Why Hatta is the Perfect Weekend Getaway from Dubai
One of the highlights of visiting Hatta is experiencing the Hatta Kayak experience. As you paddle across the still reservoir, surrounded by towering mountains and blue skies, you can truly disconnect from city life. The activity is safe and enjoyable for all ages. Whether you're kayaking solo or with a partner, the quiet waters and peaceful surroundings create a soothing escape like no other.
The Hatta DAM is a major attraction in the area. It's not only a beautiful place for photography, but also an important source of water conservation. Visitors often walk along the dam to enjoy the view or take boat rides to explore the far reaches of the reservoir. The tranquil waters reflect the surrounding mountains, making it a scenic and peaceful destination perfect for nature lovers.
On your way to Hatta, consider stopping by the al khail gate community centre Dubai. It's a convenient location that offers a mix of restaurants, cafes, and essential services. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or need to stock up on supplies before your road trip, the centre has what you need. It's especially popular for its casual dining spots, including the famous al khail gate community centre Restaurant options.
After your Hatta weekend, spend a day exploring old Dubai by visiting the afaf building in Bur Dubai. Located in the heart of one of Dubai's oldest neighborhoods, this building is close to cultural spots like the Dubai Museum and traditional souks. It's a great place to experience the charm of historic Dubai while still being near modern comforts.
Hatta is more than just kayaking. Visitors can also enjoy mountain biking, hiking trails, ziplining, and camping. Families love staying at the eco-lodges or pitching a tent under the stars. For those interested in culture, the Hatta Heritage Village offers a glimpse into Emirati history with its preserved homes and ancient artifacts. Whether you're an adventure seeker or someone looking for peace and quiet, Hatta delivers an unforgettable experience.
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Time Business News
3 days ago
- Time Business News
Why Hatta is the Perfect Weekend Getaway from Dubai
Dubai is a city full of energy and luxury, but sometimes, a peaceful weekend retreat is exactly what you need. Just 90 minutes away lies the beautiful mountainous town of Hatta, a hidden gem in the UAE. With its cool climate, serene views, and outdoor activities, Hatta is becoming one of the most sought-after weekend destinations for both tourists and locals. It offers a perfect mix of nature, adventure, and relaxation all in one place. One of the highlights of visiting Hatta is experiencing the Hatta Kayak experience. As you paddle across the still reservoir, surrounded by towering mountains and blue skies, you can truly disconnect from city life. The activity is safe and enjoyable for all ages. Whether you're kayaking solo or with a partner, the quiet waters and peaceful surroundings create a soothing escape like no other. The Hatta DAM is a major attraction in the area. It's not only a beautiful place for photography, but also an important source of water conservation. Visitors often walk along the dam to enjoy the view or take boat rides to explore the far reaches of the reservoir. The tranquil waters reflect the surrounding mountains, making it a scenic and peaceful destination perfect for nature lovers. On your way to Hatta, consider stopping by the al khail gate community centre Dubai. It's a convenient location that offers a mix of restaurants, cafes, and essential services. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or need to stock up on supplies before your road trip, the centre has what you need. It's especially popular for its casual dining spots, including the famous al khail gate community centre Restaurant options. After your Hatta weekend, spend a day exploring old Dubai by visiting the afaf building in Bur Dubai. Located in the heart of one of Dubai's oldest neighborhoods, this building is close to cultural spots like the Dubai Museum and traditional souks. It's a great place to experience the charm of historic Dubai while still being near modern comforts. Hatta is more than just kayaking. Visitors can also enjoy mountain biking, hiking trails, ziplining, and camping. Families love staying at the eco-lodges or pitching a tent under the stars. For those interested in culture, the Hatta Heritage Village offers a glimpse into Emirati history with its preserved homes and ancient artifacts. Whether you're an adventure seeker or someone looking for peace and quiet, Hatta delivers an unforgettable experience. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
National Geographic
6 days ago
- National Geographic
The instruments that shape the soundtrack of Abu Dhabi
