Opening the UAE! Which emirate to choose? Holidays in the United Arab Emirates: useful information and features of the holiday Parking and parking.
Tired of the harsh climate, an increasing number of citizens seek to bask in the sun, regardless of the time of year. Looking for a destination, tourists opt for an exotic country that surprisingly combines oriental traditions with high standards service. Rest in attracts exotic originality and developed infrastructure, allowing you to realize the dream of an oriental fairy tale.
The desire to visit the country of sheikhs today is easily realized. Snow-white sandy beaches, amazing skyscrapers, luxurious and giant shopping centers await tourists.
UAE: location and climate
The territory of 83.6 thousand square kilometers is located in the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The federal state borders on Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and Qatar. Bathed in warm waters indian ocean and two gulfs (Oman and Persian), the UAE delights vacationers with a subtropical climate. Warm and sunny on the exotic coast all year round. 20 degrees Celsius is the minimum air temperature. For those who can hardly stand the heat, a holiday in will be the best time to travel. Excellent weather and comfortable temperature will allow you to enjoy a useful pastime to the fullest.
And in the hot season, from May to September, favorable conditions are provided for vacationers on the territory of hotels. For the eastern coast of the mountainous regions of the country, in hot weather, saving winds soften the climate.
Planning a trip to the UAE? Prepare documents
Tourists going on a trip to the coast, where a young country with strict Muslim laws and sacred traditions is located, should take care of a visa. You can apply for a permit to enter the country on your own by contacting the UAE consulate, or trust the agency from which the ticket is purchased. Required documents for obtaining a visa:
a color photocopy of a valid international passport;
a completed application form in English;
color photographs;
· 80 US dollars as a consular fee.
For children who are inscribed in the parents' passport, you will not have to pay a visa fee. Documents are reviewed within three business days. The consulate may require additional documents, and employees also reserve the right not to explain the reason for the refusal to issue a visa. Special attention is paid to unmarried women, unaccompanied by relatives, who intend to enter the country.
If a visa is obtained, then when crossing the border, you must present a copy of it in electronic form, as well as a foreign passport.
Check out the entry rules
Tourists should be aware of customs regulations when traveling to Recreation can be spoiled already when crossing the border, if the tourist is carrying products of erotic content, alcohol over two liters, drugs. They are attentive to imported medicines, so it is better to leave narcotic or potent sedatives at home, because for this you can go to jail or be deported from the country. Visual control identifies people with inappropriate behavior, who are required to undergo a test for the presence of inadmissible drugs, and if suspicions are confirmed, severe punishment follows, according to UAE law.
But there are no restrictions on the import of national and foreign currency.
7 emirates - choose any
An attractive place for tourists attracts holidaymakers all year round. The state represents a confederation of emirates, which includes Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, each of which differs in size, originality, local laws, cost of recreation, infrastructure and attractions .
Choosing a vacation United Arab Emirates, people take a balanced approach to their financial capabilities, because on tourist map in the world, this direction is considered one of the most expensive options.
- The largest in terms of area is Abu Dhabi, and the city of the same name is also the capital of the state. This emirate is focused on business tourists. Everything here strikes with luxury, incredible skyscrapers and man-made islands are worthy of admiration.
- Dubai - the second largest emirate is distinguished by liberality. Vacationers with different levels of income will be able to relax in both luxury hotels and budget hotels. Anyone can climb the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa (828 m) or the record-breaking Rose Tower (333 m). Skiing on ski slopes of any complexity in an indoor ski resort that operates all year round, or entertainment in giant water parks measuring 17 and 6 hectares in size will leave an indelible impression for those who have visited the United Arab Emirates. Dubai, the rest in which will enrich the impressions, attracts with the palaces of the sheikhs.
- To visit the emirate of Sharjah means to visit the coast of the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf at the same time. Most often, tourists are attracted by gentle waves and golden sand, because it is precisely such associations that the United Arab Emirates go on vacation. The 4 * hotel is a mid-range beach hotel, which is most often chosen by tourists who prefer peace and comfort.
- The delightful greenery of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah captivates with its exquisite design. The most beautiful place is washed by the gentle waves of the Persian Gulf. The picturesque landscape is attractive for tourists.
- Umm Al Quwain is considered the quietest and most provincial emirate, which attracts tourists with architectural monuments. The way of life and national traditions are preserved here. local residents.
