Useful information about your holiday region
Alcohol
According to the Koran, alcohol is forbidden and is only served in licensed hotels and restaurants in the Emirates and Oman, usually only to non-Muslims (this also explains why bars and nightclubs are always attached to a licensed hotel). However, alcohol is sold in all emirates except Sharjah. Beverages brought from the duty-free shop or from home can only be drunk in your hotel room in Sharjah. In principle, the following applies in all Emirates: Drinking on the open street is strictly forbidden everywhere! Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by imprisonment. Even those who are drunk in public will quickly end up at the nearest police station.
Pharmacies
Marked "Pharmacy" and can be found on every corner. Public and private hospitals often have their own pharmacies. They are also open in the shopping centers from 10 a.m. to 22 p.m. There is an emergency service at weekends (note: Friday) and at night. In the event of an emergency (hopefully it doesn't happen), ask the receptionist at your hotel for assistance.
Medical care
International private as well as state hospitals provide medical care throughout the country. You will often find all the important medical facilities under one roof in the hospitals, each with the appropriate specialist. Payment is made in cash or by credit card. In emergencies, please contact your reception immediately, they will be happy to help you in any case. Those who have taken out foreign travel health insurance at home are best protected. Your tour guide will of course help you with the process.
Private hospitals: in Dubai eg Welcare Hospital and American Hospital, in Sharjah eg German Medical Clinic.
driving/rental car
If you want to rent a car, your tour guide will be happy to help you arrange it. In any case, you need an international driver's license. The road network is very well developed and signposted. In order to counteract the congestion, many new traffic routes are being created. Exceeding the speed limit will be severely penalized. Depending on the signs, 50 and 80 km/h are permitted in the cities and between 100 and 120 km/h on the motorway. When crossing various bridges (e.g. Al Garhoud) and main roads (e.g. Sheik Zayed Road) a toll "Salik" is levied. Be sure to pay attention to the parking meters and avoid the rush hour if possible (07:00 up to 09:00 hours, 13:00 to 14:00 h and 17:00 to 20:00 hours).
Banks – and what goes with them
The national currency is the dirham (DHS/AED), divided into 100 fils. In notes and coins: 0,25, 0,50 and 1 DHS. You can exchange at the hotel receptions, in banks and in exchange offices. The exchange rate is linked to the US dollar and is therefore subject to fluctuations.
Exchange offices: Here you will find the best exchange rates (ask at your reception for the current euro exchange rate).
ATMs: For a small fee, you can withdraw cash with a Euro, Master or Visa card as well as an EC card with the Maestro logo.
Credit cards: All major cards are accepted. You should only ask in advance if you are paying with an American Express card.
SHOP
Here the shopping heart beats faster, because in the Emirates you can buy almost everything that the international markets have to offer. From high-quality branded clothing to high-tech devices and reproductions, (almost) everything is available.
Please note: always obtain a proper receipt. And ask for the international guarantee card for high-tech devices, electrical goods and hen. Of course, this also applies to transactions with gold – always ask for the certificate.
Shopping centers
The wide range is sure to delight every shopping fanatic. Below you will find the most famous shopping centers in the Emirates.
Dubai: Modern, internationally oriented shopping malls invite you to stroll around. The most famous are: Deira City Center (in Deira), Lamcy Plaza (in Bur Dubai), Wafi City (in Bur Dubai), Karama (in the Indian Quarter, with very reasonable prices), Bur Juman Center (in Bur Dubai), Mercato (Jumeirah Beach Road), Mall of the Emirates with the famous ski slope (Sheik Zayed Road), Ibn Al Battuta Mall (near Jebel Ali), Festival City (with "IKEA"), Outlet Mall. In 2009, the world's largest Dubai Mall was opened at the foot of the Burj Dubai. "Gold seekers" will find what they are looking for in the gold souk - everything that glitters is really gold here.
Abu Dhabi: There are many shopping streets that tempt you to go shopping. The offer ranges from Asian and Arabic to branded goods of all kinds. On the Corniche on the Breakwater (near Hotel Emirates Palace) is the Marina Mall and next to the Hotel Beach Rotana & Towers the Abu Dhabi Mall. Sharjah: The largest covered souk (= oriental department store), the Blue Souk (Blue Souk, also called Central Market) is here. Anyone interested in gold
interested can also visit the Gold Center. It is at the end of Whada Road. The City Center is new and is also on Whada Street. Added to this are the mega malls in the city and Sharjah City (on the way to Dubai before leaving Sharjah).
