Showing all posts tagged "Wedding Venues In Abu Dhabi"
How to Organise Your Trip to Abu Dhabi - Tips for Planning a Holiday in Abu Dhabi
As the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a dream destination that's on everyone's bucket list. Revered for its recreational and retail highlights, Abu Dhabi is also a cultural epicentre that's home to some of the Middle East's finest museums and art galleries. Whether you are heading to Abu Dhabi for a weekend getaway or planning to spend a few weeks in the city, here are some tips to help you organise your holiday in the desert capital.
Image via Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
1. Timing is Everything
While most holiday destinations are conducive to holidaymakers even during the low season, it is simply not the case when it comes to cities in the Middle East such as Abu Dhabi. With summer temperatures and humidity reaching unbearable levels, the only time tourists can visit Abu Dhabi is during the winter months. This is when temperatures are low enough for spending time outdoors and when even the locals step out in great numbers to experience life outside of their air-conditioned abodes. That's why your trip to Abu Dhabi must take place between December and March. Although the peak tourist season, which coincides with the winter months, does mean costs will be high, it is a non-negotiable aspect of holidaying in Abu Dhabi due to the weather patterns.
2. Find a Strategic Base
Although Abu Dhabi is well-connected in terms of public transport networks, those who are vacationing in the city would benefit from a convenient base. Whether you choose to stay at the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara or any city hotel that doubles as popular wedding venues in Abu Dhabi, it is crucial to consider the location of the property. Make sure the hotel you select is within close range of the attractions and activities you hope to enjoy during the stay, as a culture buff should ideally stay close to the Louvre Abu Dhabi while someone enticed by desert safaris should find a glamping site on the outskirts of the city.
3. Create a Sightseeing Plan
Depending on how much time you have at your disposal, it is crucial to create a daily sightseeing plan for each day of your stay. Highlights that every visitor should explore during a trip to Abu Dhabi include Qasr Al Hosn, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is the only instalment of the Paris Louvre Museum outside of Europe. Qasr Al Watan, the Al Ain Palace Museum, Wahat AlKarama and the Al Ain Oasis are also worth including in your travel itinerary as there's more to Abu Dhabi than skyscrapers and massive malls.
4. Sign up for Activities
When it comes to some of the most rewarding things to do in Abu Dhabi, kayaking and windsurfing on Saadiyat Island should be a top priority. Dune bashing and desert tours are also available through local resorts and private tour operators while spending a day or two on Yas Island with its impressive theme parks and splash centres are also musts. Ferrari World offers motorsports fans an array of adrenaline-pumping experiences while kayaking around the Eastern Mangroves can be a magical excursion for nature lovers.
5. Enjoy a Shopping Spree
Counted among the region's top retail hotspots, a shopping spree is a veritable rite of passage for first-time visitors vacationing in Abu Dhabi. While it may be impossible to hit all the major department stores and shopping complexes in the city, tourists should aim to visit at least the big 5 including the Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall and the Abu Dhabi Mall. The souqs in Abu Dhabi such as Souq Al Zafarana and the Al Mina Souq are alternative retail landscapes where tourists can lose themselves in a traditional Arabian bazaar where stalls selling everything from frankincense and perfumes to Persian rugs and gold jewellery can be found.
Posted on February 21st, 2023
How to plan your vacation in Abu Dhabi - Do’s and Don’ts for Tourists
Abu Dhabi could be unfamiliar territory to someone from a different culture. However, you only need to understand a few generic cultural norms to be able to blend in with the expat community and enjoy a rich vacation. Below the gold flakes in coffee and sky-high buildings, Abu Dhabi hides a lovely culture worth exploring.
Image via Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
How to dress the part in Abu Dhabi?
You don’t have to cover yourself with an Abaya in Abu Dhabi, but you should cover up to your knees and shoulders when in public. You can wear spaghetti straps and shorts at your resort like the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. Covering yourself well in Abu Dhabi is necessary as immodest clothing can get you in trouble with the police. You can sport western attire as long as it is respectful and helps you stay safe from the elements. Wherever you go in the country, be it glamorous wedding venues in Abu Dhabi or visiting an old souk, simply wear something on the conservative side.
How to drink alcohol (and water) in Abu Dhabi?
Contrary to popular belief, it is legal to drink alcohol in Abu Dhabi as long as you do it at licensed premises. You can drink at bars and restaurants attached to resorts and hotels. It is best to drink in moderation and never drive with any amount of alcohol in your system. Do drink plenty of water to stay healthy. You can’t drink tap water in Abu Dhabi, but you can opt for filtered water bottles to save money on bottled water.
How to manage travel in hot weather?
Like we said, drink plenty of water. Avoid walking along the hot streets and use taxis. They do have public transport, but it is not ideal for short stops. When you travel, daytime outdoor weather can reach well into 50 Celsius, and air-conditioned indoors tends to feel like the arctic. Always carry a light jacket to wear indoors.
How to enjoy the sand in Abu Dhabi?
Sand is everywhere in Abu Dhabi, and you should enjoy its spell in the desert. Operators have mastered the art of offering modern and traditional experiences in the desert to tourists. A 4x4 safari never fails to satisfy even high expectations. You can go to the desert on your own but if you don’t have the proper tools, you will have a tough time. Enjoy henna art, desert feasts and shisha with traditional dancing around a fire. You can also look forward to hunting with falcons and sandboarding.
How to enjoy food in Abu Dhabi?
The multicultural associations of Abu Dhabi make it a delectable food scene. Modern Arabic cuisine borrows rustic inspiration from Bedouin culture and exotic influence from Lebanon, India and Egypt. Get yourself some voucher apps for five-star dining (you don’t have to pay the entire rate). Don’t forget to indulge in Friday brunch – always a lavish affair.
How to enjoy Emirati culture?
Make it a point to visit the Sheik Zayad Grand Mosque and go on a free tour of the Presidential Palace to learn more about the culture. Qasr Al Hosn provides a glimpse into the history of the nation. You will get a little taste of Bedouin culture on your desert camping tour. However, to experience the true Bedouin culture visit during November and December in time for the Al Dhafra festival in Madinat Zayed and Sheik Zayad heritage festival in Al Wathba. You’ll walk into a veritable bazaar with falconry, Saluki dancing, date (the fruit) collecting and even camel beauty parades. Feast your eyes on the festivities and your taste buds on delicious food.
Posted on January 30th, 2023