Custom United Arab Emirates Tour

Tour Highlights

About United Araba Emirates Travel

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates (equivalent to principalities), each governed by a hereditary emir, with a single national president. The constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Dubai is the ost popular but other emirates area becoming more traveled.

Dubai, UAE:  Little is known about pre-Islamic culture in the southeast Arabian Peninsula, except that many ancient towns in the area were trading centers between the Eastern and Western worlds.  Written accounts document the existence of the city for at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE.  The town of Dubai was an important port for foreign traders, mostly from India, many of whom eventually settled here.  Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi.  It has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833.  Dubai remains a fascinating mix of past and present as seen in the magnificent Jumeira Mosque, the old wind-towered houses built by wealthy merchants, and the sleek shops.  Its splendid, sometimes futuristic, architecture dwarfs the ancient alleys of the gold and spice souks.  Worth seeing also are the Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort and the historic area of Al Bastaklyah.

Abu Dhabi:  This is the capital and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates.  It is a cosmopolitan metropolis, and center of politics, commerce and culture.  It is also where the Emarati royal family resides.  Abu Dhabi spreads across an island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast.  Abu Dhabi’s early settlements date back to the 3rd millennium B.C.  Its early history was that of nomadic herders and fishermen.  Modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation, the Bani Yas, in the late 18th century.  Into the mid-20th century, the economy of Abu Dhabi was sustained mainly by camel herding and production of dates and vegetables at inland oases such as Al-Ain and Liwa, and fishing and pearl diving off the coast.  One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively worked to diversify its economy by investing in financial services and tourism.  It claims the title of the 26th most expensive city in the world.

Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa & Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve:  This exclusive award-winning resort is set round an oasis within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.  The resort provides an extraordinary experience for the discerning traveler and offers a glimpse into the heritage and romance of Arabia.  More than 2,000 original artifacts from throughout the Middle East grace the walls and floors at Al Maha, making it one of the largest private art collections in the UAE. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is home to several types of gazelle, oryx, sand cat, red fox, hare and hedgehog.  Bird species include several species of raptors.  The resort offers fascinating activities from camel trekking, to wildlife safaris, to falconry.

Best Times to Go to Dubai
Festivals and Special Events

• Dubai is arid with a subtropical climate.  June to September is the hottest.  Daytime temperatures can rise to 113°F and more, with high humidity.  Temperatures vary only slightly the rest of the year. It’s coolest December through March.
• Dubai Shopping Festival, January and February, is a month-long shopping spree that draws more than three million people.  Events include fashion shows and film festivals.
• Dubai World Cup, usually in March, is the richest horse race in the world.
• National Day Festival, December, celebrates Dubai’s Independence, and features concerts, music competitions, children’s cultural programs, fireworks and camel races.
• Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, in February, draws tens of thousands of music lovers and performers alike.