Some trips feel less like travel and more like a gentle pause, a chance to breathe, reconnect, and rediscover joy together. For the four of us, a family of women spanning generations yet bound by shared laughter and love, Abu Dhabi was that kind of journey. A city of contrasts and calm, where tradition meets innovation, and where every moment feels touched by warmth.
From the moment we landed, the warmth of Emirati hospitality embraced us. Our wonderful guide, Julia Undevik, and her effortless storytelling made the city come alive, while our driver, Hosni, navigated every turn with grace, laughter, and anecdotes that perfectly matched the desert breeze. Together, they made Abu Dhabi feel like home even thousands of miles away from ours.
Palatial
Grandeur and Emirati Flavours
We began our stay at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, its shimmering waterfront framing the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque across the bay. After a relaxed lunch and a quick freshen-up, Julia led us to Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, an architectural symphony of domes, marble, and light. Built within the Presidential complex, this working palace opens a rare window into the UAE’s heritage, governance, and vision.
As we entered through its grand arches, we were immediately struck by the sheer scale and beauty of it all, gleaming white façades, intricate mosaic floors, and ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky. Every corridor shimmered with subtle gold detailing, every chandelier seemed to glow with quiet power. The Great Hall, with its vast dome and geometric symmetry, felt like standing inside a jewel, radiant yet serene.
Julia guided us through exhibits showcasing the UAE’s legacy of knowledge and leadership, from historical manuscripts to diplomatic gifts from around the world. What made it even more special was the way modern storytelling met tradition, light, sound, and space working together to reflect the nation’s forward spirit.
As the sun began to set, the palace grounds turned to gold. The marble glistened, the domes glowed softly, and the fountains danced to music. We lingered until evening for the Palace in Motion light show, a breathtaking projection that brought the façade to life, narrating the UAE’s journey of unity, progress, and vision in a cascade of color.
As the sun set, the light show bathed the palace in colour, telling stories of the UAE’s journey through art and illumination. Dinner at ERTH Restaurant followed, a Michelin-starred homage to Emirati heritage where slow-cooked meats, fragrant rice, and saffron desserts told their own tale of tradition meeting finesse.
Abayas, Art & Awe
The morning brought quiet reverence at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a place that feels less like a monument and more like a prayer in marble. Dressed in elegant abayas, we couldn’t help but feel a touch of Deepika Padukone glamour from the new Abu Dhabi Tourism ad, poised, reflective, and awed by beauty.
As we stepped into the courtyard, sunlight danced off 82 gleaming white domes and golden calligraphy shimmered across vast arches. The world’s largest hand-knotted carpet stretched across the main prayer hall, and chandeliers dripping with Swarovski crystals sparkled like captured constellations. Beneath the mosque’s mirrored marble floors, time seemed to slow, the stillness almost sacred, the beauty humbling.
From sacred calm to sensory wonder, we next explored TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, a mesmerizing world where technology and art blend seamlessly. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this interactive digital museum redefines what it means to experience art. Each room responded to our movements, light swirled, colors deepened, and entire landscapes bloomed as we walked through. We found ourselves reaching out like children, laughing as petals of light floated past and waves of color rippled in response to our touch. It wasn’t just an exhibition, it was art that breathed with you.
As dusk fell, we arrived at the legendary Emirates Palace, an icon of Arabian opulence. Its grand domes, gilded interiors, and marble corridors felt like a scene from One Thousand and One Nights come alive. Outside, palm trees twinkled with fairy lights; inside, the scent of oud and fresh roses lingered in the air. We wandered through its sweeping halls, marveling at how every corner whispered luxury.
Dinner at Hakkasan, tucked within this majestic palace, was the perfect finale to a day of elegance. The Michelin-starred restaurant’s contemporary Chinese cuisine struck the perfect balance refined yet soulful. Between delicate dim sums, perfectly crisp duck, and steaming jasmine tea, conversation flowed easily, blending laughter with reflection. It was a night that reminded us how beauty in Abu Dhabi isn’t just seen, it’s felt.
Speed, Spice & Spirituality
Our third morning began with a rush of pure adrenaline at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, where speed meets spectacle under the world’s largest indoor theme park roof. Even before stepping inside, the iconic red dome gleamed against the skyline like a promise of excitement.
From the moment we entered, the energy was infectious, the roar of engines, the gleam of scarlet cars, and the pulse of racing history all around us. It was like walking into a temple built for thrill-seekers and dreamers alike.
And then came the main event, Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster. Harnessed in and hearts racing, we barely had time to process the countdown before we were catapulted forward at lightning speed. The 240 km/h launch, faster than a Formula 1 car hit like a wave of wind and laughter. We screamed, clutched hands, and soared through the track as the desert blurred into streaks of gold outside. In those 90 seconds, fear turned into pure exhilaration, and when we finally rolled back to the platform, our cheeks hurt from smiling.
Beyond the adrenaline, Ferrari World had plenty of surprises, immersive simulators, interactive displays, and a peek into the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s most legendary brands. We wandered through exhibits tracing the history of Ferrari, sat in mock pit lanes pretending to be race-day engineers, and even took a spin on the Flying Aces coaster, loops and dives that tested our bravery all over again.
It wasn’t just about the rides, it was about the feeling. That unfiltered joy that comes from letting go, from being loud, fearless, and free. As we walked out, hair tousled, laughter still echoing, we couldn’t help but feel completely alive.
Lunch at Al Fanar was a comforting contrast: rich Emirati flavors served in a nostalgic setting that felt like a window into old Abu Dhabi. Later, we visited the newly inaugurated BAPS Hindu Mandir, a masterpiece of devotion and craftsmanship. Its intricately carved marble and serene energy left us spellbound, a beautiful echo of harmony in a city where cultures coexist with grace.
Desert Adventures & Starlit Magic
Our last full day in Abu Dhabi turned out to be the most unforgettable. After a playful morning at Warner Bros World and a flavorful lunch at Zeera Abu Dhabi, we set out for the Al Nujum Desert, just the four of us, Julia, and Hosni at the wheel of our SUV.
As the city skyline faded behind us, the dunes appeared, endless waves of gold beneath a sapphire sky. Soon, the calm turned to thrill as we launched into sand dune bashing, skillfully navigating the slopes like a symphony of motion. The SUV dipped and soared with such rhythm that our laughter filled the desert air. It was pure exhilaration, perfectly balanced with trust and joy.
Then came the ATVs, and we each took the reins, roaring across the soft sand, chasing the horizon as the sun dipped low. By the time twilight arrived, the desert had turned into a dream, dunes blushing pink, wind whispering softly, and the first stars twinkling awake.
And then, the night unfolded in magic. A private dinner beneath the stars, curated exclusively for us, awaited in a secluded camp. The setting was cinematic, lanterns flickered, incense drifted, and the choicest of dishes filled our table. As we dined on kebabs, biryanis, and sweet saffron desserts, performance artists took the stage, dancers moving with mesmerizing grace, musicians weaving Arabic melodies into the night air. It felt like the entire desert had gathered just for us.
Under that vast, starlit sky, surrounded by beauty and silence, we felt something rare, complete peace, deep gratitude, and a quiet knowing that this was a moment we’d remember forever.
Until Next Time
Our final morning was gentle, strong Arabic coffee, easy smiles, and a city skyline bathed in gold. Saying goodbye to Julia and Hosni at the airport was bittersweet; they had become part of our Abu Dhabi story.
As our plane lifted into the clouds, I looked at the three women who mean the world to me and thought, this is what travel is meant to be. Abu Dhabi had given us not just places to see, but moments to feel threaded together by warmth, wonder, and love.
