If like me, you thought Yas Island was a giant sandpit with a race track on it, then think again. There's more to do there than you may have thought. With this weekend's Stevie Wonder gig a great reason to tour the rest of the island, we reveal how you can have a fun-packed weekend there.
On a musical note
The Magic of Motown Festival kicks off Thursday (March 17) at 8pm with a live Motown-inspired band, Hitsville, providing the tunes. The whole of Yas Island will be channelling the beat, at Stars N Bars and Cipriani, at the Yas Marina Yacht Club and Allure nightclub. Fancy dress is a must and the whole event is completely free.
Tips
- Don't worry about transport because a boogie bus will ferry all the funked-out fans between Yas Plaza hotels and the Yas Marina until midnight.
- If you're lucky enough to own a boat, Yas Marina is offering nautically minded party people the opportunity to dock their ride for free during the event.
- Stevie Wonder is in concert on Friday night at Yas Arena. Get there at least an hour before the concert to avoid queues. If you're staying on the island instead, make use of the well-finished footpaths which snake all over it. Whoever says Yas Island is a building site is very wrong.
- Golden Circle ticket holders also receive 20 per cent discount on dinner at Cipriani and Yotto and a 30 per cent discount on entry to Allure — the nightclub at the Yas Marina Yacht Club.
Culture and heritage
Friday is the best day to visit the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, established not only as a place of worship but as a place for visitors to learn about Islam.
Entrance is free and the mosque guides are full of interesting facts about the impressive structure.
There are 80 domes, decorated with white marble (the main dome's outer shell measuring 32.7 metres in diameter and 70 metres high) 1,096 columns in its exterior and 96 columns in the main prayer hall, which are embedded with more than 20,000 handmade marble panels encrusted with semi-precious stones. Artificial lakes totalling 7,874 square metres surround the mosque, while coloured floral marble and mosaics pave the 17,000-square-metre courtyard. Interior walls have 24 carat gold-glass mosaic features and the main prayer hall also features the world's largest hand-woven Persian carpet at 7,119 square metres.
To book a tour, e-mail tour@szgmc.ae or call 02 441 6444.
Tip: The tour on Friday at 2pm allows you see a part of the mosque which is closed the rest of the week.
Get revved up
Rev things up and enjoy the thrills and spills of the Pro Drag Racing Series at the Yas Drag Racing Centre at Yas Marina Circuit (March 18 and 19). Witness the leading drivers from across the Gulf as they battle it out in the ultimate test of speed. The Pro Drag Racing Series features seven classes of professional racing.
Call 800 YAS (927) or 02 446 0384 for details.
If you were ever in two minds about Ferrari World then take my advice and go. Concert tickets to any of the Yas Island Show Weekend events mean a 20 per cent discount on weekday and 10 per cent discount on weekend passes to the park. It's the world's first Ferrari-themed park and the largest indoor theme park with more than 20 rides and attractions beneath its huge, iconic red roof, including Formula Rossa, the world's fastest rollercoaster, reaching a speed of 240 km/h. You should experience it at least once.
Rest and relaxation
Mums (and those who don't appreciate the need for speed), head just two kilometres towards the airport to Etihad Plaza. Granted it's not glamorous but I picked up a Heat magazine in Abela Supermarket and settled down to the biggest muffin I've seen in my life at Mugg & Bean. Perfect.
Alternatively the ESPA Spa at the Yas Hotel is not just impressive — it's relaxing and boasts some of the best massage therapists I have had the pleasure of experiencing — however, it's also ideal while you're on the island and extremely good value.
Tip: Book early at the spa as it gets extremely busy at the weekend. Call 02 656 0000 to book.
Hole in one
Sports fans, head to Hickory's, a slightly up-market sports bar at Yas Links Golf Club. The food is great (think Dh60 for a pizza, Dh75 for chicken and Dh120 for steak).
There's even an 18-hole golf course, a nine-hole academy course, clubhouse, golf academy and floodlit practice facilities (funny that). Set against dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf — the course combines unparalleled visual glory with the thrill of golf's ultimate test. Give it a go if you have time.
Weekend visit
Two-night stay including two Golden Circle tickets
- Three-star Centro, Park Inn: Dh900 +16 per cent
- Four-star hotels Yas Island Rotana, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island: Dh1,100 plus 16 per cent
- Five-star - Yas Hotel: Dh1,300 +16 per cent.
