TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has reportedly left a doodle to his wife Katie Holmes etched in the top spire of the Dubai’s Burj Khalifa while filming stunts for his latest movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

The Hollywood actor refused any questions and instead opened proceedings with nothing but praise for His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai -- the city which Cruise says he had seen on a flight layover and knew he wanted to work in.

Returning to the scene of the ‘crime’ was the mission for the Hollywood cast and crew of “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”, who are in the emirate with leading man Tom Cruise for the film’s world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival.

The highlight of the fourth sequel of the Mission Impossible franchise is a breathtaking stunt by Cruise atop the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The actor will attend the premiere of the film at the Dubai International Film Festival tomorrow night.

In the 23 months since it opened, the world's tallest building has been a magnet for base jumpers and free climbers. Now, an extreme balancing artist wants to perform a death-defying handstand on its summit. Eskil Ronningsbakken, a former circus performer from Norway, has asked the owners of the Burj Khalifa for permission to perform the stunt, which he hopes to be "contrary to all physical laws".

Just days away from the rolling out of the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol’ in Dubai, it’s been revealed that producers wanted to use digital trickery to show Cruise on the world’s tallest building - just one of several behind-the-scenes secrets that 7DAYS can now reveal.

In addition to the special tribute performance by The Dubai Fountain, Emaar is showcasing an array of celebratory events across Downtown Dubai to mark the UAE National Day celebrations. These include the Emirates Classic Car Festival, the colourful Downtown Dubai Parade, and a host of activities at The Dubai Mall.

The Indian music maestro, AR Rahman, says music is therapeutic, and has promised his fans a celebration of songs at a concert scheduled for next month. The famous music composer was at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa yesterday to promote the event, which will take place on December 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City.

Organizers of the Dubai Marathon say a new route will take runners past Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as well as the Middle East’s largest shopping mall. The Jan. 27 race will have runners start in the shadow of Birj Khalifa before heading past the Dubai Mall. The route then takes runners past the Dubai World Trade Center and along the coast.

This winter, Downtown Dubai will have the brightest nights in the city, ever. The best visual spectacle of the Festive Lighting can be witnessed from At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace, or The Address Downtown Dubai, the 63-storey hotel next to The Dubai Mall.