all the dish that’s fit to print
arabian nights
Hop on a magic carpet and fly to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, opening this winter in the Liwa Desert, 90 minutes outside of the U.A.E.’s capital city of Abu Dhabi. A desert lover’s paradise, the Liwa is part of the world’s largest uninterrupted desert known as the Rub’-al-Khali (Empty Quarter). Spanning four Arab states, the Empty Quarter boasts some of the world’s oldest trade routes, towering dunes, and ancient cities buried in sand. Adventurers and thrill-seekers will love the Desert Excursion Center, where they can try sandboarding on dunes, off-roading in a 4×4, camel trekking, or falconry.
The 206-room resort features rooms, suites, and villas outfitted in sumptuous Arabian décor and modern furnishings. The three onsite restaurants will tantalize with regional classics and international favorites, served with a Middle Eastern twist. To escape the heat of the desert sun, chill out at the Anantara Spa’s marble hammam.
Need more reason to go to Abu Dhabi? Check out the international Date Festival held in July for some of the country’s regional fruit specialties, or climb, hike, and paddle your way through the Emirate this December at the annual Adventure Challenge. And for those who don’t have a magic carpet, Etihad Airways is offering direct service to Abu Dhabi International from three North American gateways (New York, Toronto, and Chicago).
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date me!
Think you have a dating problem?? Think again!! The Liwa Date Festival is one event where you are sure not to be singled out! Held annually just outside of the city of Abu Dhabi, the Liwa Date Festival pays homage to this deliciously sticky fruit and the date palm from which it hails. This year’s festival runs from July 17 to the 26, drawing thousands of farmers, brokers, and date fanatics alike to see the best of this year’s crop in the largest date festival in the United Arab Emirates. As part of the festivities, 140 couples are expected to be married in a group wedding on Friday, July 24, in the Liwa wedding hall.
If you can’t make it to Abu Dhabi in time to get hitched at this year’s date festival, be sure to check it out next July! Etihad Airways offers non-stop service from three North American hubs (New York, Chicago, and Toronto), so getting there will be a breeze. And, be sure to shack up in the most impressive resort on the block….the soon-to-be-opened Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, just a 90-minute drive from the city of Abu Dhabi. Featuring the ultimate in luxurious desert living accommodations, you’ll definitely want to check it out. No dates required.
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in to africa
As easily as Meryl Streep and Robert Redford fell for each other in 20th century Kenya, Thailand-based luxury resort and spa developer, Anantara, makes its historic entry into North Africa, announcing the development of two unique hotels in Morrocco. Anantara Marrakech Resort & Spa and Anantara Mogador Resort & Spa, are both scheduled to open in 2011.
In addition to its expansion into Africa, Anantara debuts its second property in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, this fall. With 206 rooms, suites, and villas, Qasr Al Sarab will be the company’s flagship property in the U.A.E. In 2011, Anantara Al Madina A’Zarqa will open outside of Muscat, Oman, along the peninsula that bears its name.
Expansion seems to be the name of the game for Anantara, as in 2008, the company launched four properties in Asia and the Middle East: in April, Anantara Seminyak opened in the fashionable Island of the Gods district in Bali; in October, both Anantara Phuket on Mai Khao beach and Anantara Desert Islands on Sir Bani Yas off the coast of Abu Dhabi opened. In December, Anantara Si Kao along Changlang Beach south of Krabi opened, making it the company’s fifth resort in Thailand. In March, the company unveiled its newest addition to the family, Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites, located in central Bangkok, making it the first of its kind for the Anantara group. For a list of all properties, please visit www.anantara.com.
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