AL AIN PALACE MUSEUM

Also known as Qasr Al Ain, this is the former palace of Sheikh Zayed. Built in 1910, he lived here until 1966 with his third wife, Sheikha Fatima, before moving to Abu Dhabi as President of the United Arab Emirates. The palace was transformed into a museum and opened its doors in 1998. A visit to this sublime residence is a fascinating insight into the royal family's lifestyle, its past and daily life before the Union in 1971. The palace is made up of a succession of inner courtyards, each with its own well-defined function: guest quarters, VIP areas, family quarters, where you can discover the majlis (lounges), kitchens, coffee rooms, classrooms, bedrooms and even Sheikh Zayed's famous Land Rover, which so often took him into the desert. The royal family, from ancestors to descendants, is featured prominently in the museum through various portraits and a huge family tree. Note that neither the family tree nor the photos mention the women in the family... Mothers, sisters and daughters do exist, but the Emiratis don't talk about them or show them, as this would go against the rules of propriety. For the same reason, Emiratis are never asked how their wives are (as this would be interpreted as a lack of respect), but how their families are... The gardens are peaceful. Guided tours can be booked when the gardens reopen.