Desert Palm  

Several airlines offer flights to Dubai with the journey taking about 7 hours from London. Emirates is the national airline of Dubai and operates at least 12 flights from the UK daily to Dubai; four from London Heathrow, four from Gatwick and daily or double-daily from Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.  British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also operate non-stop flights every day to Dubai.  Other routes are Oman Air via Muscat, Qatar Airways via Doha.  Upgrades are available on all airlines.

The transfer between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is only 1 hour, therefore it is possible to fly into Abu Dhabi as an alternative.
 

The national language is Arabic but English is spoken by hotel and restaurant staff , taxi drivers and in all shopping malls.

The local currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham (AED). Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Mastercard are generally accepted in the main hotels and the larger shops, small restaurants may only take cash or travelers cheques.

As of summer 2011 the exchange rate was £1= AED 5.7

Money exchange houses operate throughout the city and are in most shopping malls. Banks operate from 8 am - 1pm. Money Exchange houses operate from 8am - 1 pm and from 4.30pm - 8.30pm.

Dubai is one of the most progressive states within the UAE and is equally proud of its embracement of international and traditional values. However respect for the main religion, Islam, is expected and discourteous or lewd behaviour will bring you unwanted attention.   

Local people, especially women, are highly offended if being photographed without their prior permission. You should not take photos of airports, government buildings or military subjects. Islam is the official religion of the UAE and mosques run throughout the city. A Non-Muslim is not permitted to visit a Mosque.

Kissing in public and public displays of affection are frowned upon. Same sex relationships need to be extremely discreet and private. Indecent gestures could land you in jail. Bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, short skirts and revealing tops should be confined to beach resorts. Clothing should be sensibly modest. In Sharjah women are not allowed to wear swimsuits on public beaches. In Abu Dhabi, visitors are advised not to wear excessively revealing clothing in public places, as a sign of respect for local culture and customs. This also applies to public beaches. Most nightclubs require guests not to wear shorts, caps or sports shoes.

Several medications easily accessible in the UK are banned for use and import in the UAE, such as tablets with a codeine base.

Severe punishments are in place for those who choose to ignore this advice, although the vast majority of our clients thoroughly enjoy the destination which they find to be one of the most courteous, safest and hospitable.   

Most businesses close on Friday as this is Dubai's holy day. During the holy month of Ramadan: 
11 Aug - 09 Sept 2010 (dates TBC), shops are usually closed by day and open at night. It is considered disrespectful to eat, smoke or drink in public places during daylight hours in Ramadan. Hotels in Dubai will not serve alcohol in public places until after sunset (around 7pm). You can drink in your room from the mini bar.

We can arrange transfers or tours all around Dubai, as well as between airports and hotels. Transfer time from the airport to the city and Downtown hotels is 20 minutes and 30-50 minutes from the airport to beach or Palm Island hotels.  Desert resorts are approximately one hour from the airport by car and 4WD.

During the holy month of Ramadan (should fall 01-31 August in 2011), shops are usually closed for most of  the day and open until late night. Please note that shops inside the malls still operate during the day.

It is considered extremely disrespectful to eat, smoke or drink in public places during daylight hours in Ramadan. Hotels will serve food during the day in areas away from public view, but alcohol will not be served until evening, usually 7.30 p.m.  Minibars are still available for drinking in your room in the day. Hotels in Dubai will not serve alcohol in public places until after sunset (around 7.30 pm).  There will be no live entertainment, music or dance during the Ramadan period, although taped music may be played of a 'soft' nature.