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Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Statistics

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T he bold, sophisticated city of Abu Dhabi is a modern marvel,

capital of the United Arab Emirates and perfect for families of every age. Thrilling theme parks and a hugely tempting duty-free shopping zone sit alongside Abu Dhabi’s fabulous culture rooted in Islamic traditions. Experience various Arabian traditions such as Ayala dancing, Henna painting and falconry, a traditional Emirati sport practiced for over 2,000 years. With its many cultural wonders and the enticing hospitality of this exciting emirate, it will be a trip you’ll never forget.

Population 1.4 million

Currency United Arab Emirates Dirham (UAE إ.د)

Official Language Arabic

Time zone UTC +3

Flight time Approx. 7hrs

Introducing

Abu Dhabi

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The city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the largest of the seven

Emirates.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Abu Dhabi and is open to all faiths. It was established by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to unite the cultural diversities of Islam.

Abu Dhabi contains more than 2,000 well-maintained parks and gardens and over 400km(249 miles) of coastline, of which 10km

(6 miles) are public.

It isn’t clear how Abu Dhabi got its name, but when translated directly from Arabic, it means

’Father of the Gazelle’.

The Yas Marina Circuit cost an estimated AED 3.6 billion to construct and is the most technologically advanced circuit in the world.

The Capital Gate Building slopes at an 18-degree angle, which is 14 degrees morethan The Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is the

furthest leaning building in the world.

Interesting Facts

Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueCapiral Gate BuildingYas Marina Circuit

1. DUNES OF AL KHAZNAH

Experience the breath-taking dunes between the UAE capital and the oasis city of Al Ain, or explore the desert expanse outside the Liwa oasis in Al Dhafra. With long sand valleys and high dunes, you’ll love carving it up in your 4x4. Most desert safaris include several exciting activities such as dune bashing and sand boarding, in addition to visiting a camel farm, camel riding and a traditional Emirati meal under the stars. An overnight stay will also let you enjoy smoky sunsets and luminous sunrises.

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2. SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

Abu Dhabi’s stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which came third in TripAdvisor’s 2018 list of the world’s top 25 landmarks, beating the likes of Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India, is a magnificent place of worship that can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers. It boasts 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold chandeliers and the world’slargest handmade carpet, which weighs 35tonnes, measures 5,627 square metres, and took 1,200 women two years to make.

International influences combined with a strong commitment to local heritage has

created an intriguing blend of old and new in Abu Dhabi, making it one of the Middle East’s most desirable holiday destinations. Add to that fantastic year-round weather, and it becomes clear why Abu Dhabi is a holiday hotspot. If you’re thinking of making the Emirati capital your next destination, here’s a selection of our favourite cultural experiences that you’ll be able to enjoy.

Must-dosAbu Dhabi

4. THE HERITAGE VILLAGE

The area on which Abu Dhabi now stands has been inhabited for thousands of years, providing a treasure trove of archaeological sites just waiting to be explored. The Heritage Village offers a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village which provides an interesting insight into the emirate’s past as it accurately depicts the desert way of life. There are also workshops where craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills such as metalwork and pottery which you have the chance to try.

3. ABU DHABI PEARL JOURNEY

Opt for a culture-laden experience on the Abu Dhabi Pearl journey, where you will experience sailing on a traditional Jalboot, a demonstration of pearl diving and oyster opening and traditional snacks onboard, all in addition to warm Arabian hospitality.

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Try Something Different

QASR AL HOSN

One of the oldest and most celebrated heritage sites in the UAE, Qasr Al Hosn, the city’s original urban block, will give visitors access to the historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the Cultural Foundation, the National Consultative Council Building and the House of Artisans. Showcasing a rich collection of oral testimonies, historical photographs and other artefacts that highlight the historical significance of the region, Qasr Al Hosn reinforces the Emirati commitment to its cultural legacy.

YAS ISLAND

An emerging entertainment destination close to the airport and a taxi ride from Downtown Abu Dhabi, Yas Island is home to the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit – host of the annual F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Get to grips with Yas Marina Circuit through a series of track day packages, including driver and passenger experiences, private driving tuition programmes and racing license courses.

