“You will feel right at home here,” the driver said, his voice warm and reassuring as we drove through the city. At first, I thought it was just a friendly comment, but as we moved along, his words began to make sense. The city revealed itself, and with every passing moment, I felt a strange familiarity. Little did I know, this place would soon feel less like a new destination and more like somewhere I was always meant to be.

Though I was in Abu Dhabi at the invitation the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, I felt as if it was the soul of the city that had truly called me.

As someone deeply fascinated by the Middle East’s rich history, I came here seeking more than just the thrill of Ferrari World or the glamour of high-end shopping malls. My heart yearned to connect with the traditions and stories that make Abu Dhabi the cultural soul of the UAE.

On the way to my hotel, a haven of luxury called the Emirates Palace, I could already feel the city opening up to me, layer by layer, inviting me to explore its heart.

As I stepped into the hotel, the blend of natural stone, antique gold, and mother of pearl immediately caught my eye, echoing the desert outside. I could already sense that this was no ordinary stay; it was an experience of being utterly pampered like a royal. The room was huge and luxurious, with every corner exuding elegance. Pulling back the curtains from the window revealed a lush garden, and just beyond, the beach waited only a few steps away. I did not realise how much I needed that bed until I sank into it and it gently erased every trace of exhaustion. By the time I closed my eyes, I already felt recharged and ready for the adventures waiting ahead.

Discovering cultural treasures

The next morning, I woke up with that familiar feeling of excitement, the kind that always comes when you know you are about to experience something special. We met with our hosts from DCT Abu Dhabi, who had generously organised a familiarisation trip for us before the business part of the agenda, the APAC Travel Marketplace, where hundreds of representatives from the tourism industry from across Asia Pacific were to meet their counterparts from Abu Dhabi.

But, some fun had lined up before business, and our first stop was the Louvre Abu Dhabi. I knew this place would speak to the art lover in me, and it did not disappoint.

Dana, our guide, led us through time, connecting ancient Mesopotamian relics to Da Vinci’s Saint John the Baptist. Each piece felt like a quiet conversation with the past, reminding me of how deeply our histories are intertwined.

As we moved through the galleries a space opened up before us. The roof above, with its intricate latticework, drew me in. I found myself wondering about the patches of light dancing on the walls when Dana explained that the design, aptly named the rain of light, was inspired by how sunlight filters through the leaves of the region’s palms, casting a gentle, ethereal glow across the space.

This museum was a perfect metaphor for the city, a place where the past is not forgotten but celebrated as the foundation of its future.

Spiritual and cultural harmony

                From left to right: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abrahamic Family House

The next day, my alarm rang, and I was up in a jiffy. Today was the day I had been eagerly waiting for. As we boarded the bus, excitement filled the air. After a while, I glanced through the window and spotted a few gleaming white domes, that is when I knew we had arrived at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Despite the intense sun, my energy remained high. We met our guide and hopped onto a buggy to take us closer to the north entrance.

We began with the perfectly symmetrical grand pillars, showcasing the “Pietra Dura” technique, a method first used in Italy and later adapted by Mughal artisans for the Taj Mahal. Inspired by date palms, the columns were crowned with golden fronds. Inside the mosque, the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet stretched beneath our feet, its softness mirroring the serenity of the space. Above us, chandeliers inspired by the region’s iconic date palms shimmered, adding to the mosque’s quiet grandeur.

As we wandered through the mosque, I tried to capture its beauty with my camera, but no picture could ever do justice. It is the kind of space that speaks to you, not just through your eyes, but with your heart.

And just when I thought Abu Dhabi could not surprise me anymore, our hosts mentioned a place where the world’s three major Abrahamic religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are not just coexisting but celebrated together. Can you imagine that? A church, a synagogue, and a mosque, side by side, honouring shared values and unity. This extraordinary place is the Abrahamic Family House, nestled in the heart of the Saadiyat District.

Our first stop was the ‘Forum’, a common space connecting the three religious sites. Here, we found three distinct entrances: one to the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, another to St Francis Church, and the third to the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue. Despite their differences, the white architecture of each flowed seamlessly into the next, distinguished only by the unique shapes of their columns, the mosque’s curved, the church’s straight, and the synagogue’s V-shaped.

