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Welcome to the TRAVELLING articles on DoinDubai

Dubai has two major airports and any statistics I quote about the number of visitors that fly in and out will be out of date by the time you read this. But rest assured, the word is HUB. Take advantage of your time in Dubai and GO PLACES! DoinDubai has reviewed places based on real holiday experiences. So no PR type information, just what went well and itineraries you can copy. Fabulous places in Sri Lanka and Italy have kindly offered DoinDubai subscribers real benefits for booking via the site. So take a look and go travelling.

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LOUVRE ABU DHABI What’s it like

UPDATE 22 NOVEMBER 2022

There’s an excellent new exhibition entitled IMPRESSIONISM – Pathways to Modernity on at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. We visited ourselves and loved it.

What can you expect to see at one of the most significant impressionist exhibitions outside France?

IMPRESSIONISTS – NEW EXHIBITION LOUVRE ABU DHABI

A number of works by renowned impressionist painters including MONET, MANET, GAUGAIN and RENOIR as well as PISSARO AND CEZANNE. Many of the 150 artworks have been loaned from the Musee D’Orsay in Paris.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi officially opened its doors on the 11th of November 2017 on Sadiyaat Island in the emirate of Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United  Arab Emirates. What can you expect to see at the Louvre Abu Dhabi?


Image ofLouvre Abu Dhabi DoinDubai roof outside

Background to the Louvre Abu Dhabi

The name The Louvre has actually been rented out by Abu Dhabi for a period of 30 years from the Louvre in Paris.

Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi a museum or a gallery?

I think it’s both. It calls itself a Gallery Museum. The building itself is one those iconic structures that people will definitely make time to see. Architecturally stunning in scale and detail, the roof of the Louvre is probably its most distinctive feature.
Inage ofLouvre Abu Dhabi Roof above water
Its dome like structure seems to be made of an intricate criss cross lattice that lets in different amounts of light during the day. There also seem to be some electric lights within the roof that light up during the evening and night. This almost gives the effect of stars twinkling within the roof at night.
Louvre Abu Dhabi DoinDubai roof
I particularly like how waterways have been incorporated within the building so at some level it really does seem like the whole building has been built on a promontory that’s jutting out over the water.
Louvre Abu Dhbai View DoinDubai

The exhibits at the Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi aims to depict the evolution of mankind through art. Expect to see sculpture, artifacts, paintings and contemporary art displayed not by country or museum of origin but by theme.
Themes seem to be designed to trace the gradual evolution of humanity, so the museum welcome leaflet actually says “Get ready to see humanity in a new light”
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Egyptian head
You’ll see art connected to ancient fertility, early tools, man’s mastery of animals, music  and man’s connection to the spiritual world. So themes that connect us as humans.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai
Philosophical thinking is also explored via art. Can you name these philosophers and their countries of origin?
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Philospher
The art is drawn from the major civilizations of the world and incudes works from Egypt, India, China and Europe.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai map
Exhibits are clearly marked in terms of name, age and where they have been loaned from originally. Some items are from the Louvre in Paris, but also from museums all over the world.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Dancing Natraj
I recognized the tall thin Giacometti figures from Tate Modern that we saw this summer in London for example and there is art from the Musee D’Orsay in Paris.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Giacometti figure
There is a section of modern paintings by well known painters that will be familiar to many. So expect to see a large Whistler painting, a Mark Rothko block painting – it’s not in the usual colours of saffron and reds, but brown. There is a also a Matisse, a Derain, a Cezanne and a Monet and a Manet, all representing some of the key impressionist painters.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Derain painting
There are also some very contemporary installations that include a series of traditional blackened cooking pots mounted on a wall. These are from Saudi Arabia.
Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai Cooking Pots from Saudi

Guided Tours and Opening Times

The museum is open every day except Monday from 10 am till 8pm.

There are also guided tours featuring:

  • Masterpieces that introduces the museum’s most popular works
  • Architecture that explores how local traditions influence the building
  • And a Family Tour of the museum’s collection entitled My First Visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Image ofLouvre Abu Dhbai DoinDubai African painting
Adult entry tickets are AED 60 but the tours cost extra and last between 60 to 90 minutes.

UNDER 18s and over 60s are free.

