text:
Abkhazia

Abkhazia (Abkhaz: Аҧсны (Apsny), Georgian: აფხაზეთი, Russian: Абхазия) is a mostly unrecognized country that seceded from — but is still claimed by — Georgia. It lies mainly on the eastern shores of the Black Sea in the Caucasus region. To its northwest, across the Psou River (Псоу река) is Russia; the Russian city of Sochi is nearby. To its east, across the Enguri River, lies Northwestern Georgia. The Greater Caucasus mountain range occupies its northern territory. The coastal lowlands have a subtropical climate. In Abkhazia's small area snow-covered mountains meet beaches, caves and lakes. A long human history has left an architectural and cultural legacy that complements its natural beauty.

Abkhazia was a popular tourist destination back in the Soviet era because of its mild climate, its beaches and interesting nature. The country's tourism infrastructure has been developing again, but so far, it is frequented mainly by tourists from Russia and other CIS countries.

Cities

 * — capital
 * (Novy Afon)
 * (Novy Afon)
 * (Novy Afon)
 * (Novy Afon)

Other destinations

 * (or Avadhara) - Abkhazian resort, 18 km from Lake Ritsa, at an altitude of 1,600 m, famous for its mineral springs and sulfide waterfall with sparkling water.
 * - A beautiful region with awe-inspiring mountain trails and turquoise water.

Understand
Despite suffering a similar history to South Ossetia, Abkhazia is much more accessible and open to travel. While not many Westerners make the journey here, it has always been a popular destination for Soviet, and now Russian, tourists.

History
Abkhazia was long part of or related to various Georgian kingdoms until its annexation into the Russian Empire in 1864. When the Democratic Republic of Georgia declared its independence from the empire in 1918, Abkhazia obtained autonomy within the new Georgian republic. After the Soviet annexation of Georgia in 1921, and the formation of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia was included into the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1931 as an autonomous republic. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the Soviet Union was undermined by strong nationalist feelings among its various peoples. The Abkhaz people feared domination by the emerging independent Georgia and sought their own independence. Violent clashes culminated in full-scale war in 1992: 3,000 Georgian troops overtook Abkhazia and dismantled the separatist government. In response the Abkhaz and Russian paramilitaries mounted a major offensive and by 1993 they had driven the Georgians out and had massacred thousands that remained. Abkhazia was ethnically cleansed of its Georgian population, and the survivors who successfully reached Georgian-controlled territory continue to live in poverty with an uncertain future to this day.

After the civil war most of Abkhazia, except a few villages in Kodori Gorge, was out of Georgian control. During the 2008 South Ossetian war Abkhaz forces overtook these few remaining villages. Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia after the South Ossetian War in 2008, citing the Western-backed Kosovo independence earlier that year as precedent.

Its status as an independent state is internationally recognized only by Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Syria (as well as the other unrecognized states in the Caucasus region. including South Ossetia and Transnistria). The Georgian government, United Nations and the majority of the world's governments consider Abkhazia a part of Georgia's territory. Under Georgia's official designation, it is an autonomous republic with a Tbilisi-recognized autonomous government in exile. Tbilisi does not recognize the legality of the Sukhumi-based Abkhazian government.

Abkhazia very much depends on Russian support and funding, and has an uncertain political situation similar to that of South Ossetia.

The question of Abkhaz sovereignty is a hot-button issue in Georgia. The Georgian government continues to assert that Abkhazia has long been a fundamental part of Georgia, Abkhazians are an important ethnic group in Georgia, and that Abkhazians belong to Georgia. Most Georgians agree with their government's views and question Russia's close relationship with Abkhaz separatists, arguing that Russia is either seeking to annex Abkhazia or destabilise Georgia. Avoiding such discussions is a good policy.

Geography
Abkhazia is south of the Caucasus on the north coast of the Black Sea west of the river Enguri in Georgia. With the exception of a narrow agricultural coastal strip it is a highly mountainous country reaching heights of over 4,000 m.

There is also the Voronya Cave in the Arabica Massif. At 2,190 m deep, it's the deepest known cave in the world.

Thanks to the protection of the mountain ranges, the coastal strip has a subtropical climate, which made Abkhazia a popular resort in the Soviet era. The mild climate promotes the cultivation of tobacco, tea, wine and fruit and agriculture, food and beverage industries are among the most important economic sectors of Abkhazia.

Climate
Abkhazia can have very hot and humid summers and can stay quite warm up until the end of October.

The average temperature in January is between 2–4°C. The average temperature in August varies from 22–24°C. The average annual temperature is 15°C.

Demography
Abkhazia has long been inhabited mainly by the eponymous people of Abkhazia, which represented in 1886 about 85% of the residents of Abkhazia (half of which were Georgianized Abkhazians at the time) on a total population of less than 70,000. There were also small Greek, Armenian and Russian minorities as well as several thousands of Georgians. However, the number of Georgians increased since the 1880s. During the Ottoman-Russian war between 1864 and 1883, a grand migration took place, when large numbers of Muslim Abkhazians emigrated to the Ottoman empire with other Muslim populations of the Caucasus, such as Circassians. Large numbers of Georgians settled on the vacated lands and properties under Russian Tsarist rule. By 1917, Abkhazia counted 167,832 residents, of which 42% Georgian and 21% Abkhaz. This proportion between the ethnic minorities was roughly maintained throughout the Soviet Union era. The last Soviet census of 1989 identified a population of approximately 525,000, of which almost 46% were Georgians and 18% Abkhazians. The rest of the population consisted of Armenians (14.6%), Russians (14.3%), Greeks (2.8%) and some smaller minorities. During all this time, also many Russians, Ukrainians and Armenians settled in the region. The Abkhazians therefore were already a minority in their land at the beginning of the 20th century.

During the Civil War, there was ethnic cleansing and forced displacement. Approximately 250,000 inhabitants (including approximately 200,000 Georgians) left the region. Some other citizens emigrated later on due to the difficult economic situation. In 2003 the population was only of about 215,000 people. However, since 2008 the situation in Abkhazia continuously improves and the population increases again. According to 2011 census, the country had about 241,000 inhabitants: 50.8% Abkhazians, 19.3% Georgians, 17.3% Armenian, 9.2% Russians, 0.7% Ukrainians, 0.6% Greeks and about 0.8% of other minorities.

A large part of the population has Russian passports, since Abkhaz passports are unrecognized by almost every other state. Many ethnic Georgian residents of Abkhazia are Georgian citizens without Abkhaz citizenship. They are mainly concentrated in the south of the country: in Gal district, they constitute 98.2% of the population; in Tkuartschal district 62.4%; and in Rajon Otschamtschyra district, about 9.5%. In all other parts of the country, the percentage of Georgians is well below 5%.

Talk
The two official langauges of Abkhazia are Abkhaz and Russian.

Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language and is completely unrelated to any other major language family. Like most Caucasian languages, Abkhaz is characterised by having a very large number of consonants, a complicated grammar, and an irksome phonological system.

Russian is spoken by virtually everyone and is arguably more useful than Abkhaz. Still, learning a few words of Abkhaz will endear you to the locals.

Georgian is not widely spoken in Abkhazia. Due to years of conflict with Georgia, Abkhazians may be offended if you speak to them in Georgian.

Visas
There are three types of Abkhaz visa: Single-entry (10 days - US$10, 30 days - US$20, 3 months - US$30, 1 year - US$40), Multi-entry (from US$30) and Transit (US$5-50). Official information is available online.

Applying
Visa applications are submitted and processed via email. Visas are issued by the Consular Service department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (21 ulitsa Lakoba, Sukhumi, +7 840 226-3948). Download the appropriate form; once completed, send it to visa@mfaapsny.org, or fill out the online form. Within seven working days you should receive an Entry Permit via email or fax. The consular staff may be slack and you may need to chase them up with a phone call, so don't leave applying to the last minute.

Collecting
Within three working days of your arrival in Abkhazia, go to the Ministry of Repatriation (33 ulitsa Sakharova, Sukhum, +7 840 226-70-69, normal office hours with lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00).

The process here is unexpectedly unbureaucratic: enter room 3 in the ground floor (knock at the door and then enter if not told otherwise), the official will ask you a few questions in Russian or English, you pay in rubles on the spot (400 руб for a ten-day stay in August 2018) and will have your visa handed to you.

By land

There are two viable land crossings into Abkhazia: from Russia, on the river Psou (near Sochi, via Adler), and from Georgia, on the river Enguri/Ingur (near Zugdidi).

Entering from Russia is more "user-friendly". This border is crossed by hundreds of people every day. However, you will need a double-entry Russian visa.

Moreover, crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border is considered a criminal offence by Georgia: an illegal entry into Georgian territory without passing a Georgian immigration checkpoint. This is punishable by a fine, or even prison sentence, which in effect means you cannot transit through Abkhazia from Russia to Georgia, but should instead leave Abkhazia via Russia. While some travellers reported that entering Abkhazia from Georgia before continuing onward to Russia is viable, it's not recommended, because you may be arrested the next time you visit Georgia, since Georgia never registered your exit. If taking this route, take extra care not to leave traces in your passport of any visit to Abkhazia via Psou (Russia).

From Georgia
There are no exchange facilities or ATMs at the border. Get sufficient rubles in Zugdidi (or, if you arrive straight from Tbilisi, from there), otherwise it may be difficult or overly expensive to obtain transport in Abkhazia.

Abkhazia follows Moscow Time, leading to a one-hour time difference year-round when crossing from Georgia which mobile phones may not automatically pick up on.

From the Zugdidi railway station, take a marshrutka (1 lari, Aug 2018) or taxi (10 lari, which can be negotiated down to 8) to the Enguri bridge, get your passport checked by the Georgian police checkpoint and walk across the several hundred metres long, dilapidated bridge to the border checkpoint on the Abkhazian side.

The Georgian police station has to call Tbilisi to get permission, the office there doesn't open before 10:00 (Aug 2018), so you may have to wait if your arrive early. On the Abkhazian side, there are at least two checkpoints. Present your letter of permission (see below), answer any questions and wait patiently until you are allowed in. The border guards may demand a cursory glance through your luggage.

On the Abkhazian side you can find taxis (₽350-400, Oct 2013), marshrutkas (₽50) and occasionally a bus to Gal. In Gal you can change to a marshrutka to the capital Sukhumi (₽250, Aug 2018, roughly hourly departures) or share a taxi there which can be negotiated to 1,200 руб for 4; however, a cartel of sorts seems to be in operation, so without knowledge of Russian this may be difficult. Gal's marshrutka station is outside the town, which makes getting a quick look inconvenient. Some marshrutkas continue all the way from the Ingur to Sukhumi. Going back from Sukhum to Ingur (Ингур), direct marshrutkas leave the train station at 09:10 and 11:10, but are often packed and won't take anybody with too much luggage.

By train
There is a year-round daily train from Moscow's Kursky Rail Station to Sukhumi. Every second day the train extends to St. Petersburg. From Moscow, it takes less than two days and passes through Adler at about 08:00 and arrives in Sukhumi about two hours later. The return journey starts at about 14:00. In addition there are some local services per day between Sukhumi and Adler stopping at Novy Afon and Gagra. Alternatively, marshrutkas run from Adler railway station, with better connections to the border.

