Asia

From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace, and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travelers for centuries.

LOUVRE (متحف اللوفر أبوظبي)

We spent half a day in Louvre Abu Dhabi (🎟️ 55 AED), designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel. Gallery buildings are all grouped around a central plaza that juts straight out into the sea and is shaded by the museum’s elaborate 7500-ton filigree dome, which seems to...

ABU DHABI (أبو ظبي)

We had a few rainy days in proudly modern and cosmopolitan Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s forward-thinking cultural heart, where nothing stands still. The city occupies most of a small triangular island of the same name, just off the Persian Gulf coast and connected to the mainland by a short...

SHARJAH (الشارقة)

We had a lovely day in the more conservative emirate of Sharjah (no alcohol available). Sharjah takes a more subtle approach, forgoing glitz to concentrate on culture and history. It is home to some of the country’s best museums and art galleries: the restored Sharjah Heritage Area...

AJMAN (عجمان)

We made it to the smallest of the seven emirates. Most people come here for a beach break. But we parked next to the excellent museum in the fort from the late 18th century. The fort served as the ruler’s residence until 1970 and also saw a stint as the police station. Now, its...