Even if the trip is only a fleeting one, there is always enough time to do one or more of the following:

Abu Dhabi Heritage Village - Find out about the rich cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi prior to the modern irrigation and cultivation that is now in evidence. This experience will be taking a trip in a time machine and seeing how the Bedouin survived in olden times. The Village is situated near to Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

Make my Day - MakeMyDay Middle East is an online source for the most unforgettable experiences and activities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.

Arrange one of over 300 gift experiences. The UAE experience advisors are available online or on the phone to help find the best gift or experience to suit your needs. Anything from yachting to desert safaris.


Jebel Hafeet - This is the highest point in the whole of the UAE. Visit the peak and enjoy a view of the city centre or perhaps stay overnight in the hotel which is situated near to the mount’s summit (Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet). This might make a particularly fine excursion during the cooler months of winter. Jebel Hafeet is about an hour and a half drive from the city centre.


Ride the dunes - One of the more popular adventures for those visiting the UAE is a dune safari. Take the white knuckle ride along with some fellow thrill seekers and finish off the day with a BBQ at your desert camp.


Spas and Wellness -The Abu Dhabi and Al Ain areas are particularly well appointed when it comes to spas and wellness centres. So whatever the reason for unwinding or unknotting these aching muscles you are sure to find some top-drawer world class therapy in Abu Dhabi.


Hit the beach - Even if your hotel is not on the actual Gulf coast the Abu Dhabi Corniche gives beach lovers access to sand based relaxation with a public swimming area.

"There is a man-made island, called Lulu Island, which goes right across it via a short boat ride. There is also a public beach, Al Raha Beach, which is only a short drive from the city centre."


Take a Cruise - A great way to see the Gulf Coast is on board a luxury yacht or commercial dhow. Most operators offer cruise packages and most of them will include some kind of buffet or a la carte dining options.

Flora and Fauna - Despite the inhospitable desert climate, the UAE as a whole has 3,500 endemic plants which continue to thrive despite the salinity of the soil and harsh environment. Most prevalent is the date palm which can be seen in city streets or palace gardens and provides a canopy of green. As well as natural plant life, the government has been working to cultivate the greenery in the city itself- both for the benefit of residents and to lessen the negative effects of sand storms.

Bird and animal life are also abound whilst the former often make brief appearances being able to migrate to more tolerable climes. Reptiles make up the greater part of the animal life and these range from delicately built geckos up to monitor lizards nearly a metre long. Mammal life is dominated by the camel and goat but there are still isolated sightings of the sand and mountain gazelle, shy nocturnals such as the sand cat and rueppell’s fox. The wildlife is not restricted to the land, as marine animals are represented by 240 species of fish, four globally endangered species of shark and two species of critically endangered sea turtles.

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