It is best to go to the beaches of the Persian Gulf in the off-season - from October to March, at which time the unbearable heat subsides and you can relax comfortably on the golden sands of the Middle East.

United Arab Emirates

Best time to visit UAE: October-March.

The coast of the UAE is washed by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The only emirate that has access to the Gulf of Oman is Fujairah, the other six are located on the coast of the Persian or, as it is also called, the Arabian Gulf. And although the resorts of the emirates of Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain are located on the same coast, the differences between them are very large.

Most resort hotels are located on the coastline, and all of them, without exception, have their own private beaches. Those who vacation in 3 and 2 star hotels far from the coastline can use the private beach of another hotel for a fee or go to the municipal city beach.

Traditions carry a lot of weight in the UAE, so be prepared to adhere to certain standards of behavior. This applies to alcohol, clothing (both men's and women's), and public displays of affection.

As for the beaches, it is necessary to remember that in the UAE there are “women’s” days - at this time men are strictly prohibited from coming to the beach. Plus, don’t forget that if you are on a closed hotel beach, then you (again, in most emirates) are allowed to sunbathe in a swimsuit and swimming trunks. Well, if you come to the municipal beach, it would not be amiss to ask to what extent it would be decent for you to be naked.

The name “Dubai” is simultaneously borne by both the most visited emirate and its administrative center, a city that is most liberally disposed towards tourists and their whims. Actually, the city is divided into three large areas - the oldest area of ​​​​Deira, the shopping area with many shopping centers, Bar Dubai and Jumeirah - where the most upscale hotels are located.

Hotels located in the beach area undergo annual re-certification and have a classification similar to the requirements of European standards, with the vast majority being 4* and 5* hotels. They all have their own beaches, mostly closed to outsiders. The most famous hotel in Dubai is the famous Burj Al Arab, which is nicknamed the “seven-star” hotel for the luxury of its interiors and service, as well as the scope of its construction. Another masterpiece of modern hotel construction is the artificial islands of the Palm Jumeirah, a structure that has become a symbol of the United Arab Emirates.

Those who live in city hotels remote from the beach area usually use two beach complexes - Jumeirah Beach Park and Al Mamzar Park. Entrance to both beaches is paid, as is the rental of beach accessories. However, the infrastructure on both is excellent: bars, restaurants, rentals of everything your heart desires, and Al Mamzar Park even has its own swimming pool.

There is always a warning system on the beaches of Dubai; you should pay attention to the flag on the beach - yellow means there is no danger at all, but if you go swimming under a red flag, you may be fined, because the sea is unsafe on such days.

In Dubai, as the most democratic region of the UAE, the “prohibition law” applies only to the streets and beaches, but no one will forbid you to enjoy beer or something stronger in cafes and restaurants. So the nightlife in Dubai is perhaps the liveliest in the whole country. There are many clubs open here, one of the most famous is “Catharsis”; hotel discos are constantly organized - for example, the famous “Planetarium” or “Scarlet”. The latter takes place on the top floor of the Emirates Towers Hotel. When going to any disco, be sure to check at the hotel reception what documents you need to take with you - they are often checked.

During the day, you can visit the Wild Wadi water park and the Jumeirah Beach Park amusement park, go with your children to the Wonder Land amusement park or play golf on the excellent courses of the Emirates Golf Club located in the Jumeirah area or the Dubai Creek Golf Course located on the shores of the Creek.

In principle, diving can be done on almost any beach, but divers chose Jumeirah Park, where two old fighter jets were specially sunk for their entertainment.

The smallest of the emirates is Ajman. Those who want a relaxing holiday come here. Despite the fact that the tourism business in Ajman is developing slowly, there is a five-star Kempinski hotel, small shops, cozy cafes, and also the only store in the entire UAE where you can purchase alcoholic beverages without restrictions (but taking them out of the emirate is strictly prohibited ). The beaches in Ajman are sandy, and on weekends you can often meet locals who like to have picnics on the beach.

The Emirate of Sharjah is located on the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf and borders Dubai. Sharjah is the most conservative emirate, here any alcohol is prohibited, the punishment for violation is very strict, local law enforcement officers do not get away with a single offense. Carrying even one bottle of beer in your trunk, you risk breaking the law and being punished to the fullest extent, despite the fact that you are a foreign tourist.

