From hand sanitisers in lodge lobbies to cabin crew in masks, localised lockdowns and make contact with tracing apps, Covid-19 has altered the way in which we journey. After a complete gridlock of sealed borders and revoked flights, a lot of the world is now reemerging and as soon as once more open to journey – an business that accounts for about 10% of world GDP. Many travellers are itching to discover deserts, seashores, mountains and monuments once more. In case you are one such traveller however really feel apprehensive, know that Abu Dhabi continues to stay a secure, awe-inspiring and culturally affluent vacation spot. The vivacious metropolis is able to welcome all vaccinated travellers. ‘The Time is Now’ to savour Abu Dhabi.
How Abu Dhabi is conserving residents and vacationers secure from Covid-19
Airport security: When visiting Abu Dhabi, your first port of name is the airport. The Abu Dhabi authorities is conserving wellness prime of thoughts and has applied a variety of initiatives to make sure each traveller’s well being and safety at each potential step. At first, solely travelling passengers are permitted entry into the airport, in order to comprise overcrowding. All passengers and workers are to put on a disposable masks and gloves always and strictly comply with the 2 metre social distancing guidelines. Though there are sanitiser stations all through the airport, supplementary merchandising machines promoting masks, gloves and sanitiser have been put in. Well being screenings are in place for departing flights to make sure each traveller is match to fly.
Entry to public locations: To guard all residents and guests within the emirate, Abu Dhabi has enforced stringent preventive measures and has restricted entry to public areas solely to those that are vaccinated, formally exempted or below 16 years of age. For vacationers to have a gala time with out compromising on well being, venue capacities in procuring malls, leisure centres, cultural centres, museums and film theatres have been mapped at 80%. Accommodations can run at 100% capability, and eating places and cafes at 80% capability, permitting as much as 10 individuals at one desk if face masks are worn when not eating. Well being golf equipment, sports activities academies, gyms and spas can function at 50% capability.
Different preventive initiatives: To advise and remind vacationers and residents of the varied Covid-19 security protocols, learn how the federal government is dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. Right here you’ll discover details about the governmental efforts to forestall the unfold of Covid-19 and keep the continuity of enterprises and schooling. There’s additionally the Go Protected Certification programme, endorsed by the Abu Dhabi authorities, which attests to enact cleanliness and hygiene benchmarks conceived to minimise the unfold of the Covid-19 virus in vacationer premises. The Certification might be conferred to compliant inns that fulfil the mandated hygiene and requirements.
Now that you recognize your trip in Abu Dhabi is totally secure, you may need to find out about some fantastic locations to go to. Whereas we gave you an attractive listing of the preferred points of interest of the emirate, let’s discover out about a couple of lesser-known areas that can steal your coronary heart.
Expertise pearl diving and date-palm cultivation on Delma Island
Delma Island is a nostalgic renaissance with sturdy hyperlinks to its maritime heritage and traditions of the emirate. It has been populated for over 7,000 years and is among the Arabian Gulf’s most vital historic pearl-diving centres. Aside from being one of the crucial historical recognized everlasting colonies within the United Arab Emirates, this historic island, accessible by ferry from Jebel Dhanna, boasts a few of the area’s earliest proof of date-palm cultivation, together with Mesopotamian pottery and finely flaked stone instruments. Delma Island is house to an ample provide of recent water in addition to fertile farms and plantations rising all kinds of produce.
Take pleasure in luxurious like no different on Al Maryah Island
Strikingly totally different from the agricultural Delma Island, Al Maryah Island is an upscale vacation spot best for guests who love the finer issues in life. It’s house to picturesque turquoise sea views, the five-star Rosewood Abu Dhabi lodge, set on the vigorous Sowwah Sq. waterfront, and the ultra-modern 4 Seasons Resort on the sting of the Arabian Gulf.
