Dubai - The Land Of Luxury

It’s love at first sight for Dubai. From the moment you leave the airport, Dubai is one big wow.

Dubai – The Land of Luxury We like Dubai a lot, it’s different, interesting and fun. And here is a glimpse of it, we hope you enjoy it too. The thing about Dubai is, you need a minimum of a month to see and do it all. We can’t say you should stay for that long but we can definitely recommend multiple visits. Dubai is not, at all, the usual sort of destination, and it changes a lot very quickly in terms of what it has to offer to its visitors.

Traveling to Dubai - When you travel to any destination the very first and the most important question is - Where to Stay? Dubai has an array of options but if you want to make your Dubai trip a trip of a lifetime? Book one of Dubai’s iconic luxury hotels. The two mentioned below are two of the best hotels in the world. Cheaper options also exist like an apartment hotels are also of best value in Dubai. There are some hugely luxurious coastal resort hotels for holidaymakers but there are also thousands of options within the different areas of the city and on The Creek. It really depends on what you want to get out of your trip. For the ultimate Dubai experience, try looking at Atlantis the Palm or Burj al Arab on Jumeirah Beach, you’ll need a fat wallet but it would be an experience never to forget. Did you know The Atlantis has water rides, shark encounters, a teen and kids club and more? This is a bucket list item to tick off. For a not so expensive option pick an apartment-style hotels for stopovers of a few days. They include kitchens and washing machines that makes life easier. These are towards the more budget-friendly end. Consider transport options. If you are a family of four, it’s easier and cheaper to get a taxi than the Dubai metro. If you’re not sticking to a Budget luxury cars then transfers are easy to arrange.

Getting Around Dubai - You can get a red NOL card which allows all tourist to travel on all metro, bus and tram networks. You can preload your card with the amount of money and zones you wish to use. Taxis are a convenient way of getting around the city if you’re only going to a few places. For a family of 4, the cost isn’t much more than the metro. They are all metered and you won’t need to haggle. Just be cautious during peak hours when you could be stuck on one of the many large roads in gridlock traffic. Buses are common across Dubai but unless you really know where you are going. The NOL card will include travel on buses if you want to have a go.

Arriving at Dubai’s Airports - Dubai has two airports located at opposite ends of the city. The Dubai International Airport with code DXB and the newer Al Makthoum International Airport with code DWC. Dubai International (DXB) is the main airport and is one of the world’s busiest in terms of international travelers. The information below was correct last time we visited. It has 3 terminals in total and terminals 1 and 3 (exclusively Emirates and Qantas) are connected via a walkway but terminal 2 is on the other side of the airport. Getting into Dubai from DXB is easy with multiple options from taxis, private hire transfers, buses and even the metro trains which stop at both terminal 1 and 3 or terminal 2 on a separate line. Transfers between terminals 1 & 3 and terminal 2 require a shuttle bus so allow plenty of time. DWC is located some 50 km south of the old town and isn’t as well connected to transport links. Probably the easiest option when arriving is to catch a taxi directly to your hotel. This is more expensive than taxis from DXB. Not many airlines use the new airport and the chances of flying in here aren’t high. If you need to connect between DWC and DXB then you can catch the metro line as far south as Ibn Battuta and then the dedicated bus directly to the airport. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have large amounts of luggage. The other option is taxi which will be expensive and take a long time. Allow plenty of time as traffic in Dubai can often be at a stand-still depending on the time of day.

Dubai With Kids - There are some superb things to do in Dubai with kids, for fun and for educational value. Dubai is absolutely, without doubt, one of the best and easiest places in the world to take kids. There are hundreds of ultra-fun, family and kid-friendly things to do in Dubai. Children love the camel safari, the mall, beaches, pools and theme parks. Just some of the other attractions for kids in Dubai are below. Kidzania Dubai Mall Sega World Dubai Mall The Ice Rink at Dubai Mall Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Dubai Mall Desert Safaris Legoland Dubai IMG World of Adventure Theme Park Kite Beach OliOli Bounce Dubai Wild Wadi Water Park near Jumeirah Beach VR World Dubai Mall Dubai City Walk Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis the Palm Dancing Fountains at the Burj Khalifa Dolphin Bay at Atlantis the Palm And so on…

Dubai Beaches - Dubai has all the beaches you could want. Here, Jumeirah beach and the Burj Al Arab. The beaches are very clean and the water calm. Water temperature wasn’t as warm as you’d think but not as cold as the Mediterranean. The beaches have shops and restaurants backing with some of the best foods you can taste. If you’re not staying on the beach, getting there will probably require a taxi or shuttle buses as the metro stopped a few blocks back. Finding Culture and History in Dubai- Old Dubai and the history and culture of this small coastal town are still there, if you know where to look. It’s not just about gleaming skyscrapers. Down by The Creek you can find the Al Fahidi Historical District where wind towers, coral block houses and well restored traditional Arabian doorways give you a glimpse into yesterday. The area is relatively small but is none the less fascinating.

