THE NEW EMIRATE
Luxury, art and adventure meet in Abu Dhabi
How to make the most of 48 hours in Abu Dhabi
The land of luqaimat, bakhoor, sun and sand offers a stunning palette of sights and experiences— powdery sand dunes caressing the skyline, turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf, plush resorts, grand recreation centres and the Grand Prix arena that lure luxury seekers to Abu Dhabi. The sprawling emirate and its capital city offer travellers a bevy of varied experiences from adventure to luxurious pampering and gastronomical journeys around the globe. In 48 hours, you can explore the best that Abu Dhabi offers—culture, food, adventure and decadent luxury.
Arabic Antiquity
Meet the earliest human communities to have come to the region, explore the ancient pilgrim routes and trace the evolution of trade with the new ongoing exhibition, Roads of Arabia—Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia that’s showing at the Louvre, Abu Dhabi. Already shown in 15 cities around the world, the
exhibition has objects and artifacts found in the UAE that reflect the archaeological research in the region. As you wander through the four indoor galleries that house artifacts from the world over, the dazzling
Fountain of Light by Ai Weiwei meets you in the last wing. Made with more than 32,000 crystals, the twisted glittering structure is an Instagram star and wraps up the tour that narrates the shared history of humanity across regions, an idea that Sheikh Zayed supposedly stressed on. Roads of Arabia is on exhibition till February 2019; Book tickets on www.louvreabudhabi.ae
Arabian Nights
Stories of Alladin and Ali Baba come alive at the Arabian Nights Village that offers a glimpse into the life of the land before the discovery of oil transformed it into a modern international destination. Go dune bashing in the Al Khatim desert, hit the sand trail in sturdy 4 X 4 cars, hurtle down the sun-scorched sand dunes and stop to admire the sunset. Back at the Village, you’re welcomed with strong, spiced Arabic coffee poured in tiny ceramic cups and served with a date as the scent of Bakhoor floats through the cool evening air. Get Arabic henna prints drawn on your palms as an Oud player and belly dancers transport you to a bygone era remembered in books and films. Booking on arabiannightsvillage.com
Playtime
The first glimpse of the recently opened Warner Brothers World brings a flood of childhood memories as Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny, The
Flintstones and Superman spring to life. The 29 fun rides offer a mix of thrilling adventure with the Joker Funhouse and Fast and Furry-ous and the slower Galactic Odyssey with Green Lantern that is more about technical prowess than thrill. If speed and sports cars are more your choice, Ferrari World is right around the corner at Yas Island, the leisure destination of Abu Dhabi. Experience the intense G-force on the Formula Rossa that zips at a speed of 240 km per hour, gokart with children or challenge the best lap times on simulators. The bathed-in-red first ever Ferraribranded theme park in the world offers adventure junkies 37 rides and attractions revolving around the Italian sports car. Tickets cost AED 295
Culinary journeys
From hobool to rajma and steak to sashimi, Abu Dhabi’s restaurants offer a gastronomical journey from around the globe. While the steakhouses at Ritz Carlton and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr are a delight for meat lovers, the Emirati cuisine restaurants give a glimpse into local delicacies. Mezlai at the Emirates Palace welcomes guests with a bowl of luqaimat, fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, and offers a menu of fresh salads, hummus, babaganoush, mughrabia, Rgag, a traditional bread and harees, a popular dish in this part of the world. Wrap up the dinner with the famed coffee at the Emirates Palace that is finished with gold dust for a taste of decadence. If you’re looking for a more traditional experience, go to Al Fanar where the samboosa, hobool and khoboz khameer are served in floral print ceramic ware.
Staycation
If your idea of a getaway is luxurious pampering, the Ritz Carlton and Jumeirah at Saadiyat step in to offer just the perfect experience. The crescent-shaped, Renaissance-styled Ritz Carlton Grand Canal with a central Venetian-style waterway offers multi cuisine restaurants, lush lawns and the ESPA spa for massages and back rubs. At the newly opened Jumeirah on Saadiyat Island Island Resort, the beachside resort experience is irresistible with stunning views of the glittering Persian Gulf, multiple pools and rooms that open up to vistas of the white sands.