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underwater dreams

Diving head first into fashion

luxury that lasts

Sustainable fashion is having a moment

the guitarist’s guitar

How the Gibson Les Paul shaped rock and roll

the future is now

Technology that’s worth talking about

SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | issue 05

C o m P l i m e n t a r y C o P y

Crafting romanCe

Celebrating 130 years of love with Tiffany & Co.

WALK WITH TIMEHe was a traveler, experiencing all hours of the earth.Planning trips with such great care, he and Time had merged.Grateful to the man for walking with him, not around,Time reassured he’d arrive anywhere he was bound.

#MakeTimeYourOwn

Longines_HQ • Visual: AR13_DV18 • Magazine: Atlantis_Magazine April (AE) • Doc size: 460 x 300 mm • Calitho #: 04-16-115920 • AOS #: LON_10759 • VP 19/04/2016 • Left

Elegance is an attitude

Aishwarya Rai

Longines_HQ • Visual: AR13_DV18 • Magazine: Atlantis_Magazine April (AE) • Doc size: 460 x 300 mm • Calitho #: 04-16-115920 • AOS #: LON_10759 • VP 19/04/2016 • Left

Elegance is an attitude

Aishwarya Rai

Longines DolceVita

Longines_HQ • Visual: AR13_DV18 • Magazine: Atlantis_Magazine April (AE) • Doc size: 460 x 300 mm • Calitho #: 04-16-115920 • AOS #: LON_10759 • VP 19/04/2016 • Rightt

7

The World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism report for 2015 named Dubai as number three in regards to safety after Finland and Qatar. As a comparison the US is placed 73 and the UK at 63. The latest World Migration Report (WMR), which was published in January, names Dubai as the world’s most cosmopolitan city. Home to over 200 nationalities from around the world, it’s reported that 83 per cent of Dubai’s residents were born in a foreign country before migrating to Dubai, making it a truly global city. WMR reported that about 50 per cent of international migrants reside in ten highly urbanised, high-income countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, the United States and several countries in Europe (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom).

What makes Dubai such an interesting city?· Dubai boasts over 5,400 restaurants with a fusion of global flavours and many celebrity chefs opening international restaurants including Nobu, Giorgio Locatelli, and Gordon Ramsay in Atlantis· The city is only 44 years old but is the hub of the region, currently gearing up for Expo 2020 with new developments across the city· Dubai is home to some of the world’s best hotel brands including Atlantis, The Palm and One & Only

WELCOMEFrom Serge Zaalof, President and Managing

Director, Atlantis, The Palm

Dubai is a city with many qualities and we hope you enjoy exploring them. A warm welcome!

Serge ZaalofPresident and Managing Director,

Atlantis, The Palm

· Dubai International Airport is now the busiest airport in the world, overtaking London Heathrow a few months ago with international passenger traffic exceeding 69 million in 2015· Ranked one of the safest cities in the world· Ranked 7th most-visited city in the world by international visitors and in the top 20 in terms of visitor expenditure· Home to an ever-expanding events calendar including global sporting and arts events as well as fashion and music events, playing host to headline artists including Sting, Pharrell, David Guetta and Janet Jackson· Opening this year is the Dubai Opera House with performances including ballet, opera and music. The city is also developing the Opera District housing art galleries, museums, parks and boutique hotels· The thriving local art scene with world-class art galleries, such as Majlis Gallery, Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde and The Third Line· Growing café culture, including some great home-grown businesses· Fashion capital of the region, local designers include Zahra who has made abayas for Rachel Hunter and Paris Hilton· Home to some of the world’s largest shopping malls including Dubai Mall (502,000 square metres and over 1,200 shops) and Mall of the Emirates (220,000 square metres and over 700 shops) with high-street to high-end, and this year Dubai is also launching its very first Fashion Week

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12Check In

The trends - all you need to know to see you through the S/S16 season

18The Guitarist’s Guitar

Before rock and roll had a past; Les Paul and Gibson Guitars shaped its future

24Fashioning Romance

Discover how Charles Tiffany crafted romance for the masses

28Luxury that Lasts

Fashion’s new tribe blur the boundaries between eco and luxury

32The Future is Now

From friendly robots to rollable televisions, technology is having a moment

36Underwater Dreams

Dive right in at Atlantis, The Palm with a water-inspired stay like no other

Produced for Atlantis, The Palmby Hot Media Publishinginfo@atlantisthepalm.com +971 4 426 2000

PROJECT LEAD

Andrea KrennVP PR Atlantis, The Palm

MAnAgIng DIRECTOR

Victoria Thatcher

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

John Thatcher

gROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

David Wade

EDITOR

Hayley Skirka

ART DIRECTOR

Andy Knappett

DESIgnER

Emi Dixon

PRODUCTIOn MAnAgER

Muthu Kumar

To contact any of the above people, email firstname@hotmediapublishing.com

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media Publishing is strictly prohibited. All prices mentioned are correct at time of press but may change. HOT Media Publishing does not accept liability for omissions or errors in Atlantis Magazine.

Tel: 00971 4 364 2876Fax: 00971 4 369 7494

CONTENTS

© 20

16 TUM

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NICO ROSBERGGloba l C i t i zen

TUMI.COM

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OUT & ABOUTPage 71 - 80

In & AROUnDPage 48 - 70

72The Agenda

From camel racing to rugby to National Day celebrations, we’ve got you covered

75Dubai Insider

Try a helicopter tour or discover a different side of Dubai with our insider guide

80Check Out

International movie star Jackie Chan gives us his thoughts on Dubai

48Kids’ Corner

Seeing Atlantis through the eyes of our youngest guests

49Skateboard Takeover

Red Bull boarders invade Aquaventure

50Marine Life

Do you dare to dive after dark?

52Ramadan 101

All you need to know about the Holy Month

54Turning back Time

Anti-ageing tips from the experts

56Day in the Life

With Bread Street Kitchen & Bar’s pastry chef

57Society Spotting

All the backstage fun from the opening of Ayamna restaurant

59Suite Life

Make like a celebrity and check into a suite

60Epicurious

A culinary update on all things gourmet at Atlantis, The Palm

This issue’s cover, shot on location at Atlantis, The Palm. Photography by

Juliet Dunne

www.empireaviation.com

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COLOUR POP Wrist candy just got colourful thanks to the vivid palettes embraced by watchmakers this year. Risk takers Hublot introduced the Tutti Frutti linen collection (pictured) while Dior presented some stunning pieces inspired by Monsieur Dior’s childhood summers spent in the colourful courtyard of his grandmother’s seaside cottage.

CLASSIC REVIVALSFrom the Rolex Daytona, the watch

everyone has been waiting for, to Tag Heuer’s reinvented Monza,

or Omega’s Speedmaster CK2998 - reviving classic models and

redesigning them for the moment is a big trend in the watch world in

2016.

SPORTING fUNPilot and diving collaborations aside,

2016 is about sport diversification with Bremont’s Regatta OTUSA, and Tissot’s basketball connections. Tag Heuer, pioneers in watertight cases,

introduce a stunning all-ceramic model of the Aquaracer Lady, a

diving classic.

MATCHING PAIRSAll-over tones seem to be having a moment this year with particular

attention being given to the colour blue - the tone that dominated

Baselworld 2016. Leave it to Hermès and the all-blue Slim

d’Hermès to provide one of the smartest examples out there.

THE WATCHESFrom reinvented classics to stunning displays of colour, there’s something for everyone in the horology realm this year

LUXURIESCHECK-iN

13

I n 1918, as the First World War drew to a close, a young American Red Cross driver by the

name of Ernest Hemingway was assigned to the Alpine Front.

Having been unable to pass the exam for the US Army, he had volunteered to drive ambulances and was posted to Basssano Del Grappa, a small town in the Veneto region of Italy. During this time, when not on duty, a young Hemingway would pay several visits to nearby fountain pen factory Elmo, in search of ink refills to continue his insightful wartime correspondence.

Post war, this factory changed its name to Elmo & Montegrappa and, later still, dropped the Elmo altogether. Today, at over 100 years old, Montegrappa is an international icon and the oldest Italian pen-making company in the world. Now owned by the Aquila family, Montegrappa’s writing instruments find favour with famed faces across the globe. Heads of state, celebrities, popes, royalty and authors across the world favour Montegrappa as their writing instruments of choice.

The Aquila family took over the company in 1938 after being clients of the original owners

and they are now the third generation owners. According to CEO Giuseppe Aquila, the brand remains strongly connected to its roots and those iconic Hemingway days. “Our history and the rich heritage is our strength. We have evolved, adapting to the times but the fact that we still manufacture from the same century-old building and are still a family-owned business only goes to prove how connected we are with our roots.”

Having been consistently known for pushing the boundaries of creativity, Montegrappa’s latest offering is inspired by Grappa, an Italian beverage that hails from the company’s hometown and was originally a drink of choice for peasants. There are interesting parallels between the brand and the beverage, explains Aquila. “Grappa has organically earned its audience to the extent that it is now a protected name in the European Union. As with the drink, Montegrappa has slowly grown into becoming one of the world’s most luxurious writing instruments brand. We felt that this was the right time to dedicate a pen to Grappa and simultaneously pay tribute to Bassano del Grappa – our hometown.”

In a world where writing is becoming something of a dying art, Montegrappa are strongly fighting against this decline. “It is sad to see that what was once a primary means of communication and transmitting knowledge for future generations now being overshadowed by technology,” says Aquila. “We strive to keep the writing culture alive. Not only because it is our business, but also because it is one of nature’s greatest gifts to mankind.”

In addition to sponsoring a writing room at Dubai’s Rashid Paediatric Center that gives children with special needs a place to develop their writing skills, the brand also sponsor the writing contest at the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Most recently, Montegrappa and Atlantis, The Palm have partnered to launch the new Montegrappa Writing and Business Centre. Speaking about the development, Aquila explained: “Atlantis is an iconic landmark on the map of Dubai. It attracts visitors from all over the world. The calibre of the guests at Atlantis and Montegrappa’s legacy are perfectly aligned.” Visit the Montregrappe Business Centre in the West Tower at Atlantis

FIt For HEmINgwayMontegrappa was the writing instrument of choice for Ernest Hemingway and today, the brand fittingly remains dedicated to championing the art of writing

Giuseppe Aquila, CEO Montegrappa

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LATIN fLAVOURS

Flamenco inspired tiers, elegant ruffles and

sultry palettes adorned gowns and skirts on

the runways

THE fASHION fRINGEBENEfITSQuite possibly the biggest trend of the season, expect chopped edges, rufffled ends and shredded hemlines

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CLASSIC ROMANCE

Femininity was the order of the day with

ladylike dresses paired with simple flats and

flower-adorned prints

OFF THE SHOULDERUndoubtedly the body part to bare this season, off-the-shoulder styles are all the rage

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MASERATI Unveiling the much-awaited SUV, Maserati turned heads with this development, one of the most notable in the brand’s 100-year-history. The Levante is named after a warm Mediterranean wind that changes from a light breeze to an irresistible force in the space of an instant. The car is distinctively Italian in style and constructed of only the finest materials. A 3-litre V6 Twin-Turbo petrol engine is available with 350hp or 450hp options and the car also has the lowest centre of gravity in its class, enabling it to perform at its sporty best, both on and off-road.

THE CARS

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MASERATI Unveiling the much-awaited SUV, Maserati turned heads with this development, one of the most notable in the brand’s 100-year-history. The Levante is named after a warm Mediterranean wind that changes from a light breeze to an irresistible force in the space of an instant. The car is distinctively Italian in style and constructed of only the finest materials. A 3-litre V6 Twin-Turbo petrol engine is available with 350hp or 450hp options and the car also has the lowest centre of gravity in its class, enabling it to perform at its sporty best, both on and off-road.

