Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai

Downtown Dubai is accessed by a quick and easy transfer from Dubai international airport. On arrival, the very high standards of accommodation and service are apparent.

The city offers a range of accommodation according to your taste and requirements and we can advise on which would best suit your needs whether you want a beach or city focus, or family resort or a couples-only retreat. Despite popular belief, there are a range of standards to suit every budget.

Dubai tips

• The UAE is a dry (no alcohol) country. However alcohol is widely available in hotel restaurants and bars. There are however unplanned dry days for religious and other non planned days. Here hotels will not serve alcohol or have any entertainment, eg live music.
• Costs are high in hotels for food and drink so would recommend having at least half board . Club rooms if available are a good option to have access to the lounges with free snacks and drinks.
• Many hotels have “Ladies nights” where some drinks/food may be free for ladies. Worth taking advantage of.
• Transport costs within Dubai on the metro, tram and taxis are very reasonable. Uber is widely used here too.

What to do/see

As well as enjoying your hotel and it’s facilties and the beach her are some other ideas….

• Dubai Resorts and Parks.
• This is a theme park about 30mins outside central Dubai. It has parks within the park, Motiongate, Bollywood, Legoland, Legoland waterpark, Riverland (Riverland is free)
• Rollercoasters, VR rides….. enough to keep the family amused for at least a day
• Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world…for now. Zoom up in the lifts 142 floors in less than  aminute! Amazing views
• Shopping. Say no more, Dubai Mall is the largest I have ever seen, the second largest in the world. Upmarket shopping with all major worldwide brands and designers.

Food

• Sample the local Arabic Cuisine. Maybe take a food tour in the traditional area of the city.
• Frying pan adventures do a small group experience giving the opportunity to try all local specialities - https://www.fryingpanadventures.com/

Waterparks

You can't go to Dubai and not experience some water-based fun. One of the best is Aquaventure at Atlantis on the Palm.

Ras Al Khaimah

A developing Emirate state located just an hour from Dubai Airport, Ras Al Khaimah is searching for its unique identity to differ itself from Dubai. The state still offers the high quality hotels and service but there is more of a focus on experiential travel, getting out and about in the local area and into the desert for some adventure.

It is the northernmost emirate so temperatures can be a little lower than in Dubai, and in the desert at night it can get a bit chilly in our winter months. With a large coastal frontage, there are many beachfront hotels gazing out to the Arabian Gulf.

The same applies here regarding alcohol but I did not see any “ladies nights” on offer anywhere. Having said that, there is definitely more of a laid back feel in Ras.

What to do/see

• Get out into the desert for some dune bashing, falconry and the longest zip line in the world.
• Kayaking in the mangroves gives you a different view of the area, spot some wildlife.
• Visit the centre, if there on a Friday night, local families are out and about enjoying the area, earing local food and smoking shishas.
• Hire a guide and visit a mosque and the museum?

If you could like any more information about the UAE, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Claire.