Travel Arabia October 2012

8, Issue 92, October 2012

International Media Production Zone

Volume

Eid Al Adha holidays 27 Mystic Mauritius. Enchanting Tokyo Irish castles. Spanish Bell Époque. Kenyan safari

Melting Pot

Arabian Experience

Taste Travel

Where to go tonight

‘Resurrection machines’

A beginner’s guide

Dining options

Egypt’s pyramids

Indian Food 101

our FACEBOOK: Salma Khan talks about her dream destinations KSA sr 15 UAE aed 15 OMAN ro 1.5 BHRbd1.5QATARqr15KUWAITkd1.5

Morocco, a place of fun for the entire family.

MOSAIK

Welcome to Morocco, the land of contrasts. Vibrant and enchanting, where shadows meld with sunlight, and sky and sea kiss at the horizon. A land that for centuries has been romanticized by storytellers in their books.

Weaving tales about its natural beauty, the warm hearts of its people and the elegance of its architecture.

Not to mention its lazy beaches crawling on the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, its snow-covered peaks, water springs and thick forests, as well as the stunning beauty of its old cities. Come, discover Morocco today.

101, Green Tower, Baniyas Street • PO Box : 64 109, Deira, Dubai • Emirates Arabes Unis • Tel : 042292394

travel for real

www.visitmorocco.com

* ‘Man fears time. Time fears the pyramids.’ –Arabian proverb P.34

www.travel-arabia.com Publisher KGI Address Travel Arabia Head Office Office G4, Building No.1 Phase One, P.O.Box 502408 Dubai Media City, UAE Tel +971 4 391 0410/1/2/3 Fax +971 4 391 6619 CEO Hekmat el Zein General Manager Shaza Sharaffdeen Editor Jojo Dass dass@kalimatgroup.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Contributors Elaine Nettleton Caroline Tapken Ritu Raizada Habeeb Salloum Ayesha Attique Monica Kapila Neerja Singh Photographer Maher Youssef

Quite an interesting edition we have this month.

Creative Manager Karen Haroon

We begin with a feature on Egypt’s pyramids—“resurrection machines” as some archaeologists and Egyptologists refer to them. There have been interesting finds indicating that Giza is a mere scrape off the top as 17 more pyramids and over 1,000 tombs have been detected through satellites equipped with cameras “so powerful they can pin-point objects less than a meter in diameter on the earth’s surface.” Indeed, the tourism world is holding its breath as scholars get goose bumps over these discoveries.

Designer Najeeb Hamza

Adelaide Down Under is this month’s Outside Arabia. A place originally conceptualised as a walker-friendly, square-mile grid with streets crisscrossing the centre and parks surrounding it, Adelaide has amazingly remained true to the original vision.

Sales & Marketing Executive Crisna De Guzman crisna@kalimatgroup.com

A Taste Travel special for this month is a piece by Incredible India’s Mr. Vikas Rustagi, regional director for West Asia and Africa, who took time off to contribute a somewhat basic course in quick details about everything you might want to know about Indian cuisine. Incredible India is the subcontinent’s tourism authority.

And because your holiday is not a mere fastfood lunch, this edition’s Travel Treats has some 25 choices for you to spend time with your hair down.

All said, read on.

Sales & Marketing Manager Syed Muhammad Arif arif@kalimatgroup.com

Circulation Manager Ihab Abdallah Distributor Jashanmal National Co. LLC Travel Arabia Lebanon Office Riad el solh 11072070 P.O.Box 11-1197, Beirut, Lebanon Tel +961 3 435 780 Fax +961 7 762 104

Jojo Dass Editor

Travel Arabia disclaimer All text and layout remains the copyright of KGI unless stated otherwise. Travel Arabia is fully independent, and its views are not those of any company mentioned herein.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

“Like” us at “Travel Arabia Magazine” Facebook Fan Page

All rights reserved. © 2012 KGI

“Follow” us at “TravelArabiaMagazine” Twitter Page Travel Arabia

3

CONTENT October 2012

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Our take on current events, and more.

WE HEAR YOU This month, readers take a break, relax and speak out

TRAVEL TREATS Check out our top picks

AROUND TOWN Gigs, parties and all

MELTING POT A cornucopia of the

ON THE COVER

03 34 07

Volume

ARABIAN EXPERIENCE Egypt’s pyramids ‘Resurrection machines’

27 EID Al ADhA holIDAyS Mystic Mauritius. Enchanting Tokyo Irish castles. Spanish Bell Époque. Kenyan safari

Melting Pot

Arabian Experience

Taste Travel

Where to go tonight

‘Resurrection machines’

A beginner’s guide

Dining options

40 11 42

60

Egypt’s pyramids

Indian Food 101

Living Arabia The legendary swords of Damascus Relics of a glorious past

12 outside arabia The Adelaide Walk

31 48

8, Issue 92, October 2012

International Media Production Zone

EDITOR’S NOTE

51

our FACEBooK: Salma Khan talks about her dream destinations KSA sr 15 UAE aed 15 OMAN ro 1.5 BHRbd1.5QATARqr15KUWAITkd1.5

27 Eid Al Adha holidays Where to celebrate the Feast of the Sacrifice.

(Photo courtesy of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah)

Taste Travels Indian food 101 A beginner’s guide to a world of spices

30

good times ahead review

OUR FACEBOOK Salma Khan and her

56 74

An elegant retreat spelled…

Tilal Liwa Hotel

dream destinations

Travel Arabia

5

ExpEriEncE nEw luxury A truly spectacular oasis in the heart of the capital yet sheltered from the bustling city, Al Raha Beach Hotel now offers 144 additional reasons to visit! Nestled among blonde sands overlooking the turquoise Gulf, explore our brand new extended bouquet of rooms and suites with uninterrupted views of the shimmering water or sun drenched courtyard.

Book now at Al Raha Beach Hotel and get an exclusive 30% discount* on our best available rate that comes with a delectable breakfast buffet, VIP treatment and free WiFi. Call on +971 2 508 0555 or 800 ALRAHA for reservations *Terms & conditions apply

Managed by Danat Hotels & Resorts, a Division of National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels PO Box 38616, Abu Dhabi, UAE T. +971 2 508 0555 | F. +971 2 508 0444 | E. info.alraha@danathotels.com | www.danathotels.com

THIS MONTH, READERS TAKE A BREAK, RELAX AND SPEAK OUT

Vualá!

Hanoi Happening

By Monica Kapila

The city has 10 international schools, many international banks and management consultancies, huge Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores, a range of historic French buildings, a buzzy young designers scene and some gorgeous lakes and pagodas.

H

anoi is a very hep and happening place, it has 10 international schools, many international banks and management consultancies, huge Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores, a range of historic French buildings, a buzzy young designers scene and some gorgeous lakes and pagodas.

Did I mention great food ? But for our family, the experience of staying at the Sofitel Metropole Legend hotel is what will stand out for a long time.

Steeped in history the Metropole Legend hotel was first opened by two Frenchmen in 1901 and remained in French hands till 1954 when the government took over the hotel. In fact the hotel is still owned by the Vietnamese government but is run and managed by the Sofitel/Accor group. Split into the older, historical wing and the more contemporary Opera wing,

the overall feel is one of a “characterful” place to rest your weary heads. From the serious wooden staircases (think Downton Abbey) to the beautiful and abundant floral arrangements (mainly obscenely large white lilies flown in from Dalat) every detail in this hotel has a story.

The famous Bamboo Bar has just been reopened, they have a very French Epicerie and patisserie where well heeled Vietnamese come to do their grocery shopping. They have even uncovered an underground bunker at the hotel, go on a historical tour to find out the details.

With products from France and Thailand, the hotel has some of the most romantic 1930sstyle spa treatment rooms I have ever seen.

Breakfast is served in the most amazing room with high ceilings around an impossibly long French style wooden table where a basket of perfectly baked croissants and pastries appear

Dear editor, I’ve heard about it over again for sometime and thought the name sounds different; even wondered if it was the same Thai word for “happy.”

Then I came across your magazine (September 2012 edition) in one of the bookstores in Dubai during a recent brief stay and, vualá! Turning the pages, there came in front of me one about souks; and I read on to learn more about the evolution—as your article described it—of what is now the typical Arabian marketplace.

I had one more day’s stay so I embarked for Bur Dubai, yes the Old Dubai, the “Souk Capital of the UAE,” and there spent hours just walking around, testing my “haggling skills,” as your article put it, too.

Emerita Palmero Valencia, Spain

as soon as you sit down. No Edith Piaff in the background but Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Graham Greene and even Charlie Chaplin have all stayed here. Tempting though it might be to just never leave the hotel, do go out and visit Hanoi.

And if you need advice on visas for Vietnam, transfers, and great places to eat in Hanoi, then log on to www.doindubai.com and drop me a comment in the box below the Hanoi post and I’ll answer you.

Emirates now flies direct to Ho Chi Minh city every day at 9:30 am, you then need to take an internal flight to Hanoi. Emirates Holidays can organize your whole trip including booking your internal flights and transfers.

Useful websites: www.doindubai.com www. sofitel-legend.com and H1555-MK@sofitel.com for any other questions about the hotel. www. emiratesholidays.com 62 Travel Arabia

Dear Ms. Palmero It all started one weekend. Somebody put his stuff on the ground and

started selling. Soon another one joined him, and another, and another and… yes, the rest, as they say, is history—of the souk, i.e.

Editor

Ur or bust

Dear editor, I read an article in your most recent edition discussing Ur in Iraq. I just hope that with recovery underway, everyone can get their act together and bring to fore this vital piece of the puzzle in the continuing effort to learn more about the past.

Denise Collins Derby England Dear Ms. Collins It’s a big boost to tourism as well if the entire buried city is unearthed.

Editor

Lost city

Dear editor, So much has been said about a lost city somewhere in the Golden Triangle.

Thanks for bringing up the issue in your recent edition (“Explore a Lost City” Outside Arabia section. September 2012). One concern though that needs immediate action is vandalism and

looting. I just hope something is done to address this.

Arthit Nelson Bangkok, Thailand Dear Mr. Nelson, From a tourism perspective as well, yes, this should be resolved.

Editor

Hanoi

Dear editor, It’s a relief to note that Hanoi is becoming one of Asia’s great cities with its huge brand name stores and hotels as featured in your magazine’s August 2012 edition.

My family and I have actually arranged for a visit to the place and are looking forward to meeting old friends. I’m excited because it will be a different Hanoi this time.

Antoine Bret Honolulu, Hawai’i Dear Mr. Antione.

Have fun.

Editor

Travel Arabia

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LET’S DO IT THIS FALL A selection of events in the region

custom-designed bikes and motorcycle-related products as well as major international lifestyle brands from Europe, the USA and Asia.

Inquiries: http://www.gulfbikeweek.com/index. htm

Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Multi-award winning actor, Richard Gere, leads a star-studded line up for this year’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival, running October 11-20.

ADFF was established in 2007 with the aim of helping to create a vibrant film culture throughout the region.

Opening of the Al Marmoum Camel Racing Season 2012

Oct. 16 – 17, 2012 6am – 8:30pm Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack, Dubai Al Ain Road Free admission The 2012 season will start with the Al Marmoum preliminary races for the “Al Liqaya” and “Al Yida’a categories.

Inquiries: +971 55 676 0006

Eid al Adha 2012

Oct. 26 – 29, 2012 Eid Al Adha marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and is celebrated across the Muslim world. It is also called the Feast of the Sacrifice observed to celebrate Abraham’s obedience to God.

Erfoud Date Festival

Month-long in October Erfoud, Morocco More than a million date palms are grown in the Erfoud region and after harvest, the party really starts. Local tribesmen come together for a 3 day festival. There’s also a dromedary (single-humped camel) race, which shouldn’t be missed.

Saturday: noon to 5pm Iranian artist Pantea Rahmani unveils a solo show featuring works from her previous selfportrait series, alongside pieces from her new series of Tehran landscapes. Pantea Rahmani’s approach to the careful detailing of her own physical body is transferred to mapping the geographical landscape of Tehran.

Inquiries: +971 55 289 7825

Oct. 9 – 12, 2012 Oman International Exhibition Centre A unique and inspiring show.

GITEX Technology 2012 Jewellery Arabia 2012 Oct.14 – 18, 2012 Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre The GITEX exhibition is one of the largest trade events on Dubai’s calendar. The event is a gateway for global brands to access the Middle East, the fastest emerging and investment ready ICT market

“The Seismic Bike Week Sanctuary” Exhibition by Gulf Oct. 18 – 20, 2012 Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City Pantea Rahmani Ongoing until Nov. 28, 2012 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1 Opening Hours Sunday - Thursday: 11am to 6pm

Muscat International Jewellery Exhibition 2012

Gulf Bike Week is the Middle East’s only dedicated bike festival that showcases the very latest in sport bikes, cruisers, off road and all/ urban-terrain vehicles, apparel, accessories,

Oct,. 16 – 20, 2012 Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre The largest and most prestigious jewellery exhibition in the Middle East, showcasing world famous names and artisan designs from across the globe.

Manama, Bahrain Inquiries: +973 17 550033

Macufe Festival 2012

Bloemfontein, South Africa Oct. 5 – 14, 2012 (annual) The incredibly popular Mangaung African Cultural Festival showcases the cream of African and international talent.

Travel Arabia

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*L’Île Maurice est Magnifique

Mauritius is Magnifique*

Sofitel So Mauritius Entre nature luxuriante et eau paradisiaque, Sofitel crée une oasis design où les créations uniques de Kenzo TAKADA rencontrent les lignes épurées de l’architecture signée Lek BunnAg. Toutes les suites et villas se fondent au cœur d’une nature flamboyante et offrent intimité et confort ultime. Le So SPA propose une gamme de soins signatures, promesse d’une expérience bien-être authentique et revitalisante.

