Skiing Nice to Geneva
The warm breezes, palm trees, and open-air restaurants of Nice might seem a far cry from anywhere you could possibly ski – except, of course, in the Mediterranean – but appearances can be deceptive. In winter, snow is not far away. As we head north for another stretch of water, Lake Geneva, what gems will we find en route?
insight - Nassin Rafiq Ahmed
Occupation - Hennaya
The art of applying intricate henna designs to the body to celebrate weddings and festivals originated more than 5,000 years ago, and crosses a variety of cultures. Rachel Morris meets one of Qatar’s most famous ‘hennaya’, or henna artists.
insight - Dalya Islam
Occupation - Sotheby's Deputy Director of the Middle East Department.
With a personal passion for Islamic art, Dalya Islam of Sotheby's auction house is shining a spotlight on contemporary artists who are keeping the tradition of Arabic calligraphy alive.
Living and breathing polo
With hundreds of clubs set up amongst the perfectly flat pampas, a capital city which uniquely houses a 30,000-capacity polo stadium, more ten-goal players than you can shake a mallet at, and the world’s most important club level tournament, it’s no wonder Argentina breeds and attracts polo’s best and most obsessed.
Blazing a new Ho Chi Minh Trail
From the central and northern highlands, home to colorful ethnic minorities, to UNESCO-listed former feudal capitals and ancient port towns, Vietnam has a wealth of unique destinations and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
Power Boats
When His Excellency Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani burst onto the Class 1 offshore power-boat racing scene in 2003, he had no idea that the State of Qatar would become one of the most prominent nations in world powerboating within seven years.
insight - Dr Nicholas Fox
Occupation - Falcon breeder
Dr Nicholas Fox (60) was only seven when he became interested in flying birds of prey and made his own falcon hood, although he didn’t get into the sport in a big way until he was a teenager.
Turning the lens on ourselves
When the curtain rises on the second Doha Tribeca Film Festival this month, the event’s organisers will be seeking to cement its status as a festival with a truly Middle Eastern flavour.
