Latest news with #AtlantisTheRoyal
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
UAE named in top 10 in Henley Passport Index
Have an Emirati passport? Well, get busy with your travel plans because the UAE has just soared into the top 10 of the world's most powerful passports, grabbing the 8th spot. The coveted Henley Passport Index ranking reveals that UAE passport holders can jet off to 184 countries and territories without the hassle of a visa — talk about a golden ticket. The Henley Passport Index ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Let's rewind a bit. The UAE passport has been one of the biggest climbers in the past decade, moving up 34 places from 42nd to 8th. The UAE shares the top 10 spot with Canada and Estonia. And this massive rise is no accident. The UAE's strategic diplomatic moves and tireless negotiations have paid off, transforming its passport into a formidable travel companion. What started as a humble passport allowing entry to just 35 destinations is now a powerhouse of global mobility. The world's most powerful passports Other passports of note to the Dubai population include the UK passport, which is ranked in 6th place, ahead of the Australian passport in 7th. The Russian passport ranks in 46th, alongside the Turkish passport, and one place ahead of Qatar which is one slot above South Africa. Saudi Arabia shares 54th place with Guyana and Vanuatu, placing one ranking higher than Bahrain. The Omani passport is one place below in 56th. The Philippines shares 72nd spot with Mongolia and Sierra Leone with visa-free access to 65 countries. India shares 77th position with Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Senegal with visa-free access to 59 countries. The Jordanian passport is 84th, the Egyptian is 85th, Lebanon is 89th, Iran is 91st, Bangladesh is 94th and Pakistan is 96th. Curious about the top 10? Here's the latest lineup: Rank Country Visa-Free Destinations 1 Singapore 193 2 Japan, South Korea 190 3 Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain 189 4 Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden 188 5 Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland 187 6 United Kingdom 186 7 Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland 185 8 Canada, Estonia, UAE 184 9 Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia 183 10 Iceland, Lithuania, United States of America 182 Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, said: 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. 'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.' Looking for things to do in Dubai? 10 one-of-a-kind cafés to escape the summer heat Extra cool spots to spend the day How to enjoy a luxe three-course dinner at Atlantis The Royal for only Dhs295 This is not a drill 7 low-key Dubai activities for when your social battery is running low Zero small talk required
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
How to get 20 percent off at Atlantis The Royal
Surging 43 storeys high and spanning 406,000 square meters, Atlantis The Royal is a show-stopping resort. The Royal spans 500-metres wide, 178 meters tall and is positioned on the outer crescent of Palm Island– a location which allows the building to have two different types of waterfront views: towards either the Arabian Gulf or the sheltered lagoon of Palm Island and the Dubai skyline. The view from the outside of the Atlantis The Royal You might also like: Dubai resident deals: Offers for EID card-holders 2025 The six striking towers are adjoined by a 90 x 33-metre sky bridge, which, along with the dramatically illuminated openings between each block, creates a clearly identifiable pattern on the night skyline. So if you have been planning a well-deserved staycation at the Atlantis, The Royal, it's good to know there is a way to redeem a 20 percent discount, on the best available room rate. How? By simply showing your Emirates ID. You might also like: UAE residents can now get their Emirates ID in just 24 hours If you need further persuasion to book yourself in for a weekend, the luxury resort has several restaurants, some of which are helmed by celebrity chefs. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Atlantis The Royal In fact, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, was crowned Time Out Dubai's best restaurant of the year for 2024. The creation of the globally acclaimed chef, helmed in Dubai by head chef Tom Allen, serves a cuisine like no other, with the most modern of takes on the most historic of dishes. Don't miss one of the best breakfasts in town here either. Tuck into a buffet spread at Gastronomy with over 17 fresh food counters to choose from. What's more, Atlantis The Royal is home to over 90 swimming pools property-wide. Out of the 90 pools, 44 of them are suites and penthouses with a pool. The hotel's rooftop pool, Cloud 22, is one not to be missed. It's 96 metres above Palm Jumeirah and spans 90 metres in length. Credit: Cloud 22 Room benefits include daily free access to Atlantis Aquaventure, The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Atlantis Explorers Club, pool and beach access and usage of the fitness centre, sauna and wet facilities. With views of the Arabian Gulf courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows, the room has king or queen-sized beds, a walk-in wardrobe and a dressing room, as well as adjustable mood lighting. Prices vary. Ongoing. Palm Jumeirah, Looking for things to do in Dubai? Dubai resident deals: Offers for EID card-holders 2024 Your Emirates ID unlocks loads of discounts 18 fully redeemable pool and beach days in Dubai Pool days don't have to break the bank, especially with this list Top UAE hotel deals and offers to book now Enjoy a brilliant staycation without breaking the bank
What's On
4 days ago
- What's On
Through my eyes: Dani Wilson Naqvi shares her favourite travel destinations
Each month, we ask a local UAE legend about their favourite places to eat, shop and explore around the emirates. But for this travel special, we're going global. So we've tapped Dani Wilson Naqvi ( @daniwilsonnaqvi ), luxury travel designer and founder of Unique Family Travels ( @uniquefamilytravel ) for her favourite spots worldwide. As a travel specialist who's ticked 55 countries off her bucket list, she's well equipped to share the best places on the planet for all vacation styles. Top staycation spot I love the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert for family trips as we enjoy the desert activities and get to explore RAK with unique experiences such as the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and zipling across Jebel Hafeet. A definite favourite of my family is Atlantis The Royal, as the family can enjoy Aquaventure from morning to night, there's an endless choice of mouth-watering restaurants, and lots of water activities. @ritzcarltonalwadidesert, @atlantistheroyal Bucket list family trip A safari in Africa is a must for all families. The most incredible safari experience I have had was in Botswana in the Okavango Delta where we canoed in the Okavango and witnessed many truly wonderful sights. For first-timers, I would recommend Kenya. I work with many luxury lodges that are more private and located in private conservancies, so you get to escape the crowds and have a more up-close experience. A must-try meal One of my best memories was at the 3 Michelin Star Mirazur in Menton on the border of France and Italy. We were staying in Monaco and drove to the restaurant, which took 30 minutes. All the ingredients served are grown on the side of the mountain around the restaurant, perfectly encapsulating the farm-to-table experience. @restaurantmirazur Favourite hotel Bisate Lodge (pictured above) in Rwanda is one of the most incredible hotels – so much so that it actually made me cry. The story behind it is very empowering as it was built by the local villagers, it's located in Volcanoes National Park, close to where you can trek with the gorillas. Aside from that, I love Nihi Sumba on Sumba Island in Indonesia, Soneva Jani or Soneva Fushi in the Maldives for the Robinson Crusoe experience, Gleneagles for a country retreat in Scotland, and Belmond Splendido in Portofino for a romantic couples' break. @bisatelodge, @nihi, @soneva, @thegleneagleshotel, @belmondsplendidomare A destination everyone should visit cape town South Africa. There is something magical about this city. From the amazing hikes to the spectacular vineyard Estates, driving the Garden Route to Hermanus to whale watch, and visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach – the vibe in Cape Town is unmatched. Under-the-radar destination Raja Ampat in Indonesia, known as The Last Paradise on Earth. We went as a family sailing around the islands for 10 days. From diving and snorkelling with manta rays, to hiking the untouched islands, it was raw and beautiful. The team set up beach days and dinner on private sandbanks, we kayaked around islands and relaxed on the most incredible boat, which had 15 staff to assist with every need. Easily one of my bucket list moments. Images: Unsplash, Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Julie Bishop celebrates her 69th birthday in style as she lives it up on lavish Dubai getaway
