FLY AN AIRCRAFT, VIRTUALLY
Bookings are now on for iPilot, a flight simulator, next to Sega Republic in Dubai Mall. Every session, under supervision of a professional instructor in the cockpit, allows an experience of controlling a Boeing 737-800 airliner through 24,000 airports from Bogota to Brisbane and JFK to Charles de Gaulle. Choose from 15-minutes (Dh299) to 60-minute (Dh899) rides. Log on to www.flyipilot.ae
TUI CRUISES MAKES ABU DHABI REGULAR PORT OF CALL
Germany’s TUI Cruises is making Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed cruise terminal a regular port of call. The first of their ships, the Mein Schiff 2, docked last week with 40,000 passengers. The passengers had a choice of 18 different shore excursions to explore the city, including afternoon tea or evening dinner at the Emirates Palace or a city cultural tour at the Manarat al Saadiyat and the UAE Pavilion exhibition centres on Saadiyat Island; a visit to Ferrari World and the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The cruise line’s Serenade of the Seas will make its first call to Abu Dhabi in February. Log on to tuicruises.com
SOFITEL REOPENS SPIRAL RESTAURANT
The Spiral restaurant reopens at Sofitel Philippine’s Plaza Hotel after a US$11 million (Dh40.3 million) investment. The main features at the restaurant include 21 ateliers, six private dining rooms and four outdoor dining gazebos. The menu is fusion of traditional French markets and Asian hawker stalls. Log on to www.sofitelmanila.com.
PEBBLE BEACH RESORTS’ ANNIVERSARY OFFER
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Pebble Beach Resorts’ The Inn and The Links at Spanish Bay offers guests one round of golf and one night of accommodation starting at $525 from December 13 to January 15. Log on to www.PebbleBeach.com.
ETIHAD BAGGAGE BONUS FOR MEMBERS
Coral Economy Class passengers on Etihad Airways can now check in 30kg baggage. Members of the Etihad Guest programme can avail 50kgs of baggage on a complimentary basis. Visit www.etihad.com.
A PEEK INTO OMAN’S HERITAGE
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and Omran, a tourism developer, have partnered to develop Khasab in the Musandam area. They have launched a women to women cultural programme, Zaree, at Khasab Castle. It offers a woman’s insight to Oman’s heritage lifestyle and modernity. The restored castle has new interactive displays for learning about the region’s cultural heritage and environment and was recently awarded “Best International Museum Award” by the UK Museums’ Association. Log on to www.omantourism.gov.om.