United Arab Emirates Short Breaks
The western section of the Hajar mountain range is in the U.A.E., and is the highest in the Eastern Arabian Peninsula. Starting in the north-eastern area of the country, it creates the Musandam Peninsula, separating a small section of Oman, the ‘sultanate’, from the rest of the country. The mountains are dramatic and rocky, offering amazing views from their summits. Desert covers most of the country outside the main urban areas, but has a striking beauty all of its own.
Because of the United Arab Emirates' climate, it’s best to travel here in the winter months, either side of Christmas. While Christmas can be considered the best time to go, in recent years the weather has been unpredictable with cloudy and rainy conditions, whereas the months of October and November, and February and March have temperatures in the mid-20's on average. It is best to avoid visiting during the high summer months of July and August when temperatures hit the high 40's on average. You may also want to avoid the month of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month where participants fast from sunrise to sunset. You don’t have to participate, however you will be expected to not break the fasting rules in public areas.
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving in the United Arab Emirates is some of the most magnificent you will find anywhere in the world, especially along the eastern coast, which touches the Gulf of Oman and leads to the Indian Ocean. The waters here are filled with coral dive sites, offering plenty of colourful tropical fish to marvel. This is a great destination to try your hand at some under-water photography, and to go home with some really great holiday-snaps to show off to your friends and family! The scuba diving around Dubai is good too, expect to see: rays, dolphins, sea turtles and whale sharks. There are also lots of schools about where novices can learn how to dive.
Multi-Activity
The main tourist areas around Dubai provide loads of activities to try. Join a safari group and take a jeep ride into the desert. After an exciting drive through the dunes, visit a camel farm and ride a camel as the sun sets over the sandy dunes. Enjoy a barbecue dinner with some local cuisine around a camp fire, before watching a local belly dancer and then settling down for the night under a perfect starry sky. Try your hand at some sand-boarding the next morning before you head back to the urban Disney-esque dream world.
Shark Diving
Are you a certified diver? If so, how about cranking it up a notch and getting the adrenaline pumping through your veins with shark diving? Not where you would expect though, take the plunge at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall! You can even get a DVD of the dive if you make it… It's an excellent way to get the experience in a very safe and controlled manner – you can also make a quick change, and swiftly jump back into your regular clothes and get back shopping once it's over.
4x4 Driving
This is a good way to get around the U.A.E. and to take in some sights. Much of the country is arid desert, so you want a comfortable and quick way of getting around – and depending on the time of year probably with air conditioning. Enjoy spectacular views across rocky mountain passes as you travel from Dubai to Hatta, a heritage village which has been recreated to display everyday scenes from the past.
Follow the dried river the Hatta Wadi, as it winds through the mountains and reveals lush green oases and water pools. If you are in Abu Dhabi, take a trip south-west to Liwa, where you will find the oasis on the edge of the Rub Al Khali, the biggest sand desert in the world. Liwa is a famous spot for its red sand dunes, and this will be an unforgettable experience.
Classic Itineraries
The United Arab Emirates is a hugely contrasted country, from its Bedouin roots in the desert to its hugely capitalist influenced urban areas. Stay in one of the main cities: Dubai offers the most attractions. In this city you can do some of your favourite adventure sports like scuba diving, snorkelling, shark diving and kitesurfing! Head to heritage sites and the museum, to take in the culture and history of your surroundings. Head just north of Dubai to Sharjah: the self-proclaimed cultural capital of the U.A.E. where you can haggle in the souks. Get out of the cities to experience some desert life, a more natural and traditional experience of the U.A.E. Head to Hatta for the mountainous scenery; and Liwa for the Oasis and sand dunes.
Other Activities
To get a feel for the U.A.E.’s culture and history, take a walking tour around Dubai. The old district of Al Bastakiya is a good place to start with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers. Many traditional buildings here have been rebuilt, but information here is minimal, so go to the Al Fahidi Fort and visit the Dubai museum, where you can start to understand how Dubai transformed from a desert town to an urban metropolis. Stroll through the old souk (market) and cross the creek by a traditional water-taxi called an “abra”. Another activity that must be tried here is a seaplane flight over Dubai, fly over the famous Palm Jumeirah and take in the other worldly sights of this city from another perspective. Looking for something else? Try skiing on the artificial piste at the Dubai Mall!
