10 Reasons to Visit the U.A.E.

1. Desert Conservation Park Thrills (United Arab Emirates)
4WDs speed up to get to the peak of the sand dunes and then simply slide down them. At the desert camp, camel rides, henna tattoes, traditional dinner, a mesmerising belly-dancer, Arabic coffee, dates, and apple sheesha await.

2. Al Qasr Hotel Rides at Madinat Jumeirah (Dubai)
Built in the style of an Arabian palace, this hotel is part of the Madinat complex that contains private villas and pools, a souk, and a water channel system whereby guests hop on and off abras (water taxis) to get around the complex.

3. Burj Al Arab - 7 Star Hotel (Dubai)
The world's only 7 star hotel takes the shape of a sail and comes complete with its own helipad. Photos are free from a 1km radius, otherwise access to the hotel is only granted to guests or those seeking lunch, dinner, or high tea.

4. The World Islands & The Palm Jumeirah (Dubai)
Dubai's coastline boasts the incredible World Islands resort, a collection of man-made islands shaped into the continents of the world. The nearby Palm Jumeirah similarly uses strategically-placed sand to form a date palm tree shaped resort.

5. Dubai's Skyscrapers & Souks (Dubai)
Dubai's skyscrapers come in a variety of shimmery blues, greens, and pinks and seem to shoot up throughout the city every few minutes. All that glitters is on show at The Gold Souk and frankincense wafts through the Spice Souk.

6. Al Ain's Camel Farm & Palace (United Arab Emirates)
Al Ain's camel farm is surrounded by camel race tracks and semi-arid desert. The Al Ain Palace Museum, residence of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from 1927 until the '70s, boasts beautifully decorated majlis (meeting rooms).

7. Abu Dhabi's Median Strips (Abu Dhabi)
Sheikh Zayed (deceased in Nov. '04) would often ask "How green is my desert?", green grass being the ultimate symbol of wealth in the desert. This Emirate is proud of its lush green median strips and its mosque (the largest in the U.A.E.).

8. Masafi & Badiyah Mosque (United Arab Emirates)
Visitors looking for a carpet or pottery are spoilt for choice in Masafi, 35km from Fujairah. In the same Emirate lies Badiyah mosque with its ruined watchtowers, the oldest and smallest mosque in the U.A.E.

9. Fujairah's Fort (United Arab Emirates)
The poorest of the Emirates has a cemetary and an old fort. Do not expect to see the lush, green median strips here. Unlike the other Emirates, Fujairah provides visitors with more of an adventure.

10. Buraimi Oasis Day Trip (Oman)
The Buraimi Oasis is an easy day trip combined with Al Ain and has a colourful souq and produce market with tiny "very sweet, very sweet" bananas, pyramids of dates, and honey sold by the litre. Best of all, you do not need a visa to get there.

Source: 2007 Lonely Planet Publications

Dubai Marina - The First Intelligent City

Dubai Marina, formerly named Westside Marina, has been referred to as the world's largest man-made marina and is amongst the world's largest master planned waterfront development. The development project was started in 1998 and will cover an area of 53 million square feet (4.9 million square meters). It was carved along a 3.34km (2 mile) stretch of Dubai's shoreline and is a mixed-use canal-city inspired in the Venetian tradition. It will accommodate over 120 thousand people in their luxury apartment towers and villas, with a unique waterfront view.

The first phase of Dubai Marina's development covers 10 hectares (25 acres) and was built from 1999 to 2003 at a cost of AED 730 million (US$ 200 million). Included in the phase are six freehold waterfront apartment towers (Dubai Marina Towers) and 64 luxury villas connected by a spectacular network of rooftop gardens. Underground parking for 2,000 cars, six swimming pools, 2,800 square meters of sports facilities, 2,000 square meters of themed restaurants, 4,000 square meters of retail space and a 200 square meter prayer hall that surround the apartment towers and villas.

The second phase of Dubai Marina's development will include the development of the five Al Mejara Towers that offer 1 to 3 bedroom units, along with the development of the Al Sahab twin tower that is also offering 1 to 3 bedroom units.