THE CARS

LUXURIESCHECK-IN

17

LAMBORGHINICelebrating 100 years since company founder Ferruccio’s birth, the Italian supercar brand was always going to go large in 2016. And no one has been left disappointed with the introduction of the Centenario, a set of wheels that literally brought Geneva to a standstill. The limited edition supercar is crafted almost entirely from carbon fiber and boasts a 760hp V12 engine. Air scoops on the bonnet pay homage to sports cars of the seventies while the extendable rear wing and rear diffuser are quite simply second to none.

MCLARENMaintaining 562hp and boasting a 3.8 litre twin turbocharged V8, the McLaren 570S is fascinatingly stealthy, with quiet steel stoppers taking the place of the traditional carbon-ceramic brakes and Pirelli tyres that are capable of cutting up to three decibels off cabin noise. This is a McLaren that you could realistically commute to work in every day without having to worry about missing out on any of the brand’s distinctive commitment to fun.

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fERRARIPremiering in Geneva this year was the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, a new four-seater model that integrates rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the first time - hailing a major advance for the sporty Grand Tourer concept. This Maranello-built machine delivers an astonishing top speed of 335 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 in just 3.4 seconds, all the while allowing four passengers - rather than the archetypal two - to enjoy the Prancing Horse sports cars’ performance.

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LUXURIESGIBSON GUITARS

Before rock and ro

ll had a past,

Les Paul and Gibson Guitars

shaped its future

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If yoU bELIEvE In yoURSELf yoU nEEd onLy REInfoRcE aLL

yoUR dREamS.

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for musicians, guitar players and musical aficionados worldwide the name Gibson is nonpareil. Renowned for crafting

some of the most beautifully-designed guitars in the world, Gibson instruments are favoured by everyone from Eric Clapton to John Lennon, which makes the company’s roots Ω a tiny one-man workshop set up by a shoe clerk Ω somewhat extraordinary.

It was in Chateauguay, New York that Orville Gibson, a young sales clerk who also happened to have a strong fondness for instruments, began spending hours and hours after work every day whittling pieces of wood and old furniture into instruments. With no power tools to speak of, everything he produced was handmade and took months to create. Gibson hailed from a talented family Ω his brother was an upholsterer, his sister a fine artist and another sister a novelist Ω so it was no surprise he boasted such a creative gene. A few years later, Gibson would make his first impression on the world when he fashioned a violin out of salvaged wood from Boston’s old Town Hall, a work that saw him receive substantial acclaim not just in America but also throughout Europe.

Considered somewhat eccentric, Gibson also became known as being decidedly brilliant – seldom making two instruments alike and demanding the utmost quality from every piece he crafted. Adhering to such high standards was to pay off in 1902, when the Gibson Mandolin Guitar Company was founded in the premise of an old bakery store.

As the company grew, so did its finesse and the name became synonymous with quality and fine craftsmanship. Over the years, these standards were upheld by many men of vision: John Adams, Ted McCarty and, perhaps most famously of all, Les Paul, the man that Michael Brunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation in New York, has since called “the most influential individual in music history ever.” In fact, it would be safe to say that while Orville Gibson perhaps prepared the matchstick, Les Paul’s work lit the touch paper for rock and roll as we know it today.

The man was born Lester William Polsfuff in a small town in Wisconsin in 1915, and interestingly enough his musical abilities weren’t always apparent. In fact, an early letter to his mother from a teacher at his school read: “Your boy, Lester, will never learn music.”

Yet, determined and strong-willed, Paul taught himself how to play the guitar, the harmonica and the banjo and by the time he reached his early teens, was playing in bands around the Midwest. As his popularity grew, he toyed with various stage names, eventually settling on Les Paul – the exact name that would be cemented in musical history.

A man of great wisdom, Paul was a big believer in ambition, once saying: “I set my sights high and with determination. If you believe in yourself, you need only reinforce all your

OpENING pAGE: Les Paul is credited as the father of the modern guitar. OppOSITE pAGE: Eric Clapton built his reputation playing a Gibson Les Paul. THIS pAGE (clOckwISE fROm lEfT): Les Paul Portrait in 1990; Gibson fans included Ace Frehley of KISS; Jimmy Page of Led Zepplin; Slash of Guns & Roses and Michael Nesmith of The Monkees. NEXT pAGE: (fROm lEfT TO RIGHT) An early model of the iconic Les Paul; Portrait of a 1952 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar ready to go on display.

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dreams.” And it was during an informal gig in Chicago that the inspiration for his own dreams would surface. A member of the audience wrote a note on a napkin, passing it to the musician to complain that he couldn’t hear the sound of his guitar very well. That precise moment caused Paul to turn his natural inquisitive abilities towards his instrument. The very next day he began toying with it Ω transforming it, attaching strings and two pickups to what was essentially a wooden board with a guitar neck - and fashioning what would eventually become the first solid body guitar, an instrument that would change music in unbelievable ways. Then, a few years later, the Les Paul Gibson Ω the instrument of choice for artists Ω was born. This 1952 creation produced a clear, penetrating tone, bright treble response, exceptional sustaining power and a sound that was vibrantly rich in harmonics and Paul was unabashedly proud saying: “You could go out and eat and come back and the note would still be playing.”

The Les Paul Gibson Guitar took off to unprecedented success for both the man and Gibson as a company, rocketing them to the top of guitarists’ wishlists across the globe. With this success, Paul’s inventive tendencies grew. He deomonstrated an insatiable appetite for all things music and would soon go on to change the music industry far beyond the guitar. According to blues guitar veteran Joe Louis Walker: “For some guys, like Les Paul, confinement couldn’t hold them, so they had to invent stuff.”

Building a recording studio in his garage in LA, Paul began experimenting with a variety of recording techniques and, in 1948, he recorded the song ‘Lover’ which utilised a variety of tracks and acted as a breakthrough for the musician who would go on to create 24-track recordings.

His passion for music remained immense throughout his life. In 1948, after being involved in a serious car accident, an incident that left him nursing a shattered right elbow, doctors planned to set his arm in an immovable position. Ever mindful of his career, Paul asked that it be set at a slight angle, for the sole reason that he could continue to play his beloved guitars.

That sense of commitment has trickled down to many of the musicians who became true fans of the Gibson Les Paul. Countless artists have relied upon these very instruments to break

into the music world. Eric Clapton built his reputation playing with Gibson electric guitars after buying a second-hand cherry-sunburst 1960 Les Paul. This particular guitar remained his favourite and he used if for the next 40 years, until thieves made off with it during an early Cream rehearsal in 1966. Gibson recently produced limited edition reproductions of Clapton’s 1960 Les Paul, fifty-five of which were hand-aged by renowned finishing expert Tom Murphy before being signed by Clapton himself. A whole host of the world’s greatest and most recognisable rock solos were also played on Les Pauls. Unforgettable melodies such as Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall, was strummed on a 1955 Les Paul Goldtop, and the solo from The Eagles’ iconic 1976 mega-hit Hotel California is fittingly picked out on a 1959 Les Paul.

American Made, World Played was Paul’s final album, released in 2005 after a lifetime of musical achievement and featuring compilations with some of the world’s leading artists including the likes of Keith Richards, Sting and lifelong Gibson fan, Eric Clapton.

Orville Gibson gave to the music industry a heritage that will never be forgotten when he created Gibson, a company responsible for the most beautifully-crafted guitars in the world. And Les Paul should be credited as “The father of the modern guitar,” at least according to current Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz.

Despite being a jazz-man at heart Ω continuing his weekly jazz sessions until just a few months before his death Ω Paul has since been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and rightly so. His legendary work with electric guitars certainly make Les Paul an honorary rockstar.

YoU coULd Go oUT ANd EAT ANd coME bAck

ANd THAT NoTE woULd STILL bE pLAYING

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F A S H I O N I N GR O M A N C E

As Tiffany & Co. celebrate 133 years of true love, Atlantis, The Magazine uncovers the story of how Charles Lewis Tiffany crafted

romance for the masses

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Like all good fairy tales, our story begins once upon a time, on a blustery New York September morning in 1858. At

259 Broadway, a dapper young man by the name Charles Lewis Tiffany and his friend John B. Young unlocked the door to what would be their brand new empire – a small stationery store, funded thanks to a $1000 loan that Tiffany had begged from his father.

Stocked with a selection of paper, notepads and trinkets gathered from a wide variety of sources, the store hoped to offer something different to city dwellers. At close of business on that first day, sales totalled $4.98.

But Tiffany wasn’t disheartened. His intrinsic entrepreneurial spirit saw him spend days on end scouring markets across the city to acquire rare and exotic finds. As ships sailed into the ports of Boston and New York, returning from overseas voyages, Tiffany would wait, cash in hand, ready to barter for the most unusual wares. He would haggle for bronze curiosities from India, barter for porcelain hailing from China and negotiate hard for truly fashionable French collectables. His dedication was such that it wasn’t long before Tiffany’s soon garnered a reputation as ‘the’ place to acquire something unusual.

Over the years, Charles Tiffany continued his search for all things unique, snapping up exquisite jewels from aristocrats fleeing Paris in the light of King Louis Philippe d’Orleans’ abdication, and importing other fine jewels from across the world.

In fact, he introduced so many gemstones to the US that the press eventually christened him the ‘King of Diamonds’ - a term that served to firmly cement Tiffany & Co. in American jewellery history.

In 1866, Tiffany’s most famous creation was born in a fabrication that would go on to revolutionise the beguiling art of courtship. The first ever documented engagement ring may have been given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg back in

opeNINg pAge: The infamous Tiffany engagement setting. THIS pAge (clockwISe From Top leFT): Shoppers in Tiffany & Co. Broadway; Charles Lewis Tiffany; Preliminary sketches of the Tiffany setting; A focus on craftsmanship celebrates over a century of the setting; Tiffany & Co. workshop, Union Square, New York 1874.

1477, but it was Charles Tiffany who would make the gesture common practice.

Recognising that women wanted something that would represent fidelity and an invincible relationship, Tiffany disseminated the ritual of ring-giving for the masses when he introduced the Tiffany & Co. engagement setting to the world.

The setting itself took many months to visualise, and the jeweller produced countless sketches, constantly tweaking the design before he was satisfied. The result of this painstaking process was the world’s most famous engagement ring. Lifting the diamond up to the light in the purest way possible, Tiffany simplified the ring in the most direct manner and created what is now known as a symbol of true love. This year sees the company celebrate 130 years of the exquisite setting, one that is so elegant that the diamonds appear as if to almost float on air. The ring has gone on to be a central part of so many of the world’s great love stories, holding a promise of a beautiful life together.

Today, the legendary setting with its superlative diamonds is handcrafted by a team of dedicated artisans, many of whom have learned the ancestral arts from their fathers or grandfathers before them. Creating a Tiffany & Co. engagement ring involves a true work of art - with up to ten artisans working on a single piece.

From the gemologist who sources the stone, to the cutter, the polisher and the stone setter - devoted artisans fashion each piece and the captivating result is the combined effort of a whole team of dedicated craftsmen and women for whom perfection is obligatory. From the very beginning, Tiffany’s concept of perfection rested on standards that were never compromised, and those ideals are still upheld today, 130 years after the creation of that iconic piece.

According to Melvyn Kirtley, Chief Gemologist at Tiffany & Co.: “To this day, it is the most sought-after engagement ring, with a legacy celebrated in film, art and literature.”

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Like all good fairy tales, our story begins once upon a time, on a blustery New York September morning in 1858. At

259 Broadway, a dapper young man by the name Charles Lewis Tiffany and his friend John B. Young unlocked the door to what would be their brand new empire – a small stationery store, funded thanks to a $1000 loan that Tiffany had begged from his father.

Stocked with a selection of paper, notepads and trinkets gathered from a wide variety of sources, the store hoped to offer something different to city dwellers. At close of business on that first day, sales totalled $4.98.

But Tiffany wasn’t disheartened. His intrinsic entrepreneurial spirit saw him spend days on end scouring markets across the city to acquire rare and exotic finds. As ships sailed into the ports of Boston and New York, returning from overseas voyages, Tiffany would wait, cash in hand, ready to barter for the most unusual wares. He would haggle for bronze curiosities from India, barter for porcelain hailing from China and negotiate hard for truly fashionable French collectables. His dedication was such that it wasn’t long before Tiffany’s soon garnered a reputation as ‘the’ place to acquire something unusual.