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop rang in her 69th birthday in style on Thursday, soaking up the sun and glamour of Dubai. The ever-stylish political trailblazer shared a series of joyful snaps to social media, showing her living her best life at luxury hotspot Atlantis The Royal. One photo captured the fashionable former MP raising a toast at an upscale restaurant, while another showed a lavish birthday cake being presented to her at an upmarket venue. A third image revealed Julie beaming as she skipped playfully around a beachside recliner, clearly enjoying her milestone celebration. 'Dubai at its finest @atlantistheroyal. Thank you @deanwalshtravels,' she captioned the photo carousel, which garnered many likes and well wishes from fans and friends. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Ms Bishop, who has long been dubbed the 'Minister for Fashion,' was glowing throughout the celebration. In March, Ms Bishop proved she is every bit the 'Minister for Fashion' on the digital cover for the Australian Women's Weekly. The fashionista stepped into a chic designer piece for her glamorous photo shoot in Sydney 's Centennial Park. Dressed in a stylish Carla Zampatti pants suit with a bow collar, the former Deputy Liberal leader cut her best supermodel look for the high-profile magazine. Ms Bishop, who is an ambassador for retail giant David Jones, styled her blonde hair in a chic short cut for the cover and accessorised with a set of gold earrings. The AWW praised Ms Bishop's fashion chops in the accompanying caption, before providing a sneak peek at their interview inside the latest issue. 'Six years post-politics Julie Bishop wears the title of Minister of Fashion "as a badge of pride",' shared the magazine. 'From her youth, Julie has been fascinated with fashion; one of her earliest memories is watching her mother stitch a ballgown. It looked to be an exciting getaway for the former Minister for Foreign Affairs 'Throughout her political career, she was a continuous advocate for the Australian fashion world and believed her fashion diplomacy "gave a sophisticated edge to Australia's image overseas". 'Today, Julie is still a media fascination - blending power, diplomacy, and fashion effortlessly.' The publication went on to reveal that Ms Bishop sat down for a chat 'about life after politics, privacy, paparazzi and why fashion diplomacy is still a top priority.' It comes after Ms Bishop was spotted in Centennial Park in Sydney in January modelling outfits from Australian fashion brands. She appeared in her element on the day and has every reason to smile. Ms Bishop is currently dating Stephen Gray, who she 'soft-launched' on her social media account in July 2023.
Time Out Dubai
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai Festival City mall is giving away free ice cream this weekend (with no catch)
One of Dubai's most popular malls is giving away thousands of free scoops of ice cream this weekend. Shoppers with a sweet tooth at Dubai Festival City Mall can tuck into one of 3,000 free scoops on Sunday July 20, to celebrate International Ice Cream Day. The cold freebie can be picked up at The Market Island food hall, one of the largest food halls in the region, between 10am and midnight. You'll get a choice between chocolate, pistachio or vanilla at Naughty Pizza within the 70,000 square foot food hall. And the best bit? There's no catch. You simply need to stop by and choose the flavour you want. (Credit: Market Island) The Market Island is home to more than 40 vendors with flavours ranging from all around the world, including Georgia, Italy, India, Japan, Korea, the USA and Uzbekistan. The space hosts regular live music, kids' entertainment and pop-up markets. Sunday's giveaway will also shine a spotlight on Naughty Pizza, known for its fermented Biga dough and theatrical kitchen experience. Free ice cream in the Dubai summer heat? Sounds ideal to us. If you can't make it to Dubai Festival City Mall this weekend, then there are loads of places in the emirate worth checking out where you can cool down with a cone. From old-school favourites to viral-worthy scoops, Dubai has no shortage of frozen treats to help you beat the heat in the most delicious way possible. Free. Sun Jul 20, 10am – midnight. Dubai Festival City Mall. Looking for things to do in Dubai? 10 one-of-a-kind cafés to escape the summer heat Extra cool spots to spend the day How to enjoy a luxe three-course dinner at Atlantis The Royal for only Dhs295 This is not a drill 7 low-key Dubai activities for when your social battery is running low Zero small talk required
