Abu Dhabi A Multifaceted Emirate

ABU DHABI WRITES THE MODERN ARABIAN FAIRY TALES

If a scene from the One Thousand and One Nights springs to mind, then add the startling design of cutting-edge hotels, such as the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (viceroyhotelsandresorts.com), the Shagri-La (shangri-la.com) and the brand new Rocco Forte Hotel with its striking wavy structure (roccofortehotels.com).

If the iconic Landmark of the Qasr-al Hosn stone fort is evocative of the emirate's past glory, then the stunning shopping malls - Marina, Al Ain, Al Jimi, Foah, Al Wahda and Dalma - are characteristic of its new face.

During the celebration of Eid al-Fitr (8/8) and Ramadan (9/7-7/8/2013), visitors will have the opportunity to attend cultural events featuring traditional song and dance.

Culinary delights from internationally acclaimed chefs await at the Gourmet festival (5-20/2), whilst the 10th Abu Dhabi Festival has a spectacular line-up that includes the legendary Mariinsky Ballet and opera superstar Placido Domingo.

And as we wait for the branch of the Louvre Museum in the emirate, designed by award winning architect Jean Nouvel, and the creation of the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center by Zaha Hadid for the Guggenheim Foundation, we can learn all about the history of the emirate through the impressive collections of the Al Ain National and Sheikh Zayed Palace museums.

 

©Les Bons Viveurs 2013