Rated one of the top tourist destinations in the world, the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its lavish resorts, stunning landscapes and breathtaking architecture. On a recent trip contributor, Deve Sanford, put a list together of her top 10 favorites in the beautiful Emirate.
ABU DHABI
The Louvre Abu Dhabi | httpss://www.louvreabudhabi.ae | Recently opened in November 8, 2017, the museum is located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Approximately 260,000 square feet, it is the largest art museum in the Arabian peninsula.The museum’s floating dome structure is a stunning focal point that is symbolic of light rays passing through date palm fronds in an oasis.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque | The largest mosque in the country, it accommodates over 40,000 worshippers. The beautiful architecture has many unique elements including a carpet in the main prayer hall designed by Iranian artist, Ali Khaliqi and seven chandeliers that were imported from Germany, incorporating millions of Swarovski crystals. The mosque’s unique lighting system designed by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates reflect the phases of the moon.
Yas Marina Circuit | httpss://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en | For motorsport fans a visit to this Formula 1 track is an experience of a lifetime! The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Booking a track experience is easy and there are a series of options to choose from. For those not so keen on racing, the Yas Marina has something to offer everyone from restaurants, entertainment and nightlife.
DUBAI
Dubai Fountain | | The Dubai Fountain, located in the heart of downtown Dubai, is the largest choreographed fountain system in the world. It is set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake and delights thousands of visitors everyday. Situated near two of Dubai’s major landmarks, both the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa it’s something not to be missed. Performances are held daily and last up to five minutes.
Dubai Mall | httpss://thedubaimall.com | Owned by Emaar Properties, the Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest malls with more than 1,200 shops. To say one could spend the whole day there is no exaggeration. The mall has its own aquarium, souk, indoor theme park, movie theaters and dinosaur a Diplodocus to be exact.
Address Hotels by Emaar Properties | Address Dubai Mall | https://www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/address-dubai-mall/ | An Emaar Property, the Address Hotel Dubai Mall is located in the Dubai Mall near the Burj Khalifa. Its elegant and chic accommodations offer gorgeous views of downtown including the Dubai Fountain. This upscale hotel is perfect for both business and leisure travelers because of its convenient location. There are 3 bars and 2 restaurants, business center and spa.
Burj Khalifa | https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/index.aspx | Designated the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa stands at a total height of 2,722 feet. The breathtaking tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merril, the same designers of the Sears Tower in Chicago. The luxurious 304-room Armani Hotel occupy the lower floors. On the 43rd floor there is a sky lobby where guests can take in the city from a bird’s eye view. The 76th floor has a swimming pool and the remaining floors through to 108 are private residences.
Ras Al Khaimah | Jebel Jais Flight/ Toroverde Zip Line | https://www.toroverdeuae.com | Holding the world record for being the longest zipline on Earth, Jebel Jais Flight measures 2.8 km traveling at an average of 160 km per hour. It is located in the picturesque Jebel Jais Mountains on the highest peak in the UAE. Built and engineered by renown adventurist Toroverde, thrill seekers across the globe will not want to miss this ride of a lifetime.
Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert and Al Hamra Island | https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/uae/al-wadi-desert | https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/uae/al-hamra-beach | Luxury in the middle of the desert? Why not! Ritz Carlton effortlessly provides the perfect get away for its guests at their newly flagged properties in Ras Al Khaimah. The Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert and Al Hamra Beach offer a chance to experience relaxation and adventure while enjoying the natural beauty of their surroundings. At each property guests can enjoy their own private villas with luxurious touches while remaining immersed in tradition. It’s not odd to see an oryx or gazelle passing the villa. All villas come complete with their own pool offering the ultimate in privacy.
