The United Arab Emirates is a ritzy retreat where the fun and fashionable go to shop, adventure, and clink drinks at world-class venues & white-sand beaches.
The UAE developed from a loose association of Bedouin tribes into one of the world’s wealthiest nations in just 50 years. The city of Dubai is the #1 tourist destination in the Middle East, with the most advanced infrastructure; it is also the 5th most popular tourist destination in the entire world, home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.
Here are three reasons to treat yourself to the royal treasures of the UAE:
FEEL AT HOME IN A LAND OF EXPATS
Meet fellow travelers from anywhere and everywhere in the world – without judgement! The UAE is a multinational, multicultural hub built upon a major commitment to religious tolerance, economic and political stability, and law and order. In her travel blog The Flyaway Girl, British citizen Penelope Louise wrote about her stay in Dubai:
“I spoke to a few fellow travel bloggers who had either visited Dubai or lived in the UAE and was reassured it would be totally safe. And you know what? They were right. I felt safer in Dubai than I did in Paris, I felt just as comfortable (or maybe even more so) walking alone at night in Dubai as I do in my current home of Berlin.”
Likewise, the cosmopolitan capital of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is considered one of the safest cities in the world.
EXCITING AND EXOTIC
Desert adventure, anyone? Hop on a quad bike or in a 4×4 to experience the epic thrill of “dune bashing”! Or take it slow with an unforgettable camel ride beneath the stars.
Other daring desert activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and hot air balloon rides. Water sports in the desert? Why not? Experience scuba diving, parasailing, jet skiing, “flyboarding” and more, all in the UAE.
If you’re in Abu Dhabi, cool off at Warner Bros. World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, or (the mostly indoors) Ferrari World, home to the fastest roller coaster on earth! And if you’re in Dubai (and you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground) explore the exotic at the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Safari Park, and Dubai Miracle Garden.
Experience the gentle thrill of birdwatching at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife sanctuary. Check out the charm of over 90 cultures on display at the Dubai’s Global Village. Pop champagne on a personal yacht tour or indulge on an extravagant food tour for a lasting taste of the “City of Gold.” Golf on world-class courses. Spectate professional football and cricket, Formula One, and elite horseracing. The UAE is your oyster!
GLITZ AND GLAMOUR
The glamorous UAE is a shopper’s paradise, famous for its gold and pearls, fine dining and architecture in addition to its low taxes and towering skylines. There are literally endless amenities to pamper and entertain travelers.
Relax and shop guilt-free knowing that the corporate tax rate in the UAE remains the lowest of any country in the Gulf, and lower than most global financial centers – plus the levy does not apply in the country’s “free zones”, of which there are more than forty. That means tourists are getting more for their money.
Sightsee on the “island of happiness,” in the famed Saadiyat Cultural District which includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi and much-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Stroll by the yachts along the glittering Dubai Marina to the grand Dubai Mall. Spa & sunbathe by day at luxe pool clubs and vibrant beaches, and experience first-class entertainment every night – at dazzling rooftop venues, acclaimed dinner shows, and chic nightclubs.
Leave a Reply