Abu Dhabi Blog

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Essential Information for holidays to Abu Dhabi includes dates for Ramadan

Dates for Ramadan 2008 - Essential information for planning your holiday to Abu Dhabi UAE during Ramadan 2008

Date palm fruit

Abu Dhabi is now the richest city in the world. Abu Dhabi is proud of its heritage and traditional Arabic hospitality will include date palm fruit and coffee. How dates were stored and made into tamr.

Golf Courses Abu Dhabi. Golf and Beach Holidays.

International Standard Golf Courses Abu Dhabi. Luxury Beach Hotels, Great City Night Life. Play Golf in the desert at one of the world's wealthiest cities.

Christina Aguilera to peform at Emirates Palace Hotel - Abu Dhabi

Christina Aguilera, the Grammy award-winning singer, is scheduled to perform for the first time in the Middle East with a one-off concert, on the lawns of the luxury Emirates Palace hotel on Oct 24.

Yahoo Authentication

Etihad 3 daily flights - Heathrow to Abu Dhabi

From October 2008, Etihad will expand its flying programme to the UK, adding a third daily flight from Abu Dhabi to London’s Heathrow airport.

Holiday of a lifetime in Abu Dhabi

Have you ever dreamed of living like a millionaire? Well now you can, for just a mere million dollars, or so, Abu Dhabi are offering an extravagent holiday of a life time.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is open to both Muslim and non-Muslim faith visitors. The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is regarded as the third largest mosque in the world. Finishings include semi-precious stones an

Abu Dhabi Mourns Sheikh Nasser

Abu Dhabi will observe three days of mourning in respect of Sheikh Nasser Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Nasser died on Monday night when the helicopter carrying him and his colleagues crashed over Gulf waters.

The three-day mourning period commences Tuesday 3rd June, during which time no live music may be played.

New First & Business Class Lounge for Etihad Guests

First and business class travellers with Etihad can now enjoy the new Abu Dhabi lounge. Facilities include a “wi-fi” area, hi-tech electronic games room, library, relaxation zone, “well-being” spa and gallery showcasing work by local Arab artists.

Customers can choose between the “chic” dining areas, relaxing lounge or the study-themed timber-panelled business centre which is equipped with workstations and power points for laptops.

A dedicated “well-being” area offers individual treatment rooms for express spa experiences where expert therapists offer individual treatments which include facials, foot and leg massages.

Early photos - Abu Dhabi

Early photos of Abu Dhabi are a great way to visualise life in this Emirate before the discover of oil.

Ever wondered how much a Pure - Bred camel would cost?

A sheikh from Abu Dhabi has bought two pure-bred racing camels for over $7 million, the local Al-Ittihad daily reported on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Nahyan bought Mabrukan, one of the winners of the 2008 Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival for over $4 million and a female camel for $3 million as a mate.

Over 10,000 pure-bred camels worth $270 million took to the catwalk during the event, declared the biggest camel show in history with over $9.5 million and 100 cars as prizes.

Abu Dhabi hosts exciting Camel Festival and Competition

One camel owner is reported to have turned down an offer of seven million UAE dirhams to sell his camel, favouring to take part in the contest.

The Zayed Marathon - $2million in prize money

The Zayed Marathon, 21 km, is being held today, under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The total prize money being a whopping $2 million.

In what is being 'hailed' as the 'world's richest race', runners will be eyeing the $200,000 bonus for setting a new Half Marathon record.

Abu Dhabi goes Organic

Abu Dhabi Organic Farm has been a work in progress for about two years and finally received full certification.

Organic produce grown on the farm will include tomatoes, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots cucumbers and herbs amongst other vegetables and strawberries, mango trees and organic honey.

Number One in Abu Dhabi

25 year old Saeed Abdel Ghaffar Khouri, bought the license plate No. 1 for 52.2 million dirhams ($14 million), at auction yesterday, setting a world record and demonstrating the exceptional personal wealth in the United Arab Emirates' largest sheikhdom.

"Images of the past" on display at Abu Dhabi Airport

Rare photographs dating as early back as the 1930s are currently on display at Abu Dhabi airport; allowing travellers to look back in time as they step into a very 21st century country.

