Famous Places

Showing posts with label International Tourism. Show all posts

Tourist Destination In Abu Dhabi

By Shahid Ali khan at 13:34 International Tourism 1 comment

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of United Arab Emirates has developed to be a masterpiece, with having many record-breaking feats. The city has a lot of things to boast including the beautiful beaches and vast stretch of gilded deserts. The city is also popular for its marvellous architecture with some of the biggest towers and the greatest lean. Abu Dhabi screams royalty and richness with the world’s highest penthouse bridge, the largest mosaic made of marble and much more. This is the perfect place to explore the dazzling attractions and learn about the rich culture and traditions of the city.

Apart from the attractions, Abu Dhabi is apt for people who are looking for adventure and for those who wish to unwind. You can enjoy a lot of adventurous activities on the vast golden sand desert of the capital of UAE. We have rounded up 5 top adventures that you can take part in Abu Dhabi’s golden sand dunes.

Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi

Experience a wide option of things to do with number of exciting desert activities that are part of the desert safari, including BBQ dinner. Hop on to a 4X4 SUV that will take you on an adventurous drive to one of the many camps set up on the desert for people who want to spend a night on the desert. Travel to the camps that are inspired by the Bedouin lifestyle of the locals of Abu Dhabi, in the desert and throw yourself in the Emirati activities that are carried out in traditional ways. Enjoy dune bashing while exploring the forestation of the desert, or try sand boarding. You can get henna painting done on your hands or simply smoke some sheesha while watching belly dancing performed by artists around the campfire in the evening. Feast on the delicious BBQ dinner serving authentic Arabian food and complete your Desert safari in Abu Dhabi with sleeping in the camps under the thick blanket of sky and stars.

Camel Riding in Abu Dhabi

Discover the never-ending stretch of the golden sand dunes of Abu Dhabi from the back of the ‘desert ship’, as a camel is fondly called. Take in the change in the perspective and let the friendly animals that will carry you faithfully on their back and give you a tour of the desert. Ditch those cars and the noise of the city and enjoy your time while clicking pictures with these super friendly people. Stop at the tallest sand dune and take in the view of the entire area of desert.

Quad Biking

Amidst the beautiful surroundings enjoy a thrilling quad bike ride on your tour to the city. Spend a good hour or so on the quad bike rides while following the instructions of the guide and you will easily slide and slip on the desert while showing off some amazing riding skills. It is a great way to explore the vast desert area of Abu Dhabi and lets you go on your own pace and speed, making it easy for you to enjoy the scene unfold in front of you.

Sunrise Desert Safari

Desert safari in Abu Dhabi is not only limited to whole/half day safari but also includes Sunrise desert safari. All you have to do is wake up early and leave Abu Dhabi city as you make your way towards the desert area of the city to witness the breath-taking view of desert sunrise. Relax in the middle of the desert where you will be able to watch the sun rising over the dunes while tasting some Arabic coffee.

Dune Buggy Desert Adventure in Abu Dhabi

A buggy tour on the dune is an ideal activity that you should take part in, if you are an adventure seeker landed up in Abu Dhabi. Explore the sand dunes that are steep and go off-road under the supervision of a highly trained and professional guide. The dune buggy is specially designed that guarantees a thrilling ride. These vehicles provide an exciting ride that you will never get to experience in a lifetime. The vehicle includes safety harness, full roll cage for safe and secure ride and bucket seats.

Author Bio: Akshay Koranne is a professional travel blogger who likes to travel across the world share the experience through blogging. Apart from travelling and blogging, he likes spending his time playing cricket and chess website : www.toursinabudhabi.com

Your Personal To-Do List of 4 Days in Dubai

By Shahid Ali khan at 20:00 Dubai, International Tourism 1 comment

Going on a short break to a new city or new country is all you need to get rid of your stress and feel rejuvenated. If you are looking for a holiday destination to go with your family, friends or perhaps on your own, Dubai is a great option. The city is a great blend of modern and traditional, and would give you something that would interest and engage you, whatever might be your interests. While there is so much bombardment of information on what to do and see in Dubai, it is likely to get confused, especially when you are on a short holiday of 4 days. Hence, to make it easy for you to chart your itinerary, we offer you a personal to-do list for 4 days in this marvellous city of Dubai.

