Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the best known, but each emirate has its own landscapes, history, pace and identity.
Discover the Emirates through women, living heritage, desert landscapes and cities that constantly reinvent themselves.
From Dubai’s neighbourhoods, waterfronts and creative districts to Abu Dhabi’s museums, mosques and mangroves, the Emirates offer far more than futuristic skylines. Our journeys connect contemporary life with Emirati traditions, women-led businesses, food, art, desert culture and the stories behind the country’s rapid transformation.
Historic neighbourhoods, pearl-diving heritage and desert life coexist with design, technology and ambitious architecture.
Emirati and expatriate women contribute to business, culture, hospitality, art, education and entrepreneurship.
Join a women-only departure or create a private journey around your dates, interests and preferred pace.
The Emirates are more complex than the image of luxury often suggests.
The United Arab Emirates were formed as a federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruling family, geography and local character.
Dubai grew through trade, maritime connections and migration before becoming a global centre for tourism, aviation, finance, hospitality and design. Behind the towers, older districts still reveal dhow trade, textile shops, spice markets, family businesses and communities from across the region.
Abu Dhabi combines the capital’s political role with cultural institutions, island landscapes, mangroves, desert oases and a strong commitment to preserving Emirati heritage.
Travelling beyond the main cities reveals mountain roads, wadis, beaches, archaeological sites and quieter emirates. My Lady Trip connects these contrasts with the women, traditions and everyday stories that give them meaning.
The most interesting UAE itinerary balances iconic architecture with neighbourhoods, heritage, local voices, nature and time away from the busiest visitor areas.
The My Lady Trip approachEssential information for understanding the rhythm of the Emirates.
A thoughtful itinerary considers heat, distances, prayer times, cultural etiquette, traffic and the very different atmospheres of cities, desert, coast and mountains.
Distances and transport
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are connected by road, while private vehicles are useful for desert, mountain and inter-emirate travel. Metro and taxis make many areas of Dubai easy to reach.
Climate and heat
Summer is extremely hot and humid. Outdoor visits, desert activities and walking itineraries must be planned according to the season and time of day.
Culture and etiquette
The Emirates are international and welcoming, while modest clothing and respectful behaviour remain important in mosques, government spaces and more traditional settings.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely used throughout tourism, hospitality, transport and everyday business.
Money and payments
The UAE dirham is the local currency. Cards and digital payments are widely accepted, although some cash remains useful for markets and smaller purchases.
Entry formalities
Visa rules depend on nationality and may change. Some travellers receive a visa on arrival, while others must arrange one in advance. Passports generally need at least six months of validity.
Five sides of the Emirates that create a richer journey.
The strongest programmes combine contemporary cities, Emirati heritage, desert landscapes, architecture, food, coastal nature and encounters with women shaping the country today.
Neighbourhoods, waterfronts, design and global city life
Explore old trading districts, abra crossings, contemporary architecture, creative communities, restaurants and the many cultures that contribute to modern Dubai.
Mosques, museums, islands and the capital’s cultural vision
Grand architecture, major museums, mangroves, palaces and heritage spaces reveal a different rhythm from Dubai.
Dunes, Bedouin heritage, astronomy and slower evenings
Desert experiences become more meaningful when they include landscape, local history, food, conservation and responsible activities rather than only speed and spectacle.
Pearl diving, trade, crafts, family stories and neighbourhood history
Historic houses, museums, souks and conversations with residents provide the context needed to understand how dramatically life changed within a few generations.
Beaches, islands, wadis and landscapes beyond the skylines
The Emirates also offer kayaking, mountain routes, wildlife, beaches and quieter coastal areas that add nature and breathing space to a city-based itinerary.
Women in the Emirates are not one homogeneous group. Emirati citizens and women from many expatriate communities experience work, family, culture and opportunity in very different ways.
Women in the EmiratesWomen contribute to the country’s cultural, economic and creative life in many different ways.
Emirati women are active in government, education, entrepreneurship, science, aviation, culture, design and family businesses. At the same time, millions of expatriate women from across the world also shape everyday life in the country.
Our aim is not to present one simplified story. It is to create respectful opportunities to listen to women with different backgrounds, professions and relationships to tradition, modernity, family and independence.
Cooking experiences, art visits, heritage conversations and women-led businesses should be treated as meaningful encounters, not decorative additions to an itinerary.
History, family life and national transformation explained through local perspectives.
Fashion, food, beauty, design, wellness and contemporary businesses.
Calligraphy, crafts, perfume, textiles, food traditions and visual arts.
Women from many countries whose work and cultures are part of daily life in the Emirates.
The Emirates are comfortable to explore when local laws, customs and climate are respected.
Clear preparation helps travellers move confidently between modern districts, religious places, beaches, desert camps, cultural institutions and more traditional communities.
Safety and local laws
The UAE is widely regarded as a safe destination, but travellers must respect local laws. Rules concerning public behaviour, alcohol, medication and online conduct may differ from those in other countries.
Clothing
Everyday clothing is varied. Modest dress is appreciated in public spaces, and shoulders, arms and legs may need to be covered when visiting mosques or official buildings.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, opening hours and daily rhythms may change. Visitors should follow current local guidance regarding eating, drinking and behaviour in public.
Heat and hydration
Summer heat can be intense. Outdoor visits require water, sun protection, appropriate timing and realistic walking distances.
Photography
Always ask before photographing people. Avoid photographing government, military or sensitive infrastructure and follow local instructions.
Health and insurance
Travel insurance and personal medical preparation remain essential. Travellers carrying medication should verify the UAE rules before departure.
Choose the season according to the balance you want between outdoor experiences and city life.
The Emirates have a hot desert climate. The most comfortable months for outdoor exploration are generally between late autumn and early spring.
November to March
Pleasant conditions for walking, desert activities, terraces, beaches and outdoor cultural visits.
This is also the busiest and often most expensive period.October & April
Warm weather with more opportunities for outdoor activities than in midsummer, although daytime heat can still be strong.
Plan outdoor visits carefully.May to September
High temperatures and humidity make long outdoor visits difficult. Indoor attractions, spas, shopping and evening activities become more important.
Not ideal for a desert-heavy itinerary.Ramadan dates vary
Ramadan moves each year according to the lunar calendar. It offers a meaningful cultural atmosphere, with changes to schedules and evening life.
Current dates and local guidelines should be checked.Discover the UAE programmes currently available with My Lady Trip.
From choosing your programme to meeting the local team in the Emirates.
Women-only departures and private journeys begin with clear information about dates, pace, inclusions, meeting points and the experiences that matter to you.
Choose your travel style
Select a published departure or request a private journey built around your dates and interests.
Open the full programme
Review the itinerary, accommodation, inclusions, meeting point, prices and operating language.
Send your request
Choose an available departure or describe the private version you would like us to prepare.
Receive the next steps
We confirm availability and explain the reservation process before any final commitment.
Meet in the Emirates
You choose your international flights and meet the group or local team at the stated point.
What women ask before travelling to the United Arab Emirates.
Do women need to cover their hair in the UAE?
Can women travel independently in the Emirates?
Is the UAE only about Dubai?
Are international flights included?
Can a UAE itinerary be made private?
Can I visit during Ramadan?
Discover more countries and journeys with My Lady Trip.
Continue exploring the world through local cultures, women’s stories and journeys designed from within each destination.
Tell us whether you want to join a departure or create a private journey.
Share your approximate dates, number of travellers and the emirates or experiences that interest you. We will guide you towards the most suitable programme.