Latest news with #HeroBalloonFlights
What's On
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
13 of the best adventures to have in the UAE this long weekend
A long weekend is coming soon, which means more time to do the things you've been putting off. If you're a thrill seeker, adrenaline-junkie, or just generally into adventures of all kinds, there is no shortage of experiences across the UAE. Take your pick. For the desert lovers… Night Safari with Arabian Adventures This evening desert safari with Arabian Adventures ensures that you get a taste of that quintessential UAE experience wile staying out of the daytime summer heat. Discover the charm of the Dubai desert, a world of natural wonder, indigenous wildlife, and Bedouin culture, along with fun desert sports. Offer: Starts from Dhs431 Location: Dubai Desert Contact: : ( 800) 272 2426 @arabianadventures Overnight Safari by Arabian Adventures This all-inclusive overnight desert safari is a UAE staycation must. Camp out in a deluxe tent on a raised platform with a world of amenities and experiences to complete your stay. Included in the package is a thrilling dune drive, camel ride, walking night safari, waiter service, set menu BBQ dinner and more. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,790 Location: Dubai Desert Contact: : ( 800) 272 2426 @arabianadventures Hot Air Balloon with Hero Balloon Flights This is the hot air balloon experience of your dreams, because it's not just a hot air balloon ride. The balloon flight takes you over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, offering spectacular views of the sands, sky and sunrise from 3,000 feet above. The complete package features the ride, a breakfast and a ride in a vintage Defender. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,995 Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Contact: ( 0) 4 412 6333 @heroballoonsdubai For the street crawlers… Parkour at XPark Located just a few hops, kick-flips and jumps away from Kite Beach – XDubai has long been a half-pipe haven for the UAE's skatewardly mobile. Traceurs can explore the Path of Discovery, challenging themselves on the parkour loop, scaling new heights at the 20-foot climbing tower. Offer: Starts from Dhs75 Times: Sunday to Friday, 2.30pm to 5.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm, Saturday, 8am to 11.30am, 2.30pm to 5.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm Location: XPark Dubai, Kite Beach Contact: ( 0) 56 416 3585 @xdubai Skateboarding at Circuit X Hudayriat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's most impressive alfresco adventure hubs and amongst its many assorted attractions is the Circuit X skate park. You can try three separate bowls of varying difficulty level, practice lip tricks on ledges, grind rails, smash quarter pipes, and cruise through a simulated urban skate section. Offer: Starts from Dhs40 Times: Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 10pm, Friday, 2pm to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 11pm Location: Circuit X, Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi Contact: ( 0) 2 691 0302 @circuitx_hudayriyat For the water babies… Sailing with Wind Rises Whether you're a seasoned sailor or dipping your toes into the world of sailing for the first time, the Wind Rises sailing experience promises thrills, stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, and a whole lot of joy. They have a number of sailing options to choose from, and you can even prepare with them for competitions. Offer: Starts from Dhs200 per person on weekdays Location: Wind Rises, Port Rashid, Dubai Contact: ( 0) 58 106 5026 @windrisesdubai Surfing at Surf Abu Dhabi Seasoned and budding surfers, head over to Surf Abu Dhabi, the world's biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility. You can choose from open sessions tailored to beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers, as well as 1-on-1 surfing lessons, and an entire 90-minute surf trip for you and 5 other surfers. Offer: Starts from Dhs600 Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Location: Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriat Island Contact: @surfabudhabi Scuba diving at Deep Dive Dubai Deep Dive Dubai has the worlds largest indoor pool for diving, with the terrifying depth of 6o metres. Of course, if you're an experienced diver with a license you can go all the way and explore, but if you're a beginner or looking to get into diving, the expert instructors will guide you through the whole process. Offer: Starts from Dhs1,800 Times: Daily, 9am to 6pm Location: NAS Sports Complex, Dubai Contact: (0) 4 501 9444 @deepdivedubai Wakeboarding at Wake Dubai Wake Dubai has long offered instructor-led and independent-led sessions, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned surfers. A professional team of captains and instructors are at your service to ensure a safe and thrilling ride that will have you up on the waves in no time. Offer: From Dhs350 Times: Daily, 6am to 5.30pm