- In Fujairah, tourists prefer to relax, avoiding large crowds. Resort areas attractive for fans of beach holidays and mountain climbing. Hotels attract food on an all-inclusive basis.
- Most small emirate Ajman, located half an hour from Dubai Airport, is rich in mineral water, which supplies the countries of the Persian Gulf. Here, tourists are happy to visit the National Historical Museum.
The mentality of the locals
Before traveling to another country, it will not be superfluous to first familiarize yourself with its national characteristics. An unceremonious attitude towards a woman (foreigner or local - it doesn't matter) is unacceptable here, which cannot be said about Egypt or Turkey.
Tourists from all over the world strive to get a quality vacation in the United Arab Emirates, but in order not to overshadow the trip, you should follow the rules:
· in a country with strict Muslim customs, there is a "dry law", and in public places it is better to abstain from alcohol;
It is forbidden to transport strong drinks from one emirate to another;
alcohol as a gift is a bad sign;
You can not sunbathe topless, only in a bathing suit, outside the pool or the beach it is also not recommended to be in it;
Show respect for Arab women (photographing them is tantamount to insulting, it is forbidden to take a married woman by the arm);
· at the entrance to the house, the mosque must take off your shoes;
Always tip taxi drivers.
beach tourism
Each emirate has a different color of sand on the coast (from dazzling white to shades of red). well-appointed and clean beaches attract tourists. The territory is equipped for a comfortable pastime with sunbeds and umbrellas for sunbathing. City beaches can be both paid and free. The territory is provided for family vacation. The coast of Abu Dhabi is marked with the EU flag for cleanliness.
In Dubai, on the beaches of Al Mamzar Park and Jumeirah Beach Park, one day of the week is considered female, so the presence of men is prohibited.
For admirers aquatic species sports must visit coastline Fujairah. A beach holiday in Sharjah will captivate with picturesque views of coral reefs and amazing blue bays. On a yacht you can visit deserted places whose pristine beauty will leave an indelible impression.
United Arab Emirates: holidays with children
Not only business tourism attracts to the actively developing eastern country. Enthusiasm and a sea of positive emotions guarantee tourists a vacation in the United Arab Emirates.
Feedback from families who visited the exotic region can only be heard positive. Here intertwined long history And high tech. Vacationers appreciated the ban on alcohol in Sharjah, where peace is guaranteed for families with children, and they also like the quiet emirate of Ras Al Khaimah with the wonderful Dreamland water park. A friendly attitude towards Russian-speaking tourists makes holidays in the United Arab Emirates more popular every year. And tourists are provided with safety and comfort on the Arabian coast.
Prefer an active holiday?
Tourists who are tired of swimming and serene wallowing in the sun will be able to gain new impressions.
An exciting program is provided for fans of active pastime, making unforgettable vacation in the United Arab Emirates. The reviews are impressive, because not every country will offer such a variety:
rally in the desert on cars;
Walking on camels or horses;
windsurfing, golf, diving, archery;
races on speed boats;
races on purebred Arabian horses;
camel races;
catching crabs under the cover of night;
falconry or "Birds of Prey Show".
Vehicles in the country
It is accepted to use a taxi in the UAE, because public transport poorly developed. For women, cars are provided, painted in pink, where only women work as drivers. The fare is five - ten dirhams, in the bus - 1.5. There is also a water taxi (boats - "abras"), providing communication between the banks of the Dubai Canal.
Tourists over the age of 21 can rent a car. This requires international driver license issued over a year ago. Insurance is required. The minimum rental period is a day. A rental car is most often equipped with a siren that warns of speeding. It is permissible to move on motorways 100 km/h in settlements - no more than 60 km/h.
Hotel fund of the country
Settle in the city or on the beach? Tourists decide this issue based on individual preferences. The United Arab Emirates are famous for their developed infrastructure. Rest hotels guarantee impeccable. Luxurious apartments are offered to tourists on the coast of Dubai, in the prestigious areas of Jumeirah, Sharjah, where the cost of rooms is very high. In Abu Dhabi, buildings are located on the shore, because there is not enough land, beach line because of this narrow, which reduces the cost of living. Ajman has a weak hotel base, therefore it is attractive for a budget tourist. In Fujairah, food is established that allows you not to worry about lunch and dinner, because in most other emirates only breakfast is provided for the guest in the hotel.
