Just some 40 years ago, the UAE was a complete desert. And now many tourists from all over the world come here to observe the result of architectural and technological progress. The emirates are growing and developing at incredible speed. Surrounded by the warm, clear waters of the Persian Gulf, they are always fully armed and happy to receive “overseas” guests who want both relaxation on the beach and the opportunities of a developed metropolis.
The UAE is a country where the impossible is possible!
5 reasons to go to the Emirates:
- The holiday season in the UAE lasts all year round. The hottest months are June-September. The temperature reaches 40-42°C, but you won’t notice this heat - air conditioners in the Emirates work at every turn. In January, the air temperature does not drop below 25°C.
- There is wealth, cleanliness, luxury and the smell of expensive perfume all around. And local traffic cops patrol the streets of big cities in Bugatti and Lamborghini cars.
- The desert in the UAE is as real as it gets, with dunes. What the resort area of Egypt cannot boast of. So feel free to go on a jeep safari!
- You won't find drunken brawlers here. Laws are strictly observed in the emirates. By the way, if a tourist looks at a Muslim woman for a long time and intently, he can be fined or put in prison. Be sure to check your local dress code.
- A relatively short flight (4-5 hours) will allow you to find yourself on a paradise beach, no worse than in the Maldives or the Dominican Republic, but 2-3 times faster. With the same fluffy and clean sand and a smooth entry into the sea!
Read also: Which beach is right for you?
Which emirate to choose?
First, decide what you will do. Go to clubs? To you in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. If you want a comfortable family holiday, the emirate of Fujairah is for you. For inexpensive, quiet relaxation, head to the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.
The UAE is a major shopping center. All emirates have malls and markets. The locals have a special attitude towards them - they spend evenings, weekends, celebrate holidays in shopping centers and just drop in here at any free moment.
In the Emirates there are city hotels, first-line hotels with their own beach and coastal hotels near municipal beaches. City hotels, as a rule, have their own swimming pools, which are located on the upper floors of the building. Love breathtaking views? Look for a hotel with a pool located as high above sea level as possible.
Focus on price: the further the emirate is from Dubai, the main entertainment and shopping center of the country, the cheaper the hotels. However, from hotels in distant emirates, a bus runs to Dubai several times a week, paid or free depending on the hotel.
Dubai
The most cosmopolitan and “Europeanized” emirate. This is a huge metropolis with a vibrant nightlife, one might say, “the second Moscow”. Only here there are more shopping centers, water buses are common, and the metro generally runs without drivers.
Dubai has a very vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene. Everywhere you can smoke delicious hookah, try the delights of world cuisine and buy designer items. However, youth under 21 are not allowed into the clubs.
If you are planning to visit the Emirates for the first time, then go here. From the excursion program - the tall Burj Khalifa tower, the Pearl Fishers Village, Dancing Fountains and much more
Dubai hotels do not have their own area where you can walk. And there is no beach holiday as such either - many go for a swim in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah.
Sharjah
A very strict and conservative emirate, “prohibition” reigns here. It is prohibited to drink alcohol in open restaurants, on the street, on the beach, and alcohol is not sold in the hotels themselves.
Sharjah is also the cultural capital of the country with numerous attractions. Boys of any age will be interested in visiting the Museum of Vintage Cars.
Holidays here are much cheaper than in larger emirates, which is why Sharjah is popular among light-drinking Russian tourists. It is quiet and peaceful here, with uncrowded beaches. Located 45 km from Dubai.
Fujairah
Fujairah is called the most beautiful emirate in the country; it is located in a bay, and many hotels have their own beaches. There are fewer skyscrapers here, and therefore much more comfortable. Exotic lovers and diving fans come to Fujairah: there are a lot of corals in the sea, you can see moray eels, butterfly fish and other underwater inhabitants.
Among the attractions of the emirate are the Museum of Ancient Settlements, the Old City area, and a busy port. The city itself is decorated with numerous fountains and sculptural compositions with traditional Arabic motifs.
This is the northernmost emirate, so it is always 2-3 degrees cooler here and there is more greenery. It takes about 5 hours to drive from Dubai.
Ras Al Khaimah
There is much less entertainment in the emirate of Ras al Khaimah than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It’s better to come here on an excursion from a neighboring emirate. It is about 1.5 hours drive from Dubai - buses run for an additional fee.
There are few tourists, there are more locals on the beach. But there is also a lot of entertainment for tourists here: again, shopping malls, camel racing, sailing and others. The Old Town area is rich in historical sites, such as the ruins of the Palace of the Queen of Sheba. The Ice land water park is open for children and adults.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the business center of the UAE; there is no beach recreation area here. However, the emirate is worth visiting! You will be amazed by the breathtaking views of mosques scattered across the “field” of skyscrapers, and the beautiful architecture of modern buildings. You will see palaces, monuments, numerous fountains. It's as luxurious as Dubai. You can even safely buy gold from a machine. Nightlife is also quite active. Among other things, this is the greenest emirate!
