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UAE guide: choosing the right resort and not ruining your vacation Rest in the United Arab Emirates has solid advantages: it is hot, interesting, safe and inexpensive. You also don't need a visa - grab the hot tour and welcome! But first, it would be good to know where you are flying. So as not to ruin your vacation with false expectations and not waste your money. The UAE is a traditional Arab country with Muslim laws. These laws, climate, service levels, prices and entertainment vary greatly from emirate to emirate. There are seven of them: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Quwain. If you do not know what to expect from a vacation in the UAE and call all the emirates "Dubai", read our article. In it, we have collected brief information about the resorts and gave tips to help you choose the right emirate for your trip. Also at https://www.bigreddxb.com/ you can find out about dune buggies dubai. Abu Dhabi - metropolitan chic and Muslim traditions The largest and richest emirate of the country is the capital of Abu Dhabi. On the one hand, the Persian Gulf, on the other - a hot desert. Even 50 years ago, the Bedouins who hunted falconry lived here in poverty. Today the emirate is inhabited entirely by oil sheikhs who have rebuilt a huge metropolis. The whole business of the UAE is concentrated here, which is reflected in the architecture: in the cities there are wide avenues, multi-storey skyscrapers, huge shopping centers. But the emirate cannot be called a "stone jungle" - there are dozens of parks and shady alleys in the cities, along which it is pleasant to walk in the heat. The style of rest in Abu Dhabi is sedate and imposing. There is no fuss, traffic jams and noise, but with an abundance of entertainment and attractions. In the emirate, modernity easily gets along with tradition. The main places of the city: the huge Zeid Mosque, where any tourist can go for free, Sheikh Al-Jaraf's palace, Al-Hosh palace, Corniche embankment with cafes, shops, souvenir shops. When arriving in the emirate, respect the Arab traditions: do not enter mosques with bare arms and legs, try to dress more modestly in the city. Beaches: the coast is indented with small bays, so you cannot see the endless water surface on the beaches. The sand is white, fine and clean. The bottom is gently sloping, without any changes in depth. Abu Dhabi's central beach is annually awarded the Blue Flag for its cleanliness. There are paid and free sites. What to do in Abu Dhabi: Visit Yas Island - there is a huge Ferrari amusement park and its own Formula 1 track. Explore the chic palaces of the sheikhs in the city and take pictures against the backdrop of the white mosque of Zeid. Go to Khalif Park - the greenest area of the emirate and relax there from the desert heat. Get into the lobby of the most expensive seven-star hotel and see what a vending machine looks like for dispensing gold bars. What Abu Dhabi lacks: free sale of alcohol (prohibition applies), cheap hotels. Dubai is the premier entertainment and shopping destination The tourist capital of the Emirates, the most famous and most expensive city in the UAE is Dubai. A ski resort in the desert, man-made islands with luxurious hotels, the tallest building in the world - everything is here. The resort grows and develops every year, becoming less “traditionally Arab” and more and more modern. People come here to gaze at luxurious architecture, chic gold markets, relax in the elite atmosphere of 5-star hotels and skimp on sales. Shopping in Dubai is one of the main entertainment, so you need to go on vacation with an empty suitcase and a substantial amount on your credit card. In huge malls, you can buy everything - from souvenirs to a car. Usually, high-quality fur coats, jewelry, appliances, watches, perfumes and clothes of famous brands are brought from Dubai. Don't rush to waste everything: save money for an excursion to the Burj Khalifa, the Jumeirah Mosque, Bollywood Park and the world's largest Aquarium. If you have already spent everything, then go look at the dancing fountains - they are free. Beaches: Mostly paid, owned by hotels or beach clubs. There are "women's" days when only women with children are allowed. The beaches are sandy, clean and comfortable. Fridays and Saturdays are especially crowded. It is best to sunbathe in autumn and spring - it is too windy in winter, and it is very hot in summer. What to do in Dubai: Walk through the traditional oriental bazaars - the Spice Market, the Textile and the Gold Market, bargain and buy souvenirs at a discount. Order traditional dishes at a local cafe and a fragrant hookah for dessert. Go on a desert safari tour in a jeep, and then ride a buggy or drive an ATV between the dunes. Go with children to the Dubai Zoo, the huge Aquarium and Wonderland amusement park. What Dubai lacks: cheap hotels, secluded beaches, natural attractions, affordable beachfront hotels. Sharjah: Budget Cultural Getaway Tours to the Emirates are cheaper, the further the hotel is from Dubai. Sharjah is a 45-minute drive from the entertainment capital, so recreation is more affordable here. However, you can easily go to Dubai for a day and see all the main attractions. Sharjah itself is the cultural center of the UAE. There are many museums, theaters and exhibitions here. Beautiful ancient oriental architecture and traditional cuisine restaurants. The emirate has strict laws: alcohol is sold only in hotel bars, sunbathing in swimsuits is allowed only on private beaches, and it is better to go out with covered shoulders and legs. Otherwise, the resort has a friendly atmosphere. There is a beautiful Corniche promenade with many cafes, where it is nice to take a leisurely stroll with children in the evening. Beaches: sandy, private, equipped. On Mondays "Women's Day" - men are not allowed to enter the beach. The best beaches are Al Khan between Dubai and Sharjah, Al Cornish near the waterfront. What to do in Sharjah: Admire the King Faisal Mosque and the 7-meter Koran Monument; Go diving and see the unique coral reefs and colorful fish. Walk through the traditional oriental markets - fish, gold, spices, and then go to a super-modern shopping mall and buy clothes and perfumes there. Get to know the culture of the UAE at the museums of the Old City and the Desert Park. What is missing: nightclubs, discos, free alcohol sales. Fujairah - a mecca for divers The only emirate that is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and is covered with green forests. Fujairah has picturesque nature: high mountains, azure sea, green valleys and white beaches. It has a mild climate and well-established infrastructure for tourism. It is good to relax in the emirate with children, together and alone - when you want peace and quiet. Amateurs of diving come to Fujairah. Competitions are often held here, there are schools for beginners and dive sites of various levels. The best ones are in the area of Martini Rock, in Khor-Fakkan and in the vicinity of Dibba. Lovers of antiquities will like it in the emirate. The main architectural sights are in the Old Town. There are ancient forts, the Archaeological Museum, beautiful mosques. Beaches: sandy and well-groomed, equipped with changing rooms and sun loungers. All belong to hotels, entrance "from the street" is paid. Smooth entry into the water, suitable for children. What to do in Fujairah: Scuba dive and see a real reef shark - beautiful and safe. Take a walk in the Friday market and choose souvenirs for all your friends. Try Arabic street shawarma and find 150 differences with Russian fast food. Look at the Al-Badiya Mosque, ancient forts and take a couple of hundred selfies. What Fujairah lacks: large shopping malls, few nightclubs and bars, children's amusement parks and playgrounds.
