UAE TRAVEL GUIDE

What is it like attending a game of football in the Middle East? Find out what happens when I visited the United Arab Emirates to attend the Asian Champions League final between Al Ain and Yokahama at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: ST JAMES' PARK TO SIGNAL IDUNA PARK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCzqyji4Ha0&t=211s DERBY DAY IN EDINBURGH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B12unclpU1I&t=428s GAMEDAY AT THE LA DODGERS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raI3mm3mpTU&t=53s ____________ Thank you for watching this video, please do subscribe, like and comment as I tell the story of our world through sport & adventure.

Sport Travel Tom's conversation with 'Extreme Treks' host Ryan Pyle about the new Highlander hike coming to the United Arab Emirates and a guide to new hiking trails on Jebel Jais. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HIKING THE LOWER TRAILS OF JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im0yD...​ HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J​​... IS AL RABI MOUNTAIN THE BEST SUMMIT IN THE UAE? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgIv1nUK9nc&t=346s ------------------------- To celebrate the news that the Highlander series of hiking trails is coming to the UAE, I had a conversation with TV adventurer, Ryan Pyle as we hiked Jebel Jais and reached the UAE's highest public point for sunset. Ryan is an ambassador for the Highlander hiking trails and as he is currently based in the UAE during the pandemic, it seemed only fitting that we experienced some of what will become the UAE's Highlander trail in Ras Al Khaimah. We talked about his love for the Highlander hiking trails, what he thinks of the UAE mountains and some of the most incredible trails he has embarked on. There are also some new hiking trails on the upper Ghaf trail on Jebel Jais. These new walkways mean you no longer have to walk on the road for the short stretch which you used to have to do. These new walkways open up a whole new level of panoramic views to the north, as you will see in this video. Huge thanks to Ryan for his time and I hope you enjoy the video. Thank you for watching. For more information on the Highlander trail coming to the UAE click here: https://blog.highlanderadventure.com/highlander-united-arab-emirates-presented-in-ras-al-khaimah/

Sports Travel Tom's step by step guide to hiking to the famous HATTA sign along the Hatta hiking trails in the United Arab Emirates so you know exactly how to reach this famous landmark. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HIKING THE LOWER TRAILS OF JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im0yDgt8O6c&t=47s HATTA KAYAK IS A KAYAKING PARADISE IN THE DESERT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqu3HIS8k4&t=5s EXPLORE OVER 52KM'S OF MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN HATTA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQunyd7c1LE&t=16s 5 AMAZING ADVENTURES TO DO AT HATTA WADI HUB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ98XX_5Mmo&t=150s HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J​... ------------------------- Hatta is a mountain town in the Emirate of Dubai, around a 90-minute drive from the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Historically, Hatta has been a summer getaway for local Emirati's as it is a little cooler than city life at sea level. Nowadays, Hatta is known for its adventure attributes and thousands flock to the town every year to get the adrenalin pumping. Whilst there are many activities you can do in Hatta, mentioned in the links above, hiking is one of the most popular. With marked trails, the home comforts of Hatta Wadi Hub at the start/finish off the hiking tracks and stunning mountain views, you can understand why this is a hikers dream. One of the most recognised points in Hatta is the 'Hollywood' style HATTA sign, which sits high up in the mountains overlooking the town itself. You can see this sign for miles around - as you drive into Hatta from Dubai and from most of the town's main areas. How though do you hike to the sign, much like those in Hollywood that hike to the famous LA landmark every day. Well, in this video, I guide you step by step from start to finish so you can easily make your way to the huge H. A. T. T. A. letters and get the traditional photo for yourself. On the Hatta hiking trails map, the HATTA sign location is marked as Wael. You'll begin the hike on the easy Green 1 and Green 3 or 4 routes, which are flat running. The Green 3 and 4 routes start and end at the same waypoints, the only difference is the Green 4 route follows the wadi whilst Green 3 is on a footpath. Next, you'll begin to walk uphill as you move onto the Blue 1 and 2 trails. The final stretch is the steepest but very doable, when you go at your own pace and take breaks where you need to. Once at the top, you will approach the HATTA sign from behind before walking in front of it where you will be greeted with amazing views back down to Hatta and the Hajar Mountains. As always, make sure you are prepared with plenty of water, food and sun protection when hiking in the UAE. The HATTA sign route: 1. Begin at the hiking start point at Hatta Wadi Hub 2. Take Green 1 towards the Reem signpost. 3. Continue on Green 1 towards Thamaam. 4. Take Green 4 (along the Wadi as shown in the video) or Green 3 to the Ja'ada signpost. 5. Follow the Blue 1 route to the Qa'taa signpost. 6. Turn onto the Blue 2 path towards Dhabi. 5. Continue on Blue 2 to Wael, which is the HATTA sign. The hike is the same way back down to Wadi Hub. I hope this video helps you and inspires you to hike to the Hatta sign and don't forget to tag your photos on Instagram with @IAmTheSportsExplorer. Thanks for watching.