Location: Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek Contact: : ( 0) 56 108 4599 @wake_dubai For the sky-high thrill seekers… XLine The XLine zipline is as thrilling as it gets, with a one-kilometre-long zipline that will see you soaring over Dubai Marina at up to 80 kilometres per hour. This is the longest urban zipline in the world, and offers stunning views of the Dubai Marina skyline as you soar away. Offer: From Dhs350 Times: Daily, 9.45am to 12.20pm, 1.45pm to 5pm Location: Dubai Marina Contact: : (0) 56 507 6366 @x_line Skydiving at Skydive Dubai A bucket list attraction for many, Skydive Dubai attracts divers from far and wide. If jumping out of a plane several thousand feet above the ground sounds like your idea of fun, take this weekend as your sign to book in your slot. It's a one-of-a-kind Dubai experience. Offer: From Dhs2,199 Location: Dubai Marina Contact: : (0) 4 377 8888 @skydivedubai Jebel Jais Zip Line in Ras Al Khaimah This zipline in the longest zipline in the world and you can only imagine how amazing the views would be. The journey takes thrill seekers on a 2.83km journey through the Hajar mountains at an eye-watering 1,680 metres above sea level. Riders can expect to reach speeds of up to a hair-raising 120km/h. Offer: From Dhs250 Location: Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah Contact: : (0) 4 815 7333 Flying at Jazirah Aviation Club For something a little different, head to Ras Al Khaimah's unique Jazirah Aviation Club. This centre has been running for 25 years, and invites budding pilots and aviation enthusiasts to enjoy tours of the skies in its colourful small planes and even get a go at flying the plane yourself. Timings: Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 6pm Location: Jazirah Aviation Club Contact: : (0) 7 244 6416 @ Images: Socials
Grazia USA
7 days ago
- Grazia USA
Beyond The Bucket List: How Hero Experiences Is Redefining Regional Travel
In a region known for record-breaking attractions and glossy, sky-high ambitions, one homegrown travel group is quietly rewriting the adventure playbook. Hero Experiences Group, based in Dubai, is not in the business of ticking boxes. Instead, it's carving out something much more personal: meaningful, high-end experiences that are immersive, culturally rooted, and memorable. Forget the usual tour bus experiences. This collection of adventure brands – spanning desert safaris, hot air ballooning, aerial observatories, and nature-based outdoor escapes – caters to the kind of traveller who's less interested in seeing and more intent on actually experiencing. A Different Kind of Desert Safari The group's flagship brand, Platinum Heritage, has redefined what a desert safari can be. Rather than speed through dunes in roaring 4x4s, guests are invited to slow down and step back in time – travelling in vintage Land Rovers from the 1950s, visiting a Bedouin-style camp built from natural materials, and dining under the stars on traditional Emirati cuisine. It's immersive, eco-conscious, and layered with cultural context. For those after something more polished, the Platinum Collection offers private Range Rover tours, fine dining in the dunes, and exclusive access to royal desert grounds. New heights Then there's Hero Balloon Flights, a premium hot air balloon operator offering sunrise flights over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – and, in Saudi Arabia, over the ancient sandstone formations of AlUla. These aren't your standard balloon rides. Guests take off from elevated sites in refurbished cabins, drift low enough to spot oryx and gazelles, and experience falcon shows mid-air before retreating to a secluded desert breakfast curated by Michelin-starred chefs. It's a rare mix of elegance, wildlife, and tradition, all in one quiet, golden morning. A unique view of Dubai Photo: Supplied More urban in spirit is The Dubai Balloon, a tethered helium balloon located on the edge of Palm Jumeirah (GRAZIA even hosted its very own immersive event there). It lifts passengers 300 metres into the air, offering panoramic views of the palm-shaped island and Dubai's greatest architectural hits. While it caters to tourists, it's just as appealing for locals looking for a fresh vantage point (or a unique place to propose). There's even an on-site café and retail shop to round out the visit. For the Adventurers For schools, corporate teams, or anyone craving something less polished and more rugged, Absolute Adventure delivers nature-based challenges designed to build confidence, foster connection, and ignite curiosity. From kayaking to canyoning and hiking, these outings are intentionally raw and stripped back, but executed with high safety standards and seamless organisation. The Saudi Expansion In Saudi Arabia, Hero Experiences is bringing its signature storytelling approach to one of the world's most exciting emerging destinations: AlUla. Platinum Heritage Saudi offers eco-luxury desert journeys through the Sharaan Nature Reserve, one of the kingdom's most pristine landscapes. Guests can explore ancient rock inscriptions, admire sandstone formations, and witness the biodiversity of the Arabian desert—all while steeped in cultural authenticity and a firm commitment to sustainability. Meanwhile, Hero Balloon Flights Saudi lets travellers take it all in from above. Floating over AlUla's otherworldly terrain, passengers witness 200,000 years of history from the quiet serenity of a sunrise balloon ride. It's a humbling, cinematic perspective on a landscape that has captivated explorers for centuries. For more information, visit topics: Dubai, UAE, TRAVEL, SAUDI, Hero Experiences
