Luxury Abu Dhabi 2015

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D I N I N G

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LUXURY

C U L T U R E

ABU DHABI 2015

LUXURY ABU DHABI SHOPPING

DINING

SIGHTSEEING

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CULTURE

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Welcome to AbuDhabi

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WELCOME

Welcome to Abu Dhabi!

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here has never been a better time to visit the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

2015 sees the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Due to display significant loans from its counterpart in Paris, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will also show its own collection of artworks and artefacts spanning many ages and civilisations.

The opening is significant for several reasons. The Louvre Abu Dhabi will be the first universal museum in the Arab world, embodying the spirit of openness and dialogue among cultures.

It is also a major element of the ambitious project to create a cultural district of global significance on Saadiyat Island, a short drive from the Corniche in the heart of the capital.

Alongside stand the Zayed National Museum, the UAE Pavilion and Manarat Saadiyat, the ‘Place of Enlightenment’, the exhibition centre where the project is outlined and explained. Displays include Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the largest of its kind

in the world, also being built here. It was inevitable that the Abu Dhabi would have to expand across its nearby islands – there are 200 in this largest of the seven Emirates of the UAE. On Yas Island, a tourism development of equal ambition comprises Yas Marina, its Formula One circuit, the vast Ferrari World theme park and Yas Waterworld.

Of course, the city of Abu Dhabi itself, modern, gleaming, bravely contemporary, occupies the main island, where the simply stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque embodies the cultural diversity of the Islamic world.

It stands close to the mainland, where some of the earliest settlements in the UAE have been found, around the Garden City of Al Ain. This is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder and first president of the UAE, whose leadership and vision laid the foundation for the awesome and all-embracing developments of the present day.

Enjoy your stay in Abu Dhabi!

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LUXURY ABU DHABI 2015

SHOPPING DINING SIGHTSEEING ARTS CULTURE

Contents UAE by numbers Abu Dhabi by numbers Rulers and ruling families Sands of time The Emirate of Abu Dhabi A Glimpse of Islam Good to know National dress Arabic hospitality Masdar City Oil and sustainability

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Calendar 2015

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LUXURY SHOPPING Shopping malls The Souk All that glitters The world of 1001 fragrances The world of 1001 spices

32 34 40 42 46 50

LUXURY GASTRONOMY Traditional Emirati food Fine dining restaurants Friday brunch The best hidden culinary treasures

56 58 60 64 66

CULTURE & HERITAGE Abu Dhabi music Abu Dhabi art Abu Dhabi’s heritage

68 70 72 74

LUXURY SPORT Sun, sand & skiing!

Golf in Abu Dhabi Formula One Ferrari World Yachting Diving Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Camel racing

80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98

DISCOVER ABU DHABI Historic buildings Modern buildings Mosques in Abu Dhabi From Al Bateen to Heritage Village Maqta Fort Maqta Bridge Sheikh Zayed Bridge Qaryat Al Beri Al Maryah Island Parks in Abu Dhabi Meena Garden City Al Ain Natural heritage Emirates Park Zoo Island life Saadiyat and Yas Islands Sir Bani Yas Island Desert delights

100 104 110 136 144 154 156 158 160 162 164 166 168 170 174 176 182 190 192

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES Arrive in style Essential numbers Abu Dhabi map

196 210 212 214

FACTS

UAE by numbers

Arriving by road - Land checkpoints • Hatta – Omani border • A l Ain/Buraimi – Omani border • Dibba – Omani border (Musandam) • A l Ghuwaifat – Border with Saudi Arabia

TOURISM The UAE is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations worldwide. Its unique combination of Arab tradition and heritage, year-round sunshine, unbeatable shopping facilities, world-class hotels and a service-oriented safe environment leads to an ever growing numbers of visitors.

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TIMELINE

Ambulance 998 or 999 Police emergency 999, non-emergency 901 Fire 997 Coastguard 996 or 800 4438 Tourist police 800 2626 Directory Enquiries Etisalat 181 du Telecom 800 155 from any UAE phone/du Telecom 155 from du mobile

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Arriving by sea - Cruise Ports • Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal Mina Zayed Port • Dubai Cruise Terminal Port Rashid • Port of Fujairah • Passenger Cruise Terminal RAK Khor Port Ras al-Khaimah

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

ai ho w i n st s r Ex ig po ht t 20 o 20

Arriving by plane - International Airports • Abu Dhabi International Airport - AUH • Dubai International Airport - DXB • A l Maktoum International Airport - DWC • Sharjah International Airport - SHJ • A l Ain International Airport - AAN • Fujairah International Airport- FJR • Ras al-Khaimah International Airport – RKT

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ARRIVAL

Capital Abu Dhabi Political structure Constitutional confederation Official language Arabic Foundation of the country December 2, 1971 Territory 83,600 km² Population Total 7,200,000, UAE nationals 947,997

(Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, April 2012) Official religion Islam Currency UAE Dirham Time zone GMT+4 (no daylight saving/summer time) Internet .ae International vehicle registration code UAE International calling code +971

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located along the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Saudi Arabia to the west, south and south-east, and Oman to the southeast and north-east. The northern and western coast of the UAE lies on the Arabian Gulf, and its eastern coast is on the Indian Ocean. The UAE is a federation, formed of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras alKhaimah and Fujairah.

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FACTS

Abu Dhabi by numbers Abu Dhabi is the capital of both the United Arab Emirates and the Abu Dhabi Emirate, the largest of the seven that comprise the UAE. The seat of the Government of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is its second largest city. It is set on an island that juts out into the Arabian Gulf, close to the mainland and connected by a number of bridges. Also linked to Abu Dhabi Island, Saadiyat Island is being rapidly developed as a culture, leisure and residential centre.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi borders Saudi Arabia to the west and south, Oman to the east and Dubai to the north-east, where there is also a short border with Sharjah.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2015 Abu Dhabi follows the Gregorian calendar as well as the Islamic Hijri calendar.

Friday is the weekly day of rest. Schools and most offices remain closed during the two-day weekend of Friday and Saturday.

HOLIDAYS – FIXED DATES January 1 December 2

New Year’s Day UAE National Day

ISLAMIC HOLIDAYS – APPROXIMATE DATES The Hijri calendar is based on the moon cycle and therefore in 2015 the following dates for the Islamic holidays are approximate. The exact dates will be announced following the moonsighting.

January 3 May 16 June 18 July 17 September 22 September 23 October 15

Prophet Mohammed's Birthday Ascension of the Prophet Beginning of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Arafat (Haj) Day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Al Hijara (Islamic New Year)

Capital Abu Dhabi Political structure Constitutional monarchy Official language Arabic Foundation of the country December 2, 1971 Territory 67,340 km² Population Total 2,210,700 UAE nationals 476,000 (Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, April 2012) Official religion Islam Currency UAE Dirham Time zone GMT+4 (no daylight saving/summer time) Internet .ae International vehicle registration code UAE International calling code +971

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Ambulance 998 or 999 Police emergency 999, non-emergency 901 Fire 997 Coastguard 996 or 800 4438 Tourist police 800 2626 Directory Enquiries Etisalat 181 du Telecom 800 155 from any UAE phone/du Telecom 155 from du mobile

TOPOGRAPHY Abu Dhabi occupies about 87% of the total area of mainland United Arab Emirates. Its mainland coastline extends for 764km along the Arabian Gulf, with some 200 islands dotted within its territorial waters. Much of its land is desert, with picturesque high sand dunes to the south. The Hajar mountain range stretches along its eastern borders. Its highest elevation is 1,300 metres, south of the historic hub of Al Ain.

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Rulers and ruling families Not that long ago, what is today the United Arab Emirates was a desert and mountainous land, inhabited by nomadic shepherds, settled people in villages in the mountains and traders and fishermen along the coast. People lived in tribal communities. In 1904, when the sheikhdoms were states with separate treaties with Britain, JG Lorimer, the author of an official study on behalf of the Indian government, reported on the tribes, their locations and the local economy.

There was a population of around 80,000, in 44 tribes, forming five principalities with the Bani Yas tribal confederation as the largest.

The first reference to the Bani Yas dates back to

“TRIBAL IDENTITY AND AFFILIATION TO THE TRIBE ARE PART OF EMIRATI IDENTITY” 1633. Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, the Al Nahyan family, is part of the Al Bu Falah section of the Bani Yas tribe.

Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family hails from the Al Bu Falasah section of the Bani Yas, while the Al Qawasim family ruled in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Though many tribes shared common roots, rivalries were common in the struggle for survival in the harsh desert environment. Control over water resources and territories was crucial for their survival and only those leaders who could provide and protect these resources would be accepted by their people and able to remain in power. It was a very simple principle: if a leader looked after his people well, his people would stand behind him in times of trouble.

The formation of the UAE and the unification of the tribes under one leadership was one of the greatest achievements of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al

Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi from 1966, who became the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Tribal identity and affiliation to the tribe are part of Emirati identity. Social structures in the UAE are still based on tribal affiliations. Even nowadays, Emiratis remain committed to their tribal identity, and, in return, their leaders take care of them. The implementation of tribal leadership has changed over the years. In the 21st century it manifests itself a different way. While a tribal leader in the desert might have managed the distribution of scarce resources, nowadays the leaders distribute the profit of their modern economies in the form of general welfare and gracious grants, ensuring a carefree life for all their people.

The rulers of the UAE enjoy a great amount of respect and affection from their own people and residents of the country alike. Even though they live in palaces, they still rule in the tribal tradition and the doors to their majilis, the Arabic counterpart to Western royal audience halls, are open for people to meet their Sheikhs and to discuss a wide range of topics with them.

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NAMES OF THE RULERS OF THE UAE AND THE SEVEN EMIRATES AL NAHYAN – RULING FAMILY OF ABU DHABI His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces AL MAKTOUM - RULING FAMILY OF DUBAI His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE; Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai AL QASIMI - RULING FAMILY OF SHARJAH His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah AL QASIMI - RULING FAMILY OF RAS AL-KHAIMAH His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah

AL NUAIMI RULING FAMILY OF AJMAN His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman AL MUALLA - RULING FAMILY OF UMM AL-QAIWAIN His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain AL SHARQI - RULING FAMILY OF FUJAIRAH His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah His Highness Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

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Sands of time A brief history of the UAE

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The United Arab Emirates have a long history. Recent findings suggest that during the early migrations of Man from Africa into Asia, the region provided a key route through which they passed.

Permanent settlement began during the Neolithic period, when sea trade with Iran was established. Remnants of early settlements from the Umm al Nar period have been found, when relatively large oasis communities were established. The remains of a remarkable circular burial tomb can be seen in the Hili Archaeological Garden in Al Ain. In the Iron Age, domesticated camels appeared, along with underground irrigation channels, falaj. Between 630 and 637 AD, the first envoys of the prophet Mohamed arrived and used Julfar – today’s Ras Al Khaimah – as a staging port.

“THE REGION PROVIDED A KEY ROUTE FOR EARLY MAN TO PASS FROM AFRICA INTO ASIA” The 14th and 15th centuries were the time of the great seafarers. Charts created by famed local navigator Ahmed bin Majid are believed to have helped Vasco da Gama sail from southern Africa to India.

In the 18th century, the Qasimi family in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah emerged as a major sea power, clashing with the British. The area became known as the Pirate Coast.

Meanwhile the Liwa-based Bani Yas discovered water at Milh Island, later named Abu Dhabi, establishing a settlement in 1761 and building the White Fort.

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The new town of Abu Dhabi became a pearling centre and the political leaders, the Al Nahyan family, moved there.

Conflict with the British was resolved with peace treaties guaranteeing British protection while preserving the individual sovereignty of local sheikhs. These provided the basis for British presence in the area until 1971. The truce led to the area being called the Trucial States.

In the 1930s, oil companies started their first surveys. The first airport was built at Sharjah, used as a stopover-point by Imperial Airways on the way to India and Australia.

With the discovery of oil in 1958, changes took place almost overnight. The trusted Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan became the ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. When Britain announced its intention to withdraw, Sheikh Zayed started

“WITH THE DISCOVERY OF OIL IN 1958, CHANGES TOOK PLACE OVERNIGHT� talks with neighbouring rulers to form a new state. On December 2, 1971, the flag of the United Arab Emirates flew in Dubai.

The initial members of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah were joined by Ras Al Khaimah in February 1972.

Since then, the seven emirates have built up a distinct national identity and the political system of the UAE has combined traditional and modern elements.

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The Emirate of Abu Dhabi Of the seven Emirates, Abu Dhabi is the largest, occupying about 86 percent of the total landmass of the UAE. The Emirate consists of the city of Abu Dhabi and suburbs, the Western Region or ‘Al Gharbiya’, with the desert of the Empty Quarter and the Liwa Oasis, and the Eastern Region surrounding the oasis city of Al Ain. More than 200 islands also belong to the Emirate. The city of Abu Dhabi, located on an atoll at the shoreline of the Arabian Gulf, is the capital of the United Arab

“LEGEND HAS IT THAT BEDOUIN FOLLOWED A GAZELLE TO THE ISLAND” Emirates. It hosts the seats of the President and the Federal Cabinet, embassies and the headquarters of many oil companies.

The mangrove-surrounded islands were almost uninhabited until the middle of the 18th century, although tribesmen would hunt there. Legend has it that hunting

Bedouin once followed a gazelle, or ‘dhabi’, fleeing to one of the islands known as Milh or ‘Salt’. The gazelle headed to a freshwater spring on the island. Access to fresh water was crucial and leaders decided to establish a settlement there. Milh Island was renamed ‘father of the gazelle’ – Abu Dhabi.

A first watchtower was built in 1761, and later extended into a small fort – Qasr al Hosn. The new settlement developed into a thriving pearl centre.

The ruling Al Nahyan family moved their residence from the Liwa Oasis.

The Western Region is characterised by large desert landscapes. Only the bravest Bedouin can cross the sheer endless desert of the Empty Quarter. In the middle of this harsh region lies the Liwa Oasis, where the Bani Yas tribe lived for centuries.

The charming centre of the Eastern Region is the oasis city of Al Ain, one of the world’s oldest continuously occupied settlements and a caravan stopover on the routes from Oman. Al Ain, ‘spring’, relates to the natural springs here, providing fresh water for the palm trees and fresh greenery.

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A Glimpse of Islam

Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates. Followers of Islam, a monotheistic religion based on the believe that Allah is the one and only God and that prophet Mohamed (peace be upon Him) is his last messenger, are called Muslims. Allah is the Arabic word for God. The Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon Him) lived from 570 to 632 AD and, from the age of 40 until his death, he received revelations of God, verbally conveyed by Angel Gabriel.

After his death, these revelations were compiled into a single book, the Quran, considered the culmination of Godly revelations and Mohamed (peace be upon Him) the final messenger of God, following earlier messengers such as Adam, Moses, Ibrahim, David and Jesus. Muslims believe and respect all messengers of God. Five pillars form the basis of Islam. Shahada is the declaration of Faith in Allah as the one and only God and Mohamed (peace be upon Him) as his last messenger.

Salah are the prayers Muslims perform at five specific times of the day, defined by certain positions of

“FOR MUSLIMS, THE WEEKLY DAY OF REST IS FRIDAY” the sun. Zakat are the five percent of one’s wealth that are given as alms. Sawm is the fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The pilgrimage to Mecca, which each Muslim is expected to perform at least once in a lifetime, is called the Hajj.

The Islamic Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar and was introduced at the time of the arrival of prophet Mohamed’s (peace be upon Him) in Medina in 622.

The Islamic year consist of 12 lunar months and is about 11 days shorter than the one used by convention in the West. The weekly day of rest for Muslims is Friday, and is part of the weekend in the Arab world. Sunday is a working day.

Islam has about 1.6 billion followers, making it the second largest religion in the world.

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Good to know The United Arab Emirates is a modern, cosmopolitan country and enjoys a high level of safety.

Out of respect towards local culture, modesty in dress and behaviour is advisable. Women are recommended to cover their shoulders and knees and to avoid see-through or low-cut outfits in public. For men, bare chests and shorts above the knee would not be appropriate.

When taking pictures, consideration of privacy should be given. Veiled women usually do not like to be photographed. As in many other places in the world, it is not permitted to take pictures of military or official buildings.

Gender segregation is common traditional practice in local society. Even traditional wedding parties consist of two events: a ladies-only party with music and dancing, and the men’s reception for male friends and relatives. A highlight of the celebration is the appearance of the groom towards the end of the ladies’ party. The couple receives congratulations, poses for pictures and leaves for their honeymoon.

It is not acceptable for unmarried couples to live together or even share the same room. Hotels usually won’t refuse unmarried couples and handle the situation discreetly. Discretion is also advisable for guests and even in introductions it is better to introduce your girlfriend as your wife.

Homosexuality and cross dressing are culturally unacceptable and are considered offences that could lead to unpleasant consequences, if discretion is not maintained. Overt displays of affection in public are not appreciated.

It is perfectly acceptable for couples to walk hand-in-hand and a greeting kiss on the cheek is not an issue at all, as long as modesty is maintained.