UNDER 18’s AND OVER 60’s GET FREE ADMISSION


There are 2 places to eat, a café and a restaurant but we didn’t visit either of these as we had lunch before we came at the very good 99 Sushi restaurant at the Four Seasons in Al Maryah Island. That’s an easy 15 minute drive away if there is no traffic. See below.

Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi worth a visit?

Yes absolutely, for the building and it’s contents. It’s an important and iconic gallery museum. Go while the weather is good. We’ve been twice now.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND A VISIT EVEN IF YOU’VE BEEN BEFORE

You may want to combine your trip to see the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabai too.
Or plan a longer trip to take in Qasr Al Sarab or Sir Baniyas Island. Both of these would be overnight trips even from Abu Dhbai itself. Closer to Dubai you could try the Eastern Mangroves hotel and spa, unusually green and the kayaking is great fun.

To eat in Abu Dhabi

You may want to combine your trip with a lunch at the very good 99 Sushi Bar in the Four Seasons hotel in Al Maryah Island, about a 15  minute drive away.

Louvre Abu Dhbai 99 Sushi DoinDubai
99 SUSHI BAR

I would now add the excellent Chinese restaurant DAI PAI DONG at The Rosewood hotel, next to the Four Seasons.

EXCELLENT CHINESE FOOD DAI PAI DONG THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL

The dim sum is also some of the best I’ve eaten in the UAE. So well worth incorporating into your visit. There is an excellent Business Lunch deal here.

VERU GOOD DIM SUM AT DAI PAI DONG THE ROSEWOOD ABU DHABI


Thank you Monica.

MYSTERY DINING IN UAE – NEEDED NOW Click to find out how.

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MIAMI 48 HOURS BEST PLACES TO EAT VISIT AND SLEEP

MIAMI 48 HOURS See our best places to eat, visit and sleep based on a recent trip.

Miami 48 hours – STAY AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

If you only have 48 hours or so in Miami then we suggest you stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Brickell Key. It’s very well located on a private “island” type location just a few minutes walk across a pedestrian bridge from busy, Brickell Key.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key
MANDARIN ORIENTAL BRICKELL KEY

It has it’s own private beach area where we did a fabulous free yoga class too. A great way to start your day. All levels are catered for by the experienced teacher. Mats, towels and water all provided free of charge.

48 hours in Miami Monica Kapila DoinDubai Urban Beach Yoga
YOGA ON THE BEACH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL MIAMI

You can walk all around Brickell Key and have an early morning coffee with local residents before breakfast at La Mar by Gaston Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental Miami.

The hotel has a house car that’s super useful for getting to local places like the shops in Brickell City Centre, local restaurants and even some nearby museums.

Staff are very helpful and knowledgable about the local area when it comes to attractions and restaurants too. So do ask the concierges for help.

Miami 48 hours – EAT HERE

We enjoyed some Miami Spice menus at participating restaurants, curated, set menus that are very good value offered during August and September all over Miami.

Try dinner and drinks at Zuma Miami, a 15 minute walk from the Mandarin Oriental. A taxi back to the hotel at about 10.30 pm took quite a while as there was traffic so be warned, it’s quicker to walk sometimes.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Dinner at Zuma Downtown Miami
MIAMI SPICE MENU DINNER ZUMA

The vibe at Zuma Miami was excellent. They have tables outside by the water, try for one of those. The bar is buzzy, prices are similar to Dubai.

Food is a little different, slightly on the sweeter side but the names of the dishes are pretty much the same.

Miami has some great Happy Hours for drinks and food so do your research and avail these deals. Usefully many Happy Hours start early at about 4pm so have a late breakfast and snack lunch! We recommend the drinks and food at River Oyster Bar’s Happy Hour in Brickell. That’s available on Saturdays too, but you cannot reserve, just turn up.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila River Oyster Bar Happy Hour Brickell
HAPPY HOUR AT THE RIVER OYSTER BAR BRICKELL

A bit further away is the very cool rooftop of the Esme hotel, try that for some lunch time drinks if you’re walking towards Ocean Drive. The bartender makes great cocktails and the guacamole with charcoal chips is excellent.

