World Tourism Blog

Abu Dhabi Sky Tower

The Middle East houses some of the world’s most impressive and stunningly beautiful structures. Dubai, Doha and Al Riyadh all have residential areas which are sure to impress. However, if you are looking for a luxurious property Abu Dhabi is the first place in the Middle East you should concern yourself with.

The Emirate’s architecture is modern and futuristic, and the architects who designed the hotels, residences and commercial buildings have won many prestigious awards for their work. Abu Dhabi is certainly a great destination for high flying executives with a taste for refined elegance.

In the Shams Abu Dhabi development in Abu Dhabi, the Sky Tower structure is one of the most impressive buildings in the Middle East. The 75 storey sky scraper has residential quarters starting from the 41st floor. These apartments are being sold very quickly, so if you want one you’ll have to get in quick. Architecturally, the Sky Tower is relatively simple in appearance; the structure almost looks like a huge pile of gleaming silver coins.

If you would like to live along the waterfront, you should head over to Harbour Heights in Reem Island. The spectacular 41 storey building is as streamlined and penetrating as a stack of knives. The beautiful building overlooks Reem Island’s bustling harbour, and is fully equipped to handle the most demanding of occupants. The fully equipped residential building has a modern gym containing state of the art machinery. If you are a more spiritual person there is a huge Yoga suite ready and waiting for your display of various asana. After your workout, you can head down to the impressive spa rooms and saunas – you can even enjoy a massage to unknot any worries.

Following on the waterfront theme is the Oceanscape building in Shams Abu Dhabi. The building consists of two offset arcs with a mirror finish reflecting the vivid Middle Eastern sky. This beautiful structure is part of larger development consisting of 10 districts. Oceanscape is a 32 storey building with each apartment facing the ocean. Internally, each apartment is the essence of luxury. The living spaces are configured differently catering to the needs of the occupant. The apartments have 1 to 4 bedrooms and the residents can enjoy the huge private swimming pool.

There are too many impressive residential areas in Abu Dhabi to list here; however, with so many glorious properties available you are sure to find one that fits your style and lifestyle. Abu Dhabi has, without doubt, some of the most beautiful properties in the Middle East.

By  LUCAS LOWECROFT

The tables on the Seabourn Sojourn were set. Silverware, from Sambonet, and wine glasses, from Schottzwiesel, were meticulously arranged, and napkins crisply folded. The empty dining room awaited the passengers for the luxury cruise liner’s maiden voyage, set for June 6, from London to the Norwegian fjords.

The Seabourn Sojourn aims to provide a lavish yet personalized experience for the upscale cruiser.

Karlo Buer, the captain of the Seabourn Sojourn, which is the second of three nearly identical vessels released by Carnival Corp.’s Yachts of Seabourn line over the course of three years, said the Seabourn Sojourn distinguishes itself not only by its amenities and sophisticated cuisine but by its extra space and singular attention to details.

The 650-foot ship carries no more than 450 passengers, even though it could carry many more.

“On a ship this size, we could hold up to 1,000 or even 1,200 [passengers], but since we’re in the luxury market, we cannot do that,” Buer said. “This is not about quantity. This is about quality.”

Andrew Magowan, the vice president of Seabourn Cruise Line for Europe , the Middle East and Africa, said the Seabourn Sojourn has one of the highest space-per-guests ratios in the industry.

The Seabourn’s emphasis on space extends from the sparingly furnished main decks to the passenger cabins. Ninety percent of the yacht’s 225 suites include private verandas. Suites range from 295 to 1,182 square feet, and all have ocean views.

By CATHERINE CLOUTIER

The Seabourn Sojourn seeks to provide a luxurious yet personalized and intimate experience for the upscale cruiser.

Thousands of Years Old, the Sport of Falconry Involves Top Birds Competing With Each Other

Falconry is easily thousands of years old, originally a method of hunting food believed to have originated in the Middle East and brought back to Europe after the crusades. Today it’s a million-dollar enterprise, with top birds competing for speed, that are trained and traded among Arabia’s elite.

The sport plays on a bird of prey’s innate skills and habits, flying overhead until it spots a target, then swooping down and attacking with its talons. The peregrine falcon, one of the most prized varieties, can fly up to 217 miles per hour and drop 300 feet in one second, killing a rabbit or pheasant.

They fly high and fast enough to catch other birds; in some cities falcons have been used to control an overgrowth of pigeons.

“The peregrine is the fastest creature on the planet, three times faster than the cheetah,” said Jannes Kruger of Shaheen Xtreme Falconry in Dubai.

The birds are possessive, and won’t naturally give up their catch, which is where the owner has to deftly practice the skill of trading with the bird, making it give up its win for another, smaller source of food.

Traditionally, this is how a desert tribe would add meat and game to its diet.

The sport of falconry is now mainly for show, with trainers using a lure to attract the bird. It has an active following in the U.S., and despite some concerns from animal rights activists all but a handful of states permit the practice of falconry.

American Falconry Magazine cautions beginners they’ll need to spend roughly $1,000 on their equipment and housing facility, and hunt with the bird a minimum of three times a week, three hours per day. April to September is the off season, when the bird molts a new set of feathers.

By LARA SETRAKIAN

With 4,000-year history, sport of falconry lives on in Arabian culture.