FACT Qatar November 2015

NOVEMBER 2015 VOL 5. ISSUE 06 QR10. SR10

Camping 101: All you need to know about desert living. fact magazine

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c o n t e n t s

Fact Finds M A G IC TI M E !

The Illusionists 1903 is heading to Qatar for a show packed with tricks and treats that is sure to wow magic fans. We tell you more about it... page number 10.

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CA M P IN G IN T H E DESE R T !

From what to pack, how to get there and the best places to camp, as well as tour options, we’ve got your winter camping season sorted. page number 26.

A R TS F OC U S ON M AT H A F !

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is featuring solo exhibitions with pioneering artists from the Museum’s Permanent Collection. page number 45.

T H E L AND Y DISCO S P O R T !

Our resident motoring man takes this mighty CUV for a spin to find out if it lives up to the hype. Here’s the verdict from our expert... page number 69.

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THE EDITOR

Camp Revamp “Not all those who wander are lost.”

– J.R.R Tolkien.

H

ow much are you all liking this cool weather? Yes, I did just ask about the weather, but, hey, that’s only because this time of year offers more adventure, activity, and all-round awesomeness that we all love.

For Qatar, after what has been another hot and humid summer, you can now prep to venture outdoors and leave behind the comfort of the air conditioning for more pleasant temperatures – yay! So, it’s only fitting that this issue we bring you a mega feature dedicated to THE activity of the season; desert camping. It’s one of Qatar’s and, in fact, the GCC region’s favourite winter pastimes.

We explore Bedouin history and heritage and its connection to Qatari culture today, as well as the modern ways of contemporary camping (p26). If you’re up for taking a trip into the desert and spending a few nights under the stars, we tell you how to get started, what essentials to buy and pack, and all the best spots for setting up camp, to ensure that you have a safe and unforgettable time.

If city life is where it’s at for you, get ready for a fun-packed November. Some of the biggest treats this month come in the form of gigs, plays and spectacular happenings. The Illusionists 1903 will wow magic enthusiasts (p10); whilst The Doha Players are set to entertain theatre fans (p20); and superstars Stereophonics will get music lovers up on their feet (p24).

To top that off, Doha’s ever-thriving arts scene has another exciting month for all you creative connoisseurs. FACT caught up with Belgian artist Luc Tuymans to learn more about his exhibition Intolerance, currently on display at QM Al Riwaq Gallery (p39). Plus, there’s plenty more interesting exhibitions to learn about!

We also feed your hunger for fashion, food, motoring and travel with a trip to Jordan (p57); a test drive in the new Land Rover Discovery Sport (p69); hottest AW15 collections and trends (p77); and a host of fabulous foodie features as well as all the best dining deals to check out in Doha this month (p102).

It’s almost time to put the xmas carols on repeat and get in the festive spirit. It’s only going to get busier in the FACT office, but with a little bit of Jingle Bell Rock and plenty of good cheer, we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@factlive.com 6

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FACT Magazine Qatar Edition November 2015 Volume 5, Issue 06.

Chairman Khalifa Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Publishing Director Edward Smith General Manager Hussein A. Zreik Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@factlive.com) Group Regional Editor Tony Sidgwick Creative Director Paula Leal Graphic Designers Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bin Daina Photography Lemuel Lampa Ahmed Riffae Production & Distribution Ajit Kumar Neil Mahmood Regional Sales Director Chelsea Copenhaver Sales Manager Badir Bechara Contributors Sofia Graniello Office Admin Maritess M. Agapito ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Email: badir@nansgroup.com PRINTED BY United Printing Press

All Rights Reser ved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher.

All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication. However, FACT M.E. Publishing cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. Bahrain Publishing W.L.L. Off ice 53, Building 872, Road 3618, Block 436, Seef.

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NOVEMBER 2015 VOL 5. ISSUE 06 QR10. SR10

Your one-stop culture fix for life in Qatar| First for local talent, arts, fashion, dining and all the coolest events in the city | We’ve got tech, travel, motoring and exclusive interviews with all the industry and celebrityworld movers and shakers too | Get your copy of FACT Qatar in local supermarkets now!

Camping 101: All you need to know about desert living.

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CAMPING 101 p26

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CHECK IT OUT

Fact Finds

The Illusionists 1903 Discover more of Qatar with FACT Finds. Every month we’ll bring you a new hotspot, our favourite happening, eatery, activity or interesting find from around the city.

If magic entices you, tricks thrill you, and elaborate performances excite you, then look no further than The Illusionists 1903.

It’s the highest selling and longest running magic show on ‘Broadway’, and it’s coming to Qatar for the very first time, this month!

Featuring six brand new magicians, and eight world-class illusionists handpicked from across the globe, The Illusionists 1903 promises to transport the audience back to the golden age of magic, a time when conjurers were the true rock stars of the day. Showcasing the origins of some of the greatest and most dangerous illusions ever built, the show also unveils never-beforeseen experiments drawn from a treasure trove of long-forgotten mysteries.

The true art of magic will be explored in exquisite, turn of the century grandeur 10

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in this larger than life production from the acclaimed creative team behind international mega hits The Illusionists and The Illusionists 2.0. Audiences will discover first-hand the spectacles that transformed stage entertainment over 100 years ago.

Creative Producer, Simon Painter, says: ”The show is a world first, with each of the eight international illusionists being the best in their niche and together creating an impressive 19th century stage spectacular that will leave audiences spellbound.”

Said Mac.s.Far, CEO & Managing Partner at Alchemy Project Entertainment Agency, says: “We are always fascinated and excited by the new editions of this amazing Magic Show series, which keeps getting better and more exciting year after year.

“After the great success of the Illusionist

1 and Illusionist 2.0 in 2013 and 2014, we are happy to bring the show back, this time after record breaking sales on Broadway and the West End, directly to the Middle East with a mesmerising Brand New Show.”

Taking to the stage will be The Alchemist aka Alberto Giorgi; The Snowman aka Mark Kalin; The Escapist aka Krendl; The Clairvoyants aka Thommy Ten and Amelie van Tass; The Charlatan aka Dana Daniels; The Conjuress aka Jinger Leigh; and The Eccentric aka Charlie Frye. We’re excited – see you there magic fans! ✤

GO: The Illusionists 1903 Brand New Show will take place at Qatar National Convention Centre from November 18 to 21. Visit www.alchemyproject.com for tickets and more information.

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Listen up

Energy World Qatar

A Lotta Lotta Laughs The Chuckle Club is bringing more LOL moments to Doha this month with another exciting line-up of hugely talented international comedians taking to the stage at Dunes Bar, Grand Hyatt Doha on November 9 and the Crowne Plaza on November 10. The three funny folk entertaining you with side-splitting jokes are…

UK based Aussie Ro Campbell’s relentlessly entertaining and award winning brand of cheeky, slightly dark humour has wowed audiences everywhere from Adelaide to Bangalore, and Helsinki to Singapore, to name but a few places. He has performed at the last eight Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and made the Scotsman’s pick of Best Joke of the Fringe 2009. In 2010 he was crowned Scottish Comedian of the Year (slightly controversial being Australian and all!).

Carmen Lynch recently made her second appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. She has also appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and The Good Wife. Carmen has performed for the troops on several tours in Iraq and Kuwait and recently completed a tour doing stand-up in Spanish throughout Spain and Costa Rica.

John Hastings has been performing stand-up since 2006. He has won the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival Homegrown Competition.

In 2012 John moved to the UK where he was given the opportunity to perform as part of the Pleasance Comedy Reserve in 2013. Since then he has performed critically acclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014 and 2015. He is a regular on the comedy circuit in the UK and across Europe and in 2014 was featured on Seann Walsh’s Late Night Spectacular at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. ✤ GO: Tickets cost QR120 and can be purchased online at Platinum List, Virgin, Q-Tickets & Ticketmaster. Shows start at 8pm. Food and drink promotions will be on offer at the event. Follow @Chuckle_Club on twitter and @chuckleclub on instagram for more information.

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Join in the celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in all aspects of life, as Energy World Qatar 2015 acts as an initiator of interest, understanding, enthusiasm, and engagement, among the young people of Qatar, in a fun way. The national event aims to encourage the young people in Qatar to be part of building a prosperous future for the country, through innovative thought and actions enabled by STEM skills.

Energy World Qatar is an edutainment and interactive adventure for families, taking people of all ages on a journey into the future of energy, technology and mobility.

It provides a hands-on experience to create greater awareness of energy and its challenges, and it stimulates creative thinking and innovation amongst the participants to find solutions to meet those challenges. Energy World Qatar includes several interactive exhibits (activity zones) that embrace the proven concept of ‘learn through play’ to inspire curiosity, impart knowledge and inspire action. The activities will help inspire young people in Qatar to Join the Energy Generation and discover their identity as an inventor, designer, engineer, connector, or adventurer. ✤ GO: Energy World Qatar supports the Qatar National Vision 2030. The event takes place from November 19 to 28 at the new Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre. Visit www.energyworldqatar.com for more information.

Experience the newly redefined business lunch brought to you by the Executive Chef Vinon Yergu. Savour creative culinary creations such as the Spicy Green Papaya Salad & Mushroom Soup, our signature Camel Burger and finish off with the indulgence of the Seasonal Fruit Salad.

Saturday to Thursday, 12pm-3pm. Starting from QAR 75 per person.

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Listen up

A Celebration of Film The third annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, will open on November 29 with the Middle East Premiere of The Idol, from Academy Award-nominated Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad.

Raising the curtain on the Doha Film Institute’s annual celebration of film, The Idol tells the inspirational true story of Mohammad Assaf, an amateur singer from Gaza, who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol in 2013. The film enjoyed a successful world premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival in September and more recently at the 59th BFI London Film Festival.

Other Middle East premieres announced include this year’s Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear-winner, Jafar Panahi’s Taxi, in which the celebrated Iranian director himself drives a cab around Tehran, picking up passengers to great comedic and dramatic effect; and 2015 Cannes ‘Un Certain Regard’ opener An, by Japanese director Naomi Kawase, a gentle tale about a sad cook’s professional relationship with an elderly woman who teaches him to commune with nature.

Ajyal 2015 marks the Qatar premiere for Tigers, by Academy award-winning Bosnian director Danis Tanović, who was one of the five Masters at the inaugural edition of Qumra in March, the Doha Film Institute’s newly inaugurated industry event for emerging filmmakers. Mia Madre, a drama about a film director’s relationship with her ailing mother, by Italian director Nanni Moretti, will also have its Gulf premiere at Ajyal.

Fatma Al Remaihi, CEO of Doha Film Institute, said: “Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol, the powerful true story of a young boy overcoming staggering odds to realise his dream, is an ideal opening for this year’s edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival.

“As a co-financer of the film, we are delighted to bring home the story that originally touched the region, and indeed the world, in 2013. We are also honored to present Doha Film Institute grantee Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya’s outstanding debut feature Very Big Shot, a film that embodies our commitment to supporting emerging talent from the region.”

“We believe this third edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival is set to be our strongest yet, as the Festival’s reputation continues to grow each year. The range of works from internationally renowned auteurs already confirmed will provide a truly memorable experience for our audiences and young jurors.”

Ajyal, meaning ‘generations’ in Arabic, invites people of all ages to come together to discuss cinema through events that inspire creative interaction, opening up a fun, collaborative environment where young people can express themselves.

Driven with the goal to inspire and create, Ajyal has been designed to empower the region’s youth and to inspire film enthusiasts of all ages in Qatar and the region. ✤ 14

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GO: The third annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival will take place from November 29 to December 5, at Katara Cultural Village. Visit www.dohafilminstitute.com for more information.

White Truffle at Porcini These diamonds of the culinary world are nothing short of mesmerizing! The intricate white veining and marbling throughout the Alba truffle produces an aroma and flavor that is gastronomically unique and wonderfully intoxicating. During the month of November, Chef Moreno Miotto will enliven your senses with a unique dining experience.

For more information, please contact +974 4484 8000, or via email: rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Qatar

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can stil find more throughout the rest of the mag!)

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SATURDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

Go and spend an evening indulging in fresh, delicious food, carefully selected and prepared by culinary experts in Japanese inspired sashimi, nigiri and maki. Priced at QR250 per person, from 6pm to 10.30pm.

Reservations are required to enjoy the feast.

The third edition of QIBS starts today until the 14th, with more than 120 brands and 85 boats both on land and in water. Guests can get a genuine feel for the marine lifestyle and even the most discerning boating enthusiasts will find something the luxury vessel of their dreams. Visit

Gather with family and friends and experience a lavish buffet with treats for everyone. Relax with live music and enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace. There’s a cuisine to please everyone! QR320 incl. soft drinks; QR420 incl. selected beverages, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

If you’re a fan of the show Harem Al Sultan, this exhibition should be right up your street. Marvel the magnificence of this historical era with costumes, props and accessories, all used for the drama series, now on display. Go on, get up close! Visit www.qm.org.

This ladies club is a great opportunity to learn some moves and get a fun workout into your daily routine as well. Fitness meets Bollywood with a range of styles from classical Indian dance to folk bhangra and everything in between. From 7pm to 8pm, QR50. Call 3093

SUSHI NIGHT Spice Market at W Doha Hotel

Call 4453 5135 for more info.

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QATAR INTERNATIONAL Boat Show 2015 at Mourjan Marinas

www.qibs2015.com for more info.

FRIDAY BRUNCH In Vine at The St. Regis Doha

Call 4446 0105 for more info.

HAREM AL SULTAN Exhibition in Katara,

By Qatar Museums

qa for more info.

BOLLYWOOD DANCE Classes at Enana Ballet Academy

0053 for more info.

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in qatar Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can stil find more throughout the rest of the mag!)

2022 24 27 29

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

Head to Spice Market’s iconic Friday brunch and feast on a lavish spread street cuisine done South East Asian style. The melodic sounds of the Doha Jazz Band will keep you going. QR295 inc. soft drinks, QR410 incl with selected beverages. From 12noon to 3.30pm.

Just like it sounds, the Cronut is a pastry between a croissant and a doughnut. Inspired from the streets of New York City, the pastry Chefs Khaled Rashwan and Yusuke Aoki prepared it in three Cronut flavors, raspberry jam, chocolate ganache and cinnamon sugar. Go on, give it a try!

Enjoy a three-course business lunch at The Square. The a la carte menu offers delectable starters and mouthwatering mains, like local seafood, prime cuts of meat, vegetarian options and a dessert.

From 12noon to 3pm for QR88, inclusive of one soft beverage.

Head down to a special brunch in Sawa to celebrate Thanksgiving, featuring the classic signature sweet and savoury recipes and live entertainment. QR330 per person, including soft drinks and QR425 per person, including vino and bubbly – from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Start the working week on a high with a light lunch in a bright setting.