By bus
Buses to Sukhumi run from Sochi and Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

By foot
If crossing the border on foot from Russia, prepare for long waits in summer (1½–2 hr are not uncommon) and bring enough water. Frequent (ancient Ikarus) busses and marshrutkas leave from the parking lot once you have cleared customs.

By plane
While Sukhumi has an airport (Sukhum Babushara Airport ), unsolved politics prevents its use for regular scheduled flights.

By boat
A high-speed, seasonal daily boat service (running between 10 June and 1 October) links Sochi with Gagra, where it is possible to enter Abkhazia being in possession of a Clearance (see above) indicating the Psou border crossing. The boat leaves at 10:00 from Sochi's Morskiy vokzal (sea port) (boarding time: 08:30) and arrives at 11:30. In the other direction, it leaves from Gagra at 19:00 (boarding at 18:30), a one-way ticket costs ₽500, in Sochi it has to be bought at least one day before leaving, for the way back though, it can be bought on board. From the Gagra port, just walk 100 m ahead to the main road to catch a bus for traveling onwards.

Abkhazia is partially under a naval blockade by the Georgian Coast Guard, and its waters are patrolled by Russian Border Guards' Coast Guard. If you are caught by the Georgians, the Georgian authorities will probably investigate whether you are involved in any economic activity, and if they find that you are, you might be prosecuted for unauthorized economic activity with Abkhazia. You may be penalized with a prison term and a heavy fine.

By bus
There are frequent buses and marshrutkas along the coastal road. You will find a bus timetable at the Sukhum Bus Station (in front of the train station).

By taxi
Visitors may also use taxis for travel within the country. Many taxi companies provide special rates for sightseeing. There are a number of travel agencies providing excursions to the mountains using jeeps / four wheel drive cars.

See

One interesting destination for travellers is to visit Novi Afon (Новый Афон) or New Athos; a Christian Orthodox Cathedral, which is 20 min drive from Sukhumi. It is famous not only as a cathedral and living legacy of Christianity but also as a cave; where there are 7-8 enormously large halls with thousands of wonderful of stalagmites and stalactites. A special train takes you to the depths. There are also historical places like the village of Moqua with its beautiful cathedral, and Ilor Church near Ochamchira.

Another attraction is Lake Ritsa, high in the mountains and about 1 hour drive from the main road (M-27). On the other side of the lake, Stalin's Dacha (summer cottage) can be found. The shortest way is by boat, but access is also possible by road (5 km). The cottage is open for tourists in the peak season but pulling out a camera will probably occasion a firm warning. Even further up in the mountains is Lake Msui, a bit more off the beaten track; some tour operators offer trips. Weekly local flights from Sukhumi airport can take you to the remote village of Pskhu, where tourists may enjoy fantastic views of mountains and enjoy local produce such as honey and meat.

The cities of Gagra and Pitsunda are the most popular tourist destination, offering a wide range of activities for a vacation.

Abkhazia is one of the oldest Christian countries (Andrew and Simon the Zealot preached here in the 1st century AD). Therefore a number of medieval churches exist. Most notable of them are the temples in the villages Lykhny, Kaman, Otkhara.

Lykhny village
It's the largest and the oldest (more than a thousand years old) village of Abkhazia which can boast of ruins of a 6th-7th century Christian temple (located on the outskirts of the village), princes palace and Church of the Assumption of Our Lady. Lykhny village is located 5 km north of the city Gudaut.

Kaman village
Christian legend states that the holy martyr Basiliscus (308 AD) and St. John Chrysostom (407 AD) died and were buried in this village. Here you can find the ruins of early medieval Christian church, the tomb of the holy martyr Basiliscus, Orthodox Monastery (operating since 2002). Kaman village located 15 km from the city of Sukhumi.

Otkhara village
Dens of a medieval monastery can be found here.

Do
Abkhazia offers a wide variety of activities such as eco-tourism, gastro-tourism, rafting and extreme sports, mountain jogging and snowboarding, diving and sky gliding, hunting, and cultural and religious tourism. Beach season in Abkhazia lasts from May to November.

These are some things a traveller should try before leaving Abkhazia:

 * Visit the Abkhaz Drama Theatre, Botanic Garden and Monkey Park in Sukhumi.
 * Dine at the famous "Gagripsh" restaurant in Gagra.
 * Take a boat trip from Gagra to Sukhumi.
 * Visit the small cave of St. Simon the Zealot and the cave in the village Abrskila Otap.
 * Visit the village of Kaman near Sukhumi.
 * Village of Lykhny with its historic churches and dome of Abkhaz Kings.

Money
Abkhazia uses the Russian ruble (RUB or ₽) as its currency.

Abkhazia now has ATMs that accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro cards, they are usually installed near bank branches in all major cities. If the Abkhazian banks do not accept your card try the foreign (i.e. Russian) banks like Sberbank. Upscale shops and restaurants also accept cards.

Despite their presence, ATMs should not be relied upon. Even in Sukhumi, many are frequently out of service, and those that do function often have a 3000 руб withdrawal limit, making obtaining large quantities of cash expensive due to fees or impossible.

American travelers should be warned that the standard U.S. chip and signature cards do not work at most places in Abkhazia. Unlike most of Europe, where a U.S. credit card will default to signature verification without PIN functionality, this will result in a charge being declined on an Abkhaz terminal.

For U.S. travelers, it is strongly recommended to arrive in Abkhazia with sufficient cash in rubles to support their stay.

Dollars and euros are accepted in official exchange offices which can be found at most tourist areas—normal banking hours apply. Sometimes, visitors may pay with dollars and euros directly, though at a lower rate.

There are some 24-hour shops in the villages. Sukhumi has a new shopping center on the outskirts of the city. Otherwise goods can be found in small shops, mini markets and numerous kiosks. The largest grocers in Gagra is called "Continent".

Eat
Dominant in Abkhazia are the Mediterranean influenced Caucasian and Russian cuisine. It has Mediterranean characteristics due to the abundance of subtropical fruits, vegetables and seafood. Kebabs are offered almost everywhere.

You should try Abkhazian local dishes including Akud (bean sauce) and Abista (corn porridge with cheese) and a variety of meat and fresh greens. Most dishes are usually spicy.

Drink
Abkhazia is also a wine region. Local wines are a must try; Apsny, Ashta, Buque, Dioskuria (ancient Greek name of Sukhumi), Gumsta, Lykhni, Psou, Chegem and Radeda.

Local spirits distilled from a dry wine and fruit mash are very diverse and cause stormy enthusiasm among tourists.

Stay safe
In the past, Abkhazia has witnessed military confrontations between Georgian armed forces and the Russian-supported local independence groups. For the common traveller the country is relatively safe, but you should make sure to avoid any place near the border to Georgia. Some minor unregistered minefields are reported near the border, an additional reason to steer well clear of it. Keep in mind that Abkhazia is, in the view of international law, still a part of Georgia. Further military confrontations are unlikely but you should closely follow the international and independent news in case the situation changes.

While many travellers cross the border with Georgia proper back and forth with no problems, keep in mind that the southeastern areas of Abkhazia on the way, around Gali, Ochamchira, and Tkvarcheli more specifically, are the most impoverished parts of a country already not doing so well, so the time spent there should be kept no longer than is necessary. The Abkhaz side of the actual border zone at Enguri/Ingur seems safe as long as the militia is there—but note that they leave the place as soon as the crossing gets shut by 19:00. There are several reports of travellers being victims of violent muggings in southeastern Abkhazia. If you are not from the few countries that recognize Abkhazia, being in a conflict zone means that you are left stranded with absolutely no consular support should you lose your passport for some reason. In such a case, a traveller reportedly could make it back to Georgia only after the involvement of the Red Cross delegation (48 Inal-Ipa St, Sukhumi) and some high-ranking Abkhaz officials, which may not be available next time. Thus it is recommended to make a copy of the passport and any appropriate visas before entering Abkhazia.

Finding directions might be challenging as all signs are mainly in Cyrillic only.

The basic precautions for travellers are those recommended in all tourist destinations:

 * Watch your bag or purse in public, e.g. buses, trains and meetings. Keep your car locked with valuables out of view and do not leave your valuables like cameras, jewellery or mobile phones on the beach when you go for a swim.
 * If your mobile phone is stolen, the local cell phone company may help you to track it and in most cases telephones could be found if resold anywhere in Abkhazia.
 * Don't hesitate to report crimes to the local police. If you report a theft, people are generally helpful.

Stay healthy
Boil or sterilize tap water before drinking.

Respect
Abkhazia is a traditional and conservative country, so dress modestly. Clothing which exposes too much skin will give you a bad image from the local people, and you will thereby get unwelcome attention and less respect.

For very obvious reasons, avoid praising or talking about Georgia. Since the end of the Soviet Union, feelings of hostility, anger, and bitterness towards Georgia and Georgian people are common. Abkhazians feel it is unfair that their country has been denied international recognition.

Don't say that you're in Georgia when visiting Abkhazia.

Connect
There are some Internet cafes in all major resort cities: Sukhumi, Gagra, Gudauta.

Post
It is possible to send post from Abkhazia abroad via Russia. However, the main post office in Sukhum (Aiaaira st. 108) burned down in January 2012, and hasn't been rebuilt (Aug 2018). Reportedly, the post office is temporarily located in the Sukhum telephone exchange (Jul 2017). Other towns with post offices are (Jul 2017) Gagra (Ardzinba st. 147), Gudauta (Heroes ave. 3), Gulrypsh (Constitution st. 4), Ochamchira (Shinkuba st. 62), Gal (Leon st. 3), Tkuarchal (Adyghe st. 4), New Athos (Kharazia st. 2). Otherwise, the nearest post office for international mail is in Adler, Russia. Abkhazian post offices also usually allow making international telephone calls at costs of about ₽10-16 per minute.

Telephones
Landline phone numbers have the format of.

There are 2 local mobile operators A-Mobile and Aquafon, the latest one being the largest and having bigger coverage. Their mobile numbers follow the next format. A SIM card costs about ₽200, incl. ₽150 credit, and there are special rates for travelers, no ID is required for card purchase and almost all available tariff plans are prepaid ones. Both operators offer 4G which is available almost in all towns. Foreign SIM cards usually do not work with the exception of Russian branded operators MTS, Beeline, Megafon.

It is common for telephone numbers not to be recognised, and therefore it is worth redialing many times.

Go next

 * Georgia with its beautiful and mysterious mountain region of Svaneti in Northwestern Georgia close by (if you are allowed through the border).
 * Russia — The border with Russia is now open for all visitors.

title: Abkhazia


text:
Abkhaz phrasebook

Abkhaz (Аҧсуа бызшәа) is a Caucasian language spoken primarily in Abkhazia. It is an extremely difficult language to read, which requires a lot of labialization.

Pronunciation guide
In the alphabet, whilst coming across a 'ә' letter, you need to labialize it. To do this, round your lips as if you are trying to whistle, and utter the letter you are trying to say. There are many occasions where you are going to encounter this, and below is the alphabet from where it is present. Like Russian, when a reader comes across a 'ь', you need to pronounce the word heavily.

