Must See

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises of a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms (emirates): Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates, and the capital city grew out of pearling and oil to become one of the most modern in the world, whilst still maintaining parts of its heritage. Abu Dhabi is the centre of business and government life in the UAE, and is home to all the embassies, parliamentary buildings and many oil company headquarters. It is a vibrant city with an impressive skyline, luxury hotels, parks and gardens, palatial villas and beaches.

Highlights of the city include the many mosques, from tiny one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees to the massive blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche. There's also the Al Hosn Palace (White Fort), built in 1793; the Cultural Foundation, featuring art exhibits; Heritage Village (an authentic replica of a Bedouin encampment); and the Corniche, a park-lined coastal boulevard that offers one of the most picturesque sites in Abu Dhabi.

There are also some ancient burial grounds in Urn al Nar and nearby building yards where craftsmen demonstrate skills unchanged for centuries.

Al Ain

Known as the 'Garden City of the Gulf', Al Ain is an oasis surrounded by red sand dunes and built as a garden city. Located 100 km (60 miles) from Abu Dhabi, this lush area offers unique displays of landscaping, water, and sculpture, and is overlooked by an impressive mountain range. The city is home to one of the last remaining camel markets and there is also a zoo, which has one of the largest animal collections in the world. Other family attractions include an Olympic sized ice rink and Hili Fun City - the largest theme park in the Gulf Region.

The Al Ain National Museum displays discoveries dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages, and also has a reconstruction of the Grand Hili tomb with its rock engravings.

Ajman

Ajman is the smallest member state of the seven emirates. Located along the Persian Gulf, the region also controls two small, inland enclaves: Masfut, known for its colourful marble, and Manama ("sleeping place"), which has a small fort worth visiting.

The town of Ajman is situated in a natural harbor (Khor) and features the Ajman Culture Centre, the Ruler's Palace, the Ajman Museum and several mosques. It also has a 16 km stretch of white sand beach, which is considered to be of the best in the UAE.

Dubai

Extending along the Persian Gulf coast, Dubai is the second largest emirate, in terms of size, in the United Arab Emirates. The city of Dubai is the second largest developing city in the world after Shanghai, and its population comprises mainly of expatriates with the majority from South Asia and the South East Asia.

Dubai began as a seafaring settlement and was best known for its pearl exports until the 1930's and then the discovery of oil in the latter part of the 1960's. The city is now known for its glamour, sheikhs, credit cards, outrageous shopping malls, the highest prize in horse racing, beaches, excellent restaurants, homes for the rich and famous, extravagant hotels and culture.

Bur Dubai is located on the southern bank of Dubai Creek, whilst is Deira on the north side. The two are connected by two bridges and a tunnel and can also be reached by abra (water taxi). The Deira side of the creek is lively and cosmopolitan, with many attractive gardens (for example, Mushrif Park) and first-class shopping facilities, ranging from ancient souks (markets) where gold, spices, perfume, antiques, clothing, handicrafts and jewels are available to the Western-style shops. The world famous Gold Souk and colourful Spice Souk can both be found in Deira.

Bur Dubai has souks, atmospheric alleyways and old buildings. Visitors can enjoy fascinating glimpses of the past from the Dubai Museum (which houses artefacts recovered from the ancient graves at Al-Ghusais) and the magnificently restored Sheikh Saeed's Palace, located at the mouth of the Creek. Other attractions include the traditional windtower houses of the nearby Bastakiya district and Al Fahidi Fort. The Heritage and Diving Villages displays pearl diving and dhow building, and recreates traditional Bedouin and coastal village life, with Persian homes, a small Souq and a traditional coffeehouse.

The month long Dubai Shopping Festival is an annual event that draws shoppers from around the world, with over 3 million visitors taking advantage of special discounts from mid-January to mid-February. The Dubai Summer Surprises festival offers discounts on hotels and numerous events is perfect for families during the hot summer months.

Palm Islands

The Palm Islands, on the coast of Dubai, are the three largest man-made islands in the world and are said to be visible from the moon. Each island (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) have been built in the shape of a date palm tree with a trunk, a crown with fronds, and surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a breakwater.

The Palm Jumeirah is home to a number of hotels as well as private residences, whilst the Palm Jebel Ali (due to be completed in 2008) will have more leisure facilities, including an aquatic theme park. The third of the islands, Palm Deira (due to be completed in 2015), will be the largest of the trio. New bridges will connect the islands to the mainland. The three islands will also be accompanied by 'The World', an ambitious attempt to recreate the shape of the world on 300 offshore islands, due to open in 2008. Watching these amazing projects take shape has become one of Dubai's main attractions, with the view perhaps best from the Burj al Arab hotel (the world's tallest hotel).

Fujairah

Fujairah lies on the Gulf of Oman, the eastern side of the UAE, and as such, is the only emirate that does not have a shore on the Persian Gulf. It is separated from the rest of the country by the Hajar mountain range.

The pretty town of Fujairah is worth visiting for various attractions in town, such as the fort, museum, and Ain Al Madhab Gardens, as well as a number of archeological and historical sites in the surrounding area.

Some of the scuba diving best and snorkeling in the United Arab Emirates can also be found at Fujairah, and other water sports such as water surfing, swimming, yachting and deep-sea fishing also attract tourists throughout the year.

Ras al-Khaimah

Ras al-Khaimah is the northernmost emirate, and its coastal plains and steep mountains provide run-off water that also make the area the most fertile of the emirates.

The Khour Ras al-Khaimah divides the city into two parts: the eastern part (Al Nakheel) is home to the Ruler's office, governmental departments and commercial companies, whilst the western part (Old Ras al- Khaimah) is home to the Ras al-Khaimah Museum and some governmental departments. A bridge over the Khour connects the two parts.

Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates. The region's scenery consists of spectacular desert views and the chance to see what life was like before the discovery of oil.

The town of Sharjah itself is home to the Sharjah Arts Museum - the largest of its kind in the Gulf region. The museum has a permanent collection that has been added to by donations from His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi.

Umm al-Quwain

Umm al-Quwain is a quiet emirate that offers a relaxed atmosphere with long beaches and an enclosed lagoon. Seneyah Island, just 1 km away from the town of Umm al-Quwain, is a sanctuary for a large species of birds, deer and Al Qaram trees.

Also nearby is an archaeological site featuring the remains of a town dating back about 2,000 years ago. During excavations, stone houses, tombs, large storage jars, and glassware from Egypt and Syria were found.