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Abu Dhabi
• A predominantly modern city, Abu Dhabi nevertheless retains some of its ancient past. See the Diwan Amiri (White Fort), built in 1793, the many mosques, from the massive blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche to the tiny one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees, and the museum. The oldest part of the town is the Batin area, served daily by the fishing dhows bringing their catch of Gulf prawns and other fish to the small harbours. The old building yards demonstrate craftspeople’s skills that have remained unchanged for centuries. Discover the city's ancient burial mounds at Um al Nar.
• Al Ain, 100km (60 miles) from Abu Dhabi, is an oasis and former caravan stop, built on a huge fertile plain. There is spectacular scenery along the journey from Abu Dhabi. The resort includes a camel market, zoo and museum containing old and new artefacts and Mesopotamian pottery.
• There is also a water spring at Ain Faidha, 14km (9 miles) from Al Ain.
• Explore the important archaeological digs at Hili, 10km (6 miles) from Al Ain. The stone tombs, including the famous Great Sepulchre, date back 5,000 years. Head for the Hafit Mountain, south of Al Ain, containing ancient tombs, pottery and swords.
• There are more ancient sites worth visiting at Um Al Nar and Badi’i Bent Saud.
• A fun park is situated at Al-Hir and majestic sand seas are to be seen at Liwa.
• Other areas of great scenic beauty include Qarn Island, Belghilam Island (famous for its gazelle breeding), near to Sadiyat Island, and Abul-Abyadh Island.
Dubai
• The ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’ grew up as a seafaring settlement along either side of the Creek, a natural harbour for dhow traders, pearl divers and fishermen. Deira on the northern bank and Bur Dubai to the south are connected by a tunnel and two bridges and can also be reached by abra (water taxi). Bur Dubai has substantial areas of old buildings, atmospheric alleyways and souks (markets), including the world-famous Gold Souk and colourful Spice Souk. Gain fascinating glimpses of the past from Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum (which houses, among other things, artefacts recovered from the ancient graves at Al-Ghusais), the traditional windtower houses of the nearby Bastakiya district and, at the mouth of the Creek, the magnificently restored Sheikh Saeed’s Palace, as well as the diving and heritage villages. The Deira side of the creek is cosmopolitan and lively, with many attractive gardens and first-class shopping facilities, ranging from Western-style shops to the ancient souks where spices, perfume, clothing, antiques, handicrafts and jewels are available.
• Get neck strain gazing at what is now the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai Tower.
• Marvel at the Palm Islands, said to be visible from the moon and forming the largest manmade islands in the world. New bridges will connect the islands to the mainland in one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by man. The three islands are going to be accompanied by ‘The World’, an ambitious attempt to recreate the shape of the world on 300 offshore islands, slated to open in 2008. Watching these outlandish projects take shape has become one of Dubai’s main attractions.
• Discover the ancient fortressed villages of Hatta and Wadi Hatta, a lush and attractive valley in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains with superb desert scenery, on the journey from Dubai.
The rest of the Emirates
• The desert offfers a spectacular and varied wilderness of magnificent red dunes and stark mountains with pockets of green oases. Meet the nomadic Bedu folk, whose hospitality is famous, and watch camel races at dawn. Admire the stunning white sand dunes at Awir, where there is a national park. There is a selection of ‘safari’ holidays available.
• On the East Coast, visit the resorts of Dibba and Fujairah, where there is a museum, a necropolis, an old fort and, nearby, many small mountain villages.
• The Northern Emirates is a region which has undergone a dramatic transformation since the discovery of natural gas in 1980 and there has been a considerable amount of expansion in the commercial sector. Sharjah is an excellent shopping centre, with its new souk containing hundreds of shops. There is also an ancient fort and heritage museum. Go on an excursion to Ras al-Khaimah, where there is an old seaport with spectacular views over the coast and the Hajar Mountains; and also to the Dhaid and Khatt oases, the latter with mineral springs. There are also trips available to the natural harbour at Dibba and the beautiful Khor Kalba, one of the most famous shell beaches in the world. The archaeological site at Mileiha (in Sharjah itself) dates back to the 4th century BC; 80-million-year-old fossils are to be seen here. Other archaeological sites include Dur at Umm al-Qaiwain where Hellenic ruins can be seen (210-100BC), the Drabhaniya ruins in Ras al-Khaimah and the Zaura ruins in Ajman.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
• A predominantly modern city, Abu Dhabi nevertheless retains some of its ancient past. See the Diwan Amiri (White Fort), built in 1793, the many mosques, from the massive blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche to the tiny one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees, and the museum. The oldest part of the town is the Batin area, served daily by the fishing dhows bringing their catch of Gulf prawns and other fish to the small harbours. The old building yards demonstrate craftspeople’s skills that have remained unchanged for centuries. Discover the city's ancient burial mounds at Um al Nar.