What's On
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
15 new date 'day' ideas for fun dates this summer
More fun ideas for dates that don't suck… We've established that date 'days' are actually the better version of date 'nights'. Fun activities you and your date can do together instead of just sitting mute in a movie theatre or making painful small talk over dinner. Nail the planning game with these ideas and thank us later when you ride off into the sunset. Make personalised charm keepsakes The Charm Bar is your one-stop-shop for all things charm and cheer related. Here, you can build your own charm bracelets and necklaces, and even create charm accessories for your shoes, bags, keychains and more. Basically, personalise anything and everything. It's a super fun way to bond, get to know each other in a whimsical way and take away a keepsake to remember the date. @thecharmbarofficial Go swinging Swingers Dubai is spread over an impressive 22,000 square feet and two floor. It boasts three crazy golf courses, with different vibes in each. Check out the Hot Air Balloon, the Waterwheel and the Clocktower courses each with fun moving obstacles, and stunning decor and friendly competition. Get together, take a swing, get competitive and end the night with some great food. @swingers_uae Learn some woodworking at The Makers Society The Makers Society is a quiet, peaceful environment, stillness and silence in the air as you work away. It's a great way to bond over the beauty of learning a new skill and enough space for you to get real with each other. This spot offers not just beginners classes, but also courses for you to get the low down on woodworking, so if it becomes your thing, you'll keep coming back together. @dubaimakerssociety Go deep sea diving Perhaps a bit intense, but if you and your date are adventure sport lovers, then this is the one for you. Deep Dive Dubai is the world's deepest diving pool, reaching up to a 60-metre depth and containing 14,000,000 litres of fresh water. You're provided everything you need from start to finish, from the wetsuit to an expert diving instructor who'll guide you no matter what level you are on. It's great for both beginners and professionals, and you and your date can explore the different levels of the sunken underwater city. @deepdivedubai Soar away in a hot air balloon If your lot is a bit more fun and experimental, a hot air balloon experience may be très fun. Hero Balloon Flights has a luxurious hot air balloon ride, complete with a scenic ride in the latest Land Rover Defender 130, a mesmerising drone show to begin the day, a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an in-flight falcon show and a gourmet breakfast inspired by the ancient Greek philosophy of the Four Elements. If you're extravagant in your gestures like that, this is for you. @heroballoonsdubai Be big kids You're never too old for the arcade, especially not for Loco Bear, where the possibilities are endless and the options too many to count. Indoor obstacle courses, bowling alleys, arcade games, virtual reality, ball pits, rock climbing, ziplining – you name it, they have it and it's like a wonderland you can get lost in for a whole day. Great thing is that it's all indoor, so matter the weather, the fun is guaranteed. @ Go rollerskating at RollDXB This has to be straight out of a romcom – RollDXB is a sweet vintage dream, with the discotheque music, the massive flashing disco ball and the colourful graffiti everywhere. You can bring your date here, occupy the rink for a rollerskating session and skate away together into the sunset. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're already professional – we can help each other out. @rolldxb Put your heads together at an escape room Game Over features features 12 escape rooms, 11 meta-escape rooms which use VR headsets plus a board game cafe with more than 50 plus titles for board game fans. The escape rooms have been designed by professional animators and creators of dramatic alternative universes for films. If you and your date are into brain games, riddles and puzzles, this is it for you. Go tote bag and pouch painting Take it nice and slow with this fun, artsy activity at afterwork studios – the space holds workshops for tote bag and pouch painting, another keepsake you can. take away with you at the end of the date. They offer all the materials you need, from the bags and the canvas