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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.

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Flight time

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

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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.

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Time difference

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

Meet our Dubai specialists

Jared Wilson

Jared Wilson

House of Travel Christchurch City


No. of countries visited: 40+ 

Favourite place to visit: Anywhere in South America

Next place on the list to visit: Kenya


Quote: “Never pass up a bathroom”

About me: With over 2 years of solo travel across 40+ countries, I am passionate about immersing myself in new cultures and uncovering the unique experiences each destination has to offer. Fluent in Spanish, Latin America is my particular area of experience and expertise. Whether you're after an exciting adventure or a peaceful getaway, I’m committed to designing a memorable and seamless trip tailored specifically to you. 

Why I love travel: It allows me to escape the sometimes repetitive nature of daily life. I enjoy experiencing new places or returning to ones that I love. I like making connections with people from places around the world and having experiences that can’t be replicated.

My travel tips:

  • Meet the locals Almost all of my favourite and most cherished travel experiences have involved meeting and making friends with the local people. It is a sure-fire way to have a more unique and intimate holiday experience.
  • When in Rome A cliché but one to that will enrich your travel, observe how the locals live and learn from it. Try the local brew or dish, join in on the fun. Also respect local customs and traditions, this will allow a richer and safer experience.
  • Expect the unexpected- Be ready for unforeseen circumstances that will inevitably occur at some point during a trip. If you are expectant and prepared for troublesome scenarios you can save yourself a lot of grief. After all, you want to make your break from reality as stress free as possible.

My top 3 favourite destinations:

  • Colombia- An up and coming travel destination, a country cursed with the reputation earned from its past. It is extremely geographically diverse and amazing bang for your buck. I still haven’t found a country with warmer and friendlier people.
  • Spain- A country full of amazing destinations to discover, with a rich history and a world class gastronomical scene. The fun loving people, the nightlife and the picturesque towns with uniquely their Spanish architecture are a must experience.
  • Mexico- Mexico is a country which is truly fascinating, an amazing place to get to know. It’s a big country with lots to explore - like the US it is made up of states (32), the more you see the more you’ll want to see. It is full of the most beautiful places you’ve never heard of. The locals are extremely friendly and of course the cuisine one of the best and most famous on the globe.

What’s in my suitcase:

  • Spare phone, cables and a travel adaptor- Fact is electronics are a very important travel tool and to be prepared is important so you don’t have to go in the dark.
  • A Journal- A great way to record all the little details and memorable moments. When moving fast and or experiencing a lot we naturally forget things. Writing it down will help to recall in future and also to have what you’ve written forever is something special.
  • Travel cubes- Will help you to keep your suitcase nice and organised for easy packing and ultimately will save you time making things easier to find.

My most memorable travel stories:

  • Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain together with part of the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Porto – totalling 1200kms. My hiking shoes broke so I did the last 1000kms in Sandals.
  • Doing a 32 day Top Deck bus tour around Europe. Easily one of the best months of my life full of laughs and all round good times. I made some strong friendships and saw a lot in such a short space of time.


Jared

Wendy Harrison

Wendy Harrison

House of Travel Tauranga: The Crossing

I am an adventure seeker with a passion for exploring the world and experiencing everything it has to offer. I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences and have a particular love for small group tours and adventures. Whether it's cruising in the Galapagos Islands or exploring new cities, I love the intimacy and camaraderie that comes with traveling in small groups. 

When I'm not adventuring, you can often find me at live sports and events, cheering on my favourite teams and soaking up the excitement of the crowd. Or I'm equally at home soaking up the sun during a beautiful island beach holiday.  

I also have a love for cruising and have had the opportunity to explore new destinations such as the Mediterranean, the coastlines of Spain and Portugal, the Rhône and Saône Rivers in Southern France, canal boating in England, and cruising across the Tasman. All while enjoying the comforts and amenities of life on the water. 

One of my favourite pastimes is people watching whether it's from a cafe in Paris or on the streets of New York. For me, there is nothing more fascinating than observing the unique and diverse cultures of the world and the interactions of the people within them. I'm always seeking out new experiences and adventures, driven by a deep curiosity and a thirst for knowledge and understanding. 

Wendy

Ella Cotterall

Ella Cotterall

House of Travel Takapuna

I believe that planning travel isn’t just about booking flights and hotels - it’s about creating memories that last a lifetime.


I’m not just here to book your flights and hotels - I’m here to turn your travel dreams into something real, seamless, and extraordinary. I’ll take the time to understand you – see what excites you, what comforts you, and what you want out of every journey. My goal is to create experiences that feel perfectly tailored to what you are after, never generic.


Having explored some of the world’s most incredible destinations, I love using my firsthand experience to create holidays that truly suit you. Whether it’s ticking off iconic landmarks, venturing off the beaten track, relaxing on a luxury escape, setting sail on a river or ocean cruise, or planning the perfect trip for couples, families, solo travellers or groups - I’m here to help bring your next adventure to life.


Ella

Alisha Lockie

Alisha Lockie

House of Travel Ferrymead

I have travelled to over 40 countries and I am always plotting what's next - however, the more places I experience, the longer the longer the list gets! I love the anticipation of a new adventure and learning as much as I can from every new journey. I am a self-described travel enthusiast, so being able to talk travel every day and share my passion for travel is a dream come true. I love helping people realize their travel dreams and being able to live vicariously through experiences. 

Getting to know my clients and learning what's important to them is something I really enjoy, and helps when creating an itinerary that's is as unique and as special as the traveler.

There is nothing more satisfying to me than a client popping in after their journey with tales to tell of the adventures they've had. I love hearing peoples stories and experiences as every experience is so different - there is no universal truth or one size fits all option when it comes to travel!

For me travel is inspiring and transformative - it allows you to learn more about the world around you, and in the process, more about yourself. 

Alisha

Best. Holidays. Ever!

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