Express Business Lunch at Doha Marriott offers a changing menu with Mediterranean favourites and regional specialities. Three course set menu and unlimited salad bar is QR95 from 12noon to 3pm.

FRIDAY BRUNCH AT Spice Market, W Doha Hotel & Residences

Call 4453 5135 for more info.

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CRONUTS AT THE Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

Call 4484 8000 for more info.

THE BUSINESS LUNCH THANKSGIVING FRIDAY at The Square, InterContinental Brunch in Sawa at Doha The City Marsa Malaz Kempinski

Call 4015 8888 for more info.

Call 4035 5011 for more info.

BUSINESS LUNCH IN Corniche Restaurant at Doha Marriott Hotel

Call 4429 8499 for more info.

NEW YORK JAZZ WEEK

NEW YORK JAZZ WEEK 26 – 30 November 2015 6.30pm - 11.30pm New York Steakhouse presents evenings of jazz with pizzazz. Savour an exclusive selection by Chef David Dahlhaus of popular dishes from the New York restaurant scene amidst live entertainment by Jazz Band - City Lights.

Reserve now on +974 4419 5000 or visit marriottmarquisdohadining.com

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA HOTEL West Bay City Center, Omar Al Mukhtar Street Phone: +974 4419 5000 | marriottmarquisdoha.com

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LISTEN UP

Shakespeare’s The Tempest In Doha

This month, The Doha Players and sponsors Park House Community Initiative are proud to present The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Ahead of the production, FACT caught up with Mione Van Der Merwe who is playing the starring role of Prospero in this exciting show…

Considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, this version of the comedy is inspired by the GCC region, set on a mysterious island in the Maghreb of Northwest Africa. The play follows the story of Prospero, the double-crossed Duke of Milan, who will stop at nothing to seek revenge against his enemies and restore his daughter Miranda to royal honor.

Featuring singing, dancing and music, The Tempest is being directed by renowned director and former Broadway writer James Mirrione with Shakespeare expert and author Kim C Sturgess. It features a talented cast and crew from The Doha Players, whose recent performances include highly successful productions of Macbeth and Les Misérables. We learn more about the production from cast member Mione Van Der Merwe…

Hi Mione! What drew you to the role of Prospero and tell us some of the things you did to prepare to be in character?

Personally, I think Prospero is one of Shakespeare’s most interesting characters. As a protagonist he is neither entirely good, nor entirely bad. His circumstances make him relatable but, because of his flaws, he is not particularly likeable. As a ruler with unlimited power he is often dictatorial and yet he never causes anyone any real harm. He is, in short, an enigma.

When it comes to Shakespeare, everything you need to know is already in the text. I spent a great deal of time using exercises to help break down, understand, and interpret the words. I then delved into the character’s 20

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emotions, and with a lot of work, understanding, and empathy, I gradually adopted his feelings as my own. If there’s one tip that I always give to stage actors it’s: “if you don’t feel it, don’t act it. The audience can tell if you’re faking it.” It’s very important to do all of the preparation ahead of time so that when you get to showtime, the feelings can drive the play forward.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with The Tempest – why should they come and see the play?

There’s something in it for everyone: revenge plots, villains, a comedy duo, mischievous ‘sidekicks,’ power struggles, a love story, mysterious events, forgiveness and a happy ending. And as if that is not enough, there’s also music, dancing, and really good acting.

I think the regional twist will help the audience to relate to the play’s setting and some of the events that take place.

There’s going to be a regional twist on the play – how do you think audiences in Doha will react to this?

I think the regional twist will help the audience to relate to the play’s setting and some of the events that take place.

I think it’s also quite refreshing as most of the plays that have been put on by us in recent years have been set in very different contexts. Ultimately, Shakespeare deals ➻

LISTEN UP

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LISTEN UP

Describe what rehearsals for The Tempest were like…

Rehearsals have been hard work, but also a lot of fun. I feel fortunate to be working with a very talented, hard working group of people. My character doesn’t sing in this show, but it is a very demanding role vocally.

The biggest challenge has been preserving my voice throughout the rehearsal process.

I’m really looking forward to performing this show in front of an audience for the first time. For me, it usually doesn’t feel 100% real until the character walks out in front of a room full of strangers. That’s when the character truly comes to life.

How would you describe the theatre scene in Doha and is there any room for improvement?

With very few dramatic groups in town, Doha’s residents unfortunately don’t get to see a lot of theatre. However, whenever there is a show, it usually sells out fairly quickly and is generally received really well. I think audience members and theatre practitioners alike would benefit from having access to more cultural experiences, such as stage shows.

By setting the play in North Africa, we are emphasising that the content of the play is still relevant today. with the universal themes that make us human, such as: love, family, honour, hate, betrayal etc. By setting the play in North Africa, we are emphasising that the content of the play is still relevant today.

Tell us about your favourite line or scene from the play – why is it particularly special to you?

‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep’. It is such a beautiful line, with a sentiment that echoes throughout Shakespeare’s work. It is an issue that is embedded deep in the core of the human psyche, that has surfaced in many different forms of art throughout history: the tension between accepting that all of us must someday die, and realising that we don’t want to.

Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to fully understand or appreciate this quote, or Prospero’s actions.

However, a series of events in recent years have sent me on a similar emotional journey to that of Prospero’s (albeit on a much smaller scale). While I didn’t take to revenge quite as readily as Prospero, I do understand his feelings and his reactions throughout the play. This particular revelation is one I’ve had to process myself in recent years.

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For you, what’s the best thing about being on stage?

The adrenaline rush... It makes me feel alive. I find all forms of art to be freeing and stimulating, they all help to focus the mind and alleviate the stress that builds up on a daily basis. But when it comes to theatre, nothing else comes close.

When I am fully engaged with a show, everything else falls away, and all that is left is the character, and the moment.

What is something embarrassing or unexpected that happened to you on stage?

I think every actor can recount a time when something has gone horribly wrong on stage. For me, the most memorable was over a decade ago, in a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. The beanstalk broke and collapsed on the stage seconds before I entered with a group of villagers. But the show must go on! So everyone was scrambling for words, cracking jokes about the beanstalk, and trying not to laugh on stage.

Any advice for budding theatre actors…

Join workshops. Take classes. Accept every opportunity you get to act. Practice. Practice. Practice. It’s the only way to get better, to build up your CV, and to get your name and face out there for casting directors to see. ✤ GO: Show dates and time are November 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost QR100, with discounts available for under 18s with a valid I.D. Visit www.q-tickets.com to buy your tickets now.

Jazz

Marché

Brunch

Fresh & fabulous.

Inspired by the popular Marché theme, Seasons boasts an extravagant market-like concept with a variety of creative live cooking stations using only the freshest ingredients. Expect a premium selection of cheeses, roasts, sushi & desserts. The smooth jazz background adds to the chilled out vibe to ease you into the weekend. Kids can go crazy in their very own Kids Kingdom with a special kids’ buffet, face painting, bouncy castle, games and much more to keep them busy.

Price: QR200. Add QR30 for soft beverages or QR75 for bubbles & grape.

At Movenpick Hotel Doha, Corniche Street, Old Salata Tel: +974 4429 1111 | hotel.doha@moevenpick.com Web: www.movenpick.com/doha

Follow us on Facebook: Movenpick Hotel Doha | Twitter: MoevenpickDoha Instagram: movenpickhoteldoha fact magazine

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Stereophonics in Doha

From Cynon Valley to the desert of Doha, stalwart rock-pop band the Stereophonics will be bringing a night of new material, nostalgia and awesomeness to the city. FACT’s Sofia Graniello caught up with Richard Jones, bass guitarist, backing vocalist and co-founder of the band about their set in Doha, their motivations and what the future holds…

Welsh band the Stereophonics will be visiting Doha for one night only, performing some of their classic hits and new material. The group has had significant success over the past two decades and are one of the most eagerly-anticipated acts to come to the city this year. Well-known for singles such as Handbags and Gladrags, Have a Nice Day, Maybe Tomorrow, Dakota, and Mama Told Me to name but a few. Last year, the group scored a number one UK hit with their album Keeping The Village Alive. Here’s what Richard Jones had to say when we caught up with him last month...

What can the audience expect from your gig in Doha?

We’ve been performing the new album for a few months, dropping in three or four songs from the new album into the set. It’ll be similar in Doha.

We have over 100 of our songs to choose from but have to whittle it down to about 20, which isn’t easy. So far it’s been really successful and it’s great to watch the crowd’s reaction. I’m looking forward to coming to Doha and hoping for the same kind of response. We’re excited to see how they’ll react.

What’s song tends to go down best with the crowd?

There’s some that we can’t not leave out of the set list. They expect to hear them and we are happy to oblige. That includes Dakota, which goes down really well. There’s also Local Boy in the Photograph and Maybe Tomorrow. People expect to hear these and I don’t believe in bands playing obscure songs just to please themselves. The people in the crowd have bought tickets and we want to make sure they have a good night. In turn, we also then have a great time.

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Is seeing the crowd enjoying themselves your main motivation to keep making and playing music?

Yes, absolutely. If you’re performing in front of a crowd that really likes your music then there’s nothing better. That’s the reason we got into it in the first place. We wanted to show what we can do, hope people have a good time and enjoy it ourselves.

How has your music developed over the years?

Storytelling is still at the heart of what we do. That’s what our lyricist Kelly does best. He writes short stories and we make songs out of them. The only thing that’s really changed over the years is the story content. It still relates to what goes on around us but it also takes in all the experiences we’ve had. We just want people to connect with the song and certain elements of it. That’s what makes it so enjoyable when we perform, knowing that there’s an emotional attachment for some of the crowd to that piece of music.

How do you decide which songs to release off an album?

When we’re recording the songs and play them to people, such as management and people that have been with us for a long time, they can help us out to pick which ones can be a hit. For us as a band, it’s really hard to decide which ones should be singles as we’ve all got different attachments to them.

If you had to choose one song of yours that defines you as a person, which would it be?

I would pick something off the second album. People had just started taking notice of the band. I can’t pick one in particular – it’s just too difficult – but I have many happy memories performing from that album.

LISTEN UP

And who are you listening to right now?

I’ve recently been listening to a country singer called Lera Lynn. She’s on the second series of the True Detective soundtrack. She has a brilliant voice and does excellent story telling with a dark twist that I really like. There’s also a great band called Drenge – they are a rock band. I listen to anything and everything really – I don’t look for anything in particular.

What’s been the secret to the Stereophonics’ longevity?

I think it’s a couple of things. I think consistency is important, as well as not just resting on laurels. We don’t want to be a band that relies on one song or album. We want to show people we have got different tastes and musical interests that come out in our records. Fortunately for us we are also really good friends so it makes it a lot easier touring together. ✤

“

Storytelling is still at the heart of what we do.

That’s what our lyricist Kelly does best. He writes short stories and we make songs out of them.

GO: The Stereophonics will be performing at Indigo, Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel on November 10. Call 3369 2133 for tickets and more information. fact magazine

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CAMPING 101

Nomad’s Land

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CAMPING 101

For thousands of years, camping was a way of life for the Bedouin of Qatar, as tribes kept on a constant move across the vast desert, setting up tents and following herds of camel and sheep to greener pastures.

Today, there is very little left of that world, and like most long-established traditions, camping has matured with time….

Rewind back 50 years to Qatar where the only way of life was that of the Bedouin. That’s right, not so long ago, Qatar was a vast area of desert inhabited by indigenous tribes, whose proud and resourceful tentdwelling nomads formed a culture that is now one of the founding pillars of the country, playing an integral part in Qatari national identity today.

Life and camping back then was simple; enjoyment came from the freedom of living under the stars, using camels as the main mode of transport, and residing in goat-skinned tents as makeshift homes. The lifestyle of the nomadic tribes was essentially a principal building block of Qatari society.

Their independence and resourcefulness in the face of harsh environments, illustrates, even to this day, the Arabian code of hospitality, which is to show great respect and honour to guests.

The native Bedouins lived in varied terrain, from the ocean (for pearldiving and fishing), the desert (for grazing areas for their animals), and the oasis (for the farming of dates and vegetables). If we flash-forward to modern day, you can still see many vegetation zones, where trees, reeds, and shrubs like tamarind and mace can grow. These parts are nearer the coast as opposed to the massive sand dunes surrounding Khawr al Udayd, in the southeast.

Today there’s little trace left of that precious way of life, with camping evolving to keep in sync with contemporary society needs. Now, taking a trip into the desert is more of a must-do tourist option, or a result of the need to escape mundane daily tasks and the city bustle, and to seek solace in the vast emptiness. Especially during the cooler months of November to March, the Qatari desert becomes a haven for short breaks and holidaymakers.

And there are many different ways to go about visiting the desert. Many will find that tour companies offer the best and safest packages, customdesigned to suit specific time frames and budgets. Desert safaris are most popular; where people are whisked away in a 4x4 for a thrilling ride over massive sand dunes, either for dinner, dance, and activities in the desert, or an overnight stay.

Some locals, on the other hand, do it differently. Many set up semipermanent winter camps all along the coast. The camps, which are fenced, are licensed by the government and offer the comfort of home with modernday amenities like generators, televisions, electric lighting and more. This experience, aptly dubbed, ‘glamping’ is somewhat of a pimped out version of Bedouin living and a great way for family and friends to enjoy the desert whilst spending quality time together.

For those who want a real piece of nomadic life, you’ll have to forgo everyday comforts and get ready to rough it. The best way to do it is to plan your route into the desert with a mobile tent in tow. Pitch your tent under the stars just as the Bedouins would. With the cooler climate and numerous camping spots, it’ never been easier to do this than it is now. ✤ fact magazine

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CAMPING 101

Camping 101 There’s nothing more important than being well prepared before you head out to experience life under the stars. Here’s your guide to getting desert-ready…

Where to Set Up Camp…

The Qatari desert is full of wonderful places to head out and explore, and the options available might be a bit overwhelming when deciding on where to go and what to see.

You can either go for the beaches on the north or western coasts, or dodge that busy area for a bit of peace and quiet and head out to the gravel plains which are home to some of the most beautiful flowers in the country.

Located north of Dukhan, the Ras Abrouq peninsula is a favourite spot for weekend campers who come to enjoy the golden sands and pretty limestone scenery.

The place is full of wildlife with plenty of animal sightings including hedgehogs, kangaroo mice, and the sand gazelle.

An hour’s drive from Mesaieed is 28

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Inland Sea (Khor al Adaid), Qatar’s most famous and popular camping destination.

The country’s southernmost point, the area is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles. The scenery there is breathtaking with towering sand dunes soaring from the water’s edge.

At the opposite side of Qatar is Umm Tais National Park which has some the most beautiful sandy beaches, and is where Doha’s kite surfers can be found on the weekend.