Sports Travel Tom's guide to self-driving your very own boat along Dubai's coast with Hero Odysea, taking in sights such as the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: HATTA KAYAK IS A KAYAKING PARADISE IN THE DESERT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqu3HIS8k4&t=3s HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J​​... KAYAK DUBAI'S PALM JUMEIRAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYoiWELPqyY&t=21s ------------------------- If you regularly watch my videos, you will know I love being on the water along Dubai's coast and there aren't many better ways to soak up Dubai's impressive skyline than getting out onto the high seas... but what if you could be your own boat captain as well...? Well, you can! All thanks to Hero Odysea's self drive boats that allow you to take to the water fully in control of your own vessel whilst being guided around some of Dubai's stunning sights. You can book various different boat tour experiences with Hero Odysea by heading to their website here: https://www.hero-dubai.com/ This is the only way you will be able to self-drive your own boat in Dubai, and your boat is a brilliant, fun and safe way to navigate the seas. They can reach speeds of up to 50km/h and are very stable meaning, you are in safe hands! I took the opportunity to take a Hero Odysea boat out to not only showcase the experience to you but also showcase one of the world's most iconic buildings. The Burj Al Arab is a symbol of Dubai. It opened in 1999, put Dubai on the map as a tourist destination and is even taller than the Eiffel Tower at 321 metres high. It truly stands within the list of few buildings in the world that tell you where it is just by looking at it... such as New York's Statue of Liberty and London's Tower Bridge. Now is also a great time to book a self-drive boat tour with Hero Odysea as they have 20% off for residents... and in my mind, this is the only way to really get a real understanding of Dubai's incredible skyline. As ever, thanks for watching and please remember to subscribe.

Sports Travel Tom's showcases the breathtaking landscape of the Arabian Desert whilst hot air ballooning in Dubai. Check out this incredible desert sunrise! ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: 5 REASONS TO HIKE FOSSIL ROCK IN THE UAE's DESERT, SHARJAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Rdj...​ HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J​​... A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HIKING JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im0yDgt8O6c&t=44s IS AL RABI MOUNTAIN THE BEST SUMMIT TO HIKE IN THE UAE? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgIv1nUK9nc&t=345s ------------------------- The Arabian Desert is the world's 5th largest desert, it is home to one of the world's biggest continuous bodies of sand, known as the Empty Quarter. The only way to really appreciate its scale is from the skies, in the peace and tranquility of a hot air balloon. I took a flight with Balloon Adventures Dubai to tell a little bit of the story of the Arabian Desert and to showcase to you the incredible light on the sand dunes as well as a stunning sunrise over the Hajar Mountains. The Hajar Mountains is the biggest mountain range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula - and the mark of the end of the Arabian Desert to the east. If you would like to experience what is showcased in the video, head to Balloon Adventures Dubai: https://www.ballooning.ae/hot-air-balloon-ride/ It is an early start, around a 4.30am pick up from the city of Dubai before an hour's drive into the desert. Once arrived at the take off point, the balloon will be filled with 350,000 cubic feet of hot air and you will climb aboard after a safety briefing. You'll effortlessly leave the ground and begin climbing to around 4,000 feet where you will witness spectacular views of the Arabian Desert, Hajar Mountains and if you are lucky, on a clear day, even back to the city of Dubai. The Arabian Desert is home to such rich stories, and as I talk about in the video, it is also sometimes a lush and fertile landscape when the Indian Ocean monsoons move further north. Don't worry, you won't get caught in these, it only happens roughly every 23,000 years. I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!

Sports Travel Tom's guide to walking the Valley of the Caves in Mleiha, Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates where evidence has been found of the early movement of modern human beings 130,000 years ago. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other videos you may like: 5 REASONS TO HIKE FOSSIL ROCK, SHARJAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Rdj...​ HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J​... HIKE TO THE UAE'S BEST SUMMIT AT AL RABI MOUNTAIN, SHARJAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgIv1...​ ------------------------- When looking for adventures to do in the UAE, exploring Mleiha should be on your list. It's a common myth that the UAE is where you come for luxury holidays surrounded by chilled swimming pools and 5* amenities. Whilst there of course is that element to the country's offerings, there are also areas that provide fascinating glimpses back in time to the very first adventures that modern humans took. One of the those areas is Mleiha in the Emirate of Sharjah. Here, findings have been found that prove anatomically modern human beings settled in the area when they started to populate the world from Africa 130,000 years ago. One of the most prominent areas where these findings have been found is the Valley of Caves. The valley, made up of former coral reef is home to a number of caves where human bones and tools have been discovered. The tools found are on show at the Mleiha Archeological Centre. It is easy to see why this area would have made a comfortable home. With the surrounding flat ground once a lake and the shelter within the caves, human beings had everything they needed at close hand. The history on show goes even further back than human settlement thanks to the coral reef rock formation. This dates back 80 million years to when this now desert landscape was once infact the seabed. The walk through the Valley of the Caves is not a hike, more of a walk which you could cover within an hour. My tip, book a guide from the Mleiha Archeological Centre so you don't miss out on any of the stories on offer. https://www.discovermleiha.ae/ After your exploration of the valley, head back to the centre for refreshments and a look around the museum to learn more about the area you have just walked. Important tips about the Valley of the Caves: Stick to the marked tracks when walking through the Valley of the Caves so not to damage the once coral reef. Much more to discover at Mleiha with archeological sites, treks and adventure packages available. One hour drive from Dubai. Make sure on all outdoor activities you take enough water, sun protection and snacks. - when on guided tours with Mleiha, refreshments are provided. Thanks for watching!