Don’t miss out on a go to to the upmarket procuring centre – The Galleria Al Maryah Island. This luxe mall guarantees an unforgettable time out with family and friends, and boasts over 300 retail manufacturers together with luxurious labels Chanel, Valentino and Piaget, together with high-street trend favourites Zara, H&M, Monki, Debenhams, Missguided and Decathlon. You’ll even be delighted with the great vary of eating choices, from The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility to P.F. Chang’s, Paul Café to the central kitchens space the place you’ll discover a fusion of world flavours on provide.
Did not we inform you that ‘The Time Is Now’ to go to Abu Dhabi? Come and luxuriate in some amusing occasions that the town has lined up for the winter season. If you wish to expertise a very enjoyable New 12 months’s Eve, Al Maryah Island is internet hosting a blockbuster New 12 months’s Eve live performance that includes three of the area’s hottest stars, together with Hussain Al Jassmi, Elissa and Balqees, plus a wide ranging fireworks finale. Now that is the way to ring within the New 12 months!
Feed your adventurous soul with desert biking at Tel Moreeb
Often called the world’s tallest sand dune, Tel Moreeb stands at over 300 metres excessive with a 50-degree incline. It’s located in Abu Dhabi’s majestic Al Dhafra area, a premium vacation spot for motorsports aficionados. The annual Liwa Tal Moreeb Competition, now on till 31 December, reveals off the area’s most potent four-wheel drives, quad bikes and filth bikes by means of adventurous races to the highest of one of many world’s highest sandhills. The organisers care for all amenities and companies to make tenting and lodging within the Moreeb Dune a novel and extraordinary expertise.
Take in historical past on the Eco-Centre
Only a 90-minute drive from the town is the plush Al Ain Oasis in Abu Dhabi’s backyard metropolis of Al Ain. Right here is the place you’ll discover the Eco-Centre – a fascinating place to be taught extra concerning the historical past of the emirate. This eco-friendly institution takes you on a journey into the previous by means of interactive screens and scholarly actions describing the story and origins of Al Ain Oasis. To make the expertise much more enriching, a stroll by means of the gorgeous Al Ain Oasis is a should. This UNESCO World Heritage Web site boasts a still-operational typical falaj (historical irrigation system) and meandering trails shadowed by a thick cover of 147,000 date palms and different fruit bushes. It is the proper spot to carry household or associates and see what agriculture on this area has seemed like for millennia. Remember to pack binoculars to glimpse some fascinating birdlife.
Marvel at gorgeous structure and expertise on the iconic Mamsha Al Khair landmark
Mamsha Al Khair is made up of a granite monolith and limestone installations set alongside the enduring Abu Dhabi Corniche promenade. The quotations inscribed within the installations mirror the United Arab Emirates’ management’s continued dedication to cultivating a tradition of benevolence and sharing amongst Emiratis, residents and visiting travellers. Mamsha Al Khair showcases inspirational quotes each 30 metres alongside the promenade, from the East Plaza to the spectacular Emirates Palace lodge intersection. The metaphorical installations and walkway invite guests to regale and work together with the items, taking footage and movies whereas chronicling the UAE’s long-standing status for fostering social consciousness and imparting the importance of giving again to society.
Admire the architectural brilliance of Aldar Headquarters
Aldar Headquarters is Arabia’s first round constructing with an ingenious design, visible impression and performance. It’s set on a excessive peninsula with breathtaking metropolis and sea views. This distinctive 110-metre excessive, 23-storey constructing has been named One of many World’s Most Dazzling Company Workplaces by worldwide constructing organisation Emporis. It was additionally awarded Finest Futuristic Design on the 2008 Constructing Trade Convention. MZ Architects designed this revolutionary semi-spherical constructing, which incorporates two round convex formed facades linked by a slender band of indented glazing. Not simply an architectural marvel, Aldar Headquarters can be one of many first eco-friendly official institutions in Abu Dhabi, that includes recyclable supplies together with metal, concrete and glass. It additionally features a district cooling plant and environment friendly lighting and water methods. The undertaking was developed based on the US Inexperienced Constructing Council’s Management in Vitality and Environmental Design (LEED) score system.
