UAE or Tunisia – where is it better to relax in 2021

Where is it better to spend your vacation days – in Tunisia or the UAE? This rhetorical question arises among lovers of unforgettable beach, cultural and outdoor activities. The Republic of Tunisia is located in the north of the African continent, washed by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The United Arab Emirates occupy the northeastern part of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula, where, among the sands of the endless desert, there is an amazing land of sheikhs. Arab countries are famous for their developed infrastructure, magnificent beaches, gentle sea bays, sights and ancient monuments. Vacationers are offered a decent choice of resort places. Here everyone will find exciting activities for themselves. Acquaintance with national symbols and a varied entertainment program will bring a lot of pleasure.

Flight and distance

Both domestic and international airlines carry out regular direct flights from Moscow to the UAE. Among them are Pobeda, Aeroflot, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways. Modern comfortable airliners cover a distance of more than 3,000 kilometers in 5.5 hours.

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The only way to fly to Tunisia without transfers is charters organized by tour operators only during the high season. After 4.5 hours of flight, passengers will find themselves 3,000 kilometers away from their homeland in one of the Tunisian airports. It is possible to use the services of Air France, which makes regular flights from Moscow to the North African country with transfers. This transfer option significantly increases travel time up to 20 hours.

Visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need to apply for a visa in advance at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. The visa is placed in the form of a stamp in the tourist's passport upon arrival at the country's airport. The period of validity of a residence permit in the UAE is limited to 30 calendar days. You should know that for Russians there is an opportunity to extend the validity of the visa for another month. When passing through passport control, no fees are charged.

Border guards strictly ensure that girls under 30 must be accompanied by adult male relatives (father, brother or husband). Minor children can go to the Emirates only with the closest relatives – parents, grandparents. The child must have their own passport. A person is considered an adult if they are at least 21 years old.

There is an agreement between Russia and Tunisia on visa-free entry of Russian citizens into the country. Upon arrival, an entry stamp is placed in the passport. The visa is valid for 90 days. To get a stamp in your passport on entry into the country, you need a tourist voucher – a document confirming payment for hotel accommodation.

During the flight, flight attendants hand out forms of migration cards to tourists. They consist of two identical parts. When passing through passport control, one half of the completed card remains with the border guards. The second copy of the document will need to be presented at the exit from the country.

The best time to relax

It is best to plan a vacation in the UAE from October to April. During this calendar period, dry and sultry climatic conditions are replaced by moderately warm sunny weather. The dry subtropical climate is significantly affected by the proximity of the desert. The Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf contribute to high humidity. The air temperature in October-February reaches a maximum of + 30°С. The waters of the bays warm up to + 26°C.

Unlike the Emirates, winter time in Tunisia is not particularly warm. The air temperature does not rise above +17°C. The nights are quite cool (+8°С). Heavy rainfall often falls, which favors the lush flowering of exotic plants and the ripening of fruits. If the purpose of the trip is thalassotherapy, then the season does not play any role. The peak tourist season starts in May and ends in mid-October.

In July and August, dry hot weather sets in. The thermometer readings do not fall below + 35 degrees. The azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea warm up above +23°C. The refreshing sea breeze helps to endure the heat of the day.

Popular resorts

Tunisia and the UAE are famous for their resort areas, offering guests a wide range of opportunities for a complete and memorable vacation. Tourists expect comfortable conditions of stay on the amazingly white sandy shore of sea bays, developed infrastructure, a high level of quality hotel service and all sorts of entertainment programs. The serene beach pastime will be diversified by acquaintance with the natural, architectural and historical sights of original cities.

The world-famous and most visited resorts of the Emirates are the following settlements:

The capital of the United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi is located on a coastal island in the bay of the Persian Gulf. Grandiose skyscrapers, intricate architectural objects, shopping and entertainment centers coexist with shady park areas and magnificent mosques. Most fashionable hotel complexes have their own landscaped areas and coastal strips.

The metropolis of Dubai has gained fame as one of the most modern cities in the Middle East. Its hallmark is the Burj Khalifa tower, whose height reaches more than 800 meters. Beach and theme parks, entertainment areas, amazing masterpieces of architecture, the famous man-made Palm Islands, luxury hotels – all this will leave unforgettable impressions in the memory of visitors to Dubai.

Sharjah is the third largest city in the UAE. This is the cultural capital of the Arab state, as evidenced by the abundance of museums, galleries and theaters. Here, tourists can admire mosques and historical buildings, as well as take walks in cozy parks and botanical gardens. The long coastline, dotted with picturesque lagoons, is washed by the Persian and Oman Gulfs. The modern quarters of Sharjah are built up with huge high-rise buildings. Hotels are much cheaper than Dubai hotels, and in search of entertainment, you can always quickly get to Dubai itself.

Among Tunisian resorts, such places as are especially popular:

Hospitable Hammamet is buried in the greenery of jasmine groves and fragrant orchards. Vacationers fill the pools with thermal springs, sunbathe on luxurious beaches, swim in the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea, take thalassotherapy courses. The old city keeps narrow cobbled streets with ancient buildings of the historical East. Numerous bars, restaurants and discos will not let nightlife lovers get bored.

