GONE are the days when a long weekend break was limited to Europe.

It will soon be possible to consider travelling as far afield as Abu Dhabi. The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Abu Dhabi offers all year-round sunshine, a safe environment, top class hotels, restaurants and fabulous beaches. The official language is Arabic. However English is as widely spoken and getting around is easy. Taxis and buses are clean, cheap and efficient.

Etihad begin their daily flights next month and I had the opportunity to try their service ahead of the launch. First things first. Create a bucket list and mine included: ride a camel, find a pearl, meet a falcon, take a speedboat and visit Ferrari World and experience the world's fastest roller coaster, all this during my three-day stay!

If I was to complete my list I would have to arrive refreshed having flown overnight. Abu Dhabi is just over seven hours flying time from Edinburgh and local time is 3 hours ahead of the UK.

The airline took the strain and it's no wonder they continues to win best airline in the world awards. Their service exudes quality. For example, you can use your mobile and watch live television during your flight. In Business Class you can enjoy a la carte, on demand dining with champagne while resting in your luxury seat pod that transforms into a 6ft bed. Who doesn't like being pampered?

So I arrived refreshed. The weather was a pleasant 29 degrees with a cool desert breeze and little humidity. Just a 30 minute taxi ride from the airport I checking in to the St Regis, a five star hotel, situated within the twin National Towers skyscrapers at the far end of the 'Corniche', a promenade that stretches for around five miles, from The Emirates Palace to Mina Port.

The hotel features The Abu Dhabi Suite, set into the sky bridge 656ft off the ground between the two towers. It has astonishing 360 degree panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, the city's skyline and the surrounding islands (Lewis Hamilton has stayed here). My own room also had spectacular views. Each room at The St Regis is between to 33rd and 48th floors and offers skyline views. Unpacking wasn't a problem in this hotel. Their signature butler service is complimentary for every room and it's something missed when I returned home (take note Mrs Lland).

During the day a great place to seek shade is a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with its spectacular white marble super structures. It was built on ground raised specially to allow the mosque to be viewed, and heard, from all over the city. Remember it's courteous to dress modestly, especially during Ramadan. In case you forget then suitable outfits are available to visitors. This is a city of world records and the mosque contains the world's largest carpet measuring 60,570 sq ft and weighing 35 tons. It took two years to complete. Everything about the building is big and bold and the main worship halls feature seven chandeliers from Germany incorporating millions of rainbow Swarovski crystals. It's well worth a visit.

It's easy to get absorbed into the world of luxury and opulence but to get a true idea of Arabic life a two-hour drive into the desert reveals the Arabian Nights Village, an oasis amid the desert dunes, where I ticked off a camel ride, watched a belly dancer and completed an adrenaline-filled tour of mountainous sand dunes in a fleet of four-wheel drive land cruisers. The village also offers a range of accommodation from luxury rooms to 21st century tents where you can sleep under the stars in the cool desert evening.

Back in the city it was difficult to comprehend that, just 50 years ago, Abu Dhabi was little more than a fishing village comprising a fort, a few coral buildings and a smattering of barasti huts. In 2007 CNN named it the richest city in the world founded on its oil wealth. Now with the oil predicted to run out sometime after 2100, the country is investing heavily to attract visitors with a mixture of infrastructure and investments. As part of this plan, on Saadiyat Island, 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi, you can see the progress of three new museums planned for the city. December 2015 is the anticipated opening date for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, soon to be joined by the Zayed National Museum in 2016, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2017. It is hoped these key cultural landmarks in their adopted countries will attract locals and overseas visitors alike.

I'm a huge Formula One and Ferrari fan and one of the main attractions of Abu Dhabi is to be found on Yas Island. I joined the Tifosi at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest covered theme park which opened in 2010 and is home to Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster. Specially built for adrenalin seekers, it accelerates to 150mph in a neck breaking five seconds. I don't really like roller coasters and this one didn't change my view, it was 45 seconds of my life spent with my eyes closed. 

But you don't have to punish your body. The park has more than 20 attractions with something for all the family. I loved the 'electric' go karts. Racing round the indoor circuit was a highlight for me and winning the race was a bonus. A more leisurely ride lets you travel through a miniature Italy in a 1950s Ferrari 250; or you could race a variety of Ferraris on the virtual Yas Marina Circuit of the Scuderia Challenge.

The actual Yas Marina circuit is just next door. It's been home to the ultimate race of the F1 season for years, the Etihad Airways Grand Prix staged in November. The circuit is home to another first, the Yas Viceroy, the only hotel in the world to bridge a Formula One race circuit. It's  impressive LED-embellished, lattice-styled canopy greets you by night and shades you from the Abu Dhabi sunshine by day. It's featured during the race as the only Grand Prix to start in the day and finish at night. Gastronomic delights are abundant at Yas Viceroy with its six restaurants, including the terrace where you can enjoy fine dining while watching F1 super cars pass just feet away.

