The United Arab Emirates is a country of contrasts. On 1 hand you have ancient mosques and nomadic traditions, on the other you have the oil-rich cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which teem with soaring skyscrapers, opulent town-sized shopping malls and luxurious man-made islands. Your starting point will likely be one of the United Arab Emirates vacation rentals in one of the cities, hubs of culture where you can experience world-class entertainment and top museums. Don't discount the rolling dunes of Rub' Al Khali desert, where you can experience life before the city boom.
The big cities are packed with entertainment and more shopping than most peoples' credit cards can cope with. If you've scored a United Arab Emirates vacation rental along one of the sweeping city beaches, there's no end to the water sports on offer, like snorkeling and paddle boarding. A sunset cruise on a traditional dhow boat is always a good way to take in Dubai's skyline. Beyond the cities, hiking in the wild and starkly beautiful Hajar Mountains, passing wadis and picturesque villages, is popular. Alternatively, you could head into the desert proper, where camel treks, exciting 4x4 adventures and sand boarding awaits.
There are really one 2 seasons in the United Arab Emirates – hot and very hot. The busiest time is during the winter months, when the skies are blue and the temperature is idyllic. If you're planning a visit over winter, be sure to book up your United Arab Emirates early to avoid disappointment, particularly over New Year. The rest of the year, the temperature sky-rockets, along with the humidity. If you don't mind hot climes, you can score yourself some rock bottom prices on United Arab Emirates vacation rentals and the attractions are always air-conditioned anyway.
On the face of it, there might not appear to be much in the way of wildlife in this landscape of desert, mangroves and craggy mountains, but if you give it a chance, there's rather a lot. Birdwatchers should be suitably impressed by the more than 400 recorded bird species, including migrating plovers, eagles and falcons. There are several mammals to look out for in the desert, like Arabian oryx, mountain gazelles and the Arabian leopard, while the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf are home to a large resident population of humpbacked dolphins.
If you're desperate for a shot of vitamin "sea," check out our vacation homes at Open Beach in Abu Dhabi. Stroll the beach at sundown, practice your downward dog on the shoreline, enjoy seafood lunches at cozy cafés ... Even if you only have a few days to spare, there are many ways to recharge your batteries in this delightful part of United Arab Emirates.