The choice of hotels here is smaller than in Dubai. Three hotels are located on the coast of Khaled Bay, nine on the shores of the Persian Gulf. That's probably all.

There are no entertainment venues, bars or discos in Sharjah, but in the evening you can plunge into the cultural traditions of the country and go to an Arab nightclub where national Arab music plays. For tourists who crave nightlife and adventure, there are taxis that will take you to neighboring Dubai, where the nightlife is in full swing.

Sharjah also includes the city of Khorfakkan, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Divers come here to admire the beauty of the sea, as well as those tourists who want to relax peacefully on a picturesque beach.

The emirate is located on an island and consists of the city of Abu Dhabi and the small cities of Liwa and Al Ain. The main city of Abu Dhabi has so much green space that the air temperature here is always several degrees lower than in the surrounding desert.

The largest park area is located on The Corniche embankment, where the famous fountains “Swan”, “Pearl”, “Coffeepot” and other masterpieces of landscape art are located. Those who have visited the UAE call this place one of the most picturesque in the entire country.

Most hotels in Abu Dhabi are located on the beach. All beaches on the island are sandy; hotel beaches are cleaned daily of ocean debris.
Abu Dhabi is actually the capital of the UAE, and therefore there is a lot of entertainment here, and you definitely won’t be bored. Here you can go on a trip through the desert - in jeeps or camels, visit the local hippodrome and watch exotic camel racing, visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fort Al Jahili, and the ethnographic museum “Historical Heritage Village”. For lovers of elite entertainment, golf courses are open and falconry is held.

As for alcohol, it can only be found in some hotel restaurants; in city restaurants you will not find alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages is also prohibited in public places and on beaches.

The Emirate of Fujairah is famous among tourists for its historical monuments and attractions. Here are the ruins of the old fort and the remains of its settlement. In the museum you can see interesting archaeological finds from excavations near Binta and Kidfa. Divers come here to scuba dive in the Indian Ocean and explore the coral reefs. Most diving centers are located near the Oceanic Hotel.

Tourists staying at one of the hotels in Fujairah will never get bored. There is everything for an active holiday - exotic tours along dry river deltas (they are filled with water only during the rains), excursions introducing you to the culture of the Middle East and mountain climbing.

Ras al Khaimah is the northernmost of the emirates. The mountains in this picturesque place touch pristine, clean sandy beaches. There is no prohibition in the emirate, but you should still not drink alcohol on the city streets or on the beach. In the main city of Ras Al Khaimah, the Ice Land water park recently opened, which is designed not only for adults, but also for children.

Umm Al Quwai is a quiet emirate consisting of the Old and New Cities. The emirate is located on the most picturesque coast - in this place the waters of the Persian Gulf form many bays and lagoons.

The spirit of an ancient Arab settlement has been preserved in the Old Town, while modern houses and shopping centers are being built in the New Town. There are also several small hotels here. Umm Al Quwai's isolation from other emirates makes it attractive to tourists who want to immerse themselves in the traditions and culture of the Middle East.

You can have fun by visiting the nautical club and Dreamland water park, as well as the first flying club in the Emirates.
The club hosts championships in parachuting and skydiving. Anyone can see the UAE by taking off in an inflatable balloon or learn to fly airplanes and other air vehicles.

Oman

Best time to visit Oman: October-March.

Oman is washed by the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. The exoticism of Oman begins with its name - it is a sultanate, and nothing else. This state combines Arab charm and secular democracy, remaining peaceful despite all the unrest that now and then shakes the Middle Eastern community.

There is everything for relaxation here - picturesque nature, tropics, savannas, sandy beaches and warm seas, national parks, nature reserves, preserved Arab identity and a rich excursion program.

Oman's hotel base is small, but can satisfy any request. The principle for determining the level of service is the same as in Europe: the more stars a hotel has, the closer its location to the beach area. Most beaches are municipal, some are assigned to hotels. On weekends - here it is Thursday and Friday - there are quite a lot of locals on the beaches.

People go to the resorts of the capital of Oman - the city of Muscat - mainly for a quiet beach holiday: you won’t find nightlife or noisy parties here. The city is divided into several districts, each of them performs a specific function. The main bazaar is located in the Muttrah area, the Sultan's Palace is located in the Muscat area, the Ruwi area is the commercial district, and the main beaches and hotels are located in the Al Qurum area.