Sousse is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the owner of a first-class hotel base, various types of entertainment for every taste and a well-maintained wide coastal strip. Among the ancient monuments of architecture, the Ribat fortress, the ancient Roman arena in El Jem, the Kasbah fort and the Great Mosque stand out.

The island of Djerba fascinates with its golden beaches with velvety sand, crystal clear sea bay, sprawling date palms and olive groves. The picturesque natural ensemble is complemented by cozy hotels, historical buildings, winding labyrinths of streets with shady alleys and ancient buildings with white domes. Vacationers can visit the ethnographic museum, the El-Ghriba synagogue and the Borj-El-Kebir fortress.

Entertainment

The United Arab Emirates provides tourists with inorganic opportunities for a memorable pastime. In the land of the oil sheikhs, amazing oceanariums, dolphinariums, menageries, sports arenas and theme parks with attractions have been erected. You can have an interesting time riding a camel or driving an SUV, moving along the red sand dunes of the Emirati deserts.

A visit to the entertainment park complexes will bring a lot of indelible impressions. An amazing world of high-tech achievements and large-scale projects opens up before tourists. Thrill-seekers can expect dizzying rides, high-speed water slides with steep turns, wave pools, racing tracks, climbing walls. The most original center of active recreation in the UAE is Ski Dubai. This is a unique transition from hot summer to cold winter. Under the roof of a massive pavilion, snow-covered skiing and snowboarding tracks are equipped among a real pine forest.

The North African Republic offers travelers a considerable amount of entertainment for every taste and age – from a measured beach holiday to active sports activities. Participation in races on the famous Arabian horses, buggy rides along the sand dunes of the Sahara desert, sightseeing of cultural heritage, sea voyage on a yacht – all this will bring a storm of emotions of delight and joy. A standard set of entertainment is available on the beaches: diving, fishing and all kinds of sports, camel riding, parachuting, sports grounds, foam discos, water aerobics and much more.

In the North African state, the industry of providing wellness procedures for thalassotherapy is especially developed. The program of the course consists of taking a bath with mineral-enriched sea water and wrapping the body with therapeutic mud. All this is combined with a variety of massages and a sauna.

Excursions

Sightseeing tours around the UAE is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the world-famous sights of amazing metropolises. Professional guides invite tourists to personally enjoy the majestic skyscrapers and shopping centers, magnificent mosques and palace complexes, natural parks and dancing fountains, man-made islands and famous luxury hotels.

Tourists are expected to walk along luxurious quarters, avenues and embankments, where modern architectural ensembles and traditional oriental buildings coexist with amazing Islamic shrines. In the glittering capital of Abu Dhabi, you can see the world's most tilted Capital Gate tower, the first round skyscraper Aldar HQ, a unique exhibition complex with water channels and an openwork ceiling, and the imposing Sheikh Zayed Mosque with exquisite decorative elements.

Of interest are the original Tunisian cities with ancient and modern quarters, where Arab traditions are combined with the heritage of European culture. Labyrinths of picturesque narrow streets, mosques, fortresses and palace ensembles will appear in all their glory. A unique historical site is the legendary Carthage, which is an open-air archaeological park. Fragments of buildings and ruins of structures keep the former glory of the great Phoenician city.

Among the excursions, organized trips to the Sahara desert are especially popular. The program of an unforgettable trip consists of visiting the Roman amphitheater, cave settlements of a nomadic tribe and the salt lake Chott el-Jerid. Tourists will have to overcome an endless series of sand dunes on off-road vehicles or on camels.

Hotels

The United Arab Emirates has won world fame as a hospitable country for tourists from all over the world. Five-star hotels amaze with their beauty of facades and interiors. The complexes are equipped with swimming pools, water parks, children's areas and sports grounds. At a fairly reasonable price, you can comfortably live in elegant apartments, enjoy the advantages of a developed infrastructure.

Fully satisfy the desires of vacationers such hotels as:

In Tunisia, there are hotels and small hotels of various star categories: from budget cozy to five-star luxury complexes. Most of them have their own infrastructure and please with the All Inclusive system, which corresponds to a high international standard. The hotel staff is distinguished by special cordiality and strict diligence. Impeccable service, comfortable apartments, close proximity to its own beach strip, spacious green areas – all this creates a special favorable atmosphere for a memorable vacation.

The following hotels are noteworthy:

Service

The North African Republic and the federal state on the coast of the Persian Gulf guarantee travelers an impeccable service provided by professional staff. The developed tourism industry of these Arab countries is able to satisfy the desires of even the most sophisticated guests. Vacationers have at their disposal a varied selection of hotel complexes that have their own territories with swimming pools, restaurants, bars, sports grounds, health centers and landscaped coastal strips.

Guests expect first-class service in comfortable rooms. Most hotels offer the All Inclusive concept. The unsurpassed cuisine of the restaurants is adapted to the European mentality. Well-groomed clean beaches are equipped with all the attributes necessary for a comfortable stay. Each institution has an experienced, friendly and polite staff who speaks English.

