Personalized trips to United Arab Emirates
for independent travelers

Most people know the United Arab Emirates only as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but there is a lot more to explore beyond the fancy image the cities purvey. After all, there are five more emirates, each with its own distinctive sights and character.

If you explore deeper, you will find a rich heritage and culture rooted in Arabic and Islamic values. The intense indigenous pride and focus on the regional culture make the UAE a great choice for any “culture vulture”.

The country also offers one of the most varied cuisines in the world, ranging from exquisite local and oriental cuisines, to more familiar European and American foods, to modern fusions. Whatever you fancy, chances are high you’ll find it in the UAE. The Emirates also have an impressive offering in terms of shopping, from air-conditioned malls to traditional souks where haggling is a must!

The icing on the cake is the country’s pristine coastline, which beckons travelers for a few relaxed days by the beach.

When is the best time to visit?

All year round, you’ll have guaranteed sunshine in the UAE! The best time to visit is from September through to May. In these months, the weather is warm and comfortable, and temperatures reach around 30°C/ 86°F. Peak season is from December to March, as the weather is perfect for traveling and sightseeing. 

From June to August, it’s boiling hot and temperatures easily exceed 40°C/ 104°F. It can also get quite humid in these months.

Where should you go?

Northern Emirates 
Travelling north beyond Sharjah are the Northern Emirates of Ajman, Um al Quwain and Ras al Khaimah. They are less developed than the rest of the UAE, but have attractions and charms to make a visit worthwhile. You’ll find superb golf courses, long sandy beaches, hot springs, cool mountains and a growing number of hotels and waterside developments. A wide four-lane super highway connects all of these Emirates to the rest of the UAE making a visit anywhere very straightforward and quick. 

Al Ain 
Bordering Abu Dhabi and Dubai is the city of Al Ain, also known as the gateway to the vast Rub Al Kaial desert. The name means Empty Quarter, which makes sense as it’s a huge unbroken stretch of sand desert. The border crossing to Oman is also not far. 

Al Ain is a surprisingly busy and modern oasis city located at the base of the Hajar Mountains. The climb into these mountains offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding desert and the oasis city, as well as a cool retreat from the fierce desert heat. 

Al Ain is also an agricultural center providing the rest of the UAE with fresh produce, most notably a wonderful selection of scrumptious dates for which the oasis is famous.

East Coast
The azure Arabian Sea borders a picturesque mountainous backdrop with a growing number of superb hotels taking advantage of the beautiful sandy beachside. The Emirate of Fujairah is quite possibly the best location in the UAE for a getaway beach holiday break. A modern new road system takes you across the desert, through the mountains and down onto the coast in around an hour and a half from Dubai or Sharjah.

Sharjah
The city of Sharjah could be described as the very close more conservative neighboring sister to Dubai, with either city being only a few minutes from the other by taxi or bus.

It is considered to be the cultural capital of the UAE, and any visitor will find an abundance of local heritage as they explore the city. Old and modern Islamic art and architecture join each other in serene unison. 

Sharjah offers a number of excellent hotels, including a number with beachfronts. A little less resourced with shopping malls, Sharjah’s charm lies in its colorful souks and the vibrant hustle and bustle as haggling and trade is conducted.  

Whether you choose to stay in Sharjah or just pass through on a visit, you will be sure to take away a lasting impression of the city’s beauty and roots in Islamic culture.

Dubai
Dubai, the showpiece city of the UAE, is a direct result of it’s visionary ruler, Sheikh Rashid. The metropolis is deeply rooted in cultural and ethnic diversity, and has come a long way from where it was in a very short time. You’ll find the world’s tallest building here, the Burj Khalifa.

Hotels with more than five stars are common here and there are always new ones joining the growing block, with brand new concepts and advancements. When visiting Dubai, you can be guaranteed the utmost comfort and luxury as you can afford. The sky's the limit!

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE, a must-see on your trip and clearly a masterpiece still under development. The capital offers a wide range of accommodation and leisure options including an island dedicated as the world’s first game park aimed at nature conservation. The numerous islands nearby and warm waters offer excellent beach holiday options.

Abu Dhabi also offers a fine insight into the roots, heritage and cultural background of the UAE. You will find early archaeological ruins that have surprised the world, and more recent images of the lifestyles of locals less than a generation ago. Culture lovers can also find the Guggenheim and the Louvre Museum here.

How many days do you need?

Most people opt to spend 7 days exploring the UAE. To see the essentials, 3 - 4 days are enough, but many enjoy spending another 4 - 5 days by the beach.

Getting around

The UAE is a compact country with a great highway network. Most travelers opt to hire a private driver to explore its amazing sites. The country also has an exceptional public transport system and is currently the only country in the Middle East with air-conditioned bus stops.