Over the years, Charles Tiffany continued his search for all things unique, snapping up exquisite jewels from aristocrats fleeing Paris in the light of King Louis Philippe d’Orleans’ abdication, and importing other fine jewels from across the world.

In fact, he introduced so many gemstones to the US that the press eventually christened him the ‘King of Diamonds’ - a term that served to firmly cement Tiffany & Co. in American jewellery history.

In 1866, Tiffany’s most famous creation was born in a fabrication that would go on to revolutionise the beguiling art of courtship. The first ever documented engagement ring may have been given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg back in

opeNINg pAge: The infamous Tiffany engagement setting. THIS pAge (clockwISe From Top leFT): Shoppers in Tiffany & Co. Broadway; Charles Lewis Tiffany; Preliminary sketches of the Tiffany setting; A focus on craftsmanship celebrates over a century of the setting; Tiffany & Co. workshop, Union Square, New York 1874.

1477, but it was Charles Tiffany who would make the gesture common practice.

Recognising that women wanted something that would represent fidelity and an invincible relationship, Tiffany disseminated the ritual of ring-giving for the masses when he introduced the Tiffany & Co. engagement setting to the world.

The setting itself took many months to visualise, and the jeweller produced countless sketches, constantly tweaking the design before he was satisfied. The result of this painstaking process was the world’s most famous engagement ring. Lifting the diamond up to the light in the purest way possible, Tiffany simplified the ring in the most direct manner and created what is now known as a symbol of true love. This year sees the company celebrate 130 years of the exquisite setting, one that is so elegant that the diamonds appear as if to almost float on air. The ring has gone on to be a central part of so many of the world’s great love stories, holding a promise of a beautiful life together.

Today, the legendary setting with its superlative diamonds is handcrafted by a team of dedicated artisans, many of whom have learned the ancestral arts from their fathers or grandfathers before them. Creating a Tiffany & Co. engagement ring involves a true work of art - with up to ten artisans working on a single piece.

From the gemologist who sources the stone, to the cutter, the polisher and the stone setter - devoted artisans fashion each piece and the captivating result is the combined effort of a whole team of dedicated craftsmen and women for whom perfection is obligatory. From the very beginning, Tiffany’s concept of perfection rested on standards that were never compromised, and those ideals are still upheld today, 130 years after the creation of that iconic piece.

According to Melvyn Kirtley, Chief Gemologist at Tiffany & Co.: “To this day, it is the most sought-after engagement ring, with a legacy celebrated in film, art and literature.”

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Every Tiffany & Co. setting is customised to accommodate the specific size and shape of the diamond it will hold. According to Kirtley, the standard for these diamonds are exceptionally high: “An astonishing 99.96 per cent of the world’s gem-grade diamonds fall short of Tiffany standards.” The attention to detail paid by the artisans in crafting the perfect setting for these revered stones is second to none.

Perfectly balanced with tempered proportions, a Tiffany ring is a work of art composed by artists who employ unparalleled skill, patience and passion in every single piece. The girdle holds the stone in place so as not to block any light entering or exiting the diamonds while the prongs are thick enough to securely hold the stone in place whilst being thin enough to emerge gracefully.

Even today, with the influx of technology available in the jewellery world, the Tiffany setting is still crafted in the same manner as it was 130 years ago, something that the company insist will never change. Hovan Spenjian, a gemologist and diamond grader for over 15 years, explains the importance of such craftsmanship when he says: “Fine jewellery like this cannot be made by machines.”

Having been part of blossoming romances worldwide for more than a century, Tiffany & Co. is celebrating the occasion with an ode to those responsible for creating the settings. The campaign shines the spotlight strongly on both ring makers and their time-honoured crafts, after all who better to tell the story than the artisans themselves?

Fittingly born in a city with a heart that beats, Tiffany’s testament to romance has transcended time, borders and cultures. Crafted by dreamers and touching the hearts of people in profound ways, these glistening works of art hold the promise of a truly beautiful love story. And in this romantic visionary, everyone lives happily ever after. Find out more by visiting Tiffany & Co. in The Avenues at Atlantis, The Palm

fIttIngLy boRn In a cIty wIth a hEaRt

that bEatS, tIffany’S tEStamEnt to RomancE haS tRanScEndEd tImE, boRdERS and cULtURES

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you’ve probably heard of Stella McCartney’s commitment to green fashion or the likes of Claire Vivier’s

environmentally friendly accessories but as the world of eco-fashion continues to take the world by storm, we went in search of the new crops of labels making an impact on the world of sustainable luxury fashion. First stop; the market town of Cardigan on the banks of the River Teifi in South Wales. Here, a small factory employing 15 people is making something of a name for itself in the world of luxury denim. The small town used to be home to Britain’s biggest jeans factory which produced an astonishing 35,000 pairs of jeans per week and employed over 400 people. Having fought and

lost the battle of cheap jeans, this time around the focus is different, the focus is luxury and sustainable luxury at that. Two of Cardigan’s residents are determined to get the town back on top.

Fashioned by husband and wife duo David and Clare Hieatt, Hiut Denim Jeans was born in an attempt by the pair to get their hometown making jeans again. David explains: “My town had Britain’s biggest jeans factory, making thousands of jeans every week for three to four decades, that’s a lot of jeans! Back in 2001, the factory had to close because there were cheaper places to make jeans, but Clare and I decided that four decades worth of skill and knowledge shouldn’t go to waste.”

A look around the small team that make up Hiut Denim shows an impressive 200 years’ worth of jean-making experience. “Malcolm Gladwell talks about having to do 10,000 hours to become a Grandmaster in chess” says David, “In our town, we have people who have 20, 30, even 40,000 hours devoted to making jeans.”

And it’s that skill that the couple wants to exploit. Combining the jean-making know-how with a mantra of buying denim from the best mills in the world, the company has sustainability at its core, using only raw denim in all its products. With this sustainability comes fashion that is truly unique with a quality that is incomparable. The material is raw Japanese selvedge denim from the iconic

Fashion’s new tribe are blurring the boundaries between eco and luxury, and

changing the face of fashion as we know it

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RIGHT Now, wE THINk ELoN MUSk IS SoMEoNE

wE woULd LovE To MAkE jEANS foR

Juroki mill and the fabric is hand-dipped in natural indigo ten times until the dye gets to the very core of the cotton, producing jeans that age absolutely beautifully so much so that it’s no wonder the brand has garnered quite a fan base. Famous Hiut Denim wearers include The Arctic Monkeys and international chef Rene Redzepi. David is keen to keep making jeans for creative people. “Right now, we think Elon Musk is someone we would love to make jeans for because he is making big positive changes happen. On our factory walls we have the people who have changed the world throughout history by having ideas and making them happen and that’s who we want to make jeans for.” And, thanks to their recent inclusion in British department store Selfridges’ fashion showcase, this vision looks set to become a reality. Alongside six other sustainable designers’, Hiut Denim will see their products promoted across the world.

For Hiut Denim, this collaboration allowed the brand to promote their ‘No Wash Club’ to the world, a theory that seems discrepant

with luxury fashion. David explains further: “Ninety-nine per cent of denim that you find in shops today has been washed. The biggest environmental impact from a pair of jeans is by you and me washing and ironing them. That’s why we formed the No Wash Club.” Exactly as it is titled - for six months members must refrain from washing their jeans. This subsequently lowers the environmental impact of the denims, saving water and at the same time making them even more beautiful.

According to Daniella Vega, director of Sustainability at Selfridges, the focus on environmentally-sound fashion as a fundamental part of the brand’s activities arose thanks to months of research.“Over the past year, our buying team has been focused on what we call Buying Better, making sustainability part of the buying conversation. This sparked the inspiration for our 2016 iteration of our five year old seminal Bright Young Things talent platform. Rebranded Bright New Things for 2016, we are championing some of the UK’s

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companies who do the right thing and are mindful of the environment.”

One such industry-wide change is the introduction of The Butterfly Mark, by Positive Luxury, a logo that identifies sustainably-made fashion, and something that is “a great idea, encouraging transparency within the luxury sector.”

While luxury and sustainability have not traditionally been words that would be grouped together, Tom Cridland Ω the international fashion designer best known for his 30 year sweatshirt Ω states that this shouldn’t be the case. “We strongly believe that sustainability and luxury are intrinsically linked,” says the 25-year-old entrepreneur from London.

“The mere fact that a product is made to last embodies ‘luxury’ in itself, and we would classify our own commitment to repairing our items free of charge for 30 years as a luxurious service.”

It was this desire for ethical fashion that doesn’t compromise on style that was at the heart of Cridland’s iconic 30-year-jumper. “I was buying a navy blue jumper and I thought to myself, how many times have I done this? I was tired of having to return to the shops every year to buy the same thing .” Having launched the 30-year-jacket earlier this year, the company has garnered somewhat of a reputation with celebrity fans including the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio, Ben Stiller, Daniel Craig and Rod Stewart. According to Cridland, this was partly a conscious decision but also driven very much by the celebrities themselves who really see the value in sustainable luxury.

And it’s not only celebrities who are lobbying for sustainable options. Last year, Selfridges consulted 1,000 customers and found that a noteworthy 93 per cent of them believed the company should contribute to society beyond profit, with over 50 per cent of them advocating a positive change in ethical trade across fashion, beauty and industry. This new fashion tribe is one that respects both balance and excess and acknowledges collective responsibility alongside individual freedom.

Designers have taken note and are also seeking options. They head to the Centre for Sustainable Fashion in London, looking to explore how they can do things differently. They are challenging conventional aesthetics, moving away from prescribed notions of beauty. These changes are hugely positive. “Fashion is one of the biggest industries in the world” says Daniel. “So a small change here, a small change there, can make a massive change because that change can be repeated millions of times.” The possibilities of sustainable luxury fashion are huge and with a whole host of new designers championing sustainability there are some new names on the block to look out for. Amongst them Hiut Denim and Tom Cridland but also Svilu, Mark Kenly Domino Tan, minimalist-lovers KowTow and US-based Mina & Olya. More mainstream brands, from the high-end world of Selfridges to the more high-street H&M, are also showcasing eco-friendly collections and, as a result, ingraining sustainability into the very fabrics of our lives. The world of fashion is subtly changing, and it would appear that finally, it is accepting sustainable collections as VIP’s at fashion parties, rather than the unwelcome obligatory plus ones.

opEnIng pAgE: Sustainability goes mainstream as designers such as Mark Kenly Domino Tan showcase eco-friendly collections. THIS pAgE (cLockwISE fRom LEfT): Inside Hiut Denim’s factory; Designers are incoporating more handcrafted techniques; Hiut Denim Jeans; The designers from Selfridges’ Bright New Things showcase.

most exciting fashion talent who champion sustainability.”