Pour de plus amples informations, rendez-vous sur www.sofitel.com ou renseignez-vous auprès de de nos agences de voyages partenaires.

TRAVEL TREATS CHECK OUT OUR TOP PICKS

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

27 Eid Al Adha celebrations A listing of the best destinations because your holiday is not a fastfood lunch.

1

Escape to the Virgin Islands

Since Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, the first Caribbean resort to join Autograph Collection, opened in July 2010, the travel scene has been buzzing about the resort’s lavish hillside villas designed for the ultimate private island escape. Now guests can get a first-hand look inside all seven of the opulent Hillside Villas by visiting Scrub Island Resort’s website – www. scrubisland.com – and watching slideshows that include beautiful images showcasing the amenities, furnishings and breathtaking views of each villa.

Among the most lavish accommodations in the British Virgin Islands, the luxurious villas are discreetly nestled within the contours of Scrub Island, blending beautifully with the island’s natural topography. Ranging from two to four bedrooms and offering 3,000 to 6,000 square

feet of space, the villas offer guests expansive views of the Caribbean Sea’s turquoise waters and the surrounding islands.

With services such as daily housekeeping, transportation on demand, and personal chefs and butlers, the Hillside Villas appeal to a variety of discerning travelers, from extended families traveling for the holidays to couples seeking an intimate honeymoon locale. Scrub’s Hillside Villas offer the ideal retreat providing a peaceful setting while still allowing guests to enjoy all of the many comforts and amenities the resort has to offer.

For vacation escapes, Hillside Villa rates begin at $2,550 per night, with villas accommodating up to 10 guests.

Inquiries and reservations: Call toll free U.S. (888) 678-8912 or visit www.scrubisland.com.

Scrub Island Resort Villas Villa Mila

The luxurious villas are discreetly nestled within the contours of the island.

Travel Arabia 11

TRAVEL TREATS

Personalized at One&Only Resorts 2

One&Only, the exclusive collection of luxury resorts, has introduced a new variety of amenities for Arab guests at each of the seven resorts across the world, including One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas, One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa and One&Only The Palm in Dubai. A further One&Only is under development in China.

Each One&Only resort welcomes guests of all ages and nationalities with a unique and personalised service, making each moment at One&Only unforgettable. Bespoke services are available to ensure the needs of all guests are met. For the Arab traveller, One&Only resorts have implemented Arabic television channels, newspapers and magazines, Quibla Signs, Prayer mats, Qur’ans, Arabic speaking staff to Arabic Chefs and halal certified food, as well as Middle Eastern cuisine. The aim is to make each stay more comfortable and to bring a slice of home.

Inquiries and reservations: visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central

Unique and

personalised service for an unforgettable stay

Royal Mirage Dubai Resort

12 Travel Arabia

World’s largest hotel opens in Macau 3

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has marked a new milestone with the recent opening of Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central – the largest hotel to open worldwide in 2012.

At nearly 4,000 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Starwood’s global portfolio and the biggest hotel to open in Macau. Consisting of two sleek towers overlooking the dazzling Cotai Strip, the hotel is home to the world’s largest Sheraton Club Lounge, a main ballroom the size of more than 11 basketball courts, more than 160,000 square feet of meeting space, three signature restaurants, and three outdoor pools with poolside cafes.

The new Sheraton in Macau will add even more excitement to the rapidly developing Cotai Strip – world’s latest gathering place with rich cultural identity, vast entertainment options and the world’s hottest gaming market, generating four times the revenue of Las Vegas.

Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is part of Sands Cotai Central, Macau’s newest, fully integrated resort and a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination on the Cotai Strip.

An enormous amount of planning and preparation was required to create the world’s largest Sheraton. To light its 3,896

guest rooms, the Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central has purchased and installed 90,796 light bulbs – more than 4.5 times the total number of light bulbs to light the Eiffel Tower. Staff will fold and place 35,217 plush towels in the guest bathrooms, fluff 15,652 pillows, and fold 9,372 bed sheets with perfect hospital corners. The hotel will equip its nearly 4,000 guest rooms with 6,256 Sweet Sleeper beds.

Inquiries and reservations: www. starwoodhotels.com

At nearly 4,000 rooms, Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is the largest hotel in Starwood’s global portfolio.

TRAVEL TREATS

Seychelles seclusion 5

A stay in the hotel for seven nights with the price of five.

Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort

4

Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with long-standing Seychelles business partner, Allamanda Hotel Developments Ltd, for a new resort property on the island of Mahe, Seychelles. This new signing represents the first DoubleTree by Hilton in the Indian Ocean region and Hilton Worldwide’s third Seychelles hotel.

The property, formerly known as Allamanda Beach Resort & Spa, will undergo a major re-branding and refurbishment programme and will re-open as DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa in December 2012.

From its prime beach-facing location on the South East coast of Mahe, Seychelles largest and best known island, the exclusive 30-room property enjoys spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. The hotel’s picturesque setting also boasts 2.5

Enjoy an Eid Al Adha treat at

Mazagan resort Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco has launched a range of special and attractive discount offers with good prices for GCC families on Eid Al-Adha. The offers include a stay in the hotel for seven nights with the price of five nights.

During the stay, the guests can enjoy a big range of entertainment activities, suitable for all ages and includes horse riding, diving and water skiing, adding to an exciting range of musical shows and programs.

Mazagan has a unique location with an area of 250-hectare. It stretches seven kilometers on the Alihuzah beach that overlooks on the Atlantic Ocean. The resort is located 90kms south of Casablanca, and has 500 rooms including a set of highly equipped royal suites.

The resort allocated a set of recreational equipped areas for children such as the Baby Club, from those three months to four years old, and the Kids Club for kids aged five years to 12 years.

The resort includes a number of beautiful gardens, Golf playgrounds, swimming pools, a number of restaurants and a bar that offers dishes for every taste and gives choices for Mazagan visitors to choose between discovering the Moroccan cooking art or tasting dishes from various menus of international cooking 14 Travel Arabia

Inquiries and reservations: Visit www. mazaganbeachresort.com

Mazagan stretches seven kilometers on the Alihuzah beach that overlooks on the Atlantic Ocean.

hectares of scenic landscaped gardens and a signature spa perched on a large granite boulder surrounded by tropical foliage. Amenities include a restaurant and an all-day bar serving snacks as well as a stunning infinity swimming pool.

Located seven degrees south of the equator, the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles enjoy stable weather conditions with little seasonality change making them a prime year-round leisure destination.

During a long and colourful history, the Seychelles Islands changed hands many times leading to a diverse cultural melting pot which resonates today in the variety of languages spoken as well as the wide range of cuisine styles on offer.

onetoone, Ain Al Faida

The newest destination for travelers has opened its doors for phase one, located in the heart of Al Ain, One to One Hotel & Resort, Ain Al Faida welcomes you for an unforgettable experience.

A quiet resort, lusciously designed and nestled among the Jebel Hafeet Mountains.

Feel at home in this ideal combination with personalized attention for travelers to enjoy a relaxing stay.

Daily buffet followed by a savoring shisha while enjoying an evening of live entertainment.

For reservations or more information, please contact us at +971 3 7014444

TRAVEL TREATS Gran Meliá Colón is only a five-minute walk from the city’s main monuments and shopping areas.

In these surroundings, the hotel stands out for its elegant architecture with its influences from the Bell Époque era.

Most of the hotel’s 189 rooms are outward looking with lovely views of the city centre: Calle Canalejas, the Iglesia de la Magdalena and Calle Cruz del Calvario, among them.

Room rates for a DELUXE room for a double occupancy start from 260€ including taxes and breakfast buffet.

Inquiries and reservations: www.gran-melia. com

24-carat rose gold iPad by Burj Al Arab 8

Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, has launched the Pinking Burj Al Arab campaign in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The highlight of the Pinking Burj Al Arab campaign is the exclusive one-of-a-kind 24-carat rose gold iPad created especially for the cause, with an engraved pink ribbon and the hotel’s logo, available only at Burj Al Arab.

The pink iPad will be reserved in Burj Al Arab’s boutique for the person who will nominate the best price for the item on the hotel’s Facebook page, with all proceeds going towards Breast Cancer initiatives.

The Pinking Burj Al Arab campaign started with the lighting of Burj Al Arab’s sail in pink on Oct. 4, 2012 and will last throughout October. Inquiries and reservations: Email: baainfo@jumeirah. com or call +971 4 301 7777

All that Doha jazz 6

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) will proudly unveil Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha at The St. Regis Doha on Oct. 4, 2012 with opening performances by the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, featuring members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

The debut of Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha marks the first in a series of jazz clubs that St. Regis and JALC aim to create together as part of a unique global partnership announced last year. The opening of Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha coincided with the opening of The St. Regis Doha earlier this year, further solidifying Qatar as an emerging center of culture, commerce and leisure in the Middle East.

16 Travel Arabia

Sicilian golf holiday 9

The Wynton Marsalis Quintet will be the first of many renowned artists scheduled to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha.

Inquiries and reservations: www. jazzatlincolncenterdoha.com and stregis.com/ doha.

7

Bell Époque Gran Meliá Colón The Gran Meliá Colón Hotel, in the historic heart of Seville, Spain, has become a member of the prestigious organisation The Leading Hotels of the World, which represents the best and most exclusive hotels, resorts and spas in the world. This makes it the only luxury hotel in Seville to belong to this exclusive club.

Located in the heart of the Andalusian capital, the

Rocco Forte’s Verdura Golf & Spa Resort has launched “Endless Privileges,” a new all-inclusive stay-and-play programme offering golfers a host of benefits including daily green fees, complimentary lunch and dinner, and a selection of golf accessories to take home.

As part of this programme golfers will have unlimited access to four different and challenging courses designed around the natural contours of the Sicilian landscape and coast, as well as enjoying world-class facilities. To complement the resort’s two 18-hole Championship courses and 9-hole course, players can tee-off in the footsteps of the world’s best golfers on Verdura’s newest course. Inquiries and reservations: Visit www. roccofortehotels.com or call + 39 0925 998 180

From Europe to the Far East Enjoy and Discover with Al Rais Holidays

Europe Package

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Destinations all for 04 Nights/05 Days

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Bangkok Bali Hong Kong Kuala Lumpur Manila Seoul Singapore Shanghai Tokyo

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Boracay Wat Phra Kaew

Europe & Far East Package All destinations includes the following: Accommodation 4* Hotel on sharing basis Airfare (Emirates Airline) Daily Breakfast All applicable taxes Return airport transfers (except Tokyo not included)

Booking Terms and Conditions Apply

BUR DUBAI: 04 - 355 7700, JUMEIRAH: 04 - 394 0100 | www.alrais.com

TRAVEL TREATS

Table Mountain

Table Mountain Capetown Hilton holiday 10

South Africa Western Cape

DT by HCape Town Upper Eastside

Accommodation includes executive rooms and suites and a number of two-storey duplex loft rooms with stunning views of some of the city’s best known landmarks.

18 Travel Arabia

A 183-room hotel, currently known as Upper Eastside, will re-brand over the coming months and is expected to open as DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside by end of 2012.

The property is ideally located in the redeveloped, bustling district of Woodstock in the North of the city.

The newly branded hotel will boast a range of amenities including a business centre, fitness centre, eight meeting rooms and a 300-capacity function room. The property will also feature a bar, a restaurant and a coffee shop. Accommodation includes executive rooms and suites as well as a number of two-storey duplex loft rooms located on the top floor offering stunning views of some of the city’s best known landmarks.

Located in the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travellers to the continent. Known as the “Mother City,” Cape Town is a celebrated wine-making region and boasts world famous landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point.

The hotel will be Hilton Worldwide’s fifth property in South Africa and its second in the “Mother City” of Cape Town.

Inquiries and reservations: www.hilton.com

Dusit Thani Guam beachside fun 11

Dusit Thani Guam is scheduled for a soft opening in late 2013.

The hotel, located 417-room in the island’s prime beachside resort commercial and with 30 floors tourist precinct, is a 417-room beachside resort with 30 floors and is set to offer world-class facilities, including Guam’s largest conference center and a unique array of restaurants and bars.

Dusit International also brings with it a widely acclaimed hospitality education expertise, an additional dimension warmly welcomed and seen as being a major contribution to the island’s continuing efforts to develop its hospitality sector and a key component in the owner’s choice of Dusit International.

Holiday Inn Dead Sea turns 3 12

It’s more of the good times at Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea.which has turned three years old. The resort is popular among Jordanian residents and tourists who come to the Dead Sea to enjoy the beautiful weather, the sandy beaches, and the comprehensive unmatched services provided by Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea. Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea offers a place where you can relax and rejuvenate in the year round UV-filtered sunshine, low humidity, oxygenated air, and of course the Dead Sea itself, with its healing mineral-rich waters. The resort offers 202 guest rooms and family suites, as well as 5 dining outlets to choose from. As for the leisure facilities, there is a fully equipped modern fitness center with steam bath and sauna, as well as an extensive list of beach hut massages by experts, and fascinating pool facilities. Fully equipped conference and banqueting facilities are also available.

Inquiries and reservations: Visit www.ihg.com

Chedi Muscat al fresco 13

With the summer season finally drawing to a close, al fresco entertaining and dining is back on the menu again with the re-opening of all of The Chedi Muscat’s outdoor venues.