AL BADEYAH DESERT CAMP

The Al Badeyah desert camp, nestled in the desert dunes of Al Khaznah, gives visitors a unique insight into UAE traditions and customs, allowing them to enjoy an authentic Arabian experience under the stars. The camp boasts five permanent tents with beds, an original majlis tent for evening activities, permanent bathroom facilities and a children’s playground, trampoline and petting zoo.

LOUVRE ABU DHABI

The Saadiyat Cultural District is set to become a global cultural hub, housing the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets. The project will take place over the coming years, with a plethora of amazing museums joining the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Here, you’ll find the 23 galleries and striking architecture of Louvre Abu Dhabi, with exhibitions featuring both ancient and contemporary works including a holy Qur’an from the Mamluk period and one of Bellini’s iconic ‘Virgin and Child’ paintings.

There’s so much to do and see in Abu Dhabi – the list never ends! Here are some suggestions of other things to do in the city…

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How much spending money should you take to Abu Dhabi? To give you an idea, here are some of the everyday costs you could encounter whilst you’re there:

As of October 2019, €1 = 4.08 Dirham (مهرد)

Spending Money

مهرد95

مهرد2.30

مهرد75

مهرد90

مهرد3701 bottle of good quality

red wineLunch (including a drink) in the business district

1 litre of petrol

3 course meal with wine for two

2 tickets to the movies

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Our Recommendations

I would recommend a visit to Saadiyat Island; we had sundowner drinks at the cool Buddha-Bar Beach whilst watching the sunset and taking full advantage of happy hour drinks from 5pm-7pm. We then ate a fabulous Thai Meal at Sontaya restaurant. I would recommend that if you are looking for a pure beach holiday then staying on Saadiyat Island is the way to go. They have fantastic hotels, with all-inclusive and half board options which

are worth considering.

VickyTravel Counsellor

A must is the Sundowner Tour, starting with an exciting safari in the sand dunes followed by a meal and drinks in a traditional camp. Here, you’ll get to watch a belly dancing performance, ride camels, try on traditional clothes and have the opportunity to go sand surfing. It’s also great to go on a tour of the city as you get to see different parts of Abu Dhabi such as the date market, fish market, royal residences and Yas Island – home to the F1, Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall and

the Yas Marina.

SoniaTravel Counsellor

Abu Dhabi is home to one of the best airlines in the world, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, who offer direct flights from Manchester and London Heathrow every day. The flight time from the UK is only around seven hours which isn’t too long, even if you’ve got young fliers

with you.

CatherineTravel Counsellor

Our Travel Counsellors know the world better than anyone else. Check out their recommendations for a quintessential Abu Dhabi experience.

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FOR LUXURY: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

Nestled into 57 acres of lush gardens and shimmering pools, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi combines modern elegance with rich traditions. Here, just 20 minutes away from the airport, you can surrender to experiences that captivate the senses. From exclusive views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to opera performances at sunset, the resort celebrates the extraordinary and is the true ultimate in luxury.

FOR WELLNESS: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi proudly features the only “Remède Spa” in the Middle East. Stretching over 3,200 square meters, this serene white spa overlooks the celebrated Corniche (an 8km stretch of manicured waterfront) and the sparkling Arabian Gulf. The two fitness facilities provide an energising escape from the everyday, while a rooftop swimming pool allows guests to soak up the celebrated sun. The gated Nation Riviera Beach Club, situated along 200 meters of a refined private beach, affords convenient access to the Arabian Gulf; the perfect place to relax and unwind.

FOR FAMILIES: W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

Experience a world class hotel at Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi located in Abu Dhabi’s most desirable destination - Yas Island. The hotel is connected to the Yas Marina Circuit with easy access to a wide range of attractions including theme parks, shopping malls, a golf course, beach and a marina. With such close proximity to nearby theme parks and attractions, two outdoor pools and a kid’s zone, it’s the perfect base for families visiting Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.

Where to StayWant to visit Abu Dhabi?We’re not surprised! Here are just some of our favourite hotels:

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