The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Grand Mosque….Emirates Palace….Al Hosn Fort….Heritage Village….Sir Bani Yas Island….Gold Souk….Spice Souk….Iranian Souk….Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain….National Museum, Al Ain.…Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.…Liwa Oasis….Al Ain Oases ….are just some of the 'must see' sights when visiting Abu Dhabi.

Panorama Tours together with Ukraine International Airlines, invite you to visit Abu Dhabi - the capital and largest & richest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the worlds fastest growing cities in the world. Abu Dhabi has been ruled by the Al Nahyan family since the 18th century. Abu Dhabi's current ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is also the President of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi shares its borders with Saudi Arabia, Dubai & Oman.



1. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Grand Mosque



This magnificent Abu Dhabi landmark is one of the world's largest mosques and the resting place of the late President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is affectionately known as 'The Father of the Nation.'

Popularly known by locals as the 'Grand Mosque' the building is seen as a 'globally unifying' landmark having brought together designers, features, materials and suppliers from nearly every corner of the globe.

Constructed using, where possible, natural materials, the mosque boasts an array of marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystal and ceramics.

The mosque has 80 white marble domes with the main dome's outer shell measuring 32.7 metres in diameter and stands 70 metres high from the inside and 85 metres from the outside - the largest of its kind, according to the Turkey Research Centre for Islamic History and Culture.

The mosque has 1,096 exterior columns and 96 columns in the main prayer hall which are embedded with more than 20,000 handmade marble panels encrusted with semi-precious stones, including lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell and mother of pearl. Beautiful, 107 metre-high minarets stand at the four corners of the mosque.

Artificial lakes spanning 7,874 square metres and laden with dark tiles, surround the mosque, whilst coloured floral marble and mosaics pave the 17,000 square metre courtyard. The pools reflect the mosque's spectacular image, which becomes even more resplendent at night.

Italian white marble and inlaid floral designs adorn the prayer halls and the interior walls have decorative 24 carat gold-glass mosaic features. The main prayer hall also features the world's largest hand-woven Persian carpet (7,119 square metres).

The mosque features seven 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers imported from Germany, all designed with thousands of Swarovski crystals. The largest of these chandeliers, which hangs from the main dome, is considered the world's largest measuring 10 metres in diameter, 15 metres in height, and weighing eight-to-nine tonnes.

Complimentary guided tours of the mosque are available on Sunday - Thursday from 09.45hrs - 11.00hrs

2. Emirates Palace



This uber-luxurious hotel, built to house the heads of state of a Gulf Co-operation Council summit, is an unmistakable landmark on Abu Dhabi's Corniche resembling, as it does, an 1001 Arabian Nights' Palace. Resplendent during the day, it is truly magnificent at night when exterior lighting throws a myriad of colours over its 114 domes. The hotel cost approximately US $3 billion and took 20,000 workers three years to build. Stretching one kilometre from its west to east wing, the hotel sits majestically on 1.3 kilometres of private beach.

The hotel boasts 394 super spacious rooms and suites, ranging from 55 sqms to 680 sqms, 40 meeting and conference rooms, a stunning ballroom with a theatre style capacity of 2400 guests, an auditorium which seats 1100, an open air concert guest capacity of 20,000. Renowned for its patisseries, the hotel uses no less than five kilograms of pure edible gold as decoration on its deserts Made mainly from marble imported from 13 countries, the hotel features 12 outdoor fountains and eight indoor water features, 1002 chandeliers and 8,000 trees in its landscaped gardens.

3. Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition, Emirates Palace



This exhibition is open daily from 10am until 10pm in the magnificent surroundings of the uber-luxurious Emirates Palace hotel. The exhibition outlines the plans for transforming this 27 square kilometre island which lies just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city into a signature leisure, residential and cultural destination. It focuses on the plans for the island's Cultural District which will be home to the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum. Each has been designed by a leading architectural luminary including Lord Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando respectively.

4. Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi Breakwater



The charming Heritage Village overlooks Abu Dhabi Corniche. It's here visitors get a glimpse of what life was like for Abu Dhabi's Bedouin by touring this reconstruction of a traditional desert encampment including a goat's hair tent and a campfire complete with coffee pots. The village features a reconstruction of the old well and irrigation system, mud-brick houses, old fishing villages and souqs (bazaars).

Visitors can also call in on several workshops where traditional metal work, pottery and weaving are still being produced and where craftsmen occasionally let visitors try their hand at these skills. A spice shop awakens the culinary senses and a small souvenir shop sells handicrafts. A mini-museum featuring artefacts such as diving tools, jewellery, weapons and coffee pots rounds off the Heritage Village experience.

There are no restrictions on photography and visitors are encouraged to keep their cameras handy for photo opportunities with the friendly local craftsmen.