Offshore, a few small islands surrounded by mudflats can be reached by vehicle when the tide is low, where you can find nesting turtles and stunning mangroves. While you’re in Umm Tais don’t forget to check out the pearling city of Al Zubara, which is only a few kilometers away. ✤

Where to buy your gear OLX POWERED DUBIZZLE

We just can’t get enough of this super useful website, and you’ll be happy to know that OLX also offers somewhere you can buy quality new and used camping equipment including tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, state-of-the-art torches and lanterns, and so much more! You’re guaranteed to find everything you need for a great price too. Visit www.olx.qa/en/ for more information.

CARREFOUR

A favourite hypermarket amongst many, but did you know that Carrefour has more than just food? Yes, there’s an awesome collection of safe and simple camping goods, ranging from two-person tents to a cool foldaway dining table and set – perfect for that barbecue under the stars!

GO: Visit Carrefour at various locations in Qatar. Visit www.carrefourqatar.com for more information.

SOUQ WAQIF

Yes, there’s more to this labyrinth of shops than just souvenirs and trinkets; amidst the Falcon souq are a few shops selling hiking/camping gear that would be worth checking out. You’re guaranteed to find some little treasures to help with your desert camping trip.

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CAMPING 101

THE CHECKLIST The desert’s unique characteristics require careful preparation, so we’ve put together a basic list of items that you should pack for a desert trip.

Equipment & Gear

Tent Sleeping bags Blow-up mattress and pillows Backpack Camp Stove and Cooking Equipment Firewood Tin foil Charcoal Matches Flashlight Picnic set Bowl for washing up Warm jacket or cardigan First Aid Kit Tow rope Rubbish bags Bathroom Tissue Sun Screen Sun Umbrella Map/GPS Equipment Mobile Phone & portable battery charger Guide Book Towels Hand wipes Picnic chairs and table Insect repellant Cooler Box & Ice Shovel

Make sure to bring plenty of water and remember that you’ll be cooking food on a fire and won’t have a fridge, so really think about what food to take and keep it simple.

The Big Tour QATAR INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES Overnight package: This trip will take you to the amazing sand dunes in the south and to the inland sea, which is the natural border to Saudi Arabia. Dune bashing is a popular sports activity in Qatar so join in to see why!

The stylish Bedouin camp is where you’ll spend the night, located in an area where you can also enjoy sand boarding, camel rides, quad biking, or simply just swimming.

Sit around the bonfire under the night’s sky and listen to traditional music being played.

Includes 4×4 jeep with driver, water, soft drinks and BBQ meal, insurance, bathrooms with showers, sand skiing and sand boarding, all activities and clean sleeping bags. Prices vary per person. GO: Visit www. qia-qatar.com for more information.

ARABIAN ADVENTURES QATAR Full Day Desert Safari Package– Get ready for seven hours of incredible sights and

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thrill rides. Your adventure starts with a 75 km drive to the south of Doha passing by all the major sights of the city. A brief stop at Sealine Beach Resort in Meisaeed will get the cars prepared for the exhilarating dunes bashing in store. The drive will then take you to the stunning inland sea of Khor al-Udaid with its white sandy beaches and clear water near the Qatar-Saudi Arabian border.

GO: Visit www.arabianadventuresqatar. com for more information.

QATAR VENTURES Dune Bashing Package – Hold your hats and enjoy the crazy adrenaline-filled ride as you drive over the golden sand dunes.

A 4x4 wheel drive vehicle will take you to where the dune meets the ocean where you can get out of the car and go for a quick swim before heading back to the city.

GO: Visit www.qatar-ventures.com for more information. ✤

SEE B LU OUR TEAM DELIVERS AN UNPARALLELED MIX OF ATTENTION TO DETAILS, FLAWLESS SERVICE AND AWARD WINNING DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. FROM RICH AND CREAMY ITALIAN CUISINE TO FRESH SEAFOOD COOKED TO PERFECTION; TO FLAVORFUL SPICY DELICACIES OF INDIAN DISHES AND TO A COMPLETE ‘STEAK EXPERIENCE’, THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL, DOHA OFFERS DISTINCTIVE FEATURES AND EXCEPTIONAL CULINARY ADVENTURE IN ITS 22 RESTAURANTS AND BARS.

RADISSON BLU HOTEL Salwa Road , Doha, Qatar T: +974 4428 1428 info.doha@radissonblu.com radissonblu.com/hotel-doha fact magazine TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

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ORION LOUNGE, RADISSON BLU HOTEL, DOHA

QATAR

CAMPING 101

Desert Dwellers You’re likely to encounter desert life in the form of plants and animals on your adventure. Here are just some that you can expect to find in the Qatari desert…

TRUFFLES Though they’re not easy to find, wild truffles can be discovered in certain desert areas of Qatar. Usually found after the heavy winter rains, around March or April each year, these truffles like to hide amidst the sand under bushes and it is quite a common sight to see whole families methodically combing an area in search of their prize. The truffles are brownish in colour, with a fungus type appearance and can sometimes be up to four inches (10cms) in circumference.

THE GREY MANGROVE Qatar is home to the Avicenna Marina, also known as the grey mangrove or white mangrove tree, communities of which form several forests around Qatar’s shores. These mangrove swamps are home to a wealth of life, including a plant new species of sea slug that was found in 2007 by a member of the Qatar Natural History Group. The largest area of mangroves - and the oldest - can be found in Al Thakira and Al Khor.

QUAILS Also known as Houbara, people have always speculated where the Asian houbara bustard, the favoured prey of Arab falconers, migrates from to reach the Arabian peninsula each winter. From mere curiosity and speculation, the need to piece together a more comprehensive picture of the houbara bustards’ movements has become essential due to the continued decline in the houbara’s numbers. This decline is believed to be as a result of destruction of their wintering and breeding habitat, over trapping and over hunting.

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LIZARD Dhabs, or spiny-tailed lizards, there are more than 15 species of these gentle giants distributed from north Africa to India, some of which reach a bulky 65 cm. All are characterised by an elaborate suit of armour, consisting of a tail adorned with daggersharp spines and a head that would not look out of place on the end of a medieval battering ram. They are usually only spotted at a distance through the shimming Arabian heat-haze, which is a pity, for there are relatively few people who have had the chance to study the amazing mechanics and colours of the dhab from close up.

FALCONS Falconry has been practiced in this part of the world for centuries. Primarily, falcons were used for hunting, to supplement an otherwise meagre Bedouin diet with some

meat, such as hare or houbara bustard (a large bird in the bustard family). But hunting expeditions also provided the ideal setting for tribal sheikhs to tour their area and connect with the people. Preceding the autumn south-bound flight of the houbara bustard was the migration of peregrine and saker falcons. Falconers would hide in a hole in the sand, and if they managed to trap one of the highly prized birds, they had only weeks to train the falcon before the migrating houbaras started to arrive. The handler’s main task was to develop a strong bond of trust with the wild captured bird as part of the training. Today, falconry is practiced mainly for sport, but the skill of a falconer is still highly esteemed, whilst the beauty and strength of a falcon is very much treasured in Qatar. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get to see some of these incredible birds in flight. ✤

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The seven golden rules OF camping The Site

• Always pitch your camp in an empty open space far from jutting rocks or steep sandy inclines.

• Pick a clear spot clear of plants to avoid any hazardous fire outbreaks.

• Do not camp in places that are prohibited, the warning signs are there for a reason!

THE CAR • Before you hit the road make sure you check up on your car for any mechanical problems; tyres, headlights, and battery are the most important.

• Always travel in a convey incase of a breakdown.

• If you’re heading out to the desert a 4X4 is a must!

• Never pass a petrol station without filling up, you never know when the next one will be.

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THE FOOD • Don’t go over board with the menu, just take options that are easy and simple to make.

Sausages and smores are always a great idea!

• Canned food is always an easy meal and won’t take up too much space in the car.

• If you bring fruits or vegetables with pick something that won’t go bad very fast; you don’t want to get stuck with spoilt produce.

THE WATER • Water is essential for anyone hitting the desert so make sure to stock up on H20 but just don’t foolishly waste it, water will be your best friend out there.

• Remember you’ll need to bring water for both drinking and washing up.

MUST-HAVES • GPS systems have become a camper’s essential tool but it’s always a safe bet to take a map along just in case the navigation system stops working.

• A compass, shovel, torch, rope, air pump, and Swissknife are fundamental to any camping trip.

FIRST AID • A first aid kit should be prepared in advance with all the basic necessities like band-aids, burn cream, painkillers, and medicines just in case someone gets hurt or sick.

• If you bring along antibiotics with make sure to store them somewhere cool.

ETIQUETTE • When pitching your tent make sure to clear the ground from any unwanted objects.

• Before leaving and heading back home clean your camping site and put out your fire.

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REGIONAL RESORTS

Desert Hospitality Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort

by Anantara Venture into the mystical UAE desert to discover true Arabian charm with supreme luxury and comfort. With plush pools at your disposal you can relax and tan with a good read or enjoy a leisurely drink whilst kicking back on the reclining sun loungers. If you can muster up the energy to experience desert life, hop onto a camel for a sunset ride over the sand dunes, jump on a quad for a more thrilling drive or take a stroll through the vast landscape for a picture opp. There’s a wide choice of dining venues with an array of cuisines; get ready for a quintessential gastronomic experience! This resort is the ultimate treat with excellent facilities including a fitness centre, tennis court, kids club, spa, business centre and library.

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Call +971 2886 2088 for more information.

Tilal Liwa Enjoy a perfect weekend escape and unwind for a few days with breathtaking views of the highest dunes in the world. Adventure activities including sand boarding, desert cycling, quad bike safaris, and dune bashing, are a must in the majestic Rub Al Khali Desert. After a tiring day of escapades, rejuvenate at the Body & Soul Recreational Club with a refreshing dip in the pool or head for a steam and sauna session. The dining is also varied at Tilal Liwa; it offers scrumptious food options and a bar to pop by for a casual and well-deserved drink. This is the place to experience tranquillity, sheer solitude and superb facilities.

Call +971 2894 6111 for more information.

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Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa A picturesque drive takes you to the beautiful Al Maha Desert Resort, giving you the unique opportunity to get up close to the free-roaming wildlife in the reserve. There are a range of exciting activities to enjoy, including four-wheel drive desert safari, archery, falconry, ghaf tree walk, horse riding and camel trekking. Stay in a suite, complete with a private swimming pool and wooden deck, for the ultimate tranquil experience. Relax and savour every moment with your special someone for a romantic getaway or a group of friends for a fulfilled flee from the city bustle. ✤ Call +971 4832 9900 for more information.

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SOCIETY

#Mathaf #Focus #Art #Exhibition #Launch Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha is dedicating the ground f loor of the museum to a new display of solo exhibitions featuring pioneering artists from the Museum’s Permanent Collection.

Running until February 2016, the exhibition, entitled Focus: Works from the Mathaf Collection, offers a glimpse into some of the museum’s most iconic works that highlight key artists in the collection and touch upon specific themes in their practice.

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To celebrate the launch of his first solo show in the region, Belgian artist Luc Tuymans visited Doha last month to give art enthusiasts a personal insight into his exhibition. Intolerance, presented by Qatar Museums, is a major retrospective of the internationally acclaimed artist’s work. FACT caught up with the man himself for a one-on-one chat and a special introduction to his work that is going on display‌

Luc Tuymans

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ARTS INTERVIEW

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resented by Qatar Museums under the leadership of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Intolerance is unprecedented in its scale and content, reflecting the career of Luc Tuymans. The show is both a retrospective and a showcase for new work by the artist. The exhibition will include a series of wall paintings and a new body of work, ‘The Arena’, created specifically for the show. The exhibition has been curated by Lynne Cooke, Senior Curator of Special Projects in Modern Art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Spanning some thirty years, the exhibition speaks to certain abiding preoccupations that Luc Tuymans has long explored against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world. Well aware from the outset of his career that painting as an art-form was widely considered in crisis, Luc adopted a contrasting stance.

Painting became for him a vehicle through which the most urgent and volatile issues, whether relating to history, identity, nationalism and belief, or to headline social and political events could be opened up to a nuanced debate. Jean-Paul Engelen, Director of Public Art at Qatar Museums said: “Qatar Museums

Meet the Artist Welcome to Doha – tell us more about Intolerance…

The word intolerance implies tolerance. I made a portrait of Condoleezza Rice as part of my ‘Improper’ series, which implies proper. On the other hand, ‘Intolerance’ is a film by D.W. Griffith, which was one of the major productions of 1917 and included real orientalism. My work is also based on image building. The idea of intolerance and tolerance about religion, power, and things I think are important in this region, and also for us. I come from a country that has had a lot of wars and conflict, and I have the idea to deal with all of these things.

So when I was asked to make something for the region, I was with my wife in Madrid and went to look at the black painting of Goya and out of that imagery a lot came to life.

is proud to present Intolerance, the region’s first solo exhibition of work by the internationally renowned Belgian painter Luc Tuymans. We are delighted to bring Luc’s work to this region to inspire and influence aspiring artists from the region and educate our communities about international art.

“By bringing major contemporary exhibitions to Qatar, Qatar Museums furthers its aim of creating a dialogue about the role of contemporary art and fostering an existing culture of artistic appreciation and participation in Qatar.”

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‘The Arena’ is a piece of work especially created for this exhibition, can you tell us how that came to life?

This work is also based upon old work, which is the oldest work in the show. It is a mix media work and it’s a depiction of an idea of violence in 1942. It was nice, quite prophetic with immigrants in Europe, and also a Roman sort of circus arena. So when I was asked to make something for the region, I was with my wife in Madrid and went to look at the black painting of Goya and out of that imagery a lot came to life. I got that grotesque feeling. ➻

ARTS INTERVIEW

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ARTS INTERVIEW

As a whole, describe the exhibition in terms of your ideas and the viewers’ experience…

If you go to see the front which is a night blue, it is the same blue as one of the main spaces in the exhibition, the ‘engine,’ lets call it. In there you have a reconstruction of one show - a painting of Disneyland in its very first day, opened in the United States and everything went wrong, there was a gas leak, everything collapsed and Disney dissolved. This is an element of utopia and dystopia at the same time. But it is also an element in which a guy is also trying to create a theme park and incarcerates the idea of fantasy. Then you have the wall paintings and then you have the dark spaces, where there is less light because of the fragility of the work.

They’re both dead. The people I portray are not psychological portraits.

They are shells, for example the blue eye portrait; I’ve changed the eyes, so that they don’t look at you but over you and throw you off.

What inspires you as an artist?

That can be anything. But what is important to know is that inspiration, for me, will always be something real. My motto is “don’t under or over estimate anything.”

What is it about still life and portraits that captivates you?