 * А а : 'a' as in "air"
 * Б б: 	'b' as in "bar"
 * В в: 	'v' as in "vent"
 * Г г: 	'g' as in "game"
 * Гь гь: Hard 'g'
 * Гә гә: Labialized 'g'
 * Ӷ ӷ: 	'gh' as in "gamble"
 * Ӷь ӷь: Hard 'gh'
 * Ӷә ӷә: Labialized 'gh'
 * Д д: 'd' as in 'dangle'
 * Дә дә: Labialized 'd'
 * Е е: 'e' as in 'everybody'
 * Ж ж: 'zh' like 'leisure'
 * Жь жь: Hard 'zh'
 * Жә жә: Labialized 'zh'
 * З з: 'z' as in 'zebra'
 * Ӡ ӡ: 'dz' like 'pizza'
 * Ӡә ӡә: Labialized 'dz'
 * И и: 'ee' as in 'eel'
 * К к: 'k' as in 'cancer'
 * Кь кь: Hard 'k'
 * Кә кә: Labialized 'k'
 * Қ қ: 'q' as in 'Qatar'
 * Қь қь: Hard 'q'
 * Қә қә: Labialized 'q'
 * Ҟ ҟ: 'q' as in 'Qatar'
 * Ҟьҟь: Hard 'q'
 * Ҟә ҟә: Labialized 'q'
 * Л л: 'l' as in 'leg'
 * М м: 'm' as in 'meet'
 * Н н: 'n' as in 'nod'
 * О о: 'o' as in 'orange'
 * П п: 'p' as in 'peel'
 * Ҧ ҧ: Hard 'p'
 * Р р: 'r' as in 'ring'
 * С с: 's' as in 'sea'
 * Т т: 't' as in 'tea'
 * Тә тә: Labialized 't'
 * Ҭҭ: 'th' as in 'thanks'
 * Ҭә ҭә: Labialized 'th'
 * У у: 'u' like 'pool'
 * ф Ф : 'f' as in 'find'
 * Х х: 'kh' like cage
 * Хь хь : Hard 'kh'
 * Хә хә: Labialized 'kh'
 * Ҳ ҳ: 'h' as in 'hello'
 * Ҳә ҳә: Labialized 'h'
 * Ц ц: 'ts' as in lets
 * Цә цә: Labialized 'ts'

Basics

 * Hello. : Бзиа збаша. (Bzia zbaşa )
 * Hello. (informal) : . ( )
 * How are you? : Ушҧаҟоу? (Uşpakou ?)
 * Fine, thank you. : итабуп ибзианы. ( itabup ibziani )
 * What is your name? : (to a man) Уара́ иу́хьӡузеи?  (to a woman) Бара́ ибы́хьӡузеи? (“WaRA YUkhdzuzey?  BaRA ibYKHdzuzey?”)
 * My name is ______ . : Сара́ ______ сы́хӡуп. (“SaRA _____ SYKHdzup”)
 * Nice to meet you. : . )’’ ‘‘_
 * Please. : . )’’ ‘‘_
 * Thank you. : . ( )
 * You're welcome. : . ( )
 * Yes. : Ааи. (Aye. )
 * No. : Мап. ( Map’)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : . ( )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . ( )
 * I'm sorry. : . ( )
 * Goodbye : Абзи́араз. (AbZIAraz.)
 * Goodbye (informal) : . ( )
 * I can't speak Abkhaz [well]. : [ ]. ( [ ])
 * Do you speak English? : ? ( ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( ?)
 * Help! : ! ( !)
 * Look out! : ! ( !)
 * Good morning. :Шьыжьбзи́а(қәа). (ShyzhbZIAkwa. ) – The ending -kwa is for multiple people.
 * Good evening. : Хәлыбзи́а(қәа). (KhwlybZIAkwa.)
 * Good night. : . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : . ( )
 * Where is the toilet? : ? ( ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : . ( .)
 * Don't touch me! : ! ( !)
 * I'll call the police. : . ( .)
 * Police! : ! ( !)
 * Stop! Thief! : ! ! ( ! !)
 * I need your help. : . ( .)
 * It's an emergency. : . ( .)
 * I'm lost. : . ( .)
 * I lost my bag. : . ( .)
 * I lost my wallet. : . ( .)
 * I'm sick. : . ( .)
 * I've been injured. : . ( .)
 * I need a doctor. : . ( .)
 * Can I use your phone? : ? ( ?)

Numbers
1 - aky – акы́

2 - ôba - ҩба

3 - hpa - хҧа

4 - pshba - ҧшьба

5 - huba - хәба

6 - fba - фба

7 – byĵba - быжьба́

8 - aaba - ааба́

9 - juba - жәба

10 - juwaba - жәаба́

20 - ôajui - ҩажәа́

30 - ôajui juwaba - ҩажәи ́жәаба́

40 - ôynôajua - ҩы́нҩажәа

50 - ôynôajui juwaba - ҩы́нҩажәи жәаба́

60 - hynôajui - хынҩажәа́

70 - hynôajui juwaba - хынҩажәи́ жәаба́

80 - pshynôajui - ҧшьы́нҩажәа

90 - pshynôajui juwaba - ҧшьы́нҩажәи жәаба́

100 - шәкы

200 - óysha - ҩышә

500 - huysha - хәышә

1000 - zkîy - зқьы

Time

 * now : ( )
 * later : Нас (Nas )
 * before : ( )
 * morning : ( )
 * afternoon : ҽы́нла ( )
 * evening : уахы́нла( )
 * night : а́ҵх( )

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : саа́́ҭк. ( )
 * two o'clock AM : ҩсаа́ҭк. ( )
 * noon : ( )
 * one o'clock PM : ( )
 * two o'clock PM : ( )
 * midnight : ( )

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : ( )
 * _____ hour(s) : ( )
 * ___амш__ day(s) : ( amsh)
 * _____ week(s) : ( )
 * __амза___ month(s) : ( amza)
 * _____ year(s) : ( )

Days

 * today : иахьа́ ( )
 * yesterday : иахы́ ( )
 * tomorrow : уаҵәа́шьҭахь ( )
 * this week : ( )
 * last week : ( )
 * next week : ( )

 * Sunday : амҽы́ша ( )
 * Monday : ашәахьа́( )
 * Tuesday : аҩа́ша ( )
 * Wednesday : аха́ша ( )
 * Thursday : аҧшьа́ша( )
 * Friday : ахәа́ша ( )
 * Saturday : аса́бша ( )

Months

 * January : жьырны́ҳәа
 * February : жәабра́н
 * March : жәажәкы́ра
 * April : мшаҧы́
 * May : лаҵара́
 * June : рашәара́
 * July : ҧхынгәы́
 * August : на́нҳәа
 * September : цәыббра́
 * October : жьҭаара́
 * November : абҵара́
 * December : ҧхынҷкәы́н

Colors

 * black : а́иқәаҵәа
 * white : а́шкәакәа
 * gray : ацәы́ш
 * red : а́ҟаҧшь
 * blue : а́иаҵәа
 * yellow : ахьыҧштәы́
 * green : ашьа́цҧштәы
 * orange : апатырқа́лҧштәы
 * purple : адәыкры́нҧштәы
 * pink : агәи́лҧхтәы
 * brown : а́хьаҧштәы

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : ( )
 * One ticket to _____, please. : ( )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : ( )
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : ( )
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : ( )
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : ( )
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : ( )

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : ( )
 * ...the train station? : ( )
 * ...the bus station? : ( )
 * ...the airport? : ( )
 * ...downtown? : ( )
 * ...the youth hostel? : ( )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ( )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ( )
 * Where are there a lot of... : ( )
 * ...hotels? : ( )
 * ...restaurants? : ( )
 * ...bars? : ( )
 * ...sites to see? : ( )
 * Can you show me on the map? : ( )
 * street : ( )
 * Turn left. : ( )
 * Turn right. : ( )
 * left : ( )
 * right : ( )
 * straight ahead : ( )
 * towards the _____ : ( )
 * past the _____ : ( )
 * before the _____ : ( )
 * Watch for the _____. : ( )
 * intersection : ( )
 * north : ( )
 * south : ( )
 * east : ( )
 * west : ( )
 * uphill : ( )
 * downhill : ( )

Taxi

 * Taxi! : ( )
 * Take me to _____, please. : ( )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : ( )
 * Take me there, please. : ( )

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : ( )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : ( )
 * Does the room come with... : ( )
 * ...bedsheets? : ( )
 * ...a bathroom? : ( )
 * ...a telephone? : ( )
 * ...a TV? : ( )
 * May I see the room first? : ( )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : ( )
 * ...bigger? : ( )
 * ...cleaner? : ( )
 * ...cheaper? : ( )
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : ( )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : ( )
 * Do you have a safe? : ( )
 * ...lockers? : ( )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : ( )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : ( )
 * Please clean my room. : ( )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : ( )
 * I want to check out. : ( )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : ( )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : ( )
 * Do you accept euros? : ( )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : ( )
 * Can you change money for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get money changed? : ( )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : ( )
 * What is the exchange rate? : ( )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ( )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : ( )
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : ( )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : ( )
 * Is there a house specialty? : ( )
 * Is there a local specialty? : ( )
 * I'm a vegetarian. : ( )
 * I don't eat pork. : ( )
 * I don't eat beef. : ( )
 * I only eat kosher food. : ( )
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : ( )
 * fixed-price meal : ( )
 * à la carte : ( )
 * breakfast : ( )
 * lunch : ( )
 * tea (meal) : ( )
 * supper : ( )
 * I want ___сара истахуп__. : (sara istakhup )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : ( )
 * chicken : акәты́жь ( )
 * beef : ( )
 * fish : (апсыӡ )
 * ham : ( )
 * sausage : ( )
 * cheese : ашә ( )
 * eggs : акәта́ӷь ( )
 * salad : асала́ҭ( )
 * (fresh) vegetables : ауҭраҭы́хқәа ( )
 * (fresh) fruit : ашәы́р ( )
 * bread : ача́ ( )
 * toast : ( )
 * noodles : ( )
 * rice : ( )
 * beans : аҟәы́д( )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : ( )
 * coffee : ( )
 * tea (drink) : ача́и ( )
 * juice : аӡы́ ( )
 * (bubbly) water : ( )
 * (still) water : аӡы(azi)
 * beer : ауара́ш ( )
 * red/white wine : аҩы́ ( )
 * May I have some _____? : ( )
 * salt : аџьыкахы́ш( )
 * black pepper : ( )
 * butter : а́хәша ( )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
 * I'm finished. : ( )
 * It was delicious. : даара ихаан (daara ikhaan )
 * Please clear the plates. : ( )
 * The check, please. : ( )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : ( )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : ( )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : ( )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : ( )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : ( )
 * vodka : ауадка(auadka)
 * rum : ( )
 * water : аӡы( azi)
 * club soda : ( )
 * tonic water : ( )
 * orange juice : ( )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : ( )
 * One more, please. : ( )
 * Another round, please. : ( )
 * When is closing time? : ( )
 * Cheers! : ( )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : ( )
 * How much is this? : ( )
 * That's too expensive. : ( )
 * Would you take _____? : ( )
 * expensive : ( )
 * cheap : ( )
 * I can't afford it. : ( )
 * I don't want it. : ( )
 * You're cheating me. : ( )
 * I'm not interested. : (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * Can I have a bag? : ( )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : ( )
 * I need... : ( )
 * ...toothpaste. : ( )
 * ...a toothbrush. : ( )
 * ...tampons. : . ( )
 * ...soap. : ( )
 * ...shampoo. : ( )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ( )
 * ...cold medicine. : ( )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... ( )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : ( )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ( )
 * ...a postcard. : ( )
 * ...postage stamps. : ( )
 * ...batteries. : ( )
 * ...writing paper. : ( )
 * ...a pen. : ( )
 * ...English-language books. : ( )
 * ...English-language magazines. : ( )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ( )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ( )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : ( )
 * Can I get insurance? : ( )
 * stop (on a street sign) : ( )
 * one way : ( )
 * yield : ( )
 * no parking : ( )
 * speed limit : ( )
 * gas (petrol) station : ( )
 * petrol : ( )
 * diesel : ( )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : ( )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : ( )
 * Where are you taking me? : ( )
 * Am I under arrest? : ( )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : ( )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : ( )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : ( )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : ( )

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Abkhaz phrasebook


text:
Abomey

Abomey is a town and former capital of Benin.