All Muscat beaches are sandy. Municipal beaches are open to the public; you can rent umbrellas and sun loungers at any of them, completely free of charge. This applies, of course, to landscaped beaches. But there are also wild ones. These are usually not crowded - because the entrance to the water is not covered with bulk sand, and you can get hurt on the coral reefs, of which there are a great number here, off the coast. If you still decide to visit a “wild” beach, do not forget to take special shoes with you.
You can enrich yourself culturally by visiting the Oman Historical Museum, the National Museum in Ruwi and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

The former capital of Oman is the city of Nizwa. The city is a large oasis in the heart of the desert and claims to be the country's main resort. Unfortunately, there are no beaches and nowhere to swim. Despite the fact that there are only 4 large hotels in the city, there are always a lot of tourists here.

Firstly, in Nizwa there are nightclubs and restaurants (all for the entertainment of young people), secondly, it is from this city that the excursion to the ancient monuments of Jabrin begins, where you should pay attention to the painted ceilings and wood carvings, and Bakhly, a small village where the art of pottery flourishes. Thirdly, there is an old fortress-fort, from the top of which you can see a beautiful view of the city, and fourthly, in Nizwa you can buy products made of precious metals at a very low price. From Nizwa you can also go on a jeep safari to the sands of Wahiba.

The capital of the southern region of the country is the city of Salalah. Here tourists can not only lie on the sandy beach and swim in clear water, but also go sailing, water skiing or motorcycling, and also go down to the seabed with scuba gear.

It is best to go on holiday to Salalah without children, because... There are strong currents in the ocean that sometimes even an adult cannot cope with. The city is rich in excursion options - you can take part in archaeological excavations, visit banana and coconut plantations, and see the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba.

The city of Sohar, known as the historical birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor, attracts tourists with its large Souk market. There are always few vacationers on the large sandy beach of Sohar, so those who like a relaxing holiday will like it here. The only danger is represented by ocean currents, which can “suddenly” change their direction. Among the attractions here, the Sohara Fort is worthy of attention, it is beautiful and majestic. On Fridays, everyone can watch a bullfight.

It’s very beautiful on the coast: azure expanse, space, white boats, and you’re tempted to immediately plunge into the warm embrace of the sea. However, while admiring the beauty of the sea-ocean, we sometimes don’t think about who lives there? Who can we step on, accidentally touch, and would anyone like to take a piece of us for lunch? What surprises await us in the Persian or Oman Gulf, the Indian Ocean (Fujairah), as well as who can be caught on a fishing excursion or purchased at the fish market - we’ll talk about this now.

Jellyfish

Fortunately, tourists usually see only schools of small, harmless fish in the sea waves, and are surprised to learn that someone else is here. In March 2014, there was a large influx of jellyfish on the coast of Dubai. This species, Aurelia aurita, is considered not to pose a threat to human life.

In such situations, it is better not to swim on wild beaches where there are no lifeguards. On equipped beaches, in case of danger, red flags are raised near the rescue towers, in the sea, and even the beaches are patrolled by police squads.

Jellyfish appear here and there periodically, very rarely in winter, more often in summer. And in the Indian Ocean, and on Palma, and on Jumeirah - they can be found everywhere. In the spring, blue jellyfish predominate in the waters of the Persian Gulf, their burns are less painful, tourists even say that they saw children playing with these “snot of the sea”, and - nothing.

Most of the jellyfish are in Fujairah, which is mainly a holiday destination for diving enthusiasts, and they are mostly experienced people.

So, for safety reasons, we do not swim on wild beaches, where it is generally unknown who is waiting for us in the sea, and we listen to the rescuers if they warn of danger. It is also better to choose another emirate for your holiday than the best place for divers - Fujairah.

Sharks

Many UAE hotel beaches are protected by shark nets, which is good news. Yes, there are sharks here - just take a walk to the fish market to see for yourself and see these exotic inhabitants of the Indian Ocean. Shark meat, by the way, is a rare treat - few people find it tasty, so there is no need to rush into purchasing this fish on the market. And for adrenaline, come to Fujairah - there you can meet free-swimming small reef sharks, but this will be discussed below.

