Destination guides

UAE

While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) these days appears to be little more than a stage for Dubai to strut its increasingly crazy stuff, there’s far more to this fabulous little federation than Disneyesque dioramas. The UAE is a contradictory destination, an Islamic state where the DJs’ turntables stop spinning just before the muezzins’ morning call to prayer can be heard, and where a traditional Bedouin lifestyle and customs continue alongside a very Western version of rampant consumerism. While many visitors marvel at the fantastic (in the true sense of the word) hotel and real estate projects, the real wonder is how the savvy sheikhs manage to harmonise such disparate and seemingly opposing forces.

For Western visitors, the UAE is a very safe Middle East destination, with the comforts of home and a taste of the exotic. Here you can max out those credit cards at designer clothes shops, laze on a gorgeous beach and sip a cocktail as you plan which fine dining restaurant to book and which international DJ to dance to until the early morning. On a less hedonistic stay, you can soak up the atmosphere of the heritage areas or the magnificent mountain scenery of Hatta, haggle over souvenirs in the souqs of Sharjah, head out to Abu Dhabi‘s desert sands for a camel ride under a star-filled sky, or dive the coral-filled waters of the Gulf (the beaches near Ras Al-Khaimah are as unspoilt as you’ll anywhere in the region). Or simply mix up a blend of everything; after all, that’s what makes the UAE unique.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Deals

Abu Dhabi isn’t just the capital of the United Arab Emirates–it’s also the second largest city there. So if you plan on taking a trip, be sure to use us for help finding the best Abu Dhabi hotel deals. Abu Dhabi is known as a cosmopolitan metropolis and a great place for tourism. With all there is to do and see, you don’t want to waste your time searching for hotel deals in Abu Dhabi. We’ll do that part for you! So go ahead and start planning your agenda.

Abu Dhabi is a place where luxury, hospitality and sunny weather mesh together to create a vibrant city life with endless possibilities. If you’re feeling up to some adventure during your stay in Abu Dhabi, try out some off-road driving. Abu Dhabi is dominated by majestic sand dunes and mountainous rock formations–ideal for off-road adventures and general exploring.

Relax and take an afternoon off to enjoy a visit to the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club at the Mushrif area. There, you’ll get a glimpse of the role played by horses in the local heritage and sporting culture. Check out some horse races, enjoy the tennis courts and swimming; there’s even a golf course in the area.

Make some time during your stay in Abu Dhabi to check out a half-day tour. There are even overnight safaris in the desert. These types of tours offer camel riding, dune bugging and sand skiing. Taking a tour of the city is a good way to get to know Abu Dhabi inside and out. Learn about the historical background while you experience the fun firsthand.

For those with a love of water, try sailing along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. A cruise like this is just what you’ll be in the mood for after experiencing the adventure and bustle that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

Make a stop at the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre where you’ll find a kid’s park, 20 small parks and gardens. With swings, climbing frames and animals, there’s something for everyone there.

From nature and outdoor recreation to exciting adventures and learning opportunities, Abu Dhabi is a place that has it all. Let us compare the best hotel deals in Abu Dhabi so you can worry about planning the fun parts. With Abu Dhabi hotel deals right at your fingertips, the hardest part is already done. Pack your bags!

Dubai Hotel Deals

Dubai is an exciting place to travel to, no matter what your interests or background. A trip to Dubai is like being transported on a journey through time. Go see why this old, historically vibrant city is a great place. Worried about finding the best Dubai hotel deals? Don’t be! We’ll compare hotel deals in Dubai so you can make a choice that suits you. Save some cash and use us! Read on for some must-see in Dubai.

Situated along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai houses hundreds of artifacts, pottery and coinage that dates back thousands of years. Check out some of the museums to learn about the colorful culture and history of Dubai. There are many stories to be told.

Get out and see some of the important landmarks around Dubai. Burj Al Arab has become an iconic symbol of Dubai and is one of the most well-known landmarks.

No visit to Dubai would be complete with a look at The World. It’s an archipelago of 300 man-made islands off the coast of Dubai, made with sand dredged from the sea. This is just one of Dubai’s landmarks that can be seen from space.

Located in the heart of Dubai you’ll find the Dubai Marina. It’s set to be the world’s largest man-made marina and it’s linked with Jabel Ali Port Dubai Internet City.

Speaking of Dubai Internet City, this is another must-see. This information-technology park was created as a free economic zone by the Government of Dubai. Major companies including Microsoft, IBM and Nokia have established operations there in Dubai.

Ready for some entertainment? Dubailand is an entertainment complex set to be opened in four phases over the next decade. From sports, outdoors and downtown, this Dubai hot spot offers it all.

We haven’t forgotten about the shoppers. The Mall of Arabia in Dubai is set to be the largest mall in the world and plays host to all sort of consumer activity.

Take a tour of the city or a trip out to the camel races. Those with a need for speed can try out sand skiing down the dune of the Dubai desert. Take a desert safari for an unforgettable Dubai excursion.

With history and culture along with heart-thumping entertainment, Dubai is a city with something for everyone. Whether you’re just passing through or staying for a while, we’ll help you find the best Dubai hotel deals. We know searching for accommodations can be overwhelming. Let us do the hard work for you. Hotel deals in Dubai are right at your fingertips!

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The anti-Dubai. The only thing conservative Sharjah has in common with its glitzy neighbour is that they both have charming waterways. With no alcohol, no sheesha cafés, no revealing clothing and most definitely no cohabitation by non-married couples, thankfully the third-largest emirate has plenty of other activities to keep your mind off the forbidden fruits offered elsewhere in the UAE.

Sharjah promotes itself as the cultural capital of the UAE, and its proliferation of excellent museums, galleries and theatres makes this tag well deserved. Architecturally, the restored central arts and heritage precincts are two of the most interesting neighbourhoods in the UAE, and the city’s souqs give it the cachet of being the best place for souvenir shopping in the country, and well worth a couple of days’ exploration – perhaps to detox from Dubai’s decadent delights?

The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world’s most fascinating and rewarding travel destinations. It was here that some of the most significant civilisations of antiquity rose and fell and where the three great monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – were born. Left behind is an astonishing open-air museum of ancient cities and historic buildings, the stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the faithful.

The Middle East is home to some of the world’s most significant cities – Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad and İstanbul. The ruins of the once similarly epic cities of history – Petra, Persepolis, Ephesus, Palmyra, Baalbek, Leptis Magna and the bounty of ancient Egypt – also mark the passage of centuries in a region where the ancient world lives and breathes.

The landscapes of the region are equally spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of sand dunes and palm-fringed lakes in Libya‘s Sahara desert to the stunning mountains of the north and the underwater world of the Red Sea.

Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Middle East is likely to be its people. Their gracious welcome, many kindnesses and boundless hospitality speak of an altogether more civilised age.

From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Esfahan, this is a region for discerning travellers, for those looking for the story behind the headline, and where the bridges between ancient and modern civilisations are everywhere evident. If you believe what the media tells you and decide not to visit, you’d be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.