Ras al Khaimah: The Manar Mall (district Al-Nhakeel) is ideal for a shopping spree.
Ajman: Outside the city you will find the Ajman city center.
Filming & photography
It is forbidden to photograph or film public buildings such as ministries and palaces, military installations and all oil production facilities. Photographing people is not very popular – it has to do with the Koran, so it has a religious background. The Koran does not allow human beings to be portrayed. Always ask the people you want to photograph/film for permission. This is especially true for Muslim women!
Fkk
It is unimaginable and strictly forbidden to bathe topless or even naked. Strings or thongs should also be avoided on the beach.
Business hours
Unlike in Europe, Friday is “Sunday” here. The weekend begins on Friday and ends on Saturday. Sundays are normal weekdays. Authorities and banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. This also applies to all public holidays. Business hours in street shops and souks: from 09:00 to 13:00 h and from 16:00 – 22:00 H. The shopping centers are from 10:00 – 22:00 h, on weekends until midnight, always open all the time. There are exceptions during Ramadan and the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Banks: from 09:30 to 16:30 h, except Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays
Exchange offices: from 10:00 – 22:00 h daily, except public holidays
Shopping centers: Sundays to Wednesdays from 10:00 – 22:00 h, Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 – 00:00 h
Markets: Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 to 13:00 h and 16:00 – 22:00 h, Fridays from 16:00 – 22:00 h
health tip
Always drink enough. The body needs up to 3 liters a day to survive the high temperatures unscathed. And never drink ice-cold drinks, it could upset your stomach. A cup of tea or a glass of delicious, freshly squeezed fruit juice is better tolerated. Never take a cold shower, always warm. With cold water you also stimulate your circulation and this leads to increased sweating. The refreshing effect of cold water is short-lived.
Golf
The golf courses in the Emirates are becoming more and more popular, not only because of the pleasant temperatures and the dry climate in winter. As the only desert city in the world to date, Dubai already offers five 2008-hole golf courses in 18. Nevertheless, plans are still being made: The Emirate of Dubai would like to attract the international “golf circus” to the Arabian Gulf. “Dubai Golf City” will be built in the Dubailand region for around 1,7 billion dollars. The project includes five new golf courses, a golf academy, a 6-star hotel, golf villages and retail outlets.
Emirates Golf Club: There are two 70.000-hole championship courses on the 6 square meter lawn with 18 lakes. The standard of the course is considered extremely high in international golf. The seven clubhouses were built in the form of gigantic Bedouin tents and have high glass fronts.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club: Opened in 1993 and with its 18-hole grass course is located directly on Dubai Creek, not far from the center. Shaped in the shape of mighty, billowing dhow sails, the Dubai Creek Golf Club building resembles Sydney's famous Opera House from afar.
Other golf courses: Montgomerie Dubai, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Four Seasons Golf Club, Jebel Ali Golf Club, Tower Links Golf Club, (Ras Al Khaimah), Al Hamra Golf Club (Ras Al Khaimah), Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Internet
Many cafes, shopping centers and hotel lobbies are now equipped with cable and free reception for laptops.
Clothing
Contrary to many statements by international travel guides, the dress code has relaxed a lot, especially in Dubai (this does not apply to Sharjah, however). However, it is better if foreign guests dress according to the regulations: men with long trousers, women with knees covered and not strapless. Skin-tight clothing or navel shows should be avoided in any case. The hospitable Arabs rarely say anything against tourists in shorts and t-shirts, but you are more respectable if you dress appropriately. Smart casual (= relaxed-chic or sporty-elegant) is not only popular in the hotel sector. A light, wide wardrobe made of natural fibers is appropriate. These are breathable and ensure better well-being in the high temperatures. Ties are compulsory for men in many 5 and 6 star hotels. Be aware that shopping malls and restaurants are often very chilly.
Consulates
German Embassy / Consulate / Abu Dhabi
Towers at the Trade Center, West Tower, 14th floor, Abu Dhabi Mall
Phone: 02 6446693, Fax: 02 6446942
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00 hours
Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany / Dubai
New Sharaf Building (Dubai Islamic Banc) Khaled bin al-Waleed Road, near Bur Juman Center
Phone: 04 3972333, Fax: 04 3972225
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00 hours
Embassy of the Republic of Austria / Abu Dhabi
Najda Street, Al-Khazna Tower, 7th floor
Phone: 02 6766611, Fax: 02 6715551
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday from 08:30 to 15:30 hours
Embassy of Switzerland / Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Tower, 4th Floor, Sheikh Hamdan Street
Phone: 02 6274636, Fax: 02 6269627
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00 hours
Consulate of Switzerland / Dubai
World Trade Center, 22nd floor
Phone: 04 3290999, Fax: 04 3313679
Office hours: Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00 hours
tap water
A good 90% of the country's drinking water is supplied by the country's desalination plants. The tap water is treated with minerals and chlorinated, so it has a certain taste of its own, but you can brush your teeth and take a shower with it without hesitation. To drink, use mineral water, which you can get in supermarkets (approx. 2-3 DHS). In the summer months it is so hot that the "cold" tap water also heats up. Even if you leave the water running for a long time (which you shouldn't do in a desert country anyway), the water doesn't get any cooler. However, this does not apply to every hotel.
