Overall

It's really hard to know where to start... First, it's probably a MUST that you stay on Jumeirah Beach. This beach is on the Arabian Gulf (synonymous with the Persian Gulf). The water is as clear as the Caribbean. Absolutely beautiful. Though beware about staying too far down the beach...near the Sheraton and Hilton there's A LOT of construction going on and the beach isn't nearly as beautiful. We stayed at the Al Qasr at the Madinat Jumeirah which was simply phenomenal. Rates were cut almost in half due to Ramadan (would highly recommend going at this time!) and we had amazing views of the Burj-al-Arab (it's right next door). We felt we were treated like royalty from the second we got out of the cab. There was so much attention to detail whether it was in the lobby or in the guest rooms. They had a shuttle to the Creek, Jumeirah Mosque, Souqs, etc. Secondly, the desert safari is great! It's kind of a touristy thing to do but well worth it! They take you out to the desert (about 6-7 people in a vehicle) and you go dune bashing in the 4x4 on the sand dunes, you go out to an oasis where there are hookahs, camels to ride, a belly dancer, a Mediterranean BBQ and lots of other people to chat with. Next, the souqs are great to check out. The spice souqs, in my mind, were the best. SO many spices, so cheap. And remember to make a deal!! The textile souqs and gold souqs are also not to be missed. A few other things that have to be done... A tour to the Jumeirah Mosque. This is a great way to learn about Islam. I had a taxi driver take me out to see more camels. I highly recommend this! He gave me my own personal tour. He talked people who worked on the farms into letting me ride the camels. He got on as well which is a wise idea...otherwise it would be VERY easy to fall off. It's a lot harder/scarier than it looks! Also, you WILL smell like a camel after it's all over. Just a warning! :) The restaurants and bars are fantastic! Any type of cuisine imaginable. Cool, hip bars and clubs. Attire is not conservative at all. I wore the same type of clothes to go out there as I do in San Francisco. Other tips: a visa wasn't needed for entry to the UAE; I did read in several sources that you wouldn't be admitted in if you have an Israel passport stamp in your passport--would probably want to check this out before going if you've been to Israel; airport and it's Duty-Free were amazing--extremely new and modern Things to buy while over there: gold, spices, textiles (e.g. Pashmina shawls, slipper shoes), Arabian artifacts, hookahs and flavored tobacco

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5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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