Where to go with children?
The UAE loves children very much, so here you can find good water parks and zoos, including the Dubai Aquarium - the largest in the world. There is practically no animation in hotels, and All Inclusive is not very common. However, the all-inclusive meal option will be the only reasonable option, since food prices in all cafes proudly called “restaurants,” regardless of the menu, are quite high. For a relaxing family holiday with children, choose the emirate of Fujairah.
Knowing the features of each of them, tourists can choose the optimal vacation for themselves.
On the shores of the Persian Gulf there is a strange state - the United Arab Emirates. All together is a constitutional monarchy, each emirate individually is an absolute monarchy. “The Emirates is a single state” is declared on all corners; upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they differ. And if you do not take this difference into account, then the money spent on a vacation in the UAE will not bring joy, but torment. Let's make sure this doesn't happen, especially since the best season is in full swing there now, when the killer summer heat gives way to normal weather for a European.
ABU DHABI
Fried Manhattan
The capital is also the capital of the East. The island, which has two undoubted riches - a source of fresh water and herds of dhabi antelopes - was inhabited by Bedouins in the 18th century. The city owes its rapid and never-ending growth more than any other in the state to petrodollars. The lion's share of all Emirate oil is produced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Another significant source of income is free economic zones, which have made the UAE perhaps the main bazaar in the world and a producer of the most inexpensive goods. Mostly not tourists, but businessmen come here to Abu Dhabi. Rest is also important for them, and high-quality rest, but still, the capital is primarily a business center. However, it’s worth looking at Abu Dhabi - the most modern architecture of skyscrapers that closely fill the entire space of the center, chic fountains on the embankment, aimed at moneybags, and “brand” boutiques. Since the most profitable guests - "shoppers" and vacationers - are relatively few here, the hotels' return on investment is not so high. So in a five-star hotel it is quite possible to see some archaic type of mixer with two taps...
For an instant acquaintance with Abu Dhabi, you need to break through to the observation deck of the Hilton skyscraper, a hotel one and a half times larger than all other buildings on the island. Looking from above, you will understand everything at once - both how rich and well everything is arranged here, and the fact that it is better to look for a serene vacation elsewhere.
DUBAI
"Yellow Devil" with excellent taste
Unlike the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the second member of the federation - Dubai - is twenty times smaller. But since you and I don’t care how much desert someone owns, we’ll focus on the inhabited territory. Here Dubai is quite on the level - there are enough skyscrapers, greenery, and other pleasant little things. Evil tongues - with which the official Emirati version absolutely does not fit in - say that the basis for the well-being of local residents back in the last century was laid by the smuggling trade in gold. However, the Emirates are still too young for their history to acquire a canonical form. If you don't like smuggled gold, let's talk about legal gold. Fortunately, now on average 150-170 tons pass through local shores per year, a third of which is consumed... by local residents. In the "golden quarter" the shops are so crowded with jewelry that you can't see the counters.
Are you not going to the Emirates for gold? We still have something to talk about. Shop tourists have greatly spoiled the image of the “Russian friend,” but not to such an extent that anyone would try to take it out on you. But the “shuttles” have done a good job of making life easier for customers: if in elite stores, where you want to get hold of the latest electronics, expensive watches or “couture” fur coats, you still need to bargain hard (and a 25-30 percent discount will serve as a reward for perseverance and knowledge of the basics English), then in the shops of Cherkizovsky-Luzhnikov consumer goods, when you hear the word “Russian”, they immediately name the minimum price. And in the eyes of the seller there is complete hopelessness...
Dubai is, of course, a huge store. But more and more people come here for something else - otherwise where would luxury hotels come from? The beaches in Dubai are almost ideal - fine yellow sand smoothly disappears into the blue-blue sea, its purity and sifting are quite suitable for filling the mechanism of an hourglass. The water is clean, warm, gentle. If you are not lazy and stomp onto the beach before breakfast, you can easily see local crabs quickly scurrying along the shore. Later you will not see the crabs - only empty shelter holes and turrets dug nearby will remain, from which the crabs survey the surroundings in the morning.
