Escape the northern chill and head for glamorous Dubai. A city
like no other, it is flashy, fun and slightly surreal.
Lavish hotels and desert retreats
offer levels of service and exclusivity that are second to none;
countless shopping malls entice you to 'max' your card, with a
dizzying array of dining options and hip clubs and bars to
entertain you.
The 'Garden City of the Gulf', Abu
Dhabi is also a rather cosmopolitan city, with its bold urban
architecture, glitzy malls and lush parkland. There is still a real
sense of history here too with beautiful mosques dotted around
gleaming skyscrapers and gold and spice souks in which to
explore.
Flying time: 7
hours.
Time difference: GMT +4 hrs.
Getting there: Direct services operate to Dubai
with Emirates, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Additional
services with other carriers, such as Qatar Airways via Doha.
Direct services operate to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways and
British Airways. Additional services with other carriers, such as
Emirates, via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha.
Currency: UAE Dirham (which is tied to the US
Dollar)
Vaccinations: Precautions for tetanus, typhoid,
diphtheria and hepatitis A are recommended - please contact your
doctor for up-to-date information.
Visas: British passport holders do not require
a visa. All other nationals please check visa requirements with the
embassy.
Best time to visit: From May to August it
is very hot and humid. The climate is best from late September to
early April, with very little rainfall throughout the year.
The holy month of Ramadan commences approximately
20 July - 18 August 2012 and there are restrictions on
alcohol, outdoor dining and entertainment during this
period.
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East