Lunch at Mandolin in the Design District was tasty, cool and set in a pretty patio. Think high end Greek taverna, you must book though and follow lunch here with a walk around the Miami Design District just 5 minutes walk away.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Lunch at Mandolin Design District
LUNCH AT MANDOLIN DESIGN DISTRICT

There is another cool place here called Swan for eating and drinks but it’s more for people watching vs hearty meals!

48 Hours Miami Visit

We suggest you visit historic Vizcaya Museum and gardens. They have a cool Farmers Market just across the road on a Sunday morning. Do download the free audio tour to get the most out of your visit.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Vizcaya House and Gardens
VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS

Art lovers will definitely want to check out the contemporary Perez Art Museum. It’s an airy, well laid out modern museum in a bright building right opposite the Frost Museum of Science. It’s about a 10 minute taxi ride from the Mandarin Oriental in Brickell.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Perez Art Museum
PEREZ ART MUSEUM DOWNTOWN MIAMI

Walk around Miami Design district and check out all the architecture and designer shops. Have lunch as we have suggested at the Mandolin, Greek restaurant nearby, but do book.

Little Havana isn’t far from Brickell either, but it’s not walkable from the Mandarin Oriental. The area is distinctively Cuban with cigar rolling shops, little cafes and people singing and playing live music on the pavements at the weekend. Little Havana has a real Spanish flavour, and many people speak only Spanish here!

CUBAN CREME CATALAN AT LITTLE HAVANA

Eat some empanadas and plantain chips at a cafe called El Pub about half way down the main Little Havana street. Cold beers are great to accompany your snacks here. You must try the Cuban creme caramel too! These places are great value for money for authentic food.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Little Havana
WALK AROUND LITTLE HAVANA

A walk down Ocean Drive gives you a whole feel of Art Deco Miami. We took in the vibes along the sea while heading to the Esme hotel for some lunchtime drinks.

OCEAN DRIVE ART DECO MIAMI

We also had a look at the Faena art hotel that’s in Mid Beach Miami. It’s right on the beach and has a very arty terrace bar. Do check out the gold mammoth statue! Pricey at about USD 26 for a cocktail before tips and taxes though and about USD 8 for a non alcoholic beer.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Faena Hotel terrace bar
TERRACE BAR AT THE FAENA MID BEACH

After Miami

After 48 hours in Miami, we headed up North to stay with family in Jupiter.

Do a day trip to Palm Beach from Miami if you can and have some snacks and drinks at the iconic Breakers Hotel. Walk down Worth Avenue and explore this Italianate style street. This is about a half day trip in total.

Miami 48 Hours DoinDubai Monica Kapila Lobby Flowers at The Breakears Hotel Palm Beach
LOBBY FLOWERS AT THE ICONIC BREAKERS HOTEL PALM BEACH

Serious shoppers will love the prices at the large outlet mall called Sawgrass Mills. Check if the location works for you though.

Getting to Miami from Dubai

Emirates has a direct flight from Dubai to Miami, but it is a long 16 hour journey. Note it’s not an A380 aircraft so there is no bar on the flight!

There is an 8 hour time difference and the flight leaves here at 3am and arrives the same day local time 11am. So you do gain time if you can get right into the zone quickly!

Note:

This post was written in conjunction with the Mandarin Oriental Miami and the Miami Tourism and Convention Centre as well as Gulf Reps in Dubai.

Thank you for the restaurant suggestions to Bishop Design in Miami. The views, opinions and photographs are all my own.

Monica’s Travel Tips page up to date, practical, useful travel tips including new routes from Dubai.

MONICAS-WEEKEND-Dubai-Eye-

Monica’s Weekend – Recommending cool places to eat, things to do and events in and around Dubai every week on Dubai Eye 103.8 fm.

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SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY OMAN easy drive from Dubai, is it worth it?

Getting to the Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman

It’s an easy drive from Dubai to the Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman and takes about 2.5 hours or so. The nearest international airport is in fact Dubai, not Muscat the capital of Oman.

We drove ourselves from Dubai to the resort in our 4 door saloon car. It would be challenging doing the drive in a low suspension car. 4 wheel drives are best but we drove the last 15 to 20 minutes to the resort slowly and carefully in our own saloon car and it was fine door to door.

Do you need a visa to visit Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman?

