united arab emirates

Why should I plan your trip? Because Dubai is the easy part. Knowing what's actually worth your time beyond the skyline takes someone who's looked past it.

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RECOMMENDED STAY
Ideal Duration

STARTING PRICE
Per Person Per Day

IDEAL MONTHS
Best Time to Visit

$1,000+

5+ days

nov-apr

Dubai, Abu Dhabi & the Emirates Beyond

SEVEN EMIRATES, ONE FEDERATION, VERY DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES

The UAE is seven separate emirates under one flag, and most travelers only ever meet one of them. Dubai built itself in a single generation, the world's tallest building, artificial islands, a skyline that didn't exist thirty years ago. Abu Dhabi, the capital, plays a slower, more deliberate game, the Louvre's outpost under a latticed dome, the white marble of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque holding one of the largest hand-knotted carpets ever made. Beyond the two headline cities, the desert itself, dunes, camel treks, overnight camps under genuinely dark skies, is close enough to reach in under an hour from either.

Where to go in
the uae

Dubai

The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, anchors a skyline built almost entirely within the last three decades, alongside the Dubai Mall, the historic Al Fahidi district, and a genuinely serious fine dining scene.

The Desert

Some of the largest sand dunes on earth sit within reach of both major cities, overnight desert camps, camel treks, and star-filled skies a world away from the skyscrapers.

Abu Dhabi

The UAE's capital moves at a more deliberate pace than Dubai, home to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a genuine architectural landmark in its own right.

Sharjah

The UAE's cultural capital, museums, restored heritage districts, and a more traditional, alcohol-free atmosphere than its more famous neighbors, often overlooked but genuinely worth the detour.

ready for the uae?

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"So many nights, my last thought before falling asleep was what a lovely day we'd had together. We can't wait to plan our next trip with her."

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The Journal | Sarah Casewit Travel Blog
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