FEELS LIKE SUMMER

From the highest mountains to a fascinating world underwater, here are 10 experiences—new and lesser-known—around the world to make the most of this holiday season

- SHIBANI BAWA

SUMMER IS THE TIME TO GET outdoors and explore the world. While Abu Dhabi is all set to welcome SeaWorld, the Great Barrier Reef offers a cruise that lets you sleep in the middle of the ocean overnight. Canada is all about the spectacular glaciers and gorgeous national parks, but its indigenous heritage offers a glimpse into its pre-European history. The mode of transport that you choose can lend an entirely different experience at a destination. E-biking your way through Swtizerland or booking yourself on Laos’s high-speed train are highly recommended. While Nepal has dense forests that are waiting to be explored, Thailand’s lesser-known regions make for an adventurous vacation. So what are you waiting for– book that summer holiday now!

1 Underwater Fun at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi 

The most awaited opening in the UAE this summer is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Scheduled to open this month, it promises all the fun that this marine-life theme park is known for, plus more. The park has been 30 years in the making and like most things in this part of the world, it will feature one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world with the largest concentration of underwater species combined with the latest technology. Located beneath the Arabian Gulf, it is spread across 1,83,000 square metres over five floors and eight ‘realms’. Among the realms, the Abu Dhabi Ocean will have animals native to this region and will include stories from the UAE’s seafaring past; the Polar Ocean showcases marine life in both Antarctica and the Arctic; and Tropical Ocean has dolphins, flamingos, and tropical birds. The park is themed around a ‘One Ocean’ story that highlights the interconnectivity between life on earth and the ocean. seaworldabudhabi.com