Disappointed by the tourist experience around Louvre Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates is extraordinary — the scale and history hit you immediately. But the experience around it has been thoroughly commercialised. Getting there, navigating the crowds, and dealing with persistent sellers around Fujairah centre made it more stressful than it should be.

Away from the main sites the country improves dramatically. The food (hummus especially) is excellent and extraordinary modern architecture was genuinely memorable. But I'd wish for a smoother experience at the headline attractions. It's still worth the trip — just lower your expectations around the big sights.