The iconic high-rise skylines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, rimming long sandy shorelines, have made the United Arab Emirates a popular destination for anyone wanting to mix a city break with some beach time.
Landmark tourist attractions, such as Dubai's towering Burj Khalifa and Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Louvre museum offer sightseeing within easy reach of the city sand.
A host of massive malls have made both cities renowned among shoppers as the best places to visit, and both offer vacationing families plenty of purely fun things to do, with an impressive list of major theme parks.
There's more to the UAE than the contemporary glitz of its two major cities, though.
The country's interior of desert and Hajar Mountains are all about big-sky scenery and adventure activities, from 4WD trips across a landscape of rippling dunes to taking on the world's longest zipline over the jagged contours of Jebel Jais.
There's also much more history here than those modern skyscrapers would have you believe. Sharjah and Al Ain are two cities dedicated to promoting Emirati heritage.
For ideas on the best places to visit, see our list of the top attractions and things to do in the United Arab Emirates.