What’s So Special About Qasr al Hosn Festival?

Discover the history of Abu Dhabi’s oldest building which is celebrated between February 28 and March 9 in the form of an exquisite festival.

Image – slleong flickr

Abu Dhabi welcomes tourists all year round, many of whom are there by the gorgeous weather, first-class hotels, relaxing spas and retail opportunities. In spite of its contemporary attractions however, the quintessential Abu Dhabi is rooted in the past: in the buildings, art, museums and exhibits that recount a rich and turbulent history.

For a true taste of Abu Dhabi’s past, visitors should time their trip to coincide with Qasr al Hosn Festival. This year, it’s scheduled to take place between February 28 and March 9 at Qasr al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi’s oldest building. A series of historical exhibits, educational talks and interactive presentations will bring the past to life and grant an unprecedented insight into the Abu Dhabi of yore. While the festival promises to be an educational experience, that’s not to say it will be a sombre one. Expect to witness a colourful blend of food on sale, as well as arts and crafts, souk stalls and aromatic food outlets.

image – Miss Rogue flickr

The fort itself was established around 1760 when a watchtower was erected to guard the waterfront. Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab then turned it into a fully-fledged fort which is currently undergoing extensive restoration. It’s expected to be fully opened as a tourist attraction once work is completed. In the meantime, Qasr al Hosn Festival offers plenty to keep visitors entertained.

Throughout the ten-day festival, a range of talks will be hosted in both English and Arabic, giving visitors a chance to learn about 250 years of Emirati history. One of the undoubted highlights of the festival will be a show entitled ‘Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation’ by Franco Dragone, who was lauded for his work directing House of Dancing Water.

Specially designed for Qasr al Hosn Festival, Dragone’s show will combine music, dancing and stunning effects, all held beneath the canopy of a 5,600-square-metre tent which is one of the largest in the world. During the course of the 75-minute show, guests will be mesmerised by the spectacle of 70 accomplished performers revealing the hidden stories and secrets behind the historic fort. With professional acrobats, dancers and gymnasts, the show promises to entertain and educate in equal measure.

Guests who find themselves staying in Abu Dhabi during early March will be in prime position to enjoy this extravagant festival at their leisure. Combining the best elements of the old world and the new, Qasr al Hosn Festival is a cultural highlight that is not to be missed.

Glasgow – House for an Art Lover

Glasgow is one of the art capitals of Europe.

Home, producer and spirited supporter of all things artistic, it has become a popular destination for tourists in search of sprinklings of culture during their holiday. And Scotland’s largest city is in essence a living, breathing piece of art itself, with its stunning architecture and brushstroke streets interwoven into the story and historical themes of Glasgow.

Read on to find out about what artistic highlights you could enjoy during a trip to Glasgow this year.

Image – Baaker2009 flickr

Award-winning artists

The city’s artistic star has shone brightly in recent years, with the Glasgow School of Art being responsible for a staggering 29% of Turner Prize nominees since 2005 and three winners.

But Glasgow has been a hotbed of artistic talent for centuries, with its most famous son being Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This pioneering Art Nouveau artist and architect helped shape the very city itself through his work, with the Art School appropriately designed and now named after this cultural titan.

Image – Dalbera flickr

Galleries Galore

Few cities in the world can provide as rich an array of exhibition spaces, with holidaymakers taking a short break in Glasgow able to enjoy a truly multi-tiered artistic experience.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery is perhaps the city’s most iconic, containing one of Europe’s most diverse and rewarding collections of civic art. The Victorian mansion was recently refurbished at the turn of the century, ensuring it remains accessible for all visitors to view its Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Dali masterpieces.

Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art is as innovative as it is popular, with millions of art lovers having visited the site since it opened in 1996. Intended to stimulate discussion as well as enjoyment of art, it includes works by international icons Andy Warhol and David Hockney alongside local and national artists.

The Hunterian Art Gallery is the third of the city’s major collections and the oldest public museum in Scotland. Located in the heart of the west end, it displays works from throughout the country’s history and helps tourists get a feel for the artistic culture of Glasgow.

Image – Ross Goodman flickr

Something a bit different…                 

But art in Glasgow doesn’t just take place in museums.

The Glasgow Film Festival is a highlight in Scotland’s cultural calendar, with dozens of films making their UK debut at this silver screen extravaganza. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that movies continue to thrive in the city, with Glaswegians the most cinema-going populace anywhere in the world during the art form’s heyday in the 20th century.

In fact Glasgow’s cinemas are still some of the most popular anywhere in the UK, whether it is through locals wanting to see the latest blockbuster or tourists wishing to enjoy some Japanese art house cinema at the Glasgow Film Theatre.

What do you enjoy doing in Glasgow?

Edinburgh Hotels Go Portable

As the worlds elite athletes gather in London the worlds elite artisans congregate as they do every year in Edinburgh.

The incredible Edinburgh International Festival celebrates its 65th year this year and with it also being an Olympic year organisers are hoping it will be the busiest and best festival yet.

Accommodating and looking after the hundreds of thousands of performers, organisers and visitors that more than double Edinburgh’s population every summer is something that traditional Edinburgh hotels take great pride in doing extremely well.

This year Edinburgh will see its very first ‘pop up’ portable hotel.

The Snoozebox is a temporary hotel that will provide 120 fully furnished rooms, complete with ensuite bathrooms, flat screen TVs and a 24-hr reception.

The hotel will be transported by lorry to the Caltongate project development site in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The hotel will only take 72 hrs to assemble and it will be the first time such a hotel has been utilised in Scotland.

The Edinburgh Festival is in fact a collection of festivals that, include the Art Festival, Fringe Festival, Book Festival and many more.

Bangkok International Jazz Festival

Image via v a i r o j on Flickr

Each year in March, over 30 000 jazz fans congregate in Bangkok for one of Thailand’s most prestigious jazz events: the Bangkok International Jazz Festival , which attracts an enthusiastic mixed audience of locals, tourists, students and music professionals. In a city with a vibrant jazz scene that boasts numerous live performances throughout the year, this festival is an eagerly anticipated event, bringing the cream of local and international jazz talent to the heart of this buzzing city.

A fixture on Thailand’s music scene since 2003, the Bangkok International Jazz Festival has in recent years moved from its original location – in the peaceful, traditional surrounds of the Dusit Palace in Sanam Sua Pa – to the cutting-edge modernity of the Central World Plaza, southeast Asia’s second largest shopping complex. Against this edgy backdrop in the bustling Ratchaprasong shopping area of the Pathun Wan district, the week-long festival draws big names in jazz from around the world.

Frequent performers include acts such as Christian McBride and his band Inside Straight; Danish singer Annekei; and renowned trumpeter Randy Brecker, who performs with the stellar line-up of the Soulbop band. Also catch performances from the likes of Chielie Minucci and Special EFX, Melody Gardot, Jazz Kamikaze, Mariko Edno, Inger Marie, and Jirapan and Blue Sapphire. It’s an eclectic line-up which offers something for fans of every type of jazz.

The jazz festival is one of many attractions in a city that is a fascinating blend of the modern and traditional. From the royal splendour of the Grand Palace to the crowded  charm of the many street markets, from the serenity of the Buddhist temples to the sleek sophistication of the metropolis’s many trendy hotels and bars, there is something to capture every interest in Thailand’s capital city. Book your flights to Bangkok now and start planning a wonderful foray into an exotic country with a cool edge, and – if you time your trip well – soak up the flavour of some of the world’s best jazz.

To get your toes tapping now, check out past performances from some of the festival’s favourite acts in this video playlist of Bangkok International Jazz Festival performers.