The United Arab Emirates is now one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet, with large thanks to some incredible investment and innovation – and, of course, to the high-flying, executive-class sun-and-sea experiences that await digital nomads and experience-seekers alike.
Though many flock to Dubai, it’s Abu Dhabi that has the heart of honeymooners around the world. Its unique and irreplicable blend of opulence, cultural richness, stunning architecture, and desert adventures make for a trip like no other; as a newlywed-to-be yourself, let the following tips be your guide to planning your perfect Abu Dhabi adventure.
Crafting Your Itinerary: Iconic Sights and Romantic Experiences
Let’s start with the obvious: the itinerary. What are you going to Abu Dhabi to see? What deserves your time? Indeed, how long are you hoping to spend there? Drawing up an itinerary isn’t just a hands-on way to get excited about your upcoming nuptial getaway, but a fantastic opportunity to explore the various possibilities such a getaway has to offer.
Cultural expeditions like a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, or exploring the Louvre Abu Dhabi, are musts. There are natural wonders aplenty to enjoy too, via desert safaris and starlit dinners. If taking the path of least resistance is more your speed, then you can simply book in a full fortnight of unwinding on Abu Dhabi’s pristine beaches.
Choosing Your Luxurious Retreat: Accommodation Options
What you’re doing during each day is only one part of the puzzle, though; where on earth will you sleep?! Luckily, and in what will come as no surprise to you, Abu Dhabi boasts a range of world-class hotels perfect for honeymooners. There are so many opulent accommodation options to choose from, whether the beachfront-resort hideaways of Al Raha and Saadiyat Rotana, or the skyscraping city hotels of the Andaz Capital Gate and Etihad Towers. It’s all luxury, but what’s your flavour?
Financing Your Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip
This all sounds glorious, sure, but we haven’t talked about the money yet. Much like any honeymoon to a glitzy destination somewhere warm, these luxury trappings will cost a significant amount of your wedding kitty. It’s safe to say that planning your finances is crucial.
If you don’t quite have the scratch, but you do have your heart set on the honeymoon of several lifetimes, something like a homeowner loan could provide the capital you need to achieve your post-nuptial dreams; it could be better than a credit card, too, even if only for the amount of equity you’d be able to access.
Practicalities for UK Couples: Visas, Currency, and Travel Tips Last but certainly not least, there’s the practicality of getting there – after booking everything, of course. To get there legally, you won’t need a visa, though you may need to plan for obtaining a visa-on-arrival if you end up staying for more than 30 days. Really, the biggest concern you should have is that of culture shock, and of the societal expectations you may need to meet as honeymooners; the UK government website has excellent advice to this end.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