Immerse your self in stone age vibes at Jebel Hafit Tombs
A cluster of 500 historical tombs, referred to as the Jebel Hafit Tombs, sits on the foothills of the imposing Jebel Hafit mountain, which additionally occurs to be Abu Dhabi’s most outstanding peak. These tombs date again 5,000 years, unearthed in 1959 on the appearl of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and observe the graduation of the Bronze Age within the United Arab Emirates. The tombs are single-chamber tombs and are fabricated from native, unworked or roughly reduce stones. You’ll be able to go for a guided hike by means of the world, organized by the Jebel Hafit Desert Park. It should take you thru the nine-kilometre stretch on the base of the craggy Jebel Hafit mountain, or you may discover the family-friendly park’s wonderful pure environment on a hike, mountain bike, horse or camel. You’ll see bewitching archaeological and historic stays that inform spellbinding tales of this distinctive space’s historical habitation, together with that of the Neolithic interval from 8,000 years in the past.
Immerse your self within the nation’s residing recollections and historical past at Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn has been house to the ruling household for hundreds of years. It has additionally served because the seat of presidency, housed the Nationwide Consultative Council, based by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is a nationwide archive. It is usually touted to be the oldest standing construction in Abu Dhabi, and homes an unique watchtower that makes for unbelievable images. Qasr Al Hosn contains two vital iconic buildings: the Interior Fort (initially constructed in 1795) and the Outer Palace (1939-45). Drenched in historical past, this commanding construction was constructed across the 1790s to miss the coastal commerce routes and guard the rising settlement established on the island. It was remodeled right into a museum in 2018, following over a decade of intensive preservation and restoration work. Qasr Al Hosn is a nationwide monument that encapsulates the event of Abu Dhabi from a settlement reliant on fishing and pearling within the 18th century, to a contemporary, worldwide metropolis, portraying antiques and archival supplies courting again to so far as 6000 BC. Not solely fascinating for adults, kids additionally love exploring this lovely construction and its nooks and crannies, which is why The Qasr Al Hosn Winter Camp, for youngsters aged seven to 12 years, is held yearly from 26-30 December. On the camp, kids learn to make conventional gahwa (espresso), create sculptures, write poems and curate their very own exhibitions. In addition they get an opportunity to discover the fort’s historical past, the tales of the palace, be taught Emirati social practices and the way a museum operates.
Take pleasure in genuine Emirati meals at Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe
When within the emirate, it’s crucial to savour genuine Emirati delicacies! Head to Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe in Abu Dhabi, adjoining to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi at Yas Mall, for the final word Emirati-themed expertise. With branches throughout the emirate, Al Fanar serves distinctive, conventional flavours, together with recent salads, seafood and meats. Identical to different points of interest, the restaurant gives you a peep into the United Arab Emirates’ previous. Kick off your day with a standard Arabic breakfast or get pleasure from a combined grill platter for lunch. For dinner, take pleasure in appetisers corresponding to grilled jumbo shrimp, grilled squid, deep-fried fish roe or ali wallam (skinny potato slices oven-baked with onion, garlic and Arabic spices). To actually benefit from your meals, order traditional La-ham nashif (mutton cooked in wealthy gravy and particular spices), machboos Samak (fish cooked with yellow rice and simmered in fish inventory and Arabic spices) or Biryani deyay (hen served with a mixture of rice, onions, lentils, beans and raisins).
So, in the event you’re in search of a tropical, sunny vacation spot to spend your winter holidays, look no additional than Abu Dhabi. Its glistening deserts, lucid daylight, heat tradition and festive spirit will go away you awestruck.
Disclaimer: This text has been produced on behalf of the Division of Tradition and Tourism – Abu Dhabi by Occasions Web’s Highlight workforce.