Asides from ‘everlasting’ denim, our hunt for sustainable luxury fashion also saw us uncover swimwear crafted from repurposed fishing nets, leather sourced as a by-product from farmers across Europe and t-shirts constructed out of fabric donated by designers including Henry Holland, Markus Lupfer and Louise Gray. Selfridges are keen to ensure environmental issues remain central to the brand. Vega explains, “I have noticed a trend in consumers making more carefully considered choices and we know that millennials are using their spending power more and more to buy into

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NOWThere’s plenty to get excited about this year

as a whole host of nifty new tech toys make it onto the market

Robot buddiesRobots are finally here. Segways may not have built the best reputation in the technology world but that could all be about to change thanks to the partnership between Intel and Ninebot. Together, they have created a two-wheeled, balancing scooter that turns into an adorable mini robot butler. Hop aboard the Ninebot Segway to get to where you need to go – travel for up to 30 km at speeds of up to 18 kph. Upon arrival, the device transforms into a self-balancing robot with a screen for a head and retractable arms. The robot is capable of sensing its surroundings, recognising objects, people and voices and will be able to perform a variety of tasks including carrying goods, taking photographs and responding to commands. Set for release in early 2017, this mini robot butler could be your new best friend. robot.segway.com

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RoLL-up viewiNGDespite rumours about roll-up televisions having been around for years, technology giants LG have finally given the world a glimpse into their flexible OLED technology and it has certainly turned a lot of tech-heads. This rollable window into the future is the

result of almost ten years of development and is now closer than ever to becoming an actual product. At the moment, the prototype is an 18-inch panel but the company plan to evolve this to create screens as big as 50 inches. With outstanding high-definition resolution, the panels can be rolled-up easily without affecting the function of the display, essentially meaning that in the very near future we’ll be able to simply roll up our televisions when we’re not watching them, or stuff them into a backpack and take them wherever we please. lg.com

viRtuaL ReaLitY It’s reality, but not as we know it. The Oculus Rift already hit the headlines thanks to its backing from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg who invested a huge $2 billion in the virtual reality headset. One for the gamers, on the outside, the Oculus Rift may not look like much – sure it’s futuristic but it’s not exactly sleek. However, put on the rectangular-screened device and you’re instantly transported to another world. Boasting an impressive 2160x1200 resolution coupled with a 110-degree field of vision, the device was created by 17-year-old sci-fi fan Palmer Luckey in his parent’s garage in California. Providing users with an immersive virtual reality experience, and having launched with a hefty library of 30 ‘experiences’ you can expect to see it in teenage bedrooms across the globe very soon. oculus.com

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OrNamENTaL HEaLTHTechnology that has wellness at its core looks set to explode over the next few years and the Oura Ring is one of the first examples to hit the market. This revolutionary ring-sized wellness computer not only helps you to sleep better, it also tracks your daily performance and sends you alerts on how your lifestyle choices affect your performance.

While sleep monitors have been around for a while, aesthetics are not usually one of their plus points. The Oura ring however is simple, comfortable and stylish, with a minimalist design that comes in either black or white. Billing itself as the first wellness ring in the world, it’s a sign of how technology advancement can improve our lives. So, how does it work? Well, somehow the ring can automatically tell when you are sleeping. It then analyses the quality of your rest by

measuring your heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature and movement. Once awake, it monitors duration and intensity of your activities and the amount of time that you are inactive. Then, the data is collated in the Oura app which identifies patterns between sleep quality and daily activities advising wearers how performance-ready they are and advising ways to improve resting phases. ouraring.com

SmarT rEfriGEraTiONElectronic giants Samsung are set to make shopping lists a thing of the past in the very near future thanks to the introduction of the Family Hub Fridge. Introduced at this year’s CES Convention Ω the Las Vegas-based global consumer electronics and consumer technology tradeshow Ω this revolutionary refrigerator will be able to help users do everything from messaging your family to virtually shopping for food. Featuring a 21.5 inch HD LCD resolution

screen that allows you to use a smartphone to post messages, pin photos, and leave notes remotely. There are also handy cameras inside the fridge door which capture an image every time the door closes, meaning you can remotely check to see what’s already in there and what you are out of before doing any grocery shopping. The brand has also teamed up with Mastercard in order to present a function that allows the fridge to automatically re-order food and groceries that you are running low on. As if that wasn’t enough, the fridge also acts as an entertainment hub with the option to stream music through its built-in speakers or connect a Bluetooth audio device. You can even use it to watch all your favourite television shows thanks to its screen-mirroring abilities, which pair with Samsung smart televisions. Thanks to Samsung, the fairly monotonous world of refrigeration really has changed for the better. samsung.com

OpENiNG paGE: The Oculus Rift; THiS paGE (CLOCkwiSE frOm TOp LEfT) The Oura Ring; The Ninebot Segway; LG Rollable TV

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U N d E R w A T E R d R E A M S

MeMories are priceless, coMe Make new ones on a stylish getaway at

atlantis, the palM

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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STYLING

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MeMories are priceless, coMe Make new ones on a stylish getaway at

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LUXURIESPHOTOSHOOT

SHOP THIS lOOk: Slavko wears shorts from

Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasses from Prada Linea Rossa;

Hannah wears swimsuit from Liquido, sunglasses from

Emporio Armani.

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DiD yoU know?There’s a whole watery world to explore at Atlantis, The Palm with over 65,000 marine animals, all of whom are expertly cared for by 100 marine animal professionals.

SHOP THIS LOOk: (this page) hannah wears swimsuit from liquido.(opposite page) slavko wears chinos and linen shirt from thomas pink; hannah wears swimsuit from liquido, ring from Marni, sunglasses from prada.

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Shop thiS look: Slavko wears shorts from Dolce & Gabana; hannah wears swimsuit from liquido, Sunglasses from prada.

SHOP THIS LOOk: slavko wears shorts from Dolce & gabbana; hannah wears swimsuit from liquido, sunglasses from prada.

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DiD yoU know?Take part in ray feeding at Aquaventure and you’ll be responsible for dishing out a small portion of the colossal 427kg of restaurant-quality food served up to the marine animals on feeding days.

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SHOP THIS LOOk: slavko wears shirts, blazer and pocketsquare by thomas pink, eyeglasses from armani?; hannah wears dress from emilio pucci.

SHOP THIS LOOk: From top to bottom: ladies round prada sunglasses, ladies prada sunglasses, gents emporio armani sunglasses. ALL EYEwEAR AvAILAbLE AT YATEEm OPTIcIAN, ATLANTIS, THE PALm.

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DID YOU KNOW?Aquaventure is the number one waterpark in Europe and the Middle East and the watery-playground contains a whopping 18 million litres of fresh water.

SHOP THiS lOOk: Hannah wears swimsuit from Liquido, sunglasses from Prada.

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DID YOU KNOW?Aquaventure is the number one waterpark in Europe and the Middle East and the watery-playground contains a whopping 18 million litres of fresh water.

SHOP THiS lOOk: Hannah wears swimsuit from Liquido, sunglasses from Prada.

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DiD yoU know?Grégoire Berger, Head Chef at Ossiano, creates amazingly beautiful dishes. See these and many more on instagram @theatlantislife

SHOP THIS LOOk: (this page) slavko wears shirt, blazer and trousers by McQ alexander McQueen; hannah wears dress from emilio pucci, necklace from Marni. (opposite page) slavko wears shirt, blazer and pocket square by thomas pink, optical frames from giorgio armani; hannah wears dress from emilio pucci.

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IN & AROUNDS E C T I O N I I

Start your Atlantis, The Palm adventure here

IN & AROUNDKIDS’ CORNER

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Breakfast in Saffron“So much food from every part of the world, I just can’t believe my eyes. It’s just awesome. I ate a handful of gummy bears but the chocolate fountain was my absolute favourite.”

Learning in the Lost Chambers “There were a lot of things to see. So many colourful and beautiful fish, big and small and some that you can usually only see deep under the ocean. I wish I could take some of them home with me, especially the clown fish, it reminded me so much of Nemo and would look great in our aquarium at home.”

“The albino alligator was cute but also scary when it just looked right at me with its bright red eyes. I loved the giant grouper, it was so huge, maybe three times my size, but so calm. The jellyfish were my favourites, they looked a bit like parachutes falling from the sky, and then bouncing back up again. The shoe crab was funny and my mum said most of the species here are very special, so I’m happy to know that they are protected and well taken care of.”

Diving Right In“I was a little bit afraid doing the PADI Bubblemaker at first as I’ve never done anything like this before but my instructor was very nice and he helped me to understand everything including how to be safe in the water. I loved wearing the wetsuit and helmet, I felt like I was in an action movie. I had so much fun floating around and I got to swim and experience underwater breathing like a fish. And at the end, I received a certificate, which made me happy.”

Action at AquaventureThe Splashers Zone in Aquaventure was my all-time favourite place. I got to play with other kids on the hanging bridges. We had fun shooting each other with water cannons and racing down the slides. It was so funny when the big bucket toppled over with a huge splash.”

Fun at the Kids Club“There was so much to do here; I didn’t know where to start! The rock climbing was exciting, then I played Dancing with Stars with some other kids. I watched the sharks swim by from the underwater theatre and loved the rays – they glide by so smoothly it’s almost like they can fly.” To book contact +971 4 426 1387 or kidsclub@atlantisthepalm.com

KIDS’ CORNER Atlantis, The Palm is a haven for the little ones, but don’t take our word for it. Read what 7-year-old Nyles Pereira had to say when he spent a day trying out some of our kid-focused fun

IN & AROUND

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RED BULL

I f you happened to be in Atlantis a few months ago, you may have caught sight of

three world class skateboarders who were playing host to a truly rare riding experience. Performing an awe-inspiring stunt that featured never-seen-before skateboarding footage, the group flipped, grinded, dropped and ollied through Aquaventure twists and turns. From the dizzying height of 25 metres above The Palm - more than six storeys high - the boarders whizzed down 156-metres of serpentine twists and turns of Zoomerango, before taking on its 14-metre-high wall. Whizzing down Aquaconda at speeds of over 35km per hour, they then

BoaRDsLIDIngAquaventure was turned into a skateboarders’ paradise full of flips, grabs, grinds and spins as a trio of world class skaters rolled into town

skated up the 9.2-metre-wide pipes before disappearing down tunnels and vertical banks of almost 5 metres. Swapping the bright city of Mar del Plata for Atlantis, Argentine skater Milton Martínez was accompanied by Italian Alex Sorgente, Jan Hoffman of Germany and the UAE, and a huge production crew.

A lifetime skater - Milton was thrilled to try his skills in the Dubai sunshine. Having turned pro in 2006, he made his major breakthrough in 2007, when he took silver at the Mexican X Games at just 16 years old. Since then he has gained countless World Cup podium spots and become a well-known

personality in international skateboarding.Accompanied by 18-year-old Sorgente and 19-year-old Hoffmann, the trio had full reign of the waterpark and some of the world’s largest waterslides. Hoffman said: “The Tower [Poseidon] is over 100-feet-high and the size of the waterslide is a professional skateboarder’s dream.” The stunt was a massive success, with the video garnering 6.4 million views on social media, being covered on over 90 online sources including the Daily Mail, Mashable and Rolling Stone, and airing 436 times on international TV. See more at redbull.com/waterparklockdown or facebook.com/atlantisthepalm

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As the sun sets over Atlantis, The Palm, the colours of the Ambassador Lagoon change from sparkling blue to a deep

navy. Below the surface, thousands of marine creatures are getting ready for the evening ahead, some settling into the sandbanks until morning and others coming alive after a day spent lurking in the depths of the shadows.

According to Robert Bennet, Manager of large exhibits at Atlantis, diving at night-time offers a radically different experience than a day- time dive.

“It’s incredible, the whitetip sharks in particular are much more active in the evening. During the day they tend to hang around in the darker spots of the tank and are quite inactive, but as the sun goes down, they come alive and you really see a difference in their behaviour.”

And that’s one of the reasons why Atlantis has recently introduced night-time diving. Suitable for any certified divers over the age of 10, this 30-minute experience takes place in small groups of up to four people, all of whom are under the care of an experienced dive leader.

The dives take place after sunset and all equipment is provided, including glow sticks for each of the divers. “The dive leader is equipped with a torch, while each of the divers have a glow stick attached to their wetsuit, so we can easily see where everyone is at all times,” explains Robert.

A lot of the night diving experience actually takes place on the bottom of the tank, where the dive master encourages participants to take up position kneeling on the floor to allow the marine life to come close and investigate them, rather than the other way around. According to Robert, this has been carefully planned. “A shark is timid, and its first instinct is to swim away from unfamiliar things so if we try to swim to them they will disappear and the divers will spend most of the time simply swimming around the tank, trying to catch up with them. When we kneel on the floor, it lets the marine life get used to our presence and eventually they will come closer to us.”

