United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a developed country that attracts the most discerning hotel visitors and brands. Travelers will find anything from Shangri-La and global brands like Four Seasons to local titans like JA Resorts. In high season, expect to find prices reaching north of 500-700 USD per night, or even 1,000+ for the well-known brands. June through September, travelers can expect more reasonable rates as hotels range from 100 USD+ for luxury hotels, thanks to the high temperatures.

Public transit is plentiful in Dubai and other major cities like Abu Dhabi. Uber is also readily available in the UAE.

In Dubai, there is an excellent railway system that services most of the metropolitan area, starting with the airport.

Travelers will find anything from Michelin restaurants to local holes in the walls serving fresh and traditional cuisine. Some staple dishes of the Middle East are hummus, tabouleh and delicious meats.

Some of the best restaurants in Dubai are: Kinara, Coya, BB Social Dining and Motorino.

Shopping in the Emirates is a luxury shoppers dream. Expect to find anything from Gucci to Louis Vuitton and everything is tax-free. Some of the best malls in Dubai are The Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival Mall and the Marina Mall.

The UAE has a rich culture that reflects traditional Arab and Islamic values. The country as a whole is a conservative nation and visitors should be aware of their surroundings when traveling throughout the Emirates. Being a Muslim country, a large majority of Emiratis do not drink and being drunk and disorderly in public is a big no-no. Similarly, public displays of affection are frowned upon. That being said, the culture is extremely rich and if you take some time to dive into that richness, you’ll discover incredible history, beautiful architecture and kind people. We recommend exploring some of the old souks to get a feel for the “reel” Emirates.