About Dubai
Flight time: Approx 7
hours from UK
Time difference: 3 hours
in front of the UK
Language: Arabic (English,
Hindi and Urdu are all widely spoken)
Currency: UAE dirham
Blessed with year round sunshine and endless stretches of white sandy beach
lapped by Southern Gulf seas, this vibrant city offers a startling blend of age
old tradition and 21st century innovation. A young country, formed only in 1971,
it has now grown to become a stunning destination, where imposing skyscrapers
sit comfortably next to the souks of gold, silks and spices of old Arabia.
Dubai really has something for everyone - outstanding golf courses, water sports
and camel racing, while cosmopolitan duty free malls are a shoppers' delight.
Take a dhow cruise along the famous Creek or go on safari across the timeless
desert - what a unique short break!
Dubai is ideal for sampling all kinds of Middle Eastern cuisine, including
Lebanese, Iranian and Moroccan, as well as a wide range of very high quality
Western food. A visit to the new 'souk' at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel is a real
'must' or try afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
To finish off your day with something really spectacular and different try the
Al Muntaha restaurant at the amazing Burj al Arab hotel suspended 300 metres
above the sea! Alcohol is only served in hotel restaurants and bars - the
selection is wide but the prices are higher than in the UK.
PLACES TO SEE:
The Dubai Museum Housed in the elegantly restored Al Fahidi Fort (which was
built in 1787 to defend the city against invasion), the museum's huge amount of
exhibits (that date back 3,000 years) reflect the original settlement's
historical and cultural heritage. Particularly fascinating are the life sized
dioramas that demonstrate what life was like before the discovery of oil.
Jumeirah Mosque One of the finest examples of Islamic mosque architecture, this
is an awesome sight and well worth taking one of the guided tours offered on
Sunday and Thursday mornings.
Wild Wadi Water Park 12 sprawling acres and over 30 'rides' including one
33-metre high almost-vertical slide, artificial waves you can surf on, and much
other twisting, turning water fun. A superb day out for all the family.
Burj al-Arab Aka the "Tower of the Arabs" this is actually that gravity-defying
luxury hotel that you'll undoubtedly recognise from pictures of Dubai (its
distinctive curved design is said to represent the curved sail of a dhow). It's
321 metres high, was opened in 1999, and staying in what amounts to this 7-star
hotel can cost as much as £20,000 per night!! (Though you could slum it in a
lesser suite for a paltry £800 per night). If you fancy a fleeting visit -
perhaps to the Al Muntaha restaurant that's suspended 300m over the sea - then
it'll cost around £30 just to cross the private bridge that connects it to the
Dubai mainland.
SHOPPING IN DUBAI:
Dubai is a dream destination if shopping's your thing. The duty-free prices and
sheer range of goods means there's quite possibly no better place in the world
for grabbing a bargain.
While the glitzy modern shopping malls are a sight to behold, the souks
(markets) provide an unforgettable experience - along with prices that are even
lower... if you're in the mood for a bit of bartering of course.
Gold Souk This most famous of the Dubai souks will take your breath away -
guaranteed. An unbelievable choice of gold items are available here, designed to
the highest levels of skill and craftsmanship. Dubai is, after all, an extremely
affluent port and so it's perhaps natural that it's one of the best places in
the world to buy gold, and if you've done your homework you'll soon realise that
there are more bargains to be had here than you can shake a golden stick at.
Remember to barter - no need to take the first price offered - and shopping
around will pay off.
Spice Souk Next to the Gold Souk, that gloriously fragrant and aromatic hall is
the Spice Souk, host to a myriad of exotic Middle Eastern seasonings. The
traders' wares are sold from the sack - a great (i.e. cheap!) way to grab a few
genuine local souvenirs featuring cloves, cinnamon, incense and countless other
spices, dried fruits & nuts.
Perfume Souk An even more fragrant hall, the Perfume Souk is home to literally
thousands of aromas. The local perfumes tend to be very strong and spicy (our
delicate western noses are more used to more subtle flowery concoctions), though
expert stallholders willing happily try and duplicate virtually any perfume you
care to describe. There are also great deals to be had for incense, with
frankincense being the most popular. As with all souks, shop around and then
negotiate with the trader to get the best deal.
A word about souks... Dubai's famous souks provide a thrilling environment for
getting a fantastic bargain. The atmosphere is best described as 'bustling' and
the traditional style of doing business by negotiating, can be a daunting
experience to the westerner. But don't be put off - at the very least, if the
trader offers a product for a certain amount, then don't accept it and see how
much he lowers his first asking price. Feel free to suggest what you think would
be a more reasonable price, or accept the deal when the trader reaches a point
that you feel is reasonable. The bottom line is, of course, if you're not happy
with the price offered, then politely say, "no, thank you" and walk away. The
trader will already have his eye on the next customer.
When to go: Dubai is warm and
humid for most of the year, with May to September extremely hot months.
Dates for the diary: Along with
many international sports events, Dubai’s month-long shopping festival starts in
mid-January,
with Abu Dhabi’s in March.