In addition to reef sharks, there are also whale sharks. They reach 14 meters in length and are also considered safe for humans (they feed on squid, small fish, and plankton). A few years ago, such a curious incident occurred - a whale shark got lost and swam to the embankment in the Dubai Marina area, near the Spinneys store. The local police, together with the coast guard, frightened the poor fellow with loud signals, caught him in a net, then gave up on this whole hopeless matter and gave him the opportunity to find his way home on his own.

An interesting fact is that Dubai recently became the fifth largest exporter of shark fins in the world. The Emirates supply approximately 500 tons of shark fins every year to Hong Kong alone (this is half of their global production). In one day, a fishing boat can catch up to a thousand sharks, and soup with the addition of shark fins is considered a symbol of prestige and wealth.

Other living creatures

In Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, tourists saw stingrays - small, shy, not electric. Anyone who is afraid of stingrays or does not want to “tread calmly on them” needs to buy special slippers. In Sharjah the water is clean - you can immediately see the stingray. You just need to be careful - after all, the sea is inhabited by all sorts of living creatures.

Sea urchins are even found in Al Mamzar, a paid park with swimming areas and beaches, but only where there are rocks. Crabs also usually live on rocks; there are many of them in Umm Al Quwain - someone lives in every shell. They are afraid of people - more than we are of them, so we should not expect an attack from them. Moreover, tourists swim where there is sand.

According to tourists, there are more jellyfish when the sea is warm and calm, when it’s a little cooler and the sea is a little rough - like a cow licks them off with her tongue.

There are sea snakes in the open ocean, and on wild beaches in the water you can stumble upon stone fish and scorpion fish, so even for innocent walks along the water's edge (precisely on wild beaches) you need rubber shoes.

But in general, travelers say that nowhere at sea was it as comfortable and safe as in Dubai. And they are surprised to learn about the presence of all sorts of unpleasant inhabitants of the sea, saying: “But we only saw some small fish in schools, that’s all!”

A special word about Fujairah, Indian Ocean.

As you know, Fujairah is famous for its diving capabilities. Many travelers who come here for this very purpose choose the Sandy Beach 3* hotel, with a sandy beach and a diving center on this very beach. Experienced travelers advise all tourists to take an underwater camera with them - it will definitely come in handy!

There are practically no fish in the waters near the beach - they all swim near the coral island of Snoopy - about a hundred meters from the shore, opposite this hotel. This is where you can meet and photograph all kinds of colorful fish, stingrays, turtles, parrot fish, and Picasso fish. But that is not all! Not very large and shy reef sharks live here; tourists go, accompanied by guides, to look at them; the size of the sharks is from one to two meters. These sharks prefer to stay near the island and further away; they have never been seen near the beach. In general, where there is sand, there are no fish or sharks, but as soon as the stones begin, that’s where you can find them, but whether it’s necessary is up to you to decide. Maybe it’s better to turn back - where the sand is?

You should not feed sharks, go spearfishing if they are nearby, wear something shiny, and also try to touch the shark or block its path. Even if it’s a reef one, even if it’s small. The smell of blood and the sight of prey makes them go crazy.

In general, a shark in Fujairah can easily be found even fifty meters from the shore...

There are a lot of sea urchins near Snuppy Island. Even if you are swimming in coral slippers, they will not save you from a powerful injection (and the temptation to stand up is very strong - the depth there is a meter and a half). Some tourists ignore these rules and walk near the island, admiring the underwater world. It’s good if you’re lucky and get out of this admiration unharmed, but if you swim back with an injured leg... it’s worth thinking about.

Siphonophores also swim in the Indian Ocean; they are also called “thread”. There are few of them, but they exist. In case of a burn, it is recommended to keep the affected area in sea water near the shore - this will make it go away faster. The stinging cells of the siphonophores are removed with sand and sea water; you need to rub them effortlessly.

There are influxes of “stinging” burning plankton, which annoys swimmers in the Gulf of Oman.

Sometimes, for safety reasons, tourists swim in shorts and long-sleeved shirts or special swimsuits that also cover their arms and legs.

In general, Fujairah is a tempting place for divers, but those who want a relaxing family holiday need to be prudent or choose another emirate.

