Luxury United Arab Emirates Holidays

Arab heritage and hyper-modern cities

United Arab Emirates

One of the fastest-growing countries in the world, the UAE is a tricky place to pin down. Settled in the Persian Gulf, its seven emirates provide a whirlwind of futuristic cityscapes, sun-baked desert and mountain scenery.

The picturesque coast has pushed the country forward as a five-star beach destination, with up-and-coming resorts like Ras Al Khaimah settling luxury hotels and yachting marinas on its silky white shores.

Next door to Ras Al Khaimah, you have Dubai. The UAE’s poster child, Dubai has spent the past couple of decades creating world record breakers from its sand-dusted traditions, boasting the biggest structure in the world, the largest shopping malls and the most luxurious hotels – and creating one of the world’s most stylish, diverse and exciting cities in the process.

Destinations in UAE

Dubai

Dubai is larger than life, setting out record-breaking skyscrapers, shopping malls with ski hills, designer islands and glittering canal-striped neighbourhoods against an Arabian Desert backdrop.

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Ras Al Khaimah

Ras al Khaimah is the most northerly emirate in the UAE, resting against the Omani border. Thanks to its gulf-side spot, sandy beaches are its speciality.

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Flight Information

Flight time from the UK to the UAE is around 6 hours 30 minutes.

When to go

Emirati summers are classic of the Middle East: long, hot and humid. Average temperatures are in the high 30s and early 40s pretty much from May through to September, when humidity can top 80%. Winter is a more comfortable time to visit, with temperatures between November and April sticking around the mid-to-high 20s with little chance of rain.

Visa Information

British citizens will be granted a free 30-day visa upon arrival in the UAE.

Tipping

In most tourist destinations in the Emirates (such as Dubai and Ras al Khaimah), it’s customary to leave a 10% cash tip in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated for other services; aim for five to 20 UAE dirhams for porters bringing your bags to your room and for taxi drivers.

United Arab Emirates specialities The UAE is fabulous for food, with international cuisine and gourmet dining everywhere you turn, but make sure you save some room for a few traditional dishes, too. The cuisine reflects its typically Arab heritage, with lots of spices like saffron and turmeric. Popular dishes include ghuzi (roast lamb served with roti) and wara enab (grape leaves stuffed with rice, mint, onions and tomatoes). Particular emirates have their own traditions: in Dubai, for example, Fridays are all about Champagne brunches.