Things Not to Miss in Dubai

When you are a tourist in a new place, it is mandatory that you do some things or visit a few places. This remains the case even with the city of Dubai. With the tallest building, largest mall, biggest fountain and the largest manmade island residing in Dubai, there are a myriad of things for you to see. Here are a few things that you must definitely include in your itinerary of four days.

Desert Safari

Dubai is primarily a desert land, and this is where the Emiratis resided before they shifted to and built their life in the city. A trip to the desert gives you a glimpse of the life of the Arabs in the past. Moreover, it is also filled with lot of fun and entertainment. The desert safari lasts for half a day and begins in the evening and ends at night. The time in between is where you can partake in adventure, good food and lot of entertainment. For the adventurous, there is dune bashing, camel riding, quad biking and camel riding. For lovers of nature, there is opportunity to enjoy the shades of the setting sun in the desert. The evening is filled with lots of entertainment options like belly dancing, magic shows and Tanura dancing. You also get to enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner and shisha smoking too. If you have time, you can also opt for an overnight desert safari.

BurjKhalifa

If you are visiting Dubai, you cannot return to your home country without making a trip to the tallest building in the world, the BurjKhalifa. With a total of 163 floors, the BurjKhalifa measures up to 829.3 meters. While most of the floors of the building are residential houses and hotels, you can visit the observation deck on the 124^th floor. The best part is that the observation deck is round in shape and gives 360 degree view of the entire city. You can not only see all the buildings but also the stretch of the desert beyond the city. One of the interesting things about your visit would be the elevator ride to the 124^th floor. At the BurjKhalifa, you get to ride in the fastest elevator which would take you to the observation deck in less than a minute. Do not forget to take your camera as you get to take some amazing pictures here.

Old Dubai

Although Dubai has achieved the heights of growth and development, the place has managed to preserve its traditions and culture in a small part of the city. This is why a visit to Old Dubai and the Bastakia Quarter is a must for tourists and travellers. Old Dubai is bereft of the glitz and glamour of the city, but is filled with an old world charm that makes the trip really interesting. You can walk through the Bastakia Quarter and view the architecture and experience the culture of the place. Also, do go for the Abra ride, which is a ride on a wooden boat from Deira to Bur Dubai, on the Dubai Creek. After all the hustle-bustle and glamour of the city, this abra ride would give you some time to relax and take in the beautiful ambience of the old area of the city.

Dubai Mall

Almost every major city has a mall today, and most of the malls are more or less similar. Hence, visiting a mall when you are on holiday in Dubai would seem to be complete waste of your precious time. But this is not the case with Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall is said to be the largest mall in the world, with a size that covers almost two football grounds. Apart from ample places to shop from (around 1200 retail stores), the Dubai Mall is a major source of entertainment. One thing that is for sure is that you cannot see the entire mall in a day, so here are a few things that you should not miss when visiting the Dubai Mall.

The Dubai Mall is home to an indoor aquarium and underwater zoo. Yes, you heard it right! The aquarium and the zoo reside inside the mall! The aquarium welcomes you with a glass tunnel which is home to 140 species of marine life. The underwater zoo is also an interesting place and is definitely a delight to children. Once you have shopped, dined and roamed around the mall, you should take time to watch the fountain show right outside the mall. Beginning at six in the evening, the audio-visual show is played every 30 minutes till 11 in the night. The view of the fountain dancing with the tune of the music is magical, and you would definitely want to wait for hours to watch all the shows.

Dhow Cruise

There is no dearth of restaurants in Dubai, be it budget-friendly or expensive ones. But if you want to dine in a unique way, you must go for the dhow cruise dinner in Dubai. The dhow is a traditional Bedouin boat which has been turned into a restaurant with upper and lower decks. While the lower deck is fully air-conditioned, you get to dine in the open air if you choose the upper deck. Dhow cruises are available both on the Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina. While enjoying a delicious spread of BBQ and international cuisines, you also get to see the beautiful view of the Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina. Some entertainment shows like Tanura and belly dancing are also arranged for you on board. In short, it is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing and shopping in the city.

Along with the places mentioned above, your four days trip to Dubai should also include a visit to Burj Al Arab (world's only seven star hotel), Dubai Gold Souk (where you can see the largest collection of gold and diamonds under one roof), Ibin Battuta Mall, Palm Jumeirah (palm shaped island), JBR Walk, etc.

