An engaging emirate
Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, spectacular sand dunes and pulsating cosmopolitan lifestyle await every guest in Abu Dhabi. These, combined with distinctive Arabian hospitality, mystique and world-class infrastructure make Abu Dhabi an enchanting destination for experienced and novice travellers. The emirate hosts the United Arab Emirates' capital - Abu Dhabi city. This island capital is characterised by its signature Corniche, which fronts the amazing...
MORE
An engaging emirate
Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, spectacular sand dunes and pulsating cosmopolitan lifestyle await every guest in Abu Dhabi. These, combined with distinctive Arabian hospitality, mystique and world-class infrastructure make Abu Dhabi an enchanting destination for experienced and novice travellers.
The emirate hosts the United Arab Emirates' capital - Abu Dhabi city. This island capital is characterised by its signature Corniche, which fronts the amazing turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. You can stroll, cycle, roller-blade or drive the Corniche for a journey to the tip where the majestic Emirates Palace - one of the world's most opulent hotels sits on 1.3 kilometres of pristine beach.
In Abu Dhabi city you'll find all the conveniences of 21st century capital living and with some surprising additions. Don't forget to take a complimentary guided tour of the awe-inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - one of the world's largest - and you can book into one of its many beach resorts. Fine dining abounds, as do opportunities for more affordable fare in numerous city centre outlets. Shopping is as diverse as the emirate - there's everything from marble-clad malls with haute couture brands to a textile souk (market) tucked away behind the main Hamdan Centre and a carpet souk at the Mina (Port).
Take a state-of-the-art highway to the new destinations of Saadiyat and Yas Islands. On Saadiyat, which will be home to the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions, including the Zayed National Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi a performing arts centre and maritime museum. At the existing Manarat Al Saadiyat exhibition centre you can take in the interactive Saadiyat Story and get a glimpse of how this signature destination will eventually be, visit one of many visiting exhibitions regularly hosted here and round the excursion with a mean in the Fanr restaurant. The island is also home to the fabulous Saadiyat Beach Golf Club - designed by the legendary Gary Player - this is the region's only ‘ocean' course with several beach front holes.
Further afield, to the east, there's the ‘Oasis City' of Al Ain - lying near the Oman border. This tranquil city - Abu Dhabi's heritage heartland - lies under the shadow of Jebel Hafeet - the emirate's tallest peak at 1,340 metres. Take a ride up the winding highway which mounts Jebel Hafeet and take a break at the three-star Mercure Hotel to savour the views. Seven oases surround Al Ain - which means spring - and water from the mountains trickles down, guided into traditional ‘falaj' irrigation systems, to feed the dense date palm groves in the oases. A walk through the preserved Al Ain Oasis is a calming pastime and takes the imagination back generations. In Al Ain you can visit numerous heritage sites and museums, play golf on an all-grass course lying in the shadown of Jebel Hafeet, take the kids to Hili Fun City for a bundle of very cost-effective fun or the Arabian Wildlife Park to see some the world's last remaining white lions and tigers or visit one of numerous modern shopping malls or traditional souks.
In the Western Region - Al Gharbia - you can find unspoilt beaches and some of the best desertscapes around. You can visit Mirfa and seen the quaint fishing harbour, Jebel Dhanna for a five-star break, take a trip to the Desert Islands Resorts & Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island and join in any of a range of activities, including tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park or relax in the unique architectural splendour of Qasr Al Sarab (Mirage Palace) amid the simply breathtaking dunes of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter).
Events abound all-year-round in Abu Dhabi emirate and you can stay in touch with these, and plan your stay around them, by logging on to: www.abudhabievents.ae.
Whatever you choose to do, you will meet with a welcome which has been extended to travellers throughout the ages.
less