Although alcohol is considered forbidden in Islam, UAE’s hotels, and in-

ternational sport and recreation clubs are licenced. The legal age of 21 for consuming alcohol and visiting nightclubs is strictly observed. During the holy month of Ramadan and religious holidays, the serving of alcohol is either suspended or limited to the evening.

“KEEP LOCAL CASH TO HAND FOR EXPENSES SUCH AS TAXIS” The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving and the possession and consumption of drugs. No-smoking policies are implemented at most shopping centres and restaurants.

The currency of the UAE is the UAE dirham (AED). The exchange rate is fixed at AED3.67 to the $. Other currencies depend on that day’s rate. Other currencies depend on that day’s rate. The best places to change money are at exchange offices, found in malls and shopping areas. Banks and hotels offer slightly lower rates.

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but not all shops and restaurants take American Express or Diners Club International cards. ATMs are available all over town. Keep local cash to hand for expenses such as taxis. These are the most convenient and reasonable mode of transport.

Pink ‘Lady Taxis’ are for ladies and small children only and are driven by ladies.

The local telecommunication infrastructure is highly developed and the two phone companies, Etisalat and du, have roaming agreements with most international providers.

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National dress The Emirati master the art of wearing their simple and traditional outfits with pride. The Emirati national dress is based on practical, traditional clothing for a hot climate, and the religious demands of modesty.

The long wide gentleman’s garment is the dishdash or khandoorah.

Most Emirati have theirs tailored from material of a shining white colour. In winter, darker colours and warmer materials are common. These garments feature round, collarless necks and long open arms without cuffs. Pockets are in the side seams. A special Emirati detail is a small cord, attached to the upper

“ WOMEN AT WORK PREFER TRADITIONAL OUTFITS WITH A PERSONAL, FASHIONABLE TOUCH” button. It’s called kerkusha or tarbush, and is made from thread of the same colour as the khandourra.

Arabs love perfumed oils, especially oud. Remains of the oil, applied to the hands and ankles, would leave stains. To avoid this, Emirati capture the pleasant smell in the little cord.

The man’s outfit is only considered complete with the headdress, the

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guttrah. Even though white guttrahs are most common, colours and patterns are a personal choice and do not indicate social status or tribal identity. Under the scarf, a small white crochet hat, the gahffiyah, is worn. On top a black rope, the agal, holds the headdress in place.

The turban-like style or hamdaniya is mainly worn by youngsters and is considered informal.

In public, Emirati women wear an abaya, a loose black coat of fine material that covers the entire body, on top of their regular clothes. The hair is covered with a sheila, a black veil. Some cover their faces, some leave just the eyes uncovered and others only

cover their hair – depending on level of religious devotion and family traditions. In rural areas, older ladies and married woman wear a burqa, traditional facemasks covered with gold-coloured cloth.

While traditional sheila-abaya ensembles used to be of plain black colour, modern outfits are often artfully decorated with embroidery or colourful borders.

Women joining the work environment prefer to stick to their traditional outfits but give it a personal, fashionable touch. Although ready-made outfits are available, most Emirati woman will have their abaya and matching sheila individually tailored.

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Arabic hospitality The customs of welcome play a crucial role in regional practices. Each region has its own habits. As a gesture of hospitality in Arabia, a guest will be offered coffee and dates. Traditional Arabic coffee is made from ground beans, mixed with saffron and sometimes cardamom. Since a guest could arrive any time, coffee is always available.

Coffee is kept in a large dhalla, the traditional Arabic metal coffeepot. To keep the coffee hot, the dhalla is placed on a bed of glowing charcoal, and put in a pit in the sand in a wooden box. Today thermos pots in the shape of the traditional dallah are common.

Once a guest arrives, the host will offer coffee in a small cup without a handle.

The host holds the cup in his right hand and pours the coffee with his left. He serves it one-third full. The host offers the cup with his right hand to the guest, who should receive it with his right hand.

The host will then serve other guests and always remain alert to refill an emptied cup. If a guest wants to signal that he does not want more coffee, he should shake the cup slightly and hand it back to the host.

The slightly bitter taste of the coffee is compensated by the sweetness of the dates, offered together with it. Dates, high in sugar, were essential for the survival of the Bedouin in the harsh desert environment.

They are also the perfect fast-breaker during Ramadan.

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Masdar City Designed by British architectural firm Foster and Partners, Masdar City is a planned settlement reliant on solar energy and other renewable sources.

Initiated in 2006 just over 15km southeast of the city centre towards Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City has been set up to accommodate companies and institutions involved in so-called clean technology. The first such organisation to move in is the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Plans call for this ambitious project to be completed within a decade, and be home to some 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses.

It is also expected that some 60,000 workers will be commuting to Masdar City once more development is underway.

Special emphasis has been placed on making Masdar City convenient for pedestrians and cyclists. Given the soaring temperatures for most of the year, architects Foster and Partners have devised a series of high wind towers. They also studied the street grids of ancient cities in the Arab world to see how, thousands of years ago, they were laid out to provide their residents with coolest environment possible.

Motorised vehicles are banned. A fleet of automated electric cars, which have become an iconic symbol of Masdar City itself, will serve the new community. A light rail and metro line will also run from the city centre.

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Oil and sustainability Sandy beaches and traditional fishing – this was Abu Dhabi until the middle of the 20th century. No roads, no electricity and no tap water. With the discovery of oil in 1958, this all changed.

Under leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi became a huge oil producer, with millions of dollars in revenue generated daily. Sheikh Zayed’s concern as tribal leader was for the welfare of his people. His priorities were that everyone should have water and electricity, appropriate housing, medical services and an education. A new capital was built according to a master plan, dividing the area into clusters with streets parallel and at right angles to each other.

Even the simple task of demolishing old buildings and removing the debris was a challenge on a 40km-long island without proper roads. Zayed came up with a creative solution. The debris should be used to build a breakwater to protect the outer coast from the occasional big waves of the Gulf.

Extended and enhanced, this became The Breakwater, with a Marina Sports Club, Marina Mall and the Heritage Village.

Modern skyscrapers grew like mushrooms, providing housing for the growing population, hotels, offices, schools, universities and modern medical facilities.

The city spread from the main island onto the mainland and over the surrounding islands, where new residential areas, recreational facilities and industrial zones were developed.

Abu Dhabi’s identity is deeply rooted in its Arabic and Islamic heritage. With the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the late president left not only a beautiful place of worship, but gifted the city an iconic building and architectural treasure.

Abu Dhabi’s vision is to build on a diversified, sustainable economic basis. The de-

velopment of world-class cultural, sporting and tourism facilities is part of the plan.

Sustainability is key. The use of alternative energy is a vital area of development.

Abu Dhabi is developing one of world’s largest clean-tech clusters, Masdar City, where current and future renewable energy and clean technologies are showcased, marketed, researched, developed, tested and implemented.

Equally, air traffic was crucial for local development. Al Bateen Airport on the

“ABU DHABI’S VISION IS TO BUILD ON A DIVERSIFIED, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC BASIS” main island was opened in 1968. To accommodate more traffic, a larger international airport was build about 30km south of the city on the mainland. Since 2003, Abu Dhabi has its own national carrier, Etihad Airways.

Masdar City sits close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its own clean transport links to the city centre.

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Calendar 2015

ADNEC shows & exhibitions

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

Year-round Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is the region’s largest and most modern facility of its kind. Throughout the year it hosts a variety of exhibitions and entertainment shows. The ADNEC complex includes luxury hotels, restaurants and a marina. www.adnec.ae

January 15-18 Now in its tenth year, the richest golf tournament in the region attracts the world’s top players to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The purse is $2.7 million, the prize the prestigious Falcon Trophy. Visitors who book tourist packages earn a free clinic with a world top 30 player. www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com

Yas Island shows Year-round A wide range of entertainment, shows and concerts take place at Yas Island’s Du Arena and Du Forum organised by Flash Entertainment. www.thinkflash.ae

Abu Dhabi Food Festival February 5-21 This inaugural festival incorporates the annual Gourmet Abu Dhabi and features the first StreetFeast in the Gulf. It is also Emirate-wide. International and domestic

chefs, plus special guests, provide master classes and gourmet dinners at top hotels, malls and restaurants.

Qasr Al Hosn Festival February 11-21 Returning for a third edition, the Qasr Al Hosn Festival celebrates the heritage and tradition of the historic fort of the same name, where it is staged. Visitors may take a tour of otherwise inaccessible areas of the fort, such as the living quarters. Art exhibitions, music performances, traditional workshop and family-friendly entertainment comprise a wide-ranging cultural programme. www.qasralhosnfestival.ae

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ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2015 March 6-7 Amateurs of all ages and the world’s best professionals compete in this popular event at the Corniche Breakwater. Bigger and better this year, this gruelling challenge is being held over a variety of courses, complemented by a family-friendly area with a bike park, kids’ zone and 2,000-seater grandstand. www.abudhabi.triathlon.org

Abu Dhabi Festival March 3-April 2 Brazilian legend Sérgio Mendes, maestro conductor Riccardo Muti and the Budapest Festival Orchestra are among the

performers at this month-long celebration of the arts in many forms. The event also incorporates the inaugural FotoFest exhibition, ‘View From Inside’. www.abudhabifestival.ae

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge March 26-April 2 One of the world’s most prestigious and daunting cross-country rallies takes place in and around Liwa, in Abu Dhabi’s vast Rub al Khali desert, and the Moreeb area of the Empty Quarter over five days. www.abudhabidesertchallenge.com

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair May 7-13 Held annually at the National Exhibition Centre, fastest-growing book fair in the Gulf attracted more than 1,000 publishers and nearly a quarter of a million visitors in 2014. www.adbookfair.com

SummerFest Abu Dhabi June-August A mega summer promotion with flight, attraction and hotel deals, this extravaganza spans mid-summer, the Holy Month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and the traditional EidFest celebrations. SummerFest revolves around a family-friendly hub of edutainment activities, world-class shows and ex-

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citing international performances in the National Exhibition Centre. www.summerfestabudhabi.ae

www.visitabudhabi.ae

Liwa Date Festival

September 9-12 The most renowned hunting and equestrian exhibition in the Gulf, ADIHEX allows visitors to witness camel auctions, beauty contests for saluki hounds and falcons, art and coffee-making competitions and various traditional hunting and equestrian activities. www.adihex.com

July Every July, the Liwa Date Festival promotes and celebrates the symbolic and historic role that the date palm plays Emirati culture. The festival revolves around a date competition, in which Emirati farms vie for the title of best date grower. Non-locals can attend and it’s a valuable way to experience real Emirati culture up close. Prizes are given for the best dates in each category and there is a live date auction in which some sell for more than $1,600 per kilo.

Abu Dhabi Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition

EidFest Abu Dhabi October Five days of celebratory activities centre on the Islamic festivities of Eid Al Adha

and take place at several prestigious venues across Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Film Festival October Powered by media zone twofour54, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival presents the best Arab filmmaking alongside the cream of world cinema. www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae

Yasalam November Yasalam is the biggest festival staged around any of the 20 host venues in the Grand Prix calendar. Abu Dhabi comes alive with a packed programme of free events, activities

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and concerts surrounding late November race. Join the F1 FanZone on the Corniche including concerts for Beats on the Beach and attractions at Yas Marina and Yas Plaza. www.yasalam.ae

2015 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix November 29 Inaugurated in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held at the 5.6 km Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, where fans get a close view of the action. The Yasalam Y1 Access gives ticketholders a year-round package of exclusive discounts on concert tickets. www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Abu Dhabi Art November Now in its seventh year, Abu Dhabi Art brings together leading galleries from across the world. Showcasing works from museum-quality pieces to those by emerging artists, ADA is held at the UAE Pavilion and Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island. Entry is free, workshops pay-in. www.abudhabiartfair.ae

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival

November The Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club stages the finale of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. This globetrotting series was launched to increase the global

diversity of pure-bred Arabian horse racing. www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com

UAE National Day December 2 The Corniche sparks into life for two days of live concerts and entertainment to celebrate UAE independence. Thousands of lights illuminate the city with brilliant colour. www.visitabudhabi.ae

Al Dhafrah Camel Festival

December Held in Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi’s Al Gharbia (Western) region, this annual festival celebrates the importance of the ship of the desert in Emirati society. www.algharbiafestivals.com

Luxury shopping Gold, frankincense and malls

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hopping in Abu Dhabi is both a luxurious and sensory experience. It is characterised by high-end, high-spec, stateof-the-art malls, home to the most sought-after brands in fashion and jewellery, and traditional markets purveying exotic spices and fragrances.

It even has an exclusive venue that is a combination of both, The Souk. Its name derived from the traditional marketplace in Arabian society, The Souk offers the retail treats of the 21st century. Here, as elsewhere, the most prestigious names in Italian and French fashion are keen to be seen.

Abu Dhabi’s retail industry has developed beyond all measure since the Abu Dhabi Mall opened way back in 2001. Initially dominated by mainstream brands, the Abu Dhabi Mall continued to up its game as other malls were unveiled across the Emirate.

There was the Marina Mall, which upped the ante in terms of location, on the Breakwater, and leisure attractions. Lured by its multiplex cinema, ice rink and bowling alley, families and couples could also opt for a meal in the Tiara restaurant with its 360-degree panoramic view.

In recent years, two major players have arrived on the scene, Avenue at Etihad Towers and The Galleria. Each has its own prestigious location, either attached to Jumeirah at Etihad Towers or set in the new upscale residential zone of Al Maryah Island. By now, valet parking had become a given and top international brands were vying for window space here.

For a number of key labels, having a first outlet at either of these malls became essential to their global strategy.

At the same time, Abu Dhabi can still provide the foreign visitor with the seminal Arabian experience at the spice market and around the stalls proffering age-old fragrances and perfumes.

The Galleria

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Shopping malls

Luxurious, one-stop retail has come a long way here since the Abu Dhabi Mall opened way back in 2001. Connected to the Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers, the Abu Dhabi Mall still provides mainstream brands and shopping to suit every pocket, but it has since been joined by more than a dozen more. Valet parking and proximity to leading hotels are common features.

From its prestigious location on the Breakwater, the Marina Mall soon provided strict competition, visitors attracted by its multiplex cinema, bowling alley, ice rink, an area for children’s entertainment and the Tiara restaurant on the top floor, offering a splendid 360-degree view.

Currently two malls are ahead of the pack. Avenue at Etihad Towers sits amid art-inspired luxury surroundings, integral to this stunning landmark on the Abu Dhabi skyline, in the prestigious beachside neighbourhood of Ras

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Avenue at Etihad Towers

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Al Akhdar overlooking the Corniche.

A new benchmark for a mixed-use development, Avenue at Etihad Towers is conveniently connected to the luxurious Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel and premium residential and office space, all set in the five towers.

In all, some three-dozen prestigious luxury brands feature in one intimate location, including many firsts for the Abu Dhabi and regional markets.

There’s also the world’s first and only Stephane Rolland store.

Refreshment outlets include Fauchon Le Café and the Algusto restaurant. The Galleria is conceived to be

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Yas Mall

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the ultimate fashion and luxury retail destination in the Middle East.

Set on Al Maryah Island, The Galleria operates under the motto of ‘Shop, Dine and Unwind’. As far as shopping goes, you’ll find more than 130 brand outlets, including 50 firsts for Abu Dhabi. These include Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Paul Smith, which sit alongside names such as Dior and Armani, as well as iconic jewellery stores Cartier and Swarovski.

Armani also has its own café here, with world cuisine on the north and south café terraces, also providing dining with views of the Abu Dhabi skyline.

One of the most recent arrivals is the Yas Mall, on the island of the same name with Waterworld and Ferrari World. Not surprisingly, Yas Mall has gone big on family-friendly leisure, with a state-of-the-art Vox Cinema, skiing in Snow City and Softair Battlezone – as well as a free shuttle bus service from around the Emirate.

Marina Mall

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Shopping malls in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI MALL Location Tourist Club Area, adjacent to the Beach Rotana Hotel, on 2nd Street, Sector 1-94 Telephone +971 2 645 4858 Website www.abudhabi-mall.com Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur 10am-11pm, Fri 3.30pm11pm AL RAHA MALL Location By Al Raha Beach Hotel on Al Raha Beach Road, Al Raha, 4048 Channel Street, Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway Road Telephone +971 2 556 2229 Website www.al-rahamall.com Open Sat-Thur 10am-11pm, Fri 2pm-11pm AL WAHDA MALL Location Junction of 11th street (Hazza Bin Zayed the First) with 2nd Street (Airport Road), near the Central Bus Stop and Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel Telephone +971 2 443 7070 Website www.alwahda-mall.com Open Sun-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm AVENUE AT ETIHAD TOWERS Location Etihad Towers, Corniche West Street Telephone +971 2 613 3373 Website www.avenueatetihadtowers.ae Open Mon-Thur, Sat-Sun 10am10pm, Fri 3pm-11pm

DALMA MALL Location Abu Dhabi Al Ain Highway, Opposite Mohammed Bin Zayed City, close to Maqta Bridge and Abu Dhabi International Airport Telephone +971 2 550 6111 Website www.dalmamall.ae Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Sat 10am-midnight FOTOUH AL KHAIR CENTRE Location Intersection Airport Road/ Sheikh Zayed 1st Street (Electra) Telephone +971 2 681 1130 Website www.fotouhalkhair.com Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Fri 10am-11pm THE GALLERIA Location Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island Telephone +971 2 6166 999 Website www.thegalleria.ae Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur 10am-midnight, Fri noonmidnight KHALIDIYAH MALL Location On 26th Street between 9th and 11th Streets in Khalidiya Telephone +971 2 635 4000 Website www.khalidiyahmall.com Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Sat 10am-11pm MADINAT ZAYED SHOPPING CENTER AND GOLD CENTER Location Between Jawasat Road, Airport Road, Electra Road and Muroor Road, near Abu Dhabi Central Post Office Telephone +971 2 633 3311 Website www.madinatzayed-mall.com Open Daily 9am-11pm

Where L uxury M eets Lifestyle

MARINA MALL Location Breakwater next to the Corniche, not far from the Hilton Hotel and Emirates Palace Hotel.