Ajman: A Quiet Vacation Amidst Beautiful Scenery The most compact and humble emirate in the UAE with beautiful nature and excellent beaches. The region is not developing as fast as neighboring Dubai and Sharjah, and retains its traditions. But there is no dry law here: alcohol is openly sold in stores, but it cannot be exported from the emirate. There is little entertainment in Ajman - beaches, excursions to neighboring emirates and walks around the city. For parties and shopping, you need to go to Dubai. It is nice to wander along the Corniche in the evenings, go to cozy cafes and admire the scenery. The main attractions of the city are the National Museum, the Emir's residence and a shipyard with traditional dhow sailing ships. Beaches: with fine white sand, no noisy trade and entertainment. What to do in Ajman: Visit the National Museum, which is located in an old fort. Look at camel racing tracks - where else will you see this? Take a walk along the promenade and taste traditional Arabian desserts. Buy on the market a traditional Arabic coffee pot, jewelry made of silver and malachite. What Ajman does not have: huge shopping malls, amusement parks, rich excursions. Ras al-Khaimah - a green oasis with wild beaches The northernmost emirate, remote from Dubai, with a mild climate and beautiful nature. There are natural parks with palm groves and blooming fields atypical for the UAE. Rest in Ras al-Khaimah is democratic and inexpensive. Hotels are most often located on the second and third lines, but they organize transfers to the beaches. Here is a wonderful beach holiday - the emirate has unique pristine beaches where you can go diving, snorkeling or just relax on the white sand. People also go to Ras al-Khaimah for treatment and a spa. At the foot of the mountains in the Haat region there is a balneological complex with thermal springs - a hotel was even built on their basis. In the Old Town, there are the picturesque ruins of an ancient fort and the National Museum. There are not so many shopping malls as in Dubai or Sharjah, but you can buy souvenirs, cosmetics, clothes in Carrefour, Safeer and Al Hamra. On the outskirts of Ras al-Khaimah, there is a large Ice Land water park with attractions for children and adults. Beaches: mostly wild and unequipped, but very picturesque. The entrance to the water is shallow. There are many locals on the beaches, so it is better not to sunbathe topless and in revealing swimsuits. What to do in Ras Al Khaimah: Relax on the fine sand on the shores of the Persian Gulf. To go with children to the Ice Land and take pictures against the background of “ice” slides with penguins in the desert. See the palm groves of Wadi Azim, which adjoin ancient watchtowers and desert dunes. Take a walk in the tourist area of Haat and order spa treatments in the balneological complex. What is missing in Ras al-Khaimah: nightlife and discos, modern architecture and entertainment centers. Umm al-Quwain: Arabian traditions and cozy atmosphere A small emirate in the north of the UAE can be called the most "traditionally eastern". Umm al-Quwain is in relative isolation, so modern trends penetrate here more slowly. If you want to look at the traditional Arabic way of life and see real life outside of skyscrapers, then this is the place for you. Umm al-Quwain has a very friendly and cozy atmosphere; tourists are loved and tried to please. As elsewhere in the UAE, Umm al-Quwain has an "Old City" area with ancient watchtowers, a fort and buildings. A beautiful port with traditional sailing boats, unique camel tracks and gorgeous beaches. Equestrian sports lovers come here - there are many stables with racehorses in the emirate, where you can hone your riding skills. There are water sports centers for sailing enthusiasts. Beaches: wide, long, barely equipped. Admission to public beaches is free. Things to do in Umm Al Quwain: Walk around the Old Town and see the ancient fort now used by the police. Visit the huge Dreamland water park and look at the artificial volcano. Spend your holiday actively: go sailing, rent a racehorse or shoot from a machine gun in a shooting club. Go on an excursion to Al Siyarh Island and try to count all kinds of exotic birds. What is missing in Umm al-Quwain: modern architecture, shopping centers, 5 * hotels, entertainment centers and nightclubs. We hope we helped you understand which resort in the UAE is worth flying to on vacation, and where you will definitely not like it.