The surface of the bay is an ideal place for all types of water sports, be it surfing, jet skiing or water skiing. There are two world-class golf courses, a horse racing track... In winter, every Thursday and Friday you will find another race - camel racing. True, they won’t hire you as a jockey - you’re not eight years old, after all, and this is the norm for camel riders, but you can cheer to your heart’s content. They will offer you to watch a training run - don’t refuse either. Believe me, this is a spectacle: two dozen lathered camels are rushing along the path, and a similar number of jeeps are running in a parallel course. These are the owners of one-humped horses cheering for their own. Tired of horse racing - excellent parks await you (including aqua and zoo), as well as... an ice skating rink.
The Dubai Creek that cuts through the city, artificially lengthened in the early 70s, is a busy place. You can travel by water either cheaply, on a small abra boat, a local water taxi, or by purchasing a special excursion - with dinner, belly dancing and a detailed story about everything that is visible on both banks. Those whom modern youth affectionately call “nerds,” that is, people who do not hesitate to develop their own erudition, will also not remain idle in Dubai. Some of the remains of British rule have now been turned into museums, and the main one, located in the restored Al-Fahidi Fort, is filled not only with interesting exhibits, but also with modern optical-electronic gadgets: a coppersmith, for example, in front of your eyes sculpting a new coffee pot. But it doesn’t immediately dawn on him that he’s a hologram.
Is it really possible to be in these parts and not visit the desert? Therefore, when planning a trip to the Emirates, prepare money for a jeep safari. This is about $100 per person, and don’t be indignant when you find out - for this money they won’t let you drive yourself. Why? Yes, because you will become deaf from women’s squeals (women will go with you, right?) and from the grinding of your own teeth, even when you are next to the driver. Dizzying jumps along hundred-meter-high dunes require not only courage, but also skill from the driver. To calm your nerves - dinner in a “Bedouin village”, a henna tattoo (it goes away in a week) and the same belly dance.
If you just intend to spend a week in an exotic country, then Dubai is the best place for your first time.
SHARJAH
Islamic stronghold
A kilometer, no more, separates the development of Dubai and the neighboring emirate of Sharjah. During British times, the main base of the colonial administration was located here. True, the tanned children of Albion went to Dubai to play golf. Apparently out of opposition to British culture or for some other reason, the laws in Sharjah are the most draconian. Even in the hotel bar-restaurant you will not be served anything containing even a drop of alcohol.
Prohibition is strictly enforced here. If a drunk tourist is caught, execution is guaranteed. According to the stories of knowledgeable people, only Sharjah remains punishment with canes. To make it less painful and, in addition, the punishment has a pedagogical meaning, the performer does not hit with all his might, but holds the Koran under his arm. And yet Sharjah competes with Dubai in popularity among tourists. Why is she attractive? Firstly, the same draconian laws. Believe it or not, millions of people around the world do not associate proper rest with the obligatory kicking in the ass and subsequent adventures. They want silence, peace, comfort, good hotels and interesting places for walks. All this is present here. In addition, Sharjah is interesting for its architecture - not Western, like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but Eastern. Much has been preserved here from ancient times.
A walk along the pier of traditional Arab dhow boats, which still depart from the Gulf to India, Sri Lanka, and Africa, is a special pleasure. It doesn’t matter that the goods are modern tires, refrigerators, etc. They load everything by hand, make noise, eat, swear, sleep... Without looking back at the skyscrapers, look at this colorful world of dhows - and you will feel like you have been transported to the times of Sinbad.
And when you remember that you haven’t bought anything for your family and friends yet, you get into a taxi and say the password “lovoziki” in Russian. The taxi driver will take you to the central square of the city in no time. There is the largest mosque in these parts, accommodating three thousand worshipers, and the coveted shopping arcades, which really look like two armored trains standing on sidings. There are vegetable and fish markets nearby, and if you want to be curious about what the depths of the Gulf are rich in, devote time to the fish market before sunset, five to six hours in the afternoon.
AJMAN
Emirates "monopoly"
The smallest emirate is wildly popular both among tourists and among the non-Muslim part of the resident population of the UAE. The thing is that he bears the title of “the drunkest”. These are, of course, conventions - booze is not sold here on every corner, and prices are noticeably higher than in Moscow, but still, still... Many people have a question: is it difficult to come to Ajman for a couple of bottles from any neighboring emirate? Most, in general, do just that, but Ajman has only neighboring emirates... one - Sharjah! And the local police consider it a violation of anti-alcohol legislation not only for drinking and being drunk - it is enough that they find a sealed bottle in the car. Yes, and at Sharjah airport the import of alcohol is completely prohibited. So if they find anything on you, the only consolation is that the Koran will be kept under your arm...
However, the hotels in Ajman, although few in number, are good and the beaches are excellent. Amateur shipbuilders will be interested to know that the famous dhow boats, which to this day are built using time-tested technology and covered exclusively with Indian teak wood, are born here. There was a pearl industry here for several centuries, the secrets of which can be found in the museum. Shell divers were left without work because of the enterprising Japanese, who in the 30s developed the technology for domesticating pearl mussels and flooded the market with high-grade but inexpensive pearls.