What you can catch while fishing or buy at the Fish Market

Fishing in the UAE gives tourists an unforgettable experience, a lot of impressions and a good catch. They even take children with them on this excursion, but fishing on your own from the shore is prohibited - for this you can get a fine of up to 500 dirhams and generally get into trouble.

For an additional fee, fish will be prepared for you directly on the yacht. You need to take copies of your passports with you (for coast guard verification). The journey to the fishing spots takes about 30 minutes. From November to May is the best season for fishing; in summer the water gets too hot and the fish are inactive. Don't forget to take your camera with you!

By trolling (hunting for large fish, the yacht is usually equipped with special equipment) you can catch barracuda, hamur, sichil, Spanish mackerel, and by spinning - perch, Emperor family, Sheri. You can catch tuna, king fish (mackerel), shark.

Khamour is considered one of the most delicious fish in the UAE; almost every restaurant offers dishes from this fish. Sychil is also a delicious fish; specimens from 2 kg are used for cooking - small ones are released, they have very little meat. Such fish are rarely caught, but they are caught! The lucky fishermen who managed to catch the sychil are called lucky. Sea catfish is tasteless, has a bad smell, and has a “soapy” coating. It is difficult to wash off its mucus - these fish are handled with gloves. Usually good for a photo shoot, then released.

Shark is rarely cooked on a yacht - its taste is not for everyone.

In general, to learn about the local seafood, you can go to the Fish Market (in Dubai, Sharjah).

Tuna, sardine, mackerel, barracuda, hamur, lobster, shrimp, crabs, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, sharks - you name it!

The sellers are friendly, according to tourists, they love to take pictures and pose with their fish. Just take rubber slippers with you - walk around the market, the floor there may be wet and covered in fish scales.

Enjoy your holiday in the United Arab Emirates!

The Persian Gulf region is of great interest, primarily because it is one of the most oil-rich areas of the earth's crust. The geology of the area surrounding the Persian Gulf has been well studied. Hydrobiological, hydrological and oceanographic studies have been carried out in the Persian Gulf itself. Persian Gulf area 239 thousand km2, the volume of water is only 6 thousand km3. Length of the Persian Gulf 1138 km, width varies from 388 km to 65 km in the Strait of Hormuz Average depth 91 m. However, at the entrance to the Persian Gulf there are depths exceeding 110 m; the maximum depth of the Persian Gulf is 170 m.

The Persian Gulf is divided into two parts - eastern and western, which are connected by a narrow depression passing through a shallow area located within the Strait of Hormuz. The deep-water area is also separated from the coast of Iran by a narrow shoal. In the southwestern part of the Persian Gulf there is extensive shallow water, where depths do not exceed 40 m; it expands to the south and pinches out towards the top of the Persian Gulf.
There are many islands and shoals in the Persian Gulf; some are either fold ridges, salt domes, or structures composed of unconsolidated or partially consolidated Quaternary sediments.

Climate in the Persian Gulf

Temperatures in the Gulf region are high, but winters are quite cool, especially at the top of the Gulf. The amount of precipitation is insignificant; in the northeast of the Persian Gulf, precipitation increases slightly. Precipitation falls mainly in the form of rare short heavy showers between November and April. Relative humidity is high. Cloudiness is light, and more in winter than in summer. Thunderstorms and fogs are rare phenomena that are not typical for this area. But in the summer there are often dust storms and haze. Most often, strong winds blow from the NNW and WNW; it is locally called "shamal". The strength of the shamal sometimes reaches 6 points and rarely reaches 8 points. The wind speed during such periods increases to 26 m/s in 5 minutes. Waterspouts often occur, especially in the fall.

Hydrological regime. The top of the Persian Gulf receives fresh water from the Tigris, Euphrates and Karun rivers; less significant freshwater influx in the Iranian coastal area. Water temperature is high; it ranges from 18 to 32°C at the entrance to the Persian Gulf and from 16 to 32°C in the extreme northwest.

Maximum water temperatures observed in shallow waters along the coast. High salinity is due to low river flow (high air temperatures and high evaporation exceed the influence of incoming fresh water). Salinity varies from 37-38 ppm. at the entrance to the Persian Gulf to 38-41 prom. in the extreme north-west, where the salinity value depends on the river flow. In the southwest of the Persian Gulf, off the coast, a salinity of 42–60 ppm was recorded. It has been established that the salinity of the waters entering the Persian Gulf is increasing, while more saline waters sink and leave through the Strait of Hormuz, and less dense waters take their place.

