Tag Archives: abu dhabi

A Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The World’s Most Terrifying Roller Coasters [Infographic]

12/29/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

A Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The World’s Most Terrifying Roller Coasters

There are certain physical and psychological thrills which we have enjoyed for centuries and continue to do so today.

One classic example is the zoo. London Zoo in Regent’s Park is thought to be the first modern zoo and opened its doors to the public back in 1826.

Ever since then, we have enjoyed the experience of being a panel of glass away from some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

Amusement Parks

Another good example is the amusement park, which is still a popular day out for children and adults alike.

The first amusement parks began in the late 19th century, offering many things we would still recognise today.

From competition stalls to optical illusions, sugary treats to roller coasters which are perhaps the main feature, we still enjoy them all today.

Roller Coasters

One of the first roller coasters ever built was the Switchback Railway at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.

While it doesn’t exactly sound thrilling to us, its top speed of six mph made it a hugely popular attraction at the time.

Roller coasters quickly became a global sensation and their success hasn’t taken its foot off the accelerator since.

This is, of course, despite the emergence of increasingly brilliant home entertainment system such as VR technology.

Regardless of what you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, seemingly there’s still an appetite for the physical thrill of a rollercoaster.

Part of this is down to the variety available to us in the many parks around the world.

We’ve come a long way since the humble wooden railway. Now we have the extremes of vertical drops, +100 mph speeds and even break-away tracks!

Infographic

There are roller coasters being unveiled every couple of years which are breaking the boundaries of what we previously thought was possible.

Travel site globehunters.com has created a great infographic which offers up some of the most outstanding and truly spine-tingling rides on the planet.

It’s called ‘A Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The World’s Most Terrifying Roller Coasters’ and you can check it out at the bottom of this post.

This great infographic pulls together all of the top roller coasters in the world, from those with the highest speeds to those with dizzying heights.

One of the most impressive coasters in the list is the Formula Rossa which is situated in Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi.

To celebrate the engineering brilliance of the famous car manufacturer, this roller coaster reaches staggering speeds of 149 mph.

Riders of the Formula Rossa will go from 0-149 mph in just 5 seconds while experiencing highs of 4.8Gs.

As well as the fastest coaster in the world, this list also presents the tallest. Kingda Ka in the US is a dizzying 456 ft tall and is only the second strata roller coaster in the world.

It also reaches an eye-watering 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Regardless of how much of a roller enthusiast you are, this ride will certainly get the butterflies in your stomach fluttering.

If you fancy testing your metal, take a look at the list below and plan your world trip of the most terrifying roller coasters.

A Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The World’s Most Terrifying Roller Coasters – An infographic by the team at Globehunters.com

Asia

Memorable Trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai

09/15/2016 Priya Ghatol Leave a comment

Dubai is one of the seven most populated and busy cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is located on the Arabian Gulf in the Middle East. Dubai is easily accessible to other Emirates such as Oman and Abu Dhabi and hence visiting other emirates is not such a tedious task. There are some world-class tourists attractions and several places to visit in Abu Dhabi such as the Presidential Palace, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi Market, and Abu Dhabi Corniche, and much more. Enjoy the traditional charm of the Arab culture while you dine and shop at some of the famous locations in Abu Dhabi. Below mentioned are some of the places to check out in this beautiful Emirate, which is surely going to make your trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai a memorable one.

1. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

One of the grand mosques in the emirates and is often referred as a key site for worship in the UAE. Located in Abu Dhabi, you definitely cannot miss beautiful white domed structure as you pass the lanes of Abu Dhabi. Open from 9am to 10pm daily between Saturday and Thursday, there is no admission fee charged for entering this beautiful mosque. The dress code followed is very conservative and is strictly enforced. The year 2007 saw the dream of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan being turned into reality with the opening of this mosque. One of the best places to visit and a must for the ones searching inner peace.

2. New Etihad Towers

Enjoy the best panoramic vies of the skyline of Abu Dhabi. Located right across the streets from the famous Emirates Palace Hotel, this is one of the best spots to enjoy a mid-day lunch break. Check out the Quest, a restaurant on the 63rd floor offering the finest cuisines from around the world and an awesome view. The service is excellent and with each table having its own private rooms, who can surely enjoy some memorable moments in this marvelous architectural marvel.

