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Destination Details - United Arab Emirates | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Have a total Tourist Experience of Unlimited Sun, Sand, Sports and shopping in the UAE along with its friendly, helpful and generous people. The Sun always shines in the UAE, its naturally desert climate and its convenient location in the Arabian Gulf has endowed it with warm seas and cozy beaches. Together with a booming economy, where trade and tourism are encouraged, it also makes for the ultimate shopping destination. Its state-of-the-art tourist infrastructure with numerous world-class hotels, sports events and shopping spectaculars held annually, ensures its position as the Middle East's number one tourist destination. Every year, tourist attractions are constantly being upgraded and added - from one of the world's largest aqua parks to cultural and wildlife museums. From Wind Towers to Towering Skyscrapers, The UAE has a unique blend of traditional Arab, Islamic values and culture with the modernity of a cosmopolitan living environment. It celebrated its 25th year of formation in 1997. Its massive oil wealth is being wisely utilized to keep pace with technology and social changes the world is experiencing. As a result, tourists will find the UAE a modern country with thriving sky scraper filled cities no different from modern cities in Europe or Asia. Being literally crime-free is not the only thing that makes the United Arab Emirates one of the most attractive places to live in. Its amazing amalgamation of the traditional values of the East and the modern technologies of the West, being a melting pot of various nationalities and cultures living together and working in harmony and a standard of living that is comparable to the world's most advanced nations makes it one of the 20th century's success stories. Seasons to Visit: The best time of the year to visit the UAE is between November and April, when the weather is at its best. The rest of the year you're more likely to be running from one air-conditioned environment to the next instead of getting out and about and exploring. Ramadan, the muslim month of fasting, is strictly adhered to in the UAE; that means no eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset. Places that normally serve alcohol stop serving it during this month. Ramadan is in December-January for the next couple of years. Entry Requirements: Any person wishing to visit the UAE must have an entry visa. Visitors are admitted for one month initially, renewable twice upto a total of 100 days including a grace period of 10 days. It takes one week to 10 days for a visit visa to be issued. An express service also exists. Transit Visa's are issued for 15 days only and cannot be extended or renewed. Some travel and tour operators can arrange for Transit / Tourist visas. Large Hotels can sponsor transit visas for tourist and business visits. Passengers, arriving at UAE airports with defaced or damaged passports, can face long delays, or on occasions be refused entry. Standard passports must have minimum validity of six months. Dress: Light clothing is ideal for most of the year, though a jacket or pullover would be required in winter and while camping in the desert. There is no formal dress code but be conservative in the way you dress. In conformity with local customs, women should avoid revealing dresses and men should always wear a shirt in public. Proper swimwear is necessary on all beaches. Sunglasses, hats and sunscreen are essential if you wish to avoid the agony of sunburn. Food/ Restaurants: The fabulous variety of cuisine - French, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Persian, Polynesian, Mexican, Thai and Arabic. In the luxury hotels you can dine in candle-lit splendour on everything from gourmet delicacies to humble spaghetti. Small eating places are plentiful in all parts of the country. Restaurants which are not situated within a hotel's premises are not permitted to sell alcohol. They are air-conditioned, generally clean and offer culinary adventures in their own right. Several international fast food restaurants are represented by such names Diary Queen, Hardees, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut. Shopping: Shopping is something of a national past time in the UAE and one of the major attractions for visitors. Glitzy state-of-the-art malls abound, but have not replaced traditional souqs (markets). The result is a thrilling mix of old and new where the very latest twenty-first century retail delights co-exist with ancient family run businesses that trade as they have done for centuries. Shopping in the UAE really does offer something for everyone. Explore the souks and shopping malls, visit more than one outlet, compare prices and don't forget to bargain - many retailers will offer you a discount if you ask for it. Transportation: The country's main international airports are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though an increasing number of carriers are servicing Sharjah as well. Smaller international airports serve Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah and Al-Ain. There are daily services to most major European cities from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and also to major Middle Eastern and Gulf cities. There are also connections to the USA, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia. Abu Dhabi is 25 miles from the airport. Taxis, car hire facilities, airlines and bus operators, all provide a means of travelling to and from the airport. Taxis are plentiful and cheap and English is widely understood if not spoken. Health risks: Hepatitis A & B, plus protection against mosquito bites. Medical facilities are of a very high quality, but are extremely expensive. Private health insurance is essential. |
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