Telephone +971 2 681 8300 Website www.marinamall.ae Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur 10am-11pm, Fri 2pm-11pm MUSHRIF MALL Location Between Airport Road and Muroor Road, close to Rocco Forte Hotel and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Telephone +971 2 690 4422 Website www.mushrifmall.com Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Sat 10am-11pm THE SOUK – AT QARYAT AL BERI Location Between Maqta and Musaffah Bridges, by Shangri-La Hotel Telephone +971 2 558 1670 Website www.soukqaryatalberi.com Open Daily 9am-9pm WORLD TRADE CENTER CENTRAL MARKET – SOUK Telephone +971 2 810 7810 Website www.wtcad.ae Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur, Sat 10am-11pm, Fri 3pm-11pm YAS MALL Location Yas Island Telephone +971 800 927 6255 Website www.yasmall.ae Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Fri 10am-midnight

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The Souk Qaryat Al Beri

The Souk Located between Maqta and Musaffah Bridges, the Souk Qaryat Al Beri is one of a number of projects being developed in the waterfront Qaryat Al Beri area.

The Souk is unique, and the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi. Designed to be the meeting place of choice for both leisure and business, The Souk offers a relaxing atmosphere while reflecting traditional Arab hospitality and generosity.

Built on two levels, The Souk combines Arabian architecture with a tangible Venetian theme. Canals meander through The Souk and nearby properties, with traditional abra boats ferrying guests from the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri alongside, around the various locations.

After being opened at a grand ceremony in 2008, The Souk revealed some 6,200 square metres of retail outlets, cafĂŠs and restaurants. A dozen

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eateries offer cuisine from around the world, from Italian pastas and pizzas, through the distinctive dishes of the African sub-continent and the traditional fare of Japan to the exotic tastes of India, Arabia and the Lebanon – all tastes are catered for.

In terms of retail, The Souk also caters to all needs, children and adult, men and women, with a supermarket and exchange bureau providing convenience.

Trendy and customised jewellery designs are purveyed by top-of-the-line outlets, along with luxury perfumes created by distinctive Emirati perfumers from the region.

Finally, The Souk has the exclusive feature of a marina that offers berth rentals with an optimal view of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

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All that glitters Jewellery made from precious metals has been more than just adornments in the Arabian world for centuries.

Traditional Bedouin jewellery is made from silver, the most common metal in earlier centuries. The wealth of the family was simply transformed into the most transportable form. Where better to carry it than on the bodies of the women?

With time and greater trading ties, gold became more prominent on the Arabian Peninsula. Today gold and platinum are the preferred investments. From a young age, girls will be given jewellery and start accumulating their treasure in gold.

It is still common in Arabia for a bride to receive part of her dowry in the form of gold. The quality of the

gold traded in the UAE is famous and closely monitored. The free trade environment makes the Emirates probably the cheapest place in the world to buy jewellery.

Abu Dhabi’s Gold Souk is on Fourth Street, aka Muroor Road.

White gold is becoming more fashionable, also available in various alloys, however its gram price is usually about 20 percent higher than that for yellow gold. Unique purple gold (about 20-karat) is offered in selective shops.

Even though the UAE is the best place to buy gold, due to the near unlimited choice, prices will vary from shop to shop and bargaining skills and a bit of research and price calculation will help you get a good deal.

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Faberge

Tiffany & Co

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Cartier

Top Jewels Bvlgari

Graff

Buccellati

Chopard

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The world of 1001 fragrances Traditional Arabic perfume is used in the form of pure oil and is not blended with alcohol, as is common in the West.

Traditional perfume shops carry perfume compositions – often in the scent of wellknown perfume brands – as well as pure oils that can be mixed to create an individual fragrance. These elegant creations are best presented in lavishly decorated perfume flacons and applied in very small amounts using the thin glass sticks.

Frankincense is an aromatic resin, obtained from trees of the genus boswellia.

It has been known and used on the Ara-

bian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5,000 years. Oman, Yemen, Somalia and India are its main producers of frankincense.

Burned over charcoal to release its scent, frankincense is used both as a fragrance and in the rituals of various religions.

The most exotic and expensive fragrance is oudh, from the wood of the tropical evergreen agar tree. Oudh is available as oil for perfume use or as woodchips to be burned on charcoal to release its scent in the house. Since

oudh is rare and difficult to harvest, its value is considered 1.5 times the price of pure gold, particularly types such as Cambodian and ‘Old India’.

Bukhoor are small bricks, consisting mainly of tiny woodchips, perfume oil and resins. In rural areas, women to make bukhoor with their own recipe, passed down over generations. Ready-made bukhoor is available in Arabic perfume shops and the salesperson will be happy to put a small piece on the hot charcoal in the bukhoor burner for you to sample the smell.

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Chanel

Hermés

Top Fragrances

Jean Patou

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Arabian Oud

Amouage

Clive Christian

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The world of 1001 spices At local spice markets, large jute bags of exotic products fill traditional shops and stalls, before they appear in kitchens around the world.

Saffron, considered the most expensive condiment, is widely used in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. The tiny saffron stigmas are derived from the flower of the saffron crocus. To produce one ki-

logram of this precious spice, more than 10,000 flowers are needed. It takes about 40 hours to pick this amount of crocuses, about the area of two football pitches.

Various qualities are available from different regions. Even though saffron is not cheap in the UAE, it still costs a fraction of the prices abroad.

Some items sold at the market might

not be used in Western cuisine. Dried lemons are common in the local kitchen, giving traditional fish dishes their special taste.

A special herbal mix is za’atar, made from sumac, thyme, sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano and a bit of coarse salt.

Za’tar is used for meat dishes, to spice up white cheese and the yoghurt-like labneh

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for breakfast, on flat Arabic bread and even in croissants.

The traders offer an endless variety of curries, the often really hot spice mixes so popular in Indian cuisine.

Dried herbs are used for a variety of herbal infusions. Dried hibiscus flowers, known locally as karkade, is the base for a dark red drink, a delicacy hot or cold.

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Top Women’s Fashion

Burberry

LUXURY SHOPPING Chopard

Christian Louboutin

Glash端tte

Chanel

Jack Row

Fendi

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Top Men’s Fashion

Nikon

Ressence

LG

Bayan

Ryno

Brioni

Luxury gastronomy Abu Dhabi goes global

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eading global restaurateurs are beating a path to Abu Dhabi’s door. With the UAE capital filling with more and more luxury hotels, their restaurants are in ever more serious competition to attract – and keep – custom. An average French or Japanese restaurant wouldn’t last long here.

In 2014, for example, Rainer Becker arrived with his globally successful zuma, the contemporary Japanese restaurant that has been such a fixture of the dining scene in London and Hong Kong in recent years.

The Brasserie Angélique, to cite another recent success, has been showered with awards for its authentic French cuisine. Here, as elsewhere, serious money and thought have gone into décor and atmosphere. Standards of service, equally, need to be high.

Another factor, one particularly advantageous to establishments located on Al Maryah Island, the Corniche or high in the Emirates Towers, is the view. Diners are not only treated to global cuisine of international standard, but their meal comes with a jaw-dropping vista of the sea or gleaming cityscape – or both.

Although little expense is spared to fly over the finest and freshest core ingredients from Europe or the Far East, local produce also underpins Abu Dhabi’s ever-improving dining scene. A trip to the local market should prove that decent fruit and vegetables don’t have to be flown in. Fishermen have been plying their trade here for generations.

These provide the essentials for local Emirate cuisine, along with lamb, goat or chicken. Camel is even served on special occasions.

Stews are the mainstay of the Emirati kitchen, as distinct from the cuisine of the Levant.

Finally, those here for the weekend should not miss out on Friday brunch, local restaurants outdoing each other to provide the most sumptuous buffet and crowd-pleasing entertainment.

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Traditional Emirati food Traditional Emirati food is quite different to what is commonly known as ‘Arabic’. Most dishes are stew-like, since ingredients are usually cooked together in one single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric, thyme, rosewater and dried lemons give Emirati cuisine its special taste.

Meat is mainly lamb, goat, chicken or local poultry, such as local houbara bustard. Camel is served on special occasions.

Machboos is a typical dish, made from meat, chicken or fish, cooked with onions, dried lime and spices. Once the meat is done, the stock is used to boil the rice. Layers of rice and the meat-vegetable mix are cooked together. The dish is served on large trays, garnished with nuts, raisins and fried onions.

Thareed is a stew made from mixed vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and pumpkin, cooked with chicken or lamb. The dish is traditionally served with thin Arabic bread.

Madrooba is cooked from salt-cured fish, a regional delicacy, available at the market. Once cleaned, the fish is slowly cooked with spices. Before serving the dish is topped off with clarified butter, ghee.

Fresh vegetables are usually served as appetisers or side dishes.

Local cucumber yoghurt salad is a favourite.

A refreshing drink, traditionally served with the meal, is Arabic lemonade, made from freshly squeezed lemon juice blended with mint leaves. Fresh fruit and sweets complete the meal.

Luqeymat is an irresistible treat: deep-fried balls of pancake batter rolled in sesame seeds and then covered with date syrup.

Asseda, a cold dessert, is made of pumpkin and gets its typical orange colour from the added saffron.

Tea with mint or traditional Arabic coffee is usually served at the end of a meal. The pleasant smell of the incense burner signals the end of the meal in a private home.

It’s customary for guests to leave shortly after.

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Balaleet

Harees

Saloona

Thareed

Chicken Machboos

Luqeymat

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The Gourmet Metropolis Abu Dhabi’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants

Brasserie Angélique The Forge

Bord Eau

Cuisine French Address Podium Level 3, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Reservations +971 2 811 5666 Open noon-3.30pm, 7pm-11.30pm

Cuisine Steakhouse Address Ritz-Carlton, Khor Al Maqta Reservations +971 2 818 8282 Open 7pm-11pm

Cuisine Contemporary French Address Shangri-La Hotel, Level 3, Lobby Level Reservations +971 2 509 8511 Open 7pm-11.30pm

Reservations are essential at this extravagant French restaurant, recently garnered with awards. Its décor a cross between Gallic opulence and Paris bistro style, the Brasserie Angélique offers traditional French options from a concise menu. Boeuf Bourguignon, French onion soup, exquisite steaks and seafood are served in classic style, followed by equally classic desserts such as crème brûlée. Starters include escargots de Bourgogne, steak tartare and foie gras confit au torchon. To really push the boat out, come with friends and try the five-course set menu dégustation.

This high-quality steakhouse takes its name from the process used to sharpen the knife blades needed to prepare the fine cuts served here. Chef de cuisine Gerardo Recabarren trained in his native Argentina before working in Florida and across North America.

He oversees the Australian gold Angus rib eye, Argentine tenderloin and Wagyu slowcooked ribs that are the stand-out options on the grill menu – but you’ll also find Canadian milk-fed veal chops and cord-fed baby chicken. A huge wine list goes big on reds from Burgundy, Tuscany and Bordeaux.

Bord Eau is the ultimate restaurant for French fine dining in Abu Dhabi. In the setting of a chic dining room that boasts opulent fabrics and furniture, the chef de cuisine prepares seasonal fresh produce that is flown in from France and serves each dish as an artistic expression. Bord Eau offers a superb à la carte menu and daily specials. For the ultimate Bord Eau experience, the blind tasting menu is a must. Low-key instrumentals and a warm ambiance complement the rich gastronomy to create an intimate dining experience

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Li Beirut

Spice Mela

Hakkasan

Cuisine Lebanese Address Podium Level 2, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Reservations +971 2 811 5666 Open 7pm-midnight

Cuisine Indian Address 2nd floor, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island Reservations +971 2 813 5550 Open Sun-Fri 6.30pm-11.30pm

Cuisine Chinese Address Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road Reservations +971 2 690 7999 Open noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight

There are traditional and contemporary interpretations of Lebanese cuisine at this stand-out establishment in Etihad Towers.

Although you’ll find classic meze here, both hot and cold, Li Beirut is better known for its starter of foie gras kebbeh and signature main dish of zaatar crusted rack of lamb with sweet potato and truffle. Look out too for the plentiful grilled options. Desserts are equally exquisite – the honey fudge with lemon olive-oil ice-cream or the chocolate globe with ivory chocolate.

Quality pan-Indian food is the attraction here, along with the unspoiled views of the Abu Dhabi waterfront from the contemporary surroundings of the emerging development on Al Maryah Island. Chef Siddharth’s tasting menu is the way to go, the grilled monkfish with fresh turmeric, Rajasthani lamb kebab and Calcutta prawn curry. Alternatively, if you’re just after a curry, you’ll find slow-braised lamb, chicken butter masala and even grilled lobster varieties on the à la carte menu.

Long-time design partner Gilles & Boissier, based in Paris, designed the space with the Hakkasan ethos of the modern ethnic, interpreting it for the United Arab Emirates.

Hakkasan’s signature dishes like Peking duck with caviar and grilled Wagyu beef with king soy sauce are served alongside a set of new dishes created especially for an Emirate clientele.

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Pearls&Caviar

Rhodes 44

Scott’s

Cuisine Mediterranean Address Khor Al Maqta Adjacent to The Villas by Shangri-La Reservations + 971 2 509 8777 Open 7pm (Fri8pm)-11.30pm

Cuisine International Address The St. Regis Abu Dhabi at Nation Towers Reservations +971 2 6944553 Open noon-3pm, 7pm-11pm

Cuisine Seafood Address Ground floor, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Reservations +971 2 811 5666 Open noon-3pm, 7pm-11pm

Vibrancy and energy are key to Rhodes 44.

Guests choose from dining inside in a richly colourful restaurant or al fresco in the spacious private garden overlooking the Corniche. The extensive à-la-carte menu comprises a careful blend of European and British classics with the jewels of Middle Eastern cuisine, created by highly renowned British chef Gary Rhodes. Dedication to his craft and pursuit of perfection has made him one of the world’s leading chefs. Should visitors wish for intimacy, the private dining room seats up to thirty.

For the first time in its 160-year history, Scott’s has opened at a new location outside of London – here, right in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Offering the finest oysters, fish and crustacean, as well as seasonal game, meat and vegetarian dishes, the decor of this rare and exquisite escape is as dramatic as its location over water. If you seek stylishly simple seafood, impeccably presented within sumptuous surroundings, then Scott’s is hard to beat.

A superb dining and lounging destination, Pearls&Caviar is a stylish and eclectic Mediterranean seafood restaurant with an exquisite waterfront setting offering stunning views of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

With a new take on presentation, the restaurant uses fresh seafood combined with Mediterranean tastes for a unique culinary experience. The upstairs Pearls Bar is the perfect venue for an ultimate lounging experience.

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zuma Cuisine Contemporary Japanese Address Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island Reservations +971 2 401 5900 Open Sun-Wed noon-3pm, 7pm-midnight; Thur noon-3pm, 7pm-1am; Fri 7pm-1am; Sat noon3.30pm, 7pm-midnight

Arguably the most exciting culinary development to arrive on ever-happening Al Maryah Island, Rainer Becker’s zuma brings top-notch contemporary Japanese cuisine to Abu Dhabi. With successful branches in Miami, Bangkok and Dubai, after making its mark with the original venue in London, zuma now offers the shopping and business crowd of the Galleria mall delights such as sea urchin sushi and miso-marinated black cod. Grilled freshwater eel with avocado sweet omelette is another option – the temptation to experiment is almost overwhelming, but it’ll cost a pretty penny.

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The weekend starts here F B riday

runch

Sky Brunch at 18°

CuiScene

Hyatt Capital Gate

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

The signature restaurant at the Hyatt Capital Gate, 18°, invites guests seeking an exquisite experience to indulge in authentic creations while relaxing with panoramic views of the city. 18° offers speciality dishes from the gastronomic heritage of the Eastern Mediterranean, made with ingredients inspired by locally sourced produce and simple flavours.

CuiScene is the ultimate scene cuisine in Abu Dhabi. This casual, yet elegant venue is perfect for a leisurely repast or a business meal. The abundant international buffet, features dishes from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, each month highlighting a different selection of nature’s seasonal bounty so that guests can savour a variety of creative preparations.

