Team What’s On pick their favourite things in the UAE right now

These are our favourite things in the UAE right now…

Learning about bubbles with… MMI and Le Clos

One of the best bits of my job is learning from people who are the best at what they do. And recently, that meant a team day out to get a bit better acquainted with the world of Champagne, thanks to a training – and tasting session – with Le Clos and MMI. MMI’s brilliant bubbly expert Tony talked us through a range of his favourite bottles, guiding us on the impact of different regions, terrains and fermentation processes that go into the creation of Champagne. The best bit? Getting to sample bottles that range in price from Dhs70 to Dhs1,100. – Alice Holtham-Pargin, Group Editor

@mmidubai, @exploreleclos

Enjoying a girls night out at… Papas

If you feel like most tasting menus are too stuffy and formal for you, then Papas new Journey Through Italy is a brilliant antidote. This curated seven-course menu is cleverly designed to take you around Italy’s finest foodie regions, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the craggy Amalfi coastline. It’s priced at Dhs450, which is excellent value for the number of courses and the flavourful dishes like potato rosti from Venezia and the signature pasta from Puglia – and definitely worth the Dhs250 upgrade to add a wine pairing. The restaurant is all dressed up in decorations too, making it a lovely spot for festive fun with your friends this season, not to mention the fabulous views that come from the pretty Marina-facing terrace. – Alice Holtham-Pargin, Group Editor

@papasdubai

Cranking up the festive feels with… Marks & Spencer

Generally I only really start to ‘feel Christmassy’ at about 6am (when my children wake me with the merry feral glint of presents in their eyes) on the 25th. But this year, I’ve managed to start early. It’s not been easy, it’s taken fastidious festive commitment, ensuring there’s enough Feliz and sufficient Navidad in all of my playlists, watching Home Alone twice a day and the holiday specials of every TV show I can think of, hiding the elves, and drinking the mulled Kool Aid. The biggest impact has come from Marks & Spencer’s festive range of products. I’m on the Buddy diet – candy, candy corns, shortbread and advent choccies. It’s nostalgic, it’s comforting, it’s Christmas. – Miles Buckeridge, Deputy Editor, Dubai

Christmas shopping for my favourite people at… Oria

I genuinely think I might be in the running for worst present buyer on the planet. The emirate at the very least. I don’t pick up on hints, fumble the memo and live in a sort of perpetual indecisive Libra season limbo. Mall shopping trips typically end up being full day affairs, visiting and revisiting shops and then ultimately panic buying something, direct quote: “completely inappropriate”. Which is why when I discover businesses like Oria, a homegrown house of elegant affordable jewelry — I cling onto those precious finds like a festively-motivated Smigel. It’s almost impossible to go wrong choosing from their range of layerable, sophisticated wearable art and it means even more to know that each piece is completely unique, hand crafted by Middle Eastern artisans. – Miles Buckeridge, Deputy Editor, Dubai

@oria.jewelry

Feeling sentimental and appreciating… love

I’m feeling the love at the moment, three couples out of my closest friends have recently got engaged and I’m an empath, so the love in the air really makes me emotional. I’m an old married woman now, but seeing people start this new chapter of their lives together and celebrate their love is just my favourite thing ever. Plus planning a wedding? You bet I’m going to help with that. After all, love makes the world go round. – Madie Murphy, Senior Reporter

Taking a moment to be zen with… yoga at Balloons at the Palace, Jumeirah Al Qasr

Yoga is the key to my sanity I think, and during this time of year, I need all the calm I can get. This week I attended a wellness initiative at the Balloons at the Palace in Jumeirah Al Qasr. Talk about breathtaking views, peaceful Hatha yoga, and yummy breakfast after. Would highly recommend going to this on Saturday mornings. – Madie Murphy, Senior Reporter

@jumeirahalqasr

Feeling like a little child again at the magical… Winter City at Expo City Dubai

I love a winter market, and whilst I haven’t visited most of them just yet, the Winter City at Expo City Dubai is one to beat. It is packed with vendors selling delicious treats, roaming entertainment, and families walking around having a wonderful time. The dome displays snowfall, and other colourful Christmas elements that effortlessly grabbed my attention. The best part? When I was walking under the dome, and was surprised with ‘snowfall’ while staring at the pretty tree with carols playing in the background. – Aarti Saundalkar, Arts & Culture Features Editor

@expocitydubai

Excited for the office Christmas party and catching up with colleagues at… Irish Village

At the time of writing this, everyone in Team What’s On is busy tapping away on laptops, getting the to-do list done for the day before we make our way to Irish Village. Year after year, Motivate Media Group heads over to the popular Irish pub in Garhoud coming together for the annual Christmas party. It’s something everyone looks forward to as it’s the one day we all come together in one space to mingle and catch up. It’s always smiles all around, great food (I love the ham and gravy), sips with a few games thrown in. We also celebrate our colleagues who have been with the comp any and believe it or not, we’ve had colleagues who have been with the company for 25 years (and more!). I’m truly looking forward to it, as it feels like this year has gone by in the blink of an eye, and I really want to spend some time meeting my colleagues, both old and new and catching up. I’m sure it’s going to be a great one. – Aarti Saundalkar, Arts & Culture Features Editor

Media: Instagram, What’s On Archive