Critique and change my UAE Road Trip Idea

[Bushi]

I have driven extensivley around Europe on roas tripa and can get a sense of what is duaable. but am off to the UAE for the first time in a few week.

Taking 9 year old with me and want to get some element of "travel" and nature involved rather than just stay on a resort, which has its benifits I am sure, but first visit so feel the need to see as much as possible..


My thoughts are..

Land Day 1 Morning and over to Local Lego hotel and Park...a painfull promise from a year ago and a cost saving over Windsor ! should be OK.

Day 2 Drive and Stay Liwa Desert "liwa Nights" camp.

Day 3 Drive to Abu Dhabi stopping of at the Auto Museum, sights in AD and Night in AD

Day 4 AD Mosque..."other Sights. Drive to Dubai. Kayak in rove.... Night DB

Day 5 Dubai...... Sights TBC...Aquarium...Water Park....Shopping....Old town..?.... Night DB

Day 6 Drive to fujairah stop off on troute at Flamingos........?.... Stay at some where for Snoopy Island Snorking....

Day 7 Fujairah.... Water Sports.. Night FJ

Day 8 Drive DBX & Fly home......


Thoughts..... Any where better for snorklling? Missing anything "on route".... car choice matter...? Too many miles....?

[85Carrera]

That’s a lot of driving. I would do either Liwa and Abu Dhabi or Dubai and the Northern Emirates but wouldn’t try to combine both in one trip.

Another, in my opinion better, option would be to visit Oman: Dubai-Hatta-Sohar-Muscat-Nizwa-Al Ain-Dubai (or Nizwa-Dubai)

Hire a decent 4 x 4.

[ecs]

That looks fking exhausting!

A driving holiday of the UAE is not going to be relaxing, the roads here are mental. You'll understand on the drive between Dubai and AD (after the hundredth lifted Jeep tries to ram you off the road) or when a missed junction adds 30 mins onto your journey

[Bushi]

Ah, OK. Glad I checked, I do tend to try and ram in too much, nice to see it all but don't need stress.

In Europe those distances would be a breeze, thought as it will be Ramadan the roads would be quieter...at least during the day.

Ill scrub Snoopy Island and try and find some snorkelling closer to Dubai.

Ill also have a look at the route suggested, but can you elaborate on what would be better in Oman...also is the border crossing reasonably fluid?

[ecs]

You have to cross the border at Hatta to get into Oman, takes about an hour when it's quiet. You need to pay for your visa online and pay for your crossing on the Dubai Smart Travel app. You'll also need to ask for permission to take the car into Oman from the rental company.

[Rob 131 Sport]

ecs said:

That looks fking exhausting!

A driving holiday of the UAE is not going to be relaxing, the roads here are mental. You'll understand on the drive between Dubai and AD (after the hundredth lifted Jeep tries to ram you off the road) or when a missed junction adds 30 mins onto your journey

I agree the proposed itinerary looks like far too much driving for a holiday especially with a 9 year old who generally just want to be by the pool and mix with other children.

I always found you could make good progress in the UAE and I found doing 25k (miles) per annum there absolutely fine.

I also found the driving standards to be acceptable and the roads are well policed.

[Bushi]

Thanks all looks like Oman is what I should have booked....travel there with hire car is going to be an issue so a future trip of its own I think.

I have amended to:

Legoland

Abu dhabi. Mosque...auto.mumseum.....& who knows

Al ain. Markets forts. Camels.

Hatta.

Fujairah. Snorkeling....

Dubai for flight home and maybe "old town"


Around 700kms and frequent stops should be more relaxed....and surely it can't be much worse then the North Circular...

I can leave Dubai for a future stopover weekend.

Liwa looked great but 6+ hours drive......any one knows other recommended "desert" type camps?

Cheers.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Bushi said:

Thanks all looks like Oman is what I should have booked....travel there with hire car is going to be an issue so a future trip of its own I think.

I have amended to:

Legoland

Abu dhabi. Mosque...auto.mumseum.....& who knows

Al ain. Markets forts. Camels.

Hatta.

Fujairah. Snorkeling....

Dubai for flight home and maybe "old town"


Around 700kms and frequent stops should be more relaxed....and surely it can't be much worse then the North Circular...

I can leave Dubai for a future stopover weekend.

Liwa looked great but 6+ hours drive......any one knows other recommended "desert" type camps?

Cheers.

If you’re travelling with a 9 year old I would perhaps have a look at some of the attractions on Yas Island as opposed to driving down to Al Ain. Moreover if it’s the car museum on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, unless it’s changed from when I last visited in 2009 when my Dad was visiting there would be little of interest there for a 9 year old.

[Bushi]

Car museum is for me, read about it when I was probably about 12 in a car mag, seemed so foreign.

If I can cope with Legoland she can cope with that.

[Prisoner 24601]

Bushi said:

Car museum is for me, read about it when I was probably about 12 in a car mag, seemed so foreign.

If I can cope with Legoland she can cope with that.

I can recommend Sandy Beach Resort for your overnight at Snoopy Island. Love that place, so lame that it is good....if that makes sense. Your daughter will love it. It harks back to the 80's. Has a little splash pad now i believe. It's the closest hotel (motel?) to Snoopy Island....the beers are always flowing. If you make a quick stop at the supermarket then you can use the BBQ's outside each chalet, making memories.

[Bushi]

So far so good.

Driving standards pretty good compared to London but I'm glad I wasn't doing another 2 hours to the oasis.

That's a whole lot of sand to stare at.

Abu Dhabi to fujarah in a day or so.

[Rob 131 Sport]

March and November are probably the best months to visit as regards the climate. Fujairah is lovely and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it there.
Just one obvious point, just keep lots of bottled water and snacks in the car in case you break down.