Destination Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates

Glittering turquoise waters were lapping at the sugary sands as I strolled among palm trees and pretty gardens carpeting an exquisitely-manicured waterfront. On my left-hand side the skyscrapers soaring above the city resembled Manhattan. The sun had the effect of a spotlight covering the scene with a golden glow. It could not have been more perfect if I had been styling a photo shoot.

Atmospheric and invigorating while radiating calm and serenity, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, seduces you with charm and culture packaged in a sophisticated and classy environment.

I was walking on the Corniche, a road that runs for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) by the waterfront from Zayed Port up to the Emirates Palace. People were enjoying bike rides. Many like me were enjoying an afternoon walk soaking up the winter sunshine, while others were relaxing in the bustling cafés and restaurants or swimming in the sea.

Abu Dhabi: aerial view Corniche
Courtesy of

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Perched on the Arabian Gulf, Abu Dhabi is the largest and the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates  Formed in 1971, this is a relatively new country that is not only rich in oil but also natural beauty. The triangular island of Abu Dhabi city, connected to the mainland by a small bridge, is, like neighbouring islands, awash with construction projects. 

And it is not just more towering buildings and luxurious hotels that are rising out of the desert, Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island is set to be a hub of world-renowned museums including branches of the Guggenheim and the Louvre which you would want to see just for the building alone. Surrounded by the sea it is an ingenious combination of 21^st century architecture and intrinsic Arabian influences. 

Paying homage to Abu Dhabi’s long maritime history is the recently-opened Cruise Terminal, in Zayed Port, where traditional markers of the region, including a souk collide with state-of-the-art design. A stone’s throw from the centre of the capital, it makes stopping here on a cruise an ideal way for getting a taste of the city. 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Courtesy of

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

If you are looking for adventure head south to Yas Island, home of the Formula One circuit and Ferrari World, a theme park where you can take a ride on what is said to be the fastest roller-coaster on the planet.

While the winds of change have been brisk here, they have not been as rapid as those of its neighbour Dubai. The attention to detail here is amazing, everything seems to have been thoroughly thought through. Even the traffic flows well here. In Abu Dhabi, you savour a distinct Arabian flavour. Although modernity stakes its claim, this emirate is fiercely protective of its past and that makes it special. Being virtually crime free is another plus.

The Heritage Village gives a glimpse of what desert life was like living next to an oasis. Women weave and spin while men are occupied with skills such as making pottery. Its star attraction is the views of the Corniche. You should go there for that alone.

 Louvre Abu Dhabi (artist's impression)
Courtesy of

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Shopaholics can test their bartering skills at traditional souks as well as sauntering round the myriad of shopping malls that the city has to offer. At the Marina Mall you can appreciate the vastness of Abu Dhabi as you take in the great views from the 100-metre high viewing platform.

It is, however, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque that will really make your jaw drop – whatever time of day you visit. Designers have come from all over the world to create one of the world’s largest mosques. Elegant and tastefully decorated, its 82 white marble domes, 24 carat gold-gilded chandeliers and columns adorned with floral motives inlaid with semi-precious stones will dazzle you with their beauty. The reflective pools and stunning gardens that hem it intensify the splendour of this architectural wonder. 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is named after the founder and first President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is based on his vision.

Emirates Palace
Courtesy of

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

The mosque, said to hold over 40,000 worshippers, not only boasts in its main prayer hall one of the world’s largest chandeliers, which glistens with gold and Swarovski crystals, it also claims to have the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. It is said to have taken approximately 1,300 Iranian craftsmen two and half years to complete. 

Women, especially, should take note that the dress code here is extremely conservative. Not even your wrists can be on show. You have to wear loose-fitting ankle-length skirts or trousers and long sleeves. Also ensure you are not wearing white or anything transparent including the scarf that covers your head.

There was just time on my whirlwind trip to fit in a visit to the fabled Emirates Palace, one of the city’s most renowned landmarks. Nestled on its own private beach, surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens, dancing water fountains greet you as you walk up the sweeping driveway. Indulging in a gold-leaf flecked cappuccino I reflected on the many wonderful surprises that Abu Dhabi kept unravelling. With still more to discover, I hope one day to go back.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Fly with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. You will experience Arabian hospitality as soon as you board the plane. For best fares and more details about destinations and Etihad visit etihad.com

Stay at the Emirates Palace. For more information and best rates visit kempinski.com

For more information about Abu Dhabi visit Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority visitabudhabi.ae

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist

Flying with Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, may have only been established in 2003 but it has gained a reputation as being one of the world’s top airlines. 

Check-in at Heathrow was smooth. The team were incredibly friendly. Not only did I get a porter to lift my bag on to the scales – which being petite, I always find a strain – I picked up a couple of tips for visiting Abu Dhabi, my destination and the home of Etihad.

From the minute you board the A380 you get a flavour of warm Arabian hospitality. Attention to detail and the service is extremely good. A lovely stewardess from Glasgow even took my coat and hung it up for me so that I did not have to screw it up into a ball and put it in the overhead locker.