These are The Beach Restaurant which has an unrivalled beachfront location, a superb selection of seafood and a unique ambiance is bound to please all senses; the Long Pool Cabana, which has quickly became Oman’s most stylish venue to see and be seen with to exotic dishes inspired by Malaysian and Japanese cuisine; The Restaurant, popular for its Friday Brunch; and The Courtyard at The Restaurant, which has flavors from around the world Inquiries and reservations: +968 24 52 43 43 or Email: fnbsecreatary@chedimuscat.com

Luttrellstown

A lord’s life in Ireland’s castles 14

Exclusive to the Middle East market, two spectacular historic properties in Ireland, Luttrellstown Castle and Ballyfin Castle, are offering Middle East visitors a truly once-ina-lifetime opportunity to live like a lord with ultra-lavish holiday packages, priced from AED53,000 (11,200 euros) per person for five nights.

Luttrellstown Castle, which has hosted the great and the good, from Queen Victoria to the wedding of Victoria Adams and David Beckham in 1999, will cater to the guest’s every whim. The package includes exclusive use of the magnificent 550 year old property, full use of a personal butler and household staff at the 560 acre walled estate located just 20 minutes from central Dublin.

An itinerary of indulgent and exciting activities befitting the most regal of guests awaits, including a ride on a vintage coach to Dublin to explore the Georgian quarter and nearby Mahaffy House, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing and croquet in the castle grounds, as well as a period costume gala banquet dinner for up to 12 staying guests.

Ballyfin Castle, nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, is the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland, filled with Irish art and priceless antiques from around the world. For a limited time only, the 15 bedroom property which can accommodate up to 29 guests is available for exclusive

An itinerary of indulgent and exciting activities awaits

private bookings from the Middle East.

Seven nights at Ballyfin for up to 29 guests including all meals and activities costs AED625,000 (132,000 deuros) through Custom Ireland International.

Inquiries and reservations: Visit www. jorireland.com, or call +353 1 812 0200.

For Ballyfin bookings and enquiries contact Custom Ireland International, www.customirelandinternational.com, or call +353 1 675 2248.

Travel Arabia 19

TRAVEL TREATS

Welcome treat for Hajj pilgrims at Mövenpick Makkah 16

Exterior of Shangi-La Hote, Tokyo with Tokyo Station

‘Enchanting Excursions’ with Shangri-La Tokyo 15

Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo has announced a range of “Enchanting Excursions” for guests wishing to explore Japan. The hotel’s unique position above Tokyo Station puts it right at the heart of the city at a time when the 100-year-old home of the bullet train reopens as part of the mammoth Tokyo Station City renewal project. Enchanting Excursions offers a high-end experience of Japanese local tradition with a smooth door-to-door transfer to prime scenic sports for vacationers or busy business travellers.

The Express Explorations one-day trips and “Overnight Opulence” stay options offer exclusive opportunities to explore or stay in Gion in the heart of Kyoto, eat dinner with entertainment provided by geisha, bathe in the hot springs resort area of Hakone, or relax in the onsen of the Izu Peninsula, with more to be announced soon. Via the hotel’s Meet and Greet service to the bullet trains at Tokyo Station, and upon arrival at the destinations, business and tourist guests can experience the best of Japan with ease.

Tokyo Station attracts over 1.1 million passengers every day. As the hub of the financial district of Marunouchi, east of the Imperial Palace, 4,000 businesses representing 10 percent of the Tokyo Stock Exchange are based around the station, including 17 Fortune Global 500 firms (as of 2011).

Inquiries and reservations: reservations.slty@ shangri-la.com, call (81 3) 6739 7888, or visit www.shangri-la.com.

20 Travel Arabia

Mövenpick Hotel Makkah

Preparations for one of the world’s largest pilgrimages are in full swing and the Mövenpick Hotel Makkah has created special benefits to welcome the religious pilgrims for Hajj. The hotel, which receives thousands of pilgrims for Hajj each year, is a popular choice for guests due to its location in front of the Al Haraam and the Kaaba, along with panoramic views over the Holy Mosque.

For the ease and comfort of Hajj guests, Mövenpick Hotel Makkah has prepared a special amenities kit that will aid pilgrims through their spiritual journey. The bags each contain a sewak stick, an umbrella, a booklet for rituals and stages in addition to a sachet for the jamarat stones. The hotel has also worked on a structured system to facilitate a smooth check-in and check-out process during this extremely busy period.

Furthermore, guests also have access to a prayer hall that can accommodate 3,000 worshippers.

Inquiries and reservations: Email hotel. makka@moevenpick.com or call +966 2 571 7171

Fly around the world in 22 days on a private jet and stay at Four Seasons 17

As wheels go up this fall for the first-ever Around-The-World by Private Jet tour trips, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announces an incredible new 2013 itinerary.

In partnership with private jet tour operator TCS & Starquest Expeditions, next year’s luxury 22-day globetrotting journey is tailored to international adventurers, offering the chance to see some of the world’s most exciting cities, and recharge and re-energize in an incredible beach setting.

From experiencing the monumental treasures in the art and architecture of St. Petersburg to swimming alongside fascinating marine life in the Maldives and seeing

the future in Tokyo, the journey is certain to create memories of a lifetime. Departing Seattle on Sept.14 and ending Oct. 5, the 2013 trip features visits to some of the most exciting urban destinations and a breathtaking beach setting, including: Seattle, Tokyo, Hangzhou, Shanghai, the Maldives, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Marrakech and New York.

Travellers will stay exclusively at Four Seasons properties during their journey.

Follow the 2012 adventure on Twitter by following #FSJet and on Four Seasons Magazine where Four Seasons will document each leg of the journey through photos, blog posts and more.

TRAVEL TREATS

Private villa pools at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru 19

Dusit Thani Maldives

Children’s spa at Dusit Maldives 18

Devarana Spa at the Dusit Thani Maldives has recently launched the special spa programme called “Happiness for the little one” for kids between 6 and 14 years old to enjoy themselves during theirstay on paradise island.

The extended a la carte menu for kids features five creative treatments offering a play time of glamour and natural healing. All treatments are carefully designed for children and teens to have fun while learning from the pampering experience incorporating energy balancing and pure relaxation.

In addition for all family, the spa proffers

The unique treatment pods bring on a superb healing experience like nowhere else.

22 Travel Arabia

The a la carte menu features five creative treatments

a full range of premium East-meets-West treatments and prestige Thai hospitality. The unique treatment pods, settled in the midst of nature, on the ground level and elevated amongst the island’s palm trees, bring on a superb healing experience like nowhere else.

Discover the serene sanctuary where pure relaxation awaits everyday at Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani Maldives.

Inquiries and reservations: Call +960 660 8888, E-mail: resmaldives@dusit.com or simply contact your preferred travel operator for this offer and other special packages.

Dusit Thani Maldives spa relaxation area

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, which has recently undergone renovation, now features private dipping pools adjacent to jet pools within a private garden area in each of the resort’s 48 villas.

Other attractions at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is its Marine Biology Lab where guests may join the staff in activities such as reef species inventory checks and reef clean ups. The house reef is ideal for snorkeling straight off the beach; rays and fish are fed daily off the pier. Guests need only to walk along the shore to see trumpet fish, small sharks and the occasional turtle swimming by in the translucent lagoon.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, located just twenty minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, is also known for its Sandbank Dining experience where guests are whisked away in a speed boat to a private sandbank with options for breakfast, a picnic lunch or dinner amidst panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Inquiries and reservations: +960 676 7115 or email reservations-vabbinfaru@banyantree. com.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru beachfront villa bedroom

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru beachfront villa

HOME AWAY FROM HOME‌

Our Hotel Apartments are situated at the downtown Bur Dubai, conveniently located within a short distance from Dubai World Trade Centre, Metro Station and other major attractions.

The Freedom and exibility is a great advantage of staying at any of our Apartments, where you will enjoy the liberty of your own luxurious and spacious apartment designed in the latest contemporary style.

For Reservations: +971 4 3599925 P.O. Box 126012 Dubai, UAE, Email: info@xclusivehoteldubai.com, Website: www.xclusivehoteldubai.com

TRAVEL TREATS

Kenya safaris are waiting 20

Amboseli National Park Kenya

For the budget-conscious, avail of the Safari Ndovu six-day safari package by Cruzeiro-Safaris. com, a six-day pocket friendly safari that takes your adventure to Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and a popular eatery, the the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi which features game meat.

One may also request for a tailored safari to the Sweet Waters Sanctuary caring for Chimpanzees or any other Sanctuary.

Cruzeiro-safaris.com is also affiliated with the

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newly established Kingdom Gardens Guest House located in the lavish Muthaiga area on Muthaiga road No.1. This area is well known as an upmarket residential place for most ambassadors; in close proximity are the Muthaiga Golf Club, the United Nations Offices in Nairobi, the American and Canadian embassies in Nairobi, the Gertrude’s Children Hospital and the Karura forest.

Inquiries and reservations: Visit http://www. slideshare.net/Cruzeirosafaris/safari-ndovuelephant

Paris Thanksgiving getaway

The holiday season is one of the most charming times of year to visit Europe. Go-today, a provider of vacation packages worldwide, has launched five fabulous air-inclusive Thanksgiving vacation packages to Europe, starting from $899. Travelers will discover festive decorations, traditional foods and holiday cheer in Paris, Rome, Prague, Barcelona and London.

All Thanksgiving packages include roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, continental breakfast daily, and hotel taxes and service 24 Travel Arabia

charges.

European Thanksgiving Vacations Include: Paris Thanksgiving Escape - 4 nights priced from $899, Rome Thanksgiving Escape - 4 nights priced from $1099, Barcelona Thanksgiving Escape - 4 nights priced from $1099, London Thanksgiving Escape - 4 nights priced from $1099, Thanksgiving in Prague - 6 nights priced from $999 Inquiries and reservations: www.go-today. com or call 800-227-3235

US$9,500 Bentley suite at St. Regis New York 22

Bentley Motors and the St. Regis Hotel New York are delighted to announce the debut of a one-of-a-kind, US$9,500 suite at the iconic Manhattan landmark.

The suite is designed as a collaboration between the masterful minds at St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Bentley Motors, providing guests with the luxury, craftsmanship and style associated with both renowned international brands.

The Bentley Suite joins The Dior Suite and The Tiffany Suite as part of the exclusive collection of Designer Suites at the hotel, built by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904, and follows on the heels of a global partnership between Starwood’s Luxury Brands and Bentley Motors.

The Bentley Suite features an entryway foyer, one bedroom, one and a half baths, an expansive dining room and living room complete with floor-toceiling windows on the 15th floor. The suite is available starting at $9,500 plus tax per night and includes complimentary access to the 2013 St. Regis Bentley Mulsanne within a 10-block radius of the hotel. Guests will be treated to the St. Regis hallmark services including signature St. Regis Butler Service and in-suite champagne bar.

Mystic St. Regis Mauritius 23

Extending its worldly heritage and distinctive legacy, St. Regis debuts in Africa with a mythic address bordered by white sand beaches overlooking the aquamarine Indian Ocean.

This extraordinary resort elevates its indelible surroundings with a pampering spa and destination restaurants featuring Pan-Asian, Indian, French, and Japanese cuisines.

With the stunning backdrop of Mauritius’ iconic Le Morne Brabant Mountain and spectacular sunsets over the open sea, the resort’s location offers travelers a tranquil beachfront setting like no other in the world.

The unique conditions on the windward side of the island also allow for a wide range of aquatic activities, including the exhilarating sports of wind and kite surfing in world-class conditions. Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and diving amid fascinating coral

St.Regis Mauritius Resort

reefs—all are within easy reach. The island is also known for spectacular golf courses, two of which are in close proximity to the resort.

Mauritius is defined by a lush green patchwork of gently swaying sugar cane fields encircling a series of lofty peaks that overlook the Indian Ocean. The

island’s natural beauty is complemented by its people, a blend of warm and welcoming settlers who have all made this tropical island their home over the centuries.

Inquiries and reservations: starwoodhotelsresorts@starwood.delivery.net

Our 5th birthday is YOUR accomplishment.

We say Thank you 5 times: 1. More Growth: 20% more exhibition space 2. More Content: 3,720 conference minutes in total 3. More Satisfaction: 97% of buyers recommend ITB Asia 4. More Diversity: 50% leisure buyers and 50% corporate/MICE

The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market

5. More Global Business: Non-Asian exhibitors: more than 40% Held in:

Official Event of:

Conference Partner:

Partner Hotel:

17 – 19 October 2012

itb-asia.com

TRAVEL TREATS

Relax at Crowne Plaza Dead Sea’s spa haven 24

Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa, nestled at the lowest point on earth on the banks of the Dead Sea, has opened.

Guests in need of rest and relaxation will not be disappointed with the resort’s vast 5,500m3 swimming pool, called “The Lake” and the beachside pool with infinity views. The 6,000m2 Thalgo Spa is the place to unwind with 30 treatment rooms, three indoor heated hydrotherapy pools, a Dead Sea salt water pool and gym. Guests can also enjoy Jordan’s longest stretch of private beach at 408 meters below sea level.

Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa, with its 420 rooms, including a Presidential Suite and Royal Suite, is just 30 minutes away from the capital Amman and 45 minutes from Queen Alia International Airport.

Inquiries and reservations: Visit www.ihg.com

Jump in pools with a view at Rixos Egypt 26

Rixos has opened its first hotel in Egypt, located in the region’s premiere beach destination, Sharm El Sheikh.

Rixos Sharm El Sheikh is nestled in the heart of the city, prominently set along the vast white sands of Nabq Bay. The resort provides a scenic view of the Gulf of Aqaba’s mouth, as well as Tiran Island, and is located just 22 kms from Naama Bay, and

27

Good news for Frankfurt travellers

Frankfurt Airport’s (FRA) new Pier A-Plus – the 800 meter-long westward expansion of Terminal 1– has opened.