Address Capital Gate Hyatt Hotel, ADNEC Reservations +971 2 596 1440 Brunch times noon-4pm

Address Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta Reservations +971 2 654 3333 Brunch times noon-4pm

Giornette

Ingredients

Ritz-Carlton

Anantara Eastern Mangrove

Two dozen live stations are what makes the Friday brunch at Giornette stand out from the stiff competition in town – with classic Italian surroundings and live piano music to provide a little atmosphere. A carving station for Wagyu beef and a seafood and oyster bar are the main draws – along with the brunch DJ after-party at the Sorso Bar.

Already regarded as one of the best Abu Dhabi restaurants, this all-day venue features culinary specialities from around the world.

Freshly baked Arabic bread, a live sushi bar and dishes from five different kitchens keep Ingredients ahead of the competition.

Choose from an expansive organic selection amid the elegant atmosphere defined by the two spacious al fresco terraces and the warm hues of the stone walled interior.

Address Ritz-Carlton, Khor Al Maqta Reservations +971 2 818 8282 Brunch times 12.30pm-4pm

Address Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Sheikh Zayed Street Reservations +971 2 656 1000 Brunch times noon-4pm

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Rosewater Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Backdropped by an ocean view, Rosewater is where chefs prepare the food just how you want it – from an extensive buffet offering.

Along with seafood, steaks and salads, you might just want to try a choice cut of lamb or a zingy curry.

Address Podium Level 2, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Reservations +971 2 811 5666 Brunch times noon-4pm

The Terrace on the Corniche The St Regis Abu Dhabi If you’re new in town, the Bloody Mary Friday Brunch here is a must, conceived in honour of the cocktail first mixed at the St Regis New York in 1934. European classics feature among the wide selection of delights and there’s even a garden terrace to mingle with friends while snacking and sipping.

Address The St Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, The Corniche Reservations +971 2 6944444 Brunch times 1pm-4pm

Olea St.Regis Saadiyat The Jazz Brunch at Olea offers the choicest selection of Mediterranean fare, ranging from fresh seafood and grilled delicacies to decadent desserts prepared at live cooking stations. It creates a truly bespoke brunch experience. Complementing this personalised culinary journey are highly skilled mixologists preparing tantalizing beverages such as the signature Arabian Snapper.

Address St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Reservations +971 2 498 8888 Brunch times 12.30pm-4pm

Origins

Sofra BLD

Marina Brunch

Yas Viceroy

Shangri-La

Intercontinental

Embark on a fabulous journey of flavours and enjoy a lively dining experience with great atmosphere as you explore cuisine from around the world at Origins Ultimate Friday Brunch.

Sofra bld offers an extensive buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner where guests can browse the live cooking stations, interact with the chefs and pick and choose from a wide range of international dishes, truly mirroring the souk experience of the Middle East. The restaurant serves Arabic, Moroccan, Indian and European cuisine, with a magnificent dessert station for a grand finale.

Take your pick from the best of Chamas, Boccaccio, The Yacht Club and the Belgian Cafe, with live cooking stations, choice cuts of meat, fresh mussels, pasta and much more. You can dine inside or out at The Yacht Club or Chamas, while listening to live music by DJ Rabih or Colombian four-piece band Cuatro.

Address Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Reservations +971 2 656 0600 Brunch times 12.30pm-4pm

Address Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Level 1 Ground Floor Reservations +971 2 509 8555 Brunch times 1pm-4pm

Address Hotel Intercontinental, Bainouna Street Reservations +971 2 6666 888 Brunch times noon-4pm

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The best hidden culinary treasures Local and Emirati Food

Al Arish

Al Fanar

Mezlai

Al Dhafra, Port Area

Ritz-Carlton

Emirates Palace

Al Arish restaurant specialises in Gulf and traditional ethnic cuisine, and all kinds of seafood grills. Guests may choose from seafood, chicken and meat, prepared by expert local chefs. Local dishes include biriyani, gisheed, ouzi, fish maglai and others.

At last! Authentic Emirati cuisine in Abu Dhabi! Named after the kerosene lamps that used to light local houses, Al Fanar provides the real flavour of the Emirates. All the classic options are here, machboos, madrooba, the kind of dishes that made such as success of its original venue in Dubai.

Mezlai means an old doorlock, and here it reveals an authentic dining experience with a genuine Emirati cuisine. A variety of local dishes are made with carefully sourced and fresh ingredients.

Diners relax in a warm and inviting ambience, and enjoy friendly service.

Address Ritz-Carlton, Khor Al Maqta Reservations +971 2 448 1144 Open noon-3pm, 7pm-11pm.

Address Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road Reservations +971 2 690 7999 Open 1pm-11.30pm

Address Port Area Reservations +971 2 673 2266 Open 10am-4pm, 7pm-11pm

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Fine Dining on Smartphones Download Your App for Smartphones and Tablets

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Download this app to discover the gourmet metropolis Abu Dhabi!

Culture & heritage The art of creation

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n Abu Dhabi, culture and heritage go hand in hand. Just one look at the packed arts and cultural agenda here will show that most festivals, events, performances and shows are multi-faceted, each underscored with significant elements of culture and heritage.

This is perfectly illustrated with the ambitious project currently taking shape on Saadiyat Island. By the shores of the city centre, Saadiyat Island is where two of the world’s major art museums, the Louvre and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, will be sited.

Set alongside the Zayed National Museum, these will create a cultural quarter of unprecedented prestige not only for Abu Dhabi but for the United Arab Emirates as a whole.

The local art scene is already thriving. Now in its seventh year, Abu Dhabi Art brings together leading galleries from across the world, showcasing works from long-established and emerging artists. Talks, film screenings, large-scale installations and site-specific commissions all take place across Abu Dhabi during this four-day event every November.

During the rest of the year, galleries and projects such as the Abu Dhabi Art Hub, which supports, promotes and showcases young artists, provide ample reason for investigation.

Other major festivals touch upon the various disciplines of the arts. October’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival showcases the best Arab filmmaking alongside quality world cinema. It is backed by media zone twofour54, a groundbreaking concept for the region and a major player in local arts and communication.

Working across all media platforms, including film, music and digital media, twofour54 aims to position Abu Dhabi as a regional centre of excellence in content creation.

For consumers, Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the arts and prime venues such as the National Exhibition Centre and Yas Island means a constant flow of big-name performers, all year round.

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Abu Dhabi music While the visual arts are the focus for much investment and development in modern-day Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital also goes big on another facet of the cultural spectrum for which knowledge of the native language is not an essential element: music.

One of the key cultural events of the year is the Abu Dhabi Festival, which features some of the finest musical talents from East and West together here over the course of a month. In 2015, it starts on March 3. The event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, the non-profit local body whose mission is to advance music, culture, the arts, education and creativity among the nationals and residents of Abu Dhabi.

For 2015, star guests include Brazilian legend Sérgio Mendes, maestro conductor Riccardo Muti and the Bu-

dapest Festival Orchestra. Younger talents to perform will be 19-year-old Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki and 25-year-old violinist Aisha Syed Castro from the Dominican Republic.

Year-round, Abu Dhabi can pull out the stops as far as pop and rock music are concerned. A wide range of entertainment, shows and concerts takes place at the Du Arena and Du Forum on Yas Island. Performers here have included the Scissor Sisters and 30 Seconds to Mars – with Robbie Williams to tread the boards in April, 2015.

More live acts are scheduled for Yasalam, the biggest festival to be staged around any venue on the Grand Prix calendar. Free concerts are given during the Beats on the Beach weekend at the end of November. Alongside these showcase foreign performers, there is a long, proud and distinctive tradition in local music.

© Dhabi Festival © Abu ADACH

© Abu Dhabi Classics

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Abu Dhabi art

Abu Dhabi Art Hub The first art community in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Art Hub is its first ‘Live & Work Artists’ destination. An inspirational platform for local and global artists to work, exhibit and promote, Abu Dhabi Art Hub supports young artists and their works. Located in Musaffah, the Art Hub is working towards the revival of arts in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

family has been fortunate to have assisted in the formation of some of the most important art collections in the world.

ucts on display. Antiques are an education and an art, before being a business.

Tel: +971 2 644 4366

Tel: +971 2 690 8950

Fax: +971 2 645 2597

Fax: +971 2 690 8951

Mob: +971 50 622 1333

E-mail: barakat@barakatgallery.com

Email: office@etihadgallery.com

Website: www.barakatgallery.com

Website: www.etihadgallery.com

Address: Emirates Palace, Corniche Street,

Address: Opposite Al Bateen Mall, Al

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Bateen, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Tel: +971 2 551 5005

Etihad Antique Gallery

Etihad Modern Art Gallery

Fax: +971 2 555 0557

Antiques have a magical spell on collectors, especially if sold somewhere enchanting and unique like Abu Dhabi.

Often, these merchants do not know the value of the products they were merchandising. Ettihad Antiques Gallery was the first serious attempt in Abu Dhabi to make antique display and appreciation a modern and professional art. Founded by two experts, Khalid Seddiq and Mohammed Khalil in 2004, the gallery is located in Al Bateen, with products that vary in age, history, origin and value, stretching across Persian Gulf and Arabia. Some date back to the 17th century while others are from the 20th. Not everyone who enters is required to buy, or expected to be a collector. Part of the overall goal is to increase antique appreciation and awareness in United Arab Emirates. The team here wants people to walk in, feel the magic of antiquities and appreciate the fine prod-

The Etihad Modern Art Gallery encourages the creation of art with local references, showcasing work from well established as well as new Emirati and international artists. It is a dynamic, multifunctional art space that aims to play a positive role to the brightly emerging art scene in Abu Dhabi, opening a dialogue with the public, introducing new art concepts and challenging activities. Since its launch, the Etihad Modern Art Gallery and Arthouse Café are rapidly becoming the centre of a lively community of art enthusiasts.

E-mail: arthub@live.com Website: www.adah.ae Facebook: www.facebook.com/ADarthub Twitter: adarthub Address: Plot 38, MW5, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Barakat Gallery The Barakat Gallery is a fifth-generation, family-owned and -operated business, founded in Jerusalem over 100 years ago.

The gallery is a purveyor of museumquality ancient art specialising in Classical antiquities, as well as Near-Eastern, Biblical, Chinese, Pre-Columbian, Byzantine, Asian, African and Primitive arts.

It also deals with ancient numismatics and fine jewellery. Its clientele is varied, including museums, corporations, private collectors and investors from all over the world. For the past century, the Barakat

Tel: +971 2 6671229 Fax: +971 2 645 2597 Mob: +971 56 386 5600 Email: office@etihadmodernart.com Website: www.etihadmodernart.com Address: Opposite Al Bateen Mall, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Folklore Gallery This is one of the oldest galleries in the city, with a focus on affordable art, silk paintings and Arabic themes. Those looking to start their own collection can drop by without having to spend a fortune.

Tel: +971 2 666 0361 Fax: +971 2 666 9668 E-mail: folkloregallery@hotmail.com Website: www.folkloregallery.net Address: Zayed 1st St, Opposite Dana Plaza and next to First Gulf Bank,

Saadiyat brings the vision of the island and its cultural district to light.

Its permanent exhibition, ‘The Saadiyat Story’, focuses on this developing cultural district. Models of the upcoming attractions such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed National Museum allow visitors a glimpse into the future vision of the capital to become a major cultural hub of the Arabian world.

Three adjoining galleries showcase regular themed exhibitions of international art.

Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, UAE Tel: +971 2 657 5800

Gallery One

E-mail: manaratalsaadiyat@tdic.ae

Gallery One is the largest branded gallery group in the region and the home to ‘great things for walls’. Here you can browse contemporary art and decorative photographic prints in a welcoming and open environment.

Website: www.saadiyat.ae

Tel: + 971 2 558 1822 Fax: + 971 2 558 1823 E-mail: info@g-1.com Website: www.g-1.com Address: Store 27, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Manarat Al Saadiyat Set up by Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the arts and cultural centre Manarat Al

Address: Sheik Khalifa Bridge, Saadiyat

reputation as one of the main references for Islamic, regional and local art.

It operates its own independent printing and framing facilities that enable it to control the overall quality of the digital works being produced thus making it an ideal partner for major projects that require large orders at competitive rates. Today, the gallery is a major reference for private and corporate collectors in the UAE that include members of the royal family.

The art gallery is one of the most active art spaces in the capital and is continuously involved in the cultural movement in the region through art fairs such as Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Art Dubai and Art India, and renowned auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Salwa Zeidan Gallery Salwa Zeidan Gallery was first opened in Abu Dhabi in 1994 and reopened in January 2009 under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan. In addition to nurturing local talent, this gallery has become renowned for its selective representation of 35 of the region’s most prominent artists in a variety of mediums and styles including sculpture, painting, photography and multimedia.

The success of the projects undertaken by the gallery has affirmed its credibility and

Tel/fax: +971 2 666 9656 E-mail: info@salwazeidangallery.com Website: www.salwazeidangallery.com Facebook: w ww.facebook.com/salwazeidangallery Address: Konghi Complex, Villa #4, Bain Al Jesrain, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Abu Dhabi’s heritage

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To find out more about the rich history and culture of Abu Dhabi, the ideal destination is the Emirates Heritage Village located on The Breakwater.

The Breakwater is an artificial island, initially created from the debris of old buildings as a protection for the most exposed coastline in Abu Dhabi.

This outdoor museum tells the story of how life developed on Abu Dhabi, from its village days onwards, before it became the dynamic national capital it is today.

It therefore might be hard to believe that the city of Abu Dhabi was build up only over the last 40 years. In the small Museum of the Village are pictures from the 1960s on display. a fort and a few huts – that was Abu

“THIS OUTDOOR MUSEUM TELLS THE STORY OF LIFE IN ABU DHABI” Dhabi back in those days.

At the stalls of the traditional handicraft market, visitors can watch craftsmen showing off their skills. In the nearby souvenir shops traditional pottery, leather-products and handmade daggers are available.

The oasis replica is irrigated by a falaj, a water-channel system that has been used in the region for more than 2,000 years. The solid houses and even the barasti beach house, made from palm leaves, feature traditional barjeels, the so-called wind-catcher towers.

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Luxury sport

World stars and spectacular adventure

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port is one of the main reasons to come to Abu Dhabi.

For those who want to watch top-class players in action or try their hand at activities ranging from diving amid beautiful coral to skiing down dramatic sand dunes, Abu Dhabi is the place.

Since 2009, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been a highlight of the local sporting calendar. This year held on November 29, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attracts tens of thousands of spectators from around the world. The whole city gets into race fever days beforehand and the Corniche turns into a large fan zone.

Motor-sport enthusiasts should not miss out on Ferrari World, a vast theme park on Yas Island dedicated to the iconic Italian racing car.

Since its inauguration in 2006, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has become one of the major events on the European Tour, where it forms part of the Gulf Swing. The global golf elite compete every January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the richest purse in the region.

Other courses of international standard in Abu Dhabi include Yas Links, spectacularly set overlooking the ocean.

Top tennis stars compete in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, held at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City. In January 2015, Andy Murray was crowned champion.

Abu Dhabi also offers world-class horse-racing, polo and showjumping, horsemanship being a proud historic tradition here.

Though lesser-known, camel racing is taken extremely seriously, with two busy race tracks near Abu Dhabi and big money paid for potential champions.

Finally, those wishing to experience something extremely different can try their hand at sand skiing, practised amid the high dunes of the vast desert of the Empty Quarter.

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Sun, sand & skiing!

Many local tourist companies in Abu Dhabi offer day trips into the desert and mountain areas.

Dune-Dinner trips combine a desert visit with folklore entertainment.

For the more adventurous, a completely new experience might be sand skiing. For this, you need to head to the area known as the Empty Quarter.

Referred to in Arabic as Rub’ al Khali, this is the largest expanse of desert in the world, stretching over a third of the entire Arabian peninsula.

Here sand dunes can rise to heights of 250 metres – and temperatures climb over 45 degrees. Sliding down the huge dunes of the Empty Quarter is an extraordinary experience.

Tour operators offer various packages for this fun sport during the winter

months. Due to the extreme heat, sand skiing is not a summer pursuit.

Another unique desert experience is a stay in the Qasr Al Sarab (‘Mirage Palace’), located seven kilometres from

“DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT, SAND SKIING IS NOT A SUMMER PURSUIT” Liwa’s main Hamim highway crossing. Set amid the picturesque dunes of the Empty Quarter, this luxury hotel combines the peaceful and tranquil environment of the surrounding desert with activities such as desert sailing, camel trekking, fat biking and various kinds of getaways.

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Golf in Abu Dhabi With three championship courses within the city limits and the annual HSBC Golf Championship, the tournament with the richest purse in the region, Abu Dhabi is without doubt a leading golf destination, offering players a wide choice of unique courses and followers the chance to see the world’s greatest players.

Golf started here with the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golf Course, with its iconic clubhouse and signature statue of a winged falcon on a golf ball. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is the region’s first ocean course, de-

signed by golf legend Gary Player. Golfers can enjoy the sea views while strolling around this par-72 links course. Yas Links is located on the western coast of Yas Island. Yas Links offers a par 72-championship course, a nine-hole course and floodlit practice facilities.