They’re both dead. The people I portray are not psychological portraits. They are shells, for example the blue eye portrait; I’ve changed the eyes, so that they don’t look at you but over you and throw you off. That’s when I started to paint horizontal. Also in this show an important element is ‘disguise.’ They are very figurative, very retrieved, and very detached. Also, I want to know other things, I don’t know with this show. I am very curious as to what people will do, say and think. If they respond, my show has worked. ✤ 42

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Exhibition Information: Luc Tuymans: Intolerance QM Gallery Al Riwaq, Qatar Museums, Doha Running until January 30 2016 Visit www.qm.org.qa for more information.

#Banana #Island #Resort #Hosts #Qureshi #Brothers Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara hosted the award-winning Master Chefs, Mohammed Irfan Qureshi and Mohammed Ashfaque Qureshi, from the celebrated ‘Imtiaz Qureshi’ family. The Indian culinary extraordinaires created a special dining experience for food connoisseurs in Qatar at the resort’s Q Lounge and Restaurant. fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Doha #Film #Institutes #Inaugural #Focus #on #Qatar The inaugural ‘Focus on Qatar’ showcase, presented by the Doha Film Institute, recorded a strong response from the Qatari community and the film industry. The three-day event, held at the Museum of Islamic Art, included film screenings that put the spotlight on home-grown talent and celebrated the filmmakers who have made an impact on Qatar’s film scene over the past five years. The event also included industry panels that brought together Qatari filmmakers and local industry professionals who discussed the opportunities and channels to market and distribute their films in order to take them to a wider audience.

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Focus

Works from the Mathaf Collection Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha is dedicating the ground floor of the museum to a new display of solo exhibitions featuring pioneering artists from the Museum’s Permanent Collection. FACT learns more about the beautiful works on display‌

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LOCAL ARTS

Focus: Works from the Mathaf Collection, offers a glimpse into some of the museum’s most iconic works by combining a series of solo shows that highlight key artists in the collection.

Presented by Qatar Museums under the leadership of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the exhibition will feature the work of five of the Arab world’s most ground-breaking and influential modern and contemporary artists: Faraj Daham (Qatar); Saloua Raouda Choucair (Lebanon); Inji Efflatoun (Egypt); Farid Belkahia (Morocco); and Abdulhalim AlRadwi (Saudi Arabia).

Each gallery in the museum’s ground floor exhibition space is dedicated to one artist and touches upon specific themes in their practice, allowing visitors to experience their productions through the lens of curatorial interpretations of historical contexts, materials and aesthetics, while interrogating the museum’s role by building academic and curatorial research 46

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on Mathaf ’s permanent collection.

The exhibition offers diverse curatorial interpretations, with one of five curators assigned to each solo show. These are Mathaf Director Abdellah Karroum, Mathaf curators Laura Barlow, Fatma Mostafawi and Leonore-Namkha Beschi, and independent curator Mayssa Fattouh.

Abdellah Karroum, Director of Mathaf, says: “The role of this exhibition series is not only to conserve art over time, but to suggest paths for revisiting, re-experiencing, and seeing the selected artworks in light of current events and curatorial readings.”

Each of the five exhibitions on show at Mathaf explores multiple artistic approaches towards major topics of modernity including identity, invention and experimentation in art.

•The Artists• Faraj Daham

Born in 1956, Faraj Daham was part of the early generation of Qatari talents to be sent by the government to pursue higher studies abroad as well as one of the founders of the Qatar Fine Arts Society, established in 1980. He graduated with a degree in Theatre Stage Design in 1983 from the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts in Kuwait and a Master of Fine Arts in 1988 at Ball State University, Indiana, in the United States. Daham retains an active role in Doha’s art community, mentoring young Qatari artists and contributing his writings to journals and newspapers while continuing to participate in local and international solo and group exhibitions across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

LOCAL Arts

His work has been acquired by public and private collections and his latest works were part of the exhibitions Here There at Al Riwaq, Doha (2015) and City at Casa Arabe, Madrid (2014). The result is a rich tactile presence combined with visually striking compositions of socially engaged narratives. Daham’s oeuvre exceeds geographical or institutional labels as a singular creation inscribed in the artist’s internal and external present.

Inji Efflatoun

A painter, feminist, and political activist, Inji Efflatoun was Born on April 16, 1924, in Cairo, and raised in an upperclass family. She received her secondary education at the LycéeFrançais before joining the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University in the early 1940s. She developed an interest in literature and political history at a young age, and studied painting under the artists Kamel el-Tilmisani, Margo Veillon, and Hamed Abdalla, who influenced her artistic practice with its claims for social freedom and unrestricted expression. Between 1942 and 1943 she exhibited with the Egyptian Surrealist Group Art and Liberty, which broke with well-established orders. She also took part in the Biennale of São Paolo in 1953 alongside renowned Egyptian artist Mahmoud Said. In 1959, she was secretly arrested and imprisoned for four years, and she painted throughout all her incarceration. Efflatoun’s paintings are strongly inspired by the social reality of the Egyptian working class and prison life, especially of women and their daily struggle. The artist died in Cairo on 17 April 1989. A selection of her later artworks was featured in the exhibition All the World’s Futures at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015.

Farid Belkahia

Born in Marrakech, Morocco, in 1934, Farid Belkahia is considered one of Morocco’s most significant and prolific artists. Throughout his lifetime, Belkahia worked primarily with copper, which he delicately sculpted, and leather, which he stretched and painted using natural pigments. Belkahia trained as a painter

at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, in Paris, from 1955 to 1959 before continuing his studies in Prague between 1959 and 1962. In 1962, Belkahia returned to newly independent Morocco, where he settled in Casablanca and directed the city’s Ecole des Beaux-Arts until 1974. There, Belkahia and his colleagues, including Mohammed Chebaa and Mohammed Melehi, broke with the European-focused and colonial-era curriculum and introduced new subjects and courses, training students for the first time in Moroccan art, architecture, and craft. In 1966, Belkahia, Chebaa,

and Melehi - members of what is called the Ecole de Casablanca - organised an outdoor exhibition of abstract paintings in Marrakech’s public plaza, Jemaa El Fna. Belkahia exhibited across the globe during his lifetime, participating in major exhibitions and cultural events like the 1969 Festival Panafricain in Algiers and the First Arab Biennial in Baghdad in 1974. Belkahia died in Marrakech in 2014. After his death, his wife, author Rajae Ben chemsi, established the Farid Belkahia Foundation for research.

Mathaf holds the largest public collection of Belkahia’s work. ➻ fact magazine

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LOCAL ARTS

Saloua Raouda Choucair

Abdulhalim Radwi

Born in Mecca in 1939, Abdulhalim Radwi graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arte in Rome with a degree in art décor in 1964. He later received his Professorship degree from Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, in 1979. In 1967, the Saudi Ministry of Information asked Radwi to establish the first art center in Jeddah, named the Fine Art Center. Radwi both directed and taught alongside other artists at the center at between 1968 and 1974, but it closed in 1975 upon Radwi’s departure to Madrid to pursue his advanced studies.

In Madrid, he also served as director of the city’s Arab Artists Association.

After returning from Madrid, Radwi directed the Saudi Fine Art Society in Jeddah (1980-1992). Radwi is well known as a sculptor because of the numerous public artworks he designed for several cities in Saudi Arabia. He won the third prize at the first Ibiza Biennale in 1964 and received several honourary prizes such as a Comenda do Merito Arariboia from the mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 1984 for his contributions to the arts and poetry. He was named the 1997/1998 International Man of the Year by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England.

He died in Jeddah in 2006.

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“Each of the five exhibitions on show at Mathaf explores multiple artistic approaches towards major topics of modernity including identity, invention and experimentation in art.”

Saloua Raouda Choucair was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1916. Studies in natural sciences, early experiences in the humanities, and mentorship by artist Mustafa Farrukh established a progressive, outspoken intellectual and creative perspective expressed through the making of objects and writing.

During formal art studies at the École nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, from 1948 and work with avant-garde peers in the inauguration of L’Atelier de l’art abstrait, Paris in 1950, Choucair continued experimenting with geometric abstraction through the fracturing of space in painting. These experiences solidified her understanding that the origins of modernism and abstraction are located in Arab art and architecture, as outlined in Choucair’s text, How Arabs Understood Visual Art, published in 1951, the year she returned to Beirut and began transitioning from painting to sculpture.

Choucair continued to work in Beirut for the duration of her active career until the mid 1990s, experimenting with tangible domestic and public sculptural forms for individual and collective engagement to push the potential of existence beyond established societal systems. Three of the artist’s sculptures are installed in Beirut.

Choucair exhibited internationally throughout her career. Continuing to reside in Beirut, Choucair celebrates her 100th birthday in June 2016. ✤

GO: A number of educational events and initiatives will be taking place as part of this series of exhibitions. Visit www.mathaf.org.qa for more information.

‫للخــياطة الرجالــية‬

‫للخــياطة الرجالــية‬

‫كـالسيـك‬ ‫كـالسيـك‬

Classic Tailoring Classic Man Man for for Tailoring

Tel. 4421 9357

Mob. 3377 2735 P.O. Box: 7346 Doha - Qatar

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LOCAL ARTS

R e s i n ifi c at i o n at A n ima G allery Colourful mixed media and sculptures, by internationally renowned artist Mauro Perucchetti are currently on display in Anima Gallery. We take a look at what art enthusiasts can find at this cool exhibition‌

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LOCAL Arts

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Mauro Perucchetti

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Resinification showcases a number of colourful, highly selected works – mixed media and sculptures –

by Italian artist Mauro Perucchetti. The title of the exhibition ‘Resinification’ is inspired by the artist’s unique use of resin as a main medium for all his artworks. His work unites Pop aesthetics with social comment, addressing some of the most pressing and difficult issues in today’s society in a way that is playful and accessible, without being shocking or obscure. The works on display reflect the contemporary social environment in which we live.

Mauro Perucchetti Born in Milan in 1949, Mauro has come to his art from a background in design, architecture and extensive travel. He matches social critique with pop aesthetics in his art, and his work demonstrates his astonishing skill, style and wit. A Pop artist for the 21st century, Mauro incorporates familiar icons of today’s culture. Both a master

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craftsman and a social commentator with his finger on the pulse of contemporary society, Mauro produces innovative and beautifully executed work with a message.

Mauro says: “I have put everything into making my art. I hope that people will connect with the messages and ideas in my work-above all I want to put “art” back into conceptual art. I am inspired by the Masters, and driven by process, technique and style.”

Mauro currently has a public installation in the City of West Hollywood with his Modern Heroes (replica or the original marble life size Batman and Superman) next to the Pacific Design Centre and MOCA. Based in London, he lives with his wife PR Director Lorena Perucchetti who helps promote Mauro internationally.

Mauro has achieved international acclaim in recent years with a range of solo and group shows across Europe. ✤ GO: Resinification will run at Anima Gallery until December 30. Visit www.animagl.com or call 4002 7437 for more information.

“ I h av e p u t e v e ryt h i ng i n to m aki ng m y a rt. I h op e t h at p e op l e wi l l co n n e ct wit h t h e m e ssag e s a n d id e as i n m y wo r k abov e a l l I wa n t to p u t “a rt ” back i n to co nc e pt ua l a rt. ”

01 Jelly Baby YRB 02 Recycled 03 Untitled Diptych

04 Untitled 05 MC 2012 06 Cloning Factory fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Qatar #International #Boat #Show #Press #Conference Qatar International Boat Show 2015 held a press conference at Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel, Al Qasr Ballroom, where activities for this year’s event were announced. The third edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) is to be held from November 10 to14, under the auspices of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at Mourjan Marinas in Lusail City. This years’ show will showcase more than 120 brands and 85 boats both on land and in water.

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REVIEWs

Big Screen

Spectre What’s it about:

There’s a new sinister organisation in town by the name of Spectre, which sends Bond on a trail to uncover its secrets, following a cryptic message from the spy’s past. Meanwhile, M is facing a battle of her own as she fights the political forces to keep the secret service alive. What is Spectre? And, how far will Bond have to go, to reveal the terrible truth?

Director: Sam Mendes cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Monica Belluci Why it’s worth watching?

Yes! Another James Bond film is out this month and we’re beyond excited about the next big screen spy saga, even more so because Sam Mendes is at the helm once again.

If you’ve seen the trailer and sneak peeks then, as always, you know that audiences can expect plenty of actionpacked scenes, high-tech toys, new Bond babes, villains, and, cars! In fact, Bond (Daniel Craig) will be driving a custom Aston martin DB10 in the film – only 10 of the DB10 models were made! When a popular franchise like James Bond reaches this level of stardom, and age, the sceptics will, of course, be out in full force. They’ll be able to list their Bond favourites and flops, very easily. But, thankfully, Sam Mendes’ 50th anniversary blockbuster Skyfall was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, so we’re hoping that Spectre will follow suit. If anything, this is likely going to be Daniel Craig’s last stint as 007, so there’s no doubt that he’ll want to go out with a bang.

Surely, we’ll get the actor’s best Bond performance to date, right? Let’s wait and see!

Highlights “When a popular franchise like James Bond reaches this level of stardom, and age, the sceptics will, of course, be out in full force.”

The Hunger Games Mockingjay: Part 2 What’s it about: It’s time for President Snow and the autocratic Capitol to face the wrath of Katniss Everdeen and District 13. It’s a full-on revolution as the “Mockingjay” and her freedom fighters head to the capitol.

– Spectre

“There are so many questions to address – what’s going to happen to Peter... will President Snow get what’s coming to him; what’s in store for Katniss...”

– The Hunger Games Mockingjay: Part 2

Director: Francis Lawrence cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth.

Why it’s worth watching?

This is what we’ve been waiting for. Every Hunger Games film has led up to this. It’s time for Katniss ( Jennifer Lawrence) and co. to fight the cruel capitol and get justice for every district that has been destroyed by President Snow and his puppets. There are so many questions to address – what’s going to happen to Peter ( Josh Hutcherson); will President Snow get what’s coming to him; what’s in store for Katniss… let’s hope we get all the answers we’ve been waiting for! There are rumours that more films might be lined up for the franchise (fingers crossed!) so there’s a good chance that we might be left with another cliffhanger… fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Social #Culinary #Evening #at #Megu #Restaurant Hospitality Development Company (HDC) welcomed members of the media and esteemed guests to join Chef Luca Brambilla (Corporate F&B Director), alongside a host of highly prominent global Chefs for a VIP Social Dinner. Taking place in the enchanting Japanese restaurant Megu, the Social Dinner was an ideal platform for media members to connect with some of the world’s inf luential culinary leaders, currently in Doha, as honourable judges for this year’s HQ2015 contest.

