The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a unification of seven self-governing states:  Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain and Dubai.   It’s proving to be one of our favourite tourist destinations in the Middle East.  That’s no surprise as Irish travellers choosing Dubai holidays will be flooded with beautiful scenery, stunning hotel and resort complexes, fantastic shopping and lots of options for recreational activities.

Dubai certainly has an exuberant air, once described by the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart as “what happens when Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia have babies”. That’s a bit unfair really!  It may share the same neon aspirations as Vegas, but the architecture in Dubai is definitely more cutting edge and has its own aesthetic of modernity that Nevada lacks.    It depends on your taste of course, but Dubai holidays offer stunning natural and man-made scenery with extravagant entertainment.  Dubai is probably most famous for its artificial islands. The “Palm Dubai” and “The Palms”, shaped like palm trees, and “The World”, consisting of an  archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the shape of the Earth’s continents, are the largest man-made islands ever built  and have been described as  ‘the Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Dubai also provides the ultimate in luxury holidays.  The “Seven Star” Burj al-Arab is the epitome of opulence, standing on its own island.  Nothing prepares you for the interior of the Burj. Every colour and every material known to man seems to have been used in the décor but somehow sheer scale seems to make them fit together!   During the day, the hotel is pristine white, but after dark computer controlled lights means the whole building changes colour.

Dubai holidays would not be complete without a trip to the covered Gold Souk in Deira, Dubai’s most famous gold market and although you shouldn’t expect cheap bargains you will certainly get a piece for far less than the equivalent price back home.  Although the UAE is an Islamic Federal Constitutional Monarchy, it’s always had a very tolerant and relaxed attitude, so entertainment and night life in Dubai includes cinemas, concerts, discotheques as well as live entertainment.  There is also a wide selection of bars and pubs to be found in the major hotels, many of which are so huge that it’s not necessary to venture outside their limits to experience everything the UAE has to offer.