5. Sir Bani Yas Island




This former Royal Nature Reserve is now open to visitors who stay at the luxury, boutique Desert Islands Resorts & Spa operated by award-winner Anantara Hotels & Resorts. Sir Bani Yas Island is a nature-based and adventure retreat - the first phase of the multi-experiential Desert Islands destination which, when complete, will comprise eight islands and an onshore gate.

You can reach Sir Bani Yas Island by road - it's a 2.5 hour drive from Abu Dhabi city -and then by a scheduled boat service, or by seaplane flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The flagship of Abu Dhabi's vast Al Gharbia (western) region, Sir Bani Yas Island is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park with a myriad of free roaming animals including, at a 400-plus strong herd of Arabian Oryx - one of the world's largest. Sir Bani Yas Island boasts pristine beaches which flank warm waters which are home to rich marine life including dolphins, turtles and the dugong (sea cow). The island is also lush with mangrove deposits where flamingoes wade as Sir Bani Yas is on the migratory path of over 64 bird species.

Guests can choose from a variety of adventure activities conducted under the expert eye of highly-trained 'guides.' These include kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling offshore, mountain biking and hiking through the salt domes which dominate the island's core, 4x4 guided tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park and archery.

A visit to Sir Bani Yas Island is memorable, relaxing and simply conjures up a desert island escape.

6. Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain



This expansive fort, in the centre of Al Ain, the Garden City of Abu Dhabi in the emirate's Eastern Province, was built by Sheikh Zayed the First in the 1890s. One of the country's largest forts, Al Jahili was home to members of Abu Dhabi's ruling Al Nahyan family and later re-used by Britain's Trucial Scouts, at the beginning of the 1950s.

Now sensitively restored, the Al Jahili Fort is now an active cultural centre and visitor destination which houses a permanent exhibition on the explorer, travel writer and photographer ,Wilfred Thesiger who twice crossed the desert expanse of the famed Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khalili) in the 1940s.

The fort's large central courtyard is now used as a venue for cultural concerts.

7. National Museum, Al Ain

This is the UAE's oldest museum. It was built under the direction of the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who believed that a country without a past has "neither a present, nor a future." The museum is divided into two main sections - ethnographical and archaeological - and gives visitors an overview of the country's traditions and culture alongside the much older story of the people who lived here up to 7,500 years ago.

8. Al Ain Oases

Al Ain, commonly recognised as 'The Garden City Of The Gulf' takes its name from the oases which surround it and which, archaeological evidence suggests have probably been cultivated for at over 3,000 years. There are nearly 3,000 acres of oases with over 147,000 date palms, in this cultural hub of Abu Dhabi which nestles picturesquely in the shadow of the rugged Jebel Hafeet - the emirate's highest peak. Today a stroll through the cooling Al Ain Oases is one of the most relaxing pastimes to be found.

During your stroll you'll see the traditional Falaj irrigation system at work - where mud channels were constructed to take water from natural springs to the oases. The date orchards form a patchwork of individually-owned plots, divided by a maze of pathways.

Also look out for the city's parks - well worth a visit - most notably the Hili Archaeological Park which features bronze age remains and tombs.

9. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital



This is the world's largest falcon hospital dedicated to the highest standard of comprehensive treatment and care of falcons and other raptors with over 4400 patients per year. Visitors can now join daily guided tours of this facility, enjoy its unique falconry museum and gain an insight into this traditional and 'noble' desert sport. Visitors can tour the 'wards' where falcons are kept as VIPs during their hospital stay and get to see the large, free flight aviary. In the hospital gardens, visitors get to try their hand at falconry under expert instruction, they can also take in the unique falcon flight show which takes them into the world of the Bedouin and their beloved falcons or opt to sample renowned Arabian hospitality with a delicious lunch in the beautiful, traditional majlis.

10. The Liwa Desert



Gateway to the dramatic expanse of desert known as the Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali), Liwa is the world's largest sand desert with towering dunes which rise hundreds of metres into the air. With freshwater pools and palm groves the oasis is the traditional home of the Bani Yas tribe - the Bedouin forefathers of Abu Dhabi's ruling family. Liwa provides a desert adventure a relatively short drive from the city - just 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The oasis is made up of a number of small towns and villages with farms, freshwater pools and date plantations right up against the dunes. One of the area's distinctions is the constantly changing colour of the sand, from gold to red, particularly striking at the beginning and end of the day. Take time to book a desert safaris into the area where visitors can camp and take in the magnificent desert night skies and its uncanny 'sound of silence.'

Abu Dhabi offers so much to see and do - just perfect for both couples and families alike. So whether you seek sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, haggling in the souks or enjoying 'retail therapy' in one of the many shopping malls, the thrill of a desert jeep safari or maybe just the breathtaking view of a camel train sashaying across the dunes at sunset - you will not be disappointed.

For further details and to make a reservation please contact:

reservations@panorama-tours.com.ua

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