The Allure of Arabia

Abu Dhabi is claiming its spot as the culture destination of the Middle East, and rightfully so. The wealthy, capital city of the the United Arab Emirates is home to the recently opened Louvre Abu Dhabi, a Jean Nouvel-designed architectural gem, and in the distant future, the city will also boast the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Norman Foster’s Zayed National Museum, Zaha Hadid’s performing arts centre, and a Tadao Ando-designed Maritime Museum to showcase the region’s sea-faring heritage. The shimmering skyline of the city continues to transform as tradition weaves with modernity to welcome art lovers from around the world.

Artfully Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, Rupi Sood, editor picks,

{Photo: Kai Wang}

"No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we build, or how many bridges we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind the progress is the human spirit, the able man with his intellect and capabilities."

HH Sheikh Zayed (1918-2004)

Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, editor picks,

stay // for over-the-top Arabian palace interiors, Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi • for gorgeous views and modern luxury, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers • for chic accommodations and superior service, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi • for sophisticated elegance, Rosewood Abu Dhabi • for a desert oasis (two hours away), Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara


eat  // for designer interiors and elevated Cantonese cuisine, Hakkasan • for award-winning Lebanese fare, Li Beirut • for a taste of Italy, Frankie’s Italian Restaurant • for a chance of having famed chef ‘Salt Bae’ (Nusret Gokce) personally sprinkle salt on your steak, Nusr-Et • for a culinary adventure to taste Emirati specialities, Al-Fanar and Mezlai • for upscale Peruvian with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish cuisines in a buzzy setting, Coya


shop // for designer fashion and traditional goods in a chic, contemporary setting, The WTC Mall • for leading luxury fashion brands, The Galleria • for beautiful carpets,  Carpet Souk of Abu Dhabi • for gold and precious stones, Madinat Zayed Gold Center • for antiques and handicrafts, Central Market


explore // to see the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn Fort • to experience life in a traditional Emirati village setting, Emirates Heritage Village • to take a boat ride on a wooden dhow and learn more about the region’s pearling history, Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey • to experience the thrill of dune-bashing or take a camel trek, Abu Dhabi Desert Safari • to learn more about falcons and the role they have played in Emirati culture in a functioning care unit, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital • to take in the F1 racetrack views and experience the Ferrari World theme park, Yas Marina


see // the serene beauty of the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque • everything from ancients artifacts to contemporary art including many pieces on loan from the Louvre in Paris, Louvre Abu Dhabi • traditional and contemporary installations within New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus, Abu Dhabi Art Gallery • art, design and performances within a contemporary, culture space, Warehouse 421 • the annual art fair held in November which brings together international and local galleries, Abu Dhabi Art

Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, Rupi Sood, editor picks,

 

Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, Rupi Sood, editor picks, islamic art, arabesque patterns, Jean Nouvel, Abu Dhabi culture, Abu Dhabi architecture

{The Louvre Abu Dhabi, photo by Juliana Malta}

Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, Rupi Sood, editor picks, souks, Abu Dhabi shopping, what to do in Abu Dhabi, islamic art, arabesque patterns

J’AIPUR Editor-in-Chief, Rupi Sood, enjoying tea in the markets…

Who lives sees much. Who travels sees more.

Arab proverb
Abu Dhabi, Middle Eastern art, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arabic art, city guides, Abu Dhabi city guide, travel magazine, art guides, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art, travel guides, Eastern art, J'aipur Journal, Rupi Sood, editor picks, souks, Abu Dhabi shopping, what to do in Abu Dhabi, islamic art, arabesque patterns, Abu Dhabi desert, dune bashing, desert tours, desert safaris, The Empty Quarter

…taking in the breathtaking view of the vast Arabian desert.

 

Next Story >>