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REVIEWs

on the record

Fully Booked

FICTION

The Tsar of Love and Techno

By Anthony Marra

ALT POP/PUNK POP/ROCK

DELIRIUM

By Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding had set the bar pretty high with her 2012 album, Halcyon, so we were expecting big things from her when it came to Delirium. The first track released from the album happened to feature in one of the most anticipated films of the year, Fifty Shades of Grey. Love Me Like You Do featured much of Ellie’s traditional, dreamy tones matched with upbeat vibes, easing us nicely into her upcoming album. Rumoured to be a clap-back to Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t”, On My Mind plays with plenty of sounds, making it a definite favourite from the album as well as a great throwback to earlier songs that gave Ellie her edge. The lyrics give it a hip-hop vibe whilst the guitar riffs and electro-beats combine to give a brilliantly catchy and infectious sound that’s bound to stick with you from the first listen. Something In The Way You Move gives the album the perfect injection of Pop, it’s certain to be a huge hit in the clubs but equally is the perfect song to blast on your journey to work to get you pumped for the day.

Delirium is the perfect match of dreamy love songs and upbeat, empowering anthems but is it enough to rival her previous offerings? Not quite, but still a brilliant listen.

Sounds Good Feels Good By 5 Seconds of Summer

The New York Times Bestselling Author, Anthony Marra, is back with The Tsar of Love and Techno; a collection of short stories that intertwine to make for a compelling, emotional and at times comical read. The setting is post-soviet society and compromises of three characters, a soldier, a ballerina and a space museum manager, all of whom are connected through art. It’s an incredibly moving collection of stories that is most certainly going to bring you to tears, but the fact that it is so true to life, with both it’s triumphs and tragedies, is what makes this book so touching and such a fantastic read, sure to stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

5 Seconds of Summer are the alternative boy band that are reviving the 00’s Pop Punk fever and winning the hearts of teens across the globe. Despite often being compared to One Direction, they remind us more of the likes of early Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and Paramore, giving us catchy tunes with heavy guitar riffs and fun, truth-bearing lyrics. She’s Kinda Hot encapsulates Pop Punk perfectly with its matterof-fact lyrics and punchy guitar riffs. Add to that, that every teen on the planet can relate to it and you’ve got a perfect teen angst anthem. Jet Black Heart brings all the feels, with soulful lyrics, thick drumbeats and a powerful chorus; it’s the perfect song to belt

Non Fiction

#Girlboss

out when you’re feeling a little low. There isn’t one

By Sophia Amoruso

song on this album that won’t make you want to

Sophia Amoruso could be named as a modern day Superwoman, she’s determined, driven and definitely not what you’d expect from a CEO. Now the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, she was once a dumpster diving, hitch-hiking, petty theft committing teen who wasn’t one for sticking to the rules, something that she’s translated into her business life.

In this book she describes the struggles she went through to make her dream job come to life, as well as giving some tough truths and straightforward words of advice for anyone wishing to do this same, but above all, she shows that with some seriously hard work and knowing which rules to follow and when, nothing is impossible.

sing along, so yes, this album might be your guilty pleasure, but it’s one worth having.

“...they remind us more of the likes of early Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and Paramore, giving us catchy tunes with heavy guitar riffs and fun, truth-bearing lyrics.”

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T: +974 3316 3743 | M: +974 5508 2591 | E: info@creativedesignmena.com OďŹƒce no. 131, 13th Floor, Al Wakra Tower, Old Salata, Doha Qatar.

www.creativedesignmena.com

B R A N D I N G A N D G R A P H I C S | W E B D E V E L O P M E N T | 3 D A N I M A T I O N P H O T O G R A P H Y | V I D E O P R O D U C T I O N | P R O D U C T I O N F A C I L I T A T I O N

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Journey to Jordan Panoramic views, pretty streets and plenty of mansaf, these are just some of the great things you’ll find in Amman. FACT’s Shabana Adam takes in the beautiful architecture, the city chaos and all the great Middle Eastern traditions on a weekend trip to the Jordanian capital… fact magazine

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Globetrotter

Beirut, Dubai, Damascus, Jeddah, - for one reason or another, I’ve heard (and even visited some) of these vibrant Middle East cities, but when it comes to Amman, not so much.

Jordan’s capital city is not one that has really ever been on the radar, and certainly wasn’t even in the top 10 on my travel bucket list.

However, when soaring above the beautiful desert and mountainous landscape, scattered with greenery, into Queen Alia International Airport, I quickly learned that this was going to be an interesting introduction to Jordan.

In all my time spent in the Middle East, I have never quite seen a city that looks like this. Aptly called The White City, Amman is dotted with mostly whitewashed buildings, interspersed with a few brown ones here and there. The skyline is, very obviously, missing the modern skyscrapers that you might be used to seeing elsewhere in the region – this is a refreshing and welcomed scene. “This is because you were not allowed to build more than seven floors high until recently,” explains Mohammed, our local taxi driver. There’s something beautiful about the uniformity in such skylines, and with Amman being a city with many steep streets and twisting walkways, not to mention that it has 56 mountains, you’re always guaranteed a spectacular view.

When in Amman, get stuck in! Start at the citadel, the site of the ancient RabbathAmmon, home to striking historical structures like the Roman Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace. The citadel sits on Jebel al-Qala’a, the highest hill in Amman, so expect some pretty magnificent views. Head to the lively downtown for an experience of chaos and culture; there’s a shop for everything. Fresh fruit and veg markets, souvenir stores, traditional Jordanian dress boutiques, thrift shops with vintage trinkets, weird and wacky accessories, furniture, and, literally, everything in between. Most Jordanian women in downtown Amman are wearing 58

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the hijab, and though Western women are not expected to cover up at the same level, there will be a few stares if you’re in a dress, but no more than what you’d expect in, say, Souq Waqif. It’s the most traditional part of the city, and the most overwhelming. But, locals are incredibly friendly, you can pick up a bargain, and the street food and juice stalls are some of the best I’ve encountered. THIS is the Middle East – and I love it!

Jordan’s location is an interesting one.

To the north is the strife torn Syria as well as Lebanon. To the west is Egypt and Israel, whilst Saudi Arabia lies south and to the east is Iraq. Jordanians are very much aware of what’s happening in their neighboring nations, unafraid to talk about and acknowledge the different situations.

However, one thing that was surprising and heart-warming is just how friendly and peaceful the Jordanian people and their country is. Five days travelling there, meeting the locals and experiencing true Arabian hospitality with real traditions, I can confidently say that I felt completely safe during this magical journey in Jordan. ✤

Where to eat Travel Tips FLIGHT OPTIONS

Qatar Airways operates direct daily flights from Doha to Amman. For the best fare, try and book in as much advance as possible.

Visit www.qatarairways.com for more info.

GETTING AROUND

Amman isn’t difficult to navigate as it’s set around eight roundabouts, called ‘circles’, which act as the spine of the city. For example, most hotels are located centrally next to 4th and 5th circle, and downtown is near 8th circle.

TAXIS & ON FOOT

Taxis are relatively inexpensive, but make sure you ask the driver to turn on the metre or agree on a fare before you get in. We’d recommend exploring areas like Downtown on foot in order to get a true cultural experience.

SUFRA RESTAURANT Located on Amman’s busy and happening Rainbow Street, Sufra is a beautiful white stone building decorated it colourful flowers and plants.

For a taste of real Jordanian cuisine, this is the place to eat. All dishes are inspired by the Bedouin kitchen, and you’ve got the choice of indoor and alfresco dining with spectacular views from the rooftop. A must-try is the mezze menu with silky smooth hummus, fresh fatoush, mutabbal, falafel and more. This is the ideal place to try a traditional favourite – mansaf (a rice dish served with Jameed sauce and lamb chunks) – delicious!

FOOD TRUCKS A pleasant surprise was that Amman is home to a number of great food trucks which offer amazing food at super affordable prices. Try Mr. Koshary on Wasfi Al Tal Street, serving up yummy kushari – an Egyptian dish made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed together. If you’ve got midnight munchies, head to 2nd Circle for shawarma at Reem. More of a food stall, people from all over Amman come here for the most mouthwatering meat! fact magazine

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“...the sensation is that of something so different that you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into another world.”

My first real insight into Petra was the British television programme An Idiot Abroad. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant decided to send their good friend - and typical “little Englander” - Karl Pilkington to visit the Seven Wonders of the World, albeit with a few surprises of local culture thrown in.

The episode in Jordan was the first time I saw more of Petra, more than it being just a location used for films like Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, The Mummy Returns, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, to name but a few. Karl spent the night in a cave, under the stars, and, surprisingly, enjoyed it!

No matter how many times I’d watched this episode, or Google searched Petra before our weekend trip to Jordan, nothing really prepares you for this monumental place. The second you enter the site and 60

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stroll down the winding walkways, cloaked by huge wild rocks, and when you first lay eyes on the Treasury through the Siq, there really are no words to describe what’s in front of you. I remember trying to think of as many hashtags as possible for a photo of our day trip – #beautiful #amazing #stunning #magical – there was just no word strong enough to do justice to the beauty of this site.

Petra is rich in history and tradition.

From its archaeological importance as the capital city of the Nabataeans, to its biblical significance that dates back to 7000BC, you can learn all about its intriguing past at the brand new renovated museum located at the site’s entrance. The track into Petra sprawls downhill from the little village of Wadi Musa. First impressions are strange yet spectacular. Weathered rocks, in deep reds and browns tower above you like domes; occasionally you’ll pass the façade of an old tomb in a side valley or come across caves built into the rocks – the sensation is that of something so different that you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into another world.

You absolutely need one whole day to take in every corner of Petra. Hike up the cliff to the monastery; stop by a Bedouin

camp for bread and tea; ask a local Bedouin to show you the springs and river, along which they have little vegetable gardens, or get them to put some traditional eyeliner on you – made by collecting the ashes of a burnt tree and mixing these with olive oil this eyeliner humidifies your eyes and has a soothing effect, allowing Bedouins to protect their eyes from the sun without the need for sunglasses (the makeup industry really should catch onto that one!).

Like most tourist destinations, be prepared for a little bit of heckling from young children selling postcards and trinkets, as well as people trying to give you the “best price” for a horse, camel or donkey ride. A polite “no thank you” will suffice and you’ll be left alone. The best way to explore Petra is on foot, so make sure you’re dressed appropriately – fitness wear or loose-fitted trousers and a shirt, with walking boots or sturdy trainers will do the trick. Keep a bottle of water at hand too (there are plenty of little shops and Bedouin-style cafes inside Petra that sell hot and cold refreshments).

If you’re going in the warmer months, take sunscreen and a hat to protect your face, and, of course, don’t forget your camera!

I’d recommend doing plenty of research on Petra before you arrive - it’s an enormous place with plenty to see and do, and you’ll definitely want to make the most of stepping back in time, if only for one day. ✤ GO: Petra is a 3.5 hour drive from Amman. Entrance fee into Petra is JD50. Creative Tours provides return transfers from your hotel in Amman, with professional and qualified drivers. Visit www.creative-tour.com for more information.

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SOCIETY

#All-New #Audi #Q7 #Unveiled #in #Qatar Q-Auto, the official dealer for Audi in Qatar, launched the brand new Audi Q7 model at an exclusive press launch event held at their main showroom on Salwa Road. During the launch ceremony, Audi Qatar’s brand ambassador – Mohamed Saadon Al Kuwari unveiled the model for the first time with Dealership Principal Ahmed Shariefi, marking the Q7’s official entry into the Qatari market.

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CITY LUXURY: four seasons hotel amman

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HOTEL HOTSPOT

SUITE LIVING

The five-star Four Seasons Hotel Amman takes prime position between the prestigious Al Sweifiyah residential area and the Shmeisani financial district, in the heart of Jordan’s vibrant capital. It’s a stunning property that offers all the comforts of a homeaway-from-home but with so many welcomed added touches. We tell you why it’s the perfect accommodation choice when visiting Amman…

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Expect nothing short of a royal treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Check-in is as smooth a process as can be and first impressions of the staff show how incredibly friendly and welcoming they all are – we feel at home! The hotel itself is stunning – with a lobby that boasts a grand staircase, a beautiful chandelier and marble finishings. THIS, is what true Arabian hospitality is about! Our accommodation for the next four nights was going to be an Executive King Suite – a lavish room located on the 5th to 14th floors (we were on 11!) with a huge and comfortable king bed, a separate living area with plush sofas, a walk-in closet, and a massive bathroom with a heavenly tub and shower. The city views from the suite were spectacular, plus we were blown away by just how spacious these living quarters were. From the soft bedding, to the luxury amenities and the different areas of the suite, everything was perfect, but, for us, it was the added touches that made the stay all that more special. Every day, there were foodie treats waiting in the living room – from dry fruits to delicious cold mezze, an array of drinks, and the tastiest chocolate truffles we’ve ever tried. Add to this the nespresso machine and generously stocked mini bar, and you’ve got little extras that add to the high level of comfort and service that we experienced. Our most favourite thing was the innovative lighting in the room – especially the bedside lamps which had a multitude of dim to bright light options – and when you’re in Amman for work or leisure, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep – with these fixtures plus the amazing beds, we had the best night’s sleep!

DIVINE DINING Let us start with one of our favourite parts of the stay – breakfast at Olea restaurant. Number one – we love that breaky is served until 11am, number two – the hot and cold offerings are delicious, especially the fresh fruit and the yummy pastries, and number three – the staff provide the most efficient service which will have you start your day on a positive note. If you’re staying over the weekend, the

HOTEL HOTSPOT

Friday Brunch in Olea is a massive must. The array of food and drinks in exquisite; meat-eaters will love the juicy bbqstyle steaks and chicken and lamb on skewers; whilst starters provide refreshing salads and a mix of mouthwatering mezze; and desserts are a whole other delight – we recommend the chocolate lava cake! Every week, the brunch adopts a new theme and the food and drinks are designed to reflect this.

Olea also has an outdoor terrace where guests can dine, enjoy their choice of shisha, and admire the herb garden. If you really want to feel the real hustle and bustle of an evening in Amman, head to Five Grill & Lounge – a brand new terrace that is frequented by the city’s cool crowd and those who want a relaxed evening with friends, in a stylish and modern atmosphere. This lovely venue had the most incredible beet salad that we’ve ever tasted. Plus drinks are delicious, service is fast and you can enjoy an aromatic shisha as well as Amman’s gorgeous weather too.

Spa secrets There’s your regular luxury spa, then there’s the breathtaking spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Inspired by the restorative and relaxing benefits of the Dead Sea, this spa boasts a huge indoor pool, a sprawling changing area (men and women separate), great treatment rooms with ➻ fact magazine

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HOTEL HOTSPOT

mood lighting and music, and a nice relaxation area for aftertreatment. We’d highly recommend either the Spa Signature treatment which starts with the delicate removal of dead skin cells followed by a warm Dead Sea mud wrap to help cleanse and detoxify the skin, finishing with the Oriental relaxing massage; or the Nabatean treatment – a luxurious local treatment which starts with a full body scrub using a unique mixture of olive seeds and Dead Sea salt crystals, followed by a full body olive oil massage. The treatment continues with a scalp massage using special Argan oil. The first of the two is great for clearing toxins, and relaxing the body, whilst the latter gives you glowing skin and eases muscle tension. With both treatments, the therapists were extremely knowledgeable and professional. We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your treatment and make use of the spa facilities, such as the sauna and steam room. You’ll feel transported to a whole different world at this spa – and, like us, you won’t want to leave.