UMM EL QAYWAYN
Fish with dates
Striving as before to the northeast along luxurious (and by Russian standards, generally alien) roads, we find ourselves in Umm el-Quwain. There are few hotels. There are also few attractions. Pink flamingos nest on an island nearby. In the evenings, vacationers can hunt crabs in shallow waters. Fishing is traditionally developed here (there are still more fishing villages than hotels) and date cultivation. There are more than thirty varieties, and in a week you can become a real connoisseur of this most revered fruit in the United Arab Emirates.
RAS AL KHAIMAH
Resort Roulette
Like Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah is one of the poorest emirates - there is no oil, like in Abu Dhabi, no gas, like in Sharjah, no bazaar with a huge turnover... However, the climate here is a little milder - it affects the proximity of the mountains stretching along the coast of the Indian Ocean. In both emirates, you will hardly find anything interesting outside the hotel, but when choosing a hotel you can get a very good deal. There is nothing surprising here: these emirates are only being promoted as a resort area, so hotel owners sometimes set dumping prices.
FUJAIRAH
"Foreign" exotica
The road to Fujairah, the only emirate that does not face the Gulf, but lies entirely on the Indian Ocean, is cut through almost lifeless mountains. They are not very high - at most one and a half thousand meters, but this is quite enough to create their own microclimate here.
The main disadvantage is that at the height of summer the monsoons blow here and it is stormy. Again, it is farthest from the capital and therefore everything looks rather provincial. But there are also advantages: the lowest prices for everyday goods and the best scuba diving in the Emirates.
However, there are not as many diving centers here as there could be, given the absolutely incredible richness of underwater life. This is one of the few places in the world where even a novice diver can be guaranteed an encounter with a shark. Moreover, the shark will definitely be quite large (I was “given” a two-meter one) and not a biter. I pushed the poor thing to the point of exhaustion, trying to photograph her irresistible smile.
Here corals are no longer found as isolated branches and bushes, as in the Gulf, but form full-fledged thickets. Accordingly, the entire coral assortment is present - divinely colored butterfly fish, moray eels, parrot fish. For those who are obsessed with the underwater world, a separate piece of advice - expect that there will be no super clear water. This means that when taking photos and videos, in most cases you will have to limit yourself to close-ups.
In the city of Khorfakkan, I happened to encounter an unexpected service - on the beach you will definitely find a special scraper and a bottle of solvent.
Ask why? Scrape off the oil from your heels. After all, Fujairah is a large oil terminal, where oil from the mainland comes through a pipeline. However, if you put all the advantages of a holiday in Fujairah on one side of the scale, and the occasional fuel oil misunderstandings on the other, then the advantages will definitely outweigh. And I haven’t yet mentioned the waterfalls - you won’t find such a miracle anywhere else in the Emirates.
We went with Lick Tour and their host Best Time Travel. We were lucky with our guide, Andrei Gorbach, who opened our eyes to this country. He lived in the Emirates for 17 years, and despite the fact that neither he nor his children born in the Emirates enjoy the benefits of UAE citizenship, Andrey speaks very warmly of the government. During the trip, we met a lot of foreigners. Some live for a year, others for 8 or 10 years, but everyone definitely doesn’t want to return home. Moreover, these people are not from Bangladesh or the Philippines, but from Germany, Italy, Spain, i.e. developed countries of Europe. The UAE is very similar to the US in terms of business freedom. Here the chances of earning a million honestly are much greater than ours. Or simply ensuring a normal standard of living is quite easy, since the salaries of skilled workers are high and there are no taxes. Women say that this country is the safest country, they love children and respect women. Having visited the Emirates, you will definitely see a different side of Islam, not the one shown on TV. No one follows religious rules as strictly as we think, no one rushes at women in revealing dresses.
Everything is tolerant, respectful, peaceful and hospitable. This is understandable, because the UAE is being built by ambitious sheikhs and hungry foreigners. Of the 9 million population, there are only 950 thousand indigenous Arabs. Highly skilled and unskilled work is performed by foreigners. Locals prefer government service.
Interesting sir. UAE device. 7 emirates form the federal budget; the communist principle “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” applies here. As a result, 89-90% of the budget comes from Abu Dhabi, 8-9% from Dubai and 1-2% from the remaining 5 emirates. This is probably why, since the founding of the federation, the ruler of Abu Dhabi has always been elected president, and the vice president, who is also the prime minister, is the ruler of Dubai. Elections are held by voting of all 7 sheikhs. You can respect the sheikhs of the emirates only because oil revenues account for only 36% of the country's income. Remaining faithful to religion, they stopped blindly following dogmas that hinder the development of other Arab countries.