Abu Dhabi Terry Fox run

This annual huge charity fund-raiser will take place tomorrow, Friday 8th February 2008.

Registration is in the car park behind the Sheraton Hotel.

You can walk, run, roller-blade or skateboard, but cycling will not be permitted for safety reasons.

Abu Dhabi promotes pedestrian safety by clamping down on jay-walkers

From January 20, 2008 pedestrians who flout the law by crossing at undesignated areas will be fined Dh50.

The move was put into effect after last year's statistics showed that 91 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the capital alone.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's "desert Louvre" moved a step closer to reality on Monday as French and Emirati officials sealed a deal to bring the iconic name, and its tourist pulling power, to the Gulf.

Under the 30-year agreement, Abu Dhabi will pay 400 million euros ($525 million) for the Louvre brand name and for hundreds of artworks loaned from the Paris museum for periods of between six months and two years.

Emirati Tourism Minister Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al-Nahayan hailed the deal as "an historic step" which will boost ambitious plans for a vast cultural and tourism complex being developed on an island off Abu Dhabi.

Dedicated Radio Channel For Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

Don't miss a swing! Golfing enthusiasts across the country won’t have to miss a single stroke at this month’s US$2 million, European PGA Tour-sanctioned Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, with play being covered by Championship Radio – a specific FM radio channel delivering live ball-by-ball commentary, player interviews and analysis from an international broadcast team.

Abu Dhabi in Top Ten 2008 Destination List

Abu Dhabi has been included in Expedia's list of Top Ten 2008 Destinations.

They write: Few places can have undergone such fundamental change over the past 50 years as the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Today it’s a powerhouse of the Arab world, perched atop vast oil reserves, with development and ambitious construction to rival its famous neighbour Dubai. Today visitors can enjoy the beach, desert safari’s and acres of glossy malls and shops in and around the city, variety enough to quench even the strongest thirst for retail therapy.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club has upgraded its course and facilities for the championship to be held from January 17-20.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club -home to the $2 million, European PGA Tour-sanctioned Abu Dhabi Golf Championship,has upgraded its course and facilities to enhance the playing and spectator experience for 2008.

We have seen some fantastic golf played on this course, and the amendments that have been made for 2008 will foster the tight, enigmatic golf we have come to expect from this tournament," said Ahmad Hussain, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which organises the Championship.

Abu Dhabi fossil sites shows a past that was rich in plants and wildlife

In the late Miocene epoch, Abu Dhabi featured a large system of shallow rivers that supported a diverse ecosystem, including hippopotamus, crocodiles, turtles, and catfish. Animals such as monkeys, elephants, rhinoceros, giraffes, horses, antelopes and ostriches occupied woodlands and savanna-like grasslands in the surrounding areas.

At a recent lecture Prof Hill explained that these fossils were important locally not just for their appeal and interest to people in general, but for providing information about Abu Dhabi’s heritage and past, millions of years before historical documents and archaeological traces were available.

Marawah Reserve - Abu Dhabi

Marawah Reserve is the first of its kind in the UAE. Protecting important marine and coastal ecosystems including Dugongs, mangroves, coral reefs and hawsksbill turtles.

New fossil study in Abu Dhabi's western region

A team from the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University in the United States recently arrived in Abu Dhabi to commence a four year project with the Historic Environment Department from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). Several important new fossil specimens have already been discovered including the remains of an extinct giant form of ostrich as well as the jaws of an extinct elephant.

Tourism to Abu Dhabi has risen by 16%

A strategic study on Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector conducted by ADTA for 2015 said about 1.37 million tourists visited the capital in 2007, compared to 1.18m in 2006. And the study predicted the sector will host 1.58 million visitors in 2008.

The study said the emirate is likely to see 12 per cent annual growth in the coming years, with three million tourists planning trips to Abu Dhabi by 2015.

Rain showers in Abu Dhabi

Rain showers fell on Abu Dhabi on Monday as meteorologist predicted unstable weather over the UAE in the next 48 hours.

Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Waterfront to get the VIP treatment

Al Bateen waterfront has long been a favourite of mine. Almost like a small forgotten living history of Abu Dhabi.

I was delighted to read therefore that plans to redevelop the area are to be characterized by sensitivity to the long-standing fishing and boat building traditions of Al Bateen.

Al Bateen will develop its marina and still be home to the traditional dhow boats, now often used for dhow racing.

The new development will include a luxurious hotel which will take advantage of the marina setting and will reflect the strong sea-faring heritage of Al Bateen. The hotel is being designed with a nautical theme offering spectacular Arabian Gulf views and will incorporate the latest in sustainable design features with energy-efficient solar screening, eco-friendly landscaping, passive cooling through shading and airflow, fritted glass with integrated solar cells and a transparent ‘sail like’ veil which will transform the shape of the building at night.

Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is underway

The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge begins with the teams taking to the water for a mammoth seven to 10 hour sea kayaking expedition where teams have a compulsory rest on one of five islands off the Al Dhabeia coast.

A 06:00 start and a further 10-14 hours of sea kayaking awaits the teams on day two, as they navigate the ocean between Al Dhabeia and the traditional coastal town of Mirfa, eventually clocking up 118 kilometres. The teams, officials and press will then be bussed to the second bivouac in the Liwa Desert.

Day three involves the teams running through the towering dunes to Al Batin in preparation for day four's camel trekking to the eastern Liwa Oasis village of Hamim, with conservative estimates putting the completion time between 25 and 30 hours over the two days.

The teams complete a gruelling mountain biking test on the Challenge's penultimate day taking them from Hamim to the picturesque town of Umm Azzimul, from where they will be transferred to the final camp in the desert hamlet of Mubazzarah.

A host of different disciplines are in store for the challengers on the final day with adventure running kick-starting proceedings, before mountain biking, a desert hike, cross orienteering, and rope and mountaineering activities end the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in Al Ain's historic Jahili Fort

27 teams from 16 countries are currently taking part in the challenge.

Abu Dhabi Creates 'Spirit Of Rallying' Award

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, has created a brand new award, the 'Spirit of Rallying,' to honour outstanding achievement by Marcus Grönholm, made to the sport of rallying and the FIA World Rally Championship

Emirates Palace Hotel to host Lashings World Cricket XI

The World premier club cricket team — Lashings World Cricket XI — will take place from February 24 to 29, 2008, in the grounds of the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Emirates Palace General Manager, Noel Massoud, said, “We are obviously delighted to be able to confirm the inaugural Lashings World Cricket XI Festival for February 2008.

Proposed team members include:

Richie Richardson (WI) (Capt) Alvin Kallicharran (WI) (Manager) Chris Adams (ENG) Jimmy Adams (WI) Marvan Atapattu (SL) Greg Blewett (AUS) Chris Cairns (NZ) Mark Ealham (ENG) Grant Flower (ZIM) Chris Harris (NZ) Graeme Hick (ENG) Adam Hollioake (ENG) Rashid Latif (PAK) Azhar Mahmood (PAK) Chris Silverwood (ENG)

UAE Flag Banner sets new record over the skies of Abu Dhabi

National Day saw a new world record set over the skies of Abu Dhabi, with the largest aerial banner ever flown. The banner depicting the UAE Flag, measuring in excess of 50,000 square feet in size, was towed under a Bell 412 Aircraft and was clearly visible from up to 20 kilometers away.

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is now open for visitors. Tours includes Falcon flight show with ample time to photograph these majestic birds.

Abu Dhabi proudly hosts exhibition to celebrate 100 years of the Nobel Prize

The exhibition, Cultures of Creativity, was developed by the Nobel Museum in Stockholm, Sweden on the centenary of the Nobel Prize in 2001 and has since travelled to 13 countries including Sweden, Japan, Korea, America, Britain, Singapore and Australia. It is on display at the Emirates Palace Hotel from 23 October to 31 December 2007.

Visit the largest Falcon Hospital in the World

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has recently opened its doors to visitors, allowing them to experience an insight into the fascinating world of falcons and falconry.