Four Seasons Hotel Amman is truly a special place. The décor, the design, the amenities and facilities, every single guest comfort has been carefully thought about and created.

What we loved most, however, was the warm nature of the staff, for whom nothing was too much of an ask. If you’re planning a trip to other Jordania sites like the Citadel, the dead sea or even Petra, the lovely people at the concierge desk will be happy to help. We’ll be returning to Amman soon, and the Four Seasons will definitely be the place to stay! ✤

GO: Call +962 (6) 550 5555 or visit www.fourseasons.com for reservations and more information.

Fly: Direct from doha to AMMAN with qatar airways (www.qatarairways.com).

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SOCIETY

#All #New #BMW #7 #Series #Launched #by #Alfardan Alfardan Automobiles, the importer of BMW Group in Qatar, has launched the sixth generation BMW 7 Series at an event attended by top officials from BMW Group Middle East, VIP guests and members of the media. General Manager, Ihab Allam, described the all-new BMW 7 Series as “a true game changer in the luxury car market, one that will make a big impact in Qatar as the car includes so many industry first features that set it way apart from any competitor models.�

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The Landy Disco Sport

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CITY RIDES

The new crossover from Land Rover is based on the same platform as its more expensive sibling, the Range Rover Evoque, but in our eyes felt more complete!be our VW hatch of choice?

The Land Rover Discovery Sport was launched last year, replacing the outgoing and poorly selling (in the Middle East, anyway) LR2, or Freelander.

The Discovery Sport heralds a bold new direction for Land Rover, which emphasises style and luxury as much as capability and practicality. It was a direction sorely needed, especially in the Middle East where the model just didn’t have enough bling for the price.

It’s also rather surprising, as the Discovery Sport looks extremely similar to the Evoque, based as it is on the same chassis. In our eyes, it looks easily as good. And whereas the Evoque is for the ladies (Land Rover will 70

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hate me for saying it, but it was designed by Victoria Beckham, after all!), the Discovery Sport can be driven by anyone, as it just feels that much more androgynous.

As a family crossover utility vehicle, the Discovery Sport is still on the pricey end of the scale, but the difference now is that the desirability matches the price tag. With a range of stylish colour options, and a very nice selection of alloy wheels, the Discovery Sport really lives up to Land Rover’s premium aspirations.

This is true for inside as well. For starters, the driving experience is excellent. With a supremely smooth and comfortable ride,

the Discovery Sport practically glides on the road, and it has excellent handling and agility thanks to the lightweight aluminium chassis.

The dashboard is simple and functional, and yet still stylish, with an excellent, intuitive and well laid-out driver interface. And the car manages to be both extremely comfortable and practical at the same time.

Incredibly for a CUV, they’ve manage to shoehorn seven – yes, SEVEN – seats into it.

Admittedly, they refer to it as five plus two, as the rear seat is really unsuitable for anything over two feet tall, but the seats are there nevertheless, and disappear completely flat into the boot floor when not needed. When they are needed, the seats on the middle row slide forwards a bit to give more room in the rear, and when none are needed, both rows fold completely flat for huge cargo space.

Details like a USB charging port next to every seat in the first two rows, to stop the kids fighting with each other over charging their iPads, are what really make the interior stand out though.

CITY RIDES

And then there is the very user-friendly Terrain Response off-road system, and being a Land Rover, it does actually work, with an impressive 600mm wading depth, and decent approach and departure angles.

It’s actually more capable off road than the Range Rover Evoque.

Some, in this region especially, might be put off by the inline-four engine, dismissing it as too small even for a CUV. But, they’d be mistaken. The Discovery Sport is no slouch, boasting as it does the same engine as the Evoque - Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged four-pot, which puts out 240hp and 340Nm of torque through a very smooth and intuitive nine-speed automatic transmission.

And the best part is that it’s incredibly light on the fuel.

Overall, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is one of the best all-round CUVs on the market today, covering style, comfort, practicality, safety and technology, thereby ticking all the boxes you can think of! Now, what more could you ask for from a car? ✤ fact magazine

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PLUGGED-IN

The Samsung Gear S2 A product that caused quite a stir at last month’s GITEX expo in the UAE was the Samsung Gear S2, the latest and greatest smart watch from the tech giant.

We’ve been a little obsessed with smart watches over the last few months. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the Apple Watch, although we haven’t managed to get our hands on one yet.

And back in August we reviewed the Sony Smartwatch 3, and were rather impressed. However, as Apple’s main rival, both in sales and bitter litigation that seems to be never-ending, this smart watch from Samsung had us truly excited when we heard it was to be presented in the region at GITEX. First impressions are excellent, especially with the Gear S2 Classic, which was far and away our favourite of the two. While the standard Gear S2 looks ok, it has much more of the feel of a minimalist sports watch, whereas the S2 Classic, with its leather band and metallic bezel, looks much more stylish and snazzy.

As for functionality, things only get better. The choice of displays is excellent – you can choose from over 20 different styles, including a futuristic-style numberless dial, or a more classic numbered multidial display for the S2 Classic. And each style can be further personalised too, giving you countless options.

The user interface is excellent too. The bezel acts 72

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as a kind of touchpad, and swiping around the side of the bezel rotates through the different screens on the display to access the various functions. You can also swipe on the screen, but doing it on the bezel avoids greasy prints on the watch face.

From your watch, you can check notifications and messages, and even action some notifications.

For example, you can reply to messages, either through pre-selected standard responses, a recorded message, or even type one through a T9-style keypad, although this is a bit fiddly.

If you tap the home screen button twice, you get all the apps in a circular layout, from which you can then select what you want.

Sensors on the phone include a gyroscope and an accelerometer for motion-activated features, as well as a heart sensor that allows the watch to act as an exercise aid with the S Health app as well.

A final bonus: Samsung are claiming that the Gear S2 will have up to three days of battery life depending on usage, which, if proved to be right, is excellent! ✤ VERDICT: This smart watch is far and away the best example of the device we’ve seen to date. We’re buying one. Seriously!

App-licious Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

Uber Many of you might be thinking, “Uber? Well duh!”

However, you’d be surprised at how many people who have never used it! And now it covers all the three countries that we do – Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE – we thought we’d cover it. You can order taxis anywhere, any time, using a Google Mapsstyle app. You can drop a pin to be collected from your location, and the taxis use the map to find you. You can even watch the taxis approach you on the map, so you know how far away they are, or if that have taken a wrong turn. If they do, the driver’s mobile number is there so you can call him. And finally, you register your credit card details so no cash changes hands. Uber is great – if you don’t have it, get it!

Google Keep Are you one of those people that seem to have endless Post-Its stuck on every surface of your workspace/ fridge/bathroom mirror? Google Keep (unfortunately just for Android) is just what you need. You can make Post-It-style notes (the colours are even the same) on your smartphone, and you can make notes in text, images, checklists, and even audio files. You can also link the notes to reminders on your calendar, which can sync with Google Calendar as well. Everything is backed up online too. It’s the ideal quick and easy organiser for a chaotic lifestyle.

WiFi File Transfer If you’re like us, and you often want to swap files from your smartphone to your laptop or vice versa, it can be a hassle digging out that USB cable every time. WiFi File Transfer is a very easy-to-use app that works by creating an interface with an IP address for your phone, which you can then access via the web browser on your PC or laptop. A real bonus is that you can then also view the images without having to download them, so you know exactly what you’re sharing. Speed depends on your WiFi strength, but in general we’ve found it to be very good. fact magazine

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MOTORING NEWS

N ew F e r r a r i , N ew S h o w r o o m Alfardan Sports Motors unveils the stunning successor for the 458, the Ferrari 488 GTB, at the opening of the newly renovated exclusive Ferrari showroom.

Alfardan Sports Motors, the official importer of Ferrari in Qatar, has inaugurated its renovated outlet in Doha serving as the country’s first exclusive Ferrari showroom.

The facility was prepared in time for the launch of the new Ferrari 488 GTB mid-engine sports car. Showcasing the world-renowned Ferrari Corporate Identity, the outlet is the ultimate venue for introducing the uniquely powerful vehicle.

The opening ceremony was attended by Hussain Alfardan, Chairman of Alfardan Group, Omar Alfardan, President and CEO of Alfardan Group, and Giulio Zauner, General Manager, Ferrari Middle East and Africa.

The revamped facility at The Pearl-Qatar covers two storeys of 925-sqm space designed to display up to nine cars simultaneously, along with a reception area, customer lounge, and a lifestyle boutique. In addition, it also features a dedicated configuration room with décor and choice materials designed to reflect Ferrari’s craftsmanship, stimulating creativity and imagination.

Omar Alfardan, President and CEO of Alfardan Group, said: “The enhanced version of Qatar’s first exclusive Ferrari showroom is a genuine reflection of the success and growing demand for the brand in the country and the region. It will further strengthen the long-standing partnership between Ferrari and Alfardan Sports Motors, as we collaborate on taking the automobile sector, especially its luxury segment, to greater heights.”

The exclusive Ferrari outlet houses the Italian manufacturer’s complete range along with the latest Ferrari 488 GTB, representing a new chapter in the automobile’s 8-cylinder history. The Ferrari 488 GTB’s all-new 3902 cc V8 turbo is at the top of its class in terms of power output, torque and response times. It delivers 660hp at 8,000 rpm and a response time to the accelerator of just 0.8 seconds (at 2,000 rpm in third gear), making it the new benchmark for this kind of architecture, thanks in part to innovative work carried out on the turbine to reduce friction and inertia.

Call 4420 8788, or drop in to the new showroom on The Pearl – Qatar, for more information.

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L ATEST F o u r s f r o m P o r s c h e Porsche has now unveiled the latest incarnations of the 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4 all-wheel-drive models. They now profit from an increase in sporting characteristics and comfort in the latest 911 generation: the innovative turbocharged engines are more powerful and consume less, with the improved all-wheel drive increasing dynamics and driving safety. In addition, the adaptive PASM chassis (Porsche Active Suspension Management) with its ten-millimetre lower ride height included as standard enables an even greater spread between sporty circuit and relaxed long-

distance driving.

Thanks to bi-turbocharging, the three-litre, six-cylinder engines in the 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Targa 4 achieve an output of 370hp and a torque of 450Nm, while output in the S models increases to 420hp and torque to 500 Nm. The greater power of the Carrera S models comes from turbochargers with modified compressors, a specific exhaust system and tuned engine management.

Call the Porsche Centre Doha on 44599 666 for more information.

N e w BMW 7 S e r i e s L a u n c h e d i n Q ata r Alfardan Automobiles, the importer of BMW Group in Qatar, hosted VIP guests, customers and media at the launch of the sixth generation BMW 7 Series last month.

The vehicle’s advanced chassis technology allows the driver to adjust the car’s set-up to their preferred requirements, creating an ideal balance between sports performance and comfort.

Similarly, the vehicle’s progressive Driver Assistance Systems, including Lane Control Assistance, ensures drivers do not have to change the customary positioning of their hands on the steering wheel in order to undertake on-road manoeuvres.

The new model comes armed with two comprehensively revised engines: the 6 cylinder 740iLi and 8 cylinder 750iLi xDrive, with the latter accelerating from 0–100km/h in just 4.4 seconds at 450hp, and the 6 cylinder equivalent offering an impressive 326hp, with a maximum torque of 450Nm at 1 380rpm. The on-road performance of both variants is enhanced through the incorporation of BMW EfficientDynamics, such as the premium vehicle’s lightweight Carbon Core, which ensures that the car is 130kg lighter than its predecessor.

Call 4447 7577 for more information. fact magazine

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#New #Ferrari #Showroom #& #Ferrari #488 #GTB #Launch Alfardan Sports Motors, the official importer of Ferrari in Qatar, has inaugurated its renovated outlet in Doha serving as the country’s first exclusive Ferrari showroom. The facility was prepared in time for the launch of the new Ferrari 488 GTB mid-engine sports car. Showcasing the world-renowned Ferrari Corporate Identity, the outlet is the ultimate venue for introducing the uniquely powerful vehicle. The opening ceremony was attended by Alfardan Group and Ferrari Middle East and Africa’s top officials along with other dignitaries and media.

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Pull&Bear Be More Barrio The AW15 on a most

brand new Pull&Bear collections take us journey through the authentic streets in the world.

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This season, Pull&Bear launches an authentic initiative that is close to the brand’s heart: discovering interesting corners of the most appealing neighbourhoods in the world. Those that define the brand and which are full of that everyday magic that has enchanted Pull&Bear’s professionals.

The new AW15 collection by PULL&BEAR IS STREET, SMART & TOTALLY WHAT WE WANT!

The images in the collections for this autumnwinter are inspired by these urban landscapes.

Using these images, Pull&Bear is presenting trends characterised by a mix of ethnic and bohemian inspirations, a romantic vintage that is full of personality, without nostalgia, as you can see in the photos taken by Catalonian artist Virgili Jubero. With his camera, he has immortalised a large cast of models in neighbourhoods in cities such as Berlin, London, Toronto, New York, Sydney and Lisbon.

restaurants, unique hair salons, charming cafés, launderettes, corner shops and more. An urban landscape personalised by its own community who will show you why their neighbourhood has that special charm.

This is just the beginning of the long, exciting journey that Pull&Bear will undertake this season, and which will take fashionistas to interesting

Music will take centre stage in this adventure, in the form of a song composed expressly for this project by a band of international fame!

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AW Women’s Trends The spirit of the 70s is the undisputed star of the new Pull&Bear women’s collections for this autumn-winter. Urban environments, with a strong ethnic component, will take over from festival looks. The evolution can be seen in key elements: A-lines, deep V-necks, bell-bottom trousers and romantic shirts.

Important decorative elements such as lace and embroidery make an appearance. Rustic fabrics (suede, corduroy, velvet) predominate, as do warm colours: tans, russets, wines and oranges.

Floral and paisley prints highlight the seventies feel along with flowing, feminine lines.

AW Men’s Trends The men’s looks are characterised by a return to the brand’s street feel, interpreted through three main lines. The first uses the universe of blacks and whites as a starting point, and features technical running components. The second redesigns the basics, taking formal garments out of context and adapting them to modern patterns: sweatshirts and shirts with simple messages in white, blue, grey and red. The third is the purest vision of street style: details like elastic at the ankles and oversized patterns, checked shirts, overshirts, heavy denim, T-shirts with graphic contrasts, parkas, bomber jackets and more.