If I were faced with the issue of emigration, I would choose the UAE. Because it’s warm, by the sea, a multicultural and multinational society, a dynamically developing economy, which allows you to find a suitable job and quickly ensure a normal standard of living, the police will never stop you just to check your license.
I would include censorship, lack of freedom of speech and freedom of the Internet as the disadvantages of the UAE. Lack of competition in the telecom market, as a result of which tariffs are quite high.
I used to think that Dubai was developing solely on petrodollars. It turns out that Dubai began to develop back in the 50s, while oil was found only in 1958, and then on the territory of another emirate, Abu Dhabi. Dubai was founded in the 19th century by immigrants from Abu Dhabi.
The ruler of Dubai relied on free economic zones, attracting foreign investment through the abolition of taxes, minimum tariffs and favorable conditions for business. As a result, Dubai is now the most developed emirate, with a high concentration of skyscrapers, expensive shops, and a lot of the “best” entertainment. To attract tourists, a policy is being pursued where they look for characteristics in any object in order to call it “the very best.” Those. They not only built the tallest building in the world, they made the largest singing fountains in the world, they will soon build the largest Ferris wheel. But the area around the Burj Khalifa is also called the most expensive square mile; they built the metro in record time, or, for example, when a hotel in the style of Louis was built in Abu Dhabi. It was called the tallest hotel in the classicism style of the 17th century :)
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, the oldest and richest emirate. Although in terms of development dynamics it is inferior to Dubai. It began to actively develop after the discovery of oil here. We must pay tribute to the sheikhs of Abu Dhabi, they are investing oil income in culture and new technologies. Abu Dhabi seemed to me a city more comfortable to live than Dubai. The buildings here are not so dense and high, there are more green areas. It's a pity that there is no metro and tram here like in Dubai. But when the “cultural district” is completed, where, for the first time in the Emirates, an opera building, the Guggenheim Museum of Contemporary Art, and a branch of the Louvre will appear, this will be a significant reason for tourists to replace their hotel in Dubai with a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
As the locals say, “Dubai is for the young and ambitious, Abu Dhabi is for families, and Sharjah is for retirees.” If I were choosing where to live in the Emirates, I would choose Sharjah. This is also a modern city; unlike Dubai, there are no widespread construction projects here. It is green, spacious, and has many historical and cultural attractions. In Dubai, they only build what can later be sold at a high price, i.e. housing and offices. In Sharjah, on the contrary, newly built houses along the coast are being demolished in order to restore the old city. There will be a huge cultural district of museums, galleries, cafes and shops. All buildings are restored in the traditional way of construction, i.e. exactly as they were built in the 18th century. The ruler of Sharjah has great respect for this project. Yes, in Sharjah you can’t drink or smoke, not even hookah, but only in public places. No one goes home to check. And you can buy any alcohol in another emirate, 20 minutes away. ride.
Ajman is a small, but also rapidly developing emirate. In terms of the quality of emotions, Ajman eclipsed all memories from other emirates. This happened because we visited the Sheikh's stable, where the most beautiful and expensive horses in the world live. This stable is managed by the heir to the ruler of Ajman. There they care for and breed horses that participate in the most prestigious “horse shows”. Those. such competitions where the most beautiful horse is chosen. And of course, in this stable lives a multiple winner of the most famous Paris Salon under the patronage of the King of Morocco. This white stallion costs 7 million euros! He never rode under saddle. The doctor discharged him from Brazil. And the food is delivered from the UK. In general, in this stable, only two horses are given a saddle. And the coat of all horses is silkier and softer than that of many domestic cats.
And the second place in Ajman that made me think about immigrating to this country was the project of the Libyan development company, Alzora. Among the mangroves and bays, they began to build a residential and business area. On a large area, everything you need for life will be built, using the latest technologies to preserve the environment around. The mangroves are carefully protected; not a single pink flamingo left them during construction. I saw with my own eyes that there were hundreds of them there. Since the country is small and the roads are good, it will be very convenient to work in Dubai and live in Alzor, Ajman. Plus, Alzora will be a free economic zone, i.e. without taxes and fees, with preferential tariffs for electricity and water.
Ras Al Khaimah
There is sea and beaches in every emirate, but the UAE residents themselves consider Ras Al Khaimah the best place for a beach holiday. Liberal regulations in this area allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in hotels and restaurants. And Rixos Bab Al Bahr even operates on an All Inclusive system and includes alcohol in the price of your stay. The second advantage is the price. The average room rate is several times lower than in similar hotels in Dubai.
