The city of Dubai, standing proud at the heart of the United Arab Emirates Emirate of Dubai, is world famous for its breathtakingly tall skyscrapers, expensive luxury apartments and friendly atmosphere. Any visitor to Dubai city is never too far away from the desert and all that this amazing city has to offer. Dubai’s national airline, Emirates connects tourists and business people alike to Dubai from over 150 cities in 74 countries across 6 continents.
What to see
Tourists can never get bored when in Dubai, there is an abundance of sights and attractions to see and experience, including the world famous Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world’s tallest building, standing at an awe inspiring 2,722 feet. As the glass laden building shines in the midday sun, guests are able to take an lift to the 124th floor ‘At the Top’ observation deck, which offers stunning views across Dubai through the augmented reality live ‘Behold Telescope’. Tickets are bookable online in advance at a 75% discount. Another sight worth checking out is the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial palm tree shaped archipelago lined with some of the world’s most expensive luxury homes. Visitors are able to explore the artificial reef surround the palm’s 17 fronds, and can swim among the 2 sunken F-100 Super Sabre fighter jets.
What to eat
Thanks to Dubai’s cosmopolitan and multi-cultural population, all manner of foods are available if you know where to look. English afternoon tea at the acclaimed Rhodes in Residence at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Dubai Marina is highly recommended. Clotted cream covered scones, salmon and cucumber sandwiches and eton mess are just a few of the tantalising dishes on offer, and all costing around 500 AED. For something a little less expensive and more authentically Asian, Pakistani curry from Ravi Restaurant is a must, with full authentic dishes costing no more than 75 AED and tasting just fabulous.
What to do
The city of Dubai stands atop a history stretching back more than 300 years, which although mostly forgotten about since skyscrapers took over, has by no means disappeared. Taking a walk around Dubai’s atmospheric Bastakiya Quarter offers a taste of authentic Dubai, with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, the old city wall, and Dubai’s oldest commercial art gallery Majlis Gallery waiting to be discovered. All areas of Dubai are never far away from the surrounding desert, so a guide driven 4X4 journey across the sand dunes into the scorching midday heat has to be on every visitor’s to-do list.
Where to shop
You simply cannot visit Dubai, the home of luxurious living without indulging in a little shopping spree. The famous Gold Souk will literally dazzle visitors into submission, with gold bracelets, necklaces, rings and ornaments everywhere you turn, why not try haggling and see why Gold Souk is known as the place to buy the worlds cheapest gold? Souk Madinat is also worth a visit, albeit for those who have a little more money to spare. The scents, sights and sounds of Dubai’s most luxurious shopping venue abound when shoppers are transported via an indoor waterway to discover an abundance of oils, jewellery, designer clothing and antiques just waiting to be bought.
To find out more about why you should visit Dubai, visit www.definitelydubai.com now!