In a region dominated by desert landscapes, there’s a course for sand golf too. The 18-hole Al Ghazal championship course, a short drive from Abu Dhabi airport, and offers the unique concept of browns instead of greens.

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YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

Course facts Holes: 18 Par: 72 Yardage: 7,414 Designer: Kyle Phillips Landscape: Links

Set among rolling hills and mangrove plantations, Yas Links Abu Dhabi – designed by Kyle Phillips, the world-renowned course architect – is the only true links course in the Middle East. Voted among the top ten new international courses by influential ‘Golf Magazine’, Yas Links comprises a par-72 championship course, a nine-hole academy course, floodlit practice facilities and a luxurious clubhouse.

Served by seven nearby hotels, including the five-star Yas Viceroy, Yas Links has private boat mooring and a fine-dining restaurant. www.yaslinks.com

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB This award-winning facility is home to the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, a European PGA tour event. Presided over by the iconic clubhouse, with its a vast winged falcon, the par-72 course covers 7,600 yards of lush fairways, undulating greens and more than 90 challenging bunkers. There’s also a more accessible par-36 garden course and a fully floodlit, nine-hole course for a spot of night golf on a championship-standard facility. Luxury packages are also offered with opulent hotels and helicopter transfers. www.adgolfclub.com

Course facts Holes: 27 Par: 72 national, 36 garden Yardage: 7,600 national, 3,341 garden Designer: Peter Harradine Landscape: Arabian oasis

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

Course facts Holes: 18 Par: 72 Yardage: 7,806 Designer: Gary Player Landscape: Beachfront resort

The region’s first ocean courses harnesses the natural beauty of Saadiyat Island and its magnificent, white-sand beaches for a truly unique playing experience. From the array of native grasses, to its sensitivity to the local turtles’ habitat, the course has been designed within strict eco-guidelines. This meandering course provides stunning sea views, while its 60-plus bunkers force even the best on this challenging par 72. Designed with amateurs and professionals in mind, the course can be extended to a 7,804 yards. The clubhouse is a destination in its own right and the club, a 20-minute drive from Abu Dhabi airport and 15 from the city centre – has top-notch banquet and conference facilities. www.sbgolfclub.ae

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Formula One Yas Marina Circuit has hosted the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix every year since 2009, becoming the pinnacle race of the season in 2014 with Formula 1 historical record breaking numbers in spectator satisfaction and media value. Beyond the Grand Prix, the site has a number of other offers including driving lessons and opportunities to test-drive personal or high-end vehicles on the racetrack, which helped attract over 140,000 of the 500,000 visitors the site received in 2014.

The circuit is the winter testing base for most European professional racing teams and car manufacturers, whether developing the new Le Mans car, testing young F1 drivers or simply improving parts and prototypes.

As well as motorsports, the facility is currently open to the public twice a

“THE CIRCUIT IS THE WINTER TESTING BASE FOR MOST EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL RACING TEAMS” week for running and cycling (which attracted 180,000 visitors in 2014), while conferences and events were attended by some 35,000 people for the year, including the previously mentioned incentive event by China’s Nu Skin that saw the track host 8000 diners seated end to end. Airport and hotel proximity, ambitious MICE goals and a unique venue are all there to help turn Yas Marina Circuit and the Island into a global business and leisure destination.

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Ferrari World From the moment you step into Ferrari World, you know you are in for a largerthan-life experience. Here speed, passion and innovation are all brought under one vast roof. Be prepared for the ride of your life.

“SPEED, PASSION AND INNOVATION ARE BROUGHT UNDER ONE VAST ROOF” The world’s only Ferrari-branded theme park lies at the heart of Yas Island – its unique form echoes that of a huge red sand dune emblazoned with the iconic emblem

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of the prancing stallion. Inside is a world of high-octane energy – from the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, which flies from 0 to 100km/hr in two heart-stopping seconds, to the state-of-the-art Scuderia Challenge simulators that let you feel the excitement of being in the driver’s seat racing down the track.

The park’s collection of more than 20 rides and attractions are inspired by original Ferrari technology and offer the chance to appreciate its rich technological heritage.

You can take a trip back in time with Enzo Ferrari through the silver screen with ‘Coppa di Sicilia’, a short period film that captures the glamour and grit of road racing in 1920s Italy, screened daily at the park’s very own Cinema Maranello.

Designed for all ages, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is an iconic attraction not to be missed.

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Yachting Racing involves traditional wooden boats, dhows, and events can be witnessed from the Corniche and Breakwater Island where the UAE Wooden Powerboat Championship also takes place.

More casual boating enthusiasts value the calm azure blue waters around Abu Dhabi and its many islands. Local yacht clubs can be found at shoreline hotels, where island cruises can be arranged. A wide range of high-class boats is

“A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH-CLASS BOATS IS AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER� available for individual charter, all with experienced crews. For more information, see abudhabimarinayacht.com. Leisure cruises as well as deep-sea fishing trips are also available. Yellow Boats operate regular trips from the Abu Dhabi International Marina Sports Club at Breakwater Island. See theyellowboats.com.

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Diving The year-round warm waters and the rich marine life of the Arabian Gulf make Abu Dhabi an ideal destination for underwater adventure.

Everyone from beginners to certified divers can find opportunities to explore the depths under the experienced guidance of professional dive pros. Dive centres offer courses and trips around Abu Dhabi’s islands and coastline, as well as to the east coast of the UAE. Small reefs consisting of hard coral and a number of shipwrecks of various sizes are the main dive spots close to Abu Dhabi.

Day trips to those on the east coast are the most popular choice. Here in the Indian Ocean, soft coral and colourful tropical fish provide an unforgettable day’s diving.

Check with the Al Mahara Dive Centre at www.divemahara.com for upcoming trips and training courses. Boats set off from the Emirates Palace Marina.

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Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club Set in 300 hectares of perfectly manicured grassland, the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is an oasis of calm and tranquillity amid the hustle of daily life.

The only royal club in the United Arab Emirates offers world-class polo and equestrian facilities – and is recognised as one of the most prestigious clubs of its kind in the world.

The Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club sprang up around the vision of the late President, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It opened in 1994.

Today it is run under the patronage of his son, HH Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi city centre and 15 minutes from Dubai Ma-

rina, the club often throws open its gates, inviting members of the public to enjoy polo tournaments, sporting events, concerts and other festive activities hosted there. Facilities also include an opulent swim-

“THE CLUB IS AN OASIS OF CALM AMID THE HUSTLE OF DAILY LIFE” ming pool and fully equipped gymnasium. The colonial-style clubhouse is set in full view of the action on the polo field.

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Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Located in the area of Al Mushrif, a ten-minute drive from the city centre, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is best known as a major venue for horse-racing and showjumping events of international standard.

As the name implies, the ADEC was first established as an equestrian centre, but over the years, thanks to the encouragement and support of the late president HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the club has enjoyed steady and sustained development.

What was once an undeveloped sandy area is now one of the finest recreational parks in the Gulf. The complex features an international standard racecourse where the National Day Cup, HH The President’s Cup and Emirates Championship take place.

There’s also a 2,000-metre training track inside the racecourse and more than 250 air-conditioned stalls used for stabling the racehorses.

The club also contains a spectacular showjumping arena, in which an obstacle similar to

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the famous Hickstead Bank has been constructed, along with a natural water jump that allows for a complete variety of events to take place throughout the season. The Abu Dhabi International Show has become well established, with riders from around the world coming back year after year.

In line with the wishes of Their Highnesses The Sheikhs to encourage and promote equestrianism and to restore the ancient craft of horsemanship, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club has one of the most efficient and successful riding schools in the area. Instruction takes place at all levels to pupils of all ages who wish to learn and absorb the principles to master the art of horsemanship.

See adec-web.com for details.

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Camel racing Bedouin ancestors used to race camels. These competitions were not just held for fun, but to identify the most suitable animals for breeding fast runners, necessary for hunting and, not least, in battle.

Nowadays, camel racing is purely a sport – but a serious one. Enthusiasts pay top dollar for a champion animal, and trainers feed the camels with dates and honey to build up their strength for prestigious competition.

Spectators can cheer on the camels as they gallop around a specially made track, and marvel at how these seemingly ungainly creatures can reach such high speeds. Races normally take place early on weekend mornings, particularly in winter, with additional races on public holidays.

The Al Wathba camel-race track, 45km east of Abu Dhabi on the Al Ain Road, and the Al Maqam track near Al Ain are the most popular venues.

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Discover Abu Dhabi Stunning architecture, world-class galleries

DISCOVER ABU DHABI

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s capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a political and administrative centre.

But recent years, it has also become a tourist destination in its own right, with spectacular sights such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Capital Gate, the most notable example of the stunning contemporary architecture that has transformed the capital.

Abu Dhabi will also soon be a cultural hub of world renown.

Alongside the main island that contains many of the city’s high-end hotels and offices, Saadiyat will be the island home for major arts institutions such Louvre Abu Dhabi and the largest Guggenheim in the world.

As an emirate, Abu Dhabi contains some 200 islands. If you take the E12 highway across picturesque horizons and mangroves from Saadiyat to Yas Island, you come to one of the most exciting tourist developments in the region, if not the world. Yas Island not only contains the Yas Marina Circuit, a Formula One destination, but also Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. One is the largest theme park to be built, the other is an award-winning attraction with oneof-a-kind rides.

But Abu Dhabi is not just about 21st-century pleasures. It has a history, too, one that started in the 1700s with the discovery of fresh water on Abu Dhabi Island. The ruling Al Nahyan family duly moved here, residing in Qasr Al Hosn, also known as the White Fort, the oldest historic building in Abu Dhabi.

Other forts of the pre-petroleum days have been converted into museums and visitor centres.

Finally, you cannot escape the fact that much of Abu Dhabi is desert. A trip to the dunes provides an unforgettable experience – and gives the visitor some idea of how much has been achieved here in so little time.

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Al Jahili Fort

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Historic buildings Much of what the first-time visitor to Abu Dhabi sees upon arrival has been built in the last 20 years.

Before the discovery of oil here in 1958, and the subsequent rapid development of a modern-day capital, fresh water was the prime commodity. The local Al Nahyan rulers to moved from the oasis of Liwa on the mainland to the island of Abu Dhabi in 1793 after fresh water was found.

The island became permanently inhabited and a watchtower was built to protect the precious water supply. This was Qasr Al Hosn, also known as the White Fort, the oldest historic building in Abu Dhabi and the first solid structure on the island. The tower was extended and reshaped over the centuries into a fort that served as a residence for Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al Nahyan family until 1966.

Extensive restoration work of Qasr Al Hosn is still ongoing but the public may access this landmark during February’s festival of history and culture that takes place within its walls. Visitors

“THE WHITE FORT ORIGINALLY PROTECTED THE WATER SUPPLY” may see how the fort developed over 200 years, and are even allowed to take a rare look at its living quarters.

Another fort of similar vintage to Qasr Al Hosn, Maqta, by the modern-day bridge of the same name, was built to protect access to

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Abu Dhabi island. Today it houses the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority visitor centre.

The Oasis of Al Ain, located some 150 km east of the capital, is also surrounded by beautiful historic fortified buildings, including Al Jahili, significant for being the birthplace of the late president and founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Al Jahili was built in 1891 to defend the city and the oasis with its precious palm trees. It was also the headquarters of the Oman Trucial Scouts and the residence of the governor of Al Ain.

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“THE PUBLIC MAY ACCESS THIS LANDMARK AT THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL WITHIN ITS WALLS” The fort is now open to visitors and hosts a permanent exhibition of works by the legendary British adventurer and photographer Sir Wilfred Thesiger.

The Sultan bin Zayed fort, also known as the Eastern Fort, dates back to 1910. Nearby stands the Al Ain National Museum.

The palace of the former president, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, also built in 1910, has been completely renovated and converted into a museum, giving visitors a very private insight into the daily life of the ruling family.

White Fort

ICONIC BUILDINGS Abu Dhabi

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Modern buildings Futuristic structures of steel and glass side by side with lavish, Arabic-inspired buildings – this is Abu Dhabi, the modern capital of the United Arab Emirates, an architectural fusion of tradition and modernity. Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers are functional buildings, accommodating the commercial and administrative offices of the capital. Yet each has its own unique features, some details of which are not obvious at first glance. Architects in Abu Dhabi are encouraged to try new and unique designs.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority building might look like an ordinary modern tower – only from a bird’s eye perspective does its dollar-sign shape become obvious. The headquarters of property developer Aldar was nicknamed ‘The Coin’ because of its shape.

The Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Emarat, is an Arabian landmark. A majestic creation, a five-star luxury hotel, a venue for world-class events and a residence for guests of the State, the Emirates Palace sits like a jewel in a crown at the edge of Abu Dhabi’s main island. It is surrounded by fresh green gardens and sparkling water fountains.

The building comprises 114 stunning domes, the central one rising nearly 73 metres above the ground. The finest material has been used for the interior. Gold, mother of pearl and crystals dominate the design.

At the other end of Abu Dhabi island, Capital Gate, now Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel since this high-end chain occupied floors 18 to 33, is known by many as the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi.

Set at a tilt of 18 degrees, a world record for a man-made structure, Capital Gate is the focal point of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the largest conference venue in the Middle East. Architects RMJM, originally from Edinburgh, were responsible for its unique appearance.

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“SOME UNIQUE FEATURES ARE NOT OBVIOUS AT FIRST GLANCE”

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ICONIC

The Breakwater is an artificial island, banked up initially with the debris of old BUILDINGS Dhabi buildings as protection for Abu Abu Dhabi’s most exposed coastline. The island is home to the Emirates Heritage Village, an outdoor museum that focuses on Abu Dhabi's history. The 122-metre-high flagpole at the edge of the Breakwater was erected in 2001 to mark the 30th anniversary of the UAE. In recent years, the main island of Abu Dhabi was extended seaward in order to create space between the modern skyscrapers and the azure blue water of the Arabian Gulf. This in turn created the eight-kilometre-long Corniche. Immaculate parks and gardens, small restaurants and a wide beach make the Corniche an oasis of tranquillity in the middle of the vibrant city centre.

The Yas Marine circuit on Yas Island combines a state-of-the-art course for motor sport with a luxury hotel development, such as the futuristic Yas Viceroy hotel, built directly over the track. With its vast red roof, Ferrari World is not only a stunning building, but also the world’s largest indoor theme park.

Many constructions are still being developed, most notably the Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi, soon to open in the Saadiyat Cultural District, alongside the equally impressive Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Both will be groundbreaking cultural landmarks for the Arab world.

Capital Gate Tower

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ICONIC BUILDINGS Abu Dhabi

Al Bahr Towers

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ICONIC BUILDINGS Abu Dhabi

Etihad Towers

Nation Towers

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Aldar headquarters building

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The Gate Towers

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The Corniche

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Omega

Top Men’s Timepieces

A. Lange & Söhne

Jaquet Droz

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Audemars Piguet

Vacheron & Constantin

Arnold & Son

Blancpain

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Chanel

Top Women’s Timepieces Eberhard & Co

Piaget

Omega

Omega

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Bvlgari

Harry Winston

Cartier

Jaeger LeCoultre

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Louvre Abu Dhabi e

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will be the first universal museum in the Arab world, embodying a spirit of openness and dialogue among cultures.

Set in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will display objects and artworks spanning millennia, originating from civilisations around the world.

Construction is on track for completion in 2015. Already in place are various galleries and interiors, as well as the iconic dome that provides an enchanting ray of light from atop four permanent piers. Its geometric lace design was inspired by the

interlaced palm leaves traditionally used as roofing material, its complex pattern the same geometric design repeated at various sizes and angles in ten layers, external and internal.

Though delicate in appearance, the dome weighs 7,000 tonnes – almost as much as the Eiffel Tower. Another nod to Emirati heritage can be found in the water system running through the museum, inspired by ancient Arabian engineering.

The permanent collection of art, manuscripts and objects of historical, cultural and sociological significance will be enriched by loans from the Louvre in Paris, the Musée d’Orsay and the Pompidou Centre.

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“THE LOUVRE ABU DHABI WILL BE THE FIRST UNIVERSAL MUSEUM IN THE ARAB WORLD”

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“THIS PREMIER CULTURAL INSTITUTION WILL BE THE WORLD’S LARGEST GUGGENHEIM”

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Guggenheim Abu Dhabi The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is one of three iconic museums located in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed by world-renowned and Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, this premier cultural institution will be the world’s largest Guggenheim and the only one in the Middle East. It is being developed in collaboration with The Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation. Since its foundation in 1937, the foundation has promoted the understanding and appreciation of art, primarily of the modern and contemporary periods.

Inspired by traditional Arabian dwellings, the Guggenheim will feature several distinctive domes that recall the region’s ancient wind towers, providing ventilation and shade for the museum’s exterior courtyards in a

fitting blend of Arabian tradition and modern, sustainable design.