Tides in the Persian Gulf incorrect daily allowance. The highest tides are recorded east of the Qatar Peninsula. The diurnal inequality decreases to the NE and SE of this point.

Tide fluctuations insignificant - from 1.22-1.64 m around the Qatar Peninsula to 3.15-3.38 m at the top of the Persian Gulf and to 2.76-3.15 m at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Strong onshore winds sometimes raise the water level near the shore; low banks are flooded.

Powerful tidal currents(up to 4 knots) are observed on the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz. In other areas of the Persian Gulf, these currents are weak, usually their speed does not exceed 1-1.5 knots, but can increase at the entrance to lagoons, at river mouths and narrow straits. Wind drift is sometimes so powerful that tidal currents moving in the opposite direction cannot overcome it, and therefore the resulting current does not change direction, only the speed decreases slightly.

The waves in the Persian Gulf are usually small but steep. The influence of the Indian Ocean swell is felt only at the entrance. In this area, winds blowing in the opposite direction of the tide can create strong turbulence. In the southern part, the greatest disturbance is caused by the local shamal wind. Large waves have been recorded here, but the height rarely exceeds 3 m.

Geology of the areas surrounding the Persian Gulf. has been studied quite well. In the west, the Persian Gulf is bounded by the Precambrian Arabian Shield, overlain by gently NE-dipping and weakly dislocated Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments. The axes of gentle folds are oriented in the meridional direction.

The Oman Mountains are the only intensely folded structure on the Arabian Peninsula. In the east, the foothills and ridges of the Zagros Mountains (folded and faulted), oriented NW-SE, adjoin the Persian Gulf. In the cores of large anticlines, mainly Mesozoic rocks that make up the mountains are exposed, and in the foothills these rocks are overlain by Cenozoic deposits. In the northeast, the folded zone consists of several large fault blocks in which Paleozoic and younger rocks are exposed. The folded mountains and fault blocks are separated from the complex massif of the Central Iranian Plateau by a thrust zone along which sediments of various geological eras are exposed at the northeastern tip of the Zagros Mountains. Superimposed on this broad area are extensive salt domes, which are particularly well developed in southwest Iran and the southern Persian Gulf.

Story them dates back to the Tertiary period. Although tectonic movements began in the Cretaceous period, and in some areas even earlier, the basic structure of the mountains and all the geomorphological features of the Persian Gulf are the result of Miocene-Liocene folding and subsequent deformations. The fault-block structure of the Early Domiocene apparently had some influence on the superimposed Tertiary folding. This region is still tectonically active. Numerous raised coastal levees and terraces and raised dived surfaces indicate Quaternary tectonic movements.

The geological structures of the frame were formed as a result of folding and accumulation of a thick layer of sediments in a trench oriented NW-SE and finally formed in the Mesozoic. The Cambrian consists of plastic material, salt and a thin layer of carbonates. From the Permian to the Miocene, there was mainly an accumulation of carbonate sediments with rare inclusions of plastic material. These carbonate sediments, accumulated in deep-sea areas, consist of marly sediments, often containing significant admixture of organic matter; marly sediments grade into sediments of the shallow zone, including skeletal, oolitic, reef and dolomitic limestones. Sediments of the shallow zone are especially clearly visible in the southwestern trench.

I can’t help but tell you about Dubai, an emirate that has sunk into my soul so much that I’m ready to return there again (although I usually prefer to see different places)

Remembering the preparations for the trip, I remember my joy and expectations - which certainly came true! Before my trip to the shores of the Persian Gulf, I had not had a vacation for a long time, a beach vacation for a year and a half (which was not so easy for me:), and it seemed that a vacation on the seashore or ocean was something very far away. Even as I was packing my bags and looking through photographs of the places in which I would soon be photographed, the feeling of an impending vacation did not come. And considering that the day before departure I was at work with a fever, you can imagine what my mood was like!

But now I’m already on the plane, 4.5 hours and welcome to Dubai!

