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Sunset view of the Dubai Marina and tthe golden sand beaches in the Persian Gulf
Home/Destinations/Middle East/United Arab Emirates/Dubai

Dubai Vacations and Tour Packages

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Overview

Take a trip to Dubai on your United Arab Emirates Vacation

Dubai is located southeast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It houses the largest population in the UAE and is considered the most moderate and progressive of all the emirates to be experienced on a Dubai vacation.

Early archaeological findings in Dubai date back to around 8000 BC, however, the Sheikhdom of Dubai was not formally established until 1833. By the beginning of the 20th century, the area was an important trading hub and with the discovery of oil in 1966, infrastructure began to expand. Just a few years later, in 1971, Dubai became the second emirate to join the UAE.

Thanks to the revenues from the oil industry, a construction boom began in the 1980s, continued in the 1990s and the pace with which it accelerated during the new millennium was unrivaled anywhere else. As a result of this expansion, Dubai has grown into a cosmopolitan region famous around the world for its immense construction projects including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, skyscrapers, man-made islands and luxurious hotels, all to be wondered at on a Dubai vacation.

At a Glance

Languages

Arabic

Currency

United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

What do the experts say?

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
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For me, the best months are November to April. Anything in between that is too unbearably hot. Temperatures commonly reaching 50 degrees and higher are so unpleasant and even in Dubai, the little bit of humidity can make them dangerous. This is why even bus shelters on the streets are air conditioned, and very few people are actually outside during the daylight hours.
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Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Directly opposite of Dubai, on the eastern Golf of Oman, in the Emirate of Sharjah, lies Khor Fakkan. This beautiful little gem has mountains, clear blue water with white sand beaches and coral reefs. Shark Island, right off the Coast of Khor Fakkan, has some of the best snorkeling in the UAE
Jodi Hartnell

Jodi Hartnell

Destination Specialist
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For that Instagram shot, nothing beats the symbol for the Emirates that is the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai. This is generally one of the most asked after spots, and where people can get the best photos. In reality, from the ground it is lovely, however, photos from the air on a helicopter pass show just how amazing this structure is and the effort that went into the world's only 7 Star hotel.
Jodi Hartnell

Jodi Hartnell

Destination Specialist
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I always recommend that people go to the Camel races on Fridays, at Al Mormoon Race Track. Over the start line, there is a overhead walkway where you can watch the camels line up for their heats. As there is no gambling in the UAE, here the winners are the camels rather than the owners, and the camels are awarded the gifts.
Jodi Hartnell

Jodi Hartnell

Destination Specialist
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Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha are celebrated with large gatherings and public events. These are always accompanied by smiling, happy people with loads of new foods to try and sample. As the UAE has over 150 varieties of dates, and it seems that every single kind is brought out to celebrations and they are delicious!!
AttractionsShopping

Attractions

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

A relatively modern Mosque constructed from 1996-2007, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates’s capital of Abu Dhabi and a key place for worship during gatherings and prayers. 

Burj Al Arab

Built on its own artificial island and connected by a bridge to the mainland. The Burj Al Arab’s designers wanted to create an iconic landmark for the city of Dubai and took inspiration from the shape of a ship’s sail.

Burj Khalifa

Known around the world for setting numerous height-related records, the Burj Khalifa was built based on gaining international recognition, investment, and improving tourism.

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