
Team What's On share where they'll be travelling this summer
Having just moved to Dubai, I'll be spending the summer settling in and getting to know the city better. I'm looking forward to discovering its hidden gems – and its air-conditioned ones, too. I will be making quick trips to visit family in Doha and Bahrain. – Liam Joyce, Editor Destination: Ireland
I'm heading back home to Ireland this summer and I'm excited for endless green fields, and realistically, a lot of rain. It's time to catch up with family, drink some Barry's Tea and put on about 17 more layers of clothing. I can't wait. – Madie Murphy, Deputy Editor Destination: Taipei, Taiwan
This summer, I'm heading off on a family trip to Taipei. I can't wait to explore the bustling night markets like Shilin Night Market and enjoy delicious local flavours like beef noodle soup and authentic bubble tea. I want to tick off the cultural highlights and the best bits of the local area too, so we plan to visit Taipei 101 and do day trips to places like Jiufen Old Street, Beitou for hot springs, Yangmingshan Flower Clock, Shifen Sky Lantern and the Golden Waterfall. – Sheila Deocareza, Art Director Destination: Baku, Azerbaijan
This year I am packing my bags and jetting to Baku, Azerbaijan in September. I can't wait to tick another Formula 1 race off my bucket list. But between the zooms out on the circuit, you will find me roaming Baku Old City, gazing at the iconic Flame Towers, scoping out the museums and enjoying a lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Baku (yes, it's already booked in). Find me kitted out in a Ferrari top and a Red Bull cap. – Aarti Saundalkar, Arts and Culture Features Editor Destination: Manali, India
This summer, I'm exchanging Dubai's heat for the slow tranquility of the mountains with a trip to Manali. This Indian hill station in the Himalayas has those picture-perfect, postcard-worthy views, with ivory, snow-capped mountains, rolling greenery, flowing streams and quaint cottages. Escape, disconnect and rejuvenate – that's my plan. – Manaal Fatimah, Reporter Destination: Brazil
Whenever I imagine the perfect trip, my mind goes somewhere far, quiet, and off the usual tourist trail – like Brazil. I've been before to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Curitiba, but I'd love to go back and explore its slower, quieter side: islands like Fernando de Noronha, Ilha Grande, and Boipeba. Places with no crowds, no cars – just lush tropical greenery, crystal-clear water, soft white sand, and that wild, untouched beauty that runs through Brazil's spirit. – Lana Du, Reporter Destination: Cape Town, South Africa
Back to the motherland we go! It's time for a long-overdue family reunion filled with hugs, happy tears, and all the good vibes in South Africa. My fiancé and I are touching down to celebrate two big milestones: my brother-in-law's 'I do' moment and my official debut as Auntie Sammi. Let the memory-making begin! – Sammi Barnard, Junior Reporter
Images: Unsplash
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What's On
a day ago
- What's On
Team What's On share where they'll be travelling this summer
Having just moved to Dubai, I'll be spending the summer settling in and getting to know the city better. I'm looking forward to discovering its hidden gems – and its air-conditioned ones, too. I will be making quick trips to visit family in Doha and Bahrain. – Liam Joyce, Editor Destination: Ireland I'm heading back home to Ireland this summer and I'm excited for endless green fields, and realistically, a lot of rain. It's time to catch up with family, drink some Barry's Tea and put on about 17 more layers of clothing. I can't wait. – Madie Murphy, Deputy Editor Destination: Taipei, Taiwan This summer, I'm heading off on a family trip to Taipei. I can't wait to explore the bustling night markets like Shilin Night Market and enjoy delicious local flavours like beef noodle soup and authentic bubble tea. I want to tick off the cultural highlights and the best bits of the local area too, so we plan to visit Taipei 101 and do day trips to places like Jiufen Old Street, Beitou for hot springs, Yangmingshan Flower Clock, Shifen Sky Lantern and the Golden Waterfall. – Sheila Deocareza, Art Director Destination: Baku, Azerbaijan This year I am packing my bags and jetting to Baku, Azerbaijan in September. I can't wait to tick another Formula 1 race off my bucket list. But between the zooms out on the circuit, you will find