About Dubai & The Emirates (UAE)

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also well-known as “The city of Gold” because of its vast open Gold markets. This city offers a huge number of tourist attractions, a vibrant night life, abundant shops, parks, gardens and an extensive variety of recreational activities. Dubai is world prominent for its real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records.

Depending on which airline you travel with and at which time of year you travel, flight times from the UK to Dubai can vary between 6.30 mins to 7.15 mins. Please not that these are only approximate times.

Attractions

This city is dotted with numerous fascinating tourist attractions that are worth visiting. Al Boom Tourist Village with banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Bastakiya, Bedouin Village, Burj Nahar Dubai Museum, Dubai Creek, Dubai World Trade Centre, Grand Mosque, Hatta Mountains also popular among visitors. Dubai offers impressive package for all its visitors. Whatever your theme of interest is, this city's attractions will gratify to your predilections and make your vacation an impressive one.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the Emirates, but English is widely used.

Shopping

Dubai is labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East". With so many shopping malls and souks, there's no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. Dubai's numerous shopping malls cater to every consumer need. Cars, haute couture clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment, and any other goods will likely all be under the same roof. Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Gold Souk and Al Ain Plaza.

Currency

The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham (AED), which is divided into 100 fils. There are no currency regulations in the UAE and all major currencies are readily exchanged at banks and large hotels. The Dirham is fixed against the US Dollar. The best exchange rates are found at private moneychangers who operate throughout the territory, particularly in the more popular souks (markets) and shopping centres. Most major credit cards are accepted, as are traveller’s cheques (best carried in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). ATMs are common throughout the UAE. Banking hours are generally Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 1pm, but some are also open between 4pm and 8.30pm

Nighlife

Dubai is fascinating place for the night birds. This beautiful place has numerous pubs, clubs and bars which party on until late. Alamo, Atlantis, Carter, Hard Rock Café and Tropicana is just among the few that makes you rock. Missing an experience of the vibrant nightlife in Dubai, would make your travel an incomplete one.

Activities

The fascinating Abu Dhabi enjoys a range of activities like dhow cruising, wadi bashing, scuba diving, football, tennis, swimming, sailing, boating, golf, bowling, horse riding, golf, snorkelling, ice skating, fishing, Thunder Bowl, horse riding, go karting wonderland, speed slides, surf hills, wave runners, desert feasts, dune driving, sand-skiing, camel racing, polo, shooting, archery, bird watching, paragliding, skydiving, hot air ballooning, cruising and not to miss the famous camel riding. Visitors must also not miss diving as they can experience the glorious waters of the Persian Gulf that is home to an amazing range of fish, sea mammals and other marine life. This makes scuba diving and snorkelling very worthwhile recreations. This is one reason why travellers from across the world choose to holiday in Abu Dhabi.

Duty Free

Visitors to the UAE do not need to pay customs duty on 400 cigarettes, cigars to a maximum value of 3,000 dirhams and 2kg tobacco; and perfume for personal use to the value of 3,000 dirhams. Alcohol allowances vary. Dubai: 24 cans of beer or 4 litres of any other alcohol; Abu Dhabi and Fujairah: 4 litres of alcohol provided traveller is not Muslim; Sharjah: 2 litres of alcohol and 1 case beer. Fruit and vegetables from cholera infected areas are strictly prohibited.