Standing there, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe and contemplation. At a time when it is so easy to focus on differences, the ‘Forum’ stands as a testament to what happens when we choose to embrace diversity and celebrate our shared humanity.

Life in the fast lane

Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island

As I was pondering over these thoughts, one of our hosts approached with exciting news, they had managed to arrange a VIP Track Tour of the Yas Marina Circuit. The F1 fan in me couldn’t believe it. I was grinning from ear to ear, my heart racing with excitement. This was a dream come true.

Our next “pitstop” was Yas Central, where we met our guide,Ahmed and explored a lineup of endurance racing cars. As we moved, I looked out the window and saw the historic Turn 5. It was this very turn where my favourite F1 driver, Max Verstappen, had secured his first-ever championship, and in that moment, it felt like life had come full circle. Never had I imagined that I would stand here, witnessing this with my own eyes. Emotions overwhelmed me as I gazed upon the track. It felt like the perfect moment, one I wished I could freeze in time.

Just then, in the distance, I heard the unmistakable sound of the roar of the engine of an F1 car. I immediately turned to Ahmed, my eyes wide with anticipation, and he smiled, saying, “Just wait for the best view ever.” I thought I had seen it all until we reached Shams Tower, where something unforgettable awaited.

There, a panoramic view of the entire track unfolded before me. The wind was blowing fiercely, sending my hair flying in every direction, but all I could focus on was the track below, glowing under the sun. And then, as if on cue, I spotted an F1 car zooming by, doing test laps. It was everything I had imagined and more.

Later that evening, over a hearty dinner at Sal Saadiyat, accompanied by the soothing sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore, I could not help but reflect on everything Abu Dhabi city had to offer, the thrill, the culture and the stunning modernity. But now, it was time to turn the new page in this fairytale.

An oasis blooming with life

Al Ain, also known as Garden City of the UAE

Though Abu Dhabi had managed to thrill us or surprise us at every turn so far, nothing could have prepared us for what was next on the agenda. If so far, it was the human creativity and ingenuity that had left me speechless, what followed was like watching the artist in Mother Nature take up her own paint brush and create a paradise for us.

We were in Al Ain, fondly, and rightly, called The Garden City that felt like a breath of fresh air. Al Ain is the place where the desert is gobbled up by greenery, and life slows to an almost meditative pace. On our first day here, I realised how vastly different it was from the city. It was quieter, softer, and somehow more grounded, with rows upon rows of palm trees standing tall.

Our first stop left me baffled, how could there possibly be a vast land of lush green date plantations right in the middle of the desert city? As we hopped onto a little cart that whisked us through the plantation, I marvelled at the sheer variety around us, dates, mangoes, pomegranates, bananas, even figs! It was like the desert had decided to become a fruit basket. I was fascinated by the ancient Falaj irrigation system, over 3,000 years old, bringing water from distant mountains to keep the plantation thriving. Walking under the towering palms, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, felt like stepping into a magical desert world.

But it had more surprises in store, as soon after we found ourselves face-to-face with giraffes and even ostriches!

At Al Ain Zoo, not only did I get to see some incredible variety of animals, but feeding a giraffe right out of my hand was an experience I’ll never forget. Their gentle, curious eyes and the way they leaned down to nibble on food, it was pure magic.

Flavours to remind you of home

Every bite in Abu Dhabi tells a story of tradition, spice, and pure indulgence

No journey feels complete without tasting the local flavours, and in this city, I found comfort most unexpectedly. At Al Fanar, a local Emirati restaurant, the dishes reminded me so much of home. From the golden, syrupy sweetness of luqeymat to the familiar warmth of firni, every bite was like a little hug on a plate. And, of course, shawarma, because some classics never fail. It is said that food is the way to a person’s heart, and Emirati cuisine and hospitality did just that. Every meal hit the right spot, making me feel like I was not a visitor, but part of the family. There was something both exotic and comforting about it all, tying my travel story together in the most delicious way.

As we made our way back to the city to catch our flight home, a thought came to mind. Home isn’t just about where you are from. It is in the people who greet you with warmth, in the places that wrap you in a sense of belonging, and in the flavours that taste like the fondest memories.

Abu Dhabi, with all its contrasts and surprises, had everything that made me feel at ease. A place so far from home, yet somehow, it felt like it was always meant to be part of my story. The driver was right, this city had a way of making you feel like you belonged.