Check what passport you have, we didn’t need visas as we have British passports but note EVERYONE NEEDS A SPECIAL BORDER PASS to visit the resort. The hotel will organise this for you once you make your booking, but do leave at least 3 to 4 working days for them to do this. You CANNOT get to the resort from the usual Oman border crossing from Dubai, it’s a slightly different border crossing, just 5 minutes drive from this usual one.

Remember KEEP your border pass with you as also need it when you leave the area to go back to Dubai at the check point on the Oman side. It seems normal for them to thoroughly search your car too.

Accommodation at Zighy Bay

It’s villa style accommodation and every villa has a pool. The beach front villas are very well located as you have direct access onto the large, private, soft sandy beach. There are a number of configurations of villa rooms depending on the size of your group from 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom villas. See our You Tube video here to get a real idea of where you could stay.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila pool at Villa one

The biggest villa for a party or special occasion at Zighy Bay

This would definitely be The Private Reserve that’s villa number 1, a unique property at one end of the resort that felt quite private. It has 4 bedrooms, staff quarters, a kitchen, a large pool of it’s own and a superb common area. I think it could sleep around 10 people in total. There is a good video of this villa in our You Tube video taken at the resort.

The food at Zighy Bay

The food at Zighy Bay is exceptionally good. The breakfasts at Spice Market are part of the normal room rate and really are comprehensive and fresh. The fruit counter reminded me of our stay in Seminyak in Bali! If you want turmeric and black pepper in a beetroot shot, well that’s no problem for the staff at the Spice Market.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila Beetroot turmeric black pepper shot

Expect the usual breakfast fare of avocado egg combinations, overnight oats etc but there is also a very fresh Arabic Counter if you have room!

You can choose to have lunch at Summer House or Mazzeria by the beach, we had lunch at both places. It’s obviously nice to have lunch by the beach at Mazzeria if it’s not too hot. Their tuna salad from their new Green Shack menu was very good.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila tuna salad at Mazzeria

Dinner can be taken at Spice Market or the special Sense on the Edge restaurant. I urge you to try Sense on the Edge one evening. The resort arranges to drive you in their vehicle about 10 minutes or so up the mountain to a restaurant facility carved into the rock overlooking the bay. There are both indoor and outdoor tables, we started outdoors but then moved in as it was quite hot.

SPECIAL OFFER June to October 2022 Eat With Six Senses

There is a special offer that entitles you to dinner as part of your room rate from June till October 2022. Breakfast is included in your room rate anyway. It’s a good saving as there is no where else to eat other than at the resort.

We also had an excellent Arabic style seafood dinner at Spice Market one evening. Food was high quality and portions were generous. Dinner for 2 was enough for 4! There are good vegetarian options at all the restaurants.

Can I eat anywhere other than the resort?

No that’s not possible as it’s very remote, unless you went down the mountain and into the small village, about a 20 minute drive where they may be a few small eateries. I don’t think this is worth it as coming back to the resort at night wouldn’t be so easy.

What is there to do at the Six Senses Zighy Bay?

There are a number of activities at the resort, obviously you can do a lot more on the beach and in the sea if it’s not too hot! We tried paragliding with their very experienced instructor Itsu from Bulgaria.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila paragliding

The total flight time depends on the winds but between 8 to 15 minutes or so, which doesn’t sound like much but apparently it feels like a long time when you’re free flying! The resort drives you to the taking off point and anyone accompanying the paraglider (me in this case!) can then be driven down to take pictures and video en route to the landing site back at the resort.

You could also go on a sustainability tour at the resort’s Earth Lab. We found this tour really insightful and it’s not just lip service to a bit of recycling. Have a look at the crusher where bottles are smashed and then eventually turned into pretty object d’arts.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila from old bottles at teh Earth Lab

Do also have a look at the beautiful almost hidden secret farm garden that grows a lot of the herbs and vegetables used in the restaurants of the resort.

Kids would love the Earth Lab where they can make their own soaps and take them home as souvenirs. Armande is head of sustainability at the resort and is very knowledgable about anything and everything to do with sustainability. Don’t forget to check out the sugar and ice tongs made from bamboo! Such a clever idea!

What about Wellness at Zighy Bay?