GO: Shop Pull&Bear’S new collection at City Centre MALL. fact magazine

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SHOP PULL&BEAR H ere is our wishlist from P U L L & B E A R ’ S A W 2 0 1 5 collectio n .

S ho p the S E A S O N ’ S L O O K S A T A N Y P U L L & B E A R S T O R E I N T H E G C C .

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GET UP TO QAR200 GIFT VOUCHERS FROM MOSAFER

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#Oktoberfest #at #InterContinental #Doha Guests experienced the authentic Bavarian festival at InterContinental Doha’s most popular and unique tent. Tur Oompah band “Guat Drauf” provided lively entertainment with their original festive music while guests indulged in a scrumptious traditional German buffet and Munich’s famous ales.

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New season neutrals are a fashion must for the fall/winter season with fresh autumntawny, sun-kissed beiges to wear in the daytime. From stone suede skirts to mix and match sandy hues with pops of powder pink or rich camel tones, this is the nude trend at its finest.

For eveningwear turn to sleek bodycon dresses, cropped trousers, and a flash of metallic for a structured silhouette that catches the eye.

01. Aldo 02. Debenhams 03. Hoss Intropia 04. River Island 05. accessorize 06. ASOS 07. BERSHKA 08. CALL IT SPRING 09. DOROTHY PERKINS 10. DUNE 11. H&M 12. MASSIMO DUTTI 13. Matalan 14. NEW LOOK 15. NEXT 16. Pull & Bear 17. Stradivarius 18. TOPSHOP 19. Zara 20. accessorize fact magazine

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Gentlemen, there’s no need for a radical wardrobe change, just introduce richer tones that reflect a gradual change in season, to your wardrobe. Mustard and tan are reminiscent of the 70s era, roll neck tops and textured blazers lead the way, and the western tones are great ways of spicing up a formal look. Burgundy and deep greens and blues will compliment bleached denim or colour block trousers, very well.

01. Aldo 02. NEXT 03. RIVER ISLAND 04. Debenhams 05. BERSHKA 06. CALL IT SPRING 07. DEBENHAMS 08. H&M 09. MASSIMO DUTTI 10. MaTALAN 11. NEW LOOK 12. MARKS AND SPENCER 13. RIVER ISLAND 14. ZARA 15. RIVER ISLAND 16. Bershka 17. Debenhams 18. River Island 19. Debenhams 20. new LOOK fact magazine

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#Pink #Wednesdays #at #Strata #InterContinental #Doha #The #City This isn’t your ordinary ladies night! It’s a designer label ladies night! Partygoers turn out at Strata for Pink Wednesdays, which promises a great time. Ladies enjoy a special complimentary welcome drink from 9pm to 11pm every Wednesday along with chances to win fabulous prizes including various designer label items.

Want a pair of Christian Louboutins or a Louis Vuitton bag? Then Pink Wednesday at Strata might be your lucky night! There’s free entrance for ladies; QR75 entrance for men after 10pm. Dress code is elegant!

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BEAUTY MASHUP

CLAR INS

Get in the seasonal spirit with the Pretty Day & Night Autumn 2015 Make-up Collection by Clarins. Natural eye make-up, red lips, a smoky eye, XXL lashes...

Go all out or choose a total nude look. Change your make-up to match your mood, your look, or your schedule. Catch others by surprise. Surprise yourself!

However you want to do your make-up, Clarins will indulge you. Mix, match, layer, touch up. There are no rules this autumn! The only person you have to please is you. Create the look that reflects who you are. You’re so beautiful!

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#Burger #Boutique #Doha #VIP #PreOpening Burger Boutique invited members of the media and esteemed guests to the VIP pre-opening of its branch in the Gulf Mall. Burger Boutique is brought to you by the same founders of Slider Station, Kuwait. Guests had the option of a private dinner over two nights.

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C h e c k li s t Clinique Smart Treatment Oil

The new Clinique Smart Treatment Oil is lightweight and infused with de-aging ingredients that help to deeply condition dry and damaged skin. This nourishing, non-greasy oil leaves skin instantly radiant, and feeling smooth, while potent antioxidants work over time to help shield against harmful free radical damage. After cleansing, dispense two to three drops of oil in hand, and pat onto the skin; avoiding the eye area. The oil glides over the skin and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film.

Have you stocked up on the brand new products from the world of beauty? FACT brings you a new list of beauty essentials every month. So ladies, what is on your checklist this month? Make sure to tick them all off…

Rimmel Nude Collection by Kate Moss

Miu Miu Miuccia

The soft, fresh, ingénue scent is set against a deep earthtoned background with the use of peppery Akigala wood, an extract of patchouli. This element adds a brooding mystery to the subtle sparkle of the floral. The surprising combination feels natural and timeless – flower and earth – but the effect created by the multi-faceted process is utterly contemporary, an alchemic slight of hand. The final effect is both scintillating and a little defiant: very Miu Miu.

OPI Venice Collection

Nail professional and colour experts at OPI have created a collection this Fall/Winter 2015 that captures the essence of one of Europe’s most romantic ancient capitals – Venice. Enjoy 12 shades of on-trend new lacquer shades with matching GelColor that puts Venice at your fingertips. Available as part of the permanent OPI colour offerings, some of our favourites include the lush melon A Great Opera-tunity, coffee cream Tiramisu for Two, ravishing red Amore at the Grand Canal, opaque crème Gelato on My Mind, and pastel lilac Purple Palazzo Pants to name but a few.

Ready to go bare? No one knows better than Kate Moss that neutrals create a gorgeous and understated look, transcending day to night and demure to sexy. What’s more, there is a perfect, flattering nude for each and every skin tone – perfect for boosting your natural glamour. Kate has created the season’s most lust-worthy nude shades for lips and tips. Inspired by the catwalks and her own timeless sense of style, the Nude Collection By Kate Moss offers delicate pinks, subtle apricots, cashmere beiges and rich toffee tones – there truly is a chic shade for all.

Victoria’s Secret Sephora

Cut here

Brow Thickener

Sephora has designed a myriad of make-up products that are just as convenient and fun to use as ever! Our favourite from the collection is the brow-thickening powders, because Mother Nature didn’t necessarily bless us with ultra-luscious eyebrows like Miss Delevingne’s. You can cheat a little with these thickening powders (available in three shades) that tint, sculpt and densify brows in one step. The packaging also strikes a perfect balance of glamour and modern flair.

Forever Sexy

VS perfumers were inspired by the duality of the corset - the interplay of delicacy and strength. The end result is Forever Sexy, a unique combination of weightless florals and tantalising warm notes. Italian Belladonna Orange sparkles with energy.

A hint of Creamy Coconut gives Solar Gardenia and Jasmine Petals an ethereal effect. The Golden Amber accord - a VS exclusive - blends with woody notes to anchor the fragrance in deep sensuality.

Warm and captivating, Forever Sexy is undeniably addictive.

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Twice the Spice “We always wanted to come to Doha. Qatar has a great selection of foods, from traditional Arabic, to Asian and many international cuisines. Souq Waqif offers fine dining options to diners who are seeking a combination of quality foods that help to satisfy their cravings.� fact magazine

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Culinary stars, the famous Qureshi brothers, visited Q Lounge at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, to celebrate their Indian heritage and share ancient recipes and foodie secrets with diners. FACT went to meet both Mohammed Irfan Qureshi and Mohammed Ashfaque Qureshi to talk about (and sample) heritage cooking with a twist…

The Qureshi brothers belong to a family whose historical roots grow deel into the culinary world. With their father, the grand master of Indian cuisine, Imtiaz Qureshi, being their mentor, brothers Irfan and Ashfaque have a passion for good food and are known for pushing culinary boundaries.

“It [cooking] runs in our blood,” they say. “Our family has spent time and effort in researching and developing signature cuisines from every corner of the vast sub-continent,” they add.

“So it is just the continuation of their legacy to create notable recipes.”

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Encouragement from within the family pushes the brothers to try ageold recipes from ancient manuscripts and turn these into innovative and unusual combinations.

Two special heritage cuisine’s perfected by the Qureshis are categorised as Frontier and Dum Pukht. The origin of these two special cuisine is steeped in history. With the entry of Mughal and other nomadic tribes from Afghanistan and Persia, the kitchen of India acquired different flavours over time.

The more rugged culinary styles of these tribes gave birth to the Tandoor.

To the cuisine of India, the Mughals brought in the richer methods of cooking using dates and nuts, while a subtler and more refined form was created through the Dum Pukht cuisine of the Nawab of Awadh.

The Frontier cuisine may be considered the legacy of the Grand Master Chef Imtiaz Qureshi, who was responsible for introducing the concept of the ‘stand-up tandoor’ and for adding a touch of perfection to the recipes served at restaurant as well as creating recipes that are now on the menus of tandoori restaurants all over the world.

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The distinctive Dum Pukht cuisine has found a niche for itself.

And is finding new converts every day. Immensely popular, the cuisine promises the experience that the international gourmet scene wants.

With so many distinctive tastes and techniques, it ’s no wonder that the brothers’ favourite ingredient is saffron, and when we ask them what makes the perfect dum pukht biryani, they reply “basmati, basmati, basmati, and technique!”

This also happens to be their favourite dish to cook! “We are proud to say that we do almost 150 types of Biryanis which are categorised as our heritage cuisines.”

The brothers’ advice and tips for cooking good Indian food include: “The ingredients should be well balanced; too many spices don’t make a great dish. It’s the correct combination,

which makes a perfect dish.

“Always use Genuine Kashmiri Chili and other spices which are fresh and pure,” they say.

One dish that they both found difficult to master was the famous kakori kabab, and what we love to hear is that Irafan and Ashfaque continue to work together and come up with exciting dishes.

“It always excites us to create a new menu as a team as we continuously come up with superb flavours and fusion foods which match our culture and taste,” the brothers’ say. “We both believe that good food comes from great produce and that ’s how we create food that delights our guests.

It ’s our great pride to see our diners feasting on our amazing dishes.” ✤ fact magazine

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Picasso for a Night If you want to combine art and culture with dining, the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha should be your pick for an evening out… FACT learns more at Picasso’s Spanish restaurant…

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VENUE REVIEW

“We won’t lie; it was a struggle at first - we were surrounded by regulars and some really amazing artists. However, there’s no need to be afraid.

Everyone is there to share, learn and absorb the fantastic atmosphere of an enjoyable evening out.”

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f you thought Doha’s dining scene lacked creativity and an artistic influence, you were wrong! For those who are tired of evenings sitting on the sofa and want to experience something different and unique, there’s a monthly happening in town that will cater to everyone.

The FACT team was invited out for a very cosy and enjoyable evening at the exquisite Picasso’s Spanish restaurant, for the ultimate painting fix. Starting from 7.30pm until 10.30pm, the Dine & Paint evening is a straight up getaway to relax and unwind for a few hours. There’s plenty of time to master your artistic talent whilst tucking into a delicious Tapas buffet including three special beverages, all for a fantastic QR225! This includes the canvas and all your painting tools – pretty awesome, right? On top of that, you get to leave with your masterpiece at

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the end of the evening!

We won’t lie; it was a struggle at first we were surrounded by regulars and some really amazing artists. However, there’s no need to be afraid. Everyone is there to share, learn and absorb the fantastic atmosphere of an enjoyable evening out. For those who, like us, consider themselves amateurs or complete novices, fear not, there are plenty of beautiful sketches that you can choose from to bring out your artistic flair. There are tutors walking around to help you from something as small as how to hold a certain paint brush, to knowing what colours to mix together for the perfect painting.

As a restaurant, Picasso’s truly helps to set a fabulous mood and setting where dining meets painting. The venue carries many artistic values in its décor, and

this certainly helps to get your creativity flowing throughout the evening. Not to mention that the tapas dishes are incredibly tasty!

Not only did we find Dine & Paint a wonderful opportunity to share and see some colourful talents, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet people who share the same interests and passion for art, culture and food. Now, what did our final paintings look like? Let’s just say, we’ll be back for more opportunities to watch, learn and master our artistic techniques… and, for the tapas, of course! ✤ GO: Dine & Paint TAKES PLACE every third week of the month, so mark your calendars and do make a reservation because seats fill up fast! Call 4428 1555 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

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#Nozomi #Doha #Grand #Opening Nozomi, the award-winning contemporary Japanese lifestyle restaurant from London and Riyadh has opened its doors, located in the gardens of Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha. The concept is an innovative addition to Doha’s culinary scene, offering guests over a decade’s worth of experience in successfully fusing entertainment and fine dining. Nozomi offers highly acclaimed contemporary Japanese cuisine paired with European subtleties. A new bespoke dining menu has been created exclusively for Nozomi Doha, which includes signature restaurant dishes such as its famous Black Cod, tender Kobe beef and world class lobster tempura.

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Chocolate Wonders As winter approaches, there’s never been more of a perfect excuse to tuck into exquisite desserts than now. Taking on another challenge – the art of cooking with chocolate – our resident amateur chef headed to Marsa Malaz Kempinski for some serious, over-the-top sweet treats.

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Cucina de badir

“Chef Valeriu is a renowned pastry chef who has worked in many other prominent establishments.

He leads me to “the chocolate room” – and, to my pleasant surprise, there’s chocolate everywhere!”

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here’s no doubt that as we head into cooler climes, an indulgent dessert sounds incredibly appealing. This month, the lovely pastry kitchen at Marsa Malaz Kempinski opened its doors to fulfill my curiosity of cooking with chocolate – and boy did I attempt the ultimate chocolate sensation. I got a behind-the-scenes look and first-hand insight with a master class with Executive Pastry Chef, Valeriu Petcu who guided and advised me through the intricate task of creating the yummiest desserts.

This stellar hotel doesn’t mess around when it comes to treating its guests to the highest quality food, prepared by some of the best chefs in town. And off I went with my hat and gloves, ready to get stuck in! Chef Valeriu is a renowned pastry chef who has worked in many other prominent establishments. He leads me to “the chocolate room” – and, to my pleasant surprise, there’s chocolate everywhere! Numerous selections of topof-the-line, delicious chocolates are lined up to make up the most perfect display (the smell was out of this world too!). As

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Chef Valeriu explains the importance and origin of cacao, we take a plunge into the world of chocolate.

We begin to prepare a luscious chocolate raspberry with orange glacage of milk chocolate, I’m excited to learn not only superb techniques, but also, how to decorate and style a wonderful dessert with a Kempinski touch.

Chef Valeriu has, wonderfully, prepared the gelatin (glacage) and we place it in the microwave to warm it, slightly. Being the curious cook that I am, I ask the master of chocolate which cacao is best to work with. He says: “The best cacao would have to be from Mexico, Venezuela, South America and Africa, of course. We at

Cucina de badir

“ I truly wa s n e w t o c o o k i n g w it h c h o c o l at e s o w h e n C h e f Va l e riu b ri n g s o ut t h e s t e n cil s , I ’ m a littl e i n ti m i d at e d b ut v e ry e a g e r t o g i v e it a g o .

