Pay once, fly twice to 16 destinations
Flydubai is offering travellers the chance to buy a return ticket to any one of 16 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, India and Europe, and buy a second flight to the same city for the cost of the taxes. Destinations include Colombo, Lucknow, Amman, Muscat, Alexandria, Kathmandu and Istanbul. Book your first flight by September 8 for travel between September 16 and October 20, then book your second flight for travel between September 16 and October 20, or November 4 to December 12. To book, visit www.flydubai.com.
A tour of North Korea or an Egyptian cruise
The historic, luxury tour operator Cox & Kings has released its Far and Middle East tour brochures for 2013. New trips include a 12-night, small group tour of North Korea visiting the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung among other monuments from £2,695 (Dh15,622), land only. There is also a 14-night cruise exploring the lesser known sights of the lower Nile including the tombs at Beni Hassan, Akhenaten's tomb and palaces at El Amarna, Edfu and Aswan. The trip costs from £1,715 (Dh9,940), land only. For information, contact www.coxandkings.co.uk.
Check into the Four Seasons Milan
Why? The five-star hotel housed in a 15th-century convent on Via Gesù has just opened a new spa complete with a Turkish hammam and using La Prairie and Sodashi products. Treatments include anti-ageing facials using caviar and gold from €170 (Dh782) for an 80-minute session as well as a range of massages from 25 to 80 minutes in length from €80 (Dh368). The spa is open to both hotel guests and non-guests from September. A double room costs from €671 (Dh3,806) per night, including taxes. To book, visit www.fourseasons.com.
Stay at a design favourite in Miami
The SLS Hotel South Beach has just opened on Collins Avenue at 17th Street in Miami. With distinctive black and white, Philippe Starck-designed interiors and a Spanish and Latin menu cooked up by Chef José Andrés at the Bazaar, it's proving a popular address. A double room costs from US$368 (Dh1,351), including taxes. Book at www.slshotels.com.
Explore the sights of Myanmar by bike
As tourists begin to beat a path to Myanmar, the specialist group tour operator Exodus is offering a new 16-day tour of the country on two wheels. The itinerary includes a cruise on Lake Inle with its floating markets, and cycling the Inthein pagodas, Bagan, Shan Highland and Pindaya before a tour of Yangon. Tours depart from mid January to late March and the end of July through to December next year and cost from £1,539 (Dh8,937), land only. For an itinerary, visit www.exodus.co.uk.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Summer special
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95