bu Dhabi
DESTINATIONS ABU DHABI | MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
w
e’re sitting in the elegant Fouquet’s
French brasserie, tucking into steak tartare and crème brûlée beneath the intricate, silvery dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. After this delectable lunch, my group heads out into the desert to experience an ezba – something between a family farm and a space for storytelling and passing on skills, rooted in Emirati tradition. Our day is a microcosm of what makes Abu Dhabi such an intriguing cultural destination: a beguiling blend of global influences, underpinned by a rich Arab heritage.
PEARLS OF WISDOM A great place for clients to start their Abu Dhabi adventure is Qasr al Hosn, the oldest stone building in the city. Originally a watchtower built in the 18th century, it now houses a museum exploring the old Emirati way of life. Exhibits trace the history of the Al Nahyan family, the city’s founding rulers: from their
nomadic roots within the Bani Yas tribe to the discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi during the 1950s. A tour of the fort is also a chance to learn about traditional pearl diving. Our guide, Zayed Sultan, reveals that his own grandfather was a pearl diver and that the thriving industry has been crucial to the city’s growth. While in the vicinity, clients can pop next door to the House of Artisans to learn about crafts such as Bedouin weaving, Emirati embroidery and boat-building, or check out the latest art exhibitions at the Cultural Foundation.
GRAND DESIGNS A short drive away, the presidential palace at Qasr al Watan (one of the numerous add- ons agents can earn commission on, sold via Abu Dhabi-based attraction operator Miral) offers insight into the UAE’s cultural and political heart. We take a VIP tour with knowledgeable guide Hamad Hajazi, who says the palace is a working government building. “The name means²
travelweekly.co.uk
12 JUNE 2025
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