Abu Dhabi : The Gazelle

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the federal capital or seat of power of the UAE and the largest of seven emirates. It lies on the borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The richness of its culture is slowly being developed, now growing at its best. This emirate boasts its pioneering and world class industry in oil and gas, airlines (Etihad - the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi has won the World Travel Awards for Best Business Class in the World in 2009), aluminium (Emirates Aluminium is one of world's largest single site aluminium smelter located in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi), and leisure. It has well maintained family fun parks, architectural landmarks, corniche and pristine beaches. Abu Dhabi has held and sponsored various events that attracts world wide participants and audiences - Gourmet Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Yacht Show and Interiors UAE to name a few. A far more conservative culture than Dubai due to its most concentrated population of local inhabitants (Emirati Arabs), Abu Dhabi's housing costs rise to be highest above all emirates. Below you'll find images of Abu Dhabi and its famous landmarks.
The world's first Ferrari Theme Park - Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is set to open in October 2010 in YAS Island. Announced as 'an intense multi-sensory experience and a must-visit for enthusiasts, fans and families'. The park pays tribute to the passion, excellence, performance, technical innovation that Ferrari has established over the years and represents today. It's iconic sleek red roof is directly influenced by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 200,000 m2 and carrying the largest Ferrari Logo ever created. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will host a number of attractions & rides providing the complete Ferrari experience: over 20 state-of-the-art attractions, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, travelling at speeds exceeding 200 km/h and emulating the thrilling sensation of being in a Ferrari F1 car, or the G-Force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62 m, through the roof and back down again. Abu Dhabi, at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, was chosen as the ideal location to build the Ferrari Theme Park, motor sports being extremely popular in the United Arab Emirates.
Aside from the long awaited Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi has the rights to boast its YAS Island compound as a leisure and entertainment destination that is selected as the World's Leading Tourism Development Project at the World Travel Awards - London.  A 25 km2 island strategically located between the coast and city of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with a range of world-class hotels, theme parks, golf courses, mega malls, apartments and villas, and much more. Its one of a kind YAS Island Hotels showcase a standard of luxury and exemplary architecture.

Find out more of Yas Island.

Dubai : The Falcon

Dubai seize to be a more popular name than UAE. It is actually one of the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance of the country's legislature (Source: Wikipedia). It has emerged as a global city and a business hub. Due to its rapid growth and no direct government TAX, it has attracted professionals and laborers around the globe and created a multicultural setting. In fact, as of 2005, 3% of its population are Filipinos and still growing. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. It was also coined the 20th Most Expensive City in the World. The city's massive and grand architectural structures and shopping centres has well contributed to the city's tourism revenue. With tourists and immigrant fluctuation, Dubai is now more open and less conservative than it's neighboring emirates especially Abu Dhabi. Living in Dubai is not that costly as it seems; housing rent is much lower than Abu Dhabi, job vacancy available at all levels; stores, restaurants and pubs favouring expatriates available, airconditioned bus stations, and telecommunication with loved ones is a breeze. Things to do ranges from eating the best shawarma, shopping at grand malls during discount festivals, wandering around the biggest water aquarium, getting a nice tan at Jumeirah Beach or visiting a gold souk. One will feast his eyes on unbelievably expensive sports car, luxury cars and even modified cars just in the street parking or around the corner. But the worse part of it is driving with all feisty drivers on the road especially during Thursdays - the weekend.

Dubai as still a muslim culture and mostly populated by men of various ethnicity. It is advisable, wise, and respectful that women are not left unaccompanied by their husbands, brothers, male close relatives or friends anywhere or anytime. Dubai and the other emirates has built facilities especially for women such as the Pink Taxi (transport for women only with lady driver), bus & metro seats for women and priority line for women at any establishment. Dubai still follows strict rules and restrictions on women clothing, public display of affection, alcohol consumption especially unrespectful acts during their Holy month of Ramadan. Here below are some places one must not fail to visit in Dubai.