Opportunity Abu Dhabi

56 Pages·2014·19.11 MB·English

Opportunity
Abu Dhabi
www.visitabudhabi.ae
our diverse
DESTINATION
OF DISTINCTION
ABU DHABI is one of the most diverse The emirate basks in virtual year-round
destinations anywhere. Here you will sunshine with little rainfall and superb
find the vibrancy of a cosmopolitan winter (October-May) temperatures
capital, the serenity of an ancient which average around 24°C (75°F)
UNESCO World Heritage oasis during the day falling to 13°C (56°F)
settlement, the tranquility of dramatic during the night. Summer (June-
desertscapes, inviting warm waters, September) daytime temperatures can
secluded island getaways, a myriad of rise to 42°C (118°F) and there is high
attractions – ancient and new – and an humidity. There are a number of world-
all-embracing traditional welcome that class indoor attractions to keep visitors
permeates them all. cool, these include: Yas Waterworld –
an expansive waterpark with 43 rides
and attractions, five of which are one-
of-a-kind: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi -
the world's largest indoor theme park
- and Wadi Adventure, a man-made
whitewater rafting, kayaking and surfing
facility at the base of Jebel Hafeet, the
city's tallest heights.
Abu Dhabi is one of the safest
destinations in the world with an
incredibly low crime rate and visitors
benefit from the availability of a
Tourism Police service trained to assist
travellers.
The destination is served by an increasing
number of international and regional carriers,
a first-class international airport, expanding
accommodation options, which are governed
by a reliable and trustworthy classification
system, tour guides trained to international
standards and growing and maturing
ground handling and attractions segments.
CONTENTS
OVERVIEW ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS
Abu Dhabi City 1 Abu Dhabi 13
Al Ain 3 Al Ain 17
Al Gharbia 5 Al Gharbia 19
Getting to Abu Dhabi 7
Visas 9 SPECIAL PRODUCTS 20
Transport From the Airport 10
Hotels & Resorts 11
SHOPPING / DINING ITINERARIES
Retail Therapy Abu Dhabi Style 23 Abu Dhabi 35
Eating Out 25 Al Ain 38
Al Gharbia 41
LEISURE
Golf in Abu Dhabi 27 USEFUL INFORMATION
Spas in Abu Dhabi 30 Travellers Welcome Tips 43
For an Eventful Stay 31 Tools to Assist You 45
Partners 47
amazing
ABU DHABI CITY
Abu Dhabi Corniche
THE CAPITAL of the United Arab Emirates Along the Corniche, architecturally
(UAE) is an intriguing mix of the past, inspiring high-rise corporate headquarters
the present and an exciting future. create a Manhattan-like backdrop
to a public space which is dotted with
The sweeping Corniche, which is a immaculately kept gardens and fountains.
community hub on this island city, is
the place for joggers, cyclists, walkers, The city is linked to Abu Dhabi mainland
sun worshippers, bathers or for those by four main bridges giving easy access
who wish to sip a fragrant coffee and to a host of attractions and signature
watch the world go by. The beauty of destinations including Yas Island and
the Corniche, home to the opulent Saadiyat Island. Yas Island, home to
Emirates Palace hotel, particularly at the iconic Yas Viceroy, the only hotel
sunset, has an almost mystical ‘pull’. in the world straddling an F1™ race
Visitors can take advantage of a clean, track, hosts the annual F1™ Etihad
well-managed, Blue Flag public beach Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the
complete with lifeguards which edges magnificent Yas Marina Circuit. It is also
clear, safe waters. home to the stunning Yas Links golf
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course, the Yas Waterworld waterpark the emirate.
and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - the Key visitor attractions in Abu Dhabi are the
world’s largest indoor theme park. awe-inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,
which has complimentary daily guided tours
Saadiyat Island is home to the stunning as well as shopping in the city’s ultramodern
Monte Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat malls and traditional souks.