Sports Travel Tom's guide to hiking the superb Samar trail on the lower trails of Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah including the safety tips you should know when hiking in the United Arab Emirates. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like: 5 REASONS TO HIKE FOSSIL ROCK, SHARJAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9RdjBJfSAo&t=56s HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J... HIKE TO THE UAE'S BEST SUMMIT AT AL RABI MOUNTAIN, SHARJAH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgIv1nUK9nc&t=345s ------------------------- Much attention is given to the upper trails of Jebel Jais, after all the upper Ghaf trail leads you to the UAE's highest public point. Don't let that however, stop you from exploring the lower trails too. For this hike, I was joined by Laura, who manages the hike_uae Instagram page, which is a brilliant resource for hiking in the country. We tackled the Samar trail in the lower trails of the mountain, it is the longest lower trail at 6km and classed as a moderate hike, it is well worth doing! The trail is a clockwise loop, although there is nothing stopping you from going anti-clockwise, but to follow the signs correctly, you'll be travelling in a clockwise direction. The parking and start point of the lower trails are not marked from the main mountain road, unlike the upper trails. When you pass the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp on your right, a few minutes afterwards you will see an area on the left where you can park. Once parked up, walk down to the flat areas, there you will see a few trees located and you will then see the first signpost directing you to the trail you would like to do. The Samar trail is utterly fulfilling. It is mostly an undulating path as you weave up and down through the lower section of Jebel Jais, completely submersed in the mountain terrain. You will find a couple of consistent gradual inclines, which will get the legs working a little, on the way up to a high point resting location and then another little climb to the UAE flag. After that, it's a glorious downhill track back to the car park. The whole hike should take you know more than 4 hours and what's nice is the trees that are dotted around the trail which provide a source of shade. This is a hike to do if you want to feel completely at one with the mountains... you're not so much on top of the mountains, more within them and that in itself brings together the most rewarding of hikes. As always, when you are hiking in the United Arab Emirates remember to take safety seriously. In this video we go through the main safety points, from making sure you are well prepared, know your route, choose a route that suits your experience and to always make sure you have enough water! Thanks for watching and thanks to Laura for joining me to make it a brilliant adventure! Visit www.thesportsexplorer.com for more details.

Sports Travel Tom's guide to kayaking in the shadows of Dubai's Burj Khalifa at Burj Lake in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ------------------- HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels: Website: https://www.sportstraveltom.com Instagram: @sportstraveltom TikTok: @sportstaveltom X: @sportstraveltom -------------------------- Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like: HATTA KAYAK IS A KAYAKING PARADISE IN THE DESERT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqu3HIS8k4&t=1s ALKHOR KAYAK IS A STUNNING KAYAKING EXPERIENCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rtM​... HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J...​ --------------------- Downtown Dubai is one of the world's most spectacular city locations, and I've often thought it would be nice to enjoy Burj Lake - the body of water that sits at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa - whilst on the water. And now you can, thanks to a section of the lake being opened up to water activities such as kayaking, water bikes and swan boats. Admittedly, once I had booked I had thought the entire lake would be open to kayak around and I was looking forward to exploring every corner of the centrepiece lake of Downtown Dubai. Knowing that it would be a sea-through kayak I'd be using, I had visions of floating over the top of the Dubai Fountain water jets (whilst no fountain shows were happening, obviously) and passing underneath the famous Burj Lake bridge that leads from Dubai Mall across to Souk Al Bahar. However, and I can only admit that my mind perhaps got a little too adventurous as I booked, because in actual fact, you'll be contained in a small area of the lake on the south side. That does make sense of course, the Dubai Fountains begin their shows around midday, so it would be a little dangerous to let people kayak around water jets that shoot water 73 metres in the air! This little mini inner-city adventure however is still a pretty good way to soak up the sights and sounds of Downtown Dubai. You'll get 30 minutes on your activity of choice and in a time of social distancing, getting yourself onto a kayak, floating around and looking up to the incredible array of skyscrapers is a nice calming way of experiencing one of the world's most iconic downtown areas. To book your tickets: https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us/booktickets/index/18 Prices start at AED40 for the toddler Duck Boats and Flamingo's and kayaking costs AED80 when booking online. Thanks for watching!