The various sounds of a city can offer a window into its character. If you home in further and discover the music of any given place, you can learn more about its cultural traditions. As a UNESCO City of Music, Abu Dhabi has a natural heritage of traditional music that is intertwined with its culture and helps tell the emirate's story. From stringed instruments such as the rebabah to the strong and steady beat of the al-ras drum, Abu Dhabi's soundtrack is vibrant, steeped in tradition, and waiting to be explored. At the center of Abu Dhabi's music story is the oud, an instrument that defines the instrumental culture of the emirate. The pear-shaped, guitar-like oud is believed to be one of the world's oldest stringed instruments and dates back to the Akkadian Empire. On most days, its rich, melodic sound can be heard at Bait Al Oud (House of Oud) in Abu Dhabi. Founded in 2008 by oud master Naseer Shamma, the organization is housed in a villa tucked away in the Al Nahyan area of the city. It is dedicated to all things related to the oud along with other traditional instruments, such as the qanun and a stringed instrument known as the rebabah. Celebrated oud composer Faisal Al Saari, plays in Abu Dhabi's cultural center dedicated to the creation and appreciation of Emirati arts and literature. For many musicians of Faisal's caliber, mastering every aspect of this instrument is a life-long pursuit. Photograph by Nichole Sobecki Bait Al Oud preserves traditional Arabic music heritage while providing eager students with lessons and courses. The center is helping to produce the new generation of oud players and promote the continuation of songs and techniques associated with this culturally important instrument. Such is the oud's importance to the emirate, Bait Al Oud also hosts an in-house workshop where the instrument is lovingly made by expert craftspeople. During a visit to the workshop, you can witness the oud being constructed from the world's finest cedar and rosewood, from the cutting of the wood through to the preparation, assembly, and finishing of the strings. It's a labor-intensive process that results in each oud being made to be 67 centimeters long and 36 centimeters wide at the sound box. The craftspeople precisely carve and select the wood for each instrument so that musicians can then accurately tune the strings to the highest notes. Budding instrument makers can train at the workshop to learn how to make the oud, which further helps to keep the traditions associated with the instrument alive. Master craftsman Amr Fawzi in his workshop at Bait Al Oud, a center dedicated to preserving and sharing the understanding of Arabic musical instruments. Photograph by Nichole Sobek By learning more about the various traditional instruments in Abu Dhabi, you also by default learn about various important social and cultural events that are central to Emirati heritage. For example, the low-banging beat of the al-ras drum is the gateway to the al-ayyala, an expressive cultural performance involving poetry, music, and dance. The al-ayyala presents viewers with a mesmerizing scene: two rows of performers face each other while carrying thin bamboo sticks that represent weapons such as swords or arrows. The performers then begin to simulate a battle, making various movements with their heads, shoulders, arms, and canes to the beat of the drum. In between the rows, the band steadily plays the al-ras together with a variety of brass instruments and tambourines. Men chant lines of poetry, covering themes such as chivalry and group solidarity. It is a defiant routine, one that instills both the performer and the audience with a sense of strength and pride. There are many variations of the al-ayyala across the UAE, changing according to the region. These variations can be seen in the speed of the rhythm, the chanted poems, and slight changes in the movements made by the performers. The presence of the al-ras, however, remains a constant throughout. The al-ayyala can be experienced during celebrations such as weddings and other festivities. If you happen to be in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of December, you can catch a performance at the many National Day celebrations that take place throughout the emirate and the rest of the country. Moving on from the al-ras, another instrument that is commonly associated with the emirate is the rebabah, or rabāb, which is believed to be one of the earliest known bowed instruments. First mentioned in the 10th century, the rebabah took on various forms in the Arab world and beyond; in the UAE it bears a distinct rectangular shape in contrast to the ring shape of Iraq. The rebabah gives us an insight into another aspect of Abu Dhabi culture: the recitation of poetry in the majlis. In Emirati culture, a majlis is a sitting place where members of a community gather to discuss news, socialize, resolve problems and be entertained. Traditionally, a poet would recite his verses here accompanied by the soothing sounds of the rebabah. Nabati poetry is an extremely important form of expression in UAE culture and is characterized by a straightforward, colloquial style that makes it accessible to the masses. Performed together with the rebabah, the poem's verses seem to reverberate longer in the listener's mind. Depending on the time of year, it's not always possible to enjoy poetry recitations accompanied by the rebabah or even the al-ras-powered al-ayyala. The Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, however, offers a homegrown arts program that includes music and dance performances allowing you to enjoy a slice of the emirate's rich musical heritage no matter what month of the year you happen to be in town.