me roaming Baku Old City, gazing at the iconic Flame Towers, scoping out the museums and enjoying a lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Baku (yes, it's already booked in). Find me kitted out in a Ferrari top and a Red Bull cap. – Aarti Saundalkar, Arts and Culture Features Editor Destination: Manali, India This summer, I'm exchanging Dubai's heat for the slow tranquility of the mountains with a trip to Manali. This Indian hill station in the Himalayas has those picture-perfect, postcard-worthy views, with ivory, snow-capped mountains, rolling greenery, flowing streams and quaint cottages. Escape, disconnect and rejuvenate – that's my plan. – Manaal Fatimah, Reporter Destination: Brazil Whenever I imagine the perfect trip, my mind goes somewhere far, quiet, and off the usual tourist trail – like Brazil. I've been before to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Curitiba, but I'd love to go back and explore its slower, quieter side: islands like Fernando de Noronha, Ilha Grande, and Boipeba. Places with no crowds, no cars – just lush tropical greenery, crystal-clear water, soft white sand, and that wild, untouched beauty that runs through Brazil's spirit. – Lana Du, Reporter Destination: Cape Town, South Africa Back to the motherland we go! It's time for a long-overdue family reunion filled with hugs, happy tears, and all the good vibes in South Africa. My fiancé and I are touching down to celebrate two big milestones: my brother-in-law's 'I do' moment and my official debut as Auntie Sammi. Let the memory-making begin! – Sammi Barnard, Junior Reporter Images: Unsplash > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in


Web Release
7 days ago
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Step into a Realm of Regal Grandeur: Viceroy's Table, Where Colonial Elegance Meets Contemporary Indian Cuisine
Dubai's luxury dining scene welcomes its latest crown jewel, Viceroy's Table—a restaurant where every corner whispers history and every dish celebrates culture. Inspired by the aristocratic charm of India's elite Gymkhana clubs, Viceroy's Table redefines modern Indian fine dining within an interior that evokes the faded grandeur of colonial mansions in Kolkata and Pondicherry. Designed as a place of abundance, high spirits, and generosity, Viceroy's Table brings together timeless aesthetics and elevated cuisine in a setting that is as visually seductive as it is gastronomically rich. A Masterclass in Design: Where Indian Heritage Meets Colonial Chic The interiors at Viceroy's Table pay homage to India's opulent past, blending architectural nods to North Indian palaces with the residential intimacy of South Indian mansions. Guests are welcomed through a mirrored entrance inspired by northern architecture, which opens into a world resplendent in jade-green hues, polished dark timber, and lavish printed fabrics. The ground floor and bar are layered with details that nod to old-world sophistication: original hunting trophies from the Maharaja of Jodhpur, vintage artifacts, and conversation-starting heirlooms like Grandmother Sethi's barometer. Each detail has been chosen to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a modern, curated edge—making the space a visual feast for lovers of design, history, and culture. In the kitchen, Karishma Sakhrani, MasterChef India finalist, curates a bold menu that merges contemporary Indian flavors with seasonal British ingredients. The result? An Anglo-Indian culinary narrative that balances tradition with innovation. Dishes like Champaran Mutton, Haleem with Pao, and the theatrical Lobster Thermidor flambéed tableside, deliver both taste and spectacle. Supporting the culinary vision is Sameer Uttamsingh, a seasoned F&B professional who has masterminded a Club Cocktail program designed to celebrate India's vast botanical and spice heritage. Each cocktail is a modern interpretation of a classic, layered with regional ingredients that echo the vibrancy of Indian markets. Inspired by the communal warmth and exclusivity of historical Gymkhanas, Viceroy's Table invites guests to feast, converse, and linger. Whether seated under the warm glow of antique chandeliers, sipping a Saffron Negroni at the bar, or indulging in a Mysore Pak Tiramisu under vaulted ceilings, every moment here is steeped in storytelling. Viceroy's Table is more than a dining destination—it is an interior masterpiece and cultural archive, wrapped in flavors, fabrics, and finesse.


