges, including the popular Latino Steakhouse, La Veranda, Al Maskar Seafood Restaurant, Al Shaheen Lebanese Restaurant, and the city’s most-visited Irish pub, Irish Harp.

Our continuous efforts and commitment to drive inspired menu concepts, service excellence and unparalleled food and 114 fact magazine

What are some of your favorite ingredients TO COK WITH and why?

My favorite ingredients focus on what I love cooking the most – prime foods such as fish and shellfish.

Flavour enhancers like Mediterranean garlic and micro herbs such as thyme, rosemary and chives are one of my favorite ingredients to use.

I like to combine ingredients in a way that brings out their freshness and flavour, which results in dishes that are

layered with clean flavours, softly marrying to provide a wonderful taste experience.

Tell us some of the goals you hope to achieve with Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel by the end of the year...

We will continue to evolve our distinguished culinary concepts and this will be achieved by new ways of thinking through service, culinary trends and local insight.

With that being said, we have great faith in our associates who are empowered to improve and reach new culinary heights because we value our guests.

Jazzy Friday Brunch

Let’s do brunch...

If you enjoy superb international cuisine blended with our fabulous South African band, then Doha will delight you with Choices Restaurant. This welcoming venue offers an abundant buffet including fresh lobsters, prime roast rib and succulent steaks. Our creative chefs have Doha’s discerning diners applauding the high-end culinary experience. With seating indoors or outdoors on the terrace, Friday Brunch at Choices is an option for the whole family, with the special kids area and face painting entertainment for the little ones.

Jazzy Brunch is every Friday from 12:30 PM till 4:00 PM, hurry up!

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