United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small Middle-Eastern country that is made up of seven Sheikdoms: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. Today, the most well-known of these Emirates are Abu Dhabi, the capital, and Dubai, the new business and tourism center. You will find an intriguing mix of old and new and east and west in this shining dessert oasis, with so many things to see and do, it's almost like an adult dessert Disneyland. The UAE has the Arabian Gulf to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east, making it a water sports haven. If you're a fan of sailing, jet skiing, surfing, swimming, kite surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, you'll find an incredible selection of breathtaking locations open to you. Of course, if your choice of water sport is a wet and wild water park with slides and pools, there are plenty of those in Dubai to please both the young and old. If you want to try more exotic activities, don't miss the traditional camel races, dessert safaris, dune driving, and moonlight Arabian barbeques. And if you're a nature lover, you'll find incredible opportunities for bird watching, nature photography and traditional dessert falconry. Another great tradition of the UAE, however, is shopping, whether in the traditional open-air souks, the more modern duty-free shops, or at the shopping festivals in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere. And after a busy day, you can choose to relax in one of many world-class hotels and even visit Dubai's Chillout – the Middle East's first ice lounge, to escape the dessert heat. The UAE is an ancient land with a very modern twist that will appeal to travelers from all over.