<strong>A world away: </strong>Despite the pandemic, construction has been continuing apace on the Heart of Europe, an ambitious project to recreate the spirit of popular European destinations off the coast of Dubai. This image from July 2020 shows work still underway.
A world away: Despite the pandemic, construction has been continuing apace on the Heart of Europe, an ambitious project to recreate the spirit of popular European destinations off the coast of Dubai. This image from July 2020 shows work still underway.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Sweden island:</strong> The first phase of the project is due to be completed in late 2020. On Sweden island, "palaces" are being built beneath roofs that resemble upturned Viking longboats.
Sweden island: The first phase of the project is due to be completed in late 2020. On Sweden island, "palaces" are being built beneath roofs that resemble upturned Viking longboats.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Long game: </strong>The $5 billion megaresort has been nearly two decades in the making and will be the first part of the more extensive The World collection of islands to be completed.
Long game: The $5 billion megaresort has been nearly two decades in the making and will be the first part of the more extensive The World collection of islands to be completed.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Desert snow: </strong>The Sweden Beach Palace even has a snow room. Elsewhere on Europe island, climate-controlled streets will douse visitors in European-style summer rain and even flurries of snow.
Desert snow: The Sweden Beach Palace even has a snow room. Elsewhere on Europe island, climate-controlled streets will douse visitors in European-style summer rain and even flurries of snow.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
<strong>Scandi swank: </strong>Sweden island is home to a vast $21.8 million show mansion which has its own private beach. Exclusive furnishings by high-end car maker Bentley include plush seating for lavish dinner parties.
Scandi swank: Sweden island is home to a vast $21.8 million show mansion which has its own private beach. Exclusive furnishings by high-end car maker Bentley include plush seating for lavish dinner parties.
Courtesy David Dunn
<strong>Celebration space: </strong>The Sweden island mansion includes a domed party lounge that can accommodate 300 guests -- ideal for those post-pandemic celebrations.
Celebration space: The Sweden island mansion includes a domed party lounge that can accommodate 300 guests -- ideal for those post-pandemic celebrations.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Italy reimagined:</strong> The Portofino resort is designed with colorful facades intended to resemble Italian waterfront architecture.
Italy reimagined: The Portofino resort is designed with colorful facades intended to resemble Italian waterfront architecture.
Courtesy David Dunn
<strong>Families-only: </strong>The Italian-style Portofino resort is aimed at families.
Families-only: The Italian-style Portofino resort is aimed at families.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Polyglot parrots:</strong> African grey parrots are currently receiving daily language lessons, in preparation for addressing guests when their hotel home, Portofino, opens next June. For now the avian ambassadors are learning English, but European and Arabic greetings are on the schedule.
Polyglot parrots: African grey parrots are currently receiving daily language lessons, in preparation for addressing guests when their hotel home, Portofino, opens next June. For now the avian ambassadors are learning English, but European and Arabic greetings are on the schedule.
Courtesy David Dunn
<strong>50/50: </strong>The islands' developers say that they expect interest in the destination to be evenly balanced between locals and overseas arrivals.
50/50: The islands' developers say that they expect interest in the destination to be evenly balanced between locals and overseas arrivals.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
<strong>Isolated islands: </strong>Being separated from the mainland, the Heart of Europe -- seen here in July 2020 -- has been able to remain Covid-free, with construction workers isolating on the islands to continue work.
Isolated islands: Being separated from the mainland, the Heart of Europe -- seen here in July 2020 -- has been able to remain Covid-free, with construction workers isolating on the islands to continue work.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
<strong>Germany island:</strong> Deutschland design features on Germany island, with buildings supposedly inspired by Bauhaus architecture.
Germany island: Deutschland design features on Germany island, with buildings supposedly inspired by Bauhaus architecture.
Courtesy David Dunn
<strong>Cote d'Azur: </strong>The Côte d'Azur area of Main Europe island has hotels named after French Riviera playgrounds Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. These will be staffed by French speakers.
Cote d'Azur: The Côte d'Azur area of Main Europe island has hotels named after French Riviera playgrounds Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. These will be staffed by French speakers.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Honeymoon island: </strong>On the heart-shaped Honeymoon island, newlyweds can enjoy their own sunrise and sunset beaches.
Honeymoon island: On the heart-shaped Honeymoon island, newlyweds can enjoy their own sunrise and sunset beaches.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Floating Seahorse:</strong> Among the Heart of Europe's signature properties are the Floating Seahorse villas, with rooms offering views above and below the waterline.
Floating Seahorse: Among the Heart of Europe's signature properties are the Floating Seahorse villas, with rooms offering views above and below the waterline.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>Life aquatic:</strong> Underwater windows offer vistas of fish nibbling at coral. The Heart of Europe also includes a project to preserve and nurture living coral.
Life aquatic: Underwater windows offer vistas of fish nibbling at coral. The Heart of Europe also includes a project to preserve and nurture living coral.
HEART OF EUROPE
<strong>All at sea: </strong>When completed, there are expected to be 147 Floating Seahorse dwellings in the Heart of Europe.
All at sea: When completed, there are expected to be 147 Floating Seahorse dwellings in the Heart of Europe.
HEART OF EUROPE