# Tell me about the UAE **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417 "2008-08-27T14:11:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/1 "2008-08-27T14:11:12Z")
Specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I’m off for a whirlwind tour at the end of October. Four days on the ground, two in each place. Staying centrally, that’s taken care of. Will have about 5-6 hours per day to sight see. Any thoughts on what’s good to do? Will be part of a group of 12, who might have different ideas of what’s fun. Thanks, MC ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/2 "2008-08-27T14:55:45Z")
::comes into thread to discuss the [Amiga emulator](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAE_(emulator)):: ::slinks out of thread:: ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/3 "2008-08-27T15:17:23Z")
Definately try and take one of the dinner cruises on an actual [dhow](http://travel.theemiratesnetwork.com/to_do/dubai_dhow_cruise.php) . And don’t lose any oportunities to try all the fascinating cusines. I was almost overwhelmed by all the Omani, Syrian, Lebanese and other culture’s dishes. The [Al-Fahidi Fort](http://www.arab.net/uae/ue_dubaimuseum.htm) was most enjoyable, this is where the Dubai Museum is located and don’t be fooled by it’s small size, it winds up being underground the size of an airplane hanger. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/4 "2008-08-27T15:27:31Z")
I’ve passed through Dubai and Abu Dhabi many times, but not in the last ten years, so this advice may be out of date: Skip Abu Dhabi. There’s nothing to do there that you can’t do in Dubai. Visit the souks (open-air markets). You can buy all sorts of neat jewelry and other knickknacks, and the best Rolex knockoffs outside Singapore. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/5 "2008-08-27T15:38:44Z")
Double agree on the souks! ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/6 "2008-08-27T18:19:22Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Skip Abu Dhabi. There’s nothing to do there that you can’t do in Dubai. Visit the souks (open-air markets). You can buy all sorts of neat jewelry and other knickknacks, and the best Rolex knockoffs outside Singapore. [/QUOTE] Thanks, but skipping is not an option. The good people at Etihad and Intercontinental Hotels who are hosting would frown on that. Good thoughts so far, keep them coming, please. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/7 "2008-08-27T18:27:36Z")
[QUOTE=mcott] Thanks, but skipping is not an option. The good people at Etihad and Intercontinental Hotels who are hosting would frown on that. Good thoughts so far, keep them coming, please. [/QUOTE] Intercont? Beg beg beg them to add an Oman leg to your tour. The [Al Bustan Palace Hotel](http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/overview/mschb?irs=null) (which is operated by IC) is a marvel. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/8 "2008-08-27T20:32:49Z")
Is there a city tour on your itinerary? Also, the [Sundowner Desert Tour](http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g295424-d546484-Reviews-Sundowner_Dune_dinner_Desert_Safari-Dubai.html) was a real hoot. 4-wheeling over dunes, watching a sunset in the desert, then you wind up in a Bedouin campsite for dinner, coffee, hookas, belly-dancing and camel rides, among other things. Wonderful time. ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/9 "2008-08-28T01:22:48Z")
No city tours set up yet, and Oman isn’t in the picture. Here’s the full deal: Fly from Toronto to Abu Dhabi on Etihad, staying for two nights at the Inter Continental, maybe a lunch at the Hyatt. Travel to Dubai, stay at the IC Festival City, possibly dinner at the Hilton Dubai Creek or the Fairmont (I’d prefer Verre by Gordon Ramsay). Transportation between cities/emirates not yet established. I’ve been asked not to set up any more meals to provide more sightseeing time. Fly back to Toronto. Date range is leave TO on the 30th of October, back on the 4th of November, back at work the next day. Looking for something to fit into these time constraints. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-uae/461417/10 "2008-08-28T05:52:52Z")
[QUOTE=BMalion] Definately try and take one of the dinner cruises on an actual [dhow](http://travel.theemiratesnetwork.com/to_do/dubai_dhow_cruise.php) . And don’t lose any oportunities to try all the fascinating cusines. I was almost overwhelmed by all the Omani, Syrian, Lebanese and other culture’s dishes. The [Al-Fahidi Fort](http://www.arab.net/uae/ue_dubaimuseum.htm) was most enjoyable, this is where the Dubai Museum is located and don’t be fooled by it’s small size, it winds up being underground the size of an airplane hanger. [/QUOTE] The best Dhow for this is the Al Monsour, run by the Intercontinental Hotel. They go the slowest so you get the most time on the water and the food is top notch. I lived there for the past 3 years so a bit of a local I guess.