Under the illumination of a flashlight the colours of the marine life really come alive and it is something quite fascinating, even for experienced divers who will definitely notice the difference between the muted effect that the sun’s rays have on marine life living deeper in the ocean or indeed the lagoon. Shining a flashlight on these creatures against a night-time backdrop really magnetises the colours, making this a truly memorable experience.

For a once in a lifetime experience that really gets you closer to the marine life in the Ambassador Lagoon, this dive experience shouldn’t be missed. To find our more about the night diving trips, call +971 4 426 1040.

creaturesOF thenightDive into the depths of the Ambassador Lagoon with a night-time dive like no other

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As the sun sets over Atlantis, The Palm, the colours of the Ambassador Lagoon change from sparkling blue to a deep

navy. Below the surface, thousands of marine creatures are getting ready for the evening ahead, some settling into the sandbanks until morning and others coming alive after a day spent lurking in the depths of the shadows.

According to Robert Bennet, Manager of large exhibits at Atlantis, diving at night-time offers a radically different experience than a day- time dive.

“It’s incredible, the whitetip sharks in particular are much more active in the evening. During the day they tend to hang around in the darker spots of the tank and are quite inactive, but as the sun goes down, they come alive and you really see a difference in their behaviour.”

And that’s one of the reasons why Atlantis has recently introduced night-time diving. Suitable for any certified divers over the age of 10, this 30-minute experience takes place in small groups of up to four people, all of whom are under the care of an experienced dive leader.

The dives take place after sunset and all equipment is provided, including glow sticks for each of the divers. “The dive leader is equipped with a torch, while each of the divers have a glow stick attached to their wetsuit, so we can easily see where everyone is at all times,” explains Robert.

A lot of the night diving experience actually takes place on the bottom of the tank, where the dive master encourages participants to take up position kneeling on the floor to allow the marine life to come close and investigate them, rather than the other way around. According to Robert, this has been carefully planned. “A shark is timid, and its first instinct is to swim away from unfamiliar things so if we try to swim to them they will disappear and the divers will spend most of the time simply swimming around the tank, trying to catch up with them. When we kneel on the floor, it lets the marine life get used to our presence and eventually they will come closer to us.”

Under the illumination of a flashlight the colours of the marine life really come alive and it is something quite fascinating, even for experienced divers who will definitely notice the difference between the muted effect that the sun’s rays have on marine life living deeper in the ocean or indeed the lagoon. Shining a flashlight on these creatures against a night-time backdrop really magnetises the colours, making this a truly memorable experience.

For a once in a lifetime experience that really gets you closer to the marine life in the Ambassador Lagoon, this dive experience shouldn’t be missed. To find our more about the night diving trips, call +971 4 426 1040.

creaturesOF thenightDive into the depths of the Ambassador Lagoon with a night-time dive like no other

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O T H E R D I V E E X P E R I E N C E S

Take the plunge and scuba dive amongst the ruins of Atlantis with a whole host of dive packages on offer

Atlantis Dive DiscoveryThis course is ideal for non-certified divers as it is the perfect way to learn

basic diving skills before getting close to colourful angel and

butterfly fish.

Predator DiveFor those feeling brave, this is a

unique chance for certified divers to get up close and personal with all of the sharks and rays in the

Ambassador Lagoon. You can even hand-feed them!

Dive ExplorerIf you’re a certified diver, head down

into the depths of the tank and explore incredible sea creatures and

ancient artifacts from the mysterious Atlantean legend.

Ultimate SnorkelIf diving isn’t for you, simply pop on

a snorkel mask and head into the Ambassador Lagoon where you can explore the lost city of Atlantis from

the perfect vantage point.

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IN & AROUNDRAMADAN

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A s the longest celebration in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is an auspicious time

when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The dates change every year, dependent on the sighting of the new moon but this year it’s expected that it will commence on or around June 6th.

Fasting, or ‘sawm’ in Arabic, loosely translates to ‘refraining’ and Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from morning until sunset. They also refrain from bad thoughts, actions or words and the entire experience enables people to empathise with those who have less than themselves.

During this time, there’s a sense of occasion and excitement in Dubai and a lot of family celebrations unfold that everyone can get involved in, whether Muslim or not. There’s also some important things to know during this time so we’ve put together a handy guide to keep you on the right tracks...

DoGet involvedSay Ramadan Kareem to people celebrating and enjoy the festive spirit.

Become a night owlEverything happens later during Ramadan with malls staying open past midnight and suhoor celebrations going on into the small hours. Embrace the late nights.

Try fastingTo get a sense of what Muslims go through, we recommend trying to fast for a short period of time, even if it’s only half a day. Refraining from eating for a period will make breaking your fast with a tasty iftar even more satisfying.

Give something backRamadan is a time for kind thoughts and charitable deeds. Even if you’re not Muslim, that’s something everyone can benefit from so go on, be kind.

Be suRe to...Be respectfulWhile tourists can still drink and eat in hotels and designated tourist destinations, be mindful that people are fasting and it isn’t respectful to eat or drink in front of them.

Be patientThings happen quite a bit slower in Ramadan and working hours are shorter as people who are fasting tend to tire quickly. Stay patient.

Dress modestlyRespect the local culture by choosing what you wear carefully. While it’s fine to don swimwear on the beach, make sure you opt for something that covers both your shoulders and knees at all other times during Ramadan, and that goes for both men and women.

Plan aheadWith people fasting all day and heading home for their first bite of food as the sun goes down, roads can get busy and hectic around iftar times. Plan things so you don’t have far to travel at this time and prebook iftar or suhoor - these fill up quickly.

All you NeeD to kNow With the Holy Month fast approaching, we take a look at everything you need to know about Ramadan in Dubai

IN & AROUNDRAMADAN

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R A M A D A N A T A S A T E E R

Break your fast in luxury surroundings at Asateer. Even if you are not fasting, we

recommend booking an iftar or suhoor at the stunningly decorated tent.

One of Dubai’s most popular Ramadan venues, you can tuck into tasty Emirati food

such as Lamb Ouzi or dine on delicious international options. Afterwards, sample traditional Arabic sweets including umm

ali and knaffe, sample some Ramadan beverages or indulge in fragrant shisha.

Open throughout Ramadan for iftar from sunset-8.30pm, suhoor from 9.30pm-

2.30am. To book a table, call 04 426 2626, or restaurant reservations@

atlantisthepalm.com

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IN & AROUNDWELLNESS

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TURNING BACK THE YEARSWouldn’t it be lovely if there were a one-step way to hold back the signs of ageing? Of course it would, but until this exists, keeping skin at its best is a multi-step process. We spoke to the experts at ShuiQi Spa to bring you their top anti-ageing recommendations

QUENCH THIRSTStudies have proven that the speed of wrinkle development is slower in well-hydrated skin so keeping your cells full of moisture is key to the perfect complexion. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, increasing your intake if spending time in the sun or in air-conditioned buildings, moisturise everyday both morning and night and apply hydration masks for an extra boost.

Try Aromatherapy Associates Rose Infinity Moisturiser (Dhs830) with a unique formula of alpine rose stem cells that have a whole host of skin boosting benefits. When it comes to masks, Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Face Mask (Dhs320) combines aloe vera and sodium hyaluronic - renowned for their hydrating properties - with damask rose water, a treat for your skin.

WRINKLE REdUCTIoNFrom products to treatments there’s plenty to take care of telltale lines. Try Aromatherapy Associates Rose Infinity Eye Cream (Dhs530) for a little touch of wonder that uses a triple-firming action to rejuvenate the elasticity of the skin around the eye. Using Edelweiss stem cells and potent oligosaccharides, proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, it also contains rose and frankincense. Benefiance Wrinkle Resist crème from Shiseido (Dhs520) is a moisture-rich age-defense cream, available as a day and night cream, that fights signs of ageing. If you want the experts to take care of things, try the Shiseido LX Solution Facial Ceremony (Dhs995). This 90-minute treatment combines Shiseido’s most advanced skin care line to maximise skin’s natural beauty while diminishing the signs of ageing.

WoRK ITExercising promotes blood flow to the skin which helps increase the rate of new cell growth and the production of natural oils and moisture so no excuses! Hit the gym, go running or do some yoga - just get moving.

The newly refurbished Wellness Centre at ShuiQi Spa & Fitness features Technogym’s exclusive ARTIS range, the first integrated collection of cardio, strength and functional equipment in the region and the ideal solution for a full body workout. Sign up for a membership (prices start from Dhs14,500 for 12 months) or take part in the regularly scheduled group classes.

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STAY SAfE IN THE SUNLather on sun cream at least 20 minutes before you hit the beach and reapply often in order to prevent your skin from ageing further due to the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. Find a sunscreen that is the right consistency and texture for you and perhaps take a look at a tinted sunscreen that doubles as makeup. Ensure you use an SPF of 30 or more. Try Shiseido Sunscreen (from Dhs330), with innovative sun care technology that combines exceptional anti-ageing benefits available in a broad spectrum SPF cream or lotion.

SLoW doWNNothing can run at top speed all of the time. Taking some space to de-stress is crucial in fighting the ageing process. Schedule an Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Massage (Dhs535) for an hour of pure relaxation and ensure you get enough quality sleep on a regular basis, the power of sleep in restoring our bodies is phenomenal.

B O T O xThe perfect lunchtime treatment, pop into

ShuiQi Spa and visit Dr Viell for a botox treatment and you can be out again within

half an hour. It’s totally non-invasive so there’s no downtime and you can be back by the pool before anyone notices you’ve

even gone.

f I L L E R SPopularised by celebrities, fillers are

similar to botox but work on static wrinkles - those that can be seen even when your

face is relaxed. Treatment is quick and easy and will soften even deep wrinkles.

To avail any of these treatments or pick up any products mentioned, contact

ShuiQi Spa +971 4 426 1020 or dxb-spa@atlantisthepalm.com

ALTERNATIvE TREATmENTS

A DAY IN THE LIFEEmily SandersonPastry Chef at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar

7amI check on the ice cream bar so that I know what we need, the ice cream gets made fresh every day without fail. We always have five flavours on offer: vanilla and chocolate, and then we get to play around with the other options.

8amIt’s a case of getting all the ingredients ready and, once everything’s weighed up, we put it through the pasteurizer – it’s a massive machine that heats the mix up to 80 degrees and then cools it right back down again. I love making ice cream and my absolute favourite flavour to make is tiramisu - I love tiramisu as a dessert, so making it as an ice cream is absolute heaven.

9amNext, we look at the desserts on the Bread Street Kitchen & Bar (BSK) menu and see what can be pre-prepared. We make the chocolate tarts twice a day, so I usually start with that.

From a very early age, Emily knew that she wanted to be a pastry chef. She loved spending time in the kitchen, baking with her mum. Having been to Dubai on holiday and fallen in love with the city, she jumped at the chance to move here, especially when that also meant working in Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. Having been in the UAE since September, Emily is enjoying life in Dubai and her freedom to get creative in the kitchen and at the ice cream bar...

11am Our bread and butter ice cream is our signature and was made specifically for BSK. It’s bread flavouring, butter, malt extract and we sprinkle bread crumbs on top – it’s very popular so we’re constantly checking that the special soft serve machine we serve it from is fully stocked and ready to go.

Noon Our bread gets baked twice a day, so I head down to the bakery to collect the first batch.

1pmI’m making lunchtime desserts and serving at the ice cream bar. One of my favourite things is playing with the flavours - I made a lemon meringue ice cream as one of the restaurant managers absolutely loves lemon meringue pie, and I created a peanut butter and jelly ice cream which just tasted as if you were eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 3pm We’re getting ready for dinner by making treacle tarts and banana toffee – things that we keep as a back up in the fridge.

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5pmWe stop for lunch at 5pm, it can be totally hectic but it’s also really rewarding when we have a full, happy restaurant.

5:30pm The bakery has our second load of bread ready so I collect this and head back to the kitchen.

5:55pm I make sure the bread is ready to go as we’re about to welcome our first guests for dinner.

7:30pm We get the first dessert orders and get busy cooking.