You must do the special Wellness Screening undertaken by Ayurvedic doctor Dr Peeush at the spa in the resort. You’ll receive a comprehensive set of health markers and a proper plan with advice on how to work with whatever state of fitness you have.

Don’t forget to ask him what would be the best breakfast shots for you to have in the mornings and then ask the staff at the Spice Market to make them up for you!

There is also a full spa facility with separate sauna and jacuzzi areas for men and women. There is also a hamam area too. I was very impressed with the Organic Pharmacy range of products they used in the spa. In fact they have a new shop in Marylebone High Street in London! Try their geranium face serum after a steam. There is also a well equipped gym with a beautiful garden view.

How do we get around the resort?

That’s easy, you can walk, take a bike, each villa has 2 cycles, or simply call a buggy via your G.E.M. (guest experience manager). The GEMs are there to welcome and orientate you into your room and explain all the facilities at the resort. Nothing is too much trouble for them and it’s really helpful to have one main point of contact for anything you may want. We contacted her very easily via What’s ap throughout our stay.

Overall is a trip to Six Senses Zighy Bay worth it?

This is an expensive but magical holiday, we totally enjoyed it. Here’s why:

  • For us coming from Dubai, it was very convenient not to have to apply for visas or book any flights.
  • The short door to door journey that too in our own car was definitely another big plus point.
  • On seeing the resort for the first time, you do have one of those blown away moments as the Gulf of Oman seen from the height you’re at is very impressive and awe inspiring.
  • Our beach front villa room was more Maldivian than Middle Eastern bearing in mind the remoteness of the location, and the ease of walking out onto the beach or to our own beautiful pool was very special.
  • The dinner at Sense on the Edge was something we’ll remember for a long time, particularly for the setting hewn into the rock face.
  • I loved being able to totally customise my juice shots at breakfast based on what Dr Peeyush had advised. I really valued receiving a comprehensive plan of what to incorporate into my routine after the holiday had finished.
  • Finally without exception, all the staff at the resort at all levels made you feel welcome and extended genuine hospitably to all guests. Maybe that’s a Six Senses thing, I’ll find out when I visit another Six Senses resort, one to be opened in London’s old Whiteley’s building in Bayswater and one closer to home on the Palm Jumeirah very soon.

Note: This review was written in conjunction with Six Senses Zighy Bay but the views are all my own.

Six Senses Zighy Bay DoinDubai Monica Kapila Mirror Selfie

Do leave me a comment below if you found this useful in making a decision to visit or if you have a question.

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DUBAI WATERFRONT MARKET vibrant organised market by the Creek

What is the Dubai Waterfront Market

The Dubai Waterfront Market is a vibrant, organised market by the creek, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood in distinct areas. So if like me, you don’t want to go the meat bit, you don’t have to!

Waterfront Market Deira Do In Dubai What to do in Dubai Monica Kapila Fresh Herbs
Fabulous Fresh herbs and leaves

There is a huge variety of fresh produce on offer, you can also have your fish cleaned if you like, but it takes time.

TIP

Do take up the offer of an official helper with a trolley who will help you and stay with you through out your trip unless you’re literally just browsing. Sometimes they approach you in the carpark or at the entrance to the market, they have official Dubai Waterfront Market uniforms on.

TIP

Do make time for some lunch especially if it’s wintertime in Dubai at one of the simple but very good restaurants by the creek after your shopping.

We like the Iranian restaurant for lunch. Remember though if you go on a FRIDAY lunch is served a bit later after prayer time.

Waterfront Market Deira Do In Dubai What to do in Dubai Monica Kapila Shiraz Iranian restaurant
Fresh seafood lunch at Shirazi Iranian restaurant

Entry to the market is FREE as is parking. You can bargain a bit, but not too much, I didn’t think it was whole lot cheaper than supermarkets like Union Co Op but well worth a visit to this side of town, again Friday is way less trafficky!

TIP

There is also a little plant souk adjacent to the market carpark you can add plants and soil if you have room after your market shopping!

Creekside walk behind the market

Location of the Dubai Waterfront Market

It’s part of the Deira redevelopment project. If you want more culture then try the Dubai Heritage Express experience. And do FOLLOW @DoinDubai on instagram for more immediate news and genuinely good ideas.

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