Apart from these places, Dubai has several other interesting places which would not fail to blow your mind. But before you create your itinerary, it is important that you book your tickets and apply for Dubai visa online if you really want to visit this marvellous city. As getting a tourist visa to Dubai is quite easy, I wish you a memorable tour to this desert city!

Top Road Trips around the World for Bachelors

By Shahid Ali khan at 23:38 International Tourism No comments

Road trips are always special. You take a couple of friends along with you, a single convertible car or individual bikes and hit the long road. The feeling can be simply enigmatic. Moreover, a bachelor’s road trip is more fun and thrilling compared to other trips. Planning a road trip can be sudden, but the experience and memories will be there for a lifetime. Want to plan such a trip with your friends anytime soon? Here are some of the best road trips around the world where you will have the best time in your life. So, read on and plan accordingly.

The Garden Route (South Africa)

- Discover the madness of being on road amid lush greenery

Small hills on one side, endless sea on the other and the overall lush green color will make for a stunning road trip and that is exactly what the garden route has in store for you. This trip will make your trip to South Africa booked through Musafir offers memorable. The stretch from Mossel Bay to Storms River mouth is ideal for an adventurous and memorable road trip.

You will be accompanied with lovely vineyards all along the way and the trip will be the most dramatic ever. Pack your bags, take your gears and get those wheels roaring.

Stelvio Pass (Italy)

- Get thrilled spearing through the long-stretched rugged terrains and snaking twists

One of the legendary roads for road trips, Stelvio Pass is definitely not for the faint-hearted. It demarcates the Swiss Italian border and has 48 hairpin turns through the trip. So, if you have motion sickness, then this road will not be suitable for you. However, if you do not have any such issues, then the Stelvio Pass can be one hell of a ride.

The rough terrain is one to feel from within and the twists and turns will give you a different kind of thrill altogether. Traveling on bikes would be the most enjoyable experience in this road trip compared to the cars.

Salar de uyuni (Bolivia)

- Pierce hard through the heart of the largest lake on planet while on wheels

Ever wondered how you would feel when you are in the middle of a lake and there is nothing to see for miles and miles? Feeling like a dream, isn’t it? Well, that is the beauty of salar de uyuni and the lake is not a lake after all. It will hardly reach your ankles, but the road trip will be right up there at the top of your list.

It is the largest lake on earth and the entire place is equally beautiful during the day as it is as night when the moon is up and there are millions of twinkling stars to stare at.

Route 66 (USA)

- Set for a thrilling retro-mood road trip and let yourself go with the humming winds

Want to go on a road trip that looks exactly like the ones you see in the movies? Route 66 in USA is a picture-perfect example and thus the best spot to set for a super thrilling road trip.

It has that retro feel to it and is best when you have individual bikes to traverse the path that connects Chicago to California. Enjoy the sunset while driving down the road and maybe hum blowin’ in the wind during the trip.

You will simply love the thrill and excitement that you will experience throughout. The places mentioned above are just surreal and you will never regret your decision of being wanderlust ever.

10 Best Things to Do in Ras Al Khaimah

By Shahid Ali khan at 12:21 International Tourism No comments

Ras Al Khaimah was incorporated as an emirate in the UAE on February 10th 1972. It is the northern most emirate of UAE and the tourism here is growing at a very significant rate as well. Ras Al Khaimah traces its civilization long back into history with evidence that suggests inhabitation of this land from 3rd millennium BC.

The tourist attractions of this place include the desert life, golden beaches and old ruins. In this blog we will try to create a comprehensive list of the things to do in Ras Al Khaimah to help the visitors planning to spend their holidays in this part of the Emirates.

1. A visit to the National Museum

The Al Qasimi Royal family resided in this palace turned museum until 1964. It is considered to be the most expensive museum as the value of artefacts, ornaments and the historical weapons in the museum is very high. The museum has something to offer for everyone visiting, right from historical items to rare ancient jewels! The museum garden is a serene place to spend some quality time as well; most galleries are built around the garden itself.