The two hour tour will include the Falconry Hospital and Museum. Visitors will also have opportunity to take photos with one of these majestic falcons sitting on their arm.

Tours can also be arranged to include two further highlights:

Falcon Flight Show. The traditional falcon training will be show in our unique flight show which let you understand the world of the Bedouins and their beloved falcons.

Arab Lunch. Why not end your experience with the famous Arab hospitality. Visitors can opt to enjoy a delicious lunch in a beautiful traditional majilis (Arabian sitting area).

Booking Essential

Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition October 24 - 27, 2007.

The four-day show, which is jointly organised by the Emirates Falconry Club, Turret Middle East and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), will showcase the latest firearms and outdoor activity clothing, as well as equipment and services, related to equestrian, hunting, water sports, falconry and safari activities.

Sultan Bin Tahnoon honoured with Cultural Leadership Award

Sheikh Sultan is to join a prestigious AFA honours roll in recognition of his vision in creating the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.

The Cultural District of Saadiyat Island will be home to the largest single cluster of world-class cultural assets including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary art museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum, the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, a maritime museum and a performing arts centre.

Win an Arabian Adventure!

iafrica.com has teamed up with Sheraton Hotels, Etihad Airways and Dubai Tourism to offer you the trip of a lifetime to exotic Arabia! You'll fly from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways, the award-winning national carrier of Abu Dhabi.

Read more details of this very exciting competiton here

Abu Dhabi hosts Islamic history exhibition

ABU DHABI - Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage is hosting an exhibition entitled "A Walk into Islamic History" that will be on display 25th September through 4th October 2007 at The Cultural Foundation

Arabian Saluki Contest

Pure breed Arabian Saluki and the traditional way of the Arabian Hunting are an essential part of Emirati Cultural Heritage.

"The contest will be attended by an internationally recognised judge, who will judge upon the characteristics and standard of the breed, namely head, general structure, coat, movement and general impression.

Abu Dhabi F1 plan to build ‘world’s most unique track’

Abu Dhabi's new F1 racetrack to be "the world's most unique track" upon its completion in 2008.

Organisers postpone the Race of Champions cycyling challenge

The 2007 Abu Dhabi Race of Champions has been suspended, organisers Unipublic have said in a statement.

Preserving Arab Poetry

Poetry recitals form a vital part of Abu Dhabi's culture and a recent competition to find the Emirate's favourtie Poet proved to be hugely popular.

A batch of 58 Hawksbill turtles has hatched safely on Saadiyat Island off Abu Dhabi

The Hawksbill turtles live in the coastal shallows offshore Saadiyat Island, which is currently being developed. News of the safe hatch has been particularly welcomed as Authorities in Abu Dhabi are anxious to protect natural wildlife during the development of Saadiyat.

Heathrow to Abu Dhabi

Passengers flying from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi will be delighted to hear that the current rules restricting travellers to one bag of hand luggage are expected to be relaxed by November.

Powerful initiative to advertise Abu Dhabi on London Taxi Cabs

Not shy to step into the limelight, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have taken the innovative step of advertising on London's famous cabs.

World's Largest Rug - Sheik Zayed Mosque

Around 1,200 weavers from three villages in Iran have been hand making, what is reported to be, the World's largest hand made rug. This very special prayer mat has been commissioned for the Sheik Zayed Mosque which is currently under construction. The mat is reported to be 60,546 square feet (5,625 square meters). It has taken weavers from three villages about a year and a half to make. See photo from National Geographic here:

Abu Dhabi wheels out the highest prize money - Race of Champions - November 2007

Abu Dhabi sets the pace in the cycling calender this year with a race that combines all the championship teams competing for the highest prize money in the world. The winner will earn more than the winners of the three tour events combined!

Etihad and Al Diar Hotels strike up a Summer Promotion

If you are planning a holiday to Abu Dhabi over the summer - you may be interested in this exciting promotion:

All guests checking in at any property of the Al Diar Hotels commencing 18th June to 31st August 2007 will be automatically entered into a daily raffle draw to win Etihad Airways tickets to 43 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North America and the Middle East. They will also benefit from special summer promotional rates of 50% discount off the normal room tariffs.