to the paint and even mirrors to paint on. Relax and get to know each other as you paint away. @ Go to a cat cafe (if that's your thing) If you and your date are cat people (which everyone should be), then chilling at a cat cafe and getting to know each other surrounded by cats can be a great idea. Meowtropolis Cat Café is located in JLT and and has not only some of the cutest cats you'll ever see but also an extensive menu of coffee, tea, milkshakes and other specialty beverages. The drill is that you choose a package from the five different kinds with different time windows and beverage options and you're all set. @meowtropoliscatcafe Catch an arthouse flick We know we said we're straying away from the boring standard here, but Cinema Akil comes loaded with vintage charm and atypical movies that will create oodles of conversation between you and your date. Each month they have a fantastic line-up of classics and new flicks – choose one, settle in and enjoy. You can also catch the Franco Film Festival before it ends this week. There's loads to do in Alserkal Avenue post your movie as well. @cinemaakil Go to a coffee shop rave Coffee shop raves are the rage, an emerging a trend of essentially sober parties where the cool currency of the night is a cup of artisanal joe. The formula is simple – a visually aesthetic location, a high-octane DJ with a playlist of the most popular house music mix right now under his belt and of course, coffee, and BOOM. Head over for a day of dance, caffeine and a lot of fun – perfect for an unconventional pair. Read all about Dubai's coffee shop raves here. Get into pottery Nothing like a calming pottery session to create some chemistry, especially if you and your date like fun activities or learning new skills. Keepsakes are always sweet to take away from dates and CRN Art Design offers two pottery techniques for two age groups, including the basics of ceramics using different hand-building techniques as well as the wheel. Explore stunning digital art Arte Museum by the masterminds at digital media design company, d'strict is already renowned around the world. And you can find the magical multi-sensory experience here in Dubai at Dubai Mall. Armed with a fully-charged phone, make your way around 13 immersive spaces ending your journey at the tea bar which also comes with a pretty floral immersive experience. @artemuseum_dubai Go on a street food tour of Dubai We all know the fancy-pants restaurants of Dubai, with the big chandeliers and high ceilings and expensive menus, but the the city has some of the most incredible, local, homegrown and streetside eateries, little cafeterias in nooks and corners that offer real soul food. Follow our street food map of Dubai here and go on a sweet street food hop – involves a nice long car ride and the potential for karak . What's not to like?
What's On
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
15 new date 'day' ideas for fun dates in Summer 2025
More fun ideas for dates that don't suck… We've established that date 'days' are actually the better version of date 'nights'. Fun activities you and your date can do together instead of just sitting mute in a movie theatre or making painful small talk over dinner. Nail the planning game with these ideas and thank us later when you ride off into the sunset. Make personalised charm keepsakes The Charm Bar is your one-stop-shop for all things charm and cheer related. Here, you can build your own charm bracelets and necklaces, and even create charm accessories for your shoes, bags, keychains and more. Basically, personalise anything and everything. It's a super fun way to bond, get to know each other in a whimsical way and take away a keepsake to remember the date. @thecharmbarofficial Go swinging Swingers Dubai is spread over an impressive 22,000 square feet and two floor. It boasts three crazy golf courses, with different vibes in each. Check out the Hot Air Balloon, the Waterwheel and the Clocktower courses each with fun moving obstacles, and stunning decor and friendly competition. Get together, take a swing, get competitive and end the night with some great food. @swingers_uae Learn some woodworking at The Makers Society The Makers Society is a quiet, peaceful environment, stillness and silence in the air as you work away. It's a great way to bond over the beauty of learning a new skill and enough space for you to get real with each other. This spot offers not just beginners classes, but also courses for you to get the low down on woodworking, so if it becomes your thing, you'll keep coming back together. @dubaimakerssociety Go deep sea diving Perhaps a bit intense, but if you and your date are adventure sport lovers, then this is the one for you. Deep Dive Dubai is the world's deepest diving pool, reaching up to a 60-metre depth and containing 14,000,000 litres of fresh water. You're provided everything you need from start to finish, from the wetsuit to an expert diving instructor who'll guide you no matter what level you are on. It's great for both beginners