Passport control, retinal scan - be prepared to stand in line. And so, I leave the airport and am already rushing to the Audi to my hotel. (More precisely, the apartments... which turned out to be simply huge! To my happiness, they gave me a double room (which is at least equipped for four), and my happiness is from the huge room, spaciousness, excellent view from the 13th floor... Well, what can I list now :) I highly recommend the Tamani Hotel. It is located in the Marina area, I really liked it too:

Having checked into the hotel, I rush to the beach - even though the sun had already set to the horizon, I couldn’t help but go up to the water and enjoy the sound of the surf, which I hadn’t heard for so long. Jumeirah Beach, sandy beach, blue sky, tall buildings overlooking the Persian Gulf, completely clear water... This is happiness.

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The next day in the morning I went to visit my relatives, who were located on Palm Jumeirah . Crystal clear sky, bright rays of sun from the very morning. I'm driving in a Lexus with a bright interior, the driver turns on the music louder, we approach the famous Atlantis Hotel, go around its territory and head to the edge of a palm branch. I can immediately note that this area is simply beautiful! Especially cute cottages at the entrance to the island, beautiful architecture and a lot of greenery. The view of the city from the palm tree is also very beautiful:

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But let's return to the palm tree. The hotels here have their own beach - and this is a big plus. They are not crowded; vacationers have their own sunbeds and towels. Not all hotels in the city can boast of this. Therefore, if you have such a request, it is better to look for a hotel on Palm Jumeirah. There is also crazy colored water, sand and shells.

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There is another wonderful area for relaxation (I just lived next to it - JBR ( Jumeirah Beach Residence ) is a beach area with boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and good hotels. The beach here is public, and most guests of even first-line hotels, along with others, sit on the sand, albeit under hotel umbrellas. I saw sun loungers with umbrellas only at the Habtoor and Hilton hotels. And you have to walk a little to get to the alluring water of the Persian Gulf - you can’t put a sunbed by the water, they stand at a distance, and in front of the hotel sunbeds there are people on towels (that’s the advantage of palm trees’ own beaches). The sand here does not warm up very quickly and not deeply. Unfortunately, the beach is not perfectly clean - there are cigarette butts.

In general, I felt sorry for the people who paid a lot of money for such pleasure... Because hotels on the first line cost a lot.

I really liked the beach Jumeirah Beach next to the sail of the Burj Al Arab. It is not very wide, there is no “promenade” nearby like on JBR, but to the left of the beach there is a sail - a very beautiful building :) the beach is clean and there are not many people on it.

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It gets dark here very early - at six o'clock the sun already sets below the horizon. At seven o'clock it seems that it is already deep night... But after four o'clock there are very few people on the beach.

Most tourists devote one day to traveling to Atlantis . This one didn’t pass me by either :) It’s a good car park, I can’t say that I was incredibly excited, but it’s worth a visit! You can buy a ticket in advance for 225 dirhams (2000 rubles), or on the spot for 250. If you take a ticket with a trip to the aquarium, plus 50 dirhams. But I don’t recommend doing this, since there’s practically nothing to see there! We walked around it in 5-7 minutes. Renting a towel costs 10 dirhams (you can bring your own), renting a cell costs 40 dirhams.

You need to come to Atlantis when the water park opens, that is, by 10. During the first hours there are not many people yet, and around lunchtime queues form for any slide. At sunset, that is, after five, everything closes. And here there are huge queues in the locker rooms, showers and for taxis (we stood for an hour), so it’s better to leave a little earlier and avoid this and save yourself time.

Although, of course, it’s difficult to stop and leave when you can ride the roller coasters;) by the way, there aren’t many of them, but they are different - and just riding in tubes, including in the dark, and free fall, and riding in a big bun for 6 people, and a lazy river for those who don’t like speed. There is an attraction where the floor is removed under you and you fly down at an insane speed...

There are several cafes on the territory, but sandwiches and hamburgers are everywhere (by the way, they are not cheap, but large portions - for two, lunch with a salad, sandwich, drink and ice cream cost about three thousand rubles).

The food in the Emirates did not impress me at all... Seafood is not popular there. I didn’t want to try camel :) I can’t say that food prices are cheap (about the same as in Moscow). But I ate mostly in hotels and malls, sometimes somewhere in the JBR area. We had to look for Italian cafes or with European cuisine.

