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  • Exploring Abu Dhabi - Activities & Sports

    dunebashingIn 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:

    Image: Stevage

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  • Exploring Abu Dhabi - Yas Island Hotels

    800px-yas_marina_hotel_0052In this post, the next in our series about Abu Dhabi, we’re taking a look at some of the hotels on Yas Island, home of the Yas Marina Circuit. Eventually, there will be more than 20 hotels on Yas Island and a number of these have already been completed.

    The most impressive hotel to have been constructed on Yas Island so far is, without doubt, the Yas Hotel. This 5 star hotel overlooks the marina and part of the building has been constructed over the Yas Marina Circuit, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to watch the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

    The Yas Hotel has 499 rooms and suites: Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Suites, Executive Rooms, Executive Suites, Yas Grand Suites, Marina Executive Suites and Presidential Suites. The rooms and suites are luxurious and contemporary in style.

    Facilities at the Yas Hotel include a gym and two roof-top swimming pools, and there is also a spa, which is due to open in 2010. Restaurants within the hotel include:

    • Nautilus, a seafood restaurant which has lobster tanks, and an oyster and vodka bar;
    • Amici, an Italian restaurant with a menu that includes wood-fired pizzas, pasta and seasonal salads;
    • Atayeb, which serves Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine, such as tajines;
    • Kazu, a Japanese restaurant with a Sake bar, a sushi/sashimi bar, a Tempura station and two Teppan tables.

    The Yas Hotel also has a number of bars, including the Skylite Lounge, where you can relax and enjoy the views of the marina, and the Rush cocktail bar.

    Alternatively, you could stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Yas Island. This hotel has 397 rooms and suites, and you can choose to stay in a Classic Standard Room, a Business Class Room, a Suite or a Deluxe Suite.

    There are currently three restaurants within the Radisson Blu Yas Island Hotel:

    • Assymetri, which serves international cuisine and which is open throughout the day. You can enjoy views of the Yas Island Links Golf Course whilst you dine;
    • Filini, where you can enjoy Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting;
    • Zeeba, the hotel’s Persian restaurant.

    Other facilities within the Radisson Blu Yas Island Hotel include a bar, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool and a tennis court.

    Other hotels on Yas Island include the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Rotana Centro Yas Island Hotel and the Park Inn Abu Dhabi.

    In the next post in this series, we’ll be taking a look at more things to do in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, you can catch up with previous posts by clicking on the links below:

    Image: Nepenthes

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  • Exploring Abu Dhabi: Yas Island

    Yas Marina CircuitIn this post, the next in our series about things to do in Abu Dhabi, we’re taking a look at Yas Island. Yas Island lies just off the coast of Abu Dhabi, about 10 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The island is in the process of being developed into a major tourist destination.

    One of the main attractions on Yas Island is the Yas Marina Circuit, which was completed this year and played host to the first F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. More than 50,000 people can watch the action at this stunning new circuit, the only motorsports venue in the world at which all the grandstands are covered.

    The next Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is due to take place on the 29 - 31 October 2010, but the Yas Marina Circuit will be open all year round and will eventually include a Driving School Building, a Karting Centre, a Drag Racing Centre and a Business Park.

    Two theme parks and a water park are also being constructed on Yas Island. The first of these theme parks, Ferrari World, is due to open during 2010 and will be the largest indoor theme park in the world.

    There will be more than 20 rides and attractions inside Ferrari World, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, which will reach speeds of more than 200km per hour. The park’s designers are also planning a “G-Force Experience” ride, which will take you up through the roof of the park. Other attractions at Ferrari World will include a range of restaurants and cafes serving Italian cuisine, and Ferrari World souvenir shops.

    The other theme park on Yas Island will be the Middle East’s first Warner Bros. Theme Park.

    Other Yas Island attractions will include Yas Mall, where you’ll find more than 500 stores, and several golf courses and marinas. There are also a number of hotels on the island and we’ll be looking at some of these in the next post in this series.

    You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in previous posts in this series:

    Image: Nepenthes

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