Campaign ME
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Ranveer Singh enters the chat to promote Experience Abu Dhabi
Experience Abu Dhabi has launched a campaign targeting Indian travellers, starring Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and set entirely within the familiar digital setting of a family WhatsApp group chat. The campaign brings to life a behavioural truth: most Indian family holidays begin not at a travel agency or with a Google search – but with a message to the family group. With more than 500 million active users, India is WhatsApp's largest market globally, making it a natural storytelling platform for the campaign's concept. The campaign was developed by Serviceplan Middle East and produced by Déjà vu. It was supported by Spark Foundry, Ogilvy India and Memac Ogilvy. The video opens with Singh seated at a family dining table, excitedly announcing a holiday in Abu Dhabi. One by one, other family members begin to appear – both at the table and in the group chat – mirroring the way Indian families often plan trips through emojis, voice notes, and back-and-forth banter. Characters include a tech-challenged auntie who's always typing but never sending, a good-morning-forwarding uncle, and the younger, Gen Z cousins with cool filters and hotter takes. As each character weighs in, scenes shift fluidly from chat to real-world, showcasing what Abu Dhabi has to offer for every family member – from luxury shopping and theme parks to street food and serene beaches. The film closes with a cheerful CTA from Singh: 'Habibis, so when are you going to Abu Dhabi?' Beyond the film, the campaign extended into digital touchpoints with custom WhatsApp sticker packs featuring Ranveer Singh in playful poses and travel-themed captions like 'Flight mode: on' and 'No kaam, only araam. #InAbuDhabi.' These stickers were designed to organically integrate into Indian WhatsApp conversations, reinforcing both recall and relatability. 'A family holiday is not an easy agreement. Options are proposed, drafted like resolutions, debated in group chats, amended mid-call, and sometimes vetoed by the youngest delegate with the biggest opinions,' said Sajju Ambat, Director of Creative Strategy and Insights. The Ranveer Singh campaign recorded over 143 million impressions, 18.5 million video views, and 254,000 engagements across digital and social channels – highlighting the value of insight-led, culturally resonant creative in travel marketing. Credits Agency – Serviceplan Middle East Executive Creative Director: Nishant Shah Creative Director: Andre Couto Associate Creative Director: Kunal Gagwani Copywriter – Mariyam Maroof Senior Producer: Geetika Sood Junior Production Manager: Saquib Wakankar Business Director: Solange Constantin Account Manager: Mohamad Saboury Production House – Déjà vu Executive Producer – Manasvi Gosalia Head of Production – Kavya Iyer Producer – Nadine Gibbs Head of Postproduction – Rafic Sawaya Post Producer – Adnan Plummer Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Boushelaibi – Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Imane Zebrini – Special Projects Lead, Strategic Communications Department Kenneth Daniel Monis – Acting Destination Marketing Section Head Ghadeer Khub – Creative & Production Department Director at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Emma Campbell – Sector Marketing Director and Acting Director of Strategic Communications at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Nada Assaf – Campaigns Section Head at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Mohamed ElShorafa – Campaigns Unit Head at The Department at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Zain Variawa – Acting Media Planning Unit Head Ady Badawi – Media Planning Specialist Nishita Virkar – Consumer Communications Section Head Muhimma Alriyami – Consumer PR Specialist Spark Foundry Skander Naaman – Media Manager Asad Khan – Senior Executive Anilyn Abitria – Media Executive Anees Abdul Rehman – Senior Executive Frankie Warren – Senior Media Manager Vedrana Strong – Associate Business Director Ogilvy India Arneeta Vasudeva – National Head – PR & Influence Nakul Sagar – Partner – PR & Influence Hetika Gala – Associate Partner – PR & Influence Laksh Kapri – Sr. Consultant – PR & Influence Memac Ogilvy Sarah Edwards – Managing Partner Lameez Mohd – Senior Account Director Mina Kiwan – Media Relations Director Zainab Damji – Senior English Editor Aamina Mohamed – Senior Account Manager Rami Farrah – Senior Account Executive Nayla Ibrahim – Account Executive