2. Dhayah Fort

Self-guided tours at this old military outpost are the best way to understand the historical importance of the fort. The fort was strategically built to face the gulf on the top of a hill to give a good 360 degree view of the surroundings for the army. During the battle of 1891 between the British and Emirates, much of the brick and mud fortification was destroyed. Still, it offers a good view around and its significance in the Emirates history is noteworthy.

3. Camping at Jais Mountains

If you are visiting Ras Al Khaimah, then a night stay at a camp on the route to the Peak of Jais Mountains is an experience not to be missed. The starry sky on a full moon night is a treat to watch for the tourists in this part of the Emirates. At 6,300 feet approximately, the peak is the highest point in RAK and offers an option for a brilliant drive on the breezy road leading up to it. The road leading up to the peak also offers an excellent opportunity for mountain biking.

4. Fly with Sea Wings Seaplane

Sea Wings Adventures offer a unique experience for the touring population by giving them a 45 minute seaplane ride from the coast of Ras Al Khaimah to the mountain ranges of Jabal Al Jais and back. This ride offers you amazing shots if you are a photography enthusiast. The deep blue sea, the Arabian Desert and the mountains together give an amazing opportunity to capture some amazing images and footages.

5. Shimal

This is a historic site and tops the list of things to do in Ras Al Khaimah among the lovers of history as this place has archaeological sites dating back to 2000 – 1300 BC. Tombs excavated in this area go back to the Pre-Islamic era and the site has remains from settlements of the same time. Weapons and tools made of bronze and copper discovered from the area also go back to the same time. The site is located near the Hajar Mountains and the best view point it boasts of would be the Husn Al-Shimal Fort. A round circular tomb excavated is suggested to belong to the Umm Al Nar cultural period.

6. Chill at the Iceland Water Park

The largest and the best water park in UAE is in Ras Al Khaimah: Iceland Water Park has been deemed so. The water park is a kid’s paradise but adults too enjoy a lot in the number of slides that offer the adrenaline rush. The food court is located inside the park premise and no better thing to burst your hunger after a good swim in the Olympic sized pool. There is a rain dance pool too which is a favourite with the youngsters who come from Dubai for a chill or even tourists from abroad.

7. Khatt Springs

The area is in the middle of desert oasis and people can relax and refresh in the hot pools of water which is rich in mineral content and has a high therapeutic value. The water in the springs is said to contain minerals which soothe the skin besides relaxing the muscles. The Khatt Spring Area has numerous resorts where local as well as international tourists can stay, eat and go for a spa session too. There are almost 170 archaeological sites around Khatt on the foot of Hajar Mountains which has made this region a favourite picnic spot of the Emirates.

8. A visit to the Pearl Museum

Pearl diving was a tradition as well as the principal profession in ancient times at Ras Al Khaimah. Equipment used for pearl diving is on display for the visitors to give them a reminiscence of the tradition. The pearls collected are on display on the first floor and once you view the entire gallery, you are bound to get mesmerized by the detailed depiction. Pearl harvesting had a huge contribution in the economic structure of the Emirates until the industrial methods were introduced.

9. Jazirat Al Hamra

What is bound to seem like a place in ruins was once a bustling village of the fishing community located just outside the modern Ras Al Khaimah city. The villagers abandoned this place by the end of 1960s as scarcity of water and development of the city began which was partly triggered by the Oil boom in the gulf region. Pearl harvesting and fishing were the main occupations of the villagers that dwelled here.

10. Savour the taste of Ras Al Khaimah local eateries

There are many regional specialities and favourites among the locals who are more than pleased to guide you to try food from the restaurants and bakeries around the old city area. Balaleet is a savoury breakfast dish while locals highly suggest the pancakes and honey cake at Asayel (a local bakery). There are several options at the Corniche for dining which you can fathom with your taste buds.

Besides the activities mentioned above, one can go for a horse-riding session, water sport centres around the beach or simply relax at the Corniche on a bench or sand.

15 Beautiful Countries Where Indians Can Travel Without Visa

By Shahid Ali khan at 23:42 International Tourism No comments

If you are planning to go abroad for holiday and want to avoid hectic paperwork. Then it’s good news for you. Here some countries where do not require a visa for Indians to go!! Let us show you 15 beautiful countries in the world where any passport holder Indians can go without any visa for holiday.