Like Dubai, it has its own artificial island, Marjan Island. Marjan is the name of a seahorse that is common in local waters. However, you need to have a rich imagination to see this fish in the outlines of the island. So far, there are only a few hotels of famous world brands operating on the island, and the island looks deserted.
Wanting to keep you busy, the Ministry of Tourism of the emirate offers the following two-week program:
1 day. We arrive and settle in. We get to know the guests and hotel staff (by the way, there are many Russians and Ukrainians among the staff).
Day 2. City Tour
Day 3. Full day rides on the Prince of Sea yacht.
Day 4 Visit to a Bedouin settlement in the desert, with barbecue, jeep safari, and possibly an overnight stay in the desert.
Day 5 Relaxation on the beach.
Day 6 Let's learn to fly airplanes at Aljazirah Aviation Club.
Day 7 We play golf.
Day 8 We swim in the IceLand water park.
Day 9 Learning to sail a sailboat.
Day 10 SPA at the hotel.
Day 11 Let's go to the mountains.
Day 12 We ride horses and camels at RAK Country Club.
Day 13 We watch a falcon show and walk in nature.
Day 14 Farewell evening, flight home.
We almost forgot about the beach :-) But now let's go into more detail.
Ras Al Khaimah is not deprived of natural resources. In addition to good beaches on the ocean, the emirate has a picturesque desert with red sand. Part of the desert is a nature reserve and wild camels live here. You can meet them if you turn off the asphalt road and drive a little deeper into the desert.
One of the entertainments for tourists is visiting Bedouin camps. A copy of an ancient settlement has been restored in the middle of the desert. Tents, fires, carpets and hookahs... For an evening or all night you can immerse yourself in the charm of the red desert. An extra cup of Arabic coffee will certainly encourage you to get active. For sand-boarding (descent from a sandy mountain on a snowboard), a rather steep slope is used. The resistance of sand is much greater than that of snow, so the descent speed is low and there is no need to lean over. Just keep your balance and choose the right trajectory... you are guaranteed a lot of laughter, great photos and sand in all your pockets. A more traditional extreme sport is camel riding. Sit down and hold on tightly to the handle of the saddle! However, a strong animal’s sudden rise to its feet will still take you by surprise.
Traditional food, a fire and a hookah imperceptibly bring night closer and reveal another desert overhead - an endless sky with millions of stars.
If you get bored with a regular beach holiday, you can stay at the Banyan Tree Desert Resort. This is a famous Thai chain of luxury spa hotels. Banyan Tree Desert Resort is located in a protected desert area. An unusual, relaxing and beautiful holiday.
Another exciting adventure in Ras Al Khaimah is flying small sports planes. The flight takes place at a speed of about 100 km/h at an altitude of about a kilometer, in a small two-seater Aeroprakt-22L made in Ukraine. According to Indian instructors, they are very reliable, unpretentious in operation, and have practically no competitors in price. The club has as many as 50 of them. There are two seats and two steering wheels in the cockpit, the instructor sits at one, and you sit at the other! After gaining altitude, the instructor willingly lets you control the plane in the air. Suddenly the pilot turns off the engine and the plane glides. Driving an airplane turns out to be no more difficult than flying a car. During the half-hour flight, you have time to explore the artificial islands of Marjan Island, the entire coastline, huge hotels, luxurious villas, and the vast territory of the ceramics factory, which stretches for many kilometers. If you're lucky, you'll see flocks of pink flamingos in the shallow waters, and huge turtles underwater, whose path passes the shores of the emirate. All this costs 250 dirhams (approx. $70).
The four shopping malls located on the territory of Ras Al Khaimah will not satisfy an experienced athlete of this sport, so I recommend going to Dubai for shopping. Dubai is only a 40-minute drive away, and all hotels in Ras Al Khaimah have paid or free shuttles (usually 100 dirhams or $30). Taxis are also very cheap.
The IceLand water park will be great fun for kids. It doesn’t blow your mind, and the prices are quite high. However, you definitely need to go to the “Ice Country” for a day.
Ras Al Khaimah also has the highest mountains in the UAE. The name of the emirate translates as “top of the tent.”
We are planning a trip to the UAE.
Which emirate is better to go to?
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Sharjah
Fujairah
Ras Al Khaimah
Ajman
Umm Al Quwain
1. Abu Dhabi
For whom: for everyone
The city is unique in its combination of history and modernity - oriental bazaars coexist with modern universities, mosques with supermarkets, museums with entertainment complexes.
