A Week in Abu Dhabi and the Empty Quarter
In December 2023, we made the most of our journey back to Tokyo from Dublin by enjoying an Etihad stopover in Abu Dhabi. Stopping in the Middle East not only allowed us to experience a new destination and soak up some winter sun, but it also helped break up the long journey, making the jetlag much more manageable on the other side!
Day 1 - We visited the Abu Dhabi Louvre, followed by the stunningly beautiful Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. That night we rang in the New Year in style at the hotel’s celebrations! We stayed at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel, located at the edge of the mangrove forest and within easy reach of the city highlights.
Day 2 – Today was indoor fun at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi - it is a fantastic theme park on Yas Island, perfect for families and film fans. We visited the worlds of Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny, and The Flintstones and many more, and enjoyed the rides, live shows, and character meet and greets. It was a fun and memorable day out, and hardly any queues which was a bonus!
Day 3 – One of the highlights of the trip was a tour of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, where we had close encounters with the falcons and learned about the history of falconry in the UAE. We visited the examination room where we learned about the birds and how feathers are repaired, we saw talons being trimmed, and even got to hold a falcon. The visit finished in the free-flight aviary where small falcons flew overhead. It was a fantastic educational opportunity for all!
Day 4-7 – We swapped city for desert 2.5 hours away in the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), where we stayed at the luxurious Anantara Quasar Al Sarab Resort. The hotel offers a kids club and several activities such as sand boarding, camel treks and dune buggies. The pool, amenities and food were all amazing – it was difficult to say goodbye! Our private transfer took us directly to the airport, where we boarded our flight back to Tokyo.
Thoughts on Abu Dhabi
Having visited Dubai a few years ago, I genuinely preferred the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi. There’s still an air of glitz and glam, but it’s all delivered in a more relaxed, understated way.
The direct flights from Dublin make getting there easy, and Abu Dhabi is a brilliant stopover option if you’re heading further afield to Asia, Australia or New Zealand.
Navigating the city is simple with taxis, and while some English is widely spoken, learning a few words in Arabic is appreciated.
When we visited over New Year’s, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overly busy. For those who love the heat, I’d suggest going later in the year, but it was ideal for us. The desert on the other hand was noticeably warmer, and the sand was already quite hot during the day!
For families and anyone craving a blend of fun, relaxation, and authentic experiences, I definitely think Abu Dhabi is an outstanding choice for a holiday.
