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Holidayco.co.uk specialises in cheap united arab emirates holidays, package holidays and late deals to a huge number of destinations. Find out more about the United Arab Emirates in our guide below.

Holidays in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federated state formed of seven small nations lying on the Persian Gulf. Although small, these nations are extremely rich, mainly due to their massive oil reserves. The UAE employs a great many Western workers in its industries and is very friendly to the Western way of life.

Some states of the UAE are more popular as holiday destinations than others. Dubai, probably the best-known of the UAE states, offers excellent beaches on the Arabian Gulf. Dubai City is an amazing place with some of the world's most impressive buildings. The city is duty-free, making shopping a real pleasure. There are many excellent bars and restaurants to enjoy.

The city of Abu Dhabi is also fast becoming a major tourist center. Mingling historic and ultra-modern buildings, the city bustles with activity yet has never lost its traditional way of life. The city is built on over 200 islands and retains much of its unique flavour. Traditional fishing dhows are still built and operates in the same way that they have for centuries. The Heritage Village is also worth a visit. It faithfully recreates the traditional way of life of the local communities before the discovery of oil in the region. Abu Dhabi has other historic exhibits including mosques, a fort and the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. The modern buildings of Abu Dhabi are intriguing in their own right.

A number of excursions are available from Abu Dhabi. These include a visit to the oasis of Al Ain, historically a vital link in the Arabian caravan routes. The trip includes visits to museums commemorating the lifestyle of the Bedouins and more ancient civilizations in the region. Other trips take visitors to the bazaars and shops of Sharjah, contrasted with a modern shopping mall, or to the Dubai Museum.

Safaris aboard 4x4 vehicles out into the dunes are popular with many visitors. Some trips include time spent in a Bedouin encampment, camel rides and even races.

Other popular destinations within the UAE include Ajman, a small Emirate lying on the coast, Fujairah, popular for its scenery, and Ras Al Khaimah, one of the Northern Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two parts. One lies on the coats, with a short strip of coastline (64km). The other is to the southeast, in the Hajar mountains.

Area: 82,880 km 2

Climate: Mostly desert. Somewhat cooler in mountains

Terrain: Mostly desert with coastal plains and some mountains.

Population: 2.5 million (including around 1.5 million non-nationals)

Languages: Official language is Arabic. Others commonly spoken include English, Hindi, Persian and Urdu

Currency: Dirham

Time Zone: GMT +4 hours

International Dialling Code: +971

Food and Drink

Although the UAE is an Islamic country, alcohol is available to those of non-Islamic cultures. With so many non-resident workers in the country, international cuisine is very common. It is possible to find restaurants serving food from more or less any region if you look hard enough, and the most popular choices are quite common.

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Places to visit

Information unavailable.

Things to do

The UAE is a popular destination with golfers, and was declared the world’s number one golf destination by the International Golf Tour Operators Association despite only recently opening its first courses. The most famous courses are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Watersports are also popular in The UAE. Dubai is the main center for water-based activities. It is an excellent location for diving and snorkeling. In addition, sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing are also popular. Boat races are becoming increasingly popular as a spectator sport. These races, featuring boats with a crew of up to 30 rowers, are a traditional part of local life.

There is no need to even leave your accommodation to have a good time. Many hotels have extensive sporting facilities including swimming pools, courts for tennis and squash, and even bowling alleys in addition to excellent bars, restaurants and clubs.

If a day at the races appeals, horse and camel races are common at a variety of tracks. For those who prefer to take part than watch, horseback rides in the desert offer a unique experience. Another unusual possibility is the chance to go sand-skiing.

For a less intense holiday, boat trips are popular. Visitors can hire boats to operate themselves or take a guided trip. Some visitors enjoy the big game fishing available; others prefer to sail around and see the sights. A cruise aboard a traditional Dhow out of Abu Dhabi is an unforgettable experience. These vessels once plied as far afield as China and East Africa and are still common today. An evening cruise takes in the sights of Abu Dhabi’s skyline and the artificial Lulu Island, and includes an onboard barbecue.