11pm I make the final dessert orders, then write my list for the next day and clean up. I usually leave exhausted but with a great sense of accomplishment.

Find Emily at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in The Avenues. Book a table on 04 426 2626 or restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com

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SOCIETY SPOTTING

SPOTTED AT:ThE OPENING Of AYAmNAAll the action from the launch of the fantastic new Lebanese restaurant

1. Head Chef Ali Bourji and Chef Ossama; 2. Ghania Azzam and Bassem Bouresslan; 3. Mais Akrid; 4. Maissa Al Qalla; 5. Sabah Jameel and Tamer Bitar; 6. Rahaf Al Taweel; 7. Faisal Sisaber; 8. Dominick Hourani

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ADS.001.AtlantisMag.SignatureSuitesAdFPFA.pdf 1 2/28/16 6:39 PM

IN & AROUNDSUITES

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Royal DElIghTThe Royal Bridge Suite has been a favourite with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Ram Kapoor and Gordon Ramsay. Straddling the Royal Towers and accessed via private elevator, it’s 924m of luxury that’s truly fit for a star.

gRanDIoSEChaRmGrand by name and grand by nature, the Grand Atlantis Suite is another celebrity hotspot. With sumptuous surroundings loved by Gamble Breaux from the Real Housewives of Melbourne, it’s the ideal upgrade for any trip.

pRESIDEnTIalSTylECelebrities are never off duty and that’s why so many of them check into the Presidential Suite. Refined and distinguished with a separate office to work in, it’s played host to Bill Clinton and other top dignitaries from around the world.

UnDERwaTERFUnQuite possibly our most popular celebrity suite, make like Amir Khan, Johnny Vegas, Jourdan Dunn and Khloe Kardashian and enjoy a breathtaking backdrop of marine life as you lie back and relax in the Underwater Suite.

ThE SUITE lIFECelebrities love a touch of Atlantis magic, follow in their footsteps and ensure your stay is worthy of star-status by checking into our signature suites

To book at stay in any of the signature suites call +971 4 426 1101 or

email reservations@atlantisthepalm.com

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left to right, from top left: Abdullah BuKhair; Amir Khan; Ana Ivanovich; Buzz Aldrin; Camilla Mackintosh; Jourdan Dunn; David Beckham; Drake; Florent Manaudou; Gordon Ramsay; Khloe Kardashian; Tim Yap; Vin Diesel; Gamble Breaux; Ram Kapoor; Johnny Vegas

IN & AROUNDEPICURIOUS

EPICURIOUSA culinary update from Atlantis, The Palm

ASPARAGUSPlump but not fibrous, slightly sweet with a hint

of bitterness, that’s what you can expect from Sylvain Erhardt’s wonderful asparagus. Head to Ossiano to sample the tender green shoots

paired with charming seafood options.

POTATOESThe humble potato is the world’s favourite root

vegetable, originating from South America and loved across the globe. Tuck into the scrumptious truffle mash at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar for a taste to remember.

MUSHROOMSTechnically a fungus, the mushroom has something of a mystical connection with elves and fairies often

depicted sitting atop them. Flavoursome, sought after honeycomb-like Morel mushrooms feature on

the menu at Ronda Locatelli.

Let this season’s ingredients guide your food choices...

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INSTAGRAM PLATABLES

INSTAwoRThy MoMENTSFrom grilled salmon on the terrace at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar to a sushi-filled lunch at Nasimi Beach, there are plenty of insta-friendly moments when you’re dining at Atlantis....

To reserve a table at any of our restaurants contact restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com

From top left: Asia Republic, Nasimi Beach,

Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Nasimi Beach, TBJ, Bread Street

Kitchen & Bar, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Ronda Locatelli,

Nobu, Ronda Locatelli, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar,

Platos, Yuan, Ossiano, Nasimi Beach

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If yOU cAN’T REMEMbER wHAT yOU ATE ONcE yOU LEAvE A

RESTAURANT, THEN IT wASN’T A GOOD MEAL

W hen we arrive at Ronda Locatelli, it takes us a few minutes to spot Giorgio. Then

we see him, crawling out from behind a table with a bright red ball in his hand. Handing the toy back to a delighted toddler in front of him, he gives us a smile and comes to greet us. It’s not every day that you see a Michelin-starred chef crawling around the floor in the middle of his restaurant, but then Giorgio Locatelli is not an everyday kind of man.

The award-winning chef from northern Italy has an unmistakable zest for life. Whether talking about his love for cooking, his family and life in London, or his nonexistent plans for retirement there’s a passion that’s impossible to ignore. His salt and pepper curly locks frame his almost permanently-cheery face, the only edge of seriousness coming from the rimless spectacles he puts on to read, and his demeanour has a remarkable way of putting everyone at ease.

It was nine years ago that Giorgio launched Ronda Locatelli, the authentic Italian restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm and one of the first Italian eateries in the country. “We started talking about Dubai years ago and really got to see the whole Palm project literally come out of the water,” says the chef in his London-twanged Italian accent. At that time, the island was under construction, and there was no such thing as a trunk road so Giorgio was taken by boat to the site that would eventually form the Palm. “I saw two huge boats spitting out sand and I admit that I thought to myself these guys are crazy! I asked them, when are you going to do this? In a year! Are you sure? It takes six months just to change a window in my restaurant in London.”

But Giorgio likes a challenge. “I like people with aspiration, I always did and that’s often been where my biggest failures have come from. But this time, I felt flattered to be asked to do it and felt I had to. At that time, people didn’t know much about Italian food here, it was akin to Europe in the sixties, so I really felt I could do something here.”

And do something he certainly has. Ronda Locatelli has since been named top Italian Restaurant by Arabian Business and is one of Atlantis, The Palm’s major success stories. Giorgio is modest about his success. “Obviously we deserve to be here but I also feel like we rode the moment. Italian cuisine had just begun to be accepted all over the world and this, coupled with the fact that we were fresh-faced, just really worked. I mean, we didn’t reinvent the

wheel or anything; we just tried to make food that was absolutely as close to what you would eat if you were in a nice restaurant by the sea in Italy.”

And classic Italian food it is, with wood-fired pizza so light and fluffy you can easily devour the whole pie, pasta cooked with precision and unforgettable regional specialities. For Giorgio, pizza is his go-to. “When I’m in Dubai, lunch and dinner every day is pizza. A wholemeal Margherita is just perfect.” It’s a perfection that is a result of the dedication of the team at Ronda Locatelli who have made it their mission to perfect this archetypal Italian offering. Luckily, Giorgio isn’t too coy about divulging these secrets.

“The secret of good pizza is the right flour - not a 00 and not a semolina – but in between. We also use very little yeast, only 3-4g per kilo, which is really minimal so it’s easily digestible. Of course, the oven matters. Currently we’re working with two different temperatures as we discovered that wholemeal dough needs to cook at a slightly lower temperature for ever-so- slightly longer, and the results are amazing. I’m really tempted to turn the entire pizza menu wholemeal, but it’s tough balancing that with having a Neapolitan that comes in and gets livid when you say you don’t serve regular pizza.”

BEnvEnUtO!We catch up with Giorgio Locatelli to talk Italian hospitality, the secret of great pizza and how the time is now for Dubai’s culinary scene

These business decisions are the result of a craft finely honed over decades of being around food. As a child, Giorgio’s uncle ran a hotel and restaurant and, in 1986 after working in local restaurants in Italy and Switzerland, the young Italian headed for England. Nine years later, he opened his first restaurant, which won Best Italian Restaurant at the London Carlton Restaurant Awards for two years running, whilst also gaining his first Michelin star. This winning philosophy has transcended to Ronda Locatelli and has always been based on two aspects: creating memories and keeping things simple. “I like people to remember what they eat, that’s such an important thing for me. If you can’t remember what you ate once you leave a restaurant, then it wasn’t a good meal. I also

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If yOU cAN’T REMEMbER wHAT yOU ATE ONcE yOU LEAvE A

RESTAURANT, THEN IT wASN’T A GOOD MEAL

W hen we arrive at Ronda Locatelli, it takes us a few minutes to spot Giorgio. Then

we see him, crawling out from behind a table with a bright red ball in his hand. Handing the toy back to a delighted toddler in front of him, he gives us a smile and comes to greet us. It’s not every day that you see a Michelin-starred chef crawling around the floor in the middle of his restaurant, but then Giorgio Locatelli is not an everyday kind of man.

The award-winning chef from northern Italy has an unmistakable zest for life. Whether talking about his love for cooking, his family and life in London, or his nonexistent plans for retirement there’s a passion that’s impossible to ignore. His salt and pepper curly locks frame his almost permanently-cheery face, the only edge of seriousness coming from the rimless spectacles he puts on to read, and his demeanour has a remarkable way of putting everyone at ease.

It was nine years ago that Giorgio launched Ronda Locatelli, the authentic Italian restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm and one of the first Italian eateries in the country. “We started talking about Dubai years ago and really got to see the whole Palm project literally come out of the water,” says the chef in his London-twanged Italian accent. At that time, the island was under construction, and there was no such thing as a trunk road so Giorgio was taken by boat to the site that would eventually form the Palm. “I saw two huge boats spitting out sand and I admit that I thought to myself these guys are crazy! I asked them, when are you going to do this? In a year! Are you sure? It takes six months just to change a window in my restaurant in London.”

But Giorgio likes a challenge. “I like people with aspiration, I always did and that’s often been where my biggest failures have come from. But this time, I felt flattered to be asked to do it and felt I had to. At that time, people didn’t know much about Italian food here, it was akin to Europe in the sixties, so I really felt I could do something here.”

And do something he certainly has. Ronda Locatelli has since been named top Italian Restaurant by Arabian Business and is one of Atlantis, The Palm’s major success stories. Giorgio is modest about his success. “Obviously we deserve to be here but I also feel like we rode the moment. Italian cuisine had just begun to be accepted all over the world and this, coupled with the fact that we were fresh-faced, just really worked. I mean, we didn’t reinvent the

wheel or anything; we just tried to make food that was absolutely as close to what you would eat if you were in a nice restaurant by the sea in Italy.”

And classic Italian food it is, with wood-fired pizza so light and fluffy you can easily devour the whole pie, pasta cooked with precision and unforgettable regional specialities. For Giorgio, pizza is his go-to. “When I’m in Dubai, lunch and dinner every day is pizza. A wholemeal Margherita is just perfect.” It’s a perfection that is a result of the dedication of the team at Ronda Locatelli who have made it their mission to perfect this archetypal Italian offering. Luckily, Giorgio isn’t too coy about divulging these secrets.

“The secret of good pizza is the right flour - not a 00 and not a semolina – but in between. We also use very little yeast, only 3-4g per kilo, which is really minimal so it’s easily digestible. Of course, the oven matters. Currently we’re working with two different temperatures as we discovered that wholemeal dough needs to cook at a slightly lower temperature for ever-so- slightly longer, and the results are amazing. I’m really tempted to turn the entire pizza menu wholemeal, but it’s tough balancing that with having a Neapolitan that comes in and gets livid when you say you don’t serve regular pizza.”

BEnvEnUtO!We catch up with Giorgio Locatelli to talk Italian hospitality, the secret of great pizza and how the time is now for Dubai’s culinary scene

These business decisions are the result of a craft finely honed over decades of being around food. As a child, Giorgio’s uncle ran a hotel and restaurant and, in 1986 after working in local restaurants in Italy and Switzerland, the young Italian headed for England. Nine years later, he opened his first restaurant, which won Best Italian Restaurant at the London Carlton Restaurant Awards for two years running, whilst also gaining his first Michelin star. This winning philosophy has transcended to Ronda Locatelli and has always been based on two aspects: creating memories and keeping things simple. “I like people to remember what they eat, that’s such an important thing for me. If you can’t remember what you ate once you leave a restaurant, then it wasn’t a good meal. I also

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63

really advocate taking an ingredient out of a dish, I think it’s more courageous than adding another ingredient,” explains Giorgio.

