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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 1.03mi , Attraction : Qasr Al Watan
Map Pin
Al Riyadah St - Al Ras Al Akhdar - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
POI 1 Tour Image
The Palace of the Nation
Welcome to stop number 1 on our driving tour of Abu Dhabi! Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates so fittingly our first stop is the Presidential Palace. It should be easy to find – it’s the big white palace with the gold, ornamented dome. Like almost everything in this city, the palace is new, built in 2017. Since opening to the public in 2019, the Qasr Al Watan, as it is called in Arabic, has garnered accolades as a preeminent modern marvel of art and culture in the Middle East. If you’d like to stop by for an on-site visit, the palace is typically open from late morning until approximately 6pm local time. The dress code? Just make sure your knees and shoulders are covered.

The striking white facade is made of granite and limestone, and the palace is topped with an ornate gilded dome. The dome tops the great hall which is illuminated by a 350,000 piece crystal chandelier. As you’ll be learning on this tour, Emirates never do anything by half measure! The east wing of the building is known as the House of Knowledge. The House of Knowledge holds gifts of state from visiting dignitaries, ancient religious manuscripts and a 50,000 volume library on the culture and heritage of the Emirates. The western wing is where the government officials meet. The cabinet meets in a room known as “the Spirit of Collaboration.” That room also hosts meetings of the Federal Supreme Council as well as regional bodies like the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. It all sounds very collaborative and friendly doesn’t it? Additionally, the western wing also houses a banquet hall and yet more precious state gifts. It’s a veritable treasure trove.

TIme to get moving! Follow the road until we get to the next stop and – along the way – glance out the driver side of the vehicle to see the Presidential Palace’s helipad. Maybe you’ll get to watch the presidential chopper come in for a landing.

Read More

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qasr_Al_Watan
Place #2
Distance: 0.53mi , Attraction : Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Map Pin
173 King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St - Al Ras Al Akhdar - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
POI 2 Tour Image
Luxury by the Sea
Out the driver’s side of the vehicle, take a moment to notice the Mandarin Oriental, a sumptuous five star resort perched on the shore of the gulf! Built in 2005, the hotel combines age-old principles of Islamic architecture with a more modern style. The building is topped by 114 domes and colored to match the sands of the Arabian desert. The building cost 3 billion to build making it the world’s third most expensive hotel! The resort has 390 residences mostly furnished in gold and marble. The top floor has six “Rulers’ Suites'' reserved for dignitaries and royalty. The hotel complex also boasts two spas, two helipads, a ballroom with space for 2500 people, and a wealth of luxury shopping and dining options.

I wonder if they have a continental breakfast and a noisy ice machine beside the elevators.

Take a right. At the traffic circle take the third exit.

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirates_Palace_Mandarin_Oriental,_Abu_Dhabi
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 The Palace of the Nation
Map Pin Place 2 Luxury by the Sea
Map Pin Place 3 A Memorial to the Founder
Map Pin Place 4 Old Fort, New City
Map Pin Place 5 City’s Tallest
Map Pin Place 6 A Man Made Island & A Trendy Neighborhood
Map Pin Place 7 Family Reunion
Map Pin Place 8 Paris Comes to Abu Dhabi
Map Pin Place 9 The Island of Happiness
Map Pin Place 10 The Aquatic Forrest
Map Pin Place 11 Fast and Furious
Map Pin Place 12 Off to the Races!
Map Pin Place 13 Abu Dhabi Living
Map Pin Place 14 The Oasis of Dignity
Map Pin Place 15 The Grand Mosque



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