1. Emirates Palace Cappuccino Photo courtesy of Ginny McNulty

To give your guests a real taste of UAE extravagance, get dolled up and head over to Emirates Palace, the most expensive hotel ever built and one of Abu Dhabi’s most celebrated sites. Enter through the expansive foyer of gold décor, mosaic-tiled walls and ornate ceiling moldings and head towards Le Café. Treat yourselves to the infamous Emirates Palace Cappuccino, topped with 24-carat gold flakes. While it may be the most expensive drink you will ever have, sipping on precious metals is something you only get to do in the UAE.

Cost: 50 AED for an Emirates Palace Cappuccino

Contact: 02 690 7999

2. Desert Safari Tour Photo courtesy of Jonathan Tan

This is an absolute must for guests wanting to see something outside of the city. An exhilarating dune bashing, more intense than any rollercoaster, brings you to the camp in the middle of the desert where there is henna painting, sand surfing, belly dancing and camel riding. The buffett dinner is followed by shisha and star-gazing. The tour is easy to arrange, even on short notice. It begins with pick-up anywhere in the city at around 4 p.m. and drop off by 10pm.

Cost: 200 AED per person, all inclusive

Contact: 02 446 6346

3. Grand Mosque Photo courtesy of Jonathan Tan

The pride of Abu Dhabi and one of the world’s largest mosques is well worth a visit. It is home to the third largest chandelier in the world and the largest carpet, measuring 60,570 square feet. Abayas are available free of charge at the entrance for female visitors to cover before entering the Mosque. Best time is to head there around 5 p.m. in order to see the Mosque in daylight as well as catch the sunset and evening call for prayer. Don’t forget to take your guests to the bathroom. While that might sound strange, ablution, or the ceremonial act of washing oneself, is an important part of the culture at the Mosque, and the facilities to do so are impressive.

Cost: Free entry, approximately 30 AED taxi ride from city center

4. Dhow Cruise Photo by Bailey Theado/The Gazelle

For an evening out, experience the city from the sea on a two-hour Dhow dinner cruise. After an elegant and delicious Arabic dinner onboard — featuring the fresh seafood catch of the day — head to the top of the double-decker dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, and see an illuminated Abu Dhabi. The impressive architecture of the city is even more exhilarating by night. You won’t want to forget your camera as the wooden boat circles the city.

Cost: 180 AED per person

Contact: 055 484 2001 or visit www.abudhabidhowcruise.com

5. Kayak through the mangroves Photo courtesy of Simon Huang

While Abu Dhabi is a city that appears to be under constant construction, there are natural parts of the UAE that should not be overlooked. The mangrove forests are an important part of the coastal ecosystem, providing natural habitat for all kinds of sea creatures, preventing coastline erosion and reducing carbon emissions. Escape the city landscape and take your visitors kayaking with Seahawk Water Sports through this fascinating ecosystem for a calm yet adventurous excursion. Look out for the massive, colorful crabs that scurry along as you pass by.

Cost: 150 AED per person for a guided tour

Contact: 02 673 6688 or visit www.shw-sports.com

6. Jet ski Photo via http://commons.wikimedia.org/

If your guests want experience Abu Dhabi by sea but the Dhow cruise is not for them, try a water activity like jet skiing. This exciting aquatic pastime is a thrilling way to not only explore the Abu Dhabi waters, but to see the city skyline from a distance by day. Race one another away from the shore with Al Sarook Jet Skis for an afternoon of fun that goes beyond the beach.

Cost: 140 AED per hour

Location: Al Sarook Jet Skis located next to Shangri la hotel, open seven days per week, from 9am to 6pm.

Contact: 055 533 6634

7. Arabian Saluki Centre Photo courtesy of Ginny McNulty

While the UAE is synonymous with animals like the camel or the falcon, expose your guests to a different kind of desert creature at no additional cost. The Arabian Saluki Center, located near the more commonly visited Falcon Hospital, honors the cultural heritage of Arabian Hunting by providing care services for Salukis. Salukis are desert hounds that have been bred by Bedouins for thousand of years. There is no entrance fee to visit the center, and the staff encourages you to interact with these slim-statured dogs. But don’t forget to warn your guests that these friendly dogs love to jump and play with newcomers to the center.

Cost: Free entry, approximately 70 AED taxi ride from city centre

Contact: 02 575 5330 or visit www.arabiansaluki.ae

8. Al Mina Fish Market Photo by Amanda Randone/The Gazelle

For the freshest flavors of Abu Dhabi, head to the Al Mina Fish Market. As you enter the Mina Port, the intense odor will be enough to direct you to this souk. Vendors will be offering special deals on a colorful variety of seafood, brought in that morning, from shrimp to salmon to the local specialty, hammour. Take your pick and have it grilled under the same roof. Enjoy this meal, prepared exactly how you like it, as you sit on the marina with your guests.

Cost: 20 AED for the cab ride, price of fish will vary

Location: Al Mina Port

9. Colombiano Coffee House Photo by Clare Hennig/The Gazelle

The 360 degree view from this cafe, located near the top of the 55-floor-high Burj Al Marine, offers a stunning view of Abu Dhabi from a completely different perspective. This is the best vantage point to spot highlights of the city such as the Emirates Palace and the Marina while sipping coffee.

Cost: 20 - 30 AED for a blended coffee or smoothie

Location: Floor ‘V’ of Burj Al Marina, Marina Mall

10. Dubai for a day Photo by Andres Rodriguez/The Gazelle

If the pressure of being a host and a student is too much to handle, help your guests plan an itinerary for a day in Dubai. Put them on an 25 AED bus to our neighboring emirate to see the world’s tallest building, fountains that dance, the largest candy store or an underground aquarium. You can even send them to the Dubai Creek to experience traditional spice and gold souks, unlike anything they could find in Abu Dhabi. While your guests are off exploring Dubai, take an entire day to yourself to catch up, regroup and reorganize.

Cost: 50 AED bus ticket for both ways

Location: Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station