Reasons why you should choose Abu Dhabi over Dubai

Most people when booking their trip to the UAE immediately pick Dubai as their destination. However, only an hour and a half away is Abu Dhabi, and visitors should definitely consider visiting this incredible city instead. Abu Dhabi has some of the most epic touristic attractions in the country and is possibly a better destination for tourists coming to the UAE.

Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s Capital

Abu Dhabi is not only the country’s capital, but it also occupies approximately 80% of its territory. The city is also the home of the UAE’s president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In fact, all of the country’s presidents must be from the Al Nahyan family, which is from Abu Dhabi. This makes Abu Dhabi perhaps the most important city in the country politically, geographically and historically. When visiting the UAE, seeing – and even staying – in the capital is a must!

Seeing more of the local culture

Anyone who has been to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi will agree that the capital is much more traditional than the vastly more touristy city of Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, visitors will be more in touch with the local culture, being around locals much more often. This is the best place to see the Emirati costumes, garments and traditions. Whereas in Dubai one would most likely be surrounded by expats and other tourists, Abu Dhabi offers a more traditional experience.

Great concerts and events

Abu Dhabi has become known for amazing concerts. The capital has hosted some household names in music internationally such as Coldplay, Paul McCartney, Rihanna and Lionel Richie. Events such as Beats On The Beach have made Abu Dhabi the UAE’s most important hub for live music. The city has an event heavy calendar that includes music festivals, cultural happenings and sporting events, attracting people from all over the world.

Not as busy as Dubai

Anyone who has visited Dubai during peak season can confirm this – the city is packed! Seeing that this is a vastly popular tourist destination, people from all over the world fly to Dubai during the months of October-March in order to spend some time in the city. Airports are packed, hotels are super expensive and even just buying a ticket to go up the Burj Khalifa needs to be done months in advance. Abu Dhabi has attractions that are just as fun and exciting as Dubai, with much less hassle, making it a much better destination during peak season.

A more authentic trip

While everyone around is saying they have been to Dubai and seen Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, anyone who choose to visit Abu Dhabi will be able to share stories of a truly authentic and unusual holiday. Everyone who has been to the UAE has had the chance to see the Burj Al Arab, but not all got to contemplate the skyline from Fast and Furious 7. Choosing Abu Dhabi over Dubai will guarantee new and unique stories to share with those back home.

See more: Top destinations in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Source: Internet

Places to visit in Makassar, Indonesia

Makassar located in South Sulawesi is a city with a hidden wealth of things to do and see in Indonesia. As the main port of entry to the island of Sulawesi, Makassar tends to be seen mainly as a stopover to Tana Toraja and the rest of Sulawesi's hotspots.

Makassar Strait

The islands off Makassar call for a whole day's worth of lazing at the beach, snorkeling to see the fish and sea urchins, and one last beachside picnic before heading back to the city. There are 2 islands you need to visit: one is the Samalona Island - a favorite getaway for locals who love to picnic by the sea or rent a house on the island for an overnight visit and another is Kodingareng Keke - a sandbar with white sand where you will find at any top-rated beach in the world.

Floating Mosque

Losari Beach or "Pantai Losari" has a lively stretch of activity buzzing with locals. Although it's along the coast, there is no direct access to the beach so it is more of a boardwalk. The key landmark here has to be the floating mosque, which does look from some angles like it’s floating on the water.

Stone Forest

The trip to Maros’ “Hutan Batu” (Stone Forest) is one of the most scenic in Makassar. A one-hour drive from the city takes you to the Rammang-Rammang Pier in Salenrang, from here you’ll board motorized canoes that speed down the Pute River, past cliffs, jungle, bridges and traditional Sulawesi houses. You’ll disembark at a village next to rice fields, all surrounded by towering karst mountains that give the place its nickname. The “Stone Forest” is supposedly the second-largest karst landscape in the world, offering a series of adventures in and around the limestone cliffs.

Fort Rotterdam

Don't forget to take in colonial history at Fort Rotterdam. After 1667, when the Dutch conquered the Gowa Kingdom that ruled over South Sulawesi, they cemented their rule by destroying the Gowa King's existing fortifications and building a Dutch star-shaped fort over the ruins. The fort served as a nucleus around which the city of Ujung Pandang, later Makassar, grew over the centuries.

Pantai Losari

To see Makassar at its most spontaneous and fun, visit Pantai Losari just before the sunset hours. The Pantai Losari seaside promenade is a favorite stop for locals and a tried-and-true magnet for local atmosphere. After the sun sinks completely below the horizon, walk north up Jalan Penghibur for an early dinner at the kaki lima (food stalls) lining the sidewalk.

Read more: Things you don't know about Indonesian cuisine

Source Internet

The ideal places to shop in Colombo, Sri Lanka

If you are planning on spending your vacation in Colombo, Sri Lanka, then you are sure in for a treat. Colombo, the bustling capital of Sri Lanka is known to provide visitors a wide range of activities to make their stay extremely enjoyable. One of the favorite activities is shopping.

Barefoot

Photo @Barefoot

Designer Barbara Sansoni is beautifully laid out shop, located in an old villa, is justly popular for its bright hand-loomed textiles, which are fashioned into bedspreads, cushions, serviettes and other household items. You will also find textile-covered notebooks, lampshades and albums, and a large selection of stylish, simple (but not cheap) clothing. There is also a lovely courtyard cafe.

Good Market

The Good Market is the best shop in the city as it sells all sorts of organic products, from snacks, to produce and skin and hair treatments. All products are sourced locally and follow strict organic guidelines. Every Saturday, the Good Market sets up a pop-up market at the Colombo Racecourse with lots of vendors, such as small business owners, that sell handmade products from all over the island.

Arpico Supercentre

Arpico supercentre is a great place to shop for your daily essentials and a host of other goods that you might need during your stay. This leading supermarket chain has a number of outlets in Colombo and the suburbs so you can grab anything you need from the nearest store.

Odel

Odel is one of the most established hot spots in Colombo for shopping. It is the Sri Lankan equivalent to Myers or David Jones, an elegant department store. In the recent past it has taken a new face and likely to become possibly the largest mall in time to come. There are lots of little interesting shopping discoveries to find in Odel.

Paradise Road

Another amazing shop for special home products is Paradise Road. Apart from gorgeous minimalistic house linen, their hand-painted mugs and plates are a favourite. Their canvas bags printed with the Sinhala alphabet and woven pillow covers are also beautiful. On the second floor, you will find a room filled with only white dinner plates and bowls.

Arcade Independence Square

Another massive restoration of a colonial landmark! In this case, the sprawling colonial 'hospital for the insane' has been reborn as an upscale mall after spending the last few decades in bureaucratic decrepitude. It has dozens of upscale international chains, a good food court and some high-concept eateries. Between expenditures, rest up in the gardens.

Ridhi

A small shop that carries silver jewellery if you are looking for a piece to take home with you. It has some great designs of jewellery from rings to entire sets of jewellery. The speciality of this store is that the designs are a mix of local traditional designs combined with contemporary styles.

Dilmah T-Lounge

Dilmah is one of the most famous teas in Sri Lanka and they have a couple of shops in Colombo where they sell all of their tea varieties. From the classic English Breakfast to Earl Grey, Dilmah offers an extensive collection of loose leaf tea and pyramid tea bags. Not only do they have the largest selection of teas in Colombo, they also sell books published by the Dilmah foundation. You can find books about Sri Lankan birds, butterflies and more. The gift boxes are perfect for taking back home, along with their special coloured sand clocks to make the perfect tea.

See more: Take the chance to discover Sri Lanka

Source Internet