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United Arab Emirates

Seven Emirates, endless adventures

From souks to sky-high towers

The seven United Arab Emirates seem to hold every experience you can imagine – and a few you’d never expect.

Wander through Dubai’s glittering souks and mega malls, explore Al Ain’s historic forts and desert oases, or lose yourself in the maze-like streets of old Sharjah – a UNESCO Cultural Capital. Marvel at the grandeur of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, or head out on a 4WD safari across the golden dunes of the Empty Quarter.

Hike the mystical Hajar Mountains, kayak through Ajman’s mangroves, or stretch out on the white sands of Ras Al Khaimah. Prefer the coast? The serenity of Fujairah is pure magic.

Food lovers, get ready – from luxurious Emirati feasts to iconic street eats like shawarma, falafel and sweet luqaimat dumplings, you’ll be eating well all day (and night).

Whether you’re scaling the Burj Khalifa or star-gazing in the desert, every day in the UAE is a collision of adventure, culture and incredible flavour.

Chat to our UAE specialists and start planning your next unforgettable escape.

Flight time

The flight from Auckland to United Arab Emirates takes roughly 17 hours nonstop.

Best time to go

The best time to visit the UAE is from November to March, when cooler temperatures, blue skies and vibrant events create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, beach days and exploring the stunning desert landscapes.

Time difference

The United Arab Emirates are 8–9 hours behind New Zealand depnding on daylight saving in NZ.

Our Dubai Blogs

How to enjoy your stopover

A decision that will have to be made if travelling to Europe, Africa, most of South America or most of North America.

Rhonda Bignell

House of Travel Ferrymead

Travel is a passion for me, I have been in travel for quite some time (too long to remember) from Corporate to Leisure.

I aim to help people no matter what their plans are to create the best holiday experience possible. I enjoy being part of our travellers experience and making the whole process as easy as possible & to create fantastic memories that are special and will last a lifetime for themselves and their families.

I have travelled to some amazing places, but one stands out, the 6 months I spent working on Antarctica at McMurdo Station is a highlight & backpacking through India was a challenge.

From visiting the many aspects of Australia, Asia, South Africa & South America to basking in the sun on the Maldives or hitting the beaches and shopping in Thailand I would love to help you create some new stories & memories. I love active holidays and have followed the Moto GP / Formula 1 and the Isle of Man TT was particularly exciting. Followed by walking up on Mt Kinabalu was another eventful trip.

However, every great adventure starts with a plan, and I would be honoured to help you with that plan, whether you take the road less travelled or one of the many roads that lead to Rome.

I look forward to helping you to create more wonderful stories and memories in the coming years.

Rhonda

Sarah Henderson

House of Travel Christchurch City

Sarah's passion for her career and professional manner is reflected in her efficiency when taking care of your business travel arrangements. It is no surprise that Sarah is consistently recognised as one of the Top 10 Consultants for the House of Travel Group in New Zealand, including being one of the legends in the Hall of Fame!

"I love making travel simple for my client's. I know exactly where they like to sit on each aircraft type; their favourite hotels to stay and all the nitty gritty details to make travel less stressful."

Having recently celebrated working at House of Travel Christchurch City for 20 years, Sarah has extensive experience for all travel scenarios and is committed to finding the best possible solution for all her clients - even when issues are beyond her control.

When not at her desk, Sarah loves competing in the weekly pub quiz and on the weekends you will find her planting more roses in her 150-year-old Homestead garden.

Favourite place to visit: Disneyland
Next place to visit: Paris and someday, Russia

Sarah

Fiona Muir

House of Travel Whanganui

You know how some people collect handbags or shoes, well I have a love of collecting passport stamps! I developed a bit of a passion for adventure travel since working in the States at a summer camp in my early 20’s. I have travelled to over 40 countries, doing everything from eating scorpions in China, snorkelling the Silfra fissure in Iceland, to skydiving in Namibia.

Fiona

Zoe Sherwood

House of Travel Devonport

I like to think of myself as a breath of fresh air in the travel industry. Having spent some time living in both the USA and the UK, my love for travel truly blossomed during that time. I firmly believe that exploring the world opens hearts and minds, offering lessons you can’t find anywhere else.

Organising travel might sound simple, but when you’re juggling five different airlines, hopping between continents, and coordinating an international cruise with visa requirements and embarkation rules to navigate, it can quickly become overwhelming. Lucky for you, I’ve got the expertise and experience to make the entire process smooth and stress-free, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.

For me, it’s all about you. Hearing about your dream adventures and helping turn them into reality is what makes my job so rewarding—it’s a privilege to be involved in such exciting moments. No dream is too big or too small! Whether it’s a luxurious journey through Asia, hopping across Europe’s hidden gems, a self-drive adventure in Australia, or cruising the stunning Baltics, any adventure has the potential to be truly magical.

If it’s on your bucket list, let’s make it happen—I’m here to listen and bring your vision to life!

Zoe