Get in
Nearby Bohicon has a rail link with the capital Cotonou and Parakou in the north, there are three departures in each direction every week. Tickets from Cotonou costs CFA 1100 in second class and CFA 1400 in first.

You can take the very good Baobab Express Bus to get to Bohicon. They have quite new buses with air conditioning and Wifi and set a focus on security and punctuality. (2500 CFA per person from Cotonou in Dec. 2018)

Bush taxis from Bohicon cost CFA 300, and CFA 2000 for the 3-hour ride from Cotonou. Cheaper but slower public buses are also available.

Get around

Zemi-johns are a popular, cheap and efficient way to get around. They are simply a scooter-like taxi popular in the country.

See
The Royal Palaces of Abomey are a group of earthen structures built by the Fon people of the Dahomey Kingdom between the mid-17th and late 19th Centuries. One of the most famous and historically significant traditional sites in West Africa, the Palaces are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Each king had a new palace built for himself. They are filled with larger numbers of bas-reliefs and artwork that display everyday life, including war, sacrifices and torture methods. The Dahomey were also notable for being one of the main beneficiaries of the Atlantic slave trade, with palaces largely having been built using wealth acquired from capturing slaves from neighbouring ethnic groups to sell to the Europeans. The palaces are:
 * Akaba Royal Palace
 * Gbehanzin Royal Palace
 * Palace of King Glele
 * Palace of King Agaja
 * Palace of King Tegbessu
 * Palace of King Agoli-Agbo
 * Palace of King Ghezo
 * Palace of King Angoglo
 * Palace of King Kpengla

It is also worth visiting the nearby museum:

Do

Have some rest at Chez Monique (5XWJ+Q49), with its peaceful garden and artwork pieces.

Buy

 * The Musée Historique d'Abomey sells souvenirs, including banners and bronze figurines.

Eat
Have a good international meal at the Auberge d'Abomey.

Sleep
There are a few motels in town, but none are of particularly good quality.

The Auberge d'Abomey have clean ventilated and conditionned rooms..Ask for the doubles near the restaurant, they are larger than the other ones.

Sun City is a bit off the city, but they have some rooms with a jacuzzi.

In the nearby city of Bohicon, the Majestic Hotel has a swimming pool. Prices between 13000 and 21000 XOF the night.

Go next

 * Bohicon

title: Abomey


text:
Abrolhos

Abrolhos is an archipelago off the coast of Bahia, a state of Northeast Brazil.

Get in
Before you can get to Abrolhos, you must first go to Caravelas. Here you will find a number of tour operators authorized by IBAMA to sail to the archipelago. The cost per person for a day-trip is around R$220 (about USD 140). Check the page for Caravelas for instructions on how to get to Caravelas.

Once in Caravelas, you can only get to Abrolhos by boat. Your choices are:

 * Fishing boat - If you go on a fishing boat it will take around 6 hours to get there. You will be forced on an overnight stay.
 * Catamarã - Takes around 3h30min and you have the choice to stay overnight.
 * Speed boat - Around 1h30min depending on sea conditions. It is a one-day trip.

Get around
Only swimming or by boat. You cannot get anywhere on foot unless you're on the island, which you will not be for more than 30min. So be prepared to spend a lot of time in the sea or on the boat.

Do
If you go to Abrolhos during the mating season (July to November), go on a whale-watching excursion. You would probably come across some on your way to Abrolhos, but it may be more interesting to go for a dedicated whale-watching tour.
 * Plenty of swimming
 * If you dive, it is a great option (it costs around R$150 (about USD 70) for a 30-minute dive.
 * Whale watch

Eat
You cannot bring your own food unless you get permission from the boat's captain. The food is served on board by the tour operators authorized to sail to the island.

Drink

 * Plenty of mineral water and soft drinks. Avoid alcohol as you will be at sea and alcohol can be dangerous, as people normally underestimate the dangers of the sea. You do not want to spoil your holidays...

Sleep

 * If you plan to sleep in Abrolhos you should be aware it can only be done on board of a boat. Since they are small boats, they will rock and if you're prone to sea-sickness you should take some pills or avoid an overnight stay and return to the continent in the afternoon.

title: Abrolhos


text:
Abruzzo

Abruzzo is one of the twenty Italian regions. It is situated in the central part of Italy, to the east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. Abruzzo's western border lies less than 50 miles due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Although geographically more of a central than southern region, ISTAT (the Italian statistical authority) considers it part of Southern Italy, a vestige of Abruzzo's historic association with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe as almost half of its territory, the largest in Europe, is set aside as national parks and protected nature reserves. Its territory is composed of rolling hills and fertile plains at the base of the Apennine mountains, featuring wild beaches and ancient towns perched on hilltops. It is also home to Calderone, Europe's southernmost glacier. A vacation in Abruzzo offers a taste of the unspoiled Italy.

Provinces
Abruzzo is divided into four provinces:

The four provinces feature 305 municipalities: L'Aquila comprises 108, Chieti 104, Pescara 46, Teramo 47.

Cities

 * — The regional capital of Abruzzo, with an imposing 16th century castle, the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle and the pink and white marble Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio with its Holy Door and Gothic interior.
 * — the largest city, with 6.5 miles of seaside promenade with wide sandy beaches
 * — a medieval town famous for its sugared almonds, the 11th-century cathedral of San Panfilo, and the 13th-century church of San Francesco delle Scarpe
 * — between the highest mountains of the Apennines
 * — a medieval town famous for its sugared almonds, the 11th-century cathedral of San Panfilo, and the 13th-century church of San Francesco delle Scarpe
 * — between the highest mountains of the Apennines

Nature
Out of the three geographical areas (Marsica, Appennino and Sub-Appennino), one third of the region is designated either as national or regional park areas.

This region, where the north of Italy meets the south, is also one of the most beautiful in the country. Bordered by the Apennines to the west and fringed by the Adriatic on the east, it has some of Italy's most unspoiled scenery. In the Gran Sasso it has the highest mountain of the Apennine range. Stand atop the Gran Sasso and you have views of both the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian (Mediterranean) Seas across the entire width of Italy. You could journey through the Abruzzo's valleys for days, never encountering another person, and when you travel up to the broad mountain plains of the Abruzzi, you'll meet the eerie sight of entire abandoned hill towns. Plan your holiday in Abruzzo with plenty of time to walk, drive and explore.

In the past decade, Abruzzo has increased in tourism tremendously, along with other Italian Destinations. Castles and Medieval towns are very popular tourist attractions near the town of L'Aquila. Abruzzo is also known for its skiing because they have 21 attractions only hours from Rome. The ski resort mountain heights can compare to the Alpines. However, Abruzzo is known for cross country skiing. Abruzzo is picturesque in its scenery. Many old villages were abandoned and remain largely intact, and the country side is rich with historic sites. It is often said that Abruzzo has as many castles as it does sheep. Most of this sleepy region has remained as it was in medieval times making Abruzzo the first stop for those seeking to take a glance at the past or a chance to see nature as it was hundreds of years ago, unspoiled and perfect.

If you do not like to ski, Abruzzo offers an abundance of beaches as well. Abruzzo's 129 km sandy coastline is home to many popular beach resorts, among them Vasto, on the southern coast;, whose sands are considered among the best in Italy, , Francavilla al Mare and Pineto on the mid-coast, and on Abruzzo's northern coast Alba Adriatica and Martinsicuro.

 * (Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e dei Monti della Laga)
 * (Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise)
 * (Parco Nazionale della Majella)
 * (Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente-Velino)

The Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, an impressive national park founded in 1922, is host to every variety plant and animal imaginable and considered the most important park in Italy. No other park in Italy is better developed for camping and recreational activities. Great stands of beech, oak, and birch can be found in the park along with beautiful wild flowers of every color and design. The brown bears of the region along with wolves, eagles, and large wild cats find refuge in the park, making Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo a haven for vanishing species.

Understand
In the Middle Ages the region began to be called Abruzzo, from the Latin Aprutium. Then the region was divided into two parts: Further Abruzzo and Hither Abruzzo. In 1860, with the Unity of Italy, the region of Molise was added to Abruzzo and they were called Abruzzi and Molise. In 1963 Abruzzo and Molise became separate entities once more.

Though Italians once thought of Abruzzo as a remote region separated from Rome by the Apennines, a modern expressway system has opened the region to tourism. Most of Abruzzo lies within a few hours of Rome and is convenient for day trips from the capital as well as Naples. Abruzzo's more populous east is made up of vast sandy beaches that stretch along the Adriatic; its west of hills that rise quickly to mountains. The mountainous region of l'Aquila, which lies nearest Rome, contains castles, ancient ruins and spectacular mountain vistas.

Abruzzo's main city and administrative town, L'Aquila, is a beautiful city in a picturesque mountain setting which makes it a great destination start for exploring the region. Pescara is pleasantly modern and offers all the features to be found in a city on the Adriatic: business, shops, entertainment. Chieti is full of history and nicely layered along the hill on which it is situated. Teramo is interesting and lively. Smaller charming town such as Sulmona and Scanno should also not be missed.

The region is 65% mountain 34% hills and the remainder flat land. The region has four provinces and each have a distinct climate. The province of L'Aquila is totally characterized by mountains, in the Chieti area it is rolling hills, while in Pescara and Teramo the areas are covered by a mixture of mountains and hill.

Tourist information

 * Abruzzo tourism website

By plane
Abruzzo International Airport in Pescara is served by low cost airlines with low fare flights from and to Brussels, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Krakow, London, Manchester, Milan and Turin.

By train
Abruzzo can be reached by train from Tiburtina railway station in Rome, a journey which offers truly picturesque views of the valleys in the Apennines and of some charming hill towns in Italy.