This focus on ingredients is something that has developed over the years as the produce available in Dubai has steadily improved. “The quality here has improved, mainly as we have been sourcing ingredients from all around the world, but I think now is the time for Dubai to think about producing some of these ingredients.” Working with local produce is something the chef is keen to push. “We already work with farms here, we brought some seeds from Italy and the farmers grew them for us and we get our mozzarella from a local factory in Sharjah – we went there and tasted the milk and it was fantastic. The quality is there, we just need to focus on quantity.”

As Dubai’s restaurant scene matures nicely, Giorgio believes that the future is bright. “This place is so multi-cultural and really, these are always the most successful societies. The ones that include other cultures - places like London and New York. If you look at Paris (and I’m only talking about food here) they have this attitude that they are the best, so they haven’t allowed modern tastes to creep into their cuisine. In fashion, skirt lengths are going up or down and jackets are getting slimmer and things change,

but food and people change too and you need to embrace this. When there is such a mixture of people, that is where you really get the bounce. And in Dubai this is enormous.”

Despite his passion for ever-evolving cuisine and his hopes for the creation of “a Dubai-born fusion akin to what Qbara is getting out there,” Giorgio’s focus for Ronda Locatelli remains simple. “We are one of the very first Italian restaurants in Dubai so there’s an expectation for what we do and we will always have simple, classic Italian offerings.” That said, Giorgio does have some plans for change. “I feel that, as an Italian, I should be able to have both the Michelin-experience and the comfortable pop-in experience in my restaurant. Our entrance right now is perhaps a little bit aloof, especially in comparison to other restaurants like Gordon’s [Gordon Ramsay’s BSK sits a few metres away] so we want to make some changes, to let people know they are welcome and encourage them to come visit us.”

And while it may well be the sleekest spot on The Avenues, inside it’s all-Italian charm and hospitality, so don’t be afraid to pop in to tuck into delicious fare from a man who is quite possibly the most charismatic chef in town. Book a table on 04 426 2626 or restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com

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For an evening of elegance and delectable food, make your way to the newest spot at Atlantis, The Palm and dine

in style at Ayamna. Loosely translated as ‘our memorable days’, this Lebanese eatery evokes an essence of times gone by, highlighted by the cultural references peppered throughout both the aesthetic and the menu.

Stepping in the main door, it’s hard not to notice the bright and airy atmosphere; think fine dining with a definite relaxed air. This ambiance is partly down to head Chef Ali El Bourji’s easy-going attitude. Having been an

integral part of the team at Atlantis for just shy of a decade, Chef Ali feels right at home here. The mastermind behind the menu at Ayamna, Chef Ali has put the emphasis quite firmly on the food. And rightly so, given that Middle Eastern cuisine is set to be one of the big trends this year. Diners can expect authentic Lebanese dishes based on fresh, seasonal produce in a menu that celebrates classic favourites mixed with contemporary alternatives.

The interior of Ayamna reflects on the intriguing romance of a bygone era and guests enter the restaurant via a resplendent winding

staircase - an entry that seems to set the scene for the evening that is about to unfold. In fact, the entire restaurant resembles something of an elegant palace where the true hospitality of the glorious Lebanese past has been gloriously brought to life.

Meals at Ayamna start in traditional fashion, with an impressive spread of both hot and cold mezze. The staple hommous consists of creamy blended chickpeas with just the right amount of tahini and lemon juice, stored on ice to ensure that it remains at just the right temperature. For such a simple dish, it’s entirely noteworthy.

GOOD OLD

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Step inside the beautiful Ayamna for a tantalising taste of times

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For vegetarians, the eggplant mousaka cooked with fragrant tomatoes, capsicum, onions, garlic and chickpeas is a definite must try. Next up, the hot mezze offers something for everyone with the grilled halloumi having been expertly sourced from Cyprus and the falafel deep-fried to perfection. The fluffy bread is also worth a mention, straight from the oven, soft and fragrant. It’s hard not to fill up on such delicious mezze but we would advise taking things steady, as there is a whole feast of main courses still to come.

From traditional shish taouk and chicken kofta to the staple mixed grill, the whole sea bass was one of our favourites – a salt-crusted fish wrapped in vine leaves and delicately dressed with a concoction of lemon, coriander, garlic and Arabic spices. For special occasions, you simply cannot go wrong with the whole roasted lobster. Served in stunning style, the lobster is split clearly down the middle, and stuffed with saffron, oriental sauce, traditional Lebanese zataar and creamy cheese before being baked thoroughly in the oven; the result is amazing. Plating too is second to none and the natural-inspired white dishes are truly beautiful, set off ever so nicely by the sea-blue platter dishes.

Try to save room for dessert as there are plenty of traditional favourites on offer. The hallawa bil jebin consists of delicious rolls of sweet

I TRy TO kEEp THINGS TRADITIONAL

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IN kEEpING wITH THE DISH

FroM top leFt: Puff pastry ouzi, fried kibbeh, kebbeh mabroumeh; apricot vanilla muhalabiya, mixed grill, Lebanese kunafa, stuffed marrows, knaffe prawns, lentil salad.

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Hit all the right notes as you dine in style at Ayamna

1.Michael Kors top 2. Fendi handbag 3. Michael Kors skirt 4. Fendi shoes

white cheese stuffed with cream, pistachio and caramelised orange while the sticky date pudding takes a local ingredient and turns it into perfection, harmonised with sea salt caramel and tasty vanilla ice cream.

Dining aside, the experience at Ayamna is really one to remember with live music from Lebanese entertainers and a truly elegant ambiance captured perfectly in the gilded mirrors and marble arches. Outside, diners can take advantage of a beautifully decorated courtyard, complete with Levantine touches that really set the scene. Relax on wicker chairs and brightly coloured cushions and soak up the atmosphere. It’s also the ideal spot to enjoy some shisha and with such an array of flavours on offer you will be spoilt for choice.

Chef Ali insists that all this perfection stems from simplicity. “I try to keep things traditional but perhaps add something that is in keeping with the dish. For instance, with “the fattoush I perhaps would add molasses, as I’m using pomegranate seeds or vice versa. It’s really all about simplicity.”

When it comes to what to sample, Chef Ali has a few recommendations of his own. The mixed grill is top of his list. Whilst somewhat a staple in Lebanese eateries across the city, Ayamna serves the perfectly-cooked meat direct to the table on a piping hot charcoal plate, allowing guests to eat at their leisure without having to worry about their food cooling down.

For something smaller, the knaffe prawns are another notable dish. Beautifully plated, these locally sourced grilled prawns are nestled in pretty knaffe nests before being served with an array of dipping sauces in a manner that’s reminiscent of a work of art. The overall result is a mouth-watering delight. When it comes to dessert, there are a few sorbet offerings on the menu and the passionate chef highly recommends the tasty pomegranate flavour, refreshing and delicious, it’s the ideal way to end proceedings.

Beaming with passion, Chef Ali explains that after heading up Levantine (Atlantis’s first Lebanese dining spot) for seven years, it was time for a change: “After this many years, the time was right. It’s completely redeveloped, everything is new. The decor, the menu, the layout, the service - it’s a whole new experience. Everything has been changed. Well, everything except me.” With a love for food and a passion for Ayamna exuding from him, it’s easy to see why Chef Ali remains the one constant.

Having previously been home to an award-winning restaurant, hopes are high for this new eatery and it would be fair to say that the restaurant has some pretty big shoes to fill. Judging by our visit to the newest restaurant in town, Ayamna certainly looks capable of doing exactly that and then some. For more information or to make a reservation telephone +971 4 426 2626 or email restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com

AYAMNAStunning Lebanese restaurant serving authentic dishes in an elegant setting.Try: Delicious lobster.

OSSIANOWinner of best seafood restaurant four years in a row*, Ossiano serves elegant seafood alongside the resort’s mesmerising aquarium.Try: The Saturday afternoon tea with caviar.

BREAD STREET KITCHEN & BARModern British food and delicious drinks in an eclectic atmosphere.Try: Beef Wellington at the fantastic Wellington Wednesdays.

NOBUContemporary Japanese with subtle South American influences that comes Highly Commended.*Try: The cooking classes for kids, Saturday to Thursday afternoons.

SEAFIREHighly Commended* New York-style steakhouse perfect for the entire family. Try: World-famous Atlantis Beef exclusively sourced from cattle in Australia.

RONDA LOCATELLISeasonal authentic cuisine from the North and South of Italy.Try: Saturday brunch, where kids eat free.

YUANWinner of a Highly Commended award*, YUAN serves up contemporary Chinese.Try: The Friday Yum Cha brunch.

SAFFRONAward-winning Asian cuisine with a reputation to match.Try: The Friday brunch, the biggest party in all of Dubai.

KALEIDOSCOPEBuffet restaurant with flavours from all around the world. Try: The Indian Heat theme night on Mondays.

NASIMI BEACHRelaxed beachside dining that transforms into a lively bar at night.Try: The NEW Eat Play Love brunch on Saturday.

POSEIDON CAFÉ Casual bites with a great view of The Ambassador Lagoon.Try: Continental breakfast, served 8am to 11am.

THE EDGEMediterranean cuisine served poolside. Try: The grilled seafood platter combined with a signature cocktail.

THE SHORETex-Mex cuisine served beside the Royal Pool.Try: An authentic Mexican chimichanga.

PLATO’STraditional Arabian coffee house, ideal for refuelling during the day.Try: The specially-crafted chocolates.

Quick Eats

SHAWAFELA cool fast-food joint offering a blend of two Middle Eastern favourites, shawarma and falafel.Try: The signature shawafel wrap.

TBJA fun and family-friendly burger joint serving gourmet burgers to go.Try: The Cheesy Smokehouse burger.

ASIA REPUBLICCuisine from the Far East served in a beautifully decorated restaurant. Try: Curry Laksa followed by Chinese tea.

*Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2016

FOOD DIRECTORYSkip room service and head to one of our restaurants or bars. Below you’ll find the chefs’ top tips for what to eat where. Go on, tuck in…

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P.O. Box: 25718, Dubai, UAE , Tel: +971 4 701 9111, Fax: +971 4 701 9100Email: info@alphatoursdubai.com , Web: www.alphatoursdubai.com

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OUT & ABOUTS E C T I O N I I I

Dubai: Meet the people, see the sites and experience the best bits

OUT & ABOUTWHAT’S ON

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Blended 2016 The retro-influenced festival returns and this time all the action is taking place across just one day. Previous headliners include Kasabian, Craig David and Nico and Vinz so no doubt there will be some big names to look forward to this year. Order a picnic basket, get settled on Media City Amphitheatre’s grass and enjoy a day of blues, roots, jazz, soul and folk. blended.ae

Al Ghaffal Traditional Dhow RaceRunning for the 26th time, this spectacular event on May 21st showcases Dubai’s traditional sailing vessels in a flurry of ocean-based activity. Designed as a tribute to the pearl divers who were integral to the emirates’ development as a young trading port, it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family. dimc.ae

JuNe

Dubai Sports WorldThis indoor sports arena opens on the 21st and offers a little something for everyone, the ideal way to stay fit and have fun during the summer months. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, try your hand at basketball, skateboarding, football, tennis and much more. dubaisportsworld.ae

Ramadan in DubaiWith the Holy Month of Ramadan being one of the most important times in the Islamic calendar, Dubai celebrates in style with a whole host of iftars, suhoors and traditional events taking place throughout the city. Head to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to find out more about the holy month and be sure to book into Asateer tent at Atlantis to sample iftar or suhoor.atlantisthepalm.com/special-offers/ramadan

July

Eid in DubaiSignifying the end of Ramadan, this is one of the most important celebrations in the whole year. Visitors to Dubai can expect to enjoy feasts, live entertainment and lots of fun-filled events. While the dates change depending on the phases of the moon, astronomers have predicted that Eid in 2016 will start on or around July 7th. If you happen to be in town then, get ready for some big celebrations. dubaicalendar.ae

