United Arab Emirates
The contrasts between old and new in the United Arab Emirate are dramatic and are often deliberate. The leaders of this oil-rich nation, made up of seven emirates along the Persian Gulf, have launched a major campaign to attract tourists with new hotels and new diversions. They have also maintained policies to conserve the country's traditional culture. You can venture into the desert on a camel trek and then indulge in a new sport—sand skiing. Or you can bargain for carpets in a souk and then enjoy a round of golf on greens surrounded by sand.
For those looking for a complete escape into desert exoticism, the country's major cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai may be disappointing. At first glance, both cities look more like Houston than Tangier, but traces of the old bedouin and trading cultures remain.
In Dubai old, historic houses cooled by wind towers, are surrounded by squeaky-clean office buildings. Lining the docks of the creek that bisects the city are dhows whose distinctive curved prows haven't changed in centuries, although they're now more often driven by motors rather than by sails.
The U.A.E. is one of the most comfortable and pleasant places to travel in the Arab world. It's a popular resort for holiday-seekers from more restrictive countries in the Middle East. The beaches, oases, dunes and a smattering of interesting rock formations aren't as dramatic as the scenery elsewhere in the region, but the friendliness of the people is a big plus.
Dubai
Epitomizing an oil-rich sheikhdom isn't a bad life, but what Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, really wants is to entertain visitors.
Dubai's travel appeal includes horse races and sporting events, a month-long shopping festival and a skyline that commands the attention of Dubai's visitors—not to mention such fascinating hotels as Dubai's own Burj Al Arab. For jaded, been-there-done-that tourists, Dubai can throw in camel racing, sand boarding, sand skiing, ice-skating, snow skiing and unique cultural activities.
Dubai's rapid transformation has left it with a slice of old Arabia and a chunk of modern infrastructure. In Dubai, you'll find souks selling gold jewellery and traditional wares not far from modern shopping centres selling electronics and luxury items. Visitors to Dubai will also see wind towers and minarets rising up from old neighbourhoods, dwarfed in turn by Dubai's office and hotel towers.
But the biggest contrast can be seen in Dubai's landscape: A splendid coastline and beaches that are backed by an expansive desert, which in itself is a magnificent paradox of impressive sand dunes and starkly beautiful mountains.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Dubai
Summer (May to September) is quite hot and can reach up to 48C with high humidity levels. Although the temperature is high, all buildings are air-conditioned and outside can be comfortable apart from in the middle of the day. This period offers the best value for money. October to April, when the temperature hovers around a more comfortable 25C mark, is the ideal time to visit.
Abu Dhabi
Prior to the discovery of oil in 1958, the emirate of Abu Dhabi was basically a poor, rural wasteland. Today, it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The emirate is characterized by three political and geographic divisions: the city of Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain and the offshore islands.
The city of Abu Dhabi, the seat of government of the U.A.E. and the nation's second largest city, is quite modern and clean. Date palms nestled between the glass and steel high-rises give the city a bit of soul, but it is still primarily an administrative and business centre. However, it is emerging as a highly desirable destination.
There's a vibrant downtown with interesting streets and abundant footpath cafes.
Abu Dhabi's coastal area consists primarily of swamps and salt flats, but as you go inland, the view becomes classic desert: Nomads tend their sheep (often by truck or four-wheel-drive vehicle) among the oases, date palms, sand dunes and gravel pits.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Abu Dhabi
With year round sunshine, the best time to visit is from December to February when temperatures are perfect and the climate less humid than during July and August.