1. Mauritius

In Mauritius you can plan your trip up to 60 days without a Visa.

2. HongKong

Hongkong is the very beautiful place, Here you can travel up to 14 days without a Visa.

3. Figi

Fiji is popular for beautiful beaches. Here you can spend your holiday without Visa.

4. Macau

Macau comes in one of the richest countries. Indians can travel here freely without a visa.

5. Nepal

You can visit Nepal without visa and can enjoy the views of beautiful hills and natural beauty of Nepal

6. Bhutan

Bhutan is a collection of ancient temples, even here you can move around comfortably, yet no visa!

7. Maldives

Surrounded by the Small and beautiful sea, in Maldives you can stay up to 30 days without a visa!

8. Cambodia

Angkor Wat Temple is most a most popular temple in Cambodia, millions of tourists come to see this temple. If you want to see this temple you can stay here up to 30 Days without Visa.

9. Jamaica

Jamaica is a beautiful place to hang out, here you can come freely without a visa!

10. Haiti

You need only passport instead of visa to travel to Haiti, through which you can stay up to 3 months!

11. Jordan

In Jordan you will get your visa on arrival on the basis of the passport. Through which, you can travel without any tension.

12. Micronesia

Micronesia is full of natural beauty where you can stay up to 30 days without a visa!

13 Vanuatu

More than 80 Iceland in Vanuatu that beauty is extremely beautiful! Here you can stay up to 30 days without a visa!

14. Ecuador

You don’t require visa to see the beautiful view of Ecuador, Visa on Arrival facility is also available here on Airport.

15. Laos

Full of natural greenery in this country Indians do not need a visa to visit, Visa on Arrival facility is also available here.

Country Wise List

Country	Type
Bahrain	eVisa
Bhutan	No Visa
Bolivia	Visa on Arrival
Cape Verde	Visa on Arrival
Comoros	Visa on Arrival
Cote d’Ivoire	eVisa
Djibouti	Visa on Arrival
Dominica	No Visa
El Salvador	No Visa
Ethiopia	Visa on Arrival
Fiji	No Visa
Gabon	eVisa
Georgia	eVisa
Grenada	No Visa
Guinea-Bissau	Visa on Arrival
Guyana	Visa on Arrival
Indonesia	Visa on Arrival
Kenya	eVisa
Madagascar	Visa on Arrival
Mauritania	Visa on Arrival
Moldova	eVisa
Myanmar	eVisa
Palau	Visa on Arrival
Rwanda	eVisa
Saint Kitts and Nevis	No Visa
Saint Lucia	Visa on Arrival
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	No Visa
Samoa	Permit on Arrival
São Tomé and Príncipe	eVisa
Senegal	Visa on Arrival
Seychelles	Visa on Arrival
Somalia	Visa on Arrival
Sri Lanka	No Visa but special permit required
Tanzania	Visa on Arrival
Thailand	Visa on Arrival
Togo	Visa on Arrival
Timor-Leste	Visa on Arrival
Trinidad and Tobago	No Visa
Tuvalu	Visa on Arrival
Uganda	Visa on Arrival
Zambia	eVisa
Zimbabwe	eVisa
Antartica	Visa on Arrival
South Korea	No Visa
FYRO Macedonia	No Visa
Svalbard	No Visa
Montserrat	No Visa
Turks & Caicos Islands	No Visa

Tourist Attractions in Sharjah

By Shahid Ali khan at 21:36 International Tourism No comments

The Best of Sharjah for you

Sharjah is given the name of ‘the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates’. The city has some of the best known museums, cultural architectures and artifacts of the ancient era excavated from the dwellings over the years. Moreover, Sharjah is a thriving cosmopolitan city that adheres strictly to the Arabic culture and traditions and is forever working towards preserving its heritage.

Here’s a glimpse of Sharjah tour from a backpacker’s view.

The History of Sharjah

Sharjah has a rich history that dates back to 5000 years and the city was, for a very long time the wealthiest region of the UAE thanks to the thriving activities of pearl trading, farming, fishing and hunting. The regular invasions by the Portuguese followed by dominating trade regulations by the British decreased the city’s economic growth. With the British presence officially ending in the year 1971, Sharjah started again from the scratch and today is one of the most visited cities of the UAE.

