Subtle and seductive charms of Abu Dhabi
Hindustan Times Gurugram|December 22, 2024
We all know Dubai and many are keen to visit (and frequently do) but Abu Dhabi, just an hour and a half away and the capital of the Emirates, remains largely unknown and unvisited.
Karan Thapar

We all know Dubai and many are keen to visit (and frequently do) but Abu Dhabi, just an hour and a half away and the capital of the Emirates, remains largely unknown and unvisited. Let me see if this Sunday morning I can fill in some of the glaring blanks for you. I was there last weekend and came back enchanted with the place. I'd say its charm is deeper and more satisfying than the seemingly transitory glamour and glitz of Dubai, its better-known frère (brother).

The atmosphere of Abu Dhabi is more relaxed and a lot less frenetic than Dubai. If the latter is New York, the former approximates Paris. The traffic flows more smoothly, the boulevards and highways as glorious and the hotels and restaurants as numerous and luxurious. You tend to see more Emiratees enjoying their city, whether it's shopping or eating out, than in Dubai. Expatriates may still dominate the city's residents but they don't seem to frighten the locals away.

The wonders of Abu Dhabi include its cultural gems. The Louvre and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are two obvious examples. The Sorbonne and New York University are two others.

This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES GURUGRAMView All
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Sip away your dairy worries with Amul Lactose-Free Milk

Milk is full of nutritious goodness, but for some, it can also bring tummy troubles.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

ARJUN OPENS UP ABOUT RUSHING TO MALAIKA'S SIDE AFTER HER DAD'S DEATH

Arjun Kapoor says it was an 'impulsive' decision, citing his own 'fear of loss'

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Prince-Yuvika's separate posts for daughter intensify split rumours

Amid ongoing rumours of marital discord, model-actor Prince Narula and his wife, actor Yuvika Chaudhary, recently celebrated a special milestone – the two-month birthday of their daughter Ikleen.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Wanted to honour Aadesh ji's vision: Sonu Nigam on releasing Aadesh Shrivastava's last song this Christmas

This Christmas, Sonu Nigam is paying homage to Mother Mary with a special offering – Ave Maria.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Rahi trigger happy again after neuro-muscular memory loss

A harrowing spell of neuropathic pain behind her, the pistol ace finds her way back into competition

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Crowd pleaser Pant needs to rediscover himself again

The enforcer at No.5 is yet to get going and the visitors will hope he has the same impact Head has had with the Aussies

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

1st women's ODI: In-form India hold all aces vs WI

India will be eager to exploit their recent form and a historical advantage to subdue West Indies in the three-match women's ODI series, beginning here with the first contest on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Ashwin and Jadeja: A pair broken up after 12 seasons

It seemed odd to hear Ravindra Jadeja talk about R Ashwin in the past tense.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

ANMOLPREET SMASHES FASTEST LIST A HUNDRED BY AN INDIAN

Anmolpreet Singh smashed the quickest List A hundred by an Indian, a 35-ball effort, to guide Punjab to an easy nine-wicket win over Arunachal Pradesh in a Group C Vijay Hazare match here on Saturday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Hindustan Times Gurugram

From chaos to contenders: Maresca causing the turnaround for Chelsea

\"No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we are not ready to compete for the title.\" That was Enzo Maresca after Chelsea beat Brentford 2-1 and moved to second in the Premier League, two points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024