Dubai

DUBAI When people think of Dubai, they often think of modern architecture and man-made structures. There is also LOTS more to Dubai however, which together with great transport links make it a fantastic holiday destination for everyone. Flying to Dubai One of the great benefits of flying to Dubai are the direct routes from London and Manchester, getting you there in around 7-8 hours. Emirates, BA, Royal Brunei and Virgin all fly here and offer good value for a long-haul flight. This blog focusses on Dubai, but one thing to remember is that Dubai is also a key international hub, which means that if you want to twin-centre your holiday adding in another destination then that is also a great option. Popular twin centre destinations with Dubai include Mauritius, Thailand, Bali, Australia and the Maldives. Getting around Dubai is known to be one of the safest places in the world and getting around the city is relatively straight-forward. Taxi’s are a convenient way to commute across the city whilst public transport is cheap and easy to navigate. What’s to see and do There is so much to see and do in Dubai. You won’t struggle to fill your time here! I can’t list everything and so I have chosen some of the highlights in each part of this great city! Dubai Creek is located near to the airport and a great place to start. This is where traditional Dubai, it’s heritage and history can be found. Explore centuries old Souks including famous gold and spice souks as well as Grand Souk Deira where you will find gifts and souvenirs. You can also enjoy fresh seafood at Deira Waterfront market as well as more modern malls and shopping bazaars. My top tips for the Creek area are to take an Abra (traditional wooden boat) across the creek and enjoy the views, and to visit the Sheikh Mohammed centre for cultural understanding where you can enjoy locally cooked food and learn more about Dubai culture and traditions from those who live there. From the old to the new, downtown Dubai is where you will find the modern skyscrapers and attractions that are immediately recognisable. Those that top my list are the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest skyscraper), The Dubai Frame (which features a glass walkway running along the top overlooking old Dubai on one side and modern Dubai on the other), Museum Of The Future (an amazing building and very popular so book well in advance!), Dubai Mall (covering over 1 million sq metres!) and the Dubai fountain. If you’re brave and looking for an adrenaline fix, I would recommend a visit to the Address Sky View hotel. Here you can take on Observatory (a 46-metre glass walkway), Glass Slide (a transparent slide between 2 floors of the building) and Edge Walk (strap in and lean over the edge at the top of the hotel)! Back on the ground and Dubai Marina is a great place to hang out. As well as the buzz of local life there is lots to find here including Xline Dubai Marina (the world’s longest urban zipline), Skydive Dubai, and for something totally different, head to Dinner in the Sky. Here you can enjoy your dinner whilst dangling 50 metres up in the air taking in the views of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah at sunset. Outside the hustle and bustle of the city, Dubai is also host to desert and mountainous areas with lots on offer for your holiday. Take a short drive to the Al Marmoom desert where you can enjoy a safari, quad-biking, sand boarding. Outside the city you can even cheer on your favourite camel at the Dubai Royal Camel Racing Club! My top tip is Terra Solis, quite literally an oasis in the desert. Stay here and enjoy luxury glamping or hotel accommodation. This is beautiful living under the stars…but you need to book early as the area is popular with locals looking to escape the city and unwind. Dubai is also host to the Hajar mountains just a 90-minute drive from the city centre (best visited from October – March to avoid extreme heat). There are lots of activities here including cycling and kayaking in Hatta Dam. And finally…don’t forget about the beach! The iconic Palm Jumeirah features world famous hotels and fantastic beaches such as Palm West beach with over 1.6km of pristine white sand. This really is a place to lay back and soak up the sun. If you want a little action, look out for Atlantis Aquaventure with rides, slides, a beach and aquarium for a great family day out. You could also take an evening stroll along Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk and grab some food from a local food truck. Where to stay Dubai is host to a huge number of hotels, some of which are instantly recognisable. From the iconic and elegant luxury of Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis, The Royal Dubai to the famed ‘7-star’ Jumeirah Burj Al Arab those looking to enjoy a truly memorable and luxury holiday are spoilt for choice. Some of the most popular places to stay are located around the Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island with breathtaking views. If you are thinking of a holiday full of luxury, or perhaps celebrating something special, this is the place to be! Dubai really does offer something for everyone however with a range of more affordable hotels ideal for couples and families. Staying around the creek area for example offers great value. Perhaps combine a stay around the creek or downtown areas to enjoy the buzz of the city before moving on to a relaxing beach retreat? Perhaps you would like to experience more of the United Arab Emirates…Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi are only around an hour and a half drive away and offer more great adventures (check out my other blogs for more info). I hope this gives you a flavour of some of the things you can incorporate into your trip to Dubai. If you want to build your own tailor-made itinerary and enjoy a holiday to remember forever, please get in touch I would love to help!