National Geographic
6 days ago
- National Geographic
A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi
We can learn a lot about a place when we allow our senses to guide us. While exploring Abu Dhabi, aromas that commonly delight and intrigue include heady oud wafting from incense burners in souks and malls, along with fruity-smelling smoke puffed out by shisha pipes across cafés. On the taste side, cumin, saffron, and cardamom are just some of the spices that feature heavily in many of the traditional dishes that please the palate and tell the story of the emirate's cuisine. A sensory-led journey through Abu Dhabi will not only grip you; it will help to illuminate many aspects of the emirate's culture, such as the connection between coffee, or gahwa as it is known in the region, and hospitality. Nothing says Abu Dhabi quite like the scent of coffee infused with flavors such as cardamom and rose water. Gahwa is a symbol of hospitality and holds great importance in Emirati culture. Such is gahwa's significance to Abu Dhabi, and the UAE as a whole, its one-dirham coins pay homage to it by depicting the dallah, the traditional Arab coffee pot. The pot's unique form, from its crescent-shaped spout to its spire-shaped lid, has become a symbol of local coffee culture. There is even an oversized dallah-shaped sculpture in Abu Dhabi's Union Square, further emphasizing the utensil's place in Emirati national consciousness. Coffee is a key part of an emirate welcome, traditionally boiled up in a ornate pot called a dallah, which is now synonymous with the region. Photograph by Nichole Sobecki Some believe that coffee was first brought to the region, known today as the UAE, by Muslims returning from Haj in Mecca, around the 15th century. Regardless of how the beverage made its way here, its popularity quickly spread in the Arabian Peninsula, taking on a life of its own complete with rituals and etiquette. This etiquette is an important display of hospitality in Emirati society, thought to hail from the days when Bedouins relied on reciprocal generosity. The person tasked with serving gahwa, known as muqahwi, holds the dallah in his left hand and the finjaan (cups with no handles) in his right. He then serves gahwa starting with the most important person in the room followed by those on his right. Once a guest is finished and no longer wants a refill, they should shake the cup, alerting the muqahwi that they're done. Although admittedly, once you start it's hard to stop, no matter how ill-advised it is to keep guzzling a heavily caffeinated beverage. The process of making gahwa is an elaborate affair, however, today some of the steps are omitted. The roasting is mostly done by machines where traditionally the process began with converting the beans into coffee by sorting, washing, and drying the beans, then roasting them until they turned red or brown. The roasted beans are ground with a mortar and pestle—a noisy process tinged with nostalgia for older generations of Emiratis. The rhythmic clanging evokes memories of coffee being made at dawn and is seen as an invitation to awaken and join the rest of the family before the start of the day. Once roasted, the beans are boiled in the dallah, releasing a pungent aroma. Added spices and flavourings, such as cardamom, saffron, rose water, and cloves infuse the coffee, giving rise to a distinctive, sweet scent that has become synonymous with hospitality, family, generosity. If you're looking to recreate the experience at home, it is worth making the trip to Souk Al Zafarana in Al Ain to buy supplies. A nose-led adventure awaits you in its alleys where you can shop for an array of spices, including those used in gahwa, as well as the dallah. Shop here at your own peril, though, if you're short on luggage space; it's hard to resist the medley of handicrafts, perfumes, and trinkets. As demand for specialty coffee soars and independent shops pop up across the emirate, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi is working to preserve traditional gahwa through the Gahwa Championships at Al Hosn Festival. At the festival, participants are tested on their knowledge of gahwa heritage, along with bean selection, and the way the beverage is prepared. The initiative helps to protect and document gahwa as a precious Emirati tradition. Beyond its traditional roots, coffee is coming into the contemporary in Abu Dhabi through specialty roasteries and coffee shops. Photograph by Nichole Sobecki One thing gahwa shares with traditional Abu Dhabi cuisine is the sense of community and connection it evokes. Emirati dining is largely a communal affair; picture giant pots of gently spiced food being shared by the family, the scents of cinnamon and saffron surfing the air. Emirati food can be largely understood through the country's geography and trading heritage. An amalgamation of Asian and Middle Eastern influences, major ingredients include rice, fish and meat cooked with nuts, limes, dried fruit, and ghee. One popular dish is ayesh muhamar, rice cooked with date molasses and served with fish. The flavor profile is typical of Emirati dishes, which often combine sweet with savoury. Machboos, a much-loved dish made with rice together with chicken, lamb, fish or shrimp, is a regular fixture during weekend family lunches. Bzar, the spice mix that is used, varies from household to household and is typically a closely guarded family secret. Machboos, together with another local favorite that has taken on a form of its own, biryani, are living testaments to the UAE's trade history with India and the historic region of Persia. An interesting breakfast favorite is balaleet, which is comfort food at its finest—and if you're looking for a less-than-conventional way of having your eggs in the morning, this one is for you. Traditionally it is a combination of vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, saffron, and cardamom and topped with—here comes the curious part—an omelet. While a number of restaurants offer Emirati cuisine, the truth is these dishes are best enjoyed homemade. If you happen to make friends with a local during your stay and they invite you to share a meal at their home, this is an opportunity not to be missed. No invite? No problem. Take an aromatic trip through one of Abu Dhabi's main souks and browse some of the most popular produce shopped for by locals and residents. The rows of colorful produce at the Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk offers a plentitude of photo opportunities for those with no space left in their luggage looking to take some snaps home instead. It's also a great place to shop for a firm staple in Emirati cuisine, the date. From plain dates to ones stuffed with pistachios, orange peel, or covered with chocolate, there's a wide array to sample and buy. Neighboring Mina Zayed fish market is also worth a visit, where you can window shop and then eat local fish at one of the restaurants under the same roof. Delicious, fresh seafood cooked to perfection certainly comes a close second to a traditional Emirati homecooked meal.
