United Arab Emirates

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Why visit United Arab Emirates?

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The United Arab Emirates... For most people, the United Arab Emirates means just one place: Dubai, the city of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls, indoor ski slopes and lavish beach resorts. But guess what? Beyond the glitter awaits a diverse mosaic of six more emirates, each with its own character and allure. An hour's drive south, oil-rich Abu Dhabi, the country's capital, is quickly gaining a reputation as a hub of culture, sport and leisure. Beyond its borders looms the vast Al Gharbia desert, whose magical silence is interrupted only by the whisper of shifting dunes rolling towards Saudi Arabia. North of Dubai, Sharjah has the country's best museums, while tiny Ajman and Umm Al Quwain provide glimpses of life in the pre-oil days, and Ras Al Khaimah is busy building up its tourism infrastructure. For the best swimming and diving, though, head across the fierce Hajar Mountains to the emirate of Fujairah, to frolic in the clear waters of the Gulf of Oman.

What does The United Arab Emirates bring in mind?

Desert Adventure Safari

The visit to the United Arab Emirates will never be complete without a day in the desert to enjoy a camel ride and sand-boarding session as well as a delicious Barbeque dinner and folk- and belly-dancing show around the campfire under the stars. Note: The belly dancer does not perform during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sharjah Heritage Museum This creative Museum goes a long way towards demystifying local culture and traditions for Western minds. Each of the five galleries zeros in on different aspects of local life, from living in the desert to religious values, birth and burial rituals to holiday celebrations, marriage and wedding ceremonies, and folk medicine. An abundance of quality original objects and excellent English paneling make a visit here a satisfying and educational experience.

Al Ain Camel Market It’s dusty, noisy, heady and chaotic, but never mind: Al Ain’s famous camel market is a wonderful immersion in traditional Arabic culture so rare in the UAE today. All sorts of camels are holed up in pens, from wobbly-legged babies that might grow up to be racers to imposing studs kept for breeding. The intense haggling is fun to watch. If you want to take photographs, ask first and perhaps offer a small tip. Trading takes place in the morning, but it’s usually possible to see the corralled animals all day long.

Shopping Malls

Shopping in Dubai is not only magnificent but also the experience is intriguing. Malls in Dubai are realizations of unrestrained fantasy, offering surreal attractions to lure you in.

The Gold Souk Dubai is known for really cheap gold, but you will have to bargain for it. Whether or not you are ready to buy, a stroll through the dazzling Gold Souk is a must. The stores also offer platinum, diamonds and occasionally silver, and the government keeps tight control over the quality of all the merchandise, so rest assured that your purchases will be genuine.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centerpiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development that would include 30,000 homes, nine hotels, 3 hectares of parkland, at least 19 residential towers, the Dubai Mall, and the 12-hectare man-made Burj Khalifa Lake. The decision to build Burj Khalifa is reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil based economy to one that is service and tourism based.

Great FUN things to do in the United Arab Emirates!

• Dubai Shopping Malls

• Dubai Beaches

• Helicopter ride over Dubai

• Jet Skiing in Ski Dubai

• Go-Karting at Dubai Autodrome

• Enjoy Wild Wadi Water Theme Park

• Desert Safari

• Visit Burj Khalifa

Cities of the United Arab Emirates

Dubai

The Emirate of Dubai is the second largest of the seven United Arab Emirates but has the biggest population. Size has been synonymous with Dubai as it continues to build the first, largest and the biggest constructions in the world. Dubai's dynamics are always transient and ever-changing with its constant urge to construct something better and bigger than the previous. If there was a Palm Island, Nakheel thought of the World Island. Burj Al Arab seemed too timid when Burj Khalifa cropped up, distancing itself to be a loner in the crowd. Dubai constantly dwells in a suppressive competition with itself trying to magnetize tourists to a dreamy world of attractions and unheard of luxuries. Today, Dubai has emerged as a cosmopolitan metropolis that has grown steadily to become a global city and a business and cultural hub of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has now emerged as one of the country's best-value tourist destinations because of its excellent infrastructure and interesting attractions. A city once known for its exhaustive coverage of conventions and exhibitions has gained importance for entertainment and shopping as well. Various areas and islands in Abu Dhabi have been developed to promote tourism. These include the Corniche, Yas and Saadiyat Island, which allow visitors to explore the stunning Arabian Gulf views and wildlife reserves.

Sharjah

Sharjah, the third largest emirate of United Arab Emirates is a singular representative of how history and heritage predominates the city's landscape. Compared to Dubai, Sharjah adopts a conservative way of life where liquor and co-habitation by unmarried couples is banned. Further, the rules of decency and public behavior are firmly rooted in Islamic tradition. Even though the glitz and glamour is missing in Sharjah, it offers its fair share of attractions and entertainment to those who dare to take the untrodden path. In 1998, Sharjah was hurled to the ranks of 'Cultural Capital of the Arab World' by UNESCO thanks to its beautiful mosques, Souls and the numerous, well-maintained museums.

Ras Al Khaimah

Its name means "Top of the Tent". The emirate is in the northern part of the UAE, bordering Oman's exclave of Musandam. The capital city and home of most residents is also called Ras Al Khaimah. The city has two main sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on either side of a creek. It is served by the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. It consists of a northern part (where the city of Ras al-Khaimah is situated), and a large exclave in the south (near Hatta), and a few small islands in the Persian Gulf.

Ajman

Ajman is home to Arab Heavy Industries, one of the world's largest ship manufacturing firms

Umm Al Quwain

The least populous of the seven sovereign emirates in the United Arab Emirates, located in the north of the country. The Emirate holds significant archaeological interest.

Fujairah

Dominated by the Sharqiyin tribe, Fujairah sits at the mouth of the important trade route, the Wadi Ham, through the mountains to the interior and the Persian Gulf Coast. In 1952, Fujairah entered treaty relations with Britain, becoming the last of the emirates to join the Trucial States. On 2nd December 1971, Fujairah joined the United Arab Emirates. Fujairah is home to the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates which was built in 1446 of mud and bricks. It is similar to other mosques found in Yemen, eastern Oman, and Qatar. Al Bidyah Mosque has four domes (unlike the other similar mosques which have between seven and twelve) and lacks a minaret.