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will contain a permanent collection in addition to organising exhibitions, generating academic publications and undertaking educational programmes that will examine the history of art produced around the world from around 1965 onwards, from a variety of perspectives. These will be distributed over 13,000 square metres of gallery space in the monumental piles of gallery boxes, while eleven cone-like structures provide a further 18,000 square metres of exhibition space.

When completed, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will complement the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum as part of the Saadiyat Cultural District.

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Zayed National Museum The Zayed National Museum will honour the late leader of the United Arab Emirates, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and will provide a new source of inspiration to the world.

The museum will tell the history of the UAE through the life and times of the nation’s founding father, his inspired vision and legacy. Given the central location and overarching importance of this institution, 12 of the world’s top architectural firms participated in a competition to create the most appropriate and awe-inspiring

design for this modern Arabian icon.

Leading UK firm Foster + Partners were awarded the project, the museum designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster.

Among its outstanding features were towers reminiscent of the wing tips of the falcon, a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. Once the museum opens, visitors will be able to explore its galleries, installations and exhibition spaces, in lower and upper galleries in each tower, the tallest rising 125 metres.

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“THE PAVILION ATTRACTED ALMOST TWO MILLION VISITORS THANKS TO ITS STUNNING DESIGN”

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UAE Pavilion Designed by the UK’s Foster + Partners, the UAE Pavilion attracted almost two million visitors thanks to its stunning design, on display for six months at Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Showcasing exhibitions that highlighted the history of the UAE, the UAE Pavilion was then moved to its now permanent home beside Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Today the pavilion is a landmark exhibition and events venue, hosting some of the country’s most important cultural functions.

The strikingly original design remains, two dune-shaped peaks, the highest 20 metres tall. Winner of prestigious awards from the Illinois Society of Structural Engineers and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations when on display in Shanghai, the UAE Pavilion is also one of the first buildings in Abu Dhabi to be awarded a Two Pearl Rating under the Estidama sustainable design programme. It was praised in particular for ensuring a large reduction in external heat gain.

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Manarat Al Saadiyat Manarat Al Saadiyat means ‘the place of enlightenment’. This 15,400-square-metre arts and culture centre is designed to bring the architectural and cultural vision of the island to life through the Saadiyat Experience, plus four gallery spaces.

Located on Saadiyat island, the institution houses exhibitions with international collections from around the world, including three major galleries, a central events gallery, a sales centre, a 250-seat theatre and a restaurant. It also plays host to annual exhibitions such as Abu Dhabi Art and Emirati Expressions.

Saadiyat Experience offers visitors the opportunity to learn about current island developments, whether residential, leisure or hospitality, and plans for the future, by means of a highly interactive walk-through attrraction.

The main galleries constitute permanent spaces for exhibitions and educational programmes organised by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) of Abu Dhabi. Among them is the Central

Events Gallery, a 660-square-metre multipurpose space opening out onto a landscaped garden area used to host special events.

This is part of an on-going cultural programme dedicated to developing awareness and understanding of art and culture prior to the launch of the Saadiyat Cultural Dis-

“SAADIYAT EXPERIENCE OFFERS VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT CURRENT ISLAND DEVELOPMENTS” trict. For more information, visit www.saadiyat.ae or www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae.

Also located within Manarat Al Saadiyat is the award-winning Fanr restaurant, a contemporary dining venue offering regional and international cuisine for 250 diners inside or al fresco in the courtyard.

See www.fanrrestaurant.ae.

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Mosques in Abu Dhabi

Five times a day, ‘Allahu akbar’ can be heard all over Abu Dhabi. The Adhan is the call to prayer, reminding Muslims that it’s time to come to the mosque.

For male Muslims it is an obligation to perform their prayers together with their brothers in faith in the mosque.

In order to find a mosque in the direct vicinity of residences and workplaces,

they are built all over town. The UAE contains almost 4,800 mosques.

For Muslim women it is not obligatory to perform their prayers in a mosque, although they are free to do so. Even though from a religious point of view it is perfectly acceptable for men and woman to pray in separate areas of the same room, most

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of the larger mosques offer dedicated sections for women, allowing more privacy.

Typical architectural details of all mosques are the minarets. In the past the muadhdhin, who calls the faithful to prayer and then leads them in it, would climb up the minaret and perform his call to prayer from this elevated position in order to be heard over a long distance. Legend has it that in the early days, the muadhdhin even

climbed a nearby palm tree, to allow his voice to reach farther.

Abu Dhabi has now centralised the service. A muadhdhin performs the call to prayer at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and this is transmitted and broadcast via the speakers of all mosques within Abu Dhabi.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which can accommodate 41,000 worshippers, is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It is a unique architectural

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work of art. The structure is completely covered in white marble, adorned by engravings and inlays of mother of pearl and semi-precious stones.

The building features 82 domes of various sizes and its entire floor is covered by what is the world’s largest knotted carpet. The world’s largest chande-

lier dominates the main prayer hall with its sparkling Swarovski crystals.

Three of the country’s oldest traditional mosques, the Mohamed bin Jasem Al Muraikhi, Al Dawsari and Said Ali Al Muhannadi, are located on Dalma Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi’s Western Region.

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

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From Al Bateen to Heritage Village

In the shadow of the Central Bank of the UAE, surrounded by towers of gleaming high-rise offices and 21st-century commerce in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi, the visitor can take a casual stroll and by doing so discover much about the history, culture and development of this part of the world.

To provide even further contrast, you may start this historic tour from the fivestar contemporary opulence of the Emir-

ates Palace. Head towards the Central Bank, then along the small road, and you come to the entrance to Marina al Bateen.

The Bateen area was the home of traditional dhow yards and small marina workshops. Dhows are traditional sailing boats, used in the region for centuries. Made entirely from wood, typically they have a long thin hull that in cargo dhows gets wider towards the front. This shape gives the boats a

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Zayed Centre

very stable trim that suits the sea conditions of the Arabian Gulf with its rather long waves. Nowadays, wooden dhows are less used for commercial reasons than as leisure boats and for popular sailing races.

From the Marina al Bateen, you can still spot these wooden vessels being built and repaired in the surrounding workshops.

From the marina, a little further on the right-hand side, stands the gate to the Zayed Heritage Centre. This former property of the ruling family is now open to the public and houses an Emirati heritage village and a museum dedicated to the father of the nation, the founder and first president of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The unique exhibition gives a very personal insight into the life of the late ruler.

Pictures show the statesman meeting with international dignities, along with very per-

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sonal images of Zayed during his pilgrimages to the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia and spending time with friends and family. Also on display is a large selection of personal effects and gifts Zayed received during his period of rule – for instance, his special collection of the finest traditional old oils, regarded by Arabs as the most precious of fragrances.

Other sections of the exhibition are dedicated to the UAE and its history. Car lovers will enjoy the private and official historic vehicles on display. If you walk the same distance from the Emirates Palace in the opposite direction, to the very tip of the peninsula, by the Marina Mall, you come to the Heritage Village.

Here, Abu Dhabi’s rich history and culture come to life. It may be hard to believe that the city of Abu Dhabi was built up only over the last 40 years. In the Museum of

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Heritage Village

the Village, pictures from the 1960s show a fort and a few huts – that was Abu Dhabi. At the traditional handicraft market, craftsmen create the traditional pottery, hand-made daggers and leather products available at outlets here. The replica of an oasis is irrigated by a falaj, a water-channel system used in the region for more than 2,000 years.

The surrounding structures and barasti beach house, made from palm leaves, feature traditional barjeels, wind-catcher towers. These are the most simple and effective cooling system. Cold air is channelled via the open chambers at the upper part of the tower to the room below to create a cooling effect of up to ten degrees.

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Chanel

Top Women’s Accessories Estée Lauder

Tiffany & Co

Louis Vuitton

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Chopard

Giuseppe Zanotti

Dolce & Gabbana

Elizabeth Arden

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Maqta Fort Soon after the island of Abu Dhabi became inhabited over 200 years ago, a watchtower was built. This tower was part of the Fort Al Mahal, which guarded the way towards the settlement. The tower was preserved and today is one of the oldest historic buildings in Abu Dhabi.

Maqta Fort stands in the shadow of ever busy Maqta Bridge, on a small rocky island at the mouth of the Khor Al Maqta. Being one of the very few historic structures in the capital, the fort has been carefully renovated in order to preserve it as a valuable architectural treasure.

“THE FORT HAS BEEN PRESERVED AS AN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE”

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Maqta Bridge An iconic if simple structure, Maqta Bridge echoes the early days of the modern-day United Arab Emirates. Before it was built, crossing from the mainland to Abu Dhabi island was via a causeway, and was dependent on the tides.

Some 300 metres in length, the single-span bridge you see here today was opened in the 1970s, long before the breakneck construction of Abu Dhabi around it. It was only a few years before the city spread from the island toward the mainland.

Nowadays, the 21st-century Sheikh Zayed Bridge runs parallel to nearby Maqta Bridge, providing an easy but striking

example of how quickly Abu Dhabi has developed in a relatively short time.

Also alongside, on the mainland, stands the solitary Maqta Fort, a further reminder of times gone by.

Abu Dhabi’s urban development is inseparable from the discovery of oil.

During these pioneering years, the first solid structures related to the petroleum industry were erected in the area around Maqta Bridge. One of the most unique landmarks in this area is the Petroleum Institute, created in 2001 to establish a world-class institution in engineering education and research in the energy industry.

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“THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT BEFORE TODAY’S ABU DHABI AROUND IT”

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Sheikh Zayed Bridge After the opening of Maqta Bridge, connecting one corner of Abu Dhabi island with the mainland, and Musaffah Bridge, connecting another, the ever-increasing congestion problems the largest Emirate seemed to be resolved.

But from the 1970s, traffic increased exponentially with the rapid development of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai – here is the main crossing between equally booming Dubai and the capital of the UAE. Opened in November 2010, 842-metre-long Sheikh Zayed Bridge became the third connection. Serving four lanes of traffic in each direction and easing access from the city centre of the capital to the main highway towards Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Bridge was also a masterpiece of contemporary architecture.

Echoing the undulating curves of the sand dunes of the mainland, Zaha Hadid’s impressive creation featured a unique light design, a reflection of the connection between the commercial hub and nature beyond.

“THE BRIDGE ECHOES THE UNDULATING CURVES OF THE SAND DUNES”

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Qaryat Al Beri

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Between Maqta and Musaffah Bridges, a new residential area grew up on the mainland, with low-rise buildings and villa compounds. Qaryat Al Beri is one of the most distinguished waterfront projects in modern-day Abu Dhabi.

The Souk Qaryat Al Beri is the latest among a string of projects being developed in the area, adjacent to the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi. Traditionally in the Arab world, the souk was an open-air marketplace, as well as a centre of local social interaction, and host of major festivals and events. The Souk Qaryat Al Beri is the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, built to showcase Arabian architecture and reflect traditional Arab hospitality and generosity. Created on two levels, the Souk is also an interesting fusion of local culture and Venetian heritage. Water canals meander through the Souk and

“THE SOUK QARYAT AL BERI IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN ABU DHABI” nearby properties, traditional abra boats ferrying hotel guests from the Shangri-La to various locations.

Restaurant and café terraces overlook the waters. Visitors can enjoy Italian, Japanese, Arabic and Indian cuisine while taking in the view. Designed to be the meeting place of choice for both leisure and business, The Souk is an exclusive and exceptional feature for retail and food and beverage brands from the region and around the world.Opened in October 2008, The Souk spreads over a total floor area of 6,222 square metres, today a popular destination for resident and tourist alike.

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Al Maryah Island Al Mariyah Island, a world-class mixed-use development in the heart of Abu Dhabi, has been designed to underpin the long-term economic and commercial growth of the capital, an all-round model for urban life in the 21st century. Al Maryah, formerly Sowwah, Island, is a major catalyst to achieve the goals of the Urban Structure Framework Plan for environmental, economic and social sustainability by 2030.

A thriving high-density residential, retail, leisure, hotel and commercial district, Al Maryah Island will have a working population of 30,000 residents, served by a contemporary cityscape of parks and open

spaces, galleries, community centres, retail outlets, designer boutiques, street cafĂŠs and high-end restaurants.

Designed by Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council, the island is being developed in three phases. The first, Sowwah Square, will provide 450,000 square metres of office, hotel and retail space.

Set between downtown, the upcoming developments at Al Reem Island and Mina Zayed, and the new Saadiyat cultural district, the strategic hub of Al Maryah Island will be seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Abu Dhabi by a state-of-the-art, multi-tiered transport infrastructure.

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Parks in Abu Dhabi Looking at the greenery and flowers all over Abu Dhabi, it is hard to imagine that this land was originally desert and that natural vegetation consisted of just a few date palms, sturdy ghaf and acacia trees, and small bushes.

Today a number of public parks are dotted around the capital. All these immaculate landscaped parks and gardens offer children’s playgrounds and are popular recreational areas for sporting activities, picnics and barbecues with friends and family.

Some of the largest parks can be found along and opposite the Corniche, right in

“IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THIS LAND WAS DESERT AND A FEW DATE PALMS” the centre of town. Special bike lanes have been laid out and there is cycle rental next to the Hiltonia Beach Club. Skating enthusiasts will enjoy the skatepark in front of the Baynoona Hilton tower.

Another of the city’s largest green areas is Khalifa Park, just off Salam Street.

Beautifully landscaped, Khalifa Park also features a mini-railway and a splash park for children up to 12 years of age.

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Meena Local traders having always set up along the coast, the marketplaces of Abu Dhabi are located near the seafront. Today the market area of the Meena, or harbour, still captures a flavour of the past and allows an insight into a traditional way of life.

At the fish market, you can find all the fresh delicacies the waters of the Gulf can provide. Fishermen, who anchor their boats a few steps away, supply the city with their rich catches. Fish can be cleaned and portioned as requested for a small fee – ready to go straight into the pan at home.

The fruit and vegetable market shows that the UAE is indeed an agricultural country, producing tomatoes, cucumbers and even seasonal strawberries, alongside traditional dates. Customers cruise in their cars along the market’s wide alleys, stopping by an attractive stall. This is the signal for the vendor – from neighbouring stalls as well – to rush over and offer samples. After the unavoidable discussion about price, a deal is fixed, money exchanged through the car window and the products loaded in the boot. The customer drives off without even having got out of the car.

For a real insight into local culture and lifestyle, the furniture and carpet market is the place. Colourful covered floor cushions and mattresses reveal the style of the traditional living room and so-called majilis, where visitors are hosted.

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Garden City Al Ain e

Hili Archeological Park

In the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, below its highest mountain of Jebel Hafeet, lies the garden city of Al Ain. Named after its natural waters – Al Ain means ‘springs’ – this oasis town straddles the border with the Omani settlement of Buraimi.

The earliest settlements here are among the oldest in the entire UAE. The remains of a 5,000-year-old Bronze Age settlement and a round-shaped burial place in the Hili Archaeological Park are among the most significant local historical finds. Thousands of years ago, this oasis town was a trading place and caravan station. Thanks to its waters and fertile red sands, the region around the Al Ain Oasis was always a centre for farming and date plantations. Forts and watchtowers were built to protect them. Most have since been renovated and converted into museums. Dates

“EARLY SETTLEMENTS HERE ARE AMONG THE OLDEST IN THE UAE” are still irrigated by falaj, a system of open channels distributing water across the plantation.

Al Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed, the founder and late president of the United Arab Emirates. Zayed was deeply rooted in and connected with Bedouin tribal culture. As a young man, he was appointed the representative of the local tribal leader and his passion for horticulture allowed him to further develop the region.

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Natural heritage

Beside its beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi has natural treasures in abundance, in the air, on land and under the water.

Camels and palm trees first spring to mind when thinking of Arabia, both partners in survival for time immemorial. Both are therefore treated with great respect.

Camels were not only the most suitable mode of transport – their milk was often the only available liquid in the desert. Only on very special occasions, such as a wedding or the celebration of Eid, will a camel be slaughtered.

Their meat still considered a delicacy, camels are bred for consumption – and for one the traditional sport of camel racing.

Arabs consider the date palm to be a gift from the heavens, providing them with the means for survival in the harsh desert and mountain environment. Thanks to deep roots, palm trees can reach underground water reserves and even survive on salty water. Often Bedouins had to survive on camel milk and dates – which have nutritional values. Beside commercial date farming – the UAE is the third largest producer worldwide – palms

have been planted in their thousands along the streets and in parks across the country in the recent years.

The palm tree was not only a source of food, but also of building and crafting material – its leaves were used for all kinds of household tasks and even building. Even today, a traditional Arab will make his barbecue by burning dried palm leaves.

For centuries, bedouins have known how to train and hunt with falcons and

“CAMELS AND PALM TREES HAVE BEEN PARTNERS IN SURVIVAL” other birds of prey. But what was once a means of survival has today become a prestigious sport, and falcons are highly regarded. They even feature as the national emblem of the UAE, a golden falcon with white feathers.

A falconer will spare nothing to make sure his bird is well looked after. There is even a special falcon hospital the world’s

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largest, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. It’s also a great place to learn more about these beautiful birds and their long-standing relationship with man. Visitors are welcome for tours, which take place six days a week.