What to See

The museums of Sharjah are simply unbeatable. Starting from the Archaeology museum, science museum, and the museum of natural history and desert park; they are beautifully designed offering valuable information of the Arabic history starting right from the stone age. The Sharjah art museum regularly holds various events and social gatherings so, confirm before you visit the place or else it may get crowded.

Sharjah art museum

Spend some time at the historical site of Al Hisn- the two story ancient fort built in the early 18^th century and understand the rich history of the city through the exhibition of ancient coins, arms, jewellery, ammunitions, and a peek into the pearl trading of that era. The place is a storage of some of the most amazing ancient pictures and maps of the Arabic country.

The Al Dahid road has the famous Discovery centre and is one of the best known attractions of the city. This amazing state-of-art museum has seven special theme areas exclusively designed to promote interest of technology and science amongst children. But adults too love to visit the place for its benevolence.

Where to Shop

Sharjah has some great shopping avenues for both the modern shoppers and the ones looking for antique handicrafts. There are many souqs (term for market in Arabic) are located near the Corniche road and offer great stuff at bargained prices. One of the most famous souq of Sharjah is the Blue souq also known as the Central souq. The largest souk of the city, Blue souq although sells all kinds of jewellery including gold, silver and other precious metals, it is the place to find the traditional Omani and Yemeni ornaments. Other than that, you can find a range of electronic items, garments, cosmetics range, and the other regular items.

Central Souq

Tips for value for money shopping:

Please do not say yes to the first price quoted by the seller. Bring down the prices, at least 30% down. Don’t worry, haggling is taken in good spirit at these souqs.
Not every seller is saying the truth about the quality and ancient value of the product so beware. Either google the ways to find out the authenticity of the product or befriend a local who knows the ways.
If you’re looking for more pocket-friendly shopping, consider going to the City Centre mall. The items are a bit cheaper than others and has a wide range of options for souvenirs.
Take a one-day tour from the reputable local tour operators like Rayna tours and see the best of the city attractions economically. You can further decide to revisit any attractions if you want to.

Where to Eat

Sharjah has a range of high-end restaurants serving the finest delicacies of the Arabian and world cuisine. But if you’re looking for some pocket-friendly places serving delicious food, here are the best choices.

If you’re looking for the perfect blend of mild and spicy cuisines within your budget, Hotel Katis, located at the Al Qasba road is the right choice. Serving Chinese and Indian cuisine, the interiors of the restaurants are basic but the taste is worth every penny you pay. Seashells restaurant located at the Al- Chan road is your best option for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at affordable prices. The place is crowded during the evening hours so either reach a bit early to grab a seat without waiting or don’t be ready to wait for the seating space.

Where to Stay

Although there are plenty of cheap hotels and accommodations available for stay in Sharjah, dormitories and hostels makes for the best staying options for backpackers on a budget. There are various youth hostels available for easy staying options within your budget. The hotels too, are available for under $20 if you want a bit of extra comfort. Al Gaddah hotel suites located at close proximity to Dubai border makes it a great place to stay in budget. The Sharjah Hostel in the Sharghan Area of Old Muroor is located right in the heart of the city and comes within your budget too. It’s always better to do some research and book your accommodation beforehand.

Beyond just the Tourist Attractions:

There’s a lot you can do to help yourself and the others in Sharjah through various volunteering organizations that offer assistance to the tourists and through them give valuable services to the deprived. Sharjah city of humanitarian services offer various opportunities for the underprivileged. The city also has a cat and dog shelter volunteer program working towards saving the lives of the abandoned animals. For more information, log on to volunteer@scads.ae

The American University of Sharjah also offer opportunities to take part in numerous volunteer groups catering to the student’s interests. Creating awareness on health issues, importance of road safety, and taking care of the abandoned elderly and infants are some of the major programs offered.

Some tips for a great trip to Sharjah

The normal tap water is safe to drink, if you don’t want to spend on the bottled water.
The weather in Sharjah is hot and humid, so it is advisable to bring along full sleeve clothes and heavy sunscreen to prevent tanning and skin burn. The best time to visit Sharjah is from November to April.
Some important emergency numbers of Sharjah are: Ambulance- 998 and 999, Fire- 997, Police- 999, Sharjah Police Headquarter +97165631111