The opportunities for excursions and entertainment here are truly enormous - the Sheikh's Palace, the old Al Husn Fort, the oasis city of Al Ain, the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium, the Ferrari World theme park, the carpet and camel bazaars - this is just a small part of what is possible visit while in the largest and richest emirate of the country.
pros
➕ Lots of sights, interesting places and entertainment opportunities
➕ The streets are very clean, as fines for throwing garbage are very high
Minuses
➖ All hotels have a view not of the sea, but of a narrow strip of water and nearby islands
➖ Some city parks are paid
2. Dubai
For whom: for those who value shopping and who love advanced technology
Everything here is the best - tall, big, expensive. The coastal waters of the resort are the site of the implementation of ambitious projects to create the man-made islands “Palm” and “Peace”.
Dubai is interesting for shopping, which can be done both in ancient oriental bazaars and in ultra-modern shopping centers. In addition to shopping, the resort will impress with the architecture of skyscrapers and luxury hotels, as well as beaches with sand brought from Egypt.
pros
➕ There is an opportunity to ski at any time of the year at the Ski Dubai complex
➕ Relatively large number of entertainment and attractions
➕ Excellent transport system
➕ Great shopping
➕ Active nightlife
Minuses
➖ On weekends there are many locals on city beaches
➖ Quite expensive
3. Sharjah
For whom: for families with children and those who dream of a relaxing holiday.
Sharjah has a unique location - access to two ocean bays at once: the Persian and Oman. In addition, the resort is convenient due to its close location to Dubai, which allows you to enjoy a relaxing family holiday and, if possible, visit the attractions of a more famous neighbor or go to shopping malls at any time.
Sharjah is considered the cultural capital of the country - there is an archaeological museum, a cultural center, and the Koran monument, located in front of the largest King Faisal Mosque in the Middle East, which can accommodate 3,000 people. For the youngest travelers, there is the Al-Jazeera amusement park with a mini-zoo and swimming pools, as well as the Desert Park with a farm for children and a natural history museum.
pros
➕ Life and hotels are cheaper than in nearby Dubai
➕ No public transport
Minuses
➖ Virtually no nightlife
➖ Strict norms, laws and rules, for example: you can swim on the beaches only during daylight hours and in clothes that cover your arms and legs; Violating this rule may result in you being taken to the police station.
4. Fujairah
For whom: for lovers of active recreation, natural attractions, divers
The sandy landscapes so typical of the UAE are diluted in Fujairah by the Hajar Mountains and green oases. This is the only resort that has access to the Indian Ocean.
Fujairah is renowned as the best diving and snorkeling destination in the entire country. The underwater world of Shark Island is rich in lobsters, stingrays, and many exotic fish, and near the Musandam Peninsula you can find turtles, barracudas, dolphins and reef sharks. Those who decide to head to the mountains can visit waterfalls, visit hot springs and look into gardens.
pros
➕ Beautiful underwater world
➕ Lots of excursions and entertainment
Minuses
➖ Lack of nightlife, bars, discos
➖ Large distances between attractions
5. Ras Al Khaimah
For whom: for everyone
It has a milder climate, clean uncrowded beaches and mineral water springs. In the Old Town of Ras al-Khaimah you can visit a dilapidated fort, ancient watchtowers, a national museum, and a local market. The more active ones will find the Ice Land amusement park with numerous waterfalls, slides, play areas, swimming pools and attractions.
In order to improve your health, you need to go to the Masafi region - get natural drinking water or visit the town of Hatt to plunge into the hot springs. Here, by the way, you can undergo a set of Ayurvedic spa treatments using thermal water - this is not the case in any other emirate.
pros
➕ You can combine a beach holiday with treatment
➕ Good climatic conditions and gorgeous beaches
Minuses
➖ No public transport, only taxis
➖ Tourist infrastructure is not very developed
6. Ajman
For whom: for everyone
Here, among numerous palm trees and beautiful beaches, tourists will find a cozy and friendly environment. In the evenings, both locals and vacationers go for a walk on the embankment - after the sun sets and the heat subsides, life begins to boil here.
There is no prohibition in Ajman; alcohol can be freely purchased in any store, but it will not be possible to take it out of the emirate. You can diversify your holiday by visiting mineral springs, camel racing or water sports.
pros
➕ Ajman is located just 10 km from Sharjah and 30 km from Dubai, so you can go to your neighbors for entertainment and shopping centers
Minuses
➖ Few excursions, shopping
7. Umm al-Quwain
For whom: for families with children
Those who want to see real Emirati life should go to provincial Umm al-Quwain. Thanks to its territorial location, the residents of the emirate were able to preserve traditions and their usual way of life. The city itself is located on a small peninsula, on a coastline indented by lagoons, bays and bays.