Tourists who cannot stand the heat are advised to go on vacation in the spring. In the United Arab Emirates in April, the temperature is very comfortable, allowing you to fully enjoy the trip. Each of the hotels has a swimming pool, where guests enjoy relaxing. Almost all city hotels offer a free shuttle service to the beach.
Shopping fans will not be disappointed
A unique country attracts tourists with sales with great discounts. Low duties and favorable laws have made the UAE attractive for vacationers seeking not only to update their wardrobe, but also household appliances, electronics, computers, and jewelry. Holidays in January allow you to purchase new world brands at the annual shopping festival in Dubai.
It is difficult to name a well-known brand that is not represented in the range of goods sold at an affordable price. New Year's tours are not so good for beach lovers, but for fans of sightseeing trips, great prospects open up.
Features of national cuisine
Due to the prevailing religious characteristics, pork in the diet of local residents is unacceptable. Arabic cuisine abounds with various types of meat. Tourists in the menu of the hotel's restaurant will be offered dishes of beef, veal, lamb, goat meat or poultry. Cooked with spices or nuts, guzi, shawarma, kustilet, kebe, meshui-mushakkal, biryani-adzhadzh, saman will delight hotel guests. Seafood fans will be surprised by makbus-samak, biryani-samak, zubeidi, sharks and shellfish cooked on charcoal. Dairy products, vegetables, herbs in grape leaves will be appreciated by vegetarians.
Traditional Arabian will amaze gourmets. And those with a sweet tooth will like pistachio or milk pudding, sherbet, Asyda dessert.
Each hotel is proud of its chef, who adequately represents the national cuisine in the menu of his restaurant.
Currency and language of the UAE
They are spoken in the country in Arabic and English. The influx of Russian-speaking tourists is forcing employees of hotels, restaurants, shops to learn the language of the Slavs. In most hotel complexes, the staff owns the necessary set of phrases that contribute to the understanding of tourists.
Dirham is the national currency of the UAE, it is equal to 100 fils. US dollars are also actively used for settlements, but it is better to exchange them at a bank for local currency.
The cost of a ticket to the country of oriental charm depends on the time of year, the location of the resort, the star rating of the hotel, and the class of service. Although it is believed that a tour to the UAE is an expensive pleasure, you can buy it if you wish. Choose a budget option elite vacation V magical land today is real.
Emirates surprise even the most experienced travelers. The sights of the UAE are stunning buildings of the future, historical Bedouin villages, luxurious mosques and the extraordinary nature of the desert. Which interesting places a must-see during a holiday in the UAE?
The doors of the mosque are open to visitors daily from 9 am to 12 noon, except Friday;
What to do in the Emirates?
Entertainment in the UAE is presented for every taste. Nightclubs and bars in the country are located only on the territory of hotels, but otherwise the traveler's choice is limited only by his imagination: you can sunbathe on the beach or swim in the waters of the Persian Gulf, go shopping or relax in a cafe, fly with water slide in the water park or go snowboarding down the ski slope.
Most tourists come to the Emirates for a measured beach holiday. There is always warm water and hot sun. In addition, the coast is clean and safe, and you can choose a vacation spot to your taste: there are free municipal beaches and areas with paid entrance. By purchasing a ticket, you get a sunbed, an awning and, often, the right to a free drink. Vacationers are also offered boat trips, water skiing or jet skiing.
Thrill-seekers should visit Wild Wadi Water Park, a favorite tourist attraction in Dubai.
This is a giant complex that includes about 30 exciting rides, many cafes, souvenir shops and entertainment areas. The park has one of the most extreme slides in the world - Jumeirah Sceirah. Due to the strong pressure of water, a person rises to a height of more than 20 m, and then rolls down at a speed of 80 km / h in an almost sheer tunnel
Those who prefer an active holiday should go diving and explore the local marine fauna: turtles, octopuses, barracudas and reef sharks. In Dubai, you can explore the wrecks of sunken ships and Coral reefs. As an alternative to diving, you can go on an excursion to the desert and spend the night by the fire under endless sky desert.
shopping
Shopping in the UAE is becoming more and more popular with tourists every year. Travelers tend to visit numerous local bazaars and modern shopping centers. What can you buy in the UAE? Buyers prefer products of world famous brands: clothes and accessories, shoes, cosmetics and perfumes, watches and jewelry. All this is presented in abundance in numerous Emirati stores.