By car
There are three autostrade (toll motorways) that connect Abruzzo to the rest of Italy:
 * A14 — Adriatic Motorway, links Bologna to Taranto through the main coastal towns of the region
 * A24 — Parks Motorway, links Rome to Teramo via L'Aquila
 * A25 — links Rome to Pescara crossing the region from west to east

Private and public transport by car or bus from and to Rome are therefore excellent.

Get around
Trains and buses run regularly from Rome and through Pescara and L'Aquila, these journeys through the mountains can be spectacular and highly recommended. From there, most towns can be reached by local buses. See Trenitalia and ARPA for more details.

If you intend to travel from Rome to Abruzzo, the station you will catch your Express or Stopping coach will be from Staz. Tiburtina. Expect to pay about return for an Abruzzo destination. The coast can be explored by train or bus, since all comforts of modern travelling are available. There is a bus network which connects all four major cities: Pescara, L'Aquila, Chieti, Teramo. In order to visit rural areas, a car is recommended if you want to reach relatively unknown villages in remote locations of Abruzzo.

For a detailed map:

See
The Abruzzo region is a remote region often overlooked by tourists. It has spectacular natural scenery, medieval castles and villages, monasteries, and Roman ruins. Two-thirds of the Abruzzo's land is mountainous with the rest being hills and coast. A third of the region is designated as national or regional parkland. Bordering regions are Marche to the north, Lazio to the west, Molise to the south, and the Adriatic Sea to the east.

Much of the Abruzzo region is in national or regional parks. Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is a large protected area with good hiking and biking trails. Its seven visitor centers have trail maps and information. Guided tours can be arranged in Pescasseroli. Gran Sasso, the highest point in the Apennine Mountains, has hiking trails, spring wildflowers, and winter skiing.

Pescara, on the Adriatic coast, is the largest city in the Abruzzo region. Although it was badly bombed during the war, it's now a good example of a modern Italian city and still retains some historic elements. Pescara has a nice seaside promenade, 20 km of sandy beach, great seafood restaurants, and lots of nightlife. The Museum of the Abruzzi People has a huge collection of artifacts about life in the Abruzzo from prehistoric times through the 19th century. Pescara has a few other museums and several good churches and buildings, too. In July, Pescara holds an international jazz festival.

Do

 * Beaches — Abruzzo's 129 km long sandy coastline (interrupted in places by pebble beaches) is home to many popular beach resorts. Beaches worth visiting are in Fossacesia and Vasto Marina, on Abruzzo's southern coast; Silvi Marina, Francavilla al Mare and Pineto, further north; finally, travelling north, shortly before Le Marche, Alba Adriatica and Martinsicuro close the list of seaside resorts which are considered among the best in Italy. Beaches of Abruzzo are pristine and the waters of the Adriatic are warm. Lifeguards are operative full-time on most Italian beaches, during the summer season. It is best to follow posted warning signs and status flags describing the sea's condition on the day you decide to take a swim. Most beaches have corded off bathing areas - pass these at your own risk, as the waters deepen significantly very quickly.
 * Hiking, horseback riding, mountain climbing and sightseeing — Abruzzo's extensive park system lies within two hours of Rome or less and includes natural beauty akin to national parks in the western United States.  Within Abruzzo's parks lie some of Italy's most beautiful ancient hill towns rivaling those of Tuscany and Umbria.
 * Skiing — Abruzzo has 15 ski resorts with 368 km of runs in 172 different ski tracks, all within a couple of hours drive from Rome. The most popular resorts are Roccaraso, Campo Felice, Campo Imperatore. Located on the highest altitudes of the Apennines, these ski areas are at heights nearly comparable to many resorts in the Alps. Because of their proximity to the Adriatic and winter precipitation patterns, they often have more snow than the Alps. Abruzzo also is popular for cross country skiing, especially on the high plain of Campo Imperatore in the Gran Sasso as well as the Piana Grande in the Majella.
 * Museums — In L'Aquila, you can visit the National Museum of Abruzzi, with sections for paleontology, archaeology and medieval art (painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, lace, sacred ornaments, glass windows). Pescara has the Museum of the Folk Traditions of Abruzzo, which holds a didactic archaeological exhibition. The Pinacoteca Civica in Teramo displays beautiful majolica. Chieti's National Museum of Antiquities houses important relics of the ancient Italics, Greeks and Romans, including some remarkable pieces such as the Warrior of Capestrano, of the fourth century B.C.
 * Rock Climbing — Abruzzo offers a great destination for rock climbing, beach combing, and mountain biking. Amazing rock climbing areas are: Petrellia Liri, Roccamorice, San Vito, Assergi, Monticchio, Capestrano, Fara Sam Martino.
 * Zoo — Near the little village of Civitella Casanova is a nice zoo: Parco Zoo La Rupe. It's built on a mountain with a beautiful view and it features many animal species.

Eat
In Italy, high consideration for food (and wine) quality and variety is a reason of pride. Regional cooking is a unique experience for the foreign visitor: in Abruzzo this is no exception. Here are some of the local specialities that you may enjoy: Abruzzo's food is based on peasant dishes. Lamb is very popular inland and the Abruzzo produces pecorino (lamb's milk) and goat's milk cheeses. Pork is also used frequently and on the coast there are many fish dishes. Baked scamorza cheese is a common dish that can be a main course or appetizer. Saffron is used frequently.
 * Spaghetti alla chitarra (square strands of pasta served with a tomato sauce)
 * Fagioli e cotiche di maiale (stewed beans and pork rind)
 * Prosciutto di cinghiale (wild boar ham)
 * Testicoli di mulo (small round lean pork sausages; though the name seems anatomical, they are named that way as they are always sold in pairs)
 * Pecorino d'Abruzzo (local sheep's cheese)
 * Burrata (a truly rare delicacy – a ball of tangy cheese with a soft buttery center)
 * Salame di fegato pazzo (spiced liver salami)
 * Salame di fegato dolce (liver salami made with honey)
 * Arrosticini (the most famous regional dish, lamb or sheep meat cut into chunks and pierced by a skewer)
 * Ventricina (a spicy salami with chili pepper and fennel)

Drink

 * Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (a red wine)
 * Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (a white wine)
 * Rosatello aquilano (a rosé wine)
 * Corfinio della Valle Peligna (a light white wine)
 * Amaro Gran Sasso (one of the bitter digestive liqueurs that Italians are so fond of. Beware, the alcohol content is upwards of 70% proof)

Ratafia A wine from black cherries fermented in the summer sun (L'Aquila, the National Park of Abruzzo

Doppio Arancio (Double Orange) liqueur, a sweet taste of a homemade production of the Erminio Orsini firm of Giulianova, in activity since the 1850s.

Go next
From Abruzzo you can visit its bordering regions: Lazio (on the west), Marche (on the north) and Molise (on the south). Take a trip to the beautiful towns of Ascoli Piceno (Marche) and Norcia (Umbria), both near to the northern border of the region.

From the port of Pescara it is possible to reach Croatia (Hvar, Stari Grad, Vela Luka) with SNAV ferries. From Vasto you can reach the Tremiti archipelago.

title: Abruzzo


text:
Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (Arabic: أَبُو ظَبِي) is the federal capital and the seat of the three branches of government of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The city is a collection of islands connected together and features colossal monuments, elegant museums, green boulevards, high-rise buildings, international luxury hotel chains and opulent shopping malls.

History
Abu Dhabi is the capital and seat of the government of the United Arab Emirates, hence it is the go-to destination for any major political event or ministerial headquarters. It is not, however, the commercial or tourism capital of the country — that would be Dubai — but massive investment in aviation and tourism since the 2000s has definitely added a lot things to do in city.

The city was not intended to be the capital of the UAE. The capital of the UAE was supposed to be a planned city between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and was to be called 'Al Karama' (which means dignity in Arabic) as stated in the first version of the constitution. However, considering the earlier stage of the union was a volatile time, with multiple issues and various ordeals occurring, Abu Dhabi was made the temporary capital as it was the home of the UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed. Later, Abu Dhabi was declared to be the permanent capital of the UAE by the agreement of the rest of the seven UAE founding fathers. The capital and the seat of the three branches of the government were to be in the Abu Dhabi Capital District, while the rest of the city would continue to be a city catered to the native population and residents. Abu Dhabi is also the headquarters of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, with an enormous walled city outside of Abu Dhabi called Sheikh Zayed Military City hosting the defensive headquarters of the military. As a result, it is a common sight to see Emiratis in military fatigue around the city.

People
Many international companies, diplomatic outposts, and embassies are based in Abu Dhabi. The city has a population of approximately 1.87 million residents (2016), of which 294,000 are UAE nationals accounting for 15.7% of the city's population. In a bid to attract foreign investors and urban planners, the city followed in Dubai's footsteps by forming economic free zones, loosened Islamic laws, and increased real estate sales to foreigners. As the diplomatic center of the federal government, the city hosts various monuments and museums. The most recognizable icon is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which is a common visiting site for tourists and diplomats. The mosque allows non-Muslims to enter and explore the Islamic architecture of the mosque. Various monuments honoring Emirati achievements also exist, including the Oasis of Dignity (called Wahat Al Karama locally). The large monument faces the mosque and has the names of fallen Emirati soldiers inscribed in the memorial.

Diplomacy
In order to build the international status of the city as a diplomacy center, the UAE government formed very close relationship with other governments; most recognizably France and the United States. As a result, a lot of American-based companies and personnel are based in the city. The American embassy is the largest embassy in Abu Dhabi and almost recognizable as a landmark with its triangular design, as well as Abu Dhabi airport is one of the few airports hosting a US pre-clearance facility; the facility allows travelers to the US to clear immigration and customs at the airport, and arrive to the US as domestic travelers.

The official language of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE is Arabic, but English is the de facto lingua franca, and almost everyone speaks it. Emiratis are a minority in Abu Dhabi, and most of the population is comprised of foreigners; most retail workers and service staff are from India or the Philippines and do not speak Arabic. All signs are bilingual in Arabic and English and the city's atmosphere is very friendly to visitors. Occasionally, foreign head of states visit Abu Dhabi, so seeing roads lined with flags of various countries is a common sight. Seeing F-16 fighter jets flying over the skies of Abu Dhabi is also a common sight, as a major UAE-US airbase (Al Dhafrah airbase) is near the city and sometimes jets escort foreign dignitaries traveling to the UAE. The city's vibe changes depending on which foreign head of state visits it. The city was decorated with Chinese flags and the red color when the Chinese president visited, while the city was garnished with yellow and white when Pope Francis visited. The UAE flag is almost always everywhere, decorated with the red-white-black-green colors decorating the streets, buildings, tunnels, and skyscrapers.

Entertainment
The city has also been expanding its entertainment industry vastly, creating massive projects such as Formula 1 track, the Ferrari World theme park, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. There are several museums, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim museum (under construction), and the UAE's national museum - Zayed Museum (under construction).

The city is also a frequent host of Judo competitions by the International Judo Federation, Formula One races, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) championships. The city also hosts the finals of the UAE football Pro-League as well as Asian Federation Cup games in Sheikh Zayed Sports Stadium.

