United Arab Emirates
Seven highlights of Dubai beyond the glitzy skyscrapers
There’s plenty of traditional culture to experience in this stopover favourite. You just need to know where to look.
- Jenny Hewett
Beyond Dubai: The smallest emirate wants to be your next stopover
Not enough beach? Build one. No islands off the coast? No problem. Just put them there yourself.
- Carrie Hutchinson
I stayed at the world’s first urban fitness resort (and ate too much)
This affordable futuristic fitness stay is redefining the ultimate Dubai stopover.
- Jenny Hewett
- ★★★★½
- Hotel reviews
Love it or hate it, you’ll never forget a stay at these grandiose digs
Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Emirates Palace hotel is another world but due to its size, it can also feel a little like a lost world.
- Anthony Dennis
Avoid Greek island’s infamous crowds by visiting the fake one instead
Overcrowded Santorini tops my anti-bucket list: the places I’ve absolutely no intention to visit. Could this little fake version be nicer than the real deal?
- Hazel Plush
This city is about to give Dubai a real run for its dirhams
Abu Dhabi is at last set to compete with its glitzier neighbour Dubai, with its incredible new cultural district finally near completion.
- Anthony Dennis
- ★★★★★
- Airline reviews
This business class seat is a perfect ‘hotel in the sky’
This is one snug designer cubbyhole even if the unusual backwards-facing aspect of the seat takes a little getting used to.
- Anthony Dennis
- ★★★★★
- Hotel reviews
The verdict on the world’s first ‘ultra-luxury resort’
Beyonce was reportedly paid $36 million to perform at the opening of this hotel. She would be happy with how it turned out.
- Damien Woolnough
Port guide: Abu Dhabi, UAE
It might be the conservative cousin of Dubai, but wealthier Abu Dhabi has rolled out ambitious tourism and cultural projects, and is a sight to behold.
- Brian Johnston
- ★★★★½
- Airline reviews
Qantas take note, this is how you do business class on a superjumbo
When it comes to the pointy end, Emirates is all class. Its Australian codeshare partner needs to start paying attention.
- Anthony Dennis
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/traveller/topic/united-arab-emirates-gd2