Job Discussion Forums

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Hello all,

Will be moving to UAE soon and want to do some traveling during school breaks. Can you all recommend any great places to visit near UAE.

I definitely plan on visiting Cairo, Egypt as soon as possible, but I am not familiar with many other places so any suggestions would be awesome!!!!

Thanks.

sliderama · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: al reef

I'd easily recommend Oman, thousands of kms of beach, mountains, deserts, wadis, etc., camp anywhere, friendly, safe, excellent roads, family-friendly, i could go on and on.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Oman is naturally at the top of the list with the border right there and it has so much to offer. All of the countries of the Gulf are interesting to visit on those short holidays, as they are small and can be covered in 2-3 days.

Cairo is one of my favorite places. All the countries of the Levant are interesting... Syria, Lebanon... and Jordan (and Petra) at the top of most people's list.

Then you can start moving East to India, Sri Lanka, and onwards... the pocketbook and time are the only limits. Laughing

VS

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

There are direct flights from Dubai to Salalah, Oman in the winter months as well as very attractive packages for the Hilton and Crowne Plaza. The price is right and the holiday amazing.

http://www.omanair.aero/wy/special_offers/offers_oman/weekend_in_salalah.htm

The above offer is for the Haffa House but other packages are available. I recommend either the Hilton or Crowne

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject:

Just wonder what you mean by school breaks. If you are working for the state sector either in PPP or tertiary, and have children in private international schools, your children's school breaks will not coincide with your breaks. VERY frustrating.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Yes, that is frustrating for the married w/children. But Mr JP14 is single. Laughing

VS

washingtonpost · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 61

Try Sharm Al Sheik in Egypt. The Red Sea is amazing for people who are into scuba-diving.

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Kind of a silly question, but are scuba diving lessons available in UAE for those who can't swim/1st time divers. I never have been a big swimmer and I seem to always procrastinate when it comes to learning.
Thanks.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Yes there are PADI certified instructors in the UAE - and some good places to dive on the East coast (Fujairah & Sharjah). Oman has some excellent places to dive and professional facilities as well

ryder · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 21

There is no place like Oman. I lived there for 9 years and it was a great country to work in and explore Like many expat teachers, the low pay was what drove me to work in the UAE. My wife loved living there and has had some trouble adapting to the UAE but since we are so close we can go back for visits.

Salalah is a wonderful place for a few days. When you go up into the mountains, you see herds of cows - it doesn't seem like the you're in a Khaleej country (semi Khaleej I suppose since only the Musandam actually touches the Khaleej). Scuba diving is great in Oman too (but Sharm El Sheikh is unique because of the coral reefs). Diving can be a bit risky in places in Oman because of the undertow, not to mention sharks and sea snakes in some places. The Omanis are very gracious people so it is a bit of a shock to deal with the more blunt and occasionally aggressive Emiratis. Oman is a country worth exploring. We go back for regular visits.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Salalah is a great place for a short time, long time...lifetime? So much variety and soooo much to do! There are several climatic ecosystems giving rise to a great variety of flora, fauna and weather...from coastal plane to mountain temperate to desert.
Some of the best scuba diving in the world!, horseback riding, deepsea and shore fishing, surfing, wadi bashing, dune running, desert camping, mountain camping, spelunking. great motorcycle trails on and off road, wonderful walks and privacy! The history/archeology....omg.
The food is amazing and cheap or cheapish, the people interesting, the weddings fun...on and on. All in one area.

Oh and the usual bars and watering holes and such as well.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Iran
Just a few hours away - cheap and great skiing - lovely hspitable people just forget the politics

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

Oman gets my first vote. Salalah, Nizwa, and Muscat (in that order).

If you can't stomach Iran - try Turkey. It's every bit as nice.

If you're brave (you don't really need to be) --- Yemen is out of this world.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Iran is fantastic. Everyone who goes loves it. But, there are visa problems if you are American.

VS