Outlets in the UAE are represented by the only, but huge complex Dubai Outlet Mall. Its main feature is the ability to bargain with the seller and ask for a larger discount than indicated on the price tag. Also on Mondays, the mall holds a promotion, during which you can buy a thing for 15-30% of its original cost. Therefore, shopping in Dubai can be not only a great pleasure, but also a sporting interest.
What to bring from the UAE as a gift?
It is impossible to visit the Emirates and not bring home a memorable souvenir for yourself and pleasant surprises for friends and relatives. What is worth buying in the UAE as a keepsake?
- Oriental sweets: Turkish delight, nougat, baklava and nuts and honey crust. These unusually tasty delicacies are not at all like those sold in domestic stores. Such a gift will please any sweet tooth;
- Cloth. Among tourists in the UAE, it is very popular to buy local fur products: fur coats, muffs, headphones, etc.
In addition, the country has a huge number of branded stores where you can buy any thing you like from a well-known brand; - Perfumes and cosmetics. Such a gift will please any lady. The Emirates are famous for their perfumes made from natural oils. An indescribable oriental aroma will be a pleasant reminder of the journey;
- Jewelry and exquisite souvenirs. Jewelry markets in the UAE are one of the most famous attractions. Here you can buy original jewelry, animal figurines made of precious metals, gilded cutlery and much more.
The range of all kinds of gifts and souvenirs in the shops of the UAE is huge, you just have to choose what you like.
Food and drink
The Emirates is a country of desert nomads. Due to the paucity of local vegetation and the scarcity of food, national cuisine recipes consisted of various combinations of dates, camel milk and, occasionally, goat or mutton meat. Nowadays, you can try these dishes only during an excursion to the Bedouin settlements. The national food here is the cuisine of the UAE, which was formed under the influence of religious characteristics and the hot natural and climatic conditions of the country.
The modern cuisine of the Emirates combines Arab and European traditions. The most popular meat dishes are: roast meshui-mushakkal, kustileta - lamb cutlets with spices and fragrant herbs, haris - veal casserole. Lovers of sweets should pay attention to local desserts: lush honey donuts ligemat, pistachio mehallabiya pudding and ash-asaya - a sweet cottage cheese pie.
There are two types of restaurants in the UAE: those with a license to sell alcohol and those without it. The first group includes the most luxurious establishments located at large hotels. Most of them are Michelin star holders. For example, Clé Dubai restaurant. It is designed in a modern Arabic style with subdued lighting and many decorative elements. Here you should definitely try the chef's specialties: lamb dalma with rice, orange Turkish delight and chocolate cake with sesame cream.
Tasty, but inexpensive, you can have a bite to eat in small national establishments. For example, in the Golden Fork restaurant chain, food prices will not exceed 100 AED (25 EUR) per person for a full meal.
People come to the UAE all year round to relax on clean sandy beaches and swim in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Impeccable hotel service, affordable prices for tours and a variety of entertainment options - from shopping in the huge malls of Dubai and diving in Fujairah to driving exclusive Ferrari models in Abu Dhabi and flying on balloons and planes over the country.
A trip to the UAE is a trip to the land of fantasy come true. It seems that nothing is impossible for the citizens of the Emirates - gardens bloom in the desert, islands grow in the sea, and the Ministry of Happiness takes care of the citizens. Gorgeous airports, tall buildings with lavish interior decoration, expensive cars on the roads, a diamond supermarket, a seven-star hotel, ski resort and a zoo right in the middle of the desert, a glint of gold... They don't skimp here, but at the same time they know how to count money. It is worth going to the UAE at least to see how a fairy tale becomes a reality.
Skyscrapers in the desert and man-made islands
Palm Jumeirah, UAE. UAE.
As soon as oil was found in the country, the desert backwoods turned into a luxurious ultra-modern country. Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper high building from where the view is crazy. Before climbing to the observation deck, admire the world's largest dancing fountain - this is an extravaganza of light, sound and water. There are many skyscrapers in the UAE, arguing in their concentration with the Manhattan of New York. The famous man-made islands of Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali are perfectly visible from a helicopter and even from space. You can get to them by monorail, making a lot of interesting photos. Now another grandiose project is under construction - the Mir archipelago - a reduced copy of the planet.
Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai
The aquarium is in mall Dubai Mall impresses with its size. Sharks swim at arm's length from visitors! 33 thousand representatives of the underwater fauna live here. Even penguins live in the Dubai Indoor Zoo, standing on the desert sands. By the way, the rooms are perfectly air-conditioned, and the animals are carefully looked after.