Shopping . My trip was in November, high season, and this is the time of the influx of Russian tourists (since it is also school holidays at this time), there were no discounts, prices were the same as in Moscow, and many things, especially branded ones, were even more expensive. The Dubai Mall is, of course, very large, with famous fountains and an aquarium inside.

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Emirates is smaller in size. In both centers there are both very expensive boutiques and simple ones, starting from dawn. By the way, in all rooms the air conditioners work at full power, so it is better to dress appropriately - at least with your hands covered.

Near the Dubai Mall there are famous fountains and the tallest building Burj Khalifa . I advise you to go up to the observation deck - just be sure to buy a ticket in advance online.

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Fountains from 7 to 11 pm every half hour, accompanied by music, they surprise crowds of spectators with their beauty, height and power of water. Definitely worth a look!

I’ll also briefly tell you about the trip on the restaurant boat, which was recommended to us by the tour operator (supposedly with a transparent floor - but this is not so)). I liked it, very tasty cuisine, variety of dishes, good calm music, and very beautiful outside the window - the old city at night. The perfect place for a date!

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Be sure to devote one of your evenings to a trip to Marina district — it’s incredibly beautiful (I lived in it). This is an artificially created yacht marina. Skyscrapers, yachts, cafes and restaurants with open verandas and hookahs are a wonderful place where you want to come back again. People walk leisurely and enjoy life.

I would like to say that there is a lot of construction in the city. For tourists, unfortunately, Dubai is a construction site. A large, never-ending construction project. You drive along a palm tree and see how future hotels, houses, skyscrapers are being planned... There is also a lot of construction equipment in the city of Dubai itself. Therefore, be more careful when choosing a hotel - construction under the windows can ruin your vacation. But for the city this is unconditional development, an opportunity to earn money in the future.

Abu Dhabi

I’ll tell you very briefly about my trip to Abu Dhabi. This is also a very beautiful city, well-groomed and clean. A must is a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

The Persian Gulf, in its significance, is the Mediterranean Sea of ​​Western Asia. The waters of the Persian Gulf are the waters of the Indian Ocean. The bay covers an area of ​​251,000 km2 - 1000 km in length and 200-300 km in width.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. The Shatt al-Arab delta lines the northwestern coastline of the Persian Gulf.

The depth of the Persian Gulf does not exceed 100 m, and the average depth is only 50 meters. This is an almost closed sea, and it is characterized by high salinity (45-100 grams of salt per liter of water), since water from the rivers of Iran and Iraq and precipitation do not compensate for its losses from evaporation.

In places, the Persian Gulf can form natural salt marshes "seb". Mangroves in the Gulf require tidal currents and a combination of fresh and salt water. Mangroves are home to crabs, small fish, insects and birds.

In the east, the Persian Gulf communicates with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (via)

The Persian Gulf was a battleground between Iran and Iraq from 1980 to 1988, during which each side attacked the other's oil tankers.

Countries on the Gulf of Pesis: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman (with the Musandam enclave). In total, 8 countries are located along the coast of the Persian Gulf.

The historical name of the gulf is taken from ancient Persia, since the gulf lies between Iran (ancient Persia) and the Arabian Peninsula).
Other names of the bay:

• "Bay of Basra" (Basra, a city in Iraq)
• "Arabian Gulf" (a name not usually used outside the Arab world)

The sea route, borrowed from Marco Polo, connected the Middle East region with China. In the 16th century, the Persian Gulf was controlled by Portugal, which had previously ousted Safavid Iran. In the 19th century, the British took control under the pretext of fighting pirates. They maintained control in the region until the outbreak of World War II and the creation of the United Arab Emirates.

The almost exclusive resource of the Persian Gulf is oil. The largest Gulf countries have grouped themselves into the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to control the routes of oil tankers and pipelines. They observe connections with the Mediterranean and Red Seas, with the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal. Heavy pollution was caused by an oil spill in 2000: approximately 1.14 million tons of oil (40% of the total volume) spilled from 6,000 tankers that passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Today, many of the major cities of the Middle East are located in this region.

This region of the world is believed to contain more than 60% of the world's oil reserves. These are the largest hydrocarbon reserves on the planet. And the Gulf countries are the largest oil exporters, accounting for 30% of global oil trade. As a result, maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf is very heavy. The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea crossing between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Various small islands in the Persian Gulf are constantly the subject of territorial disputes between the states of the region.