Only 25 minutes away: Yas Island – Home of the F1 race course and the Ferrari theme park
Only 45 minutes away: Abu Dhabi – The oil-rich capital of the UAE, featuring among others the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the impressive Emirates Palace at the corniche and the Old Fort are definitely worth to be seen.
Only 45 minutes away: Dubai – The commercial capital of the UAE and traditional trade hub. Experience the Future when exploring the ultra modern Dubai of 2010, with Burj Khalifa, the Jumeirah Beach Residence, Walk & Marina, the elegant shopping malls (i.e. Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Batutta Mall, Bur Juman Mall or Mercato Mall) & the enchanting Madinat Jumeirah with its artisan shops and great dining options, next to the Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Don’t forget to take a trip into the Dubai’s history to explore their traditions. Visit Karama or Satwa, the Old Souq where gold, textiles, materials, spices and all kind of other stuff are sold and remember – bargaining for the best possible price is a must!
Take a Dhow ride along the creek or an Abra to cross over to the other side for some more shopping adventure in traditional surroundings;
Discover how life used to be not that long ago at the heritage village or Bastakia. Have a go at it - there is so much to be seen & experienced – to keep you busy for a day, or two or even three!
One hour away: Sharjah – The capital of the neighbouring Emirate, which has some great attractions, namely the new “Sharjah Souq” where mainly gold and carpets are sold, the Islamic Museum in an converted shopping mall in true Islamic Style, the Sharjah Creek & Dhow harbour, the Heritage Village with its Fort and the rebuilt “Old Souq” – transferring you back in time!
Two hours away: Al Ain – The Garden city of the UAE, camel market, Jabel Hafeet its Omani twin Buraimi, Sheikh Zayed palace and the pre historic excavations of Hilli should not be missed
Two ½ hours away: Oman! This will take ‘a bit longer’ and definitely requires some preparation, but how about discovering the traditional Arabia. Visit Muscat with the Sultan’s Palace, stroll along the picturesque Corniche of Mutrah and visit the traditional souq. Explore the Falaj systems, the old forts which cluster the country, the highest mountains in Arabia, the lush Wadies and the ‘Empty Quarter’ - and relax on one of the beautiful, never-ending beaches of visit the Musandam peninsular!
Alternatively you can join public site seeing by the ‘Big Bus Company’ in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This has the advantage that you can focus on the sites (rather than the traffic) and you can get off the bus at any time & place to visit and explore a site of particular interest and jump on any later bus to rejoin the tour.
For all those who are a bit more adventurous (or simply can’t get enough) - there are the opportunities to join a desert safari with dinner at sunset in a tent in the sand dunes, while those less adventurous, but equally romantic, can take a dinner cruise on the Creek (or from our hotel to the beach)!
We hope that we have given you a good indication on what you can do while staying at the Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort – so feel free to use it as base to discover the UAE, since nothing is really far away from here!
You might be interested to know that Golden Tulip has hotels in Oman in Kassab / Musandam, Dibbah, and Muscat Seeb & Nizwa!
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Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information or contact details of our preferred partners, who would be delighted to put a tailor made programme together for you!