The new pier makes the transfer processes significantly easier and faster at Lufthansa’s biggest hub. In the future, all incoming

25

BLUE FLAG. Visitors to the United Arab Emirates, as well as residents have all the more reason to enjoy the sun and surf of the country’s beautiful shoreline as several beaches across the emirates have just been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag; an internationally recognised eco-label designed to help protect and develop beaches and marinas around the world. The Blue Flag programme is awarded on the basis of compliance of up to 32 criteria for beaches and 24 criteria for marinas covering four key areas: environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

26 Travel Arabia

about 8 km from the airport.

The sprawling resort encompasses 695 rooms and suites, which include 488 elegantly furnished rooms, 70 Family rooms, in addition to 137 Junior Suites, ten of which have private plunge pools that offer spectacular views of the Red Sea, or “nature’s aquarium” as it renowned worldwide.

flights from the U.S. will be handled at Area A of Terminal 1. The minimum connecting for many transfer flights on these routes will be reduced from currently 60 minutes to 45 minutes. Furthermore, the so-called docking rate will increase noticeably.

a comfortable stay leave the rest to us

SM

Our elegantly decorated rooms and suites, designed for luxury and comfort, give a panoramic view of the city’s skyline. All our rooms are equipped with premium amenities such as satellite interactive TV, electronic safe, IDD telephone, voicemail, high speed internet access and more.

The hotel is just 20-minute drive from Sharjah International Airport, the hotel is conveniently placed for both business and leisure guests.

For enquiries and reservations: Tel: + 971 6 703 1111 sales@ramadaajman.com www.ramadaajman.com www.ramadainternational.com Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman is operated by RHotels (a member of RHolding) under a franchise agreement from Wyndham Hotel International.

dubai Soirees the city just never sleeps

Saks Fifth Avenue at Emirates Towers Opulent fabrics in rich velvets and leathers and dark crimson hues recently dominated the runway as Saks Fifth Avenue presented their Fall/Winter 2012 collections at the Godolphin Ball-

28 Travel Arabia

room of the architecturally renowned Emirates Towers. Right in the heart of the city, over 700 VIPs had their RSVPs in check while the show set the tone for this season’s hottest trends.

STOP & SHOP A QUICK LOOK AT OUR MONTHLY VITRINE

Eid collection

by Gitanjali Jewels

Dumond AED 995

Dumond AED 895 Motivi AED 495

Available in major malls across the UAE

The new Eid collections can now be viewed at the retailer’s monobrand Nakshatra store in Lamcy Plaza and Gitanjali Jewels outlet located in Meena Bazaar.

LIALI’s blue revolution

Tea Tree Pore Minmiser

Miss Byblos

Skin Caviar Liquid Lift

Dune AED 1369

Ecco AED 775

Dumond AED 455

Discover these exciting new sapphirestudded collections this season at LIALI stores across the UAE. Travel Arabia 29

exclusives For the connoisseur in you

INTERVALLE Large Cuff Blue

SNAKE Ring

STARLET Pierced Earrings MINI POISON Pendant Gold

PUR Pierced Earrings

SNAKE Bangle

Swarovski’s aristocratic and multi-cultural muse whose spirited style combines heritage with modernity NADJA Necklace

CHIC Ring

STANDING Necklace

STARLET Ring.

30 Travel Arabia

SISSY Pierced Earrings

AROUND TOWN Gigs, parties and all

From left: Mr. Ismail Muhammad, Mr. Paul Limjoco, Mr. Arun Shanmugaratnam, Mr. Rejinald Rajan, Ms. Ingrid Bandel, Mrs. Christina Debbah, Ms. Amor Parcon, Ms. Yoana Petrova, Mr. Karim El Sanadily, Mr. Ryan De Almeida.

Ecco

Autumn Winter fashion event Inspired by the Scandinavian stories, Ecco Autumn Winter fashion event had models strutting down a yellow ramp in casual, formal and sports collection in the Dubai Mall store. The collection is described by a timeless appeal, sleek simplicity and functionality rather than volatile trends.

The event also showcased the Sculpted 65 range for women in which the 65mm heel is put in the shoe with the direct injected technology. The new blend of sexy, all-day high-heeled style marks a dramatic evolution in the shoe industry.

Mrs. Christina Debbah, Vice President Global Sales & Distribution, Austrian Airlines, and Mr. Karim El Sanadily, General Manager for Gulf, Lebanon and Pakistan, Austrian Airlines.

Grand Hyatt Dubai hosts

Austrian gala

Austrian Airlines, in cooperation with Vienna International Airport, recently hosted its Annual Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony at Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Each year, Austrian celebrates the support, hard work and achievement of its valuable travel partners. The awards for their contribution to the success of Austrian Airlines were given by Mrs. Christina Debbah, Vice President for Global Sales and Distribution and Mr. Karim El Sanadily, General Manager for Gulf, Lebanon and Pakistan.

Faisal Shabbir & Hala Btaddini

Travel Arabia 31

FEATURE

Mercato turns 10!

Fun, entertainment and prizes galore to mark 10-day celebrations

Mercato turns 10 this month!

And to celebrate its 10th anniversary, there will be a wide range of events, activities, promotions and live stage shows for a period of 10 days from Oct. 20 to 29.

This enchanting mall has been successfully serving the local community for 10 years and has no intention of slowing down. With some exciting announcements around the corner, the future certainly looks bright for Mercato.

To commemorate this special occasion, Mercato has organized a variety of in-mall activities that will entertain all family members and will make you come back asking for more.

In the true spirit of Eid Al Adha, the celebrations at Mercato will be even bigger as both festivities will be the focal point of the entertainment fiesta that will done be the Mercato way.

During the 10-day event, mall visitors will be treated to live entertainment over the 10-day anniversary celebrations, and these will be as captivating as all the other activities. Live entertainment will include Italian-inspired roaming performers and stage shows to celebrate Mercato’s birthday bash and Eid Al Adha! These stage shows include: • The Italian Tarantella, which is a traditional Italian Folk Dance with fast tempo.

• An Italian carnival with drums entertainers and performers, which will be both roaming and on stage.

32 Travel Arabia

Gifts to the first 10 children born on Oct. 27 and who show up at 10 am on the day of Mercato’s birthday which is Oct. 27, 2012!

•

•

•

Italian Puppet Dance, an Italian-inspired act that pays tribute to Italian folklore, arts and Venetian inspired costumes.

Italian Puppet Show, a puppet will narrate a story and dance to the tunes of Italian clas sics.

Kids Ballet, a professional ballerina kid will be performing all the right moves as a true ballerina!

Moreover, a lot of activities are also being prepared for the little ones. These range from workshops to teach them how to create and decorate the very famous Venetian masks, to shopping vouchers from Fun City for the first 10 children who were born on the same day as Mercato’s birthday.

What’s more, Mercato is giving gifts to the first 10 children born on Oct. 27and who show

up at 10 am on the day of Mercato’s birthday which is Oct. 27, 2012.

There will be a Spend-to-Win promotion during the 10 days, which will allow everyone to enter the raffle draw for the chance to win one of 10 prizes worth AED 10,000 each.

Prizes include holidays to Vienna with flights, hotel accommodation and private transfers included courtesy of DNATA. Other prizes include shopping vouchers from some of the very best brands at Mercato such as The Nail Spa, Areej, Solaris, Patchi, Nine West, Aldo, Spinneys & Virgin Megastore. The raffle draw will take place on Oct. 29, 2012 which will be the concluding act of the 10 day birthday festivities.

The list of activities is extensive so come down to Mercato from 20th- 29th Oct. 20 to 29, 2012 and let the celebrations begin.

For more information on the Eid and anniversary events please visit Mercato’s website www.mercatoshoppingmall.com or visit facebook.com/MercatoShoppingMall In addition to the birthday celebrations, customers are reminded that Mercato has a very appealing retail mix, ranging from stores such as Spinneys, Virgin Megastore, Grand Cinemas and Fun City to name but a few.

Always striving to offer the best to the local community, Mercato is proud to new store openings this season, including Noa Noa, Genevieve Lethu, Bar A Pates, BellPerre and many more to come in the pipeline.

arabian experience

‘Resurrection machines’ The story of Osiris and Horus (or why sun worshippers built the pyramids)

34 Travel Arabia

‘Man fears time. Time fears the pyramids.’ –Arabian proverb

Travel Arabia 35

god of the heavens and protector of the sun god, Ra. Osiris travels to the afterlife and does his business, in the process ensuring that Horus has no problem doing his—a quid pro quo kind of arrangement, if you will, that creates the night and day cycle of the sun.

Now the catch: Ancient Egyptians believed that a part of the dead pharaoh’s spirit, Ka, remains with his body and would have to be cared for by preserving the remains through mummification in the pyramid and the food and all else. Otherwise, Ka won’t have a place to stay, the “King of the Dead” won’t be able to do his duty in the afterlife; ergo, the cycle is broken, the sun dies.

Other ancient Egyptians were buried in the same fashion to prepare them for the afterlife as well, where they probably would be merrymaking with the “King of the Dead.”

More pyramids

There have been 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt, officially. And there are signs of more.

H

e was a VIP and they built him a tomb with food and amenities that included furniture and gold. That would have been nice except that he was still alive, with probably decades more to go, when they constructed it.

Now, wouldn’t that give life insurance agents a run for their money?

Probably so. But that was Egypt and that was thousands of years ago Before Christ, when Egyptians worshipped the sun, believing that if the remains of a dead pharaoh were not properly taken care of, that great ball of fire in the sky won’t burn.

And so they prepared a giant mausoleum of sort, made of tons of granite and limestone over the course of 20 years; the construction crew, some 30,000 workers, lived in labor camps, shared happy afterwork moments with their tipple and made graffiti like “Drunkards of Menkaure” before finally hitting the sack for yet another day of moving boulders.

‘King of the Dead’

So that explains why the tomb—read: pyramid—was built a bit early in the pharaoh’s life: It has to be ready before he dies, else the sun won’t shine.

The sun won’t shine because the pharaoh, upon his death, becomes Osiris, “King of the Dead” while his successor becomes Horus, the 36 Travel Arabia

To date, there have been 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt, officially. The most recent, that of Queen Sesheshet, mother of 6th Dynasty Pharaoh Teti. The pyramid is located at Saqqara.

Its discovery was announced by Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, on Nov. 11, 2008.

Just recently however, Talking Pyramids, a website providing regular updates on these an-

cient Egyptian structures, reported that a recent satellite survey has detected 17 new pyramids and over 1,000 tombs in Egypt with two of the pyramids already confirmed by excavations on the ground.

University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Dr. Sarah Parcak, known for her work with satellite imaging, made the discoveries.

“We were very intensely doing this research for over a year. I could see the data as it was emerging, but for me the “Aha!” moment was when I could step back and look at everything that we’d found and I couldn’t believe we could locate so many sites all over Egypt.

“To excavate a pyramid is the dream of every archaeologist,” Talking Pyramids, citing a BBC documentary, quoted Parcak as saying.

Powerful

According to Talking Pyramids, Parcak’s team analysed images from satellites orbiting 700 kilometers above the earth. The satellites were equipped with cameras “so powerful they can pin-point objects less than a meter in diameter on the earth’s surface,” Talking Pyramids said.

Infra-red imaging was used to highlight different materials under the surface. Parcak said deciphering the images was easy because ancient Egyptians built their houses and structures out of mud brick thus making their shapes quite

Travel Arabia 37

its ability to emit light like The Southern Shining Pyramid for the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, for instance.

The pyramids were built and positioned such that they were on the right axis to certain constellations. They also point toward the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis some eight kilometres east of the Nile, which was the centre of sun worship at the time.

Some quarters theorize that the pyramids were actually “resurrection machines.” But this has yet to be established because so far not all nooks and crannies of the pyramids’ labyrinth of passageways and hidden doors have been fully explored. Completing this task will help scholars come up with conclusive answers on the reason for the structures’ existence; and as well, on the theological principles behind it.

What’s inside the pyramids has remained an enigma. Some quarters contend that these structures were actually “resurrection machines.”

Relic

Contributed photos

recognizable.

The discovery was announced prior to the airing of the BBC documentary called “Egypt’s Lost Cities.”

“These are just the sites (close to) the surface. There are many thousands of additional sites that the Nile has covered over with silt.

This is just the beginning of this kind of work,” Parcak said.

The original list on the number of Egyptian pyramids, prepared by Prussian Egyptologist, Karl Richard Lepsius in 1852, started with 67.

Among the first discoveries was that of the Pyramid of Djoser, a step pyramid much like 38 Travel Arabia

the typical amphitheater benches from which came forth the towering pyramids that were later on designed. The step pyramid was constructed around 2630 BC by the Egyptian polymath, Imhotep.

Enigma

What’s inside the pyramids have remained an enigma.

For one, their shape is believed to represent the rays of the sun. Also, most pyramids have polished white-limestone cover for them to sparkle and be seen from afar. Moreover, pyramids were often named in ways that referred to

The 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving relic of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—Greece started the list around the 8th century BC; the tallest and largest among the three Giza pyramids, and the tallest in the world until England’s Lincoln Cathedral was erected in 1300, is a case in point.

This Egyptian icon, which took more than 20 years to build around 2570 BC, was a sixmillion-ton tomb for the pharaoh Khufu—and it has not been giving away secrets.

Work continues to reveal hidden doors and chambers as well as hieroglyphs. With this comes tall tales such as that the two copper fittings recently discovered were power-points for a technology yet to be fully grasped, alien in other words.

Hieroglyphs, according to Egyptologist, Dr. Lanny Bell, tell the story of the sun’s nightly voyage into the “Netherworld,” and the obstacles it faces to be able to rise again.

