Joanna James
In Abu Dhabi, you'll find a variety of sports activities to be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. Contemporary manmade facilities as well as the desert, land & water provide plenty of opportunity for this.
Abu Dhabi as a wealthy and contemporary country has loads of indoor sports facilities. The city is home to some excellent gyms where you can spend a couple of hours working out and making sure all that gourmet dining is justified, there is an indoor ski hill right within the city for those of you hankering for some 'snow action'; there you will find an ice rink and slope for some chilly fun. Of course, if the definition of leisure time sports for you is catching a game while relaxing with a drink there are plenty of modern sports bars within the city hotels for relaxing and catching the latest Premier League Games, NFL, NBA etc.
Some of the world's most beautiful golf greens are found within the city; golfing enthusiasts are well catered to at the elegant no holds barred golf courses of Abu Dhabi. Then there are the traditional sports such as camel racing and falconry; a treat to watch even if you are not savvy enough to take part. Sailing too is a national past time with amazing yachts up for a charter. Enjoy the warm balmy weather as you set off into the Arabian Gulf for some serene time on the tranquil ocean.
Soccer is available just about anywhere in the city. One of the widely played games in the Emirates there are many clubs offering facilities for visitors to engage in a game of soccer. Many of the outdoor sports leagues host games towards the latter part of the day when temperatures are more conducive to being outdoors.
Head into the desert and you have a giant playground at your disposal. Take on some dune bashing, ride a buggy over the golden sands or plan an invigorating hike up the rugged mountainside. There are tour companies hiring out 4X4 rides for those of you who enjoy exploring the rugged desert terrain while it must be noted that almost all outdoor activities are taken on towards dusk, when temperatures are low.
Surrounded by many little islands Abu Dhabi gives one the chance to explore these ancient settlements via a ferry ride. On many of the islands such as Sir Bani Yas, you can indulge in a variety of water sports such as jet skiing, sailing, snorkelling and diving.
Home to Abu Dhabi's nature and wildlife reserve where desert safaris, jet skiing, kayaking, diving and hiking are part of the fun; Sir Bani Yas Island hotels are favoured by many tourists wanting to stay on an island that is well known for its rugged beauty, wildlife and ocean treats. Explore Arabia's rich equestrian culture by visiting the Sir Bani Yas Island Stables at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. There highly pedigreed breeds of horses are available for visitors of all ages; highly trained guides will help you enjoy the pleasure of this sport as you explore the rugged mountainsides, ride around the glistening coast or simply set off on a wildlife spotting adventure across the rustic terrain.
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