Originally descended from the desert cat, the skinny, shy Arabian mau is one of the world’s oldest breeds of feline. Today recognised as a natural variety, this short-haired type generally lives on the streets of the UAE, perfectly suited to the extreme climate.

With its year-round warm waters, the Arabian Gulf has a rich marine life. Large shoals of fish, a great variety of shellfish and rich pearl banks have all contributed to the economy of the region. The pearl industry was a main source of income until the 1930s, when it was badly affected by the introduction of cultured pearl production in Japan and consequent dramatic decline in demand.

Fishing practices have also threatened other treasures of the Arabian Gulf, home to

“THE SHY ARABIAN MAU IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST FELINES” many endangered species. The UAE runs extensive initiatives for the protection of hawksbill sea turtles and dugongs are under special surveillance.

The hawksbill sea turtle sometimes prefers shallower waters, its colour changing according to their temperature. Although quite hardy, these creatures are regarded as a delicacy and have long been hunted. Their beautiful shells have also been used as decoration since ancient times.

Hunted for generations for meat and oil, the dugong is a huge marine mammal related to the manatee. Now close to extinction, these herbivores prefer to graze on seagrass and in mangrove channels.

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Emirates Park Zoo Opened in 2008, the Emirates Zoo in Al Shahama is the first private zoo in the UAE. With more than 1,200 animals including the only two Asian elephants in the UAE, it has recently seen the arrival of three meerkats, born in captivity.

Other inhabitants are better watched at a safe distance – such as the Siberian white tigers and cheetahs. Of particular local interest are several species of falcon and the pharaoh eagle owl. These may be fed, along with the zoo’s four giraffes.

Other attractions include the live sea lion show, featuring the ball skills of Swanny, Songa and Still, presented daily at the flamingo park, and an informative presentation of the zoo’s two elephants, Madu and Radar.

With a family-oriented atmosphere and educational programmes, the zoo inspires and encourages children and adults alike to explore, have fun and stay connected to nature and wildlife. Its petting section allows for a real hands-on experience, kids of any age able to interact with and feed the animals.

“THE ZOO HAS RECENTLY SEEN THE ARRIVAL OF THREE MEERKATS, BORN IN CAPTIVITY”

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Island life The Emirate of Abu Dhabi contains over 200 islands. The capital itself was first settled on the main island, formerly known as Milh, ‘salt’ in Arabic, after the surrounding salty waters. After a freshwater well was discovered in the 1700s, it became known as Abu Dhabi.

The city of Abu Dhabi has since spread over its surrounding islands.

“THE ISLAND OF DELMA IS A FORMER PEARLING CENTRE” Saadiyat is a developing cultural zone, the future home of the Guggenheim and Louvre Abu Dhabi. Yas Island hosts prime motor sport. Reem has become residential while Lulu and Futaisi Islands are popular getaways.

Sir Bani Yas is a luxury island retreat while Bu Tinah is a marine reserve and UNESCO site. Its coral formations are home to the threatened dugong, a large marine mammal.

One of the oldest settlements in the UAE, Delma is a former pearling centre.

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NAZZY My fashion line NAZZY™ is environmentally conscious, ethically produced wearable art. I start with pure natural textiles (silk, linen, wool, cashmere or cotton), and embellish each unique piece with subtle touches that may include paintings, photographs and hand written poems. In the U.S., my designs are sold exclusively at ABC Home’s famed flagship store in Manhattan. In Abu Dhabi, I see clients only by appointment, and as a participant in Abu Dhabi Art. My work will also be featured at the Ataya Exhibition in Abu Dhabi in May 2015. My other creations include QUEEN BEE™ porcelain tableware, highlighting images of such legendary monarchs as Nefertiti and Catherine the Great. They will heighten your guests’ appetites while making them aware that everyone’s food supply is at risk because of the Colony Collapse Disorder now threatening honeybees worldwide. I also produce hand made multi media boxes, as well as small paintings on glass, using an ancient technique developed by artisans in Syria, Turkey and other countries in the region. www.grafikaboutique.com

SEEN BY SUMAYYAH AL SUWAIDI

BY MAHSA

Established in 2011 SEEN started with a small collection in Abu Dhabi at Grafika Boutique and from there to working on a huge collection for its debut at Harper’s Bazaar World of Fashion, Fashion Show at Mall of The Emirates in Dubai in 2011.

SEEN debuted International during London Fashion Week in 2012 at A La Mode International Catwalk Show and then went on to be accepted to show at Miami Fashion Week 2013 in The USA. SEEN is one of the fastest growing fashion labels in The United Arab Emirates with clients around the world eager to own its latest collections.

A brand full of life and fun, it combines the and captures the colorful side of life and at the same time brings out the beauty in it by producing gold plated jewelry, clutches, pouches, tote bags and apparel such as dresses and cardigans. By Mahsa also has a line of fashionable home décor products such as cushions that are so on trend with artistic illustrations of famous brands such as starbucks.

www.grafikaboutique.com

www.grafikaboutique.com

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YATAGHAN Yataghan is a Turkish word that means -dagger- a piece of weaponry used in wars in the Ottoman Empire. Nowadays our war is against a world that constantly tries to make us fit in instead of stand out.

We believe that we must first start by celebrating our own individuality and fight for what we believe in, before celebrating and contributing to the world. Our unique brand name Yataghan is inspired by our motto and vision; “Celebrate your individuality�

Each piece of Yataghan fine jewellery is hand-made to perfection. The exquisite pieces are inspired by you and created for you. We offer you the finest custom-made jewellery and gift items that you will love to own and love to gift. www.grafikaboutique.com

LATIFA AL SHAMSI

FMM BY FATMA AL MULLA Emirati Graphic Designer turned her illustrations and designs into products, starting with stationeries and most recently clutches and dresses. Her unique prints make her collection stand out wherever it is displayed and it fits in with the contemporary fashion that the girls are into these days. www.grafikaboutique.com

Well known for her fashion blog and launched her line recently with many women eager to buy her designs as she is well known for her fashion sense and elegance. www.grafikaboutique.com

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ARMANI EXCHANGE A|X Armani Exchange is accessible Armani, inspired by street-chic culture, fashionable dance music and everything that signifies freedom and personal style. Armani Exchange is the youthful label created by Italian designer and entrepreneur Giorgio Armani.

With Armani Exchange, Mr Armani interprets his unique style to create a casual, yet sophisticated collection for the young, urban set. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery and music. www.armaniexchange.com

CARTIER Founded in 1847 by Louis Francois Cartier, the family-run Cartier firm has expanded to become an international jewellery house with a reputation second to none. For generations, the House of Cartier has displayed the gift of sophisticated expertise in creating pieces that express a unity of style no matter the differences in artistic expression attracting customers from around the world in search of distinction. The jeweller never ceases to delight the public with its dazzling collection that places contemporary high jewellery creations alongside fine watchmaking master pieces in perfect continuity, bearing witness to the vitality of its creations both past and present. www.cartier.com

TIFFANY & CO. Tiffany & Co. is America's premier purveyor of jewels and timepieces, as well as luxury table, personal and home accessories. It was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and established on the belief that 'good design is good business'. All Tiffany & Co. designs are presented in the Tiffany Blue Box速, recognised around the world as an icon of distinction and a symbol of the ultimate gift to celebrate life's most joyous occasions. Today, the company's more than 100 boutiques in 17 countries continue the company's tradition of excellence. www.tiffany.com

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JOBEENY The Jobeeny brand is set to shake up the high street with the launch of an unusual range of “modern antiques”. Conceived and created by designer Jo Cooper, the brand is proud to unveil its first collection of future heirlooms. “There are so many elements that my bespoke customers want:” Jo said “a sense of timelessness; properly crafted details; some luxury; a fashion sense. So I decided to draw them all together in a modern, practical way”. www.jobeeny.com

RODENSTOCK The Rodenstock brand stands for technologically demanding products of exceptional quality. For at Rodenstock we constantly ask ourselves: how can we make wearing spectacles even more pleasant, lighter, simpler and more comfortable?

This attitude gives rise to innovative product solutions – which meet demands for the highest precision. www.rodenstock.com

VICTORIA'S SECRET Victoria’s Secret, the world’s greatest lingerie store is now open! The store features a wide assortment of the brand’s signature bras, panties, sleepwear, and Victoria’s Secret PINK, the spirited lifestyle brand dedicated to the independent and inspired collegiate girl. The full lines of popular fragrances such as Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, Dre am Angels Glow and Victoria’s Secret Angel are all available along with VS Fantasies body care and PINK beauty products. This store is uniquely designed to embody the brand’s sophisticated and glamorous spirit. www.victoriassecret.com

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Guggenheim Museum on Saadiyat Island

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Saadiyat and Yas Islands

Both east of main Abu Dhabi Island and connected by the E12 road over Al Jubail in between, the destinations of Saadiyat and Yas have been put firmly on the map by ambitious recent developments.

Saadiyat has been earmarked as a cultural district

“SAADIYAT AND YAS HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE MAP BY AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENTS” of global significance, soon to host prestigious institutions such as the world’s largest Guggenheim and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Yas is the site of Abu Dhabi’s new Formula One racetrack, now on the annual Grand Prix schedule. It is also home to other attractions such as Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld.

The 27-square-kilometre island of Saadiyat, ‘Happiness’, is the focus for Vision 2013, a project to position the UAE capital as a major cultural hub for the region. A Culture District is currently under development, and the feature of the permanent display at Manarat Saadiyat, the ‘Place of Enlightenment’.

This exhibition and information centre, a 15-minute drive from the Corniche, provides a detailed insight into all the surroundings developments, in particular the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, the Centre for

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Saadiyat Island

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“YAS WATERWORLD SPREADS OVER 15 HECTARES, WITH 43 RIDES, SLIDES AND ATTRACTIONS�

Performing Arts, and the Maritime Museum.

Displayed are models and architectural studies and, since curators are already completing their various collections, highlights from the acquisition lists are regularly unveiled. The adjoining exhibition hall regularly hosts themed exhibitions.

Next to Manarat Saadiyat, the UAE Pavilion, which represented the country at Shanghai Expo 2010, now has its new permanent home.

From here, the E12 highway towards Dubai provides a spectacular panoramic ride between both islands. Endless mangroves dominate the view, interrupted by small sandy islands dotted around and narrow seawater channels. After 20

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minutes you reach Yas Island, named after Abu Dhabi’s tribal ancestors.

The Yas Marina circuit is worth a visit any time of year, with guided tours five days of the week. Visitors can walk around the paddock area, see the pit garages and check out the hightech areas of race control in the Shams tower.

The hotels at Yas Place are handy for a quick coffee, such as the terrace of the Yas Viceroy hotel overlooking the racetrack.

Next to the circuit is Ferrari World, its vast red roof and Ferrari logo literally unmissable.

Twenty thrilling rides promise adrenaline-filled fun and Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world, offers the ultimate speed kick, accelerating to 240km and hour and pulling 4.8 in G-force.

Next door, at the centre of the island’s entertainment complex, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi spreads over 15 hectares, with 43 rides, slides and

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“VISION 2013 POSITIONS THE UAE CAPITAL AS A MAJOR CULTURAL HUB FOR THE REGION” attractions. Four of the rides are one-of-a-kind, never seen before at a waterpark. A regular winner of global travel awards, Yas Waterworld also contains the world’s largest surfable sheet wave surf.

For those who prefer more relaxed recreation, Yas Island also offers one of the finest golf courses in the region, and boat tours of the surrounding mangroves.

Initiated in 2006, Yas Island is constantly being developed as a tourist and leisure destination, with more attractions planned in the next three years.

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

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Sir Bani Yas Island

Sir Bani Yas Island The Christian Monastery on Sir Bani Yas was discovered in 1992 during an archaeological survey of the island. It was probably built at the end of the 6th century AD and abandoned around 150 years afterwards.

The site is located on the eastern side of the island, its main gate facing a sheltered creek on the shoreline. The central complex, enclosed within a wall, consists of monks’ cells, kitchens, animal pens and

storerooms around a courtyard with the church in the middle. Nearby are several smaller buildings, perhaps the homes for senior monks, as well as a large water cistern and channel.

The occupants of the monastic settlement were from the Church of the East, also known as the East Syrian Church.

They were involved in the maritime trade from the northern Gulf to India, as well as in the local pearling industry.

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Desert delights No visit to Arabia would be complete without a trip to the desert. The Arabian Desert covers most of the peninsula, a vast, forbidding region in whose extreme climate only the hardiest creatures and plants survive.

“ABU DHABI ALLOWS THE VISITOR TO SAMPLE ITS UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE” Abu Dhabi lies on its eastern fringes, allowing the visitor to sample its rare wildlife and unique atmosphere. It is the kind of environment that has attracted renowned explorers such as Sir William Thesiger,

whose striking photographs of desert life are on display at the Al Jahili Fort in Abu Dhabi.

It is said that the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates have seven different colours of sand – assembled in decorative glass vessels and picture frames, the Seven Sands of the Emirates became a popular souvenir.

Indeed, the sand in the western coastal areas is of a light yellow colour due to sediments of shells and coral skeletons. Towards the Al Ain region, the sand becomes more reddish orange, a result of erosion from the nearby Hajar Mountains. It contains, among other minerals, a substantial proportion of iron oxides.

In the northern areas of the eastern coast, the sand is almost black, due to large amounts of igneous gabbro

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“TOWARDS THE REGION OF AL AIN, THE SAND BECOMES REDDISH ORANGE” rocks in this part of the Hajar mountain range.

An excursion can be best arranged via one of the numerous tourist companies in Abu Dhabi city, offering day trips into the desert as well as into the impressive mountains.

The occasional rainfall in the Hajar Mountains has, over 20 million years, washed out deep valleys, the so-called wadis. Most of the year these riverbeds are dry, except for some pools filled year-round with fresh water from natural springs. The picturesque Hatta pools are a popular destination.

There is, in fact, a surprising amount of greenery in certain areas of the Hajar Mountains, with olive trees and junipers, apricots and pomegranates grown in the valleys.

Indigenous species of mountain gazelles, rock geckos and lizards are also regularly sighted, although the endangered Arabian leopard is only occasionally spotted in the more remote corners.

For trekkers and hikers, there are also marked trails but these mainly snake through Oman just over the border – as does the mountain range itself.

Many visitors to Abu Dhabi are happy to opt for a dune dinner, which combines a desert trip with a folklore show in the evening. Even though belly dancing and waterpipes do not really originate here, it helps create the atmosphere of 1001 Nights and an unforgettable evening – the starlit sky of the desert can do the rest.

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O

ccupying the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the United Arab Emirates were formed from the Trucial States created by the British.

These seven – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain – became the UAE in 1971 under the wise and forwardthinking stewardship of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi.

With the discovery of oil in the 1960s – 30 years after the local lucrative pearl industry collapsed – riches began to pour into the Gulf. Instilling a sense of unity, Sheikh Zayed forged a nation and oversaw its unprecedented development.

Today the vast majority of the UAE’s seven million-plus population is expatriate – and tourism now plays a significant role in the local economy.

While Abu Dhabi is the capital, Dubai is the big tourist draw, its limited oil reserves forcing the most populous Emirate to reinvent itself on a grand scale. The tallest, the biggest, the richest, you’ll find it in Dubai. Due to host Expo 2020, Dubai was the world’s seventh most visited destination in 2013, over Hong Kong and Barcelona.

Each of the other Emirates has its own attraction. Sharjah is known as a cultural hub, its Art Biennial due to be staged in the spring of 2015. The Museum of Islamic Civilisation here is a real don’t miss. Boatbuilding and a seafaring tradition underscore little Ajman, as well as Ras Al Khaimah, where sailors fought with coastal pirates for centuries.

The clear waters of Fujairah, its coral and multi-patterned fish, attract scores of scuba divers, its beaches the ideal relaxing getaway.

Birdwatchers flock to Umm al Quwain, whose wildlife can be observed by the casual visitor thanks to tours arranged by the landmark hotel there, the Flamingo Beach Resort. Crab hunting is another popular pastime.

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The Seven Emirates

Dubai

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With Expo 2020, Dubai can look back over a decade when it reinvented itself as global tourist destination and moved away from an oil-based economy.

In 2015, 15 million visitors are expected to the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, drawn by attractions such as the world’s tallest building, largest shopping mall and first sevenstar hotel. And yet Dubai only occupies about five percent of the total landmass of the UAE. The Emirate consists of the city of Dubai and suburbs, and enclave of Hatta. It all started around Dubai Creek in the 1800s, where traders settled. Dhows still anchor here, underlining Dubai’s tradition as a trading place and cultural melting pot.

Oil was discovered in 1966, and accounted for a quarter of GDP in 1990. Today, it’s less than five percent

“TOURISTS ARE DRAWN BY THE WORLD’S TALLEST BUILDING, LARGEST SHOPPING MALL AND FIRST SEVENSTAR HOTEL” of Dubai’s revenue. Along with tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services are its modern-day lynchpins.

Dubai has already impressed the world with its ambitious achievements.

What is being planned for Expo 2020 – under the theme ‘Connecting Minds – Creating the Future’ – can only be imagined.

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The Seven Emirates

Sharjah “THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC CIVILISATION IS TOPPED BY A GOLDEN DOME, FILLED WITH 5,000 EXQUISITE RELICS”

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Sharjah, the third largest of the Emirates and Dubai’s northern neighbour, has long been considered the cultural capital of the UAE, with a passionate commitment to the arts.

This role may change as establishments of global importance, the Guggenheim and Louvre Abu Dhabi, open over the border in the next two years, but Sharjah, a former UNESCO’s Cultural Capital of the Arab World, still offers a surprisingly large number of unique museums and attractions.

Named Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014, Sharjah has recently seen its historic centre rebuilt, and many former residences transformed into museums and houses of culture.

The most notable is the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, topped by a golden dome, filled with some 5,000 exquisite relics such as manuscripts, carvings, ceramics and scientific objects.

The Emirate hosts a significant contemporary art event, its Biennial, the next one taking place over three months from March 5, 2015. The Sharjah Art Foundation also runs a year-long programme of exhibitions, performances and screenings.

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The Seven Emirates

Ajman

At just 260 square kilometres, Ajman is the smallest of the seven Emirates.

Located on the coastline north of Dubai, it is a traditional place of shipbuilding and home to one of the bestknown shipyards in the country. Gulf Craft Inc is a manufacturer of luxury yachts and fibre-glass vessels.

Ajman’s history is presented in its Heritage Museum, located in the fort where the ruler once resided. Even though today’s Emirate has less than 20km of coastline – Ajman is otherwise entirely surrounded by Sharjah – this history is invariably linked to the sea. Seafaring tribes, trade, fishing and shipbuilding have underscored life here, tourism taking a back seat until international chain Kempinski picked the local beachside here to open its first

“SEAFARING TRIBES, TRADE, FISHING AND SHIPBUILDING HAVE UNDERSCORED LIFE HERE” hotel in the UAE in 1998. Others have since followed.

Since 2008, the Emirate has been planning the construction of a major international airport of Al Manama, capable of dealing with a million passengers a year. Now due to open in 2018, it forms part of Ajman Vision 2021 to push the local economy and boost tourism.

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The Seven Emirates

Fujairah

Fujairah is the only Emirate on the eastern shore of the UAE. The Indian Ocean coastline is a well known tourist attraction. The proximity of the Hajar Mountains and the quiet beaches make it an ideal destination to unwind and relax.

The area is particularly popular among scuba divers, who find here beautiful spots full of tropical fish and colourful soft and hard coral.

Fujairah contains the only multi-purpose port on the eastern seaboard of the UAE, from where large quantities of its oil exports are shipped. The Friday Market on the road from the mainland through the

mountains to the east coast is the largest and most popular of its kind in the country. It opens on other days too.

Al Badiyah Mosque, in the small village of the same name, is considered to be the oldest in the UAE. According to the latest findings, the mosque and two watchtowers overlooking the village were built in 1446.

All is told in the Fujairah Museum, where archaeological remains date back several centuries. It stands

by Fujairah Fort, overlooking the coast, built in 1670 and restored in 2000.

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The Seven Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah On the northern edge of the west coast lies the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, literally translated as ‘The Top of the Tent’. The region was a former stronghold of seafarers who fearlessly defended the area – known in previous centuries as the Pirate Coast – against potential invaders.

Its most famous son was seafarer and navigator Ahmed bin Majid, who lived in the 15th century and published the ‘Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation’ in 1490.

“ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN LIES THE FIRST AND ONLY CULTURED PEARL FARM IN THE GULF, AN AGE-OLD TRADITION”

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With its long sandy beaches, Ras Al Khaimah is a hidden treasure on the UAE’s tourist map.

It will surely become better known with extensive new tourism developments in the Al Hamra area, where the UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria Hotel features an 18-hole championship golf course and 350 metres of private beach.

On the outskirts of town lies the first and only cultured pearl farm in the Gulf, continuing an age-old tradition displayed in the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. Set in the former palace of the ruling Al Qasimi family, this is the Emirate’s major cultural attraction.

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The Seven Emirates

Umm Al-Quwain The Emirate of Umm al Quwain, located on the north-western coast of the Arabian Gulf, offers unspoiled landscapes and plenty of outdoor adventure sports.

The least populous of the seven emirates, Umm al Quwain also known for its wildlife, its waters home to green turtles and reef sharks, its island of Al Sinniyah a birdwatcher’s paradise just two kilometres from the north-east coast of the peninsula.

Seafood lovers also flock here, crab hunting being a major pastime. Located in the lagoon of Umm al Quwain, the landmark Flamingo Beach Resort hotel offers a crab-hunting trips. Boats ferry guests to the natural mangroves abundant with crustaceans. Experienced staff is on hand to assist and make sure the crab-hunters come back with enough spoils for dinner.

It might be worth spending a while around the old harbour before setting off – traditional dhows are still crafted in wood by skilled boatbuilders.

Visitors can also pay a visit to Umm al Quwain Fort, with displays of weaponry, jewellery and finds from local archaelogical digs. These

“THE ISLAND OF AL SINNIYAH IS A PARADISE FOR BIRDWATCHERS” have turned up from the Bronze Age and before.

Umm al Quwain also caters to visiting families with Dreamland Aqua Park, with dozens of rides, slides and chutes, and panoramic views of the Emirate.

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Arrive in style Abu Dhabi's International Airport Abu Dhabi’s International Airport has been operating since 1982 and consists of three terminals with a capacity of around 12.5 million passengers annually. The Midfield Terminal Complex is currently under development, and will aim to triple passenger capacity to 47 million per year. It is expected to open in 2017.

Abu Dhabi’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, started commercial operations in 2003 and within a very short period of time be-

came the fastest growing airline in the world.

From its home base, Etihad operates a fleet of 105 aircraft on more than 1,000 flights per week, serving a network of 96 international destinations.

Etihad Airways has received a range of awards, including ‘World’s Leading Airline’ at the World Travel Awards for four years running from 2009. www.abudhabiairport.ae

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Al Bateen Executive Airport

Located on Abu Dhabi’s main island, Al Bateen Executive Airport is the first one dedicated to private jets in the Middle East and North Africa.

As a public airport, Al Bateen opened in 1969 and was serving international flights a year later. After Abu Dhabi International Airport was built on the mainland in 1982, Al Bateen became a military base. Another change took place in 2008, when Al Bateen was redeveloped

into a world-class executive airport that now has a stand capacity of 50 private jets. Al Bateen Executive Airport became the venue for the annual Abu Dhabi Air Expo in 2012, the same year as it recorded a 26% increase in business traffic in the first four months. Set in the heart of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Al Bateen is only ten minutes away from the Corniche. Coupled with fast, efficient turnarounds, short taxi times and

no holding patterns, Al Bateen allows the VIP business traveller maximum opportunity to get best use out of a flying visit.

Fixed-base operating (FBO) services such as fuelling and maintenance were galvanised in 2011 thanks to DhabiJet, voted in the top five of its kind in the world by ‘European Business Aviation News’. High-end retail provision was introduced in 2013. www.albateenairport.com

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Essential numbers EMERGENCY SERVICES Police Ambulance Fire Marine emergencies

FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN ABU DHABI 999 998 / 999 997 996

DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES Etisalat du

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AIRPORT ENQUIRIES Abu Dhabi International Airport Al Bateen Executive Airport

+971 2 505 5555 +971 2 449 4521

Dubai International Airport Al Maktoum International Airport

+971 4 216 6666 +971 4 814 1111

TAXI SERVICES Trans AD Tawasul Taxi National Taxi

+971 2 417 3888 +971 2 673 4444 +971 2 554 2231

LIMOUSINE SERVICES National Transport Company Fast Limo

+971 2 622 3300 +971 2 622 0000

ABI DHABI HOSPITALS Mafraq Hospital Sheik Khalifa Medical City Al Noor Hospital branches Burjeel Hospital Cleveland Clinic Corniche Maternity Hospital Modern German Dental Center

+971 2 501 1111 +971 2 819 0000 800 55 666 +971 2 222 2332 +971 2 659 0200 +971 2 672 4900 +971 2 667 3235

Al Ain Hospital

+971 3 763 5888

Embassy of Australia +971 2 401 7500 Embassy of United Kingdom +971 2 610 1100 Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan +971 2 447 2666 Embassy of Algeria +971 2 444 8949 Embassy of Azerbaijan +971 2 666 2848 Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina +971 2 644 4164 Embassy of Brunei Darussalam +971 2 448 6999 Embassy of Canada +971 2 694 0300 Embassy of Chile +971 2 447 2022 Embassy of Denmark +971 2 441 0104 Embassy of Eritrea +971 2 633 1838 Embassy of Finland +971 2 632 8927 Embassy of France +971 2 813 1000 Embassy of India +971 2 449 2700 Embassy of Italy +971 2 443 5622 Embassy of Japan +971 2 443 5696 Embassy of Malaysia +971 2 448 2775 Embassy of Nigeria +971 2 443 1503 Embassy of Romania +971 2 445 9919 Embassy of Royal Norwegian +971 2 621 1221 Embassy of Royal Thailand +971 2 557 6551 Embassy of Sweden +971 2 417 8800 Embassy of Switzerland +971 2 627 4636 Embassy of Turkmenistan +971 2 449 1088 Embassy of Ukraine +971 2 632 7586 Embassy of Vietnam +971 2 449 6710 Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt +971 2 813 7000 Embassy of the Arab Republic of Syria +971 2 444 8768 Embassy of the Czech Republic +971 2 678 2800 Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka +971 2 631 6444 Embassy of the Federal Republic of Brazil +971 2 632 0606 Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany +971 2 644 6693 Embassy of the Gambia +971 2 643 3955 Embassy of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya +971 2 441 8222 Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan +971 2 444 7100 Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran +971 2 444 7618 Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania +971 2 446 2724 Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan +971 2 444 7800

Fine Dining on Smartphones Download Your App for Smartphones and Tablets Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Embassy of the People's Republic of China Embassy of the Philippines Embassy of the Republic of Argentina Embassy of the Republic of Armenia Embassy of the Republic of Austria Embassy of the Republic of Belarus Embassy of the Republic of Benin Embassy of the Republic of Greece Embassy of the Republic of Hungary Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Embassy of the Republic of Iraq Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Embassy of the Republic of Kenya Embassy of the Republic of Korea Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon Embassy of the Republic of Poland Embassy of the Republic of Senegal Embassy of the Republic of Somalia Embassy of the Republic of South Africa Embassy of the Republic of Sudan Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia Embassy of the Republic of Turkey Embassy of the Republic of Yemen Embassy of the Russian Federation Embassy of the Republic of Singapore Embassy of the State of Kuwait Embassy of the State of Palestine Embassy of the State of Qatar Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania Embassy of the United States of America Embassy of the Uzbekistan

+971 2 665 7500 +971 2 631 9449 +971 2 443 3973 +971 2 444 5700 +971 2 626 9544 +971 2 695 8000 +971 2 446 5100 +971 2 443 4276 +971 2 639 0006 +971 2 443 6838 +971 2 444 4196 +971 2 694 4999 +971 2 445 3399 +971 2 639 4665 +971 2 449 2550 +971 2 676 6190 +971 2 445 4448 +971 2 441 8022 +971 2 449 8778 +971 2 666 6300 +971 2 643 9122 +971 2 449 2100 +971 2 446 5200 +971 2 633 6929 +971 2 666 9700 +971 2 447 3446 +971 2 444 6699 +971 2 681 1331 +971 2 410 9999 +971 2 444 8457 +971 2 672 1797 +971 2 222 2083 +971 2 447 7146 +971 2 447 1440 +971 2 449 3300 +971 2 446 3333 +971 2 631 3088 +971 2 414 2200 +971 2 448 8215

Download this app to discover the gourmet metropolis Abu Dhabi!

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Rin

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et

Umn al Nar Archeological Site

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st Stre

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AL RAS AL AKHDAR

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t Al Wadha AL MANHAL ree rand Milleniu aa Mall St a Sheikh Al Whada ah Khalifa at AL WAHDA os ital Al Al Ra da Rotana

AL KHALIDIYA Khalidya Park ilton Water o er A u ha i AL KHUBEIRAK

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ay

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id

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Central ost ffi e

t

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St

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Marina Mall

Khalidiyah Mall

th Stre

Family Park

rd

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QASR EL SHATIE

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sheed

th

214

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Al ateen Air ort

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A u ha i hi ition Centre

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A

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rid e

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Police Officers City

th Street MUSSAFAH 14

MUSSAFAH 15

MUSSAFAH 9 Material City uildin th Street

MUSSAFAH 16

0m

500

MUSSAFAH 11 MUSSAFAH 12

th Street

1 km

id rayer round

MUSSAFAH 4

th Street

th Street

ABU DHABI

MUSSAFAH 17

MUSSAFAH 13

th Street

MUSSAFAH 33 Mussafah Bus Terminal th Street

th Street

th Street

th Street

Futaisi Island

National Petroleum Construction Company

th Street th Street

Residential City

MUSSAFAH INDUSTRIAL AREA

th

al a Mall ABU DHABI INDUSTRIAL AREA

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES

Shopping M alls in A bu Dhabi ABU DHABI MALL Website www.abudhabi-mall.com Telephone +971 2 645 4858

MUSHRIF MALL Website www.mushrifmall.com Telephone +971 2 690 4422

MARINA MALL Website www.marinamall.ae Telephone +971 2 681 8300

DALMA MALL Website www.dalmamall.ae Telephone +971 2 5506111 Ramhan Island

KHALIDIYAH MALL Website www.khalidiyahmall.com Telephone +971 2 635 4000

FOTOUH AL KHAIR CENTRE Website www.fotouhalkhair.com Telephone +971 2 681 1130

AL WAHDA MALL Website www.alwahda-mall.com Telephone +971 2 443 7070

THE SOUK – AT QARYAT AL BERI Website www.soukqaryatalberi.com Telephone +971 2 558 1670

AVENUE AT ETIHAD TOWERS Website www.avenueatetihadtowers.ae Telephone +971 2 613 3373

WORLD TRADE CENTRE CENTRAL MARKET – SOUK Website www.wtcad.ae Telephone +971 2 810 7810

Saadiyat Island

Yas Island

Shaha

AL RAHA MALL Website www.al-rahamall.com Telephone +971 2 556 2229

a

u ai Roa

A

u

ha

i

d

THE GALLERIA Website www.thegalleria.ae Telephone +971 2 6166 999

ater

orld

Ya

s ei

MADINAT ZAYED SHOPPING CENTRE AND GOLD CENTRE Website www.madinatzayed-mall.com Telephone +9712 633 3311 Balmmd

Mushayrib Island

ai Ro da

BELGHAILAM

u

Bisrat Fahid Island

Yas Mall

su

YAS MALL Website www.yasmall.ae Telephone +971 800 927 6255

Island

re r

errari World A u ha i

Yas Links Golf Course

Yas Marina Circuit

Yas

i eroy

Heliport

As Smmaliyyah Island Al Dana Ladies Beach oda

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ha A u

Sas An Nakhl Island ational il Co any

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Al Raha Mall Al Raha ea h

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ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Al Ghazal Golf Club

MADINAT KHALIFA A

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BAIN AL JESSRAIN

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th Street Residential City

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re

in

th Street

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Ra s

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id rayer round

th Street

th Street

MUSSAFAH 17

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A

Material City uildin th Street

MUSSAFAH 33 Mussafah Bus Terminal th Street

th Street MUSSAFAH 16

St

MUSSAFAH 9

St

MUSSAFAH 14

th S

et

th Street MUSSAFAH 15

th

Al K

rid e

Ma ta Sheikh ayed in Sultan Al ahyan Mos ue

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ON

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Sheikh Khalifa Park

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ilton

th

Road

MASDAR CITY

et

215

216

LUXURY ABU DHABI 2015

SHOPPING

DINING

SIGHTSEEING

Publisher Thomas Botka, Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC Advertising sales@luxury-cities.com

ARTS

CULTURE

Luxury Abu Dhabi 2015 is a premium lifestyle publication published by Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC. Continuously updated, published once or more a year. Available everywhere in Fine Hotels.

Design & Layout Absolut Design Studio Art director Csaba Szomor Photo Production Luxury Cities Media Editor Peterjon Cresswell

www.luxury-cities.com 2015 edition © ISBN ????????????????????????

All photos used in this publication are by Luxury Cities Media, Photos.com, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Classics, Abu Dhabi Festival, ADACH, ADTA, Anantara, Emirates Place, Etihad Towers, Tamás Dombovári, Susa Dosa, Jehad Alzaabia, Jumeriah Group, Kempinski, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, TDIC, Yas Marina Circuit, Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi, www.capitalgate.ae, wwww.emiratesteamnz.com, unless otherwise credited.

Luxury Abu Dhabi is a registered trademark. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions there in. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement. All content in this publication is the property of Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC and its suppliers or licensors or contributors and is protected by the UAE and International copyright laws. © Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC. All rights reserved.

Special thanks to the Abu Dhabi Government, the National Media Council, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, TDIC, the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ and Security Media, Nasser Ali talented and awarded young Emirati Photographer.

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