It's not all high tech in Abu Dhabi. It also has some spectacular wild areas within the city. One of them, the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park was the starting point for my pearl journey. The city's pearling history was explained on a 90-minute dhow cruise, seated on Arabian floor cushions, enjoying Arabic coffee and dates. I tried my hand at opening a living, natural oyster and found a pearl (everyone does) and as a bonus you get to keep it (another present bagged).

Back at the St Regis it was Italian night, another memorable meal at the Villa Toscana restaurant before retiring and dreaming of life as a pearl diver in the Arabian Sea.

On my last day it was time for something different. I visited the Falcon Hospital as I was interested in seeing what makes this emblem of the UAE part of daily life here. Originally used for hunting, falcons are now kept purely for sport. I watched as these regal birds were pampered, preened and prepared for action. I also discovered that Falcons can fly in the aircraft cabin beside their owners.

Abu Dhabi can boast more quality hotels than many capital cities, including the '7 star' Emirates Palace, the second most expensive hotel ever built (£1.9billion). It's spectacular and features in the latest Fast and Furious 7 movie. Despite its size, the main building is more than half a mile wide from wing to wing. It has 394 rooms/suites including the top most floor with six Rulers' Suites, reserved solely for royalty and dignitaries. It was built by, and is owned by, the Abu Dhabi government.

The hotel's marina is the home of the Yellow Boats speedboat tours that take place on the turquoise coloured Arabian gulf. You get a different perspective of this amazing city from the water. It's a city of contrasts, with new developments and a stunning coastline. If you're lucky enough you could see a pod of dolphins which frequent the bay.

For the best views of the city a visit to Level 74. The Observation Deck at 300, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel is the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, best visited at sunset for stunning photo opportunities.

Abu Dhabi boasts great weather throughout the year and it was still hot enough for alfresco dining late into night. The St Regis has its own private beach, spa and restaurant complex accessed by a long marble lined subterranean tunnel from the hotel. A visit to Asia de Cuba is a must. The food is excellent and the music is a mixture of Latin and jazz.

Alas, all too soon my three days were over and it was back to the airport for the return flight to Edinburgh where I played my destination board game picking my next destination from Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, all serviced by Etihad from Abu Dhabi.

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Etihad airways: Daily service from Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi begins on 8th June, 2015. 

A return flight from Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways costs from £413 pp (Economy Class) and £1,980 pp (Business Class). Must book by 01 June 2015. Valid for travel until 31 March 2016. For reservations, please call Etihad Airways on 0345 6081225 or visit www.etihad.com

A three night break in Abu Dhabi (with the last night spent on the return flight but with late check out from the hotel for the night flight) costs from £749 per person with Etihad Holidays. This includes return Economy Class flights from Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, three nights in a Superior Sea View room at the St RegisAbu Dhabi (www.stregisabudhabi.com) including breakfast and FREE upgrade to half board,return airport transfers and two-day pass to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld. Price is based on two people sharing, includes all taxes and is valid for travel until 30 September 2015, subject to availability. Must book before 31 May 2015. Bookings made after 31 May will not be eligible for the free upgrade to half board. For reservations, please call Etihad Holidays on 0844 557 0646 or visit www.etihadholidays.co.uk. For more information on Abu Dhabi, see www.visitabudhabi.ae

The St. Regis, Abu Dhabi: rooms from £108.49** single occupancy low season and £153.70** high season - www.stregisabudhabi.com

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: www.szgmc.ae/en/

Arabian Nights Village: Desert days safari. Adult £54 Child (6-12) £36. Rooms from £205. Suites from £447. -www.arabiannightsvillage.com/

Manarat Al Saadiyat Island: saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: All day pass from £45 - www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Yas marina circuit:  Rooms from £107** - www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/abudhabi

Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey: From £90 - www.adpearljourney.com/

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: www.falconhospital.com

Emirates Palace Hotel: - Rooms from £990** Suites from £2800** - www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace

The Yellow Boats: Adult £36 Child £27 - www.theyellowboats.com/abu-dhabi

Observation Deck at 300: at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Entrance £13 (£9 redeemable against food and beverages) - www.jumeirah.com

Asia de Cuba St Regis: www.asiadecuba.com/abu_dhabi

Based on exchange rate at 28th April 2015 (£1 = 5.59 AED)

*Terms and conditions apply ** Plus 10% tourism fee and 6% service charge