3. Emirates Palace Hotel

Get a taste of the opulence in the luxurious lifestyle of UAE. The Emirates Palace Hotel is one of the architectural marvels, which is surely going to leave you in awe of its beauty. A fleet of luxury cars such as the Ferraris, Bentleys, Rolls Royce, and Lamborghini’s are surely parked out in front at any point in time. One of the popular tourist destination, the Emirates Palace is home to a Gold ATM, now that is opulence at its very best. Catch a breakfast or a lunch out there. The LeCafe restaurant is one of the popular spots in the Hotel.

4. Ferrari World

A great place to be if you are looking to chill out coupled with a thrilling experience for a chance to be on the hot seat of the world’s fastest roller coaster. The Ferrari World is the largest indoor amusement park on the planet. One of the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi that is located on Yas Island, it is the first and the only Ferrari branded theme amusement park. It is home to some awesome rides you can surely have the time of your life. It also holds the record for having the largest space frame structure, which was ever built. This amusement park is spread over 500 square meters and is open from 11am to 8pm.

5. Yas Island

A man-made island located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This place is easily accessible by any means of transport whether you have a car, boat, or plane. Termed as one of the most exciting tourist attractions and definitely one of the popular tourist attraction. Get a feel of the rich, adventurous, and entertainment created for tourists and guests in Abu Dhabi. Occupying an area of 25 square kilometers, this is home to the Yas Marina Circuit – the circuit where the Formula One races are hosted since 2009. Some of the star attractions on Yas Island are Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Links, and Yas beach.

6. Hyatt Capital Gate

One of the best futuristic and architectural marvels, which has an awesome leaning design. If your budget is tight, you can surely stop over to click some pictures – that is definitely not going to cost you any penny. Located at a distance of approximately 6 kilometers from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, this building is inclined at 18° and is one of the luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi. This structure has been certified by Guinness World Records and has led it to be named the leaning tower. This hotel is home to 189 modern rooms and suites, which are situated between the 18th and 33rd floor of the building.

7. Marina Mall

Quench all your shopping desires and thirsts by visiting the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. A wonderful source of shopping and entertainment in Abu Dhabi. The Marina Mall was opened to the public in the year 2001 and is located on Corniche Road, which is very near to the Emirates Palace Hotel. There are four levels of entertainment, leisure, and fashion spread across 122,000 square meters. It is home to endless designer stores and restaurants along with bowling alleys and an ice rink. You can shop till you drop. One of the best places to check out and quench your shopping thirsts.

8. Al Ain National Museum

This is the oldest museum still live in the UAE. Located within the city of Al Ain in the Abu Dhabi, this Museum is right next to the Eastern Fort. The Al Ain Oasis, which is the largest oasis in Al Ain is located towards the east of this Museum. Built by a former UAE president, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the year 1971. This museum gives deep insights into the rich heritage and history of Abu Dhabi. There are two main divisions in this museum, the ethnographic section, and the archaeological section. It is open from 8:30am to 7pm daily except on Fridays where it is open from 3pm-7pm due to prayer observance.

9. Emirates National Auto Museum

Located on Hameen Road in Abu Dhabi, UAE, this museum is dedicated to interesting facts about the automobile industry. There are close to 200 cars, both off-road vehicles, and classic American cars, which belong to HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. One of the fascinating places to be if you are crazy about wheels. The Museum is open between 9am to 6pm every day.

10. Qasr Al-Hosn

This is one of the oldest stone buildings still existing in Abu Dhabi. Often referred as a White Fort, this structure was built in the year 1761 to act as a conical watchtower to protect and defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi. 32 years later, the tower was later extended into a small fort and become home to several ruling Sheikhs. Remains one of the prime tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi and one of the places to visit which should be on top of the itinerary list.

Asia, Destinations

5 Middle East Cities You Should Visit In 2016

12/01/2015 Neha Singh 2 Comments

An eclectic blend of ancient and modern civilization, The Middle East is a potpourri of rich culture, fascinating structures both ancient well as modern, vibrant cities, interesting history, landscapes of outstanding beauty and warm friendly locals. A trip to the Middle East widens your views into various Middle Eastern lifestyles as well as provides a multitude of unique and stunning experiences. Although the region has gone through difficult times and social tension, the Middle East presents to you some of the most astounding places in the world. If you plan to explore Middle East, here’s a list of 5 Middle Eastern cities that should be on your travel list for 2016.

1. Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

The second most visited city in United Arab Emirates after Dubai, Abu Dhabi has certainly geared up to challenge Dubai’s monopoly on the best attractions of the world. The UAE’s capital is a captivating destination showcasing impressive mosques, manicured waterfront arenas and luxury retreats, and offers its visitors with a combination of plush leisure and adventurous experiences. The city is home to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque which is an architectural marvel in itself featuring 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns. The city is grand on motorsport scene and has a plush racetrack that holds the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix annually. The Ferrari World is another main highlight of the city, which is the world’s first Ferrari themed park offering some thrilling rides including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, the biggest Ferrari Store and a range of exquisite shopping and dining experience. The Abu Dhabi Corniche is a striking waterfront arena which includes the Corniche beach, plenty of water activities, children’s play area, cafés and restaurants.

2. Dubai – United Arab Emirates

The modern hub of Dubai is an all time favourite destination of travellers and is no surprise that it has to be on the list due to its classy lifestyle, quaint charismatic heritage and plethora of attractions to entertain all ages. Home to the some of world’s firsts, Dubai takes you through extraordinary experiences, be it on Burj Khalifa, Dubai fountain or the Aquaventure and Lost Chambers of Atlantis. A shopper’s paradise, Dubai opens up a world of fashion and retail outlets through extravagant malls as well as gives you a glimpse of past traditions in trade at its well preserved Souks. The city is brilliant when it comes to accessibility and travel procedures are far simplified through online portals. For Dubai Visa requirements, all you need to do is fill up an online form and provide a passport size photograph, original passport valid for 6 months and onward and return confirmed air tickets for verification process.

3. Muscat – Oman

The pulsating heart of Oman, Muscat is a breathtaking combination of bygone era and modern face of Oman. The city is set between brown rugged mountain terrains on one side and a beautiful stretch of coastline lapped by the Gulf of Oman and covered with lush greenery. The city is crowded with posh historic buildings, beautiful mosques and Portuguese forts. The Corniche is where you get all touristy stuff with its promenade brimming with markets, beautiful sidewalks and sculptured arts. The Batinah Coast is a charming land teeming with traditional fishing villages, beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs. This picturesque charming city has caught up the attention of leisure travellers and has a choice of stunning luxury hotels at your service.

4. Petra – Jordan

A historical wonder, Petra in Jordan is famed for its half carved structures, famous archaeological marvels and gorgeous pink tinged mountains which gave it its nickname “The Red Rose City of Jordan”. One of the most remarkable cities ever built, this UNESCO heritage site is renowned for its charm and cultural heritage and is a reminiscent of ancient civilization. Petra changes its hues as the day passes and is a stunning sight to watch as night falls. The Siq is another grand spectacle to experience as you journey through a mile-long tunnel of rock cut formation that leads into the city of Petra. The famous Monastery with its 822 carved steps and intricately engraved facades with splendid views once you reach the top is one of the main highlights of the city.

5. Doha – Qatar

Projecting out into the waters, Qatar is prominently surrounded by the gulf waters and is desert laden country. Keeping its traditions intact and propelling into the new age dimensions of world tourism, Qatar has a lot to offer to its travellers. All set to showcase on the world map as a major tourist destination and in process of coming up as a future metropolis comprising of grand hotels, stunning architecture and many exiting attractions, Qatar’s capital Doha is fast gaining recognition as the “next Dubai” with its futuristic style of architecture, sleek designs and impressive innovative projects. With a splendid waterfront stretch, the Doha Corniche is popular among tourists giving spectacular views of the city skyline. The modern masterpiece, Museum of Islamic Arts charms its visitors with minimalistic yet sleek designs along with a diverse collection of finest arts and relics from the Islam world. Step into Doha and experience serene cruising, thrilling desert adventures, delve into its culture and art s and indulge in luxury and sensational entertainment and nightlife.

Middle Eastern countries have a flair of preserving its traditional roots while keeping a vision towards the future. An exciting kaleidoscope of traditional culture with a twist of modernity along with the promise to put forth some of the best attractions the world is yet to see is what makes Middle East an enticing destination for wanderers around the world. So start packing for a whole new year of extraordinary travel experiences in the Middle East.

Asia, Destinations, Editor's Picks

Best Things to do in Abu dhabi

11/07/2015 Neha Singh Leave a comment

Are you an avid explorer? The UAE capital definitely has a lot for you to explore! A more than perfect destination to catch winter sun, Abu Dhabi stuns you with tall leaning towers, giant slides, and solar cities. Although Abu Dhabi garners much lesser attention compared to Dubai that’s popular as a rich and flashy city. However, Abu Dhabi is much richer and more happening city that has been grown consistently over the years without disturbing the original heritage and culture. Abu Dhabi, with its contribution of golden beaches, traditional souks, desert safaris, gold shops, water parks, international hotels, and much more to the UAE; is no wonder one of the great holiday destinations across the globe.

