Not content with being home to the world’s tallest man made building, the world’s largest man made island, The Palm Jumeirah and the longest metro system Dubai has launched its plan for the world’s biggest shopping mall.
The vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced the plans with this tweet:
Today, we launched new city in dubai, it will host world’s largest mall accommodating 80m shoppers a year& a park that will receive 35m
Dubai has plenty of practice with malls – The current Dubai Mall is the biggest in the world., with 1200 shops.
Plans for the new build are due to start immediately, and will be called Mall of the World. The new development will be loosely divided into four themes, family, retail, art galleries and an area for entrepreneurship. An open space will also feature that will be 30 percent bigger than London’s Hyde Park. As part of the project 100 new hotels as well as theme park in association with Universal Studios will cover a staggering 455 acres.
Mount Everest is defined by its thrills, heights and sublime experiences, but what about its rubbish? Matt Dickinson, author of the Mortal Chaos series and Mount Everest summit reacher, remarked in an interview with The Telgraph, “When you get up to the very top of Mount Everest there is a remarkable amount of rubbish that has been left behind – old rope, discarded oxygen cylinders, broken tents, beer cans and bottles.”
However, thanks to a team of fifteen artists, who worked for a month with some 1.5 tonnes of climber’s cast-offs collected,(nearly 4,000 people have climbed the 29,035-feet mountain), Everest’s waste has become 75 sculptures.
Although climbers need to deposit around £2,500 with the government before they climb (refunded only after they provide proof of having brought their rubbish down from the mountain), activists say effective monitoring is somewhat difficult. The rubbish used in the exhibition was collected by Sherpa climbers in 2011 and earlier this year, and then subsequently carried down by trains of long-haired yaks, commemorated in one of the pieces. View the sculptures in the slides below:
From the best in codfish to the ultimate veggie buffet, we’ve got the low-down on the best places to eat food in Lisbon. Visit some of the best restaurants in beautiful Lisbon with Purple Travel.
Portugal’s capital Lisbon isn’t simply scenic surroundings, romantic atmosphere and livin’ it up, it’s also a foodies’ paradise. It’s where you can savour mouth -watering delicacies like fresh codfish or perfectly cooked meat.
It’s related to Mediterranean cuisine, but the traditional Portuguese gastronomy is influenced by lots of spices, a habit left over from the colonial age, when Prince Henry the Navigator ordered his ships to bring back as many exotic fruit and vegetables as possible from the New World. However you might be more familiar with the famous piri-piri flavour that permeates Portuguese dishes, as well as black pepper, cinnamon and saffron.
So, if Lisbon is planned to be your next city break, here are some top foodie picks from your friends at PurpleTravel to fascinate your palate.
Cozido a Portuguesa Even if the original recipe was once considered the rich man’s stew, people around the countryside soon discovered cheaper methods. When it comes to a stew with veggies and as many types of meat as possible, the sky and the cook’s imagination are the only limits.
Solar Dos Nunes found at Rua dos Lusiadas, 68-70, Lisbon 1350-868, has some great traditional, earthy, rural flavours and offers meaty stews, and delicious seafood, like ameijoas alentejano (clams cooked in a wine, chilli, coriander and garlic sauce with pork).
Trempe on Rua Coelho da Rocha 11/13, Estrela is a delicious restaurant with a flavour from Portugal’s biggest region, Alentejo. A rustic style eaterie, it has plenty of tasty treats like Dog fish soup and fried pork with clams.
Caldeiradais another traditional dish. It is basically a stew, with lots of fresh fish and vegetables thrown in. The secret is a little white wine and – of course – the spices. Piri-piri, black pepper, ginger, garlic, all combine to create a mouth watering flavour.
Tavares Restaurant at Rua da Misericordia, 37, Encarnacao, Lisbon 1200-270 is an excellent choice. It is said to be Lisbon’s oldest restaurant which opened back in 1784. Here your palate will be thrilled by the genuine Portuguese cuisine in grandeur style.
Veggie If all that meat sounds a little much, don’t worry, there are plenty of veggie options in Lisbon too.
Try Paladar Zen, Avenida Barbosa du Bocage 107 C, Avenidas. This is an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet, not something that you usually hear about. For €12 you can eat whatever you want from the first class cookery on offer here.
Pasteis de Nata deliciously soft, sweet, custard tarts are a cult in Lisbon. And one place is the undisputed master of making them.
Go to Antiga Confeitaria de Belem, Rua de Belem 84-92, for the ultimate in pastries. Here you’ll find heavenly, sugary treats made from eggs and cream sugar. The recipe is 170 years old and absolutely top secret, only three chefs learn it at a time. The result is a perfectly cooked taste of Lisbon.
Wine Bars in Lisbon
Whether red, white or “green”, wine is the traditional Portuguese drink. Introduced to the area by ancient civilizations, such as the Carthaginians and the Greeks, some might say that today’s Portuguese wine is the result of a centuries-old tradition. As a matter of fact, Portugal has been a major wine exporter since the Roman Empire!
So, once in Lisbon wine-lovers should take our advice and head for one of the following.
Binhoteca Rua das Padarias 16, 2710, Sintra is where you will find over 150 wines on offer. It is a great place to go wine tasting with a little help from some experts.
Bairru’s Bodega, Rua da Barroca, no. 2, Bairro Alto, this is a place where locals go to enjoy a drink or two, it’s a really relaxed cafe with great Portuguese music and friendly staff.
Miradouro’s Wine Bar Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, 1250. This might have the best view in the whole city, overlooking the Carmo convent, Castle, Cathedral and neighbourhoods of Alfama and Graca. By day, it’s calm and relaxed, at night the top bar opens with lively music, while the Wine Bar is a calmer, romantic affair.
Did you know? January is actually one of the best months to book a holiday. Not only is the weather particularly miserable in the UK, but January is also the month in which you can find the best deals throughout the travel industry. While other people are tightening their belts, those who have saved some of their Christmas cash flow can enjoy the year’s best holiday bargains. Let Purple Travel aid your decision with out round-up of 10 best January holidays
For a little bit of sunshine…
1) Tenerife – near-guaranteed sunshine that’s just 4 hours away from the UK.
2) Southern Tunisia – avoid Tunis (which can be chilly at this time) and head to southern Tunisia for a mid-haul getaway that’ll leave you bronzed and refreshed.
3) Mexico – from boutique hotels to haciendas, there are some gorgeous places to stay in Mexico’s Caribbean coast. And with perfect January temperatures, there’s plenty of leeway for exploring ancient sites such as Chichen Itza.
4) Gambia – a charming, low-cost destination with an improved hotel scene.
5) Cape Verde – great value for money and easily accessible, Cape Verde islands are sure to win you over with their diversity and natural beauty.
Or for a cool wintery break…
6) Northern Lights – discover one of the earth’s natural wonders and our top choice for 2013 travel. Read our guide to the best Northern Lights trips here.
7) Sweden – With its winter wonderland scenes, plenty of things to do and see and even an ice hotel, Sweden is an ideal destination for January travel.
8) New York– while the sales are on, head to the world’s best shopping destination to pick up a bargain, grab a bagel or two and enjoy the last of the Christmas buzz.
9) Bulgaria – named the cheapest ski destination, Bulgaria is a great choice for those looking for good value without comprising on the slopes.
10) Italy – stylish skiing doesn’t get much better than in Italy. In January, you may find excellent deals on holidays to Italy’s luxury resorts.