Dubai Marina is located in Dubai's new growth corridor and was designed to create an awe-inspiring city-within-a-city. Dubai Marina is located near Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road, next to the Dubai Media City and opposite to the Jumeirah Lake Towers.

Dubai Marina Towers Index In total, Dubai Marina will contain over 200 high-rise buildings, which will include the Dubai Marina Towers, Jumeirah Beach Residence, 23 Marina, Al Fattan Marine Towers, Al Majara 1-5, Al Marsa Tower, Al Sahab Towers, Al Seef Tower, Arshia Marina, ARY Marina View, Azure, Bayside Residence, DEC Towers, Dreams, Emerald Residence, Elite Residence, Emirates Crown, Grosvenor, Horizon Tower, Infinity Tower, KG Tower, La residencia Del Mar, La Riviera, Le Reve, Mag 218 Tower, Manchester Tower, Marina Crown, Marina Diamond Towers, Marina Heights, Marina Mansions, Marina Park, Marina Pearl, Marina Pinnacle, Marina Quays, Marina Residence, Marina Sail, Marina Terrace, Marina Tower, Marina View Towers, MarinaScape, Number One Dubai Marina, Ocean Heights, Princess Tower, Roshana Tower, Supreme Tower, The Atlantic, The Belvedere, The Cascades, The Jewels, The Lighthouse (Light House), The Torch Tower, The Waves, Time Place, Waterfront, Westside, and Yacht Bay.

Palm Islands, Dubai

Palm Islands, Dubai
“…Along the coast of Dubai—one of several emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates—are human-made islands. When the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite took this picture on September 18, 2006, these islands were the largest artificial islands in the world. All of the islands were still under some degree of construction in the fall of 2006… From south to north, the artificial island sites in this image are Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah, The World, and Palm Deira. Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Jumeirah appear largely complete in this image, looking like giant palm trees enclosed in huge arcs. Palm Deira, intended to be an even bigger palm tree when complete, is in the earliest stages of construction. In between Palm Jumeirah and the site for Palm Deira is the site for The World, which, when complete, will resemble a world map. The sand comprising all these artificial islands makes them stand out against the black water. Areas of shallower water, such as those around the site for The World, appear in dark blue-green. Sporting sand the same color as the human-made islands, Dubai itself is largely arid. Along the coast, straight lines and sharp angles indicate buildings and city streets, connected by smoothly curving highways. Well-irrigated urban areas appear in deep green…”

SME revolution starts in Dubai/GCC
“…Today Dubai and GCC opens golden opportunities to the global business communities of the world. The business activities in the region are increasing at record pace by the day, Dubai now sets the standard, and every other city in the region wants to catch up fast… Right now, Dubai International Exhibition Centre, the largest centre in Middle East, has 365 days of bookings for major fairs, exhibitions and conferences: millions of people are coming in to interact, exchange ideas to form alliances and sellers form all over the globe in search of business from this super-rich region:.."

Commercial Tower Rising in Dubai
“…Dubai’s cityscape will soon have a new 22-story waterfront commercial tower with a striking modern façade. The 300,000-square-foot O-14, a collaboration between Reiser + Umemoto RUR Architecture and developer Shahab Lutfi, will feature a 16-inch thick concrete shell, perforated by over 1,000 openings…”

Dubai prince gives Schumi an island
“…Michael Schumacher received an unique and unprecedented parting gift after his last grand prix in Brazil - an island… Dubai's crown prince - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - reportedly decided to give the retiring German a piece of the man-made island paradise The World. located off the coast of the United Arab Emirates… The World is 300 islands clustered together in a nine kilometre zone to resemble Earth from an aerial photo…”

Google Earth Dubai

Emiratos Arabes Unidos, Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina
“Dubai Marina, formerly named Westside Marina, has been referred to as the world's largest man-made marina and is amongst the world's largest master planned waterfront development. The development project was started in 1998 and will cover an area of 53 million square feet (4.9 million square meters). It was carved along a 3.34km (2 mile) stretch of Dubai's shoreline and is a mixed-use canal-city inspired in the Venetian tradition. It will accommodate over 120 thousand people in their luxury condominium towers and villas, with a unique waterfront view…” Building Plans



Metropolitan Dubai and the Rise of Architectural Fantasy
“…The explosion of mega-scale structures and satellite cities provides opportunities for the study of new typologies of building programs and forms. Within the urban grid, and the monotonous and predictable urban condition, the generation of prosthetic geometries and new morphologies acts as a catalyst for innovation. Maybe this is the right time, in the evolution of twenty-first century architecture, to study and adopt new forms and technologies. The aura of optimism and the apparent financial success of the new building boom seem to require fresh, daring architects and designers...”