Another recent find, made through elastic, tube-shaped cameras, was that of two mysterious shafts which lead from one of the three burial chambers to highly-polished stone doors.

The cameras revealed more hieroglyphs and unexplained lines on the stone, according to archaeologists.

Media reports have quoted Hawass as saying the doors are the pyramid’s “last great mystery” that could lead to a room hidden for thousands of years.

(JD)

living arabia

The legendary swords of Damascus Relics of a glorious past

By Habeeb Salloum

During the Crusades, Damascus swords became famed in Europe, bringing to mind horsemen charging into battle with their curved sword blades shining in the sunlight.

“

The Damascene swords are not made any more. We have long lost the secret of how they were produced. There are only a few left, mostly in museums and rare antique shops. But look! I have one here! If you can afford it, it’s only $10,000.”

The Damascene merchant was dramatic as he drew a curved sword from its scabbard, informing us that this was one of the very few still to be found for sale.

He went on to inform us that the swords one sees for sale in the shops of Damascus, mostly produced for tourists, are only replicas of their ancestors and are only bought as decorative pieces, by the wealthy and those who have a passion for traditional handicrafts.

Poetry

However, in the past, the Damascene swords were something different. For the Arabs, they were competitors to the pen. The great poet al-Mutanabbi whose poetry is considered by the Arabs as perfection once wrote: “The arid land knows me well, the night, the mounted men, the battlefield, the sword, the writing pad and pen.”

Another poet Abu Tammam wrote when 40 Travel Arabia

the Caliph al-Mu’tasim, acting against the dark predictions of the astrologers, stormed and captured the Byzantine city of Amorium: “Truer than words of books is the sword in its tidings, Its edge is the boundary between seriousness and romping. The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, Clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.”

The Arabs had a saying that says “the sword and the pen were the constitutional props of any country,” hence, the importance of swords for the nation.

Craft

Damascus, the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth, was for hundreds of years known for its fine swords. Sword-making was for centuries one of the city’s most diversified and traditional crafts. Coming in a wonderful variety of shapes, with numerous designs and motifs, they were legendary for their sharpness and were considered superior to all other swords.

During the Crusades, Damascus swords became famed in Europe, bringing to mind horsemen charging into battle with their curved sword blades shining in the sunlight.

Myths and legends

There were many myths and legends relating to the swords of Damascus, mostly dealing with their unrivaled flexibility and razor-edge sharpness. One such tale tells of a meeting between Richard the Lion-Hearted and Saladin. Richard, to impress his guest with his great power cut through with his broadsword a thick iron bar with a single blow. Saladin, unimpressed, threw a silk pillow into the air and, as it fell, sliced it into ribbons with his Damascene blade.

Another story relates that the Damascene blade is so flexible that a man can take the hilt in one hand and the point of the sword in the other, then bend the sword around his body and when released the blade would spring back to its original shape. It had to be hard enough to cut almost any target with a reasonably slight impact.

On the other hand, it had to be flexible enough to avoid breaking when it was violently slashed.

it that the metal was forged after the raw material was mixed with grain, then fed to chickens and afterward the droppings were melted to retrieve the steel; another was that at the final process, the blade was cooled by thrusting it through the body of a muscular slave to ensure that his strength would be infused into the metal. Others believed that the strength of the Damascene sword came from quenching the blade into the urine of a redheaded boy or a goat, which had been fed on ferns for three days.

Historically these swords are believed to have been made by hammering a batch of low carbon wrought iron into thin sheets, then tying these tightly into bundles. A batch high carbon caste iron was then heated until molten then the bundles were thrown into the melted iron.

The bundled sheets would suck in the melted cast iron into the empty spaces, in the process partially melting the wrought iron sheets and welding the bundle into a solid mass. The mass would be hammered into a rough shape of a sword while still hot. After being cooled, the blade would be filed, ground and polished, then finely decorated.

The finished swords would usually have a coloured surface pattern. According to Nick Evangelista in Encyclopedia of the Sword, the most prized were the ones with a series of bars crossing the blade, known as Mohamet’s Ladder.

Damascening, the art of decorating weapons

by inlaying with another metal such as gold or silver, was characteristic of these swords.

Sword trade

The reputation of Damascus as a producer of fine swords likely came, not only from producing these blades, but also from the fact that the city was the centre of the sword trade in the Middle East - dealing in swords from as far as Persia, India and the Yemen.

By about 1000 A.D., the Arabs introduced the art of making Damascene steel to Toledo in Arab Spain, which thereafter the city earned a reputation as a producer of delicate steel. Today, remnants of that industry still remain, producing souvenir swords for tourists.

True Damascus steel stopped being produced on a large scale in the 14th century when Tamerlane devastated Damascus and carried all the sword smiths back with him to work for his armies. By about the 15th century, production of these exceptional swords had almost ceased.

Damascene steel had ceased to exist.

Today, descendants of the great craftsmen, who had in medieval times made superb swords for great armies, now produce replicas of the work of their ancestors for the endless tourists. Hence, the price of $10,000 asked for one of these bona fide medieval swords was a true bargain - that is if it was truly an authentic Damascene sword.

High carbon steel

A fine-grained sword of extraordinary workmanship, the Damascene blade was fashioned from steel with a high carbon content, making it both light and durable. Prized for its distinctive wavy surface, linked by poets to ant tracks or rippling water, the sword was a weapon of the highest quality. In the minds of the ancient Arabs, the culture of the sword was rich and varied, revealing their character, psychological taste and approach to life.

The medieval Europeans were so amazed and intrigued with the Damascus swords that myths sprang up in of how they were made. According to the Encyclopedia of the Sword: one legend has Travel Arabia 41

outside arabia

the Adelaide walk

By Neerja Singh

42 Travel Arabia

She’s a beautiful woman, tall and proud, elegant and cheerful, always ready with a smile –and she’s there waiting.

Travel Arabia 43

In November, Emirates will start direct flights to this charming South Australian city known for its strong European influence.

I

f Adelaide were a person, it would be a beautiful woman, tall and proud, elegant and cheerful, always ready with a smile.

History shapes a city and its people, cumulatively creating their current character.

Pride and grace are Adelaide’s most obvious qualities: I am repeatedly told – in the plane, on the drive from the airport, on the very first day of touring – this city was not settled by convicts (as is the case for many other Australian cities), it was a free settlement. Named after the wife of then British King William V, Adelaide was the first place in Australia where young, able-bodied people were transported free from England to work and set up residence.

Today there are about a million people staying in the city, its CBD busy during the day with traffic and trams, its streets full of youngsters spilling out of the university and the parks alive with walkers and cyclists. After-hours, Adelaide is unexpectedly fun-loving, her veins full of great food and drink, her shopping right 44 Travel Arabia

up there with the best, the art scene alive and kicking, a healthy bar and live music tradition practically at every street corner and its cultural festivals known the world over.

Walker-friendly

Originally conceptualised as a walkerfriendly, square-mile grid with streets crisscrossing the centre and parks surrounding it, Adelaide has amazingly remained true to the original vision. Over the years, suburbs have developed and the population of Adelaide has gone up several times over, but the centre retains charming colonial buildings right next to swanky commercial towers and old churches facing wide, busy streets. Around the CBD, the city is a green, flowering expanse. Including the much loved Botanic garden, Adelaide Parklands feature 29 parks covering 7 square kilometres and the river Torrens running through them.

Photo opportunities abound: graceful trees bending to touch waters alive with birds, flower

beds in a riot of colour, people laughing and playing, smiling and talking. The leisurely pace of life means people have the time to stop and have a conversation: whether you visit the Central Market where farmers sell their produce or walk into a restaurant, people instinctively smile and are happy to pause for a chat.

Wonderful day trips

When visiting Adelaide, it is best to spend at least a week or more; there are wonderful day trips to be made to the surrounding Barossa valley, Fleurieu peninsula, Port Lincoln and the amazing Kangaroo Island for an unforgettable brush with nature. Closer to Adelaide, a 20-minute drive into the Adelaide hills takes you to Hahndorf, a quaint little town evidently living in another, distinctly German era. A board welcomes you in German, residents and shop owners are predominantly German, bakeries feature pretzel, rye bread and apple strudel and prominent shop fronts include German

Did you know?

The skincare brand Jurlique is based on a farm near Adelaide, where all the raw ingredients for their products are grown. Well known for its completely natural formulations, Jurlique will be starting tours to its farms to show people just how their fabulous creams are made.

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Candlemaker and German Arms Hotel.

Although there are plenty of guided tours available, a self-drive is the best way to explore the area: kids will love picking strawberries at the Beerenberg Farm, women will swoon over the sights and smells at the Lyndoch lavender farm, there are cooking lessons at the legendary Maggie Beer’s farms, and tours of vineries topped with an amazing lunch at Jacob’s Creek.

South Australian names, as you will find out, are famous the world over – and for good reason. This is one holiday you should put all

dieting plans on hold for, because the food is simply heavenly. And if you are one of those who believe holidays are about indulgence, Adelaide is the perfect destination for the entire family.

Inexpensive taxis

Being a small city, it is relatively inexpensive to hire taxis in Adelaide. The airport is seven kilometres from the city centre – about 25 Australian dollars by cab. Within the city, it is easy to walk around, but buses and trams are

also available.

Emirates Airline will start direct flights to Adelaide on Nov. 1, 2012. Virgin also runs fairly inexpensive flights from all major Australian cities.

By the way, did you know that the skincare brand Jurlique is based on a farm near Adelaide, where all the raw ingredients for their products are grown. Well known for its completely natural formulations, Jurlique will be starting tours to its farms to show people just how their fabulous creams are made.

Top 5 Fun things to do around Adelaide Swim with the tuna

Head for Port Lincoln where the tuna pontoon is located 15 minutes off the coast.

Visitors get three hours on the platform and can see lots of different fish, but our top recommendation is to change into a wetsuit and jump in there to swim with the tuna!

Tuna can be fairly large fish, around a metre long or more. They are extremely fast swimmers, and swim all around you, race you but somehow never collide with anybody.

Children love the action, and it is completely safe for the entire family, a theme park with a difference!

Shark cage diving

Admittedly, this isn’t cheap but it is right up there on the list of most exciting things you will ever do. Designed for non46 Travel Arabia

swimmers, the experience is simple: don a wetsuit and you are lowered into a cage in the ocean. The experienced staff at Calypso Star Charters does a great job of preparing people on what to expect, and there will be Great White Sharks around the boat the moment it is anchored. However brave you may think you are, this is Jaws up close – and a total adrenalin rush!

Adelaide offers fantastic bargains at Harbour Town, just outside the city near the airport. Apart from outlet shopping, there are many cool boutiques, bookshops and cafes on Rundle Street near Rundle Mall. Norwood Parade has plenty of great restaurants and Magill Road offers the antique connoisseur something every time.

Four Oaks farm

The Beachhouse at Glenelg

Located in the Adelaide Hills 20 minutes from Adelaide city, the Four Oaks Farm is a fantastic place for children under 12 to learn and have fun the old-fashioned way. They can take horse-riding lessons or go riding, play with ponies, feed hens, ducks, rabbits and alpacas, go around on the farm on a hooting fire-engine and ride the merry-go-round.

Go shopping!

A fun theme park by the beach, The Beachhouse features mini-golf, dodge cars, a playcastle and water rides for the whole family to enjoy. Outside the Beachhouse, Glenelg is buzzing with plenty of hotels, people crowding outdoor restaurants and people kayaking or swimming in the sea. A great place for people watching!

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor takes you for a Feast Friday Brunch

at Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor Aed 199 per Person inclusive of water and soft beverages Aed 299 per Person inclusive of House Beverages From 13:00 to 16:00 Inclusive 10 % Municipality fees and 10% service charge

taste travel

Indian food 101 A beginner’s guide to a world of spices

By Vikas Rustagi Regional Director for West Asia and Africa Incredible India*

‘Indian cuisine has also shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe is often cited by historians as the primary catalyst for Europe’s Age of Discovery.’

48 Travel Arabia

I

ndian cuisine encompasses a wide variety of regional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices.

Historical incidents such as foreign invasions, trade relations and colonialism have also played an important role in introducing certain food types and eating habits to the country. For instance, potato, a staple of North Indian diet was brought to India by the Portuguese, who also introduced chillies and breadfruit among other things. Indian cuisine has also shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe is often cited

by historians as the primary catalyst for Europe’s Age of Discovery. Spices—turmeric, coriander; cumin, curry Leaves, cinnamon, asafoeteda, black cardamom, and red chilly powder, among others—were bought from India and traded in exchange for rubber and opium from Malacca.

It has also influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from Southeast Asia, the British Isles and the Caribbean.

Influence

Indian cuisine has been influenced by a 5,000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavors and regional cuisines found in modern-day India. Later Mughals, British, Turks and Portuguese influence also made inroads into Indian Cuisine resulting in its present variety and

diversity.

The development of these cuisines have been shaped by Hindu and Jain beliefs, in particular vegetarianism, which is a common dietary trend in Indian society. There has also been Islamic influence from the years of Munhall and Delhi Sultanate rule, as well as Persian interactions on North Indian and Deccani cuisine. Indian cuisine has been and is still evolving, as a result of the nation’s cultural interactions with other societies.

Garam Masala

Garam Masala is a blend of ground spices common in North Indian and other South Asian cuisines. It is used alone or with other seasonings. The word garam refers to intensity of the spices rather than capsaicin content. Garam masala is pungent but not piquant. The composition of garam masala differs regionally, with wide variety across India. The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together.

