Abu Dhabi (which literally means ‘Father of gazelle) is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is the country’s second largest city, although it is usually Dubai that gets all the attention. However in recent times Abu Dhabi has really come into its own, and has quickly become one of the most popular tourist stops in the Middle East. While the emirate of Abu Dhabi may not be as westernised nor as cosmopolitan as its glittery cousin, the city’s strong hold on its culture and traditions is all a part of its attraction. Travellers who visit here are able to fully enjoy the warm Arab hospitality as well as local foods and festivals. They can also enjoy the plethora of shopping opportunities available in the emirate.

There is no dearth of malls in the city, and tourists will be able to find almost anything they desire. From high end fashion to cutting edge gadgets, they are all available here. Tourists interested in doing a bit of shopping can head over to the Khalidiya Mall, which is located along King Khalid Bin Abdel Aziz Street. Construction on the mall started in December 2006, and it was opened to the public in January 2008, a little over a year later. The mall spans an area of over 800,000 square feet, and has 160 shops. While it has all the basics such as clothing shops, book stores, cosmetic kiosks and even a hyper market, it also has plenty of things for non-shoppers to do.

Since its opening, Khalidiya Mall has become a popular local hangout, partly due to its reputation as an economical place to shop. The other reason for its popularity is the promotional events hosted every month. A recent programme, started in September 2011, offers free yoga classes for beginners as well as experts. Although to attend, one has to register in advance. For more details on upcoming events, one can refer to their website.

To keep up with the surge of tourist interest, a number of new Abu Dhabi hotels have opened up. Travellers who are looking for Abu Dhabi luxury hotels can try the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. The resort promises a quiet retreat filled with comfort and beauty.