Here’s the list of some of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi!

Stay on the sands

Staying on the sands is one of the fantasies of some people; and I must say, it’s worth it! Staying at a five star hotel on a beach can be compared with nothing else. Reach the beach for a leisure walk or simply have a dip in your private pool; your beach stay allows you to experience all this. There are a number of restaurants serving great food to satisfy your holiday food cravings.

The Must-see Desert Blooms

Greenery in desert? Yes, an hour or two from the bustling city is the crest of about 100 feet sand dune. And it’s a must visit destination in Abu Dhabi. Al Ain named this pristine place the Garden City. It’s easy to get here because 4×4 tours are often available. You can also visit a permanent exhibition at the Al Jahili Fort.

Ramble on the Prom with Your Loved Ones

The Corniche Road is one of the best places in Abu Dhabi, in fact in the UAE. It’s a four-mile long promenade forming a complete curve on the Western side of Abu Dhabi. Filled with a lot of spots to stop by, the promenade offers you several things to enjoy including park areas, fountains, and cycle paths. Stroll in entire prom or simply hire a bike to drive along it, in case you need to speed up things. The Capital Gate Building, amazingly leaning to 18 degrees, is especially remarkable. Moreover, the Flag of Emirates that’s as huge as a bus’s size definitely catches eye on a 360 feet pole.

Get Adventurous on the Island of Adventure

Got to experience a little adrenaline rush? This Island of Adventure can drive lots of it! Yas Island is located at a few minutes from the airport and is known as the hottest adventure destination across Abu Dhabi. There are several rides which can actually turn your knuckles white! It also features Water World and Ferrari World. You can also view Abu Dhabi’s Formula One Track here at Yas Island.

Keep Extra Time to Appreciate the Art of Surprise

Abu Dhabi, being the proud cultural district on the Saadiyat Island, has a marvelous surprise for art lovers. If you really wish to take a glance at the world’s greatest art pieces, then it’s no more a difficult task once you’re in the city centre. Just a ten minutes ride from the city centre and you reach the incredible hub of art. We bet you’ll spend hours here.

Do Pay a Visit the Grand Mosque

For a truly exhilarating experience, a visit to the Grand Mosque is must. Being the third biggest mosque across the globe, it has around 82 domes and approximately 1, 048 columns in the central courtyard. This mosque is a structure worth Dh 2.5 billion and is the resting place of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding President of the UAE.

Take a Peek into the Heritage Village

Abu Dhabi has a glorious past. And who would miss a chance to take a quick peek into the history? The Emirates Heritage Club runs this heritage site that’s situated along the beautiful breakwaters and recreates the desert life through museums, stalls, photography exhibitions, camels, crafts, spice shops, and Bedouin tents.

Spend a Day at the Carpet Souk in Mina

The Afghan Carpet Souk is a must visit place even if you don’t have any plans to buy an oriental carpet. You can have a look at those typical Majlis style sofas and prayer rugs in hundreds of shops. A vegetable market and fish market are near from the old market on the Mina Road.

Go Kayaking in Abu Dhabi Mangroves

Yes, you can also plan a short kayaking tour when in Abu Dhabi. The spectacular mangroves will introduce you a unique marine eco-system while you’re on the kayaking adventure. Take a glance at breathtaking mangrove scenery and have fun on this adventurous tour.

Try Your Hand at Carving Dhows at Al Bateen Shipyard

If some free time allows, just take a few minutes’ walk or drive from the Corniche and visit the traditional heritage gem in Abu Dhabi. You can watch skilled craftsmen making beautiful traditional wooden dhows and even try your skills with their hand tools. Lots of souvenir shops sell pretty miniature shows.

Visit the Future City

The astonishing attraction in Abu Dhabi – the city of future is located in Masdar City. It focuses on promoting zero-carbon development and does not allow vehicles in its zone. You’ll get surprised to know that this village is entirely powered by solar energy and wind energy. Narrow alleys featuring a number of buildings mimic typical Arabian streets.

Appreciate the Emirates Palace

The Emirates Palace is a five-star hotel sure to stun you with its 100 hectares of lush gardens and lawns. This architectural marvel is sandy golden colored and features around 1002 crystal chandeliers, hundreds of domes, and jaw-dropping interior designed with gold leaves, pearl, and original marble.

Apart from all these attractions, you can also visit the Qasr Al Hosn Fort to see the oldest built building in Abu Dhabi, and check out an Emirati short film or an art flick (European) at The Space. It’s free of cost.

So when are you planning your Abu Dhabi tour?

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