Incredible range of entertainment
Ski complex SKI DUBAI, UAE. UAE.
The most fantastic thing you can do in a country where almost the entire territory is desert is skiing. man-made closed ski resort Ski Dubai will take you from under scorching sun to the light frost of the Alps. For those who love to swim, we recommend going to Aquaventure or Wild Wadi water parks. In the desert, you can go sandboarding - ride a board on the dunes or go on a jeep safari. You can also skydive, see camel races, hunt crabs under cover of night, swim with sharks, play golf, fly in a hot air balloon or helicopter - perhaps there is no such whim of a tourist that will not be fulfilled in the UAE.
Dream shopping
There is a mall in Dubai where you can find everything from safety pins to exclusive Ferrari models. In addition to boutiques with clothes, shoes, cosmetics and perfumes, appliances, sweets, jewelry, there is also a huge aquarium, an Olympic ice rink, an indoor traditional market, an entertainment center for children, a dinosaur skeleton and a life-size model of an airplane, a three-story waterfall and a completely breathtaking view of the tall skyscraper in the world. Well, if you didn’t get to Dubai Mall, don’t be upset. There are many shopping malls in Dubai, and hotels offer free shuttle service to many of them.
The UAE is one of the most visited and open countries in the Arab East. sandy beaches, slender skyscrapers, hot men and their wives, delicious Arabic cuisine, rich sheikhs and golden cars - all this and more can be found in the seven emirates.
Go to a hockey game
It is hard enough to believe that you can play hockey in the middle of the desert. It turns out that the country even has its own ice hockey team, which plays in the third division of the world championship. You can watch performances or watch the team practice at the mall.
Look from above
Everyone knows that - the city of artificial islands. Being on the ground, it is difficult to imagine the scope of this ambitious project. But if you look at it from a height, you are delighted with the imagination of architects, engineers and all those who worked on the creation of the islands.
Price: helicopter tour (15 min) - 250 $
Take a ride on the subway
You can hide from the scorching sun and sweltering heat in an ultra-modern one. There is no driver on the train because it is fully automated. It is better to choose a seat at the front window, from which a wonderful view opens, because the train does not go underground, but through a picturesque area.
Price: depends on the distance of the trip and starts from 1.8 dirhams (0.30 $)
Get behind the wheel of a car
One of the most popular and modern Formula 1 race tracks is located in the UAE. After playing with the dates, you can attend the race at by ordering tickets in advance. After arrival, there is an opportunity to ride a car with an instructor. And if your trip to Abu Dhabi does not coincide with the dates of the Formula 1, it is worth taking a tour that will tell you how Yas Marina works - one of the best racing tracks in the world.
Price: excursion - 33 $
Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Under the huge red roof of the dedicated theme park, there are more than 20 attractions, as well as shops and restaurants. Feel free to go on the world's fastest pneumatic roller coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 240 km/h.
Price: ticket price for an adult - 68 $, for a child - 54 $
Swim in Dubai Aquarium
One of the largest in the world is located in the Dubai Mall. Acquaintance with the inhabitants of the aquarium will be fun and educational entertainment for adults and children. Here you can walk through the tunnel with a huge number of marine life, of which 44 are sharks. If extreme is in your blood, you can dive into the water and personally greet the predator (Shark Diving).
Price: from 25 $
Play KidZania
While adults go shopping and choose gifts for themselves, children frolic in KidZania - a large children's complex inside, where kids can try on various professions. A minimum knowledge of English is welcome, but not required.
Price: about 50$
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
During the day, with 82 domes decorated with marble, shimmers with white and golden light. Come here at sunset best time for photos): in the evening, artificial lighting makes the building mysterious. The mosque is open to the public every day except Friday morning.
Ride at Yas Waterworld
A unique water park where you can spend the whole day. More than 40 attractions, five of which you will not find anywhere except in the UAE. Three-meter artificial waves of the Bubble’s Barrel attraction, huge water roller coasters, a 238-meter Tornado slide and much more.
Price: day ticket for an adult - about 60 $, for a child - 54 $
Visit Dubai World Cup
Arabian horses, Emirati sheikhs, excitement in the air. Every year on the last Saturday of March, the famous races are held at the Meydan hippodrome, in which representatives of more than 10 countries take part. Girls, stock up on beautiful hats to surprise other ladies, as well as win the audience award for the most original headdress.
Price: ticket prices range from $6 to $1000
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com