A380

The range of languages spoken on board is impressive from Romanian to Chinese. From speaking to the crew, I found that many had worked for the airline for a long time and were really enthusiastic about their jobs and proud to work for Etihad.   

Etihad’s three-room private luxury suite, The Residence, which accommodates one couple or a single person, comes with its own butler and chef. It may have been what hit the headlines when it was launched last year but fly in the first class apartments and business class studios, on the A380, and you are promised an extraordinary experience as they are reputed to be among the best on offer.    

Its Premium Lounge at Abu Dhabi offers an amazing range of services and facilities including shower rooms and a children’s play area with a trained nanny.

If you fancy a drink, there is a great bar with a knowledgeable bartender as well as an array of delicious hot and cold food including some tempting Arabian sweets. Coffee lovers can indulge at the espresso bar.

You can treat yourself at a day spa or nail salon and if your hair is a mess, a hairdresser is there to ensure you look your best for the flight. If you need to work, there is a well-equipped business area. I really enjoyed whiling away the time here before my flight back to London, Heathrow.

If you are not heading for the top deck, which is reserved for first class and business passengers, you will not be disappointed downstairs in economy. It is rather stylish and spotlessly clean.

Warm Arabian hospitality

Seats were extremely comfortable and had good back support so I did not feel stiff when I got off the plane. Even with two bags on the floor, there was still room for me to stretch my legs out.

A “Sleep Tight” kit, which contains a pair of socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and earplugs, is provided on longer journeys. There is also a “Do not disturb/Wake me up to eat” eye-mask. Even the loos were much better than on your average flight.

The on-demand entertainment had an extremely good range of films, TV shows and live TV channels as well as audio and games to keep you occupied. You could also improve your geography of the region by following the map of the flight path. There was so much to keep me occupied that I never tried to go to sleep during the almost seven-hour flight. 

Also appreciated were the headsets. They were easy to use, far more comfortable than some I have had in business class with other airlines. You can also purchase mobile and internet services. USB and power points can be found at every seat.

A complimentary bar service is available which included a choice of red or white wine. Menus were given out before take-off so you had plenty of time to decide which of the three options you preferred. I had chicken both on the way out and return flight which was tasty. A snack was served on both journeys prior to landing. Soft drinks, were available throughout the journey.

The time went by so quickly on both of my flights. Etihad, certainly, has got my seal of approval.

By Daralyn Danns

For best fares and more details about destinations and Etihad etihad.com

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist

 

Destination Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Nashville gets to you in the same way as a great song. So watching the TV drama series, Nashville, about the city and its music industry, brought back fond memories of this wonderful place and I have become addicted to the show. 

As I was not a country music fan I didn’t really know what to expect of the state capital of Tennessee and what I perceived as a southern Bible Belt town.

From the moment you arrive at the airport you know music flows through its veins. Ranging from rock to R&B through to classical, there is plenty of choice. Nashville is a place where you can easily get drunk on its energy and creativity, yet at the same time be incredibly relaxed.

Nashville skyline
Courtesy of Tennessee Tourism

Lush green hills and fields filled with cows are not far away from this riverside city that is studded with plantation houses and beautiful parks. Its unpretentiousness and the Southern hospitality Nashville dishes up makes it one of the most welcoming and friendliest places in the US.  

A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has to be on any visitor’s itinerary. There are plenty of costumes, instruments and audio recordings to keep you amused for hours. Not to be missed is the Ryman Auditorium for more music history. You can also take tours back stage. Some of today’s great artists now appear here. It was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Courtesy of Tennessee Tourism

Now this huge venue is a fair distance out of town, but it is really worth getting tickets for a performance of the “Grand Ole Opry”, the radio show credited for making country music famous. Its ability to adapt and evolve with the ever-changing music scene has kept it on the air for more than 80 years.

In the honky-tonk bars along Lower Broadway you may discover tomorrow’s stars. The performances are free and I have even been invited into places during the day just to listen to the music. You don’t even have to buy a drink. The renowned Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where the walls are plastered with autographs and photos, is an experience not to be missed.

Yes, there were plenty of cowboy boots and women who looked as if they had taken style advice from Dolly Parton, but delve a little deeper, and you’ll discover another side of Nashville that rocks to an edgier beat. 

The Bluebird Café
Courtesy of Tennessee Tourism

The Bluebird Café, featured in the TV show, does exist. It’s slightly outside of the down town area on Hillsboro Pike. At this venue, where stars mingle with song writers, you never know who you will bump into.

Nashville has, without doubt, under gone a metamorphosis. Once a quiet city, it is now exploding with top-notch restaurants and sophisticated nightclubs – especially in East Nashville – as well as interesting boutiques. The New York Times wrote an article titled “Nashville’s Latest Big Hit Could be The City Itself”.

In my opinion Nashville already is. The more I immersed myself in its culture, the more I didn’t want to leave.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

United Airlines (united.com) 

I stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Centre
(marriott.co.uk)

For more info on Nashville (visitmusiccity.com)

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist