Qasr al Sarab means "The Palace of Mirage". The view of sand dunes from this hotel is truly amazing and you can also go on Desert Walks, Desert Biking and Archery amongst other things - or just enjoy the restaurants' delicious food.
Tal Moreeb
If you're ever planning on going dune bashing and bike riding in the desert I would highly recommend you to go to Liwa (in the Abu Dhabi Emirate). You can rent bikes there.
Liwa is home to amazing and fun desert landscape. Follow the signs to Tal Moreeb, it's supposedly the highest sand dune in the UAE (120m and 50 degree) and also the place to watch drag racing. It is quite steep as well, hence the name Moreeb (scary).
Between sand dune areas you will see "jao" which is flat areas stretching from east to west and will help the skilled drivers to navigate.
Liwa is also the location where "Planet Jakku" in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was filmed.
If you get the chance, also pass by the Liwa Café which has great dates and date juice!
Al Dhafra Festival
Al Dhafra Festival is taking place once a year and is the place where you can see thousands of camels competing in beauty shows, best camel milk and camel racing. If you come here, don't miss the "Million Street" They also host falcons as well as date competition and has a comprehensive Emirati culture souq. A place definitely worth visiting.
If you are lucky you will see (and buy) the so called "truffle of the desert", which my friends call something like "faggaer" (I can't promise this spelling is correct in any way...). They are sold in boxes. I was told that price ranges from 250-500 aed.
After a couple of hours drive and a 20 minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi, you will find my favorite island,
Sir Baniyas Island. The entire island is a nature reserve where over 15,000 wild animals live. There aren't directly any roads and you will never see any traffic lights, skyscrapers or escalators. However, there are 30 villas that you can rent as well as a hotel with restaurants and spa. I mostly enjoy in the villas, which are design in somewhat traditional style right on the beach. Close to the villas is an Italian restaurant.
You can do safari, archery, horseback riding, snorkeling and many other activities. I tried the mentioned activities as well as the spa and pleased with all of it. If I could only choose one thing, I would do the safari.
Nothing makes me happier than when friends invite me over for "just some lunch" and I get to enjoy the family atmosphere of an Emirati home. Today was such a day.
Manarat Al Saadiyat is an art museum I try to visit every now and then. I often find interesting and inspiring local and international exhibitions here. The museum has multiple gallery spaces and is more of a cultural hub than just a venue for galleries. The adjacent
Fanr restaurant with its outdoor garden is definitely worth a visit to have your lunch or coffee and deserts.
It's located on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Photo credit: Manarat Al Saadiyat
Photo credit: Fanr Restaurant
A bit pricey yet one of my favorite shops for inspiration -
minbart. The shop is located in the
Al Muneera area (5 min with car from Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi. They have creative and beautiful clothes, accessories and other design pieces. They sell pieces from both regional and international designers. Their instagram account @minbart gives you an idea of their designs.
If you are in the Muneera area, don't miss the Italian ice cream bar Vasa Vasa Gelataria!
(Photo from minbart instagram)
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