Climate
The city has an arid climate, with very hot temperatures in the summer; this time of year is usually spent indoors with air conditioning, especially between the morning and late afternoon. The weather is pleasant between mid-fall and early spring, which is a great time for outdoor dining and activities. Annual precipitation totals.

Orientation

 * Visit Abu Dhabi tourist information.

Most of Abu Dhabi is on a wedged-shaped island that lies from northwest to southeast, connected by three bridges to the mainland, and other bridges to other islands, most of which also eventually connect to the mainland. The main island features many 'superblocks' with wide, multi-lane roads dividing them and buses running routes along them. The other islands include:

 * Mariyah, which is home to the Abu Dhabi Global Market and Galleria Mall, as well as the Rosewood Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel.
 * Reem, which is largely residential but features two malls - Reem Mall and Shams Boutik.
 * Hudayriyat, which features pristine beaches and nature reserves.
 * Saadiyat, which is home to cultural and educational institutions as well as some beach clubs
 * Yas, which features the theme parks and many hospitality venues.

Street addresses in Abu Dhabi are simultaneously very logical and hopelessly confusing. Many major roads have traditional names which don't often correspond to the official names (e.g. Airport Rd and Rashid bin Saeed St). The city is divided into districts like Al Khalidiyya, and has recently named all main and side streets with numbered addresses (e.g. 107 Hamouda Bin Ali Al Dhaheri St for Galleria Mall). The system of main streets is straight forward after getting used to, but side street names are not often used day-to-day. The system, when used, is convenient since you can enter the address and navigate using Google Maps, this is especially useful for residential addresses, which unlike most businesses and hotels, are not listed as on Google Maps. As the system is new, adoption is still in progress, and you might get requests from delivery drivers asking for your location on WhatsApp to reach you. Most locals and long-time residents opt to ignore the system entirely and navigate using landmarks; if taking a taxi, odds are you will get to "behind the Hilton Baynunah" much faster than "Fifth Street, Sector 2". In any case, Google Maps is very widely used and you can reach almost any destination using it. Using ride-share apps (e.g. Careem) or even telling the name where you want to go to a taxi driver will let them immediately know where exactly you want to be dropped.

By plane

A viable alternative is to fly to Dubai International Airport in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai and continue onward to Abu Dhabi by bus or by taxi.

In combination with Sharjah International Airport just northwest of Dubai, all three airports in combination of two might allow for a cheap connection from Europe to Asia when self-organising transfer between the different airports.

See the specific airports for details on how to connect between them.

By road

The five-laned E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is the country's heaviest-traveled route, and the 130-km journey can be covered in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is a national speed limit of 120 km/h. This speed is wildly exceeded by some drivers. Stay out of the leftmost lane and drive carefully, especially at night. E11 is the longest highway in the Emirates.

If you rent a Limousine in Abu Dhabi, chances are that the car will warn you if go above 120 km/h. Depending on the vehicle, it might just be a flashing light or an accompanying, continuous, shrill beep. If you get annoyed by this, you might not want to exceed 120 km/h.

To travel directly into Abu Dhabi from Dubai on E11, keep to your left at Al Shahama and follow the E10 highway, which passes Yas Island (exit at the E12 highway) and Al Raha Beach on the way to the Sheikh Zayed Bridge into Abu Dhabi. This bridge connects directly to Salam Street (8th Street), a wide megahighway along the northern shore of Abu Dhabi Island. As an alternative to the Zayed Bridge, there are ramps off E10 that connect to the Maqta Bridge, which leads to 2nd Street (Airport Road) and to 4th Street (East Road or Muroor Road). During off-peak periods, these routes run fairly quickly into the city.

Parking
Parking within the city is monitored by Mawaqif, which also supply the parking meters. Parking meters have displays in English and Arabic. Darb is an app used for parking and tolls and is available on Android and iOS.

Finding a parking in main island of Abu Dhabi is a disaster. Parking spaces are extremely limited and most are parking designated for specific institutions. You are more likely to save time if you Uber or take a taxi to your destination instead of driving as finding a parking can take you hours. If you end up finding a parking, you'll have to walk a long way to reach your destination. Most people who own cars but live in mainland Abu Dhabi deliberately use taxis to get around due to the parking shortage. On the brighter side, shopping malls usually have free of charge underground parking with lots of parking spaces. Some close to door parking spaces are designated for electric or hybrid cars only as an incentive to drive electric cars.

Parking areas in Abu Dhabi are clearly marked; yellow and grey for no parking, blue and black for standard fare, and blue and white for premium fare.

By bus
You can get into Abu Dhabi from the other Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, etc., by bus. The Emirates Express between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is operated jointly by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai municipalities. The 130-km route takes around two hours. The buses operated by Dubai's RTA are luxury buses. There are also the Abu Dhabi transport buses. The first bus departs from the on the corner of Hazza bin Zayed the First (11th) St and East (4th) Rd at 5:30AM and the last leaves at 11:30PM; they leave at 30-minute intervals, or if the bus gets full sooner. From Dubai, the buses leave from 5:30AM, and run until 11:30PM, from the Al Ghubaiba station in Bur Dubai (opposite Carrefour Shopping). For bus times, see the timetable published on the Government of Dubai's website.

If you hold an Emirates flight ticket and arrive to or depart from Dubai airport, the airline offers a complimentary extension of your trip to/from Abu Dhabi. Buses depart from Dubai airport Terminal 3 and arrive to Emirates Abu Dhabi office located in Al Sawari Tower. Contact Emirates customer service for booking.

By taxi
Taxis are widely available everywhere. You can flag down any metered taxi on the street in Dubai or any other place in the UAE and ask to go to Abu Dhabi. Ride-share applications such as Uber and Careem are also available. An official taxi can be booked through the Abu Dhabi Taxi app.

Get around
Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence.

By taxi
Taxis are a good way to get around if you don't have a car. Abu Dhabi's taxis are relatively cheap. The main taxis are silver with yellow signs on the top. Flag fall costs 5 dirham, 5.50 dirham at night (10PM to 6AM) (2017) and the minimum fare is 12 dirham. You can flag one down from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, you can book a taxi in Abu Dhabi by calling 600535353 or by using the Abu Dhabi Taxi app, for a 4-dirham booking fee. Taxis will charge you 1.82 dirham per kilometer (2.93 dirham per mile), and 50 fils for every minute of waiting.

Taxis are monitored using GPS and are not allowed to give above certain speeds. These change depending on where the taxi is.

Newer-looking black cabs also go around town sometimes. These are airport taxis, which you can get on at Abu Dhabi airport and get off anywhere in the city for 60-100 dirham. You can recognise them with their coloured signs on the top, displaying text in English and Arabic.

You are not expected to tip taxi drivers, but gratuity will be extremely appreciated.

By bus
The main bus station in Abu Dhabi is near Hazaa Bin Zayed Road, adjacent to Al Wahdah Mall and Al Nahyan Stadium. You can get buses here going to the different points within the city as well as inter-city buses. The bus stand also serves as a taxi stand, for inter-emirate taxis. The inter-city buses and airport buses are easy to locate at the bus terminal, and well signposted. The route services depart from various stops in the vicinity, and not all enter the bus terminal proper. There is no directional signage or and no maps.

Hafilat card. Tickets can only be loaded on disposable or reusable smart cards. No cash is accepted by the drivers. The dark bluish green buses are air-conditioned but not wheelchair accessible. Passengers can board and alight at the designated stops along the route. These locations can be identified by the temporary Department of Transport bus stop poles or using the Darbi app. Bus stops that do not have the DoT bus stop sign may not be served as not all bus stops along the route are used.

Hafilat smart cards can be purchased from ticket machines which can be found at the main bus station, outside the Abu Dhabi Mall area and the airport. Machines are unremarkable and hard to spot, thus ask locals. Alternatively, cards can be purchased from some supermarkets including Lulu, Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and SPAR. The smallest amount you can put on the card is dirham. Each bus ride costs 2 dirham plus 0.05 (regular bus) or 0.10 dirham (express bus) per kilometer, so in practice, you need to have at least 2 dirham on the card when you get on the bus. The maximum fare for a single rider on a single trip is now 5 dirham as of December 2023. You have to punch in and punch out of each bus ride, so that the correct distance will be charged.

 * Route 5: Al Meena to Marina Mall via Abu Dhabi Mall and Hamden Street. Every 10 min, 06:30–23:30.
 * Route 7: Abu Dhabi Mall to Marina Mall via Zayed the 1st Street (also known as Electra). Every 10 min, 6:30AM–11:30PM.
 * Route 8: Tourist club to Break Water via Hamdan Street, Zayed the 2nd (via 4th) Street, Airport Road, Al Manhal Street. Every 20 min, 7:15AM–11:30PM.
 * Route 32: Sports City Carrefour to Marina Mall via Airport Road, Bus Station, and Zayed the 1st Street. Every 10 min, 6AM-10:40PM.
 * Route 54: Sports City Carrefour to Abu Dhabi Mall via East Read, Bus Station, and Hamden Street. Every 10 min, 6AM-11PM.

The older bus service, operated by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, operates bus routes within city and to the other emirates. The routes within the city are very few. The buses are modern and air-conditioned. The services are as punctual as possible and operate more or less around the clock. The front few seats are reserved for women, men and families should move towards the back of the bus.

By car
If you do decide to take the plunge and rent a car, beware that the street numbering system is unusual, and it can take weeks to get used to it. U-turns are allowed at almost every intersection from the left-most lane. When the left lane signal turns green, you simply have to swing a U-turn and come back. Whatever other flaws drivers here may have, they do not run red lights. There are cameras at many intersections, fines are high, and residents who are not citizens can be deported for reckless driving or running too many red lights. When the light starts flashing, that taxi in front of you will jam on the brakes, and you should, too. When the light turns green, however, expect someone behind you to honk at you immediately to get you moving. Almost all roads are monitored by remote radars, and you will get a hefty fine by mail for violating the speed limit without anyone stopping you or telling you you've been driving fast. The speed limit on speed signs is exactly the limit on which the radar will catch you. (There is no margin If you exceed the limit as in Dubai and other emirates, you will be fined if you exceed the written sign limit.)

Outside Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi license plates have a reputation for reckless drivers due to the large sized traffic lanes in Abu Dhabi, causing Abu Dhabi drivers to drive poorly when they move to smaller lanes in other emirates. Tempered drivers are common. They can pull out in front of you, change lanes at random, and text while driving. On the other hand, the ban on drunk driving is very strictly enforced.

The E11 Abu Dhabi to Dubai road is considered the most dangerous road in the UAE. Large number of people travel back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and a large number of them don't always pay attention on the road. The road broke the record for the largest traffic accident in UAE history. Its not uncommon to see drivers reading newspapers, or watching a movie across this segment of highway. Despite excellent roads, and a traffic signal system, vehicle accidents remain the largest cause of deaths in the UAE.

On foot
While walking in Abu Dhabi is not a problem for locals, tourists from colder climates will suffer from the heat and sun. The temperatures can exceed 45°C in the summer.

