Take A Tour of Abu Dhabi

The Middle East is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With brand new cities that are home to thousands of expats from across the world, they offer the best of life in a modern metropolis. One such example is the fast developing metropolis of Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and was formerly a fishing village. The discovery of oil in the 1950s led to massive growth with foreign companies investing and helping to develop its infrastructure, which has transformed it into one of the most modern cities in the world. Modern Abu Dhabi is a fine blend of the old and modern, while retaining its traditional roots despite adopting a modern style of life.

With modern skyscrapers dotting the city skyline you will feel as if you are in a city in Europe. Abu Dhabi is situated atop an island that is in the Persian Gulf. It offers some of the finest hotels in the region for visitors to enjoy a comfortable stay. A great hotel to stay at when in Abu Dhabi is the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, which offers a beachfront view, luxurious interiors and the finest facilities and amenities on offer. The Intercontinental Abu Dhabi is centrally located, which makes commuting around the city relatively convenient. A great way to see the city is by taking a dhow cruise, which is very popular with visitors and tourists to the city. It offers a scenic view of the city skyline in a relaxed and peaceful environment with excellent cuisines to dine on.

Going on a cruise is a great way to spot landmarks that you would like to visit later when you step ashore. While drifting along the clear blue waters of the Persian Gulf you will pass the beautiful artificial island of Lulu, Jebel Ali, which has the distinction being the largest man-made port in the world. You will also see imposing skyscrapers that would make you feel as if you are in downtown Manhattan. You can also see the magnificent Corniche a prominent walkway, which moves along the seafront in the city. The path is lined with beautiful fountains, domes, towers and minarets that make it well worth exploring when on shore.

A landmark very popular with visitors to Abu Dhabi is the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is strikingly attractive with a flawless white finish and massive in size, which makes it all the more impressive. The architects derived inspiration from Moorish and Mughal era buildings. It was opened relatively recently in 2007. Its interior decor is breathtakingly beautiful with enormous overhead chandeliers embellished with thousands of Swarovski crystals and luxurious carpets.

Another captivating building is the famous Al Hosn Palace, which is also popularly called the old fort or white fort. It served as a splendid residence in earlier times and was built in the 19th century. It now is home to the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi, which showcases traditional artefacts and ancient exhibits for visitors to view.