A land of contrasts
As one of the seven emirates, which make up the United Arab Emirates and home to a large expatriate population, Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctive culture blend of old meets new and East meets West.

Service with a smile
Founded on maritime trading, the emirate has welcomed visitors to its hot, sandy shores for hundreds of years. Today this entrepreneurial tradition remains strong and visitors are guaranteed to be charmed by the warmth and hospitality of "the city of merchants."

Opportunities abound
From holiday-makers seeking a break in the sun to adventurers hunting for their next rush of adrenalin, Dubai has something for everyone. And, thanks to the vision of its leadership, the emirate is also fast developing as an international conference, exhibition and business centre of excellence.

Climate
Dubai has sub-tropical, arid climate and sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter. Temperatures range from a low of about 15C/59F to a high of 48C/118F. The mean daily maximum is 24C/75.2F in January rising to 41C/105.8F in July.

Getting there
Dubai is less than eight hours from Europe or the Far East.
96 airlines provide direct links to 136 destinations around the world.
Efficient immigration, baggage-handling and customs formalities, with friendly personnel.
State-of-the-art Sheikh Rashid Terminal opened in 2001.

Accommodation
Wide selection of luxurious, modern hotels with superb accommodation and excellent sports, dining and entertainment facilities.

Variety of world-class resorts with city, beach, mountain or desert settings.
Hotel apartments for longer stays.

Entertainment
Extensive range of excellent restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world.
Varied nightlife - bars, cafes and nightclubs.
Theme parks, water parks, a zoo, beaches and country parks for family fun.

Ground Arrangements
Multilingual guides, well-qualified drivers and comfortable vehicles.
Modern air-conditioned coaches, plentiful taxis and hire cars.
Good roads, highways and wide boulevards.

First-rate passenger cruise liner docking, supply and ground handling facilities.
All highly sanctioned by the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Tours and Excursions
Wide variety of standard or tailor-made tours available covering the city, shopping, the desert, the East Coast, mountains, neighboring emirates, and more.
Limousine, boat and dhow tours.

Special interest packages including golf, water sports, fishing, bird watching and archaeology.

Arabian Experiences
Desert safaris, dune driving and exploring wadis (dry river beds) in 4x4 vehicles. Sand skiing. Moonlit Arabian desert barbecues, complete with traditional entertainment such as belly dancing. Camel racing, horse racing and falconry. Cruises by traditional wooden dhows on Dubai Creek or into the Gulf. Exploring the old city souks (markets), creekside dhow quays and traditional architecture.

Outdoor Activities
Super water sports including sailing, fishing, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Golf on championship standard grass courses, with two more courses being developed. Wide range of other sports, from squash and tennis to horse riding and trekking, paragliding, cycling, ice-skating, shooting, archery, bowling and go-karting.

CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

Islam
The timeless values of Islam lie at the heart of Dubai’s living heritage, providing a strength and inspiration that touches all aspects of everyday life.

Ramadan
Ramadan is the Holy Month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. Its timing is not fixed in terms of the Gregorian calendar, but goes back 11 days every year.

Ramadan is a month of fasting when, from dawn until dusk, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking.

As a sign of respect, visitors are also required to refrain from consuming these items in public during daylight hours.

Religious Festivals
Eid Al Fitr is a feast, which marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated for three days. The celebrations start after prayers in the morning, when gifts are exchanged.