(www.montecarlobeachclub.ae),the
Manarat Al Saadiyat arts and culture There are popular city tours, excursions
exhibition centre and the Saadiyat to key attractions, water-bound tours
Beach Golf Club with an inspiring around Abu Dhabi’s coastline, fishing,
18-hole championship-ready ‘ocean’ sailing, kayaking and diving trips and
course designed by golfing legend Gary day and night safaris into the desert
Player. There are also two magnificent, for camel trekking, dune driving, dune
beachfront resorts - Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi dinners and sand skiing. Overnight
and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island desert stays are possible in sustainable
Resort. The UAE capital also boasts the and traditional-style camps.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club which, each
January, hosts the PGA European Business Tourism is an Abu Dhabi
Tour-backed Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf forté and largely centres around the
Championship. An increasing number of expansive and ultramodern Abu Dhabi
operators are offering golfing holidays to National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
State-of-the-art, fully air-conditioned
exhibition halls are backed by a full
range of services, restaurants and
coffee shops, ample car parking and the
complex also includes ICC Abu Dhabi
- the international convention centre,
which can seat up to 6,000. Adjacent
is the iconic Capital Gate Tower - the
world’s farthest leaning tower - which
houses the five-star Hyatt Capital Gate
hotel. The complex is also linked to the
four-star Aloft Abu Dhabi - the trendy
brand’s only hotel in the UAE. Visitors
seeking active breaks are well catered
for by the Al Forsan International Sports
Resort - a huge complex offering a
variety of sporting activities on the
motor track, on water or on horseback.
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welcome to
AL AIN
Al Ain Oasis
THIS IS ABU DHABI’S heritage heart- Museums, ancient forts and
land where visitors can immediately archaeological deposits unearth an
connect with the emirate’s rich traditions. intriguing past. The old souks (markets)
and camel market – the last remaining
The emirate's second largest city, of its kind in the United Arab Emirates
Al Ain, which means ‘Spring’ in Arabic, – make great photographic memories.
is built around seven oases, where date
farming is still practiced and which Al Ain is wrapped by a backdrop of
were cited in UNESCO's denotation of dramatic rocky heights, which provide
Al Ain as a World Heritage site. A stroll panoramic views of the sweeping, multi-
through the restored Al Ain Oasis is to hued desert which leads up to the city and
be at one with nature. which visitors can enjoy through organised
safaris and 4x4 adventure trips.
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This ‘Oasis City’ is a destination for
those wanting a distinct ‘feel’ of Arabia
in a relaxing environment where hotels
cater to discerning vacationers, business
groups and families. Modern-day
entertainment is to be found in the
hotels, at Al Ain Raceway's state-of-
the-art go-karting facility and the Al Ain
Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club,
which boasts world-class equestrian
facilities and an 18-hole, all-grass golf
course in a stunning setting in the
shadow of Jebel Hafeet – the emirate's
highest peak.
The city’s malls are modern, expansive
and have a mix of more traditional
stores and high-end brands. Family
entertainment highlights are provided which again delivers incredible value-
by: Hili Fun City – the Gulf's oldest for-money and Wadi Adventure, a man-
theme park which has now been made whitewater rafting, kayaking and
renovated and offers the most cost- surfing playground at the base of Jebel
effective family day out; Al Ain Zoo, Hafeet. (www.wadiadventure.ae).
Al Ain Zoo
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adventurous
AL GHARBIA
Adventurous Al Gharbia
ABU DHABI’S WESTERN REGION is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park
- Al Gharbia - is the emirate’s most and its herds of free roaming animals,
expansive and is for the adventurous. including one of the world’s largest
herds of Arabian Oryx (gazelles).
It opened up to international tourism Guests can opt for a range of adventure
with the Desert Islands Resort & Spa activities including kayaking through
by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas Island - mangroves, snorkelling in marine life-
a former royal nature reserve which rich waters, hiking across ancient salt
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