Jumeirah Beach Residence
“…Inside Jumeirah Beach Residence, a 650,000 sq ft up-market shopping centre, including 180 quality outlets selling everything from high fashion to coffee is practically on your doorstep. So if you don't feel like venturing too far, you don't have to! The shopping complex will be situated at mezzanine level, creating a huge and beautifully designed air conditioned space at the foot of each tower where you will also find medical facilities, a secure play area for your children, housekeeping services, supermarkets and nursery schools…” Absolute Monthly Temperature - Emirate Of Dubai



Dar Al Masyaf
“…Dar Al Masyaf, where guests are welcomed to sun-drenched solace, are rooms and suites arranged in the style of exquisite Arabian summer courtyard houses at Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort - Dubai. Representing the premium accommodation within a Resort of magnificent qualities and nestled within the waterways and gardens - Dar Al Masyaf are havens of seclusion interwoven with splendid irregularity into the world's most inspired destination…”



El grupo turístico Nakheel prepara su expansión por Oriente Medio, África y Europa del Este
“…La inversión inicial del grupo en los Emiratos fue de 600 millones de dólares (503 millones de euros), que comprenden una cartera de ocho hoteles y complejos turísticos que incluyen el desarrollo de un condo-hotel --venta de habitaciones a particulares-- de 800 unidades, el Trump Hotel & Tower Palm Jumeirah, primer desarrollo de la exclusiva alianza de Nakheel con la organización Trump. También conmportan: un hotel de 200 habitaciones con servicio de lujo en el Palm Jumeirah; un hotel boutique y spa de 150 habitaciones con 100 chalés privados y condos sobre la playa en The World; Un hotel y complejo turístico de 400 habitaciones en Djibouti…”



Dubai: The world’s favorite destination for freehold properties
“…Three years is a relatively short period of time for a pioneering, multi-billion dollar investment initiative to succeed. But Dubai’s real estate ventures have done that and gone on to set trends. In May 2002, Dubai created a flutter when the enterprising emirate announced freehold property rights for the non-AGCC nationals. The far-reaching decision set off a real estate boom of amazing proportions. His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defense, established Emaar Properties and Nakheel. Emaar’s first step towards the long journey was the creation of Dubai Marina. Nakheel became synonymous with The Palm and later The World…”



Dubai e-City
“…As a visionary leader, H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE Defense Minister, was quick to understand the crucial importance of the Knowledge Economy. He therefore decided to personally lead the transition to the new economy, through a series of pioneering initiatives, to lay the foundation for a strong IT infrastructure to attract businesses into Dubai…”

Dubai, the Palm Islands “Eighth Wonder of the World”

In Dubai, man and money have tamed nature
“…Dubai has gone from being a sleepy backwater to the business hub of the Gulf in a little over three decades. Now new colossal investments in infrastructure, together with ambitious acquisitions overseas and mega projects such as the world's first underwater hotel, augur another era for the city-state…”



Standard Chartered's positive view of Dubai property
“…Now it is true that the bulletin noted: 'The development of the Palms, Dubai Marina, Business Bay and Arabian Ranches, to name just a few, is clearly going to boost supply in the coming few five years in dramatic fashion. While the timing is uncertain, to us this suggests a decline in property prices is just a matter of time…”



Could Dubai become the most important city on earth?
“…Dubai is growing faster than any city on earth, spending mind-boggling sums on a construction programme that is nothing less than dazzling. But what is truly impressive is the scale of its ambition. Could it become the most important place on the planet?...”