A typical Indian version of garam masala is composed of black & white peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, black and white cumin seeds, and black, brown and green cardamom pods

Punjab

Tandoori chicken is a popular grilled dish in Punjab..

The cuisine of Punjab is known for its diverse range of dishes. Home-cooked and restaurant Punjabi cuisine can vary significantly. Restaurant-style Punjabi cooking uses large amounts of ghee, butter and cream, while home-cooked equivalents center around whole wheat, rice, and

other ingredients flavored with masala Regional differences also exist in Punjabi cuisine. Tandoori food is a Punjabi specialty, especially with non-vegetarian dishes

Andhra Pradesh

Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is a blend of Telugu cuisine along with Hyderabadi cuisine (also known as Nizami cuisine). The food is rich in spices, for which it is popular among south Indian cuisine. Rice is the staple food of Andhra people.

Goa

The area has a tropical climate and the spices and flavors here are intense. Use of kokum is a distinct feature of the region’s cuisine. Goan cuisine is mostly seafood based; the staple foods are rice and fish. The cuisine of Goa is influenced by its Hindu origins, 400 years of Portuguese colonialism, and modern techniques. Bread is eaten with most of the meals.

Gujarat

Gujarati cuisine is primarily vegetarian. The typical Gujarati thali consists of roti (rotli in Gujarati), daal or kadhi, rice, sabzi/shaak and papad. Gujarati cuisine can vary widely in flavor and heat based on personal and regional tastes.

Many Gujarati dishes are simultaneously sweet, salty, and spicy.

Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmiri cuisine has evolved over hundreds of years. Its first major influence was the food of the Kashmiri Hindus and Buddhists. The cuisine

was later influenced by the cultures which arrived with the invasion of Kashmir by Timur from the area of modern Uzbekistan. Subsequently influences have included the cuisines of Central Asia, Persia, and the North Indian plains. The most notable ingredient in Kashmiri cuisine is mutton, of which there are over 30 varieties.

Kerala

Kerala cuisine blends indigenous dishes with foreign ones adapted to local tastes. Coconuts grow in abundance in Kerala, so grated coconut and coconut milk are commonly used for thickening and flavouring. Having been a major production area of spices for thousands of years, the region makes frequent use of black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, and cinnamon.

Karnataka

Varieties in the cuisine of Karnataka reflect influences from the three neighbouring South Indian states, as well as the states of Maharashtra and Goa to its North. Typical dishes include bisi bele bath, jolada rotti and chapati.

Uttar Pradesh

Traditionally, Uttar Pradeshi cuisine consists of Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine, though a vast majority of the state is vegetarian, preferring dal, roti, sabzi, and rice. Pooris and kachoris are eaten on special occasions.

Pondicherry

The union territory of Pondicherry was a French colony for around 200 years, making French cuisine a strong influence on the area.

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The influence of the neighboring areas, such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is also visible on the territory’s cuisine.

famous dish made of lamb curry in garam masala and cubed potatoes. Dalpuri is another popular dish in Bihar.

Rajasthan

Sikkim

Cooking in Rajasthan, an arid region, has been strongly shaped by the availability of ingredients. Because water is at a premium, food is generally cooked in milk or ghee, making it quite rich. Gram flour is a mainstay of Marwari food mainly due to the scarcity of vegetables in the area.

Historically, food that could last for several days and be eaten without heating was preferred.

Daal-baati is the most popular dish prepared in the state.

West Bengal

Bengali cuisine is found in the states of Tripura, the Barak Valley of Assam, and West Bengal itself. Bengali cuisine has a high emphasis on the chilli pepper and tends to use high amounts of spice altogether. The cuisine is known for subtle flavours with an emphasis on fish, vegetables, lentils, and rice.

Bihar

Bihari cuisine is wholesome and simple. It is mainly influenced by their neighbours. Biharies are fond of meat. Litti chokha, a baked salted wheat flour cake filled with sattu (baked chickenpea flour) and some special spices, is famous among the middle-class families. Meat saalan is a 50 Travel Arabia

Momo is served in a tomato-based broth.

In Sikkim, various ethnic groups such as the Nepalese, Bhutias, and Lepchas have their own distinct cuisines. Rice is the staple food of the area, and meat and dairy products are also widely consumed.

Depending on altitudinal variation, finger millet, wheat, buckwheat, barley, vegetable, potato, and soybeans are grown. Momo, gya thuk, ningro, gundruk, phagshapa and sael roti are some of the local dishes.

Desserts

Many Indian sweets, or mithai, are fried foods made with sugar, milk or condensed milk.

Ingredients vary by region. In the eastern part of India, for example, most sweets are based on milk products. See sections or articles on specific regional cuisines for their preferred types of sweets.

Some common Indian sweets and desserts include: Barfi, a sweet made of dried milk with ground cashews or pistachios, often served with a thin layer of edible silver foil as decoration, Chikki, a sweet made out of peanuts and molasses; and Gulab jamun, a dessert consisting of fried milk balls soaked in sweet syrup, such as rose syrup or honey.

Karama The Indian food paradise of Dubai

Visitors to Dubai who Dubai has no come upon shortage of a restaurant authentic Indian offering restaurants authentic Indian cuisine are close enough to having the real thing—around “80 percent,” to be more precise, according to Vikas Rustagi, a former chef and currently on his first of a three-year tour of duty as regional director of Incredible India, a tourism agency.

“I think sometimes the Indian food is really, really very good compared to what we also have in other foreign countries,” said Rustagi, who have been to 53 countries during his 22-year career as an Indian tourism official.

With approximately more than half of Dubai’s two million population being South Asian, Rustagi said there is no shortage of eateries where typical Indian cuisine is served.

“There are some restaurants even in Ajman and Sharjah that are worth driving down to.

There are places here for all typical Indian cuisines,” he said.

He said Karama, one of the most heavily populated communities in the city, is where one can have an Indian food galore.

“In Karama, you have approximately 100 Indian restaurants. If you want parathas, the best parathas are there. I recently went to a restaurant there which has more than 120 varieties of parathas. Can you imagine that?” Rustagi said. A paratha is an Indian flat bread.

Indian cuisine, Rustagi said, are over 5,000 years old.

“Every 100 kilometers that you travel in India, you have a different type of food,” Rustagi said, referring to individual specialties that each place has from north to south of the country.

Rustagi said tourists have a better chance of getting great food in Dubai because the city has “a good quality of ingredients, good experts, a beautiful environment, and a quality control and regulatory mechanism for hygienic, operational and high technology kitchens.”

Travel Arabia 51

Nineteen Elegant open-air dining In need of a few quiet hours away from bright lights and city life? Look no farther than this restaurant in The Address Montgomerie Dubai.

You can tell from the moment you step in exactly what kind of restaurant the Nineteen at The Address Montgomerie Dubai golf course is: one of the best. The restaurant is located in the heart of a golf course, which provides a picturesque scene of luscious green grass, lakes and fountains. The views from the balconies are just stunning, it’s the perfect place to be inspired to take up golf, and the ideal place to retreat to when city life is simply too much.

As we approach the fall and winter seasons which allow us to entertain outdoors, you can be guaranteed that I will be found here enjoying my steak al fresco. The views from the restaurant overlook the infamously difficult last hole No 18 of the golf course, which means entertainment will be plentiful. Being surrounded by grass and lakes made me reminisce of fields from my vacations in Italy. You will be pleased to know that from the Nineteen it is hard to see any sky scrapers or the ridiculously bright Dubai skyline; you genuinely do feel like you have gone to Europe for dinner. No sea or sand in sight.

The décor of the restaurant is rich and decadent, and had a rather modern medieval feel to it, with its dark wood paneled walls, rich red accents, and cellar wall with an array of vintage wines to choose from. For a food lover like me, the best part of the décor was the open kitchen which allows you to watch the chefs prepare your food. The restaurant has so much character and charm with its décor and open kitchen, that waiting for my food became a pleasure.

Some restaurants have a habit of making menus into elaborate books and stories, this is not what they do at Nineteen. The menu is simple and elegant which is perfect if you are in a rush and don’t have time to read millions of pages. The menu is vast and really does have something for everyone. Normally I am not a huge fan of meat, but when I dined at Nineteen, I was surprised by my own enthusiasm to order everything that has meat. It may have 52 Travel Arabia

been the menu section ‘from the land’ or the fact that their regular customers have their own personalized steak knives displayed at the entrance that enticed me. Perhaps it was all these elements but nevertheless I wanted to be a part of this action.

The choices for appetizers are simply mouthwatering, and you will need to ask for a few more extra minutes simply just to decide.

Presentation of the food reflects the high standard of the restaurant and will make you want to sit a little more elegantly in your chair. The menu has been perfectly carved for carnivores; it is very rarely that I see my partner’s eyes light up with joy from the selection of main dishes available. Of course, you simply can’t go to Nineteen and not order a wonderful rib eye steak, that would be a crime not to, as the steak was produced to perfection and not something

to be missed. My favorite part of any meal however has to be dessert; I have an uncontrollable sweet tooth that I purely cannot overlook.

So I was delighted with the array of sweets available at my disposal. I would recommend to all chocolate lovers to look no farther than the special Lava Cake, baked for 15 minutes it is well worth the wait. The Lava Cake was so good that I had to fight my partner off midway through; he simply could not keep his eyes off the searing chocolate which proceeded to flow out from my cake.

With impressive views, great service and wonderful food, The Address Montgomerie’s famous Nineteen restaurant is not one to be missed. Perfect for lunch after a long day or golf, or a great way to impress friends now that the weather is cooling down. Al fresco dining has never been so chic.

Feast ďŹ t for a Maharaja Enter a world of exclusivity and revel in a feast fit for a Maharaja at Beach Rotana’s Indigo.

Indigo offers a modern take on Indian cuisine yet retains its roots in the traditions of this lively and much renowned cuisine.

Tourist Club Area, P.O. Box: 45200 Abu Dhabi, UAE Direct T: +971 (0) 2 697 9011, F: +971 (0) 2 644 2111, fb.beach@rotana.com

Time for al fresco

Happening Sundays from 8 pm to 10:30 pm, the barbecue treat is at AED 189 per person.

Rosso ups the ante with mouth-watering barbecue treat As the Celsius finally drops down to afternoon midtwenties, open-air dining is again The Walk’s welcome guest.

As the temperature starts dropping and the cool breezy evenings set in, al fresco dining has once again become popular in the city, particularly at JBR’s The Walk.

And just the right place to spend open-air dining is that spot partly hidden among the towering hotels, offering a splendid sunset view with its elegant set-up and two inviting swimming pools— the Italian restaurant, Rosso on Amwaj Rotana Hotel’s second floor.

Rosso’s terrace has piped-in jazzy music, dim lights and tinsels with table arrangements set for your choice—the small ones for two, or big couches for groups. Indeed, Rosso has al fresco written all over it.

What’s really exciting is that starting this month, Rosso will have an additional attraction: barbecue. What better way to enjoy an

evening outdoors than with that unmistakable waft of mouth-watering grilled food?

Happening Sundays from 8 pm to 10:30 pm, the barbecue treat is at AED 189 per person. This also covers a free flow of soft drinks, red, white and other house beverages.

Sometimes, a choice becomes easy when the options presented are few and good. But when all the options are second to none, then the choice is to indulge in everything being offered.

At Rosso terrace, this treat is one such delight; it’s open-air live cooking and grilled BBQ galore!

The Rosso crowd is a mix of JBR residents and the hotel’s guests; the place starts getting busy at around 8pm On the menu, meantime, is everything Italian from antipasti like pork cold cuts with artichokes hearts, taggiasche olives, sun blushed tomatoes and cannara onion to risotti like Saffron risotto with tiger prawns, walnut and rocket pesto.

Of course, what’s an Italian restaurant without pizza and, the ever favorite, tiramisu?

There you go. Barbecue with a good old fashioned Italian food and a cool breeze. You can’t go wrong.

ALL THE STARTS SEPTEMBER COME JOIN US

MÖVENPICK HOTEL JUMEIRAH BEACH THE WALK @ JBR, DUBAI T: 04 449 88 88

review Like unwrapping presents, far away vacations are filled with surprising discoveries. One spent in a hotel on the edge of one of the biggest sand deserts in the world begs a thousand words to describe.

L

An elegant retreat spelled‌

Tilal Liwa Hotel

56 Travel Arabia

ike unwrapping presents, far away vacations are filled with surprising discoveries. Discoveries that bring lasting memories and delightful feelings. Feelings that still surrounds me after a recent trip to Tilal Liwa Hotel, a precious gem hidden in the midst of the Arabian Desert. A distinctive destination, the epitome of Arabian hospitality, Tilal Liwa Hotel is one place waiting to be discovered.

The hotel is located on the edge of the Rub Al Khali, known as the Empty Quarter, one of the biggest sand deserts in the world and the largest in the Arabian Peninsula. An elegant retreat for those seeking a unique desert experience, the property is surrounded by rolling sand dunes and unspoiled desert landscape, making it a perfect place for a romantic getaway, a family vacation or a much-needed rest.

An exciting journey awaits you, the minute you drive towards Abu Dhabi, with a long stretch of empty dessert land as company until you reach a small village beaming with huge houses, a shopping mall, well-known banks, eateries and of course, the picturesque corniche.

As you pass this place, you head on to another immeasurable dessert land until you arrive at Million Street, where camels abound, the finest breed and the most expensive ones.

The place where Tilal Liwa Hotel is located comes alive during the annual beauty pageant for camels and the Dates Festival. Months before the camel beauty pageant, caravans from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE travel great distance to take part in the show, and for 10 days camp in the desert to witness the prestigious event. During the Dates Festival, the celebration brings together people who appreciate the ingenuity and heritage of Abu Dhabi and its date palms.

