Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain Grand Prix has rapidly become one of the biggest sporting and social occasions in the Middle East and one of the most respected races on the global stage. 
By hosting the Grand Prix and other motor sport events Bahrain has earned a reputation as a centre of motor sport in the Gulf. 

Bahrain opened the 2010 F1 season with its seventh Grand Prix, which took place on 12-13-14  March. Chart-topping artists and motor racing's elite combined to attract a record-breaking crowd to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. More than 100,000 people flocked to the Sakhir circuit for the first race of this year's F1 season, smashing last year's record of 97,000.  Bahrain will also host the first race of the 2011 F1 season.

The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is one of the world's premier motor sport facilities.  Under the direction of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a passionate motor sport enthusiast, the Kingdom worked closely with Formula One in creating the most innovatively designed track in the world, equipped with the most cutting edge technology and supported by the world–class infrastructure.  At the inaugural race in 2004, the BIC was awarded the ‘Best Organised Grand Prix’ by the FIA.

The BIC also hosts the Hummer Driving Academy, the only one of its kind outside the US, and “open track” days allow racing fans to bring their own car or bike to the track. 
Bahrain hosts the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series – the only round of the series not to take place in either New Zealand or Australia. There is also the BIC’s very own series, the “Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship” where all the Class A cars are built by an all-Bahraini qualified team of mechanics.  www.bahraingp.com 

Water sports 
Bahrain's temperature and climate are ideal for water sports enabling enthusiasts to enjoy their hobbies almost all year round. The warm shallow waters of the Arabian Gulf offer a great setting for many aquatic pursuits from nighttime sea fishing to sailing and scuba diving.
Known for its pearl industry, Bahrain allows visitors to dive for their own pearls with the help of the Aquatique Scuba Centre; or take a 40-minute boat ride to the Hawar Islands and look out for the dolphins who play in the calm Gulf seas while flamingos stalk through the shallow waters. 
In a bid to replenish fish stocks and marine life, Bahrain is launching an artificial reef project in October 2010. Approximately 15,000 artificial reefs are to be deposited in Bahrain’s seas to provide a new habitat for fish species and support the fragile ecosystem.

Horse riding
Horses have been part of Bahraini culture for centuries. A unique collection of pure-bred Arabian horses has been preserved on the island for over 200 years by the Royal family. Bahrain's love of all things equestrian is further revealed in its splendid racetrack, together with a grandstand that seats 10,000 spectators. Meets are held every Friday from October to March. 

Golf 
Bahrain may be largely a desert country but it is home to an immaculate, international 18-hole grass golf course, situated around 15 miles outside of Manama. The par 72 championship course
at the Royal Golf Club (Riffa) features five lakes and is landscaped with hundreds of date palms and desert rough. The fairways and greens cover 6,817 yards.  The Club was designed by a leading golf designer, Karl Litton and comprises of beautiful landscaped shrubbery and palms. 
In July 2010, it was announced that a new ‘Tournament of Champions’, sponsored by Volvo, will be played in Bahrain from 27th to 30th January 2011 on the Montgomerie Course which re-opened in 2009 following extensive redevelopment spearheaded by the current European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. Only previous European tour winners will be eligible to play.
http://www.theroyalgolfclub.com/ 

Cruising
The Middle East has huge potential for cruise tourism. With more international and luxury brands deploying ships in the region, passenger numbers are due to rise sharply at all major ports of call. Bahrain itself is aiming to become a major player in the Gulf's cruise ship market and expects to have received 100,000 passengers from November 2009 to April 2010. 
In April 2010, Royal Caribbean International's liner Brilliance of the Seas docked into the new port of Bahrain, Khalifa Bin Salman, as part of the company's new five stop, winter cruise programme in the Arabian Gulf.
In May 2010, Bahrain played host to senior executives from major cruise lines at the first Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum.  Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture & Information hosted senior executives responsible for itinerary planning from the international and luxury cruise lines. To date, key executives from Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Seabourn, Silversea and TUI are signed up for the Forum.
Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman commented, “Bahrain is the ideal destination to host the first Middle East Cruise Forum. The tourism authority is already bringing together hotels, the port, tour operators, agents, airport and customs to ensure a smooth stop for cruise lines.  The Cruise Forum will be the ideal opportunity for these stakeholders to meet the executives responsible for itinerary planning and hear from them what makes a first class port of call as well as homeport.” 

Fine Dining
There is a great variety of restaurants in Bahrain that serve authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, Far Eastern and Chinese menus, Indian, European and light cafe meals and bakeries.  The Adliya area in particular has some of the best places to eat at, all within walking distance of each other.
Please visit http://www.bahrain.com/restaurants-in-Bahrain.aspx for a list of Restaurants in Bahrain.

Bahrain Exhibitions (Highlights) 
Bahrain’s Exhibition & Convention Authority held 139 conventions or exhibitions in Bahrain in 2009 (an 11% rise on 2008). The Authority expects even more growth in bookings in 2010. 

The 5th Spring of Culture Festival
Taking place each March, and now in its fifth year, The Spring of Culture festival celebrates the very best of all aspects of local, regional and international performers across music, dance, visual art, poetry, philosophy and more. It is the biggest and most exciting cultural festival in the Gulf. Most events at the 2010 festival were free to enter, whilst the total budget stood at approximately BD700, 000 ($1.9m).
Artists who have headlined in previous years include Lebanese singing legend, Fairouz, considered by many to be the most important Arabic vocalist alive, Senegalese singer and percussionist Youssou N’Dour, Grammy Award-winning Angelique Kidjo, and Stomp. The headliner this year was jazz singer Diana Krall.

Cisco Networkers 2010
Cisco Networkers was held for the first time in the Middle East from 28-31 March 2010 at the Bahrain International Circuit. This industry leading training, education and networking event is under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Bahrain International Airshow
The inaugural Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2010 introduced a totally new concept to the global aerospace community.   The three-day event, hosted at the Sakhir Airbase, adjacent to the Bahrain International Grand Prix Circuit, took place from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 January 2010.

12th Venice Architecture Biennale 
In August 2010 Bahrain went down in history as the first Arab country to win the Golden Lion for Best Pavilion at the 12th Venice Architecture Biennale, beating 52 other participating countries and proving the country’s cultural, artistic and architectural strides.