• Al Ain, 100km (60 miles) from Abu Dhabi, is an oasis and former caravan stop, built on a huge fertile plain. There is spectacular scenery along the journey from Abu Dhabi. The resort includes a camel market, zoo and museum containing old and new artefacts and Mesopotamian pottery.
• There is also a water spring at Ain Faidha, 14km (9 miles) from Al Ain.
• Explore the important archaeological digs at Hili, 10km (6 miles) from Al Ain. The stone tombs, including the famous Great Sepulchre, date back 5,000 years. Head for the Hafit Mountain, south of Al Ain, containing ancient tombs, pottery and swords.
• There are more ancient sites worth visiting at Um Al Nar and Badi’i Bent Saud.
• A fun park is situated at Al-Hir and majestic sand seas are to be seen at Liwa.
• Other areas of great scenic beauty include Qarn Island, Belghilam Island (famous for its gazelle breeding), near to Sadiyat Island, and Abul-Abyadh Island.
Dubai
• The ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’ grew up as a seafaring settlement along either side of the Creek, a natural harbour for dhow traders, pearl divers and fishermen. Deira on the northern bank and Bur Dubai to the south are connected by a tunnel and two bridges and can also be reached by abra (water taxi). Bur Dubai has substantial areas of old buildings, atmospheric alleyways and souks (markets), including the world-famous Gold Souk and colourful Spice Souk. Gain fascinating glimpses of the past from Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum (which houses, among other things, artefacts recovered from the ancient graves at Al-Ghusais), the traditional windtower houses of the nearby Bastakiya district and, at the mouth of the Creek, the magnificently restored Sheikh Saeed’s Palace, as well as the diving and heritage villages. The Deira side of the creek is cosmopolitan and lively, with many attractive gardens and first-class shopping facilities, ranging from Western-style shops to the ancient souks where spices, perfume, clothing, antiques, handicrafts and jewels are available.
• Get neck strain gazing at what is now the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai Tower.
• Marvel at the Palm Islands, said to be visible from the moon and forming the largest manmade islands in the world. New bridges will connect the islands to the mainland in one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by man. The three islands are going to be accompanied by ‘The World’, an ambitious attempt to recreate the shape of the world on 300 offshore islands, slated to open in 2008. Watching these outlandish projects take shape has become one of Dubai’s main attractions.
• Discover the ancient fortressed villages of Hatta and Wadi Hatta, a lush and attractive valley in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains with superb desert scenery, on the journey from Dubai.
The rest of the Emirates
• The desert offfers a spectacular and varied wilderness of magnificent red dunes and stark mountains with pockets of green oases. Meet the nomadic Bedu folk, whose hospitality is famous, and watch camel races at dawn. Admire the stunning white sand dunes at Awir, where there is a national park. There is a selection of ‘safari’ holidays available.
• On the East Coast, visit the resorts of Dibba and Fujairah, where there is a museum, a necropolis, an old fort and, nearby, many small mountain villages.
• The Northern Emirates is a region which has undergone a dramatic transformation since the discovery of natural gas in 1980 and there has been a considerable amount of expansion in the commercial sector. Sharjah is an excellent shopping centre, with its new souk containing hundreds of shops. There is also an ancient fort and heritage museum. Go on an excursion to Ras al-Khaimah, where there is an old seaport with spectacular views over the coast and the Hajar Mountains; and also to the Dhaid and Khatt oases, the latter with mineral springs. There are also trips available to the natural harbour at Dibba and the beautiful Khor Kalba, one of the most famous shell beaches in the world. The archaeological site at Mileiha (in Sharjah itself) dates back to the 4th century BC; 80-million-year-old fossils are to be seen here. Other archaeological sites include Dur at Umm al-Qaiwain where Hellenic ruins can be seen (210-100BC), the Drabhaniya ruins in Ras al-Khaimah and the Zaura ruins in Ajman.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
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