This weekend, we’re looking to start the weekend well with a health-food Thursday, before abandoning it all for brunches, lunches and dinners from Friday until Tuesday.
Here’s what’s going over the five-day break for Eid Al Adha…
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8
Shop The Change Initiative’s sale
Sadly Dubai’s health-food superstore and cafe is shutting its doors for the last time on September 15, so there’s going to be a mega closing down sale this month. The TCI Pop-Down will feature discounts of up to 90 per cent, so now’s the perfect time to start that clean, organic, ethical eating regime you’ve been mulling over for months. Plus, blogger Yasmine of Petites Choses will be there on the day with something “delicious” planned…
The Change Initiative, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1, 8am to 9pm. Tel: 800 824, thechangeinitiative.com.
A taste of Rio
There’s another national holiday going on this weekend – it’s just on the other side of the world in South America. Thursday marks Brazilian National Day and Chamas Churrascaria in the Crowne Plaza will be hosting a special feast for the occasion. Dhs295 gets you access to a buffet, 18 different cuts of meat, and desserts. There’ll also be free flowing beverages, a live band and samba dancers.
Nightly until Saturday September 10. Tel: (800) 276963. fundining.ae.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9
Be a tourist in your own city
Be honest, how many of Dubai’s must-see spots have you actually visited in your time here (other than the restaurants, and cafes, and malls)? If you fancy getting to better grips with Dubai, you might want to play tourist for the day, using a new combo pass. Water sightseeing company The Yellow Boats has teamed up with City Sightseeing Dubai tours to offer a land and sea itinerary for Dhs340 per adult and Dhs220 per child. For that, you’ll get 24 hours of access to the hop-on, hop-off bus, which tours around both old and new Dubai taking in souks, mosque, museums and beaches, plus a 75-minute boat trip.
The Yellow Boats, tel: (04) 432 8543, theyellowboats.com.
Become the face of a Dubai club night
If you’ve ever dreamed of fronting your own campaign but never thought it’d happen, this might be your lucky day. VIP Room Dubai will host some in-house paparazzo for their weekly ladies’ night, where anyone snapped on the night goes into a draw to become the next face of the club. Plus, there’s free drinks and tunes from live DJs, so cut loose on the dance floor knowing you’ve still got four more days off work left.
VIP Room Dubai, JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, Dubai, 11pm to 3am. Tel: 052 881 8888, viproom-dubai.com.
A sunrise horse ride through the desert
As if desert horse riding wasn’t amazing enough, you can now do it as the sun rises over the dunes. Al Jiyad Stables in Al Qudra are hosting a morning trot followed by breakfast. Never ridden a horse before? No worries, no experience needed. Just make sure to RSVP ahead of time on the group’s website so they can set aside a horse for you.
Al Jiyad Stables, Al Qudra Road, Endurance Village near Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, 5.30am. Dhs150 not including breakfast. RSVP and more info here.
Pick up some artsy fartsy wares
If you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon activity, ARTE The Makers’ Market is a design, art, fashion and craft shopping hub offering up a bundle of handmade local products. Their markets are pretty regular throughout Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, so if you miss it, there isn’t one far behind.
Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. 11am to 6pm. arte.ae.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10
A snow party for pups
Brace yourselves, winter is coming. Well, it’s coming for the dogs anyway, because luxury pet resort My Second Home is holding an extra-special play date for pooches, complete with plenty of the white stuff. Snow In The Park allows canines to play in a frozen indoor pool, while there’s also a non-icy outdoor pool for those who aren’t keen on the cold.
My Second Home, Street 29, Unit 10, Community 597, Dubai Investment Park, 2pm, free for members or Dhs100 per dog for non-members. Tel: (04) 881 8002, click here for more.
Taste some traditional fare at the Burj Al Arab
If you want to indulge your sweet tooth in an iconic setting, then you can’t beat the Burj Al Arab. To celebrate Eid Al Adha, the venue’s Al Iwan restaurant will be serving up a traditional special menu featuring an ouzi-braised camel and a selection of Emirati-inspired desserts (we’re particularly taken with the sound of the doughnuts filled with custard and date jam). Lunch rings in at Dhs495 per person, and dinner will be Dhs550 per person – and the views? Priceless.
Al Iwan, first floor, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, lunch from 12pm to 3.30pm, dinner from 6pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 301 7600, click here for the website.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11
Take in some dazzling fireworks
Get in the party mood as the sky lights up over The Beach. There’ll be a fireworks display over the water every evening until Friday, so gather some friends, get a fresh drink from a nearby stall, and watch in awe.
Seaside at The Beach opposite JBR, 8.30pm from Sunday September 11 to Friday September 16. Click here for more information.
Let them eat cake
Schedule in a long overdue catch-up with some friends at W Dubai’s Level Seven cafe, where you can have a good natter over their new coffee and cake deal. For Dhs55 per person, you’ll get a cuppa with a slice of your choice… so will it be a classic Victoria sponge, spicy carrot cake, or death by chocolate?
Level Seven, W Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 366 666, wdubaialhabtoorcity.com.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Treat yo’self to a night in a hotel
Dubai newcomer The Rove is putting on a special offer for guests over the long weekend, so why not spend one of your five days slobbing around a room you don’t have to clean/tidy yourself? For Dhs549 you’ll get a night for two including brunch the next morning, and the plush rooms come with rain power showers, smart TVs and “designer” mattresses.
The Rove, Downtown Dubai. From Dhs549 for two. Tel: (800) 7683. Visit their website for more information.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Finish off the long weekend with a laze by the pool
Help make the return to work a little easier with a laid-back last day off. How? By taking advantage of the Sofitel’s summer deal, where you get a breakfast buffet at Les Cuisines plus access to the hotel’s infinity pool for Dhs160 per person, or Dhs300 for two people. Fill up on fresh juices, pastries, fruit, eggs to order, Arabic savouries, and pancakes, just to name a few options, and then digest (read: snooze it off) in the sun.
Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, breakfast from 6.30am to 10.30am, offer available until September 30. Tel: (04) 503 6666 (booking essential), sofitel-dubai-downtown.com.
Have one last leisurely lunch before going back to work
If you’re looking for a fancy lunch, the rather decadent Imperium in the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is putting on a special Eid weekend spread. Expect an extensive buffet lunch, serving up classic international fare with a bit of a Dubai twist.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. 1pm to 4pm, Tuesday only. Dhs165 per person. Tel: (04) 4530444. jumeirah.com.