Mosque (Jumeirah Mosque Dubai)
The Jumeirah Mosque is located on Jumeirah Beach Road and is one of the few mosques in the Emirates that foreigners are allowed to enter. The Institute Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding performs on Sunday and Thursday 10:00 h Guided tours. Please note the dress code. No shorts (also applies to men), not strapless and women must wear a headscarf. During the tour you will receive information about Islam (the five pillars of Islam), family life and the dress codes of Muslims, among other things.
If interested, please contact the Sheikh Mohammed Center on 04 3536666.
Muslim holidays
Al Hijiri: Islamic New Year - is set annually according to the Islamic calendar
Maulid al Nabi: Birth of the Prophet Mohammed (according to the Islamic calendar)
Laylat al Miraj: Ascension of the Prophet (according to the Islamic calendar)
Eid al-Fitr: Festival after Ramadan
Eid al Adha: Great festival of sacrifices for the pilgrimage to Mecca
Ramadan: Holy month of fasting (depends on the moon constellation)
Post
You can buy postcards and stamps in the hotel boutiques. For a postcard you need a 2,50 DHS stamp. Hand in your post at the hotel reception and they will ensure that it is sent properly. Expect a lead time of around 6 days.
Sunbathing
To avoid the negative consequences of sunburn, please avoid the midday sun, use a high sun protection factor and slowly get your body used to the high levels of sunlight. Use sunglasses with good lenses. Guests of the city hotels (without the hotel's own beach) can use the public, well-kept beach parks (e.g. Jumeirah Beach Park, Mamzaar Beach Park) for a small fee, although the public beaches are quite crowded on Fridays (weekends). In most hotels you can also buy a day pass for the beach or pool.
Electricity
The voltage in the hotels is 220/240 volts. If you need an adapter, please contact the reception. But please don't forget to return it when you leave! By the way, you can also buy adapters in the supermarket.
Taxi
Taxi rides are cheap. A trip through the city costs around DHS 10 in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and around double that in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the taxis are metered, in the other Emirates you should negotiate the price politely before you start your journey. Many drivers speak English poorly and it is advisable to know the destination exactly - a proven method is to have the address of the hotel or shop/restaurant etc. written down in Arabic characters or to carry the appropriate business card with you.
Phone
Of course, if you make calls from the hotel, you pay a surcharge. If you have brought your mobile phone with you, you can only use it if it is "roaming" (international telephone company agreement). But you can also buy a phone card, which you can get in all hotel boutiques and at the tills of almost all shops (from 30 DHS). Every day of the week (21:00 to 07:00 h in the morning) you can use the cheaper tariffs. With the exception of Friday and all public holidays, the better tariffs are also available during the day.
Area code for Germany 0049 + area code without 0, for Switzerland 0041 + area code without 0, for Austria 0043 + area code without 0, for the UAE 00971
Tip
In restaurants and bars it is generally customary to tip around 10%. Porters and bellboys are paid an average of $1 or €1 per bag. For housekeeping (responsible for cleaning the rooms) it is appropriate to give 30 DHS/week. When it comes to room service or the staff in the hotel restaurant, it has proven useful to already give part of the total planned tip within the first week. Of course, tipping is not compulsory, but the service staff usually deserves it and depends on it. Also on the excursions you should reward the driver and the guide if you were satisfied with the services.
Valuables
Although the UAE is considered one of the safest holiday destinations in the world, we advise you to deposit your valuables and cash in a safe. These are often provided free of charge. If there is no room safe, you can leave your valuables in a safe at reception. Losses and thefts must always be reported to the police authorities, as this is one of the basic requirements in order to be able to
to take security.
Time
The Emirates are 3 hours ahead of Central Europe. During the European summer time it is only 2 hours.
newspapers
Foreign magazines are often offered in hotel boutiques. However, they usually cost three times what they cost at home.
