Bahrain Holidays

Emirates Holiday offering you complete information about Holiday Ideas around United Arab Emirates. Here we are offering you information about Bahrain, which is also a popular holiday point in United Arab Emirates. Journey experiences in the Middle East for those with a passion for exploration. Strikingly modern cities, guaranteed sunshine, exotic food, mysterious ruins, palaces and temples and unique geographical wonders.

An archipelago (a chain or cluster of islands) of 33 islands, Bahrain is a great introduction to the Gulf States. In the ancient world it was a great trading power now the country is an exotic blend of ancient and modern. Skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodying Islamic art, culture and architecture. There are also long stretches of sandy beaches and exquisite coral reefs. And make sure to try the food, spicy and delicious why not wash down the lamb with a shot of arks?

Bahrain is home to a splendid racetrack, which houses 10,000 horse-mad spectators. However, be warned that people who come to watch horse racing do so because of the thrill of the race – gambling is not permitted.

Or you can choose to chill out with a round on Bahrain's greens, at the 72-par Riffa golf course.

The course is a man-made tropical oasis in the sandy expanse of Bahrain, featuring impressive water features, which while appearing to be indulgent given Bahrain's desert climate, uses recycled water to ensure your golfing is ecologically sound.

After you have had your fill of Bahrain's sports, try a bit of shopping and bartering at the souk, a traditional market selling all manner of local wares and produce.

An eruption of colors and smells, the modern-day souk offers exotic fruits, spices, cloths, gold and jewellery, which with a little persistence and haggling, can be picked up for the right price.

For a bit of history, investigate Al-Khamis mosque, which is widely considered to be one of the oldest Islamic relics in the region, dating back to as early as 692 AD.

Or there is the ancient Bahrain Fort, which is believed to have been constructed in around 2800 BC, and since been overlaid by additional fortifications, the most recent being by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

Introduction
Bahrain is an archipelago (a chain or cluster of islands) of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia's east coast and the Qatar peninsula. At the centre of the island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are to be found in this area. The main island has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore. There are extensive date gardens to the north with irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic 24km- long King Fahad Causeway links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

Manama, Bahrain's capital is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the southeast of the market area and is particularly impressive during the hours of darkness.

Much land, including the diplomatic area, has been reclaimed from the sea. The ancient city capital of Bilad al-Qadim, which dates from AD 900, is just outside the new city.

To example some of Bahrain's past, a visit to the A'ali Burial Mounds is recommended. This is the site for probably the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000 BC and AD 600. Other sites of antiquity include The House of Beit al-Jasra (birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain), Beit al-Siyadi (the 19th-century house of a pearl merchant), Barbar Temple, the ancient forts of Arad, Bahrain, and Riffa; the National Museum (tracing the archaeological development of Bahrain and including an ancient burial mound dating from 2800 BC that was transported from the desert and reassembled), Bait al-Qur'an (site of a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts), the al-Fateh Grand Mosque (Bahrain's largest mosque), the Heritage Centre (focusing on traditional Bahraini culture) and a number of Oil Museums. In the old quarter of the town, ancient houses still retain their ‘wind towers'. Constructed 5-6m (16-20ft) above the house and open on all four sides, they act as primitive air-conditioning units. Other attractions include long stretches of sandy beach and coral reefs. The largest and most pleasant beach can be found at Al-Jazeer, complete with beach huts, pavillions, and picnic areas. Trips in traditional boats (dhows) can be taken across the islands to many locations, including A'ali Village, b (containing endangered species such as Arabian Onyx), al-Bander Resort, al-Dar Islands, Desert Camp, Jebel Dukhan (Mountain of Smoke), King Fahad Causeway and Tree of Life.