If there’s one thing one does not expect in the heart of Dubai’s desert landscapes, it is a veritable winter wonderland of an ice rink like the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink. Ideally situated off Airport Road within minutes of the main town, the popular recreation point is located within the Zayed Sports City complex which is a premier hotspot in the area for sports activities that are geared for the entire family. Spread out over an area of 1800 square metres, the Olympic size ice rink is an engineering marvel in its own right. With the capacity to accommodate 400 skaters at once, the venue also boasts a 1200 seating capacity for spectators. A grandstand and a hospitality quarter for VIP’s are also located within the premises which is often used for international ice shows due to its contemporary facilities and skating amenities.

Opening its doors to the public at 9am each morning, the rink stays open till 10pm on average and is frequented by families and serious skating enthusiasts alike. Attracting budding skaters and those in search of a refuge from the sweltering heat of Abu Dhabi, the rink has become the preferred amusement area for residents and seasoned visitors. While membership at the venue is also available for avid skaters, visitors can pay a nominal fee for the use of the rink where lessons for beginners are also conducted regularly. Skating lessons for female skaters are held on specific dates although ice hockey practices and lessons typically dominate the rink on weekends.

Having hosted prestigious events such as the Magic on Ice Show produced by Steve Wheeler who is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest ice-skating illusionists, visitors will be delighted to catch equally high-profile skating extravaganzas of the like at the venue. In fact the 2010 production of the Night at the Oscars performed by the Abu Dhabi Figure Skating Team also took place at the rink for the fourth consecutive year in a row.

Visitors in search an elegant hotel in Abu Dhabi close to the capital’s CBD will find no finer option than the stylish Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi. Conveniently situated in the centre of the city’s tourist hub, this charming rest is also one of the few hotels in Abu Dhabi that is also a stone’s throw away from the iconic Abu Dhabi Mall.

Brace yourself! Camel Racing on real race tracks? Of course, your eyes will pop right out with your mouth hanging after you witness this sporting extravaganza.

You have seen cars, trucks, boats, horses but have you witnessed a great Camel race? Abu Dhabi is where you need to be. These magnificent animals with their jockeys take to the field and strut their stuff for thousands of people gathered at these gala events.

Camel Racing has thus become a tourist attraction craved, this recreational sport lures you to see it, and you will surely not be disappointed by what it has on offer.

Setting aside it being the main tourist gathering, Abu Dhabi is a city coloured with life, culture, religion, beaches, adventure islands and parks but Camel Racing paints the picture and brings your travel expectations to life.

This spectacular event of choice gives you the opportunity to meet these celebrity camels, their jockeys and share a compliment or two.

However, these races only come alive during the winter season, and on the occasional public holidays. A sporting enthusiast with a passion for betting will go all out and cheer his or her favourite camel towards victory.

Camel Racing is not something ‘new age’ in Abu Dhabi, it’s imprinted in their history books and you have the opportunity to not only be a part of its history but to partake in their traditions.

The perfect experience a tourist can ever have is a Camel Race experience and Abu Dhabi hands it to you whole heartedly, so if you are heading out on a visit during the winter days, don’t miss out on a race, so tantalizing and blood pumping.

If you’re looking for hotels in Abu Dhabi that are perfectly positioned for your traveling requirements and a hotel in Abu Dhabi that gives you the facilities and amenities that enrich your stay look no further than the lush Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi, a sanctuary that offers you suites, superior and luxury rooms with views that leave you breathless.

After Singapore was nominated as the host of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games which is to be held from the 14th to the 26th of August 2010, celebrations were called for, as the country saw this as one of its most important global events. As the summer version of the games is the first one of its kind, Singapore is left with the monumental task of making this event a memorable affair for all parties involved, from the athletes to the spectators.

The Youth Olympic Games is a global event which is to be held every four years after its inaugural chapter in 2010. These games are a multi-sport event that will feature athletes who are between the age of 14 and 18. Similar to the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games will have two aspects separated as winter and summer versions. The summer version of this major event in Singapore is to be carried out during the course of twelve days while the winter version will go on for a maximum of nine days.

Stretched across 1.6km on a linear land scraper surface in the heart of Dubai lays the entertainment and sports mega structure that is the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse. The newly revamped super arena sprawled on 67 million square feet of what was formerly the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse is not just an iconic sports venue but a Dubai landmark in its own right.

Opening its doors to the public in the late 80’s, the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse was a premier thoroughbred horse racing venue, distinct for its turf course and dirt race track that stood at 2200 meters in length. With the capacity to house 60,000 jubilant spectators, the Meydan is no less impressive with its a state-of-the-art arena that is instantly recognizable for its cantilevered crescent roof complete with titanium and solar panels. Home to the Meydan Marina, Meydan Museum, Gallery, an IMAX Theatre and the world’s premier 5 star track-side accommodation is also available here. The venue of choice for the upcoming 15th Dubai World Cup, the racecourse also serves as the headquarters of the Emirates Racing Authority and the Dubai Racing Club.

Built according to the vision of it key patron His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime minister of Dubai, the Meydan is a fully integrated sporting complex that houses 60,000 viewer capacity grandstand and 20,000 tiered seating capabilities in addition to a 1750 meter all-weather tapeta surface and 2400 meters worth of turf tracks. Other highlights include a topnotch all-weather surface practice track, horseracing amenities inclusive of jockey lounges, fine stables and receiving barns. With its falcon-shaped 8600 vehicle car park, boathouse and VIP areas that afford unhindered view of the tracks The Meydan is easily one of the most spectacular racing arenas in the Middle East, if not the world.

Visitors in search of a comfortable Dubai hotel close to its Central Business District will not be disappointed with the luxurious Copthorne Hotel Dubai. Ideally located near CreekPark, and just 10 minutes from the nearest airport, this cosy rest is a home away from home for all travellers.