More active entertainment includes an aquarium and the largest park in the Middle East, Dreamland, with an artificial 18-meter volcano.
pros
➕ Unique atmosphere and color
Minuses
➖ Few hotels and accommodation options
➖ No public transport
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The UAE is a rather secretive state, and in order to choose which place to go on vacation, you will have to spend some time collecting information. The country's capital, Dubai, has long been the center of the intersection of many trade routes. Here is the world-famous gold market, old palaces and fortifications, beautiful architectural structures and amazing glass skyscrapers. The resorts of the UAE are also no less famous throughout the world. Let's try to find a place to stay.
Some information about the country
The administrative center of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is famous for many attractions, including a unique observation deck, from which a wonderful bird's eye view of the capital opens. And below you can see all the beauty and charm of Sheikh Zayed’s residence, Al Khosi Palace. Let's talk a little about other cities. Sharjah ranks third in size and is an ideal place to relax on snow-white sand, on the shores of the azure sea.
Ajman - shipbuilding and the fishing industry are well developed here, Arab single-masted ships are designed and built. Tourists use them to cross the sea. Lovers of outdoor recreation come to Umm al-Quwain, as there is a real wild reserve here. There is also a riding academy. Ras al-Khaimah is famous for its fascinating archeological finds and the presence of hot springs. If you like a holiday in the mountains, you will be interested in Al Ain, which is located at the very foot of the Hajar Mountains.
UAE Resorts: Dubai
In this article we will take a closer look at this main resort of the country. It is visited by tens of thousands of tourists, and their goal is not only to learn the secrets of the East, but also to visit beautiful, low-priced shopping centers, look at magnificent, one-of-a-kind skyscrapers and appreciate the ultra-modern infrastructure. This city manages to combine excellent hotels, a wonderful resort area, luxurious beaches, etc. with amazing national traditions that are still preserved. The Emirate of Dubai is territorially and physically divided into the southern part - Bur Dubai, and the northern part - the Deira region. They are connected to each other by tunnels and bridges. They have everything you need for life: hotels, bazaars, banks, hospitals, shopping centers, mosques, etc. If you are looking for the best resorts in the UAE, this city alone will be enough. After all, it is here that the most interesting equestrian competitions and camel racing are held every year.
The Dubai resort area of Jumeirah has excellent golf and yacht clubs where you can have great fun. Jumeirah is actually the most fashionable area of the city. There is a zoo, beautiful beaches, separate playgrounds and a super water park called Wild Wadi, located next to the world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel.
The eighth wonder of the world - Palm Jumeirah
If you are thinking about which resorts in the UAE are the best, then this is one of them. A real artificial island, thanks to which the wildest and most complex dreams of engineers were realized. It is built in the shape of a regular palm tree, which consists of a trunk and 17 individual branches. Each of them contains offices, apartments and private villas. This island is connected by a tunnel with a special protective barrier “crescent”. It is home to several five-star hotels such as Rixos The Palm, Zabeel Saray, Atlantis The Palm, One & Only The Palm.
These hotels have their own beaches, located on the inner side of the artificial object, so they never have more or less strong waves. By taxi or using the free shuttle you can quickly get to the city center.
Sharjah - the emirate of two seas
When considering UAE resorts for your holiday, pay attention to Sharjah - the third largest emirate, there are seven in total. This is the only one that is located simultaneously on two different coasts. The capital of the emirate of the same name is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, and the villages of Daba al-Hasn, Kor Fakkan and Kalba are on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Sharjah borders Fujairah, Ajman and Dubai, where free transfers are provided. Dubai's shopping centers can be reached in just 20 minutes this way.
The local landscape is very diverse: it includes mountainous coastal ranges, green picturesque oases, and endless orange deserts. Just remember that you don’t need to appear in swimsuits on public beaches, use paid ones - at hotels. Alcohol is not sold here, but if you really want to, you can buy it at a duty-free store and drink it in your hotel room.
Ras Al Khaimah
If you are interested in beach resorts in the UAE, then choosing the best one is a rather difficult task. Firstly, there are a huge number of them for such a not very large state. And secondly, they compete with each other in terms of the quality of services provided and comfort for tourists. The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah is the northernmost of all, stretching to the border with Oman along the Persian Gulf. Already upon entering it, a clear sea, palm groves with large reservoirs and the beauty of the Hadjar Mountains will open to your eyes. The entire coastal area is filled with luxury beach resorts. These places are good for families to relax, as the entrance to the sea is gentle. On the coast there is beautiful white sand. Luxury hotels here are much cheaper than in Dubai. Nearby is the Iceland water park. Many tourists come to the Hutt Springs spa resort, recently discovered in the mountainous town of Hutt.