From sand dunes to opulent hotels, Abu Dhabi offers visitors an enchanting experience as a stopover or as a holiday destination. The city is a booming business, cultural and tourism hub.
On a recent press trip to Abu Dhabi, my fascination for this city began on arrival. Greeted by a warm welcoming sunrise, everything around me looked peaceful and at the same time powerful.
En-route to our hotel, I began to feel like a little kid filled with excitement. ” A traveller at heart sees wonder in everything for the first time”
You can see why:
The stunning Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri which is a short ride from the the airport and local attractions can best be described as superbly 5 star. Set in a serene landscape this hotel is one the most beautiful hotels I have stayed in.
With a collection of over 500 photos from our visit to Abu Dhabi, I think a few highlights will definitely intrigue you .
A tour and Lunch at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island is a delight for the senses.
Restaurant Sontaya, meaning sunset in Thai, offers a seductively enchanting ambiance and flavorsome south east Asian cuisine, whilst the views look out to the majestic turquoise waters. My piece of heaven.
A visit to Arabian Nights village brings you the best of the desert from the past and the present, from camels to Land Cruisers. The village is surrounded by pristine sand dunes and a beautiful natural desert landscape. With high dunes and long sand valleys, our unforgettable adrenaline fueled dune bashing experience was so awesome that I left bits of my lunch back in the desert. EEEK!
The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is arguably one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society. It was initiated HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and can house more than 40,000 worshippers, many of whom kneel to pray on the world’s largest hand knotted carpet, which measures 5,627m square. This magnificent mosque has been the highlight for me in terms of beauty and energy.
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 Emirates Palace is one of the world’s most opulent hotels which sits on 1.3 kilometres of pristine beach. It is an incredibly amazing experience to be surrounded by so much splendour and beauty. Visiting the penthouse suites left me wanting more of this opulent lifestyle.
Our next stop to Ferrari World, can best be described as a truly thrilling and amazing experience. Ferrari world caters for every family member with thrilling rides, exciting attractions, themed stores and restaurants, all inspired by the rich Ferrari brand and its Italian heritage. The park boasts more than 20 unique rides and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests – from speed thrill rides to the truly advanced simulators and family-friendly attractions – in addition to a wide variety of Italian restaurants, unique shopping experiences and dedicated entertainment.
The worlds fastest roller coaster at the park, can accelerate up to 240km/h and you get to experience what 4.8 Gs really feels like. I dared not push my limits with this ride. This largest indoor theme park is geared towards ultimate family entertainment.