AuguST

Dubai Summer SurprisesAs the weather heats up in Dubai, this annual month-long festival offers a summer full of fun for all the family. Look out for the playful Modhesh characters dotted around the city, celebrity visits, fantastic competitions and cool events for children. dubaicalendar.ae

SepTeMber

Dubai Music Week Founded in 2013, Dubai Music Week features A-list performers, celebrity speakers, master classes and an entertainment village. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, dates are yet to be finalised but the festival will run over four days celebrating all things music.dubaimusicweek.ae

OcTOber

Dubai Design WeekHeld under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, this event runs from October 24th-29th and helps establish Dubai as the regional capital for design. With over 60 separate activities, projects and entertainment, it’s an exciting way to celebrate the best in both regional and international design. dubaidesignweek.ae

NOveMber

Formula 1 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The world’s eyes will be on Abu Dhabi for the conclusion of the 2016 Etihad Airways Formula 1 Season at Yas Island from November 25th-27th. Take part in the fun on the hill, charter a yacht, or simply go along to some of the epic music concerts - you don’t want to miss it. formula1.com

The Race to Dubai The European Tour Race to Dubai ends with spectacular flourish at The DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Atlantis as sponsors, from November 19th-22nd. This season-long event spans 48 tournaments in 26 destinations across all five continents on the 2016 European Tour International Schedule. jumeirahgolfestates.com

lOOkiNg AHeAdAtlantis, The Magazine rounds up some of the must-visit events coming up in Dubai

OUT & ABOUTWHAT’S ON

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Blended 2016 The retro-influenced festival returns and this time all the action is taking place across just one day. Previous headliners include Kasabian, Craig David and Nico and Vinz so no doubt there will be some big names to look forward to this year. Order a picnic basket, get settled on Media City Amphitheatre’s grass and enjoy a day of blues, roots, jazz, soul and folk. blended.ae

Al Ghaffal Traditional Dhow RaceRunning for the 26th time, this spectacular event on May 21st showcases Dubai’s traditional sailing vessels in a flurry of ocean-based activity. Designed as a tribute to the pearl divers who were integral to the emirates’ development as a young trading port, it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family. dimc.ae

JuNe

Dubai Sports WorldThis indoor sports arena opens on the 21st and offers a little something for everyone, the ideal way to stay fit and have fun during the summer months. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, try your hand at basketball, skateboarding, football, tennis and much more. dubaisportsworld.ae

Ramadan in DubaiWith the Holy Month of Ramadan being one of the most important times in the Islamic calendar, Dubai celebrates in style with a whole host of iftars, suhoors and traditional events taking place throughout the city. Head to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to find out more about the holy month and be sure to book into Asateer tent at Atlantis to sample iftar or suhoor.atlantisthepalm.com/special-offers/ramadan

July

Eid in DubaiSignifying the end of Ramadan, this is one of the most important celebrations in the whole year. Visitors to Dubai can expect to enjoy feasts, live entertainment and lots of fun-filled events. While the dates change depending on the phases of the moon, astronomers have predicted that Eid in 2016 will start on or around July 7th. If you happen to be in town then, get ready for some big celebrations. dubaicalendar.ae

AuguST

Dubai Summer SurprisesAs the weather heats up in Dubai, this annual month-long festival offers a summer full of fun for all the family. Look out for the playful Modhesh characters dotted around the city, celebrity visits, fantastic competitions and cool events for children. dubaicalendar.ae

SepTeMber

Dubai Music Week Founded in 2013, Dubai Music Week features A-list performers, celebrity speakers, master classes and an entertainment village. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, dates are yet to be finalised but the festival will run over four days celebrating all things music.dubaimusicweek.ae

OcTOber

Dubai Design WeekHeld under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, this event runs from October 24th-29th and helps establish Dubai as the regional capital for design. With over 60 separate activities, projects and entertainment, it’s an exciting way to celebrate the best in both regional and international design. dubaidesignweek.ae

NOveMber

Formula 1 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The world’s eyes will be on Abu Dhabi for the conclusion of the 2016 Etihad Airways Formula 1 Season at Yas Island from November 25th-27th. Take part in the fun on the hill, charter a yacht, or simply go along to some of the epic music concerts - you don’t want to miss it. formula1.com

The Race to Dubai The European Tour Race to Dubai ends with spectacular flourish at The DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Atlantis as sponsors, from November 19th-22nd. This season-long event spans 48 tournaments in 26 destinations across all five continents on the 2016 European Tour International Schedule. jumeirahgolfestates.com

lOOkiNg AHeAdAtlantis, The Magazine rounds up some of the must-visit events coming up in Dubai

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UAE national DayIt’s time to celebrate everything about the UAE with National Day celebrations taking place across the city on December 2nd. With huge parades, flags, fireworks, military performances and lots more, visitors can enjoy celebrating the country’s heritage, history and achievements. uaenationalday.ae

Spinney’s Dubai 92 Cycling Challenge Now in its sixth year, the UAE’s biggest community cycling event takes place on December 9th and is expected to attract more than 2,500 riders. A challenge for beginners and experts alike, the race sees riders cycle across 92km of Dubai roads and attracts cyclists from all over the world. cyclechallenge.ae

Al Ain Air Championship This aviation extravaganza sees a field of flying aces descend upon the Garden City from across the world ready to take flight in a three-day series of flying feats. Away from the flying, a massive 60,000-square-metre Championship Village will offer plenty of family fun, food and beverage trucks and live music to keep visitors entertained. alainairchampionship.ae

Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby SevensFor thrilling action, great crowds and a wonderful party atmosphere, not to mention first-class rugby action, it’s got to be Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby Sevens. This year the event celebrates its 47th episode at The Sevens Stadium on the Dubai-Al Ain Road, approximately 40 minutes from Dubai taking place from December 1st-3rd. dubairugby7s.com

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SEE THE CITy fROm abOvEFor a bird’s-eye view of Dubai, simply take to the skies

There’s something quite special about the view of Dubai as you fly into or leave the city - glistening skyscrapers, golden beaches lapped by bright blue water and the iconic landmarks clearly visible. If you fancy getting up close and personal with some of those sights, a helicopter sightseeing tour could be the answer.

What is it?Atlantis, The Palm, Alpha Tours and Falcon Aviation have partnered up to bring visitors access to some of the best helicopter sightseeing tours in the city. Enjoy soaring high above the skyscrapers, cruising from one side of Sheikh Zayed Road to the other without ever having to stop and getting some fantastic photographs to boot.

What to wear?It can get a little bit cold up there, so err on the side of caution and bring a scarf or a cover up. If you’ve got long hair, you may want to tie it up to avoid a dishevelled end to your flight.

Why try it?Why not? Whether it’s your first or your fifth visit to Dubai, the city is constantly changing and there’s no better place to see the ongoing development than from the sky. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the staff really looks after you so it’s great for birthdays and anniversaries. Want a proposal that your loved one will remember forever? Proposal flights add an element of surprise with the ground crew unfurling a huge banner emblazoned with ‘Will you marry me?’, before the pilot expertly swoops right down on top of it.

What you can see?What do you want to see? The highly trained pilots are happy to accommodate any particular

requests. We recommend making the most of your wings to get a privileged view of the Dubai Canal Project, not visible from most land vantage points, or take a whistle-stop tour to check out the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, swoop over the Formula 1 track on Yas Island or enjoy a tour of the World Islands.

What to expect?An amazing experience! While nerves may be a factor before take off, it’s more than worth putting those aside and climbing onto the bird, trust us - you won’t regret it. Even if you have been in Dubai for many years, seeing the emirate from the sky is quite magical. Find out more by enquiring in the lobby or at alphatours.com

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Box Park

Don’t miss one of the latest additions to this area of Dubai. Box Park is an offbeat outdoor concept that offers a selection of quirky stores and boutiques interspersed with a variety of colourful art concepts. Taxi reference: Box Park

ThE FarmEr’S GardEn

If organic fruit and vegetables are what you’re after, then this homely little store is for you. The brainchild of Emirati Rashid Al Habtoor, only high quality, organic products that are 100 per cent free from chemicals are stocked here. There’s a strong eco-friendly vibe and not a plastic bag in sight with produce from all over the world. Taxi reference: Al Wasl Square

ThE ConCIErGE’S GUIdE To Al WAslWhile you may not read about Al Wasl in any of the major guidebooks, the area has plenty to offer those seeking something off the beaten track

OUT & ABOUTGUIdE To...

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OUT & ABOUTGUIDE TO AL WASL

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BOOKmUnch cAfé AnD BOOKShOp

Dubai’s first literary café is a great spot to while away an hour or two. With a huge collection of handpicked titles catering to all ages, it’s the perfect place to order a coffee, grab a good book and get comfortable. Head down to this little spot in Al Wasl Square and enjoy weekly reading sessions for children and babies, available in a variety of languages, or check out the regular book-centric events and occasional book signings, the bookworm in you can truly rejoice. Taxi reference: Al Wasl Square

ART hOUSE DUBAI

If you want a unique souvenir from your time in Dubai, Art House Dubai could be the place for you. This well-established picture house stocks a wide variety of original artwork, limited edition prints and unique gifts, great as presents for the family back home. They also offer an exceptional framing service, with custom made frames available to fit canvases and prints of any size. Best of all, they have an on-site workshop so you won’t have to wait weeks for your print to be completed. Taxi reference: Al Wasl Post Office

mAjLIS GhORfAT Um AL ShEIf

Nestled between Al Wasl Road and Beach Road, this summer resort is of great historic importance, despite its small size. Established in 1955, it was the summer palace of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, late father of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai. Delve into history as you explore the two-floor majlis constructed from plaster, coral, stones and palm fronds. The ground floor consists of an open porch with columns and a small room while upstairs is the main majlis where Dubai’s leaders held discussions and debates. The house is filled with authentic, historical pieces of furniture as well as replica copper buckets, rugs and brassware. Taxi reference: Opposite Al Sufouh School for Girls

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BOOKmUnch cAfé AnD BOOKShOp

Dubai’s first literary café is a great spot to while away an hour or two. With a huge collection of handpicked titles catering to all ages, it’s the perfect place to order a coffee, grab a good book and get comfortable. Head down to this little spot in Al Wasl Square and enjoy weekly reading sessions for children and babies, available in a variety of languages, or check out the regular book-centric events and occasional book signings, the bookworm in you can truly rejoice. Taxi reference: Al Wasl Square

ART hOUSE DUBAI

If you want a unique souvenir from your time in Dubai, Art House Dubai could be the place for you. This well-established picture house stocks a wide variety of original artwork, limited edition prints and unique gifts, great as presents for the family back home. They also offer an exceptional framing service, with custom made frames available to fit canvases and prints of any size. Best of all, they have an on-site workshop so you won’t have to wait weeks for your print to be completed. Taxi reference: Al Wasl Post Office

mAjLIS GhORfAT Um AL ShEIf

Nestled between Al Wasl Road and Beach Road, this summer resort is of great historic importance, despite its small size. Established in 1955, it was the summer palace of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, late father of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai. Delve into history as you explore the two-floor majlis constructed from plaster, coral, stones and palm fronds. The ground floor consists of an open porch with columns and a small room while upstairs is the main majlis where Dubai’s leaders held discussions and debates. The house is filled with authentic, historical pieces of furniture as well as replica copper buckets, rugs and brassware. Taxi reference: Opposite Al Sufouh School for Girls

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Check OutJACKIECHAN

International superstar Jackie Chan talks travel

essentials, keeping fit and hidden phobias

First impressions of Dubai? Amazing, hospitable, orderly

Travel essentials?My camera

Secret to keeping fit? No secret, exercise, exercise, exercise!

How many pairs of sunglasses do you own?

Too many to count!

Who do you most admire?All those inventors of new technology...

Motto in life?

(Translation: You cannot please everyone, just be true to yourself )

Tell us a secret?I am ABSOLUTELY scared of needles

Your favourite thing about Atlantis, The Palm?

The view outside the window of the Presidential Suite bedroom

OUT & ABOUTCHECK OUT

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