FACT FILE

• Fly Etihad Airways or Emirates from Singapore to either of the two cities. Qsar al Sarab is a 200km, two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi, or three from Dubai. (One stretch of road on our drive was almost completely straight for 100km!) We made a quick stop to see dates up close, growing naturally on the roadside – worth the exhilarating dash across hot sand! You’ll also sometimes see camels on the side of the road. Alternatively, helicopter flights can be arranged by the resort. • Annual cultural activities in the Western region include the Liwa Date Festival in July, the Al Dhafra Camel Festival in December, and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March. Animal-related activities and outdoor Bedouin dining are only held in the cooler months from October to May. • Be aware of the additional charges throughout the UAE, amounting to nearly 20 percent

on all your bills. • When booking desert safaris, check if they are “dry” or if they offer alcohol with dinner. • Websites: qasralsarab.anantara.com abu-dhabi.anantara.com fourseasons.com/abudhabi jumeirah.com