GET TRADITION THIS SEASON
Experience the Emirati tradition of pearl diving and fishing in a traditional dhow at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara and Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort and retrace the footsteps of the Bani Yas tribe, who historically spent the warmer months diving for pearls and fishing in the Arabian Gulf. Moreover, guests get to keep the pearls and cruise to Discovery Islands, located between Umm Al Kurkum and Um Qasar to watch dolphins, sea turtles and the world’s second largest population of dugongs. For eight years and above, prices start from Dh450. Call 02-8015400 or write to dirs@anantara.com
UAE BOOSTS OF BLUE FLAG HONOUR
A dozen more beaches and marinas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will receive the internationally-recognised Blue Flag from EWS-WWF. 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.
With these newly-awarded sites, including Saadiyat Island, Deserts Islands on Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi and Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Marina, Sheraton Dubai Jumeirah and Le Royal Meridien beach in Dubai, the UAE now boasts a total of 24 Blue Flags across the emirates.
These sites join a global list of more than 4,000 beaches and marinas across 46 different countries, from the tropical shores of the Caribbean islands to the rugged cliffs of New Zealand.
WARWICK OPENS 4-STAR HOTEL IN LEBANON
Warwick Stone 55 Hotel, a 4-star boutique hotel consisting of 46 rooms, shopping mall, international restaurant, and rooftop restaurant is the third property from Warwick International Hotels in Lebanon after Warwick Pangéa Beach Resort & Spa and Warwick Palm Beach Hotel. Located in Zalka-Beirut, only 14 miles away from Beirut International Airport, the hotel is just a few miles from Downtown, La Marina Dbayeh, Byblos, Casino Du Liban, Jeita Grotto, Zaarour Ski Resort, National Museum of Beirut, Mzaar Kfardebian, Baalback and other major touristic attractions.
EMIRATES LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO CLARK
On October 1, Emirates launched flights to Clark in the Philippines. It also inaugurated a route between Milan and New York and a brand new A380 service to Brisbane. While Clark is the second destination for the airline in Philippines, Brisbane is its 22nd A380 destination, and with the Milan-New York service, Emirates becomes triple daily into New York. For more information log on to www.emirates.com
ETIHAD STARTS A FACEBOOK COMPETITION
Etihad Airways is launching a Facebook competition and a Vietnam-themed social hub to celebrate its new daily Ho Chi Minh City flights and its partnership with celebrity chef, Luke Nguyen, the host of Masterchef Vietnam. ‘Vietnam Eats’ competition will run on Facebook, where guests can upload photographs of their favourite Vietnamese food with the hashtag #HCMCPEARLS to win a pair of Coral economy class flights to Ho Chi Minh City from any point on the airline’s network. They can also vote for their favourite foodie photos throughout October. At the end of the month, a panel of judges will choose a winner from the 10 most popular photographs. For more information log on to www.facebook.com/etihad.airways