While staying inside or using a vehicle is a good idea, if you have to walk, try to do it night, when it is cooler. Plus, you won't get sunburnt. If you have to go during the day, wear plenty of SPF 50 sunblock, wear a hat and light clothing and try to keep in the shade as much as possible.

By bicycle
There is a separated cycleway that runs almost the entire length of the Corniche, as well as around Yas Island, and other parts of Abu Dhabi.

Careem Bike operates an electrically assisted shared bike system. The stations are mostly located near the waterfront.

See
Abu Dhabi offers a lot of historical and cultural sights but it certainly isn't lacking in modern attractions.

 * Religious buildings are in abundance in Abu Dhabi. There are mosques made out of a variety of materials and in several styles, such as the sandstone Ali Bin Ghanim Bin Hamouda near the Gold Souk, or futuristic Al Aziz Mosque on Reem Island. There is also a cluster of churches and mosques for different denominations adjacent to Umm Al Emarat Park. The Swaminarayan temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha is a large and impressive Hindu Mandir between Abu Dhabi and Dubai opening on 14 February 2024.
 * Abu Dhabi History Museum and Aquarium (Khalifa Park) 3PM-11PM. Not to be confused with the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum or The National Aquarium, this child-friendly museum features a 'dark ride' featuring animatronic Emiratis explaining the history and formation of the UAE from the nomadic era to the modern day. After the cart deposits you at the end of the ride, there is a small aquarium to see. Khalifa Park also features a train, horses and a mock heritage village. 7 dirham.
 * Port Mina Zayed. The 'Port Mina' district features excellent spots to view adjacent islands as well as passing cruise and container ships but is also a paradise for shoppers. Several blocks are dedicated to air conditioned outdoor 'souks'. These are the Fruit and Vegetables, Dates, Iranian, Flower, Rug, Pet and Fish Markets. There are several large gift shops in the vicinity of these markets. The Souq Al Mina is a modern complex near one of the ports and its restaurants feature excellent kombucha, pizza or a Balkan grill. The 421 Arts Campus is a warehouse repurposed as an arts space and it is also located in the Port area. Occasional exhibitions.
 * Religious buildings are in abundance in Abu Dhabi. There are mosques made out of a variety of materials and in several styles, such as the sandstone Ali Bin Ghanim Bin Hamouda near the Gold Souk, or futuristic Al Aziz Mosque on Reem Island. There is also a cluster of churches and mosques for different denominations adjacent to Umm Al Emarat Park. The Swaminarayan temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha is a large and impressive Hindu Mandir between Abu Dhabi and Dubai opening on 14 February 2024.
 * Abu Dhabi History Museum and Aquarium (Khalifa Park) 3PM-11PM. Not to be confused with the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum or The National Aquarium, this child-friendly museum features a 'dark ride' featuring animatronic Emiratis explaining the history and formation of the UAE from the nomadic era to the modern day. After the cart deposits you at the end of the ride, there is a small aquarium to see. Khalifa Park also features a train, horses and a mock heritage village. 7 dirham.
 * Port Mina Zayed. The 'Port Mina' district features excellent spots to view adjacent islands as well as passing cruise and container ships but is also a paradise for shoppers. Several blocks are dedicated to air conditioned outdoor 'souks'. These are the Fruit and Vegetables, Dates, Iranian, Flower, Rug, Pet and Fish Markets. There are several large gift shops in the vicinity of these markets. The Souq Al Mina is a modern complex near one of the ports and its restaurants feature excellent kombucha, pizza or a Balkan grill. The 421 Arts Campus is a warehouse repurposed as an arts space and it is also located in the Port area. Occasional exhibitions.
 * Port Mina Zayed. The 'Port Mina' district features excellent spots to view adjacent islands as well as passing cruise and container ships but is also a paradise for shoppers. Several blocks are dedicated to air conditioned outdoor 'souks'. These are the Fruit and Vegetables, Dates, Iranian, Flower, Rug, Pet and Fish Markets. There are several large gift shops in the vicinity of these markets. The Souq Al Mina is a modern complex near one of the ports and its restaurants feature excellent kombucha, pizza or a Balkan grill. The 421 Arts Campus is a warehouse repurposed as an arts space and it is also located in the Port area. Occasional exhibitions.

Parks
Abu Dhabi has several large green spaces, many of which include play areas and equipment for children, and the city is studded with lovely fountains, swathes of neon light, and the occasional sculpture.

Upcoming projects
There are a vast number of projects coming up in Abu Dhabi.

Do

 * Swimming at the public beaches of and.
 * Private beaches: Nearly all hotels and private clubs in Abu Dhabi offer swimming facilities, usually in the form of private beaches. You can pay for a day's use, or for a year's. Another, notably cheaper, option is The club, an organization geared towards expatriates.
 * Cricket: Zayed Cricket Stadium, capacity 20,000, is in Khalifa City east of the centre.
 * Cricket: Zayed Cricket Stadium, capacity 20,000, is in Khalifa City east of the centre.
 * Yas Island hosts attractions such as the F1 racing circuit and four theme parks: Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Waterworld. When there are no events, the F1 circuit is used for cycling and exercise and bikes can be hired onsite.
 * Kayaking or eco boating are possible through the Eastern Mangroves or Jubail Mangrove Park. There are several rental companies available in the vicinity of each. To find the kayak hire companies, head to Anantara Eastern Mangroves, walk past the hotel and down the promenade.
 * Exercise in the desert at the city's many running or cycle tracks such as at Al Wathba.
 * Yas Island hosts attractions such as the F1 racing circuit and four theme parks: Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Waterworld. When there are no events, the F1 circuit is used for cycling and exercise and bikes can be hired onsite.
 * Kayaking or eco boating are possible through the Eastern Mangroves or Jubail Mangrove Park. There are several rental companies available in the vicinity of each. To find the kayak hire companies, head to Anantara Eastern Mangroves, walk past the hotel and down the promenade.
 * Exercise in the desert at the city's many running or cycle tracks such as at Al Wathba.

Buy
Abu Dhabi is a compulsive shopper's dream. There are several malls, most of which have the same stores as other malls. Besides establishments aimed at locals, malls also include popular foreign chain stores, as well as designer places. Many visitors will be surprised at the female fashion dichotomy - while local custom calls for women to be covered in public, most stores sell short skirts and halter tops alongside the more sedate floor-length skirts and high-necked shirts.

 * Hamdan Centre (in the city centre on Hamdan Bin Mohammed St - Al Danah) M-Su 8AM-11PM. The oldest mall in Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Centre is a little dated but quite charming and an excellent spot for bargaining, gift shops, shoes and leather goods.
 * Gold Souk (Madinat Zayed Mall). Su-Th 9AM-10PM, Fr 4PM-10PM. A great place to get gold, jewelry, perfume and gifts. The adjacent mall is well known for its textiles.
 * Hamdan Centre (in the city centre on Hamdan Bin Mohammed St - Al Danah) M-Su 8AM-11PM. The oldest mall in Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Centre is a little dated but quite charming and an excellent spot for bargaining, gift shops, shoes and leather goods.
 * Gold Souk (Madinat Zayed Mall). Su-Th 9AM-10PM, Fr 4PM-10PM. A great place to get gold, jewelry, perfume and gifts. The adjacent mall is well known for its textiles.
 * Hamdan Centre (in the city centre on Hamdan Bin Mohammed St - Al Danah) M-Su 8AM-11PM. The oldest mall in Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Centre is a little dated but quite charming and an excellent spot for bargaining, gift shops, shoes and leather goods.
 * Gold Souk (Madinat Zayed Mall). Su-Th 9AM-10PM, Fr 4PM-10PM. A great place to get gold, jewelry, perfume and gifts. The adjacent mall is well known for its textiles.
 * Hamdan Centre (in the city centre on Hamdan Bin Mohammed St - Al Danah) M-Su 8AM-11PM. The oldest mall in Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Centre is a little dated but quite charming and an excellent spot for bargaining, gift shops, shoes and leather goods.
 * Gold Souk (Madinat Zayed Mall). Su-Th 9AM-10PM, Fr 4PM-10PM. A great place to get gold, jewelry, perfume and gifts. The adjacent mall is well known for its textiles.

There are also many small, independent stores around the city. On the bottom floor of one building, a person can purchase fancy chocolates, computer parts, antiques and clothing. It is better to purchase things such as carpets, art, native jewellery and antiques at the independent or souk-like places than at the malls, as the price will be lower and the shopkeepers more willing to haggle.

Bargaining is a big part of shopping in the Emirates, but be prudent. If prices are not marked, or a shopkeeper does not tell you the price is fixed, it will typically be up for negotiation. Don't bargain at Marks and Spencer or Hang Ten. Save your discounting skills for independent shops dealing in antiques and the like.

Shopping in most places can be frustrating, as the assistants will follow you around the store. This is partly due to their concept of what constitutes good service, and partly because there is a shoplifting problem. Most will not be intrusive, but some employees can be very pushy and overly obsequious. Smile and thank them often, and you're more likely to be left alone after a bit.

In carpet stores - or anywhere that sells tapestries, Indian antiques, and the like don't feel too pressured to buy, and don't be shocked if they start unrolling beautiful rug after beautiful rug at your feet. You are under no obligation to buy, no matter how much time they spend with you. However, the pressure will be very steady, and shyer shoppers may want to travel in packs for comfort's sake.

Grocery stores such as Spinney's, Carrefour and the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society are inexpensive and usually stocked with Western goods. Examine all products before purchasing. Visitors wishing to purchase pork products will likely have to enter a separate room to do so, typically labelled 'Non Muslim', as nationals are not permitted in these sections of the grocery stores.

Prices in Abu Dhabi tend to be very competitive. The UAE has a Value Added Tax of 5% on most products aside from basic food items. Prices displayed must be the price at the till - be wary if a shopkeeper claims an item is a given price, then adjusts the price to 'include' VAT.

General discount seasons are midyear and at the end of the year. There will typically be sales around public holidays and Summer. These are the time where you can get some branded items with a very low price, maybe last season's stock.

Eat

Most food is certified halal but some hotels are allowed to serve pork dishes.

Indian food is relatively cheap, Levantine food is widely available and there are a few Chinese restaurants with reasonable prices. Hotel restaurants are typically the most expensive. The city is home to all manner of fast food franchises like McDonald's and Hardees, usually located at malls.

The fun thing about Abu Dhabi is that most kitchens, from tiny falafel kiosks to grand hotel restaurants to Burger King, deliver anywhere in the city. Delivery is quick, reliable, and free at some restaurants. Delivery can be arranged via Whatsapp or apps like Talabat or Deliveroo.

Vegetarians will find the city's selection of meals very satisfying. Vegetable and bean-heavy native dishes, the array of splendid pure vegetarian Indian cuisine, and the ready availability of fresh salads make eating in Abu Dhabi a stress-free experience. Strict vegans may have a little difficulty communicating their precise demands, but most places offer vegan dishes and are always willing to accommodate a paying customer. The best choice for pure vegans is one of many Indian vegetarian restaurants like Evergreen, Sangeetha in the Tourist Club area.

