United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, and is hailed by travel agents as the 'land of contrasts' with the most relaxed entry regulations in the region and an excellent tourist infrastructure.Formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971, the UAE boasts mountains, beaches, deserts, oases and camel racing.

Dubai city is built along the edge of a narrow 10-kilometre long, winding creek which divides the southern section of Bur Dubai, the city's traditional heart, from the northern area of Deira.

Dubai is famous for many attractions, such as the world's richest horse race, million-dollar lotteries, international tennis and golf tournaments, and a month-long shopping festival. It?s also a quintessential home of sand, sea, sun and shopping.

Don?t miss the bustling Bedouin markets and the legendary duty free shopping. Golfing is a huge draw card and Dubai has most of the Arabian Peninsula's gold courses.

The Deira Covered Souq has more of an Indian feel than an Arabic one, with folks hawking textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. The Spice Souq, also known as the Deira Old Souq (it's not just for spices), offers all sorts of trinkets, clothing, rugs and glassware.

The largest and perhaps most significant archaeological site in the UAE, Jumeira, dates from the 6th century AD. The settlement is particularly interesting because it?s history incorporates the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Today it is surrounded by shopping centers plying the spoils of modern-day Dubai's trade, this settlement was once a caravan station along a trade route linking Iraq to northern Oman. Jumeirah?s beaches are also major tourism attractions with their award winning hotels and sports facilities.

Hatta, an enclave of Dubai, nestled in the Hajar Mountains, is a great weekend getaway. The main attractions are its relatively cool, dry climate, the mountain scenery, excellent 4WD options and the magnificent Hatta rock pools. It's an amazing experience to swim through the narrow rock corridors of this miniature canyon - roaring year-round with plunging waterfalls.

The fiercely promoted Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) runs for the whole month of March and is not to be missed if you?re a serious shopper. This particular festival substantiates that the UAE is the shopping capital of the Middle East, rivaling Singapore with its bargains!

Dubai International Airport has recently undergone a US$540 million expansion. The airport has a long-standing reputation as the Gulf's travel hub. The national carrier is Emirates, which flies to some 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, and is hailed by travel agents as the 'land of contrasts' with the most relaxed entry regulations in the region and an excellent tourist infrastructure.Formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971, the UAE boasts mountains, beaches, deserts, oases and camel racing.

Dubai city is built along the edge of a narrow 10-kilometre long, winding creek which divides the southern section of Bur Dubai, the city's traditional heart, from the northern area of Deira.

Dubai is famous for many attractions, such as the world's richest horse race, million-dollar lotteries, international tennis and golf tournaments, and a month-long shopping festival. It?s also a quintessential home of sand, sea, sun and shopping.

Don?t miss the bustling Bedouin markets and the legendary duty free shopping. Golfing is a huge draw card and Dubai has most of the Arabian Peninsula's gold courses.

The Deira Covered Souq has more of an Indian feel than an Arabic one, with folks hawking textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. The Spice Souq, also known as the Deira Old Souq (it's not just for spices), offers all sorts of trinkets, clothing, rugs and glassware.

The largest and perhaps most significant archaeological site in the UAE, Jumeira, dates from the 6th century AD. The settlement is particularly interesting because it?s history incorporates the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Today it is surrounded by shopping centers plying the spoils of modern-day Dubai's trade, this settlement was once a caravan station along a trade route linking Iraq to northern Oman. Jumeirah?s beaches are also major tourism attractions with their award winning hotels and sports facilities.

Hatta, an enclave of Dubai, nestled in the Hajar Mountains, is a great weekend getaway. The main attractions are its relatively cool, dry climate, the mountain scenery, excellent 4WD options and the magnificent Hatta rock pools. It's an amazing experience to swim through the narrow rock corridors of this miniature canyon - roaring year-round with plunging waterfalls.

The fiercely promoted Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) runs for the whole month of March and is not to be missed if you?re a serious shopper. This particular festival substantiates that the UAE is the shopping capital of the Middle East, rivaling Singapore with its bargains!

Dubai International Airport has recently undergone a US$540 million expansion. The airport has a long-standing reputation as the Gulf's travel hub. The national carrier is Emirates, which flies to some 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.