I’ve been posting about the middle east for the past few weeks and have left the best post to last. Dubai, the highlight of my trip and the city/emirate that made the biggest impression. There’s so much to say and so much more I wish I could say but 4 days isn’t enough time to explore this entertaining Emirate. Here’s my attempt to share my 4 day experience in Dubai providing my top 7 list things to do and helpful hints to make your trip as dazzling and memorable as mine.
Number Seven – Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise
Most people get carried away with the new Dubai that they forget to explore the old way of life. A Dubai Creek cruise departing from the old town is an informative 1 hour cruise travelling through the traditional fishing villages and the main waterway of Dubai. While in the old town enjoy a wander around the spice and gold souk and get your cultural fix at the Dubai museum.
Dubai Creek Cruise
Gold Souk – Old town
Number Six – Jumeriah Beach Walk
The jumeriah beach walk is exactly what it sounds like, a walk along the beach. The strip of beach is lined with 5 star hotels and restaurants and a great place for an afternoon stroll and pre dinner drink. It’s a great way to get a idea of the restaurants and bars in the area. Also, right behind the waterfront hotels is the marina area another popular evening hot spot for dinner and drinks. You have so much choice you won’t know what to choose.
Marina area at night
Number Five – The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates
Shopping in Dubai rivals New York, Paris and London. Not only can you shop all the luxury brands of the world you can ski/snowboard, ice skate, explore the biggest aquarium in the world or watch a fountain production that puts the bellagio to shame. Make sure you leave enough time (4-5 hrs) to explore these mega malls and shop ’til you drop in the Dubai mall and Mall of the Emirates.
Note– Dubai Mall has the aquarium, ice rink and fountain shows. Fountain shows start at 1pm and are on the hour but are more spectacular at night time. Emirates Mall has Dubai Ski where you can buy tickets for 2hrs or a day pass. The tickets include clothes and equipment rental but be sure to take outwear as gloves and beanies are not supplied.
Fashion Avenue
Aquarium in Dubai Mall
Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates
Number Four – Desert Safari
A visit to the middle east is not complete without a day in the desert. Arabian Adventures owned by Emirates Group have their own desert reserve and run 4wd adventures from Dubai. Leave the hustle and bustle of chaotic Dubai behind and hit the sand dunes in a 4wd convoy that takes you deep into the desert. You’ll stop at a few locations for photo opportunities and to watch the sunset before arriving at the bedouin camp. You’ll have a chance to ride a camel, be seduced by a beautiful belly dancer, partake in the middle eastern pastime of smoking shisha and enjoy a traditional 3 course meal at the camp. It’s a jam packed tour giving you a good overview of desert life and middle eastern traditions.
Desert safari 4wd convoy
Falcon fun
Camel ride in the desert
Number Three – Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
An iconic building with a unique location at the end of the Palm Island. You could easily spend a week just in the Atlantis Hotel enjoying the waterpark activities, dining at the many cosmopolitan outlets and taking in the beautiful hotel. There are so many beaches, pools and waterslides that make this a family fun holiday location. You can gain access to the waterpark and lost chamber aquaruim as a day visitor or dine at their many restaurants including the world known Japanese restaurant Nobu. If you want a truly memorable dining experience check out Ossiano the unique restaurant with floor to roof glass looking onto the lost chambers aquarium with a constantly changing backdrop. The chef’s tasting menu is equally as memorable.
Atlantis the palm
Ossiano Restaurant
Atlantis Waterslides (note: I’m that speedy blob going down the slide)
Number Two – Afternoon Tea at Burj Al Arab
Probably one of the most iconic hotels in the world and understandably the most heavily patrolled. If you want to gain access to this 7 star hotel I’d strongly suggest booking a reservation at the Skyview bar for an afternoon tea or evening cocktail. When you drive up to the entrance of the hotel, you will be surrounded by people capturing the hotel from behind the gates. You’ll be asked for your reservation to get through the gates to step foot in this grand, elegant building. The afternoon is held in the skyview bar on the 26th floor and I’d pay just for the view without even considering the perfectly presented afternoon tea.
Note- The high tea is approximately £76 or $110 but a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Inside the Burj Al Arab – the only 7 star hotel in the world
Burj Al Arab afternoon tea
Architectural Masterpeice ~ Burj Al Arab
Number One – Burj Khalifa – Tallest Building in the world
Nearly one kilometer high the Burj Khalifa can be seen wherever you go in Dubai. Climbing this architectural masterpiece is a must on your first trip to Dubai. Get a better understanding of the built up area, reclaimed creations of the palm & world island and surrounding desert reserves. Climbing the tower on a clear day is like picking the winning lottery numbers, with morning flog and afternoon desert sandstorms causing visibility problems. Determining the perfect time to visit the observatory deck can be difficult especially when you need to book your tickets online weeks in advance. You pretty much have to cross your fingers that you get a clear day. Good luck and enjoy Dubai.
Burj Khalifa – tallest building in the world
View from the top
deelightfully deevine 