United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

With its man-made islands, opulent hotels and iconic buildings, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has always been a show-stopping, headline-grabbing destination, offering an intriguing blend of Islamic culture and modernity.

The world has watched, spellbound over the past decade as billionaire Emiratis built megastructure after megastructure, seducing slack-jawed tourists and expats with the sail-shaped Burj al-Arab, bustling souks and sprawling, tax-free shopping malls.

For a while, it seemed as though nothing could halt the rise of this burgeoning Arabian Gulf country, until the global financial crisis swept through, that is. With billions of dollars invested in property projects, Dubai suffered a major economic blow. However, the oil rich capital of Abu Dhabi escaped relatively unscathed and now looks set to become the country's cultural heart, with both the Louvre and the Guggenheim museums scheduled to open in the next two years.

The crisis may have crippled markets around the world, but it also means there’s never been a better time to visit the UAE; to explore the country’s tranquil desert, be pampered at luxurious hotels and spas, flex your credit card with world-class designer shopping or dine at gourmet restaurants.

Don’t be dazzled by Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone – the other emirates are also worthy of exploration, namely coastal Fujairah, which offers idyllic snorkelling and scuba-diving, or Ras-al-Khamiah, which has excellent off-road driving and hiking in the rugged Hajar Mountains.