The three-hour drive to Tilal Liwa Hotel is quite exhausting but as soon as you step onto

the lobby, the mood changes and is replaced with excitement, seeing the magnificent expanse of desert against the refreshing pool that invites you to take a quick dive.

The rooms and suites at Tilal Liwa Hotel are another thing to behold. All rooms and suites are either facing the dunes of the Rub Al Khali Desert or inwards overlooking the traditional garden and pool. The interior design reflects the hues and natural colours of the desert with fabrics and soft furnishings complementing the textures of the natural landscape.

Total and complete relaxation is what Tilal Liwa Hotel offers, especially the Presidential Suite where you can stay like royalty with its elegant and stylish dĂŠcor. It also has the best view of the desert. Wake up to calmness and

Tilal Liwa Hotel beckons you to leave civilization behind. complete serenity.

When it comes to dining, Tilal Liwa Hotel offers one of the best cuisines in the area. Al Badiya, an all-day dining restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A wide selection of contemporary and regional cuisine prepared by its expert culinary staff will satisfy your food cravings. Whether it’s buffet or a la carte menu, the food tastes superb, fresh and perfect!

In the evening, Layali is the ideal meeting place before or after dining where you can enjoy a range of eclectic snacks from around the world in a lively bar atmosphere. Or if you prefer watching the starlit sky, head to Al Liwan

and enjoy the environment alongside the swimming pool.

A variety of sightseeing tours can be arranged from the hotel including desert safaris in a 4x4, where you can explore the towering dunes or a trip to the camel farm, where you can actually touch and feed the domesticated animal.

Tilal Liwa Hotel beckons you to leave civilization behind. Whether you are embarking on an exhilarating desert safari, discovering the traditional sights of Al Gharbia or simply escaping to solitude for a few days, the captivating Tilal Liwa Hotel guarantees an unforgettable experience. The trip was really worth it and I promised myself that I will stay a little longer on my return!

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advertorial

Experience 144 new luxury

Al Raha Beach Hotel – Abu Dhabi opens more rooms, food outlets Each of the new rooms and suites was specially designed to offer unequalled comfort.

Now, there are 144 more reasons to stay at Al Raha Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi: the resort has completed its multimillion dollar extension project, due to open this month.

Nestled among blonde sands overlooking the turquoise Gulf, explore our brand new extended bouquet of 144 rooms and suites with uninterrupted views of the shimmering water or sun-drenched courtyard.

Each of the new rooms and suites was specially designed, offering comfort and luxury; and featuring designer furniture, 32-inch LCD TV, spacious bathroom with magic glass, Wi-Fi internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, in-room safe and mini bar. The suites offer added luxuries including a 52-inch LCD TV, complimentary in–room movies, Jacuzzi bath with art mirror TV, sculpted granite wash basins, monsoon rain shower and dazzling panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf Sea. Another exciting venue that offers a fascinating experience is the Promenade that will take guests on a journey of unequalled luxury. Directly linked from the garden to the new wing, it will offer its guests the breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf Sea and other islands. Going along the building walkway with its impressive views over the sea, guests will be able to experience the 58 Travel Arabia

invigorating energy of the ocean. An ideal starting point from which to enjoy the hotel.

“We at Al Raha Beach Hotel are delighted to be extending the services we already offer. The extension is set to enrich our unique property, making the most of its stunning location and expanding on the guest facilities to exceed the

expectations of the most discerning travellers; while reinforcing its established image and reputation as an exclusive lifestyle destination for both local and international visitors,” said Kamal Zayati, general manager.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 2 508 0421.

Melting pot a cornucopia of the good times ahead

Listings.

Dining options.

Where to go tonight.

Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach 60 Travel Arabia

DINING Al Bustan Rotana Dubai

Rodeo Grill Canadian Festival Oct. 7 – 11, 2012 Canadian Chef David Pantera prepares his hometown specialties made from authentic ingredients available a la carte.

Choices Restaurant Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner Oct. 8, 2012 Lavish international buffet with a wide selection of Canada’s traditional dishes.

Benihana Teriyaki Night Oct. 20 – 22, 2012!

Teppanyaki chefs flip tails of the prawns into the air straight to their hats. Teriyaki set menu that includes the freshest fish to the tastiest chicken, lamb chop, fillet mignon cooked to perfection or enjoy our Ala Carte menu.

Inquiries and reservations: Visit rotanatimes. com or call 04-7054285.

Arabian Ranches

Halloween Spooktacular Family Party Oct. 31, 2012 AED 150 per person. AED75 per child 6 – 12 years old Children under 6 years old FREE. Buffet dinner, soft drinks, fruit juice, kids’ entertainment Prizes scariest and super cool costumes Inquiries and reservations:+971 4 360 7935 or email restaurant@arabianranchesgolf.ae

Asiana Hotel

Lamesa Restaurant Sumptuous lunch set menu for only 39AED. Friday and Saturday brunch for AED69. Daily buffet for only AED79.

Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah

Inquiries and reservations: 04 238 7777

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

Rodeo Grill The Magic of Blackmore Oct. 3 – 26, 2012 Blackmore Wagyu Beef on special.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 (0)2 697 9 126 or email fb.beach@rotana.com Essence, Benihana and Brauhaus Friday Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm Guests of the Friday Brunch will enjoy the privilege of tasting cuisine artfully presented by the culinary team at Essence All-Day Dining, which is also a showcase of the cuisine you will get from each of the hotel’s restaurants.

Inquiries and reservations: 02 697 9011 or email fb.beach@rotana.com.

Brauhaus Oktoberfest Oct. 17 – 26, 2012 Bavarian delicacies, traditional Oktoberfest games and lively entertainment by the Tschirgant Trio.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 (0)2 697 9118 Trader Vic’s Hulaween Oct. 31, 2012 It’s Halloween with a Hawaiian twist. How scary can you look in a tutu with the most colourful of cocktails in your hand?

Come down and impress us. Prizes for the best dressed!

Inquiries and reservations: +971 (0)2 697 9114 or 115

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Casa Samak Restaurant Open daily 12pm – 4pm, 7pm – 11pm

The place has spruced up its outdoor dining deck for all new BBQ buffet. Many surprises await diners.

Inquiries and reservations: http://www.coralbeachresortsharjah.com

Desert Palm Dubai

The Boutique Friday Brunch 12:30pm – 4pm European-inspired cuisine with Asian influences.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 4 323 8888 or email fnb@desertpalm.ae

Dusit Thani Dubai

The Californian Mediterranean Night Sundays 7pm – 10:30pm Delicately herbed Italian, French and Spanish dishes complimented with fragrantly spiced Northern African meats matched with delicacies of the sea.

South East Asian Night Mondays 7pm – 10:30pm Chinese Fried Rice, Vietnam Noodles, Thai Green Curry.

New Orleans BBQ Night Tuesdays 7pm – 10:30pm Sumptuous ribs, barbequed prawns and traditional jambalaya.

Deep Blue Thursdays 7pm – 10:30pm Try carefully crafted sushi items or choose your own fresh cuts and fillets of fish and have our chefs cook it to your liking. Only the freshest catch can make the menus to ensure finest quality enjoyment.

Around the World Fridays 7pm – 10:30pm The best in international flavours. Start off with Travel Arabia 61

Japanese to suit your taste Belgian Café Halloween – Rooftop Party Oct. 31, 2012 Make this year’s Halloween memorable, dress up and celebrate with your two selected drinks for free.

Atrium Friday Family Brunch 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm Sumptuous brunch with multiple cooking stations, chocolate fountain and children’s entertainment area Inquiries and reservations: http://www.grandmillenniumdubai.com

InterContinental Abu Dhabi

The Cove Rotana Ras Al Khaimah Cove Family Brunch Fridays 12:30pm – 4pm Keep the kids entertained and bring out the master chef in your child. Every Friday at the Cove, our Chefs will create a fabulous cooking experience for youngsters, showing them how to prepare their own fun and tasty meals, not only to be enjoyed immediately but to take home too.

For added entertainment, a jumping castle will be placed at Cinnamon with a load of fun activities like face painting, bracelet making, little princess nail spa and much more that will keep the little ones busy for hours while parents relax and enjoy a peaceful meal.

Inquiries and reservations: rotanatimes. com, call 07 206 6000 or email usatfb.cove@ rotana.com

a delicately spiced Thai Tom Yum Goong before indulging in Sri Lankan Biryani, or topping off your meal with Italy’s finest Panna Cotta.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 317 4515 or dine.dtdu@dusit.com.

in Thai, Chinese, Arabic and Italian cuisine.

Dessert station. Cheese wall.

Inquiries and reservations: 971 (2) 656 1000 or email: easternmangroves@anantara.com

Dusit Thani Dubai Brunch Taking over the hotel’s entire 24th Floor and combining three of the hotel’s restaurants, Benjarong, PAX Romana, and The Californian.

Friday Brunch features live cooking, fresh preparation, international favourites and select, authentic Thai favourites.

Venue address and reservation contact: 24th Floor, Dusit Thani Dubai, 133 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 317 4515 or dine.dtdu@ dusit.com.

Grand Millennium Dubai

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

Ingredients Friday Brunch 12:30pm – 4pm Culinary specialties from around the globe.

Carvery station. Five show kitchens specialising 62 Travel Arabia

Dante Italian Nights Mondays 7pm – 10:30pm Pizzas and pastas with live cooking stations.

Surf & Turf Fridays 7pm – 10:30pm Toshi Sushi Night Tuesdays 7pm - 10:30pm Sushi experience Steam Pot Wednesdays 7pm – 10:30pm Superb self-cooking dining experience Saturday Asian Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm Joint Pan-Asian melt pot buffet of the best Indonesian, Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, and

Friday Marina Brunch 12pm – 4pm Lavish, flamboyant buffets, with live cooking stations and an extended food buffet. Dine at Chamas or The Yacht Club with music by DJ Rabih and Chamas band.

The Yacht Club Sushi Night Tuesdays 7pm – 11pm Selections Saturday Brunch Selections Classic Seafood Brunch on Saturdays includes a large variety of delicious food and your choice of grape beverages, brews, bubbly and cocktails.

Inquiries and reservations: 800 IC DINE (800- 423 463) or email dine.icabudhabi@ ihg.com Or book online www.dining-intercontinental-ad.ae

JW Marriott Dubai

Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest Oct. 2 – 13, 2012 Sausage-eating competition. Live band. Duck Dance.

Dusit Thani Dubai

Pick your Theme Night!

Indulge yourself every Wednesday with French Bistro Nights and every Thursday with Mediterranean Nights...

Experience the incomparable delights of Celsius, with all you can eat from the sumptuous buffet.

AED 165 per person with unlimited soft drinks and AED 195 with house beverages.

Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai - United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 308 0550, RRIC.royaldubai@radissonblu.com radisson.com/royal-dubai

Fridays 11:30pm – 4pm Sample dishes from Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam and India Amwaj Weekend Tapas Bar Thursdays and Fridays.

Enjoy a selection of six tapas, including oysters Shang Palace Early Bird Offer 7pm – 8:30pm Visit Shang Palace on Mondays and Tuesdays and enjoy an all-you-can-eat special menu.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 343 8888

The Address Montgomerie Dubai

Grandmother’s Potato Salad, Bavarian Beef Goulash, and Veal Dumplings in caper sauce.

An à la carte menu will be served from 6pm to 2am every Saturday to Wednesday while a traditional Bavarian buffet will be served every Thursday and Friday from 7pm to 11pm.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 (4) 607 7977/ 7009/ 7588 or log on to www.marriottdiningatjw.ae

Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort Palm Garden Restaurant and Terrace Oktoberfest Oct. 11 – 20, 2012 Event starts 7pm every night.

Raffle draw at the end of Oktoberfest for two return tickets to Munich, Germany

by Swissair.

Reservation required Inquiries and reservations: 4 399 5533

Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach

AOC French Brasserie 1001 Nights Themed Buffet Saturdays 7pm– 11:30pm Swap fondue for fattoush and other Arabic favourites. Live crepe station Inquiries and reservations: 04 448 4870 The Hub Oktoberfest Sept. 22, 2012 – Oct. 7, 2012 Swapping Guinness for Hof Beck’s, Franziskaner , Warsteiner, The Hub is themeing itself German in honor of Oktoberfest. Until 7 October, celebrate with a stein or two of German hops as you tuck into traditional dishes including Wiener Schnitzel, Bratwurst Sausage and Weisswurst Sausage.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 448 4862 Rococo Create Your Own Tasting Menu Thursday 7:00pm to 11.30pm Create your own tasting menu from Rococo’s a la carte choices, choosing from three to eight courses with the option to

UAE’s first Japanese restaurant turns 25 Celebrate with 25 dishes at AED 25 each

Shanghai Chic Bottomless Dim Sum Basket Wednesdays 7pm – 11pm Choices include barbecued chicken, crystal shrimp, glutinous rice with chicken, bean roll in spicy dried shrimp sauce, seafood and vegetable bun.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 444 5613.

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

Amador Cellar 4pm – 2:30pm The Magnificent 7 - Daily Theme Nights • Sunday – Sweet & Sour - AED 30* • Monday–Absolut Magic - AED 35* • Tuesday – Cosmo Art - AED 32* • Wednesday –Taste of Spain - AED 30* • Thursday – Martini Whirl - AED 35* • Friday – Mojito Fever - 6 different Mojitos for a set price of AED 130* or taste the individual flavours each for AED 28* • Saturday – Champagnelicious - AED 65* (*) All prices are subject to 10% service charge and 6% Tourism fee Inquiries and reservations: Visit www.rotanatimes.com, e-mail fb.park@rotana.com or call (0)2 6573305.

Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai Dunes Café Asian Brunchini

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Miyako, UAE’s first authentic Japanese restaurant at Hyatt Regency Dubai, completes 25 years in Dubai this October.

A favourite of local residents and the Japanese community in the city, Miyako has established itself as a place to savour traditional Japanese delicacies.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Miyako is presenting a special menu of 25 dishes at AED 25 each for lunch and

dinner throughout the month.

Indulge in delicious preparations like Tuna with spicy yukke sauce, Salmon sushi, Grilled salted red snapper, Vegetable tempura, Grilled minced chicken ball, Steamed sticky rice with sea bream amongst many other dishes on the menu.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 4 317 2222 or visit www.restaurants.dubai. hyatt.com

Nejoum Al Emarate Hotel offers travelers an elegantly designed home away from home in the heart of Sharjah.

It ensures stylish hotel rooms ranging from Standard, Deluxe & Executive Suites to take care of their guest stay and needs to an extensive level of quality service.

Nejoum Al Emarate Hotel, we are committed to provide you with warm hospitality service and comfort.

For resrvations: P.O.86880 Tel: +971 4 2589888 Fax: +971 4 2585682 Email: sales@emiratesstars.ae Website: www.emiratesstars.ae

For resrvations:

NOJOUM AL EMARAT HOTEL SHARJAH Deluxe 3 Stars

PO Box 62600 Sharjah, UAE Tel: +971 6 5635555 Fax: +971 6 5635999 Email:sales@saharahoteluae.com

Emirates Stars is a modern furnished hotel apartment conveniently located near to Dubai International Airport, City Centre, Shopping Centres, AI Mamzar Beach. Easy access towards Sh. Zayed road via Al lttihad road.

Offering Fully Furnished & Fully serviced One & Two Bedrooms Suites on DAILY, MONTHLY & YEARLY Basis.

Each apartment offers a spacious living and dining area, fully equipped kitchenette for your comfort and convenience. Emirates Stars commits its promise into bringing you a warm hospitality service with privacy of a home whilst on business or leisure to Dubai.

The Address Montgomerie Dubai

The Address Dubai Marina

include grape paring for each course.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 448 4860

Tilal Liwa Hotel

Special Eid Al Adha packages Rates start from AED699. Include breakfast for two adults and two children below 5 years, and free access to Body & Soul Fitness Center with swimming pool, steam and sauna. Children aged six to 12 years get 50% discount on buffet meals.

Valid Oct. 23 – 27, 2012. Maximum of two children between 12 years can stay in the room on existing bedding.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 2 894 6111, email reservations.tilal@danathotels.com or visit www.danathotels.com.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa

Showcasing an array of Halloween-themed products and retail items for the young and the young at heart.

Shades Sip & Swim Sundays – Thursdays 9am – 7pm Bid adieu to the summer. Unwind at our award-winning terrace and take a plunge into our infinity pool, while our chefs cook up an awe-inspiring menu featuring classics from the Mediterranean to the Far East.

Inquiries and reservations: 04 436 7777 or email dine.dubaimarina@theaddress.com

The Address Dubai Marina

Mazina Generation Creation Saturday Family Brunch Oct. 20, 2012 12:30pm – 3:30pm Halloween pumpkin carving. Fabulous prizes are on offer along with an endless buffet of delicious international dishes. Reserve a table now.

Mad for Mussels Mussels prepared in three different styles – Mariniere, Provencale, and Asian—guaranteed to stimulate all your senses.

Reserve a table today, and we’ll throw in a promotion bottle of a cellared beverage for only AED 150.

Date: Every Thursday and Friday Time: 18.30pm to 23.00pm Price: AED 100 per person Kambaa Halloween Baking Oct. 15 – 31, 2012 7am –12am 66 Travel Arabia

JW Marriott Dubai

Nineteen Saturday Roast 12pm – 3:30pm Traditional roast with all the trimmings. Choose from an array of superbly succulent meats, accompanied by crisp roast potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables, as well as a sumptuous starter and dessert buffet.

The Battle of the Chefs – Dubai 2012 Oct. 3 and 17, 2012 Nineteen, becomes a battleground for Dubai’s top chefs. Using the same staple ingredient, each contender will create three unique and flavoursome dishes and you, the judges, will determine a winner.

Links Bavette Night Mondays Starts 7pm Discover true French indulgence with the full flavor of Bavette beef-steak at Links. Served in traditional style with crispy French freis and one glass of selected house beverage.

Inquiries and reservations: +971 4 390 5600

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa

Agadir Moroccan four-course menu degustation menu with parings from Lebanon Bubbalicious Friday Brunch 12:30pm – 4pm Book early as we are selling out fast for this most interactive and best loved brunch in Abu Dhabi.

Live cooking.

Bookings essential Inquiries and reservations: 02 616 9999 or email Fbadmin.auh@westin.com

TRANQUIL MOMENTS When pressed onto the body, they soothe, nourish and heal by harnessing their various benefits.

In fact, it is so popular in Thailand, that the hotel decided to make it their signature treatment.

“This aromatic massage is administered using various traditional Thai herbs that have been used since ancient times,” avers Gabriel Stancu, recreation manager.

Thai Traditional Massage for Stress Relief A must-have if you are a busy woman and want relaxation of mind and muscles, smoother skin and a sense of wellbeing all-in-one 75-minute package.

By Ritu Raizada What: Thai Herbal Hot Compress Signature Treatment Why: We wanted to tackle achy-breaky muscles after a long and stressful day.

Cost: AED490/75 minutes Where: Club Olympus Fitness & Spa, Hyatt Regency, Hotel & Galleria, Dubai.

Frequency of the Treatment: On a weekly basis 68 Travel Arabia

The Thai Herbal Hot Compress Signature Treatment at The Club Olympus Fitness & Spa in Hyatt Regency, Hotel & Galleria, Dubai, is a 75-minute-long treatment. It harnesses the various benefits of Thai herbs and a massage to give a relaxing and skin-smoothening experience.

The compress combines various traditional Thai herbs wrapped in linen parcels. When heated, they release the natural, aromatic oils.

What is the treatment all about?

“The power of aromatherapy oils gets released with heat and helps de-stresses the client,” explained my therapist, Wannakan Anuwaiya.

After a brief consultation, I was smothered in my favourite lemongrass oil, which is designed to calm your spirit, elevate your mood and help stimulate the circulatory system.

I have sensitive skin and wanted her to know that. “Glad you informed me in advance,” she smiled. “But the ingredients are suitable for all skin types.”

She then went on to administer a thorough body massage.

A glance at the compress momentarily confused me with the Ayurvedic Kizhi massage as they, too, use linen compress bags. “Yes, there are striking similarities because both the therapies use heated herbs and medicinal oils tied in cloth bags,” Stancu agreed later.

“In both cases, the compresses are used to address chronic problems, such as back pain and tendinitis,” said Anuwaiya. “They also serve well to increase energy flow, improve circulation, relax muscles and stimulate nerves. The only difference is in the herbs inside.”

So when the moist heat radiated through the muscles, the simultaneous massage eased the tension and soreness of the tissues and it all slowly melted away. The steam of the compress opened my skin’s pores and I really felt lighter and energised. The soothing, uplifting aroma of lemongrasss calmed my forever busy mind.

Apparently, the heated bundles lend the same effects and stimulation as acupressure. So a back as sore and painful as mine was not ready for direct pressure, but the use of heated herbal compresses gave similar benefits. As I slowly felt relieved of aches and pains, I remained on my back for about 15 dreamy minutes as Anuwaiya gave me a good scalp massage.

Once done, a cup of peppermint tea followed by steam and a hot shower in the relaxation area completed the experience. The massage helped me sleep better that night.

I felt a burst of energy and an increase in blood circulation. The backache had almost disappeared. Well, almost.

For more information or to make a booking, please contact Club Olympus Fitness & Spa on +971 4 209 6802 or email atclubolympus. hyattregencydubai@hyatt.com

Rixos Royal Spa Fascinate your mind.

Invigorate your body.

Captivate your soul.

Be pampered in the ageold tradition of Turkish Hammam.

Rixos Royal Spa sets the mood for guests seeking to savor a taste of Royal indulgence with its extensive “Royal Haven” spa menu.

Whether it’s experiencing the traditional Turkish Hammam, enjoying a vast line of body and skin treatments or preparing for summer at the in-house fitness center, Rixos Royal Spa welcomes guests to enjoy relaxation in a royally lavish way.

Located in a sumptuous tranquil setting, the Sultan Baths of Rixos The Palm Dubai offer guests the opportunity to be pampered in the age-old tradition of Turkish Hammam, bringing together the healing spirit of the East and advanced technology of the West in a haven of serenity.

A Turkish Hammam is the Turkish variant of a sauna, distinguished by a focus on water, as opposed to steam. The hammam is a unique combination of the functionality and the structural elements of its Anatolian predecessors, the Roman thermae and Byzantine baths, with the Central Asian Turkish tradition of steam bathing, ritual cleansing and respect of water.

Offering a selection of treatments including Indian Head Massage, Deep Asia, Thai Foot Reflexology and Reiki, each treatment is performed by highly experienced practitioners.

Whether guests choose to indulge in ancient techniques or advanced modern day therapies, all are invited to relax their mind and rejuvenate their soul.

Furthering the Turkish hospitality feel within the overall Royal experience, Rixos Royal Spa invites guests to experience the Vitamin Bar offering special menus and premium global products with a particular focus on natural foods, holistic health and wellness.

The fully equipped fitness and aerobics center features personalized trainers offering expert guidance and personally tailored exercise programs ideal for hotel guests who wish to benefit from such activities during their holidays.

The Rixos Royal Spa is located at the Rixos The Palm Dubai. The opening hours are: Sunday – Saturday 09:00 – 23:00. To book your treatment please contact 04-4575555.

Reservations are essential.

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Competition

Win a Saturday Family Brunch at Mazina The Address Dubai Marina Just answer the quick question below

Spend time with your loved ones at Mazina on Saturdays with a family brunch that offers a choice of cuisines from around the world. While you relax, your children will be treated to a host of entertaining activities and performances including a bouncy castle, play area, face painting and Wii games.

Brunch is from 12:30pm to 3:30 pm Price is AED 220 including soft beverages; Children under 6 years enjoy complimentary meals and half the price for 7-12 years.

And with Generation Creation happening every month, the Saturday Family Brunch gets more fun as you team up with your little ones and participate in the activity.

For reservations call 04 4367777 or email dine. dubaimarina@theaddress.com Join us on facebook.com/theaddressdubaimarina and stay connected!

What does Saturday Family Brunch at Mazina, The Address Dubai Marina offer ?

Email your answer to dass@kalimatgroup.com, along with your name, telephone number and postal address. Type “Competition� on your email subject. Deadline for submission is Oct. 31, 2012.

The winner will be announced in Travel Arabia November edition.

72 Travel Arabia

THE LUXURY OF A HOTEL WITH THE COMFORTS OF HOME Enjoy panoramic views over the sparkling coastline and stunning cityscape at Fraser Suites Dubai. With award-winning service and extensive 5-star facilities including swimming pools, steam & sauna, Kid’s Club, tennis & squash courts; relaxed dining in Aqua CafÊ and the exclusive Awazen Spa - Fraser Suites Dubai has it all.

Reservations: +971 4 440 1400, Email: reservations.dubai@ frasershospitality.com

OUR FACEBOOK MEET THE travelling fashionista Do you prefer travelling alone or with group?

I enjoy travelling with my sons. They are now big boys and we usually have a great time together - they are great travel companions and we usually plan our trip in such a way that we have plenty to do and a variety of activities including sightseeing and shopping experience.

I’m an adventurous tourist.

I love sightseeing and I use a lot of the sites as inspirations for my fashion designs.

You got everything ready—bags, travel papers and all. What is the last thing you’d do before heading out?

Say goodbye to my family and make sure I have texted or called all my friends.

Dream destinations?

Rome, Turkey and China—all three cities are vibrant, have a great buzz about them and a rich history, culture and shopping experience. They are perfect for an all-round travel adventure.

Name three places in the world that you’re really raring to see.

Can’t get enough of Rome, Turkey and China— I actually want to visit the Great Wall; I’m already planning a trip.

Some would immediately hit the pool or the spa or bar. Others would jump off the road with their videocams and digicams upon arriving at their destination. How about you?

Check in the hotel and start scouting the city map for the city centre and shopping arcades, hoping to establish the key boutiques to visit before we depart.

What excites you when traveling?

The excitement starts from choosing a destination and because I tend to travel with my sons, we all get involved in the selection process. We usually look for a destination that offers a mix of experiences so that we all enjoy the trip. For me personally I always look out for shopping opportunities, but I balance that with what the boys want as well. A new destination is always exciting, anyway.

Everything’s already packed except for five important items. Having only enough space for three, which will you leave behind?

I’ll take out clothes and shoes because I know I’ll be out shopping throughout my trip. Besides, I need to travel light if I’m going to pack up the suitcases with goodies from my shopping expedition.

When was the last time you travelled? Where?

Last summer I travelled to Montreal, Canada.

I actually went to visit the sons who are now living there. I thought summer would be the perfect time to travel to Canada. I don’t think I could stand the harsh winters but the summers are beautiful and I managed to enjoy the city.

What drives you to travel? Food? Shopping?

Sightseeing?

I’m an adventurous tourist. I love sightseeing and I use a lot of the sites as inspirations for my fashion designs. Historical sightseeing always leaves me in awe and I tend to be completely engrossed in the history of the place.

Who’s on OUR FACEBOOK?

Salma Khan

A fashion designer who also has passion for travel.

74 Travel Arabia

Great Wall of China

Rome, Italy