and professionals, and you and your date can explore the different levels of the sunken underwater city. @deepdivedubai Soar away in a hot air balloon If your lot is a bit more fun and experimental, a hot air balloon experience may be très fun. Hero Balloon Flights has a luxurious hot air balloon ride, complete with a scenic ride in the latest Land Rover Defender 130, a mesmerising drone show to begin the day, a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an in-flight falcon show and a gourmet breakfast inspired by the ancient Greek philosophy of the Four Elements. If you're extravagant in your gestures like that, this is for you. @heroballoonsdubai Be big kids You're never too old for the arcade, especially not for Loco Bear, where the possibilities are endless and the options too many to count. Indoor obstacle courses, bowling alleys, arcade games, virtual reality, ball pits, rock climbing, ziplining – you name it, they have it and it's like a wonderland you can get lost in for a whole day. Great thing is that it's all indoor, so matter the weather, the fun is guaranteed. @ Go rollerskating at RollDXB This has to be straight out of a romcom – RollDXB is a sweet vintage dream, with the discotheque music, the massive flashing disco ball and the colourful graffiti everywhere. You can bring your date here, occupy the rink for a rollerskating session and skate away together into the sunset. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're already professional – we can help each other out. @rolldxb Put your heads together at an escape room Game Over features features 12 escape rooms, 11 meta-escape rooms which use VR headsets plus a board game cafe with more than 50 plus titles for board game fans. The escape rooms have been designed by professional animators and creators of dramatic alternative universes for films. If you and your date are into brain games, riddles and puzzles, this is it for you. Go tote bag and pouch painting Take it nice and slow with this fun, artsy activity at afterwork studios – the space holds workshops for tote bag and pouch painting, another keepsake you can. take away with you at the end of the date. They offer all the materials you need, from the bags and the canvas to the paint and even mirrors to paint on. Relax and get to know each other as you paint away. @ Go to a cat cafe (if that's your thing) If you and your date are cat people (which everyone should be), then chilling at a cat cafe and getting to know each other surrounded by cats can be a great idea. Meowtropolis Cat Café is located in JLT and and has not only some of the cutest cats you'll ever see but also an extensive menu of coffee, tea, milkshakes and other specialty beverages. The drill is that you choose a package from the five different kinds with different time windows and beverage options and you're all set. @meowtropoliscatcafe Catch an arthouse flick We know we said we're straying away from the boring standard here, but Cinema Akil comes loaded with vintage charm and atypical movies that will create oodles of conversation between you and your date. Each month they have a fantastic line-up of classics and new flicks – choose one, settle in and enjoy. There's loads to do in Alserkal Avenue post your movie as well. Find March's full schedule here. @cinemaakil Go to a coffee shop rave Coffee shop raves are the rage, an emerging a trend of essentially sober parties where the cool currency of the night is a cup of artisanal joe. The formula is simple – a visually aesthetic location, a high-octane DJ with a playlist of the most popular house music mix right now under his belt and of course, coffee, and BOOM. Head over for a day of dance, caffeine and a lot of fun – perfect for an unconventional pair. Read all about Dubai's coffee shop raves here. Get into pottery Nothing like a calming pottery session to create some chemistry, especially if you and your date like fun activities or learning new skills. Keepsakes are always sweet to take away from dates and CRN Art Design offers two pottery techniques for two age groups, including the basics of ceramics using different hand-building techniques as well as the wheel. Explore stunning digital art Arte Museum by the masterminds at digital media design company, d'strict is already renowned around the world. And you can find the magical multi-sensory experience here in Dubai at Dubai Mall. Armed with a fully-charged phone, make your way around 13 immersive spaces ending your journey at the tea bar which also comes with a pretty floral immersive experience. @artemuseum_dubai Go on a street food tour of Dubai We all know the fancy-pants restaurants of Dubai, with the big chandeliers and high ceilings and expensive menus, but the the city has some of the most incredible, local, homegrown and streetside eateries, little cafeterias in nooks and corners that offer real soul food. Follow our street food map of Dubai here and go on a sweet street food hop – involves a nice long car ride and the potential for karak . What's not to like?