Check the Islamic calendar to determine whether you will be visiting during the month of Ramadan. Since Muslims fast during daylight hours, some restaurants may be closed during the day. Customers are allowed to eat and drink in restaurants, cafes and food courts during fasting hours, but it is otherwise offensive to locals and officially against the law to eat, drink (including water), or smoke in public during fasting hours; this law was rarely enforced, and there are no recent reports of enforcement. Large hotels generally have one restaurant open during the day to serve meals to non-Muslims. During the evening, however, it's quite a different story, as the festive atmosphere of iftar (breaking the fast) begins and residents gather for lavish, Thanksgiving-like meals; most hotels and some restaurants offer iftar buffets, which are often busy and need to be booked in advance. As long as you don't mind tiding yourself over in private, the evening meals are magnificent.

Budget
Some of the cheapest food in the city can be found in many Indian restaurants. Portions are almost always generous, prices low, and quality excellent. Set meals of rice, fish curry, lentil curry (dhal), peppery soup (rasam), a vegetable side dish and perhaps a small fried fish, served on a large steel tray (thali) with little steel bowls for the accompaniments. The Keralite version of a thali is called a sadya and is usually served on weekends.

Cafeterias are ubiquitous. They will typically serve chai of some sort, instant coffee, juices and food like club sandwiches or 'Zinker' burgers. What they lack in atmosphere and decor they will make up with their deep fryers and affordability. Shawarmas and other wraps are also common across the city, and affordable. Abu Dhabi also has several Afghan bakeries that use gas-fired ovens and tandoors to produce flatbreads and wraps.

Around the Abu Dhabi Mall

 * Abil Fida (Near the Strand Hotel). Hearty and affordable Lebanese grill restaurant.
 * Abil Fida (Near the Strand Hotel). Hearty and affordable Lebanese grill restaurant.
 * Abil Fida (Near the Strand Hotel). Hearty and affordable Lebanese grill restaurant.

In the E10 district
There are several budget-friendly restaurants in this area.

Mid-range

 * Saudi Kitchen, Opposite Mushrif Mall. Traditional Gulf food, served in a traditional Gulf style - with each group seated on the floor and sharing their dishes.

Splurge
Abu Dhabi's pricier restaurants tend to be located in the higher-end hotels like the Rosewood on Al Maryah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves, or Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island.

Drink

Only restaurants in hotels were allowed to serve alcohol. Therefore, nightlife is typically associated with hotels. The legal minimum drinking age is 21 and bringing your own alcohol is not allowed in restaurants. Unlike some other Middle Eastern nations, the bars in Abu Dhabi will be able to accommodate most drink orders. Many licensed premises feature Brunch, which does not refer to a meal between breakfast and lunch but an all inclusive package, typically consisting of a few hours of food (sometimes a buffet), drinks and potentially entertainment.

There are many bottle shops around the city. A liquor license used to be required for residents to purchase alcohol to take off-premises, but this is no longer the case. Drinking in public outside of licensed premises remains illegal.

 * Heroes Never Die. This pub is at the basement of the Millennium Downtown. Run by the same company as Stars n Bars, this is a fun sports bar which often features a live band or DJ, as well as pool tables. Named after the eponymous and since-closed Heroes which was at the basement of the Crowne Hotel.
 * Craft by Side Hustle (in Galleria Mall) is the first gastropub/brewery in the Gulf.
 * Easy Tiger (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a divey bar with different attractions available each night such as a pub quiz ran by two Irish former teachers on Friday nights.
 * Nalukettu Restaurant (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a restaurant/bar selling good Keralan food with a reasonable drinks menu.
 * Heroes Never Die. This pub is at the basement of the Millennium Downtown. Run by the same company as Stars n Bars, this is a fun sports bar which often features a live band or DJ, as well as pool tables. Named after the eponymous and since-closed Heroes which was at the basement of the Crowne Hotel.
 * Craft by Side Hustle (in Galleria Mall) is the first gastropub/brewery in the Gulf.
 * Easy Tiger (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a divey bar with different attractions available each night such as a pub quiz ran by two Irish former teachers on Friday nights.
 * Nalukettu Restaurant (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a restaurant/bar selling good Keralan food with a reasonable drinks menu.
 * Heroes Never Die. This pub is at the basement of the Millennium Downtown. Run by the same company as Stars n Bars, this is a fun sports bar which often features a live band or DJ, as well as pool tables. Named after the eponymous and since-closed Heroes which was at the basement of the Crowne Hotel.
 * Craft by Side Hustle (in Galleria Mall) is the first gastropub/brewery in the Gulf.
 * Easy Tiger (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a divey bar with different attractions available each night such as a pub quiz ran by two Irish former teachers on Friday nights.
 * Nalukettu Restaurant (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a restaurant/bar selling good Keralan food with a reasonable drinks menu.
 * Nalukettu Restaurant (in Al Ain Palace Hotel) is a restaurant/bar selling good Keralan food with a reasonable drinks menu.

Sleep

Hotels are well-tended and host first class restaurants, pools and other high-end facilities.

Splurge

Stay safe
Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world 3 years in a row by 2019 by the largest crowd-sourced global database Numbeo. The city is extremely safe, however it never hurts to practice common sense. Some people may try to scam you through telephone messages or automated voice calls telling you that you won the lottery, that you're in a legal trouble for violating a law, or that a Sheikh has decided to give you free money, or something of that sort.

Taxi drivers are monitored and they're very safe. Rarely, crime does occur but is quickly dealt with by the federal police as the city is the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior. Law enforcement officers, police patrols, and police horse units are a common sight in the city.

Alcohol can only be consumed privately or in licensed public places. Drunk driving is a serious offence and getting caught may result in deportation.

Embassies
Being the national capital, Abu Dhabi hosts a large number of embassies. A majority of them are clustered in the Embassies District (Al Safarat) south of the Al Bateen Executive Airport and in the adjacent Al Ma'ared Area, west of Rabdan St and south of Shk Rashid bin Saeed Rd (Road #18); and the adjacent Capital Centre south of Al Karamah St surrounding the Exhibition Centre. There are others further northwest in Al Danah, Al Markaziyah and in other parts of the city as well. If corresponding by mail/post use their PO box address as mail is only delivered to a PO box with no post codes. If delivering to a street address with DHL, FedEx, UPS or another private courier be sure to include recipient's phone number so that the delivery driver can call for directions or clarification on the address. Some or most countries maintain an additional consulate in Dubai and only offer consular services from their Dubai consulate or from both locations. Check website links or call before going or sending any correspondences:

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇧🇭 Bahrain
 * 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇷 Iran
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇯🇴 Jordan
 * 🇰🇷 South Korea
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇳🇿 New Zealand
 * 🇴🇲 Oman
 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
 * 🇿🇦 South Africa
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

title: Abu Dhabi


text:
Abu Dhabi (emirate)

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the United Arab Emirates.

Cities

 * (Arabic: أبو ظبي) — the emirate's capital has colossal monuments, elegant museums, green boulevards, high-rise buildings, international luxury hotel chains and opulent shopping malls
 * (Arabic: العين) — this oasis town is the second-largest cityand home to cultural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list
 * (Arabic: مدينة مصدر) — A planned-city project in 2006 and designed to be a hub of clean-tech innovation

Other destinations

 * (Arabic: واحة ليوا) — a collection of Bedouin villages along the edge of the Empty Quarter that can be a base for dune-bashing and other desert safaris
 * — home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, near Abu Dhabi city
 * (Arabic: صير بنى ياس) —  plays host to a wildlife reserve with many varieties of animals, birds, plants, dolphins, and turtles

Understand
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates and the capital of the UAE. It occupies an area of. Its long coastline, the shallow waters of the Southern Gulf, extending from the base of the Qatar Peninsula in the west to the border of the emirate of Dubai on the north east, was once the world's best waters for pearling. When the pearling industry declined, oil discovery in the offshore oilfields of the Southern Gulf revived the economy of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi was also the first emirate to export oil from the Umm Shaif offshore field in 1962. On the land, it stretches south to the oases of Liwa where some of the world's largest sand dunes can be found and east to the ancient oasis of Al Ain. This makes Abu Dhabi the largest as well as the most populated of all the emirates.

Get in
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain  have international airports, although Abu Dhabi's is by far the larger and better-connected of the two. Coming in via neighboring Dubai is also a viable option: it's from Dubai to Abu Dhabi city and  to Al Ain.

Get around
Taxis are the preferred method of travel. They are cheap and have been replaced with a national service. fares start from approx USD1.50 and can take you from one side of the city to the other for less than USD10.

See
Abu Dhabi city is home to the 8th largest mosque in the world, an opulent palace, the national museum, an art gallery that is a branch of the Louvre, and an aquarium.

The Al Ain Museum and Fort was built to protect the oasis from raiders. Is museum recreates the way people of the region lived before the founding of the UAE. The Al Ain Oasis is the biggest in the region, and is made up of thousands of date palms.

At the Camel Souq about 5 km south of Al Ain, hundreds of camels are brought together to buy and sell.

The desert surrounding the border of Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia (the Empty Quarter) is an excellent spot for stargazing. Al Quaa is known as 'the milky way spot' and is the location of the Emirates Astronomical Observatory.

The highway between Liwa Oasis and Abu Dhabi has a few interesting sights that can be visited within a day. These include salt lakes and the Emirates National Auto Museum.

Do
Desert Safari trips are an exhilarating experience. You must book ahead, but this can often be done as late as the day before, by your hotel receptionist. The whole event normally starts late afternoon. You will be collected directly from your hotel. The trips vary slightly but normally you arrive back to your hotel in the evening around 22:00. Most packages include an exhilarating drive over the dunes by an experienced driver in a 4x4 vehicle, a short camel ride, delicious Arabic buffet and Belly Dancer. The belly dancer is normally included only if there are enough of you in your party so enquire at the time of booking.

Formula One or Grand Prix motor racing is held on the Yas Island circuit in Nov-Dec.

Abu Dhabi Skydive is based in Khalifa Industrial Zone along the highway to Dubai.

A safari to the Sir Bani Yas Island wildlife preserve will bring to its wonderful flora and fauna. You can also experience the island's hilly terrain on a bicycle, hike, snorkel, kayak, or do archery.

Drink
Non-Muslims are permitted to bring up to 4 litres of alcohol into Abu Dhabi. Alcohol is also available in hotel bars, but bringing any of it home requires a liquor license.

Stay safe
Very safe, no need to worry, take the usual common sense precautions.

title: Abu Dhabi (emirate)


text:
Abu Ghosh

Abu Ghosh is an Arab-Israeli town of 7,500 people (2018) in Israel. It is in one of the earliest areas of human habitation in Israel. Archaeological excavations have revealed three Neolithic settlement phases, the middle phase is dated to the 7th millennium BCE. In 2017, Abu Ghosh was described as a "model of coexistence."

Get in
Abu Ghosh is just outside Jerusalem on the road to Tel Aviv.

Eat
Abu Ghosh is famous for its food, particularly its hummus (chickpea paste). One of the restaurants in Abu Ghosh held a Guinness record for largest hummus dish, weighing 4 tons.

Go next

 * Jerusalem

title: Abu Ghosh