Smart Traveller

In this, the next post in our series about things to do in Abu Dhabi, we’re taking a look at some of the sports and other activities that you can watch or try during your stay.

1. Go Sand Skiing - this sport is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East, particularly in the Liwa sand dunes, near to the Liwa Oasis, about three hours’ drive from the city of Abu Dhabi. Head to the top of the dunes, strap on your sand-board and make your way down to the bottom! A number of tour operators in Abu Dhabi organise desert safaris which include sand skiing.

2. Watch a Camel Race - if you’re visiting Abu Dhabi during the winter, head off to the Al Wathba Racetrack, about 45km to the east of the city of Abu Dhabi, and watch a camel race. Camel racing takes place from the end of August until April and is one of the most popular sports in Abu Dhabi. Races are usually held at the Al Wathba Racetrack on Thursdays and Fridays.

3. Try Dune Bashing - As with sand skiing, this is an extremely popular activity in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the dunes near the Liwa Oasis, and a number of tour operators offer dune-bashing experiences. The term “dune bashing” refers to the practice of riding up and down sand dunes at high speed in a 4×4 vehicle, and it’s a truly exhilarating experience.

4. Go Scuba Diving - the waters off the coast of Abu Dhabi are perfect for anyone wanting to go scuba diving. There are a number of diving clubs in the area, so whether you are an expert or a beginner, you should be able to find a scuba diving course or expedition to suit you.

5. Play a Round of Golf - there are a number of golf courses within the city of Abu Dhabi and in other parts of the emirate. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, for example, is about 10 minutes’ drive away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, and its 27-hole championship course plays host to the PGA European Tour Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. Other courses in the emirate include: the Al Ghazal Golf Course, which is a sand golf course near Abu Dhabi International Airport; and the Al Ain Golf Course, in the city of Al Ain. New golf courses are also being constructed on Yas Island.

6. Take a Balloon Trip - Book a hot air balloon trip with Balloon Adventures Emirates and get a bird’s eye view of the desert. The company’s balloon flights operate daily (weather permitting) between mid-September until the end of May. The flights take off early in the morning from the desert, just north of Al Ain, but the company provides free transport from locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The entire trip will take about 5 hours.

7. Try Indoor Skydiving - Abu Dhabi has a vertical wind tunnel facility, SPACEWALK Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club. Professional instructors will help you to fly on a column of air and you’ll experience what it feels like to skydive. There are a number of different packages available and you don’t need any skydiving experience to take part.

8. Take a Trip on a Speed Boat - See Abu Dhabi from the water on a trip on one of the Yellow Boats. The company offers a range of different tours, including adventure tours around Lulu Island and its 50 minute long Abu Dhabi Ultimate Thrill Ride.

9. Go Jet Skiing - the waters around Abu Dhabi are perfect for jet-skiing and you can hire jet skis from a number of operators.  You may find that you can hire jet skis from your hotel -  at the Hilton International Abu Dhabi Hotel, for example, you can hire jet skis from the Hiltonia Beach Club, and jet ski rental is also available at the Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel and Resort, which is situated between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

10. Take a Kayak Tour - Explore the mangroves near the city of Abu Dhabi on an eco-friendly kayak tour with the Noukhada Adventure Company. The company offers a number of different tours at different times of the day and also offers kayak fishing trips.

Read previous posts in this series by following the links below:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Yas Island Hotels: read about some of hotels on the newly developed Yas Island.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Yas Island: find out about Abu Dhabi’s new tourist area.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Shopping: read about some of Abu Dhabi’s malls and souks.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Mosque: in this post, we take a look at Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
  - find some great places to stay near the Corniche.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - The Corniche: find out about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Emirates Heritage Village: find out about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Overview: learn about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides - Abu Dhabi International Airport: information  for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Image: Stevage

BBC Good Food Magazine has got together with Wild Green Travel to launch a competition in which you could win an 8-day holiday for two in Scotland.

The prize includes 3 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation in Edinburgh and 6 nights’ accommodation in the restored 19th century Stationmaster’s House on the banks of Loch Carron. Activities include a trip on a fishing boat, hiking in Skye’s mountains and a guided tour of Edinburgh’s farmers’ market.

You can enter the competition by completing and submitting the form on the BBC Good Food Magazine website. Entries must be received by 30 September 2009.

Whether you are looking for a holiday in the UK in order to cut costs due to the recession or because you want to avoid flying due to concerns about climate change, a walking holiday could be just the thing for you.

Responsible Travel is currently advertising a self-guided walking tour in Kent, which takes you through the North Downs from Rochester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral. Part of the trail was used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages, and you’ll see the village of Harbledown, which Geoffrey Chaucer mentioned in “The Canterbury Tales”. You’ll also see many other historic sites en route, including Bigbury’s Iron-Age hill fort and Leeds Castle.

The holiday lasts for five nights, with six walking days, and you’ll walk about ten miles each day. You’ll be assigned a guide, who will meet you each morning to go through your route with you and who will be a phone call away if you need him or her at any stage of the journey.

The cost of the holiday includes bed and breakfast accommodation each night and a packed lunch each day, and you don’t need to worry about carrying your luggage with you, as this will be transported to each guest house or bed and breakfast for you. Prices start from £438 per person (based on two people sharing accommodation) and you can extend the holiday if you fancy a longer break.

You can book your Pilgrims Way Self-Guided Walking Tour via the Responsible Travel website.

Image: Hans Musil