Dubai’s Gold and Spice Souks - Dubai’s souks are small but you will find the spice souk and gold souk side by side on the banks of The Creek Again these Souks are small compared to those you see in Istanbul or Egypt, but none the less, you should go. Identify spices as you stroll the alleyways and be stunned by just how much gold it’s possible to wear. To get to the souk, Cross The Creek by boat from Old Dubai.

Dubai Creek - You must take a look at Dubai Creek, take a ferry ride between the souks and markets on either side. Dubai Creek divides Dubai into two areas, Deira and Bur Dubai. It was the main port and entry to Dubai for many years and it wasn’t until 1963 that the first bridge was built over it. You can still take boats across the creek but they are mainly for tourists and a few people commuting between the two areas. A boat ride costs very little and is a nice thing to do when visiting the souks and Old Dubai. These attractions are on either side of The Creek.

The Date Market - Buying dates by the kilo at the market. Try the dates before you buy.

Dubai Mall - It’s all happening at the Dubai Mall. You don’t just come here to shop, visiting this mall is an experience in itself. The shopping is good too, of course, from Gap to Gucci. The largest mall in the world by area is how this mall is often described and you could easily lose days here. We loved Dubai aquarium on the ground floor and the Burj Khalifa outside where you’ll be able to see the water fountain display every evening. Please check times and dates for variations. Getting to and from the mall was easy with either the or the taxi ranks located at designated areas on the lower ground floor. You’ll notice that many of the attractions listed under Dubai with Kids are in the mall, and to add to this - one of the biggest candy stores is also at the mall right opposite the huge viewing tank of the aquarium, and you now have kid paradise. Tours From Dubai - Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and multiple tours are available from Dubai. These are very popular and well worth doing. We tried and failed to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus. In the end we took a free shuttle. Read about getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi here.

Burj Khalifa Dubai Travel Blog Guide The Burj Khalifa is magnificent at 829.8 m tall. Catch the fountain, music and light show at the base of the Burj Khalifa. It’s very special and happens every day. The tallest building in the world (it may not be now) it stands at 829.8 m in downtown Dubai. It is so high that we heard people living above the 80th floor should wait 2 minutes and people above 150 should wait 3 minutes before eating during Ramadan as the setting sun can still be seen from these floors. The building is mixed usage, with apartments, restaurants, offices and viewing areas. It has won many awards for its architecture. It also holds numerous records for base jumping both official and unofficial. Each night it hosts a water fountain display which is located just outside of the Dubai Mall at the base of the Burj. We’ve enjoyed this fountain show several times now, it’s quite special. Expect crowds. At the end of the display is when taxi ranks at the mall will be very full. It can easily take an hour to get into a taxi.

Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah beach The best view of the Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah Beach. There is a running track and walkway right behind the beach and you can walk along to the Burj. The water here was unexpectedly cold but crystal clear. The beautiful Burj Al Arab on Jumeirah Beach is said to be the most luxurious hotel in the world. It’s certainly a stunning building and a trip to the beach will give you great views. If you’d like to stay, check it out. I know I would.

Food in Dubai - Dubai street food souk You can grab a plate of snacks in the souk. Maybe Indian Emirati, but good. Also possibly the cheapest thing you will ate in Dubai. For traditional Emirati food try the Old Dubai tour and lunch. Obviously, you can get anything you’d like in Dubai, it’s a big modern city. What to Wear in Dubai - Surprisingly, there are no hard and fast restrictive dress rules around Dubai. You’ll see women fully covered through personal choice while others wear swimsuits at the beach and around pools. However, if you’re heading to the mall, a restaurant, market or really, any public place. Show some respect. Certain items are not allowed, very short and skirts, crop tops, strappy tops and so on. Cover up from shoulders to knees and all should be well. Men should also show similar respect. The locals always seemed dressed to the nines and you’ll be amazed by the well-groomed, fragrant, dazzlingly white-robed men and their immaculately made up partners. Even if you can only see eyes, those eyes will be faultless and captivating.

What to Take with You to Dubai - There’s very little that you’d need to pack for Dubai that you can’t buy there. Dubai culture revolves around shopping, they’ll have what you need. You’ll be in a city, so the sort of travel gadgets we normally recommend are redundant. Dubai is one of the places that you can visit to stock up on things like good quality jeans and other stuffs, so don’t over-pack.

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