The United Arab Emirates, commonly referred to as the UAE, is a small but mighty nation located in the Middle East. The country is home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking attractions in the world, making it a must-visit destination for travelers. From its towering skyscrapers and luxurious shopping centers, to its pristine beaches and world-class theme parks, the UAE offers a truly unique experience for visitors. Dubai is the largest and most well-known city in the UAE, and is famous for its modern architecture, lavish shopping experiences, and iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel in the shape of a sail. The city also boasts several man-made islands, such as the Palm Jumeirah, shaped like a palm tree, and the World Islands, which resemble the continents of the world. Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE, is a hub of culture and history. It is home to the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art museum that houses an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and contemporary works. The city is also known for its stunning desert landscapes and is a popular destination for dune bashing, a thrilling activity that involves driving through the sand dunes in a 4x4. In addition to its cities, the UAE is also known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. The country is home to some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world, where visitors can swim with colorful fish and explore vibrant coral reefs. For families and thrill-seekers, the UAE is home to several world-class theme parks, including the Motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood-inspired park that features popular characters from movies such as Shrek, The Hunger Games, and Hotel Transylvania. The country is also home to the Ferrari World, an indoor park that boasts the world's fastest roller coaster and a collection of attractions inspired by the legendary Italian car brand. The UAE is also a foodie's paradise, with a diverse array of cuisine available from around the world. From traditional Middle Eastern dishes, such as shawarma and falafel, to international cuisine, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian, the country offers something for everyone's tastes. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates is a fascinating and exciting destination that offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Whether you are interested in exploring its towering skyscrapers, pristine beaches, or world-class theme parks, the UAE is a destination that will leave you with lasting memories and a desire to return.
Holiday Offers
Below is a selection of the most popular Inspiration Holidays United Arab Emirates holiday offers. We have United Arab Emirates offers at most of the hotels we feature. For more holiday offers in United Arab Emirates, have a look at offers section, or use our holiday search where you will be able to see all the best United Arab Emirates holiday deals we currently have. You can also call an Inspiration Holidays United Arab Emirates holiday experts who will be able to tailor make a United Arab Emirates holiday for your specific requirements.
Nestled in the Middle East, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the United Arab Emirates are made up of seven very different emirates. The federal capital is Abu Dhabi, but it is Dubai that has become its economic centre, thanks to tourism and luxury shopping.For travellers who like modernity and anything on a large scale, visiting these two megacities are a must.
Unique combinations of palaces, shops, mosques, souks and skyscrapers that defy the laws of gravity, these two flagship regions of the country, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bear witness to an unprecedented development that has taken place in only a matter of years. Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain: each of the five other emirates offers a wide range of treasures to explore.
Fancy an adventure and some starry skies? Liwa Desert, south of Abu Dhabi, is the perfect place to enjoy some trekking, either on foot or by camel. Fine sand, dunes as far as the eye can see, and an authentic atmosphere provide a balance to the dazzling bustle of the cities. The reefs off the Green Coast are a paradise for divers and anybody interested in marine life. The country is also packed with museums, so there’s plenty to satisfy those interested in culture and history. The cities of Sharjah and Fujairah are more traditional and also a lot less crowded, boasting a rich, well-preserved heritage to delight curious minds.
The United Arab Emirates are a multifaceted destination, where tradition and modernity live side by side in perfect harmony. The desert carries on happily alongside huge cities where development and wealth flourish thanks to the region’s oil. Discover this rich and exciting destination that can be summed up as follows: secular tradition based in a young, forward-thinking country with an incredible energy.
The UAE began as simple pearling villages, but has evolved into one of the most multicultural societies in the world. The population is predominantly Islamic and therefore many laws are respected. Emirati women wear a full-body abaya according to Islamic practices. Pork is not common, and in Sharjah, alcohol is prohibited. Nevertheless, in most parts of the UAE, tourists will find a liberal stance on Islamic culture. Alcohol can be purchased at licensed venues (mostly inside hotels), but outside of these, a permit must be obtained in advance. A strict dress code is also observed and wearing anything too revealing in public is frowned upon.
The AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) is the currency abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates dirham, the official currency of Dubai and other Emirates. It is often presented with the symbol Dhs or DH. The United Arab Emirates Dirham has been used since 1973, when it replaced several currencies, such as the Dubai riyal and the Qatar riyal.
Basics of AED
The United Arab Emirates dirham is made up of 100 fuloos, which is plural for fils. A fils is also the sub-unit for the Kuwaiti dinars, Iraqi dinars, Bahraini dinars and the Yemeni rial. The dirham is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. The 1 dirham unit exists in coin form only.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates issues the country's banknotes. To combat counterfeiting, a watermark of the national emblem appears on the obverse of each note. The emblem is the Hawk of Quraish, a golden falcon with a disk surrounded by seven stars in its center and seven feathers to represent each of the Emirates.
Pegged to US Dollar
The UAE dirham is considered to be among the world’s most stable currencies in terms of exchange rate stability. It has been pegged to the United States dollar since 1973. Since 1997, it has been set at a rate of 1 U.S dollar to 3.6725 AED. For UK visitors, the exchange rate will be determined by the strength of the Pound against the Dollar.
Exchanging Money
All the Shopping Malls in the country will have multiple Foreign Exchange Bureaus. These offer much more competitive prices for exchanging cash when compared to forex bureaus in the UK. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. There are cash machines at hotels, malls and various other on street outlets across the country. Most ATM machines are free to use, so you will only be charged the fees applicable to your account from your bank.
Arabic is the official language of the UAE although you will find that English is spoken by almost everyone. Hindi is also widely spoken by the locals and expatritate workers from the Indian Sub Continent.
Arabic is the official language for both written and verbal communication in the UAE. Government offices and affairs are conducted in Arabic, and rules and laws are published in Arabic. Arabic is mainly spoken by the natives of the UAE, called Emiratis. You can get by with just speaking English in the UAE.
If you’re travelling on a British Citizen passport, you can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE. This visa allows visitors to stay in the UAE for up to 30 days. The visa terminates automatically on departure and a new visa is issued on arrival each time the visitor returns to the UAE.For a fee, visitors can extend their visa twice without leaving the country. Each extension is for an additional 30 days.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE. If you hold a residence permit, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months in order to travel into the country.If you’re transiting the UAE (and not passing through Immigration) your passport only needs to have a minimum of 3 months validity from the date of transit.
Ras Al Khaimah Offer - guests checking into a hotel in Ras Al Khaimah between 15 June - 15 September 2023 inclusive will be entitled to a 50% discount off Jebel Jais activities including the Jais Flight, Jais Sky Tour and the Jais Sledder. These can be booked online at https://visitjebeljais.com/ using the unique Major Travel code kewokX57 or at the booking office using the same code. Please note that the Jais Sledder can only be booked in resort. Have fun!
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Tours
At Inspiration Holidays, we feature a diverse range of United Arab Emirates tours catering to an array of different preferences. If you don’t find what you are looking for, remember, we can create a tailor made United Arab Emirates holiday itinerary for you. Our United Arab Emirates destination experts will discuss your requirements and design a United Arab Emirates journey that is perfect for you.
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Inspiration
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Top Attractions
You haven't been to a destination until you have seen its most famous attractions! The team at Inspiration Holidays have put together our recommendations of some of the top attractions in United Arab Emirates. If you are looking for advice about the attactions you should visit during your holiday in United Arab Emirates, give one of our tailor made holiday experts a call on
Excursions
Why not enhance your United Arab Emirates holiday experience by adding on an excursion. Our United Arab Emirates excursions have been carefully selected by the product team at Inspiration Holidays. Booking a United Arab Emirates excursion in advance can offer much better value for money than booking the excursions whilst you are on holiday in United Arab Emirates.
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We offer a range of United Arab Emirates tours and United Arab Emirates holiday offers. The team at Inspiration Holidays can also help design a multi destination United Arab Emirates holiday itinerary. Choose from one the destinations below find inspiration and plan your United Arab Emirates journey.
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