Premier Holidays

Middle East and the UAE Destination Guide

Centuries ago, the United Arab Emirates was a prosperous nation trading in frankincense and myrrh with no idea how different its future would be. Dubai was a quiet, sleepy town situated along the banks of the Dubai Creek, where coral huts housed Bedouin traders and pearl divers. Today the people and the merchants have moved Dubai into the twenty first  century  with science-fiction style skyscrapers looming  from the sands which stand alongside the mosques and the ancient wind towers of old Dubai just waiting to be explored.

The place

The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven sovereign sheikhdoms – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ras al Khimah. Whilst Dubai is most definitely the most developed in terms of tourism and continues to grow, as is shown by its current construction programme, there are advantages to considering a holiday in one of the less well known Emirates. The hot, dry climate is still guaranteed for sun worshippers, but accommodation is generally more competitively priced and although there is development, the pace is much slower and less intrusive.

Distances between the various Emirates are relatively short. Although you can fly directly in to Abu Dhabi from the UK, it is still only around 50 minutes from Dubai. As a place, it is the richest Emirate and the capital of the UAE - a superbly modern city which, after Dubai, is probably the most developed in tourism terms. Fujairah is just 90 minutes from Dubai, Ajman is 30 minutes away and Hatta Fort in the Dubai desert is 45 minutes from the city. Many hotels offer shuttle services into Dubai for shopping.

Wherever, you choose to stay, remember that the UAE is essentially about the desert and any visit must include a trip out of the city, whether you opt to overnight there or just go wadi bashing in the dunes.

The culture

The UAE is a melting pot of cultures with just 27% of the population classed as local. The Emiratis themselves have a number of different backgrounds  - Persian, Indian or Baluchi. Abu Dhabi is the most “Arab” and Dubai has a huge ex-patriate community. Dubai has emerged as one of the great cities of the modern world – fashionable, cosmopolitan and tolerant. Dubai is a Sunni Moslem country, which is one of the most outward-looking of the Middle East. It has a real “east meets west” culture and of course, it’s a trading nation, which is plain to see from the flourishing markets.

Events

Dubai Shopping Festival: approx end Jan-end Feb 11
Dubai Desert Classic (golf): Feb 11
Dubai World Cup (horse racing): approx last Sat in March
Ramadan Appox 11 Aug-11 Sep 10, 01 Aug-30 Aug 11

Holy Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the Holy Month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran and all Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk. Eating, drinking and smoking in public areas during daylight hours is strictly prohibited throughout this month.

Alcohol is not served during daylight hours but is available in licensed bars and restaurants after sunset for non-Muslims.  All Arabian Adventures featured hotels make concessions for their clients and keep a restaurant open during the day for resident guests only. Live entertainment, loud music and dancing is prohibited and conservative dress is expected to be worn in public.

Most businesses and shops open only for a few hours in the morning and re-open after sunset until well after midnight. Sunset marks the breaking of the fast when families and friends get together to enjoy their Iftar meal. Iftar tents where people come together to break the fast with water and dates are a common sight and most restaurants both within and outside hotels offer Iftar specials. Generosity within the community and the spirit of giving are also very much in evidence during Ramadan. Ramadan lasts for about 30 days and ends with Eid Al Fitr. People start shopping for Eid Al Fitr during Ramadan due to which many shops and retail outlets run special promotions and sales during this period.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, commemorating the month when the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

Please be reminded of the following observances during Ramadan:

The nightlife

Nightlife in the UAE is usually confined to hotels, where alcohol is freely available. In Dubai, especially, and also Abu Dhabi, there are a wide range of bars to choose from. It is also an excellent opportunity to sample all types of Middle Eastern cuisine, including Iranian, Moroccan and Lebanese. During Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public places (which includes city hotels) between sunrise and sunset and no live entertainment is permitted. Hotels do usually provide a private area where non-Muslims can eat during the day. The Dubai beach hotels are slightly more relaxed than in the other Emirates, but you should still exercise discretion.

The shopping

Undoubtedly, Dubai is considered to be the number one place to shop in the Middle East and no visit is complete until you have visited its famous Souks – Arab open-air markets. Visitors usually head for the Spice Souk and of course, the Gold Souk. Savings can be good, but as all gold is sold on weight, the price does tend to be fixed. On top of that, Dubai is renowned for quality luxury goods such as electronics, cameras, watches and suitcases. Don’t be fooled into assuming that everything you buy here is a bargain. Myth and clever marketing ploys have had a role to play in this belief. However, there are bargains to be had and haggling must be the order of the day.  Abu Dhabi has its own shopping centres and you may find it slightly cheaper than Dubai.  If you are staying in Ajman or Fujairah, a day trip to Dubai for some retail therapy will probably be on your agenda.

The facts

Geography: The UAE and Oman are located on the Arabian Peninsula. The coastal area tends to be flat, but inland, are miles of desert and the Hajar Mountains ascend to 6,560 feet.

Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken.

Passports: You will need a full British passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond your date of return.

Visas: Visas are not required for full British passport holders for stays of less than 60 days in the UAE. British passports holders visiting Oman require a visa, which can be purchased on arrival at a cost of approximately £13 (payable in Omani Rial) for stays of up to 30 days. Non-British passport holders should check with the relevant embassy for documentation requirements.

Vaccinations: Vaccinations are strongly recommended. For further information, please consult your doctor.

Travelling time: approx 7 hours from the UK

Local time: GMT + 4 hours

Currency: UAE Dirham for UAE and Omani Rial for Oman


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