Tour prices

The United Arab Emirates and Tunisia are a wave of affordable tourist destinations. The average cost of the tour is 24,000 rubles per person. The price of the ticket depends on the season, the duration of the trip, the resort place and the hotel complex. Booking a tour in advance or choosing a “last minute tour” will save the budget by 20-30%.

All inclusive or breakfast

When planning a trip to the UAE, tourists should pay attention to the food system in hotels. The promising All Inclusive option provides three meals a day and alcoholic drinks. Due to the fact that alcohol is banned in an Arab country, the cost of the tour increases by 30-40%. In general, visiting guests of the Emirates do not plan to spend much time in hotels and wish to devote their holidays to meaningful walks. Therefore, it is most advantageous to choose only breakfast.

The hotel complexes of Tunisia attract travelers with the popular All Inclusive service. This concept of food implies that guests prefer beach leisure and stay on site. Vacationers are offered a full breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, as well as locally produced alcohol. Buffets offer a varied and limitless selection of national dishes.

Beaches

The United Arab Emirates has beautiful coastlines with a total length of over 700 kilometers. In all cities there are numerous beaches with a well-developed infrastructure. The best coasts in the UAE are Al Mamzar, Jumeirah, Saadiyat and Al Corniche.

Delightful stretches of sand are impressive parklands with picturesque green spaces, manicured gardens, palm avenues and entertainment venues. The beaches are equipped with changing rooms, showers, sun loungers and children's facilities.

For those who prefer active recreation, sports grounds and water attractions are provided. Connoisseurs of peace and tranquility can find secluded places and sit under the crowns of lush exotic trees. It is important to know that some public beaches have certain restrictions related to the traditions of a Muslim country.

The luxurious beaches of Tunisia are the natural heritage of the republic. The wide coastlines are covered with velvet sand. Emerald vegetation and azure crystal clear sea bay create picturesque landscapes.

The coasts of Hammamet, Monastir and Sousse are equipped with sunbeds and sun umbrellas, showers and latrines. The sandy areas that belong to a particular hotel are particularly clean. On the beaches of popular resort areas there are rental points for equipment for water sports (diving, kiting, surfing). It is possible to fly on a parachute behind a boat, ride a jet ski, “banana”, catamaran or water skiing.

Vacation with children

The UAE provides unforgettable opportunities for family vacations with children. In one of the most developed and safest countries in the world, comfortable conditions have been created that correspond to first-class recreation. Hospitably accept tourists of all ages such cities as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Resorts abound with a huge amount of entertainment and are famous for their high concentration of impressive attractions.

Luxurious sandy coastlines are washed by the shallow gentle waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. The beaches are equipped with swimming pools, playgrounds and water slides. Numerous entertainment complexes surpass even the brightest childhood dreams. Thematic water parks, oceanariums, dolphinariums, reserves, botanical gardens and parks with dizzying rides cause genuine delight.

Among the states of the African continent, Tunisia is ideal for families with children. This is especially favored by a short flight, affordable prices and a visa-free regime. The Mediterranean region attracts tourists with wide, well-groomed beaches with magnificent velvet and white sand. The coast is distinguished by a gentle slope into a warm and shallow sea bay. The coastlines are equipped with all the necessary resort attributes. All kinds of water activities are organized on the beaches.

The resort corners of Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and the island of Djerba pleasantly surprise their guests with a developed infrastructure. Many hotel complexes are focused on accommodating young travelers of different ages. There are hotels with spacious green areas with playgrounds, swimming pools, water slides and water parks. Parents do not have to think long about the entertainment program. Children will certainly enjoy the amusement parks, nature reserves, dolphinariums, botanical gardens and laser shows.

shopping

Shopping in the Emirates is a significant part of the pastime of tourists. The largest shopping center is Dubai. The range of goods is so wide that it strikes the imagination of even the most sophisticated travelers. The assortment is represented by souvenirs, cosmetics, perfumes, clothing, footwear, electronics and cars. Original branded items can be bought at cost.

Gold jewelry and products with precious stones are especially popular. A huge number of shops are replete with jewelry with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and pearls. It is worth paying attention to clothes made of cashmere, silk, cotton and wool. Luxurious carpets and daggers of amazingly fine workmanship, various hookahs and coffee makers do not let you pass by indifferently.

Oriental bazaars and modern shopping centers in Tunisia attract visitors with an abundance of goods of a different nature. Buying souvenirs and oriental sweets in resort areas will not be difficult.

On one of the main streets of the capital of the North African Republic, rows of shops and shopping centers stretch. Here you can buy clothes from such companies as Benetton, Mustang, Lacoste and other famous world brands. For pashminas, cashmere shawls, embroidered tunics, carpets, hookahs and jewelry, it is recommended to go to Medina. The El Attari perfume market, which has existed since the 12th century, deserves attention.

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates and Tunisia are popular tourist destinations that hospitably welcome their guests with a unique Arabic flavor. The resorts of the two states guarantee travelers a first-class vacation. This is favored by luxurious sandy beaches, architectural monuments, meaningful excursion programs. A variety of active entertainment will not leave anyone indifferent. Hotel funds offer guests comfortable accommodation options.