DUBAI
A fascinating mixture of old and new, where minarets proudly exist side by side with the very best of modern architecture and urban planning. A safe, clean destination, where traditions of courtesy and hospitality to the stranger are a way of life. There are covered Souks with all the fragrances and all the goods of Arabia that contrast with 21st century shopping malls brimming with designer tax free items. The creek is alive with the movement of Dhows either leaving for or arriving from their ancient trade routes to Africa or the East. The hinterland offers the majestic dessert with its ever-changing colours and backdrop of the majestic Hajar mountains. The UAE is a liberal and welcoming society however it is expected that local customs and traditions should be respected and dress in public places should be modest. Alcohol is widely available in hotels & restaurants in the resorts featured in our brochure.
During the holy month of Ramadan there are varying restrictions on the provision of alcohol, services and entertainment and non Muslims are asked not to eat, drink or smoke in public places. CLIMATE. Sub tropical, sunny blue; skys high temperatures most of the year. Irregular rainfall mainly months of November March. Best time to visit is between November & April.

CONSTRUCTION There is continuing development in Dubai, the largest of which is the Dubai Marina complex. The outside construction of the building should be finished by October and will be fully complete by March 2006. In the meantime the following hotels will be affected although we will only be selling the sea-view rooms NOT rooms overlooking the site:

Le Royal Meridien

Sheration

Hilton Jumeirah

Ritz Carlton

For further information please contact our reservation team

RAS AL KHAIMAH
The cradle of an ancient Arabian civilisation. A tranquil little Emirate of the UAE. Age old tradition and a modern way of life co-exist quite happily. Ras AL Khaimah offers an indented sea coast with creeks, lagoons, sandy deserts, intensely green plains and rugged mountains.

ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven Emirates and the Federal capital of the UAE. It occupies an area of 26,000 square miles. Its long coastline - the shallow waters of the Southern Gulf, extending from the base of the Qatar Peninsula in the west to the border of the emirate of Dubai on the north east, was once the world's best waters for pearling.  On the land, it stretches south to the oases of Liwa where some of the world’s largest sand dunes can be found , and east to the ancient oasis of Al Ain. This makes Abu Dhabi the largest as well as the most populated of all the emirates.