50% increase expected at Hometech '06
“…The UAE is continuously developing; it is guaranteed that this growth will be sustained within the future. Property development is huge the three palms are costing in excess of US$11 Billion along with the World project costing over US$5 Billion. This situation is replicated throughout the Gulf area; examples include Bahrain's Durrat Island and Two Seas projects, and the Pearl in Qatar. Tourism is another notable area, where growth is immense. There are plans to build a further 200 hotels throughout the Gulf area. Dubai International Airport handles over 20 million passengers, where as Abu Dhabi over 5 million…”



Desert oasis
“…There are some 5,000 construction projects underway in this oil-rich Middle East hotspot, one of seven emirates that make up the UAE. And Ski Dubai — the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East — is just the latest to throw open its doors and welcome the world along for the ride…”



Revenue maker
“…The year 2006 looks set to be the year hotel managers in Dubai have been dreaming of. With only a handful of new properties set to open, and occupancy figures looking set to continue to climb, it could easily be said that running a five-star hotel in the city is tantamount to having a licence to print money…”



Dubai's Growth Hinges on State-Run Cos.
”… There is no secret to the magnitude of Dubai's transformation. The sheikdom's dozens of ultra-luxurious resorts _ most sitting on white sandy Gulf beaches _ lured in 5.6 million tourists in 2004. State-connected firms are building the world's tallest skyscraper amid forests of shorefront high-rises and reclaiming islands in the Gulf in the shapes of palm trees. And in Saudi Arabia, a Dubai developer has just broken ground on a $26.7 billion project to build an entire city on the shores of the Red Sea…”

Dubai: The Palm Islands / 'Eighth Wonder of the World'

The Palm, Jumeirah will measure approximately 5km in length and 5km in width and will be a retreat, a quiet, serene sand safe haven for living, leisure and relaxation. There are approximately 7,000 apartments and 1,800 villas and townhouses on The Palm, Jumeirah.

The Trunk of The Palm, Jumeirah will offer an outstanding array of retail and lifestyle options for residents and tourists to enjoy, creating a new centre for Dubai. The Golden Mile will feature 220 outlets, offering the world’s most exclusive brands and an array of boutiques, shops, restaurants and cafes.

As part of an exclusive partnership between The Trump Organization and Nakheel, The Palm Jumeirah will feature a number of Trump properties, including The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower; The Palm's centrepiece hotel, the development will pioneer the condo-hotel concept in the Middle East.

The Crescent will feature international hotels of the highest quality, providing the ultimate holiday destination. Located near to The Crescent will be a number of fascinating dive sites, and at the head of the Crescent will be Atlantis, The Palm - one of approximately 30 hotels that will appear on The Palm, Jumeirah.







Nakheel Chairman hits back at critics of Palm JumeirahThe Palm Deira is going to be as big as Paris
“…Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Nakheel Executive Chairman, talks to Emirates Today about the progress of Nakheel's waterfront projects.. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, speaking during a business trip to Seoul, South Korea, told Emirates Today the 1,400 villas and 2,200 apartments under construction on the date palm-shaped manmade island in the Arabian Gulf are on schedule for completion by the end of this year…”

Nakheel freezes sales of Palm Deira project
“…Sales of the Palm Deira project, the largest of the three Palm Islands being developed by Nakheel, have been frozen for an indefinite period of time as its delivery has been delayed and the project will take at least 10 years to complete, Nakheel disclosed last week.. The company has so far sold some 40 per cent of phase one of the project, but has put sales on hold since the Dutch-based dredging company Van Oord estimated that the land reclamation would take eight years from now to complete…”



Dubai's Mega Projects
“…The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The World, The Palm Deira, Burj Dubai (plus Burj Dubai Residences, Old Town and Dubai Mall), The Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Airport Expansion, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Dubailand, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai Festival City, Al Badia Golf Resort, International City, Chinamex Dragon Mart, Dubai Healthcare City, Academic City, Zayed University, Silicon Oasis, Hydropolis, Humanitarian City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Business Bay, Jebel Ali Airport City…” (Aerials-Dubai)