W e cr e at e s o m e r e m a r k a b l e d e s s e rt d e c o r ati o n s t h at a r e u n i q u e t o K e m p i n s k i .” the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, we deliver nothing but the best,” the connoisseur adds. Indeed, working with the best is truly a stamp and trademark of the Kempinski brand.

The glacage is ready to go and so is our cake. Chef Valeriu demonstrates techniques on how to decorate and add the glacage with style. We cover the cake and leave it to sit in the fridge for a few minutes.

We later add caramel nuts to the bottom of our cake – which we have already taken out – and we move onto the second step. Now, I get to work with real chocolate; first adding a couple of chocolate coins to a special machine that melts chocolate to your desired texture.

Chef Valeriu explains that it’s all about the temperature and technique when it comes to the perfect finish. He not only shows me how to carry this out, but also,

explains in detail the dense consistency we were looking for (which took us several minutes to get an adequate and delicious one).

I truly was new to cooking with chocolate so when Chef Valeriu brings out the stencils, I’m a little intimidated but very eager to give it a go. We create some remarkable dessert decorations that are unique to Kempinski.

As we finish off the last touches, the team and I take the desserts to Café Murano

(which you all must visit for a taste of these incredible sweet creations) and, happily, I close another chapter of Cucina De Badir, ticking off “chocolate workshop” from my list of cooking musts… hasta la próxima! ✤ GO: Visit Café Murano at Marsa Malaz Kempinski to try the delicious desserts prepared daily by Chef Valeriu and his team. Call 4035 5011 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

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Dining Delights at Melia

French Promo at Prime

Join the delightful Friday brunch on the 5th floor in both Aceite & Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor at Melia Doha. Offering a superb combination of Indian and Spanish delights with an international food display, live music and even a special kids corner, this is the place to relax and enjoy sumptuous delicacies from both of the popular restaurants. Priced at QR190 per person including soft drinks and QR250 per person with alcohol (includes welcome drink, house vino and ales). Served from 12noon to 3.30pm. If you like seafood, head to the international grill restaurant Nidaaya to indulge in the special seafood night, every Thursday, for the month of November. The incredible selection of is sure to please all palates as guests can choose from a wide selection of the freshest fish dishes. Priced at QR240 per person, and served 7pm to 11pm.

Featuring unique authentic French dishes while serving selected French beverages, “La Maison Prime” is a celebration of French Cuisine at InterContinental Doha The City’s award-winning steakhouse, Prime.

The promotion will include raffle draw prizes such as winning a dinner for four people prepared by the French Executive Chef Emmanuel Pauliat.This promotion will start on November 16 and run until December 7. All French citizens with proof of citizenship will receive 20% discount at Prime during the promotion period. If it’s a taste of fine French cuisine that you crave, let Prime take you on a journey from Paris to Bordeaux, Versailles to Avignon and everywhere in between! Open for dinner from 6pm to 11pm.

GO: Call 4019 9999 for reservations and more information.

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GO: Call 4015 8888 for reservations and more information.

St Regis’ Thanksgiving Treats Celebrate with your nearest and dearest with BBQ Classics at Vine on November 26 from 6.30pm to 11pm. Priced at QR320 per person including soft drinks and QR420 per person including selected beverages.

At Opal by Gordon Ramsay, Thanksgiving dinner is also served on November 26.

Get togther with family and friends and indulge in a lavish feast of Turkey with all the trimmings and many more delicious offerings with a special three-course set menu for QR450 per person. Served from 7pm to midnight – pre-payment is required.

There’s also a Turkey-to-go promotion (48 hours advance order required) ready for pick up from November 25, which offers a whole roasted Turkey with all the stuffing and sides. Priced at QR990 which serves eight to 10 people.

GO: Call 4446 0105 for reservations and more information.

Doha DELIGHTS

HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Contact No: +974 4484 8000 Thanksgiving Celebrations

Golden High Tea at Café Murano Café Murano, the award winning European gourmet café at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, has introduced the opulent Golden High Tea to its menu as a permanent fixture for guests and visitors to enjoy. The signature golden cappuccino is served together with a selection of petite culinaire, allowing guests to choose between a traditional and an oriental high tea.

Enjoy a collection of delicate and decadent sweet and savoury miniatures alongside a carefully selected range of tea and coffees, with a splendid sea view. The secret is in the golden touches! The café is innovative in its chocolate creations and at the same time traditional with its in-house secret recipes, ensuring it is the talk-of-the-town for guests who enjoy the sweeter things in life. The Golden High Tea is priced at QR220 for two people, including coffee and tea, and served daily between 2pm and 6pm GO: Call 4035 5011 for reservations and more information.

A joyful occasion is upon us and La Mer and Lagoon Restaurant are offering the perfect family Thanksgiving setting where guests may express gratitude among their loved ones. Embark on a culinary feast and count the blessings surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

La Mer Restaurant invites guests to enjoy a set menu priced at QR420 or QR570 (depending on your choice of drinks). Available on November 26, starting at 7.30pm.

Lagoon Restaurant invites guests for Thanksgiving dinner on November 26 for QR220, and a lavish Thanksgiving brunch on November 27, starting at QR340.

Admiral’s Burger Fest

It’s all about that mouthwatering burger experience at Admiral’s this month. Gasp at the meatiness of Admirals finest with its impressive Chef’s creation of international burgers and sliders from around the globe featuring South American Beef Chimichuri, Chicken Thai Peanut & Chili, Lamb Moroccan Spices, American BBQ Short Ribs, Luxurious Foie Gras & Waygu, and many more delicious options! Available daily from 5pm to 10pm.

White Truffle at Porcini

These diamonds of the culinary world are nothing short of mesmerisng! The intricate white veining and marbling throughout the Alba truffle produces an aroma and flavor that is gastronomically unique and wonderfully intoxicating. Chef Moreno Miotto will enliven your senses with a unique dining experience offour courses, at QR 750 per person excluding beverages.

Available during November, starting at 7pm.

The Ritz-Carlton Culinary Academy

Mark your calendar this November and partake in The Ritz-Carlton, Doha culinary academy together with a team of expert Chefs. Each class will focus on basic dining, cooking techniques, proper equipment needs, and plate presentation. The cooking classes will take place at La Dolce Vita and guests may experience how to be a Chef for a day. Every Saturday, starting at 10 am and 3pm. November 7 – Pastry: cookies. November 14 – Qatari Specialties.

November 21 – Thanksgiving Dinner. November 28 – Tunisian and Moroccan Cuisine.

Nights Out…

Senorita’s Night @ Habanos

Ladies get one complimentary glass from a selected menu. Every Monday from 8.30pm to 10.30pm.

Chill Out Fridays @ Admiral’s Lower Floor

Enjoy your Friday evenings at the most beautiful outdoor terrace in Doha while listening to different bands and DJs. Running from 7.30pm to 11.30pm, this is the ideal place to unwind.

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doha delights

Gourmet House Gastronomy

A Meal at Mykonos

New at nando’s

Considered by many as one of the top breakfast spots in the city, Gourmet House at the Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha serves the Breakfast Eggsperience.

Coddled eggs with your choice of spinach, bresaola or salmon, your favourite bread roll from the famous selection, a cup of tea or coffee and a scone with cream and jam for a sweet ending. All this for a cool QR50 per person, served every morning 7am to 11.30pm. Gourmet House is one of the few exclusive places in Doha that houses some of the finest camel milk chocolate. Reflecting the flavours of the region, the premium chocolate uses camel milk as its finest ingredient, making it a delicious and distinctive treat. Some of the best and most fresh bakery products are on sale every evening from 7pm to 9pm at Gourmet House, which is well known for its scrumptious pastry treats – now you have the chance to purchase them at half price.

Mykonos at the InterContinental Doha is famed for being a truly authentic GreekMediterranean restaurant, and this month there are some fabulous dining deals to enjoy. Every afternoon, Mykonos goes Hellenic Chill Out and transforms its outdoor terrace into a Mediterranean-style Chill Out lounge, where guests can sip on a selection of cocktails while listening to the best house music, from 3pm to 6.30pm. On Mondays, Mykonos brings the Mediterranean Sea to your table with the Ocean Basket promotion.

Enjoy a mezze selection (including salads, starters and dips), followed by an indulgent mix grilled seafood platter. End with a sweet note and try the ice cream selection.

Priced at QR150 per person, and served from 6.30pm to 11pm. There’s a fantastic sharing Greek Cheese Platter, available Sunday to Wednesday from 12noon to 3pm – served with a glass of vino. Priced at QR99 per person!

Get a load of this! Nando’s has launched a scrumptious new menu of burgers, pitas, and wraps, all featuring new mouthwatering and completely different ingredients, recipes, and all are bursting with flavour!

The new menu was launched in late October and has seen people rushing to their nearest Nando’s for a taste. To tempt you further, Nando’s is running an awesome promotion for the month of November. Bring a friend to Nando’s on Monday, order any new burger, pita, or wrap with two sides, and your friend will get a FREE burger, pita or wrap with two sides. And what’s more, Nando’s will match the value of the free meal and donate it to Qatar Cancer Society to support breast cancer and movember. That’s one of the best two-for-one style dining deals that we’ve ever heard of! Get down to Nando’s and tuck into the new menu - it’s deliciously good!

GO: Call 4405 3326 for reservations and more information.

GO: Call 4484 4919 for reservations and more information.

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GO: Visit www.nandos.qa or call 4444 2345 reservations and more information.

Doha DELIGHTS

HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

sharq village & spa Contact No: +974 4425 6666

Tempting TreatS at W Doha Market by Jean-Georges, at W Doha Hotel & Residences, has a whole host of amazing dining deals for November. Our favourites include Belgian Tastes Week featuring exclusive Belgian products and a Belgian Master Chef who will present diners with a three-course Belgian set menu from November 15 to 21, 6pm to 10pm (dinner only); then there’s the Jazz Brunch which offers a fantastic array of food with complemented by live entertainment courtesy of Doha Jazz – taking place on November 6, 13 and 27, priced at QR410 including alcoholic beverages and QR295 included selected non-alcoholic beverages – prices are per person. Take advantage of Burger Night, every Sunday except November 15, and start your week with your favorite burger, side dish and one amazing Sundae from the selection – served 6pm to 11pm. Take your pick!

GO: Call 4453 5135 for reservations and more information.

Take Me to Lebanon Guests can sample an array of authentic Lebanese, Middle Eastern and Continental cuisines prepared by the master Arabic chefs. The buffet spread offers a selection of Oriental and Lebanese mezze, freshly prepared salads, and traditional specialties, all of which are sewed within an authentic Arabian atmosphere, whilst aromatic Shisha is served in a variety of exotic flavours to the dulcet melodies of the Oud. Available every Thursday at Al Liwan Restaurant, from 6.30pm to 11pm. QR250 per person excluding beverages. QR370 per person inclusive selected house beverages. QR100 per Shisha.

Treatment of the month Bliss of Mind & Soul | 80 minutes | QR700 Experience pure relaxation while stimulating your senses with the combination of a detoxifying body buff followed by the blissful marma massage. This package reduces stress levels, imparts powerful anti-aging benefits and creates inner joy as it reconnects you with your body and mind.

Hot Stone Express | 50 minutes | QR425 The Hot Stone Express uses signatory lava stones heated to relief tense areas on the back and tendons. Using signature Six Senses Spa techniques, the Hot Stone Express is a full body, medium pressure spa journey that revitalizes and relaxes the body and mind.

Indian Barbecue by the Pool Take a seat by the pool and discover the vast range of ancient Indian cuisine. From the fragrant infusions of the north to the exciting and punchy - flavours of the south, plus the exotic flavours of its grilled specialties from the tandoori oven, there is something to excite every palate from the culinary team, complemented by live entertainment.

Available every Thursday and Friday in Al Seef, from 6.30pm to 10pm. Priced at QR215 per person excluding beverages.

Nights Out… Sundowner Session @ Al Dana Terrace The much beloved lounge night makes a comeback on the Al Dana Terrace, Doha’s sunset spot comes to life every Friday, from 4pm to 1am, with very special DJs and guests.

Persia’s best @ Parisa Offering the best traditional dishes with a contemporary, modern twist. Daily from 12pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 11pm. QR240 per person including welcome drink.

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Adham El Sebaey General Manager, Hilton Doha

Doha Insider three hospitality values that make Hilton Doha special...

Team Work: Teamwork is one of the core values here at Hilton Doha. We are all here for a different purpose and our specialties are our strengths, and these complement each other very well. We like challenges and have surpassed them with great results, and we treat each other as a family in and outside work too. Dynamism: In the ever-changing world of hospitality, we cannot rest on our laurels, instead, we continue to evolve to be able to keep up with the trends, serve the community and stand out as a whole. We put passion, enthusiasm and creativity in all the things we do. Empathy: To understand your guests is the indispensable part of the 106 fact magazine

hospitality industry. We continuously strive to deliver services and facilities to our guests’ satisfaction.

Describe your ideal day off in Doha - how would you spend it?

I love spending quality time with my family and friends which starts with a long and pleasurable breakfast with them. We live by the beach so we immediately head off to the beach after to enjoy the water and the Doha sun. My days off are also spent to see my friends for a catch up somewhere as we love to try new places or watch football matches with our favourite teams, or do the shopping including spending time on my favourite pastry and sweet shops.

your personal and professional goals for 2016?

2016 is very special to my family both on milestones and objectives. First, my eldest of three children, Omar is graduating from University in Miami while my second, Nadine is actually leaving for university as well. Big change, but I am happy for my children. Meanwhile, the New Year is evenly special with the many projects in store for Hilton Doha. Among others, firstly, Trader Vic’s is scheduled for a massive expansion project which when finished will turn the outlet into a genuine Tahitian Village.

Another internally acclaimed restaurant chain will enter Doha with the conversion of two of our restaurants in 2016.

THE DINNER SHOW World-Class artists are performing everyday* in Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Dinner Show allows both artists and audience to engage, lending a feeling of an intimate private performance over dinner.

Performance from 7:30pm every night (*except Sunday).

For reservations or enquires please call +974.4446.0105 al gassar resort at west bay stregisdoha.com 974.4446.0000 jazzatlincolncenter.doha@ stregis.com

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Culinary Destination

KEMPINSKI.COM/MARSAMALAZ/DINING Dining at Marsa Malaz Kempinski promises to be a sensory thrill. An unparalleled selection of fine cuisines delivers a veritable extravaganza of food at our eleven restaurants and lounges. Distinguished chefs from around the world have trained highly attentive